Kadence Design Blog

This piece was written for the second installment for DesignSherpa’s Contest in which I was a contender. However, the piece was not selected to move on, so I’ve decided to post it here. Enjoy!

by Kadence Englehardt

Louis Sullivan once wrote, “Every building you see is the image of a man you do not see.”

While seeing denotes a sensory reaction influenced by all art, architecture and interior design impede even further on human emotion: inspiring the senses, as well as the heartstrings. To see into the world of art through a canvas is quite different than to be engulfed within it – literally, these are art’s practical sculptures that speak to the ages. Though a person may have designed every detail, one cannot possibly conceive of every event, mundane or significant, possible in a space. These user experiences truly define a building’s personality. Designers have the most prodigious impact on these experiences, as people spend the majority of their time inside our art.

Humans are truly ingenious creatures: working with what we have; creating what we don’t, but more than simply surviving. There are still new frontiers to be plumbed, but we often turn to previous tried-and-true practices when baffled by contemporary issues. I believe that the next revolution in design is a blending of both the beauty and elegance of the past through historic preservation, while protecting the future through sustainable practices.

Appreciation of the past and a belief in the future is what drives a project in my very own, Seattle: the restoration of King Street Station. Built in 1906, a pristine jewel of the “Italianate Rail” Style, the former grandeur of a burgeoning city’s tribute to the “Great Age of Rail Travel” was boarded-up. Forgotten. Decrepit. The “eye-sore of the historic district” was purchased by the city in 2008. Soon after, a strenuous restoration scheme began, but with a twist: designers aimed for a LEED Silver accreditation for the turn-of-the-century building. In the main waiting area, gilded ceilings once hidden by an average grid system, now entertain those waiting. And as soon as 2011, Seattleites will be stepping back in time, simultaneously looking towards the future.

Photo by Jenn Morgan

The One and Only Case You Need for Your iPad

by Kadence Englehardt

As the holidays get perilously close, people who’ve yet to find that perfect gift get even more desperate to do so, hence the word “perilously,” because, well, anything can be scary if unprepared. Now – if you’re looking to please that techie on your list, or maybe give them an idea for what to get when they return those gifts with which they are less than pleased, I have the perfect review for you in today’s Reflect: the “Origami iPad Stand Sleeve” from the always brilliant, Incase. Not one to buy things that only satisfy a single function, I find myself absolutely smitten with this item! Why do you care? Because I said so! No, not just that, but because this case is far and away better than the average one:

First and foremost,

It’s a Stand: No, the ability to lay your iPad on top of a case is NOT a design function. That’s just a glorified table! Thankfully, this case folds into a triangular sort of podium on which you can sit your glorious iPad (vertical or horizontal) securely within the plastic catches that slip into the gap between the screen and the outer steel bezel. Perfect for sipping coffee in Starbucks but a little gentler on the hands: the angle is ideal for web-browsing or reading or listening to music or anything else you use it for!

It Protects: Unlike the standard Apple case (sorry, guys, I love you, but your case just wasn’t up to snuff, in all of it’s thin, plastic-y, wobbly glory), the Origami sleeve not only protects while being toted about, but it holds the tablet within and doesn’t even have to be closed! The back is padded making it withstand most tumbles, which mine may or may not have taken during the research of this piece…shh..don’t tell my beau. It also doesn’t slip out even the tiniest bit until I want it to! It’s sort of like football pads for the iPad…yes, I’m serious.

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It’s Discreet: Also worth mentioning, it doesn’t immediately shout “Hey, shadey-looking-guy-in-the-back-of-the-bus, I’m an iPad! Steal me!” Invaluable security for the mindful urbanite.

It Cleans: I feel secure just slipping it into my bag knowing my screen will most likely come out cleaner…

It’s Chic: I’m sure it comes (or will come) in other colors, but I’m quite partial to the black. You can never go wrong with black. It’s sleek and the functional seaming just makes it look tougher and more secure.

Overall, I would give this case a solid 4.5 out of 5! The only problem I’ve had is that it’s difficult to get the closure over the top of the case, so I just leave it open.

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The details: I bought mine at BestBuy for $34.99+tax, but you can also check out the manufacturer for other places to buy. From what I can tell, the case is relatively new on the market, so it might be difficult to find used.

Reflect is a monthly column examining new-fangled products, trends, ideas, and more from an unexpected and untainted point of view. Ideas, suggestions, comments? Leave them below.