PIECE OF THE DAY: 22

This gorgeous picture of cupcakes is a tribute to my birthday.  Sad it is over because now I have to get back to reality and finish up my final projects and  exams of my college career.

PIECE OF THE DAY: its all about nature...naturally

It is the same in architecture as in all other arts: its principles are founded on simple nature, and nature's process clearly indicates its rules.

Laugier, Essay on Architecture

This picture is of Thomas Balsley Associates' Capitol Plaza in New York, NY.  This public space intrigues me because of the discussions that we have been having in my Poetry of Architecture seminar.  The study is focused on nature and architecture, and in this case its the integration of nature into the architecture of a public space.  

Public spaces is one of my obsessions.  The design of a public space is crucial for its functionality.  A space an be pretty but not function as a place for the public to be in.  There are many plazas in New York that lay barren because they physically deter the public because of poor design.

Recently there was one dead plaza that was redesigned and is now a prominent hot spot in NYC.  Yes I'm talking about the 5th Avenue Apple Store.  Originally a dead sunken plaza, it is now a top tourist destination and a eye catcher indeed. [BCJ]

CASE 4: sooo avantGUILD?

I am about to share one of my greatest resources for information and contacts.  I discovered it sophomore year of college, and have yet to tell anyone this secret.  It's called mediabistro.com.

Now don't tell me you've heard of it because that will ruin my glory.  Mediabistro.com is a network of people, ideas, skills, and education.  Its dedicated to anyone in a content or creative industry.  That means editors, freelancers, writers, creatives, graphic designers (need I go on?), and others, who all work in a variety of industries.  The site provides a place to network, share ideas, post jobs, find jobs, present projects, news, develop skills and show your work.

Seems like a great place, right?  But I bet you think there are strings attached.  Well you're wrong!  Its FREE [my favorite word].

All those aspects of the site are free at registration.  Its a great source for industry exclusive jobs and freelance work.  There are numerous online courses to help one expand their repertoire.  The have also added this new aspect, which expands the site's networking capabilities, called AvantGuild.  

A user can join other media professionals in what they call  their "new version of the 14th-century guild system." When looking through the benefits of the higher level membership, I saw where mediabistro.com gets there other revenue.  The advanced membership comes with many discounts at affiliates such as Barnes and Noble.com, Hertz, and Avis. (Just to name a few.)