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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Category Archives: Uncategorized

Sound in Color: Sunny Day Real Estate – Diary

26 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

48, album art, Chris Thompson, color, color palette, Dan Hoerner, Diary, emo, Jeremy Enigk, Little People, melodic, music, music industry, Nate Mendel's, palette, pastel, Round, Seattle, Seven, shading, Shadows, Sometimes, Sunny Day Real Estate, urgency, William Goldsmith

I have always liked Seattle band, Sunny Day Real Estate and recently I went through my music collection and came across Diary. Their debut studio album, released in 1994, was unique and told a strong story. Comparable to other records from bands in their genre, it was an introduction to what we know as emo, and set a strong standard for future sound.

This is definitely one of my all time favorite albums and having listened to it recently, it just brought back all that love. My favorite tracks are Seven, Round, Shadows, 48, and Sometimes, but the whole album is totally worth a listen and more. William Goldsmith exhibits such a genius display of drumming while the melodic yet striking guitars by Dan Hoerner and Jeremy Enigk add such intensity to the music. Although different, Enigk’s vocals seem to create a clear path to your heart, with honesty and passion as a driving force. And being a bassist myself, I can appreciate Nate Mendel’s ability to give the sound the fullness it needs on the backend to be as strong as it is.

The album artwork, created by Chris Thompson, is graced with Little People and a variety of pastel hues. It displays beautiful shading and light work as well as a sense of urgency, which can correlate to the bands sound. This is one album that will always have a place in my heart. It brings me back to a youthful and free time and reminds me that the music industry was once a validated entity, which is surely not what it is today.

Sound in Color: Sunny Day Real Estate - Diary

Sound in Color: Moving Units – Dangerous Dreams

15 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Anyone, Between Us & Them, blue, california, color palette, dance-punk, Dangerous Dreams, Going for Adds, gray, Moving Units, neon, pink, Scars, sound in color, Turn Away

The California band, Moving Units was formed in 2001 and released their first EP a year later. Having a unique dance-punk sound, they have toured with numerous bands such as Nine Inch Nails, Hot Hot Heat, Blur, and the Pixies to name a few. I was introduced to them by a good friend In Jersey around the time their full length album, Dangerous Dreams, came out. I was a fan instantly.

The album is full of catchy guitar riffs and dance driven bass lines with a perfect side of drum beats. If it doesn’t get you up and moving, than I don’t know what will. The production of the album is great as well. Everything is super clear and in focus, a real nice sound. I must admit Between Us & Them is my favorite track but some others I really dig are Going for Adds, Anyone, Scars, and Turn Away. However, all the songs are really good. Perfect music for a party.

The album artwork and its color palette matches the tone of the album perfectly. Bright colors partnered with gray undertones. The band has such a fresh sound and these neon hues accent it nicely. I also like how the illustration plays on movement, which gives it more interest.

Sound in Color: Moving Units - Dangerous Dreams

Spread the Love Valentine’s Day Giveaway!

07 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

contest, custom print, giveaway, gray star design, love, valentines day

Hey Everyone! I am having a Valentine’s Day Giveaway and it starts right now! Time to spread the love, just in time for this special holiday. The winner will receive an 8×10 custom print of their choice: wedding vows, wedding song or any other text you’d like. Please look at the images below to see your options and click on the images to view more in my shop of each item.

{To Enter} All you have to do to enter is CLICK HERE!

For more entries and more chances to win, you can do the following:
{1} Like my Facebook page: CLICK HERE
{2} Like the Giveaway post on my Facebook page: CLICK HERE
{3} Sign up for my newsletter: CLICK HERE
{4} Follow me on Pinterest: CLICK HERE

The winner will be announced the morning of the 14th so cross your fingers! Good Luck Everyone!!

 

valentine's day giveaway

 

Spread the Love Valentine's Day Giveaway!

Spread the Love Valentine's Day Giveaway!

Inspiration Photo Friday: Mind Evolution

11 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

7 Deadly Sins, envy, evolve, gluttony, greed, honesty, lust, Mind Evolution, pride, sloth, truth, wrath

I was always one to speak my mind, whatever the cost. Throughout my years in art school, I focused on the events and experiences in my life for a lot of my projects. My thesis and first show was called the Mind Evolution, held in April of 2006. It referenced my life in a sequence of digitally enhanced photos I took of myself along with text I wrote. Using the 7 Deadly Sins as my guide, I featured pieces that represented my thoughts and feelings during these times in my life.

The show was very personal, raw and honest and even though I was very excited to unveil my work to the public, I was secretly nervous to let it all go. I was so happy it was a hit and everyone thought it was a success. I had put so much work into finalizing this show, you can’t imagine the process I went through. From researching the mind and evolution to analyzing my life and past experiences. And choosing to open myself up to the world was brave to say the least.

I wanted to share these pieces on Inspiration Photo Friday because I feel they not only inspire people to be strong and truthful, but courageous as well. Sometimes you just have to replenish yourself and rid your soul of the monsters that live inside you. Even though they were negative experiences in your life, they will help someone else overcome a tough spot in theirs or may even help them avoid trauma.

We are all connected in this world so by opening yourself up to other beings, you spread truth and bring honor to the human condition. It is each other whom we learn from and gain knowledge, whether it be something you want to forget or something you are grateful for. Enjoy.

{I have created a book on this particular show that includes special notes on each piece as well as comments that were shared by viewers. If you are interested in purchasing this book, please contact me}

WRATH: Years of solitude inside my head. You never led me towards the light you proclaim to have. Leaving me broken…I leave you behind.
Inspirational Photo Friday: Mind Evolution - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

SLOTH: Wasting time. Standing still. Life is passing me by. I will find my self and explore once again.
Inspirational Photo Friday: Mind Evolution - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

LUST: I feel their eyes on me. Hands bound to me. My soul…exhausted.
Inspirational Photo Friday: Mind Evolution - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Gluttony: Tasting myself once again. I erase you with every scar. I am this without you. I can never get enough.
Inspirational Photo Friday: Mind Evolution - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

GREED: Here in my box of knowledge, I taste the world, touch what I see and make it mine. I take it all in. I grow…I share.
Inspirational Photo Friday: Mind Evolution - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

ENVY: I look at her, satisfied. Envy undertones. The future me. Beautiful.
Inspirational Photo Friday: Mind Evolution - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

PRIDE: Others start to fade as I gain success. Shadows walk beside me, for I am truth. May my strengths captivate. My talents impress. My pride overcome.
Inspirational Photo Friday: Mind Evolution - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

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