"Currently Under Construction"

After over a year of design development, we are looking at the finish line with our first project

"currently under construction". For architects and designers, those three words are the equivalent to finding the Holy Grail. So many of us work on projects that we poured our blood, sweat and tears into and never see the darn thing built. Needless to say, on our last visit we were extremely happy to see that not only is our project under construction, it is almost complete!

A quick recap will remind you that this started out as a one room addition. Our clients came to us asking for a "Great Room" which they needed for large family gatherings and entertaining. Twelve months down the road, we are standing in front of a serious construction site, multiple workers carrying huge pieces of plywood, scaffolding, the works. A complete re-model/addition is what came out of this partnership. A full second story, complete with a prayer room and a loft that overlooks the nearby mountains. We nearly doubled the square footage of the home, giving this family a functional and beautiful space that they can grow into as their needs develop and change over the years.

As rewarding as it was to see our project under construction, we really worked our tails off for our clients. We both work full time at local architecture firms, after commuting and making dinner, we were often working on this project into the wee hours of the night, emailing documents for comments, preparing for the city submittal and tweaking the designs here and there to ensure our client's satisfaction. Oh and did I mention we also had a baby?! We welcomed our daughter Charlotte into the world right in the thick of submittal time which was interesting to say the least.

(Knock on wood) So far, everything has gone remarkably smooth, the build out has been quick and quiet with only some minor inquiries from the contractor. We gave our clients some helpful freebies too, like assistance with landscape and interior design both of which were outside of our contract. The date of completion is mid-July so we will hold our breath until then.

Creative Minded Community Spotlight Series v. III Introduces Freelance Photographer Kevin Meynell

Murray Design Studio is very excited to introduce the most recent member to the Creative Minded Community Series, freelance photographer Kevin Meynell! So for all you aspiring shutter bugs out there, we hope you enjoy this interview. On a personal note, we have to say that it was a privilege working with Kevin last year, as he photographed our wedding! Not only does he pull out the big guns behind the camera, he was creative, flexible and that British accent doesn't hurt either! Here is his story... enjoy! (Click!)

Lots of people have great ideas but never act on them for one reason or another. What made you take the leap into making this real for you and taking it to the next level? How did you get started on your own?

It was a slow graduation, so never really a leap of faith for me. I have always been involved with photography, as a studio manager, printer, assistant, and an associate photographer for a few exclusive portrait and wedding studios in the San Francisco bay area. I still occasionally shoot for these other studios and have great friendships and working relationships with them. It just became harder for me to shoot for someone else, in a situation where I had little to no relationship with the client. It made it harder to find the purpose and connection that I strive for in my work. Another reason for my move to being self employed was that I was producing some distinctive and unusual work, winning awards, but without the credit or brand building for myself.


What is your biggest challenge so far with being a freelance photographer?

Being a businessperson.
I’m much happier taking photos and working on ideas.
I have been lucky so far that most of my work has been through referrals with minimal to virtually no marketing. That being said, I now feel its time for me to take control of the amount and type of work coming my way. So this year is my big push to implement a more organized and specific marketing model.


What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you regarding attaining your goals?

Never stop educating yourself. It’s imperative to staying informed and current with the work, and the ‘Business’.


What tips or advice would you offer to someone who is considering a venture like this for themselves ?

I would say find or create a creative like-minded community, from which many photographers and other creative’s facing the same problems, can share, compare and flourish. Being self-employed can be very isolating at times and therefore a little stifling. Having a network of people in similar fields can be a great way of making sure you keep learning, and help you develop as a creative person. Because I get very attached emotionally to my work and performance, its really hard sometimes to see where your efforts are going and how others perceive them. As much as photography can be considered ‘ART’ its still a trade and a business.


What made you choose photography above everything else out there in the world to do? Why the photo-journalistic approach?

I love it…. always have. I started photography as a part of a graphic design course I had enrolled in when I was 16 and it just clicked immediately. I was hooked. I photographed everyone and everything. It was the perfect combination of science and art, it was technical and I loved that about it.
It's not just about being creative or technical for me, its about how I get the shot, how I relate to the subject. It actually becomes a part of how you see the world not just through the lens but also in real life.
Photojournalism is an extension of that but it’s a way of seeing people in a moment, without direction and creating something visually dynamic and powerful. You capture the nerves, excitement and overwhelming joy from people, at times you become virtually invisible and don’t affect or influence the outcome of a photo. It's all about having a sense of where to be and when but in other instances it is my job to manage and create a moment, a look or a laugh or even and awkwardness.


You have a family, how do you balance work with home life? How do you make it work?

The toughest thing to manage is ‘The Home Office’. It’s convenient for commuting purposes but it’s also convenient for “ Can you pick up the dry cleaning?” or other similar household tasks, in a nutshell it can be very distracting. As far as family goes, having the flexibility at this juncture, to have an active role in my 4 year old son's life is incredible and I feel very fortunate to have this time. Taking vacations is also a problem. Like everyone else in full time employment, my wife wants to vacation in the summer (my busiest time). Needless to say plans get switched around quite often. I occasionally do get work in interesting places either home or abroad and invariably turn that into our vacation. It helps absorb some of the travel expenses and pays for most of the trip, without the underlying worry of missing out on a job.


How long have you been behind a camera and where do you want to take this?? Or have your arrived?? Are you