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I’m a big fan of Alex Mather’s Red Lemon Club, it’s full of great advice and normally some pretty wonderful illustrations to go with it. I recently revisited a post his personal blog from a while back about using idea adventures to keep your mind feeling fresh.

 

I’d encourage you to read the full post, it’s not too long and it’s full of wisdom, but here’s the premise in Alex’s own words:

 

“I decided to bring adventure into my daily life instead of a once in a year short burst.

On every day that I can, I will go on a walk, sometimes a long one, and I will bring my notepad and my phone to take pictures and videos. I will use this adventure to collect and note ideas or simply document things I see as I go.

I call them ‘Idea Adventures.’”

 

As someone who’s a big fan of routine, I don’t have a lot of adventure in my life. So this really resonated with me as something I could actually do to broaden my horizons and push my thinking out of its little habit box.

 

Last year, when I was working in a different office, I challenged myself to head into the one of the National Galleries, find a painting and just sit with it for 20 minutes. I did that every lunch break for about a month and it did me a world of good. I came away from it feeling more peaceful but I also started noticing more details in what was around me. That led into me pushing the details of my own ideas that little bit further.

 

I want to do something like that again, inspired by Alex’s idea adventures.

I love a good autumnal walk, and I always find the act of pacing around helps stir up new ideas – I guess that’s why the urban flanneur is such a popular trope. Plus, now I’ve moved offices, I want to explore the area and get out of what can be a very sanitised high rise tower block. The combination of movement and a new perspective is incredibly enticing, even if it doesn’t do anything for pushing my creativity. But I have an inkling it will.

 

While I don’t think I can commit to every lunchtime straight away because the job I do now is quite different, I do want to make a commitment. I want to go on a walk to somewhere new, or using a new route, 3 times a week over lunch and just sit. Sit and watch and record something.

 

I don’t want to pressure myself to sketch, so I’m open to taking photos or notes too, anything that documents the experience and I can draw from in a more permanent form. In part because I want to be able to collect up those experiences and use them. In part because I know that the act of having to crystalise an experience down in a physical format always requires you to think about it a little bit more. You have to examine the experience in order to frame it.

 

I’m going to be documenting this mini project over on my Instagram stories, and perhaps on Twitter too, as a more informal ad hoc way of sharing. But if it turns out well I’ll be sure to write about it more thoroughly on here.

 

Who’s up for adventuring with me?

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In the past I’ve made plenty of these inspiration gathering type posts (see here, here and here for just a few examples) because I love having this blog as a space to show off things I love. Today, I want to spotlight some of the non-illustration/art favourites which are influencing my work right now in the form of a moodboard because I’ve been enjoying seeing other people make them and I, jealous only-child that I am, wanted one of my own.

Tarot

I’ve spoken at length about my new love for tarot. But it’s still a major inspiration for me. First, I love looking through how the same symbols and ideas have been reinterpreted over and over and over again in new ways. I’m still a really big fan of the “classic” tarot designs though, there’s just something about them. Second, the act of interpretation and reflection is something I want to incorporate into my own work more. It was something I was really interested in when I was more focused on “art” at school and that I’ve lost somewhere along the way. Tarot has inspired me to bring it back in a little more.

 

Food

I love food. I love cooking. I love the process of cooking. For me it’s a space to play and make without worrying what something looks like, and let me tell you what it’s mighty freeing and also delicious. The sources of inspiration I normally turn to for this are the likes of Nigel Slater and Ruby Tandoh, but recently I’ve been loving Bon Appétit’s videos. Everyone there is incredibly talented and professional, and what they make looks so good, but there’s something about their style which is relaxed and feels like a real encouragement to just have fun making. In particular I’m thinking of Brad’s It’s Alive series, even though I’ve never made a pickle in my life, at least I know all about allicin now!

 

Knitwear

This might seem like an odd one. I mean we all love wearing a good jumper right, but how do you find inspiration in one? Well let me tell you, it’s all about the pattern. I create a weekly wednesday pattern over on my Instagram. These are usually repeating illustrations. But recently, I’ve been more drawing into fabric patterns and how these are methodically created. So while I’ve been snuggling up in my favourite sweaters I’ve been spending hours looking at Swedish folk knitwear. When you start searching for it, you can’t stop.

 

Landscapes

I realised recently I don’t draw backgrounds. All of my illustrations happen without context. It’s not something I’ve ever done intentionally, but it’s what I’ve ended up making. So I’ve been trying to sketch landscapes. I’ve turned to nature for references, which has inadvertently become a great source of holiday inspiration too.

 

Museum displays

Above my desk I have a Mariano Pascual print of one of his pieces to accompany an interview with MOMA’s curator Paola Antonelli and I love it. I was looking at it one day and it got me thinking about how museums display their pieces and in particular those cabinets of wonders you get at places like the Ashmolean, which then got me nostalgic for Oxford. But I pulled myself out of that reflection and started pulling together images of museum displays because one day I’d love to have my work shown off in something similar – perhaps a future rebrand?

