Portfolio: The Little People’s Center

19 Tuesday Feb 2019

Tags

branding, childcare, creativeservices, design, graphicdesign, marketing, mycreativebiz, school, webdesign, websitedesign

When I brought up redesigning the website to Laura at The Little People’s Center she immediately jumped on board. It was something they’ve been wanting to do for years. My son started there last September and I couldn’t say enough good things about the teachers and the programs. I really wanted to help in some way so you bet I was excited to take on this project.
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The school needed a complete refresh so I started from scratch and see where it took me. We are all in love with the final product. Now the school has a much better online presence and with the new info, parents can learn more about the history and curriculum. I also formatted their documents and contracts so everything is streamlined and cohesive. I can’t thank the center enough for all they do for Elliot, the other kids, and the community so being able to offer my services makes me incredibly grateful.
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You can check out the site at littlepeopleschildcare.org

Color in Films: The Breakfast Club

06 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color in Films, Color Inspiration

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80s, color in films, detention, high school, institution, kids, principal, school, teenagers, teens, the athlete, the basket case, the brain, the breakfast club, the criminal, the princess, weekend

The Breakfast Club has been a favorite film of mine since I was young. Not only were the characters kids we could all relate to but the experiences they shared were very much real. I was pinned as Ally Sheedy’s character; weird, artistic and in her own world. This film brings me back, for sure.

Set in their local high school on a weekend, the five students have to face a day together in detention. Each one is different from the next, yet after hours of being in the same room, they find a way to get along. With an 80s vibe and somewhat institutional color scheme, the film gets under your skin and brings you along an unexpected ride through the one and only teen years.

I find it interesting how primary colors are highlighted throughout the film and used to represent the characters. The criminal in denim, red plaid and black sunglasses. The basket case in all black. The athlete in all blue. The princess in pink. And the brain in green and beige. The set, being the school, is pretty much like any other school. With neutral tones it stands as a dull backdrop. This only helps you focus more on the characters.

All in all, there is a message. A message that is best understood when you are young. Society will always find a way to label who you are and cage your ideas. But its when you break that wall of control and ignorance, that great things start to happen. When you are young, there are times it seems as if everyone and everything is against you. The only thing you can truly do is be yourself and show the world you are not afraid. There may be a dull environment clouding your soul, but if you own who you truly are, you can shine and create a brighter world.

Color in Films: Elephant

21 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color in Films

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children, color in films, elephant, films, guns, gus van sant, high school, kids, school, shootings, teenagers, violence

Elephant impressed me as soon as it started. Being a Gus Van Sant fan, I knew I would enjoy the film but I must say the cinematography was beautiful. Vast scenes of silence and normality get torn apart with violence that is unexplainable.

Based on the events of the school shootings, the story takes place in a suburban town at a local high school. The camera takes you through several of the students day to day while also letting you inside the life of the shooters. Van Sant took an interesting turn with the story and enabled the viewer to feel for the main suspects of this horrible crime. I must admit, Alex was my favorite character.

Although sad, the film is gorgeously created. Astounding shots are captured and due to the long scenes, you obtain a feeling of calm and anxiety at the same time because you know something bad is going to happen. Truly suspenseful to say the least. The imagery captured my heart while the story slowly saddened it. A duality of emotion that is quite disheartening. All in all, a film you must not miss.

The color palette is simple and realistic, one we all are accustomed to seeing every day. Walking outside, attending classes in school, hanging out at the lockers with friends, the everyday palette is perfect for the film. And then at times, the lens will stay on the sky and it will look like the bluest in all the galaxy. A bit of beauty in an everyday mundane world.

Historic Series: Huntington Sewing and Trade School

26 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Historic Places

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arts and crafts style, brick, colonial design, historic, huntington, huntington sewing and trade school, main street, medieval, new york, school, trade school

The Huntington Sewing and Trade School has been around since the early 1900s and is the home of the Huntington Historical Society. It was purchased by the Historical Society in 1982 and is used for administrative services as well as the society’s resource center. This building has been a part of Huntington for decades and played a positive role in its growth and success.

In addition, Huntington Sewing and Trade School was the first vocational school in the United States. The school taught many woman the important skills needed to keep a house and daily life moving forward as well as many trades to the men and young boys. Its classes included English, cooking and the arts as well as religion.

Many photographs of children in class at the trade school can be found in the Huntington Historical Society’s archives. Looking at those photos allows anyone to step back in time and see how different life was compared to today. It truly puts things into perspective.

The school building was designed by Cady, Berg and See in 1905, the same designers that created the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building across the street. Their resume holds works of art such as the Metropolitan Opera House and The American Museum of Natural History. However, their specialty was school buildings. They showcased the Tudor Revival style in the trade school, which was very popular at the time.

I love the architecture of this building. The next time you are walking by on Main Street be sure to take a good look at all of its unique characteristics. Its decorative accents are a combination of medieval and colonial design. The whole purpose of this style was so the building looked different and not as commercial as the rest. Think of the Arts and Crafts movement and this style fits it like a glove.

The arched doorway is typical for Tudor design and you can see Medieval accents in the hinged brackets and door knob palette. The brick and stone exterior plays on natural elements of the earth and the details in the wood is elegant and clean. Nothing is too loud, yet the building exerts power and strength. I love that. The second floor windows are beautiful and I feel they add that crafty touch.

Around the 1900s, Main Street along with New York Avenue was the center of town just as it is today. With all of its businesses and the great location, Huntington was an ideal place to live. The Huntington Sewing and Trade School was in the middle of it all, helping people learn and grow so that the community could gain success. It’s surely a place that will never be forgotten.