Design Medley

Once you see it         

                                          you can draw it.

Once you hear it                                           

     you can play it. 

Once you feel it                                                   

                                    you can design it.

~Angela Borrowman

Here are a medley of designs from my days at Lumicor. The first photograph is a spiral staircase. This awesome stair paneling on Purdue University campus is thermoformed Lumicor material. Coordination on this project included myself, the GC, Lumicor Sales and Lumicor Fabrication. This project included digitizing hard templates created from the site, then coordinating location and radii for thermoforming the shaped parts. I also designed the male and female molds and all instructional drawings for fabrication and onsite installation. It is a great addition to the campus!

This display (pictured below) adds some motion to the translucent beauty. These decorative fins showcase the wide array of decors available. This design was part of our trade show booth for 2014. These panels pivot on custom hardware designed to hold the panels top and bottom. The coordination on this design feature was interdepartmental between myself, the metal fabricator, engineering, marketing, and production.

 This Award winning design is in the Lobby at First National Building Detroit. This design received Special Citation for Innovative Use of Acrylics in Lighting awarded to Peter Basso Associates, Inc. Lighting Designers: Lindsey Mehlberg, Darko Banfic. I was part of the unsung heroes that made this concept a reality. There was a lot of R&D, physical tests and mock-ups created at our facility to aid the installer and to coordinate the lighting and panel installation onsite. I coordinated this project with Lumicor Sales, the GC and installer. I researched hardware, weight and load, assembly method and installation process. It is a stunning feature in the lobby.

Ceiling features are a wonderful and simple way to break up the hard lines of a space. These dynamic wave panels were created to do just that! The material is Luminous Lumicor. Project coordination included number of point supports needed to buttress the panels, custom hardware needed (minimal cables) as well as designing the male and female molds used to thermoform the material. I also created and all drawings for fabrication using AutoCAD and Mastercam.

The desire to

create

is one of the 

deepest

yearnings

of the

human soul

~Deiter Uchtdorf

Yin Yang

The separating line between "technical" and "creative" has always been blurred to me; they fit together so naturally, like puzzle pieces. If you look at some of the great designers, architects, and engineers in history they seem to have a grasp on both aspects of design. I think that's the story of my career; creative AND technical... like Yin and Yang.

The following fixture and furniture pieces fall into that blurred category; "technical" and "creative" married together. 

This Lumicor sign combines the sleek thin low profile LED light panel and clean high-gloss acrylic to create a modern light feature advertising not only the products we carry, but our fabrication and design capabilities. The concept was developed by our Marketing Manager. The details were coordinated between myself and the lighting supplier, and validated by our Mechanical Engineer. The metal base and support structure were fabricated by our sister company. The result is an eye-catching feature with animated lights and dimming capabilities. 

  

 Pictures taken at the Trade Shows this past summer.

Design bliss happens when you have the freedom to develop the concept and work through the logistical details without compromising the original idea or concept. This simple table falls into that category. It illustrates the low profile LED light panel, light output measured in Lux to illuminate the immediately adjacent surface (no bulky reflectors needed to get a consistent and even light spread through the entire surface of the table top). It also holds samples and literature in a straightforward composition meeting one major requirement of an art gallery feel at a trade show; inconspicuous storage.

Concept sketch above

 Photos taken at the Trade Shows

This LED light table shows the unique and wonderful combination of Lumicor and cool LED lighting (5300K). Seeing design become reality will always be the best part of what I do; whether it is furniture, fixtures, art features, or even a retail space or corporate project. That is where the magic happens, and I love being part of the process.

INSPIRE

I have had the wonderful opportunity in my life to work with some marvelous people and have some brilliant learning experiences in my career. I've tried to capture these lessons and apply them in my life. Here is a growing compilation of the highlights:

Important things to remember (in no particular order, they are all important):

• One team, one goal
• The earliest possible moment
• If it’s not in writing, it didn't happen
• It doesn't matter who is right, it matters what is right
• Make a commitment, keep a commitment
• Lead with kindness
• Always tell the truth
• Can’t drive a car looking in the rear view mirror
• Bloom where you are planted
• Shift happens (embrace change)
• The future is as bright as your faith
• Work hard, play hard
• Make complicated things simple
• You cannot rationalize emotion
• They will eventually forget if you were late, but they will never forget if you were wrong (so do it right the first time)
• Speed Kills
• I can do anything, but I can't do everything
• Do more with less
• There is no such thing as good enough. I want to be the best!
• Your dream job doesn't exist, you must create it!

The real story of success:

I work for a wonderful entrepreneur whose passion is contagious. 