 

If you want to keep up with what I’ve loving, I’m a bit of an obsessive Pinterest user so give me a follow and join the over 1,500 other people (how did that happen?) who like to have a nosey in my moodboards.

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Around this time the last two years I’ve put together a collection of the apps and tools I use on a daily basis. I didn’t see why this year should be any different. There are some old favourites and some shiny new toys in the mix. This is just a run down of the top five, because otherwise I’d end up boring you all to tears.

 

  1. Affinity Designer (Desktop & iPad)

Affinity has been my number one for a good while now. I love it on Desktop and now I love it on iPad too. I’ve done a full and gushing review on Affinity already so I’m not going to repeat myself here. But suffice to say that there’s a reason it’s my desert island digital creative tool. There’s nothing I need to do that I can’t handle (I’ve even found workarounds for mock ups) using it and it’s an absolute joy to work with, especially on iPad where you have the added wonders of the apple pencil.

 

  1. Procreate

When I first invested in my iPad, Procreate was the only drawing tool I used. It’s super simple to pick up and wonderful to draw with. I thought once Affinity came out that I would put Procreate on the shelf and never pick it up again. But that hasn’t been the case. It’s my favourite digital sketching tool still. It feels like a safe space to play around – a digital sketchbook if you will. So if you see anything on my Instagram you can almost guarantee I made it in Procreate.

 

  1. G Suite

Okay so this isn’t the sexiest recommendation, but it is certainly one of my most used. For some reason, until this year, I’d never really used Google Docs. Now it’s a key part of me making these blog posts. I write in docs because it means I can pick up a post across different devices, whether I’m at home or on my lunch break. I feel safe that I’m not going to lose any work. Plus their command+k link function has been such a time and tab saver. I love G Suite for sharing work between my laptop and iPad now as well. It integrates so well into the two tools mentioned above and makes sharing larger files with clients an absolute breeze.*

 

*Hey google, now I’ve given you all my data can you give me an SEO boost?

 

  1. Buffer Social

I realised in my blogging reflections piece when I hit the two year mark here that I needed to take social media more seriously. I’ve been trying to have a more structured approach to how I share my work and to be more consistent it. A big part of that change has been moving to Buffer. In the past I’ve used Hootsuite. There was nothing wrong with Hootsuite but I wanted a social tool that worked with Pinterest because that’s where I have the most reach, and I also wanted a change to help force a shift in mindset for me. So far, I’ve really been enjoying it. But I guess you’ll have to check back into the 2019 version of this post to see if it stands the test of time.

 

  1. Unfold

I’ve taken to starting to (at least attempt) to use Instagram stories. I’m not a huge fan of talking to camera, so Unfold has been helping me put together a narrative using still images that feels consistent and characterful without needing to turn into a vlogger. It’s still something I’m learning to use but I’m excited to do more, and show more of my process, in the future.

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When you hear the word Tupperware, it’s almost guaranteed that one of the first images that come to mind is a group of prim and proper 1950s ladies gathered around a living room table selling each other the latest in airtight containers.

Even though no one I know has ever been to one, Tupperware parties still endure as such a clear cultural memory.

The Tupperware party was the brainchild of Brownie Wise, not Earl Tupper. Despite having the best product on the market, and some darn shiny catalogue photos, Tupperware wasn’t selling well at all in the late 40s. The housewives it was being marketed to, just didn’t engage with the way the product was being sold.

That was until Brownie Wise stepped in. “She took charge of the newly created division of the company centered around what [Bob] Kealing[, author of Life of the Party: The Remarkable Story of How Brownie Wise Built, and Lost, a Tupperware Party Empire ] calls “the home party plan.”” She saw that the way to sell Tupperware was to make it familiar and what could be a more effective way to do that, than have the women they wanted to buy the containers be their salespeople as well?

She created a way of selling products that was the antithesis of the testosterone fuelled mad men culture of adland at the time. Tupperware parties were social events more than anything else. She understood her audience and she made them part of the process. Alison Clarke, professor of design history and theory at the University of Applied Arts, Vienna, argues that “Wise symbolised the real beneficiaries of Tupperware, women who would not have found it easy to enter the world of business – very often those from ethnic minorities or divorcees, like Wise herself, who needed the work.” Wise was the first woman on the cover of Business Week magazine in 1954.

But what about the product itself?

In the late 1930s and early 40s plastics were on the rise. The exciting new material had been used in the war for “everything from insulation for wiring to truck parts, but not for home use”. Plastic was strong and could be moulded into just about any shape but when it was “exposed to certain household liquids such as oils or vinegars, plastics were known to peel and even disintegrate entirely”.

In 1945, prolific inventor Earl Tupper was working at the DuPont chemical. DuPont found themselves with too much of ‘the material of the future’ Poly-T (polyethylene to you and me), which meant Tupper was able to buy a load of pellets very cheaply. He had been desperate to see what he could make out of the material. He knew there was money and fame to be had for whoever could find a domestic post-war use for plastics.

A few years later he had his breakthrough and he patented the now infamous seal to his creation. That seal first featured on the Wonderbowl, which was the “the linchpin of Tupperware,” [according to] Smithsonian curator Shelley Nickles.” The Wonderbowl was pretty wonderful as its name might suggest. Its seal, modelled on that of a paint can, was completely leak proof – there were a number of demonstrations of the product that featured it being flung across the room filled with liquid and not spilling a drop. It could be stacked easily in the fridge.  Its translucent plastic shell was food safe and came in a range of fruity and jewel tones. They were such a wonder to behold they were even marketed as art objects:

“Held up to the light, it becomes opalescent and translucent and has an interesting, new ability to transfer light. So these bowls look like art objects — even before you know what they do.”

They really are museum pieces now. You can find Tupperware in almost every design museum as well as the Smithsonian. You can also find Tupperware, or one of its later derivatives, in every home. Earl Tupper, thanks to the genius of Brownie Wise, got his wish to ‘tupperize’ the world with an invention that despite its size and simplicity really did change the world.

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Inspired by the likes of Sophie from A Considered Life, I’ve been trying to be more conscious of what I consume. In my quest to reduce my waste and be kinder to the planet, I’ve been making some waste free swaps. When you move from using something disposable to something reusable, you’re obviously committing to having an object in your life for a while. So, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to invest in some great, ethical, design and I wanted to share some of the gems I’ve found with you.

Water bottles

S’well

I have and love a S’well bottle in a brushed silver colour. It’s been hard wearing and because it’s a thermos it keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold – so it means I can have an extra few cups of tea on an evening without venturing to the kitchen. It looks sleek but not flashy – but there are definitely some bolder colour options if that’s what you’re into.

Stay Sixty

Stay Sixty have solved one of the age old problems of how do you clean out a reusable bottle properly? The bottom section of their stainless steel bottle unscrews, so if you’re a fan of a shake or juice this could be a great option. Designed in London, like the S’well their bottle is double walled to keep your drink at the right temperature. Their bottles come in some lovely colours too – I might have my eye on the stone one.

BKR

If you’re not into metal bottles and prefer glass, I’ve heard great things about BKR. Their glass bottles are surprisingly sturdy – I’ve seen one survive a fall from a desk. They’re simple and easy to use/hold. Pretty much everything you’d want from a bottle if you ask me.

Coffee mugs

Keep Cup

The Keep Cup is probably the best known reusable coffee cup on the market. They claim to be the “first barista standard reusable coffee cup”. They also look absolutely adorable and come in every colourway and material you could imagine. If you’re feeling a bit creative you can even design your own.

Frank Green

One of my colleagues has the Frank Green mugs and they do look as lovely in person as they do in all of their photos. They’ve also got every conceivable feature you would want from a coffee cup: non-slip grip, non-spill lid, double walled design to keep your drink warm, plus if you live outside of the EU you can also use your cup to pay for your coffee using CafePay.

Stojo

If you’re like me and don’t have take out coffee all that often but still want a reusable option, the Stojo cup is probably your best bet. It folds down to be the size of its lid when not in use, so you can easily store it in your bag then unfold it when you need rather than lugging around a big mug you might not always need.

Old Brewhouse Pottery

There are lots of hand made pottery options out there too if you want something with a bit more character which supports a small business. In the UK, Old Brewhouse Pottery make some lovely unique mugs. (If you happen to live in Australia you are spoilt for choice so have a google!)

Cutlery sets

Joseph Joseph Go Eat

Joseph Joseph make some of the best designed bits of tupperware on the market, a market I am constantly searching by the way. This stainless steel spoon, knife, fork set is super compact. The innovative magnetic design of the silicone storage case, holds everything together really neatly and means you can pop them straight back in your bag without worrying about getting pesto on your laptop.

Spork

I used to work in a camping store and sold a Spork pretty much every day. It’s the all in one option if you want to keep things as simple as they can be. It’s a spoon. It’s a fork. It’s a knife. It’s everything you need to eat lunch on the go and you can pick it up in plastic free stainless steel.

OFUN

This is the set I’m planning on buying myself. It’s a reusable wooden cutlery set, finished with a food grade non-toxic wood oil which is BPA Free. I love that it includes chopsticks. Because it’s made of wood, not only does it look super classy (every little helps) it’s also going to be that bit lighter than carrying a full metal set.

Tote bags

Stay Home Club

I bought a Stay Home Club tote years ago and I still love it today. They have a much bigger range now though. They’re all wonderfully illustrated, as is everything they make, and perfect for the introvert in your life. I’ve got my beady little eye on the no new friends one by Baker.

 

Adam JK

I think I mention Adam JK in every one of these design favourites type posts, but I love his work and I don’t care. His totes are funny and wonderful and subtle statements and I just want two of everything he’s ever made.

Other honourable mentions

There are loads of other swaps you can make to help reduce your waste and look after the planet. One of the biggest is to swap out meat and dairy (oat is my favourite alternative) where you can. But I’d definitely recommend checking out A Considered Life, which I mentioned at the top of this post, because Sophie has some great advice.