He has opened the future culture and growth of the company up to the employees. We have had the wonderful collaborative activity of re-writing the company core values. It has been a marvelous experience to be a part of something greater than yourself. Here is a quote I heard that is very true and is also very fitting; You can't 'install' core values... you have to find people with values. 

These values and the life lessons listed above are truly who I am inside. I believe very strongly in all these things listed and teamwork is the foundation.

Lumicor is inspiring. We make such amazing product. It's only fitting that the core values also INSPIRE.

I.N.S.P.I.R.E

Integrity, Do the right thing, even if nobody is watching.

Earn trust through honesty, accountability, sincerity, and dedication.

Keep our commitments.

Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. Right is right even if no one is doing it.

Actions speak louder than words.

Nurture teamwork, leadership and learning.

Never stop learning! 

Treat others like they make a difference and they will! 

Succeed by helping others succeed.

Manage conflicts constructively.

Give clear, candid and timely feedback. 

Don’t find fault, find solutions! 

Service begins with me!

Customer Service is not a department it’s an Attitude!

Promise only what you can deliver. Then deliver more than you promise.

We take care of our teammates, so they can take care of our customers!  

Passion is our fuel!

Never give up! If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door!  

Work with passion, perseverance and urgency.  

Work to inspire and motivate others!  

Work with purpose, pride and positive attitude.  

Innovate Relentlessly!

Dream. Design. Deliver.  

Seek new opportunities and take calculated risks.

The best way to predict the future is to create it!

It always seems impossible, until it’s done!  

Be a possibility thinker!

Enthusiastically encourage and drive change!  

Be open-minded!

Relationships are the Backbone of our Business!

Building relationships is our business!  

Trust takes years To Build, seconds To Break, and Forever To Repair.

No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care! It’s how you make people feel that matters!  

Invest in open honest communication.

Be compassionate, friendly and sincere. 

Enjoy the Journey!

Give Thanks!

Work Hard, Play Loud!

Create Fun and a Little Weirdness!  

Appreciate People!

Laugh and Smile!  

Celebrate Often!

Here are some additional inspirational words to remember!!

Don't you quit!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nczw6xHJ0I 

How bad do you want it?!?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSC2vx7zFQ 

Things are looking up!

Stairs are one of the most difficult elements to design because of the level of detail required. They are a means of emergency egress. There are codes and safety factors to take into consideration when laying them out. They’re also a showpiece to the entrance of our headquarters. Many heads came together, and also several companies worked together to lay out the space and design. From structural engineering to maintain the open design, to custom-designed and manufactured hardware and hand crafted glass panels; these stairs (still under construction) are stunning! 

Concept hand sketch showing hardware, handrail, panel and mounting.

 Concept drawings created in SketchUp

Moonstone Recycled Glass Stair Panels installed with 

Brushed Stainless Steel custom railing hardware

(still under construction)

The urban and monochromatic theme reinforces the design phrase; less is more.

Lumicor's Recycled Glass panels are embedded with glass aggregate that is 98%-100% recycled post-industrial content or post-consumer content. 

Add sparkle to your next design while maintaining high environmental standards.

Let's do the Twist

Question: Can you make custom pivoting hardware with only a center support 

to create rotating accent room dividers? 

Answer: Yes we can!

This fun and unique feature was created as a functional pivoting room divider. These panels can be rotated around the center post to open up the space when needed, and rotated again to discreetly close off the space. The staggered layout adds additional dimension to the room.

These beautiful and elegant panels adorn the decor adding 

a unique "twist" to the office space.

Let There Be Light!

4 years ago Lumicor was a material Supplier. In that short time fabrication has increased exponentially and grown the company by millions. Now, our latest adventure is to introduce “Solutions” to the market. The most recent is lighting.

This innovative LED light panel minimizes parts needed and makes installation as easy as plug-and-play. Since the LED light strip is integrated into the panel (no reflectors or bulky components) the sleek design allows for use in any application. The light can be cut to shapes and/or thermoformed.

The real magic begins when you add Lumicor decors to the light panel. Working with light and shadow proves to be an adventure when designing light fixtures and lighting features. This is truly a thrilling venture! 

Below is the marketing email blast introducing this new product to the Lumicor line.

Arc

In geometry, an arc (symbol: ⌒) is a segment of a curve, or a segment of the circumference of a circle. In Design, an arc adds dimension to the space interrupting the cold straight likes of a square room. Take a look at the corporate entrance before and after.

(Before)

(design drawings - SketchUp)

 (after)

The space is enhanced with the added ceiling feature over the reception desk. This design element adds dimension increasing the warmth of the space and creating a welcoming environment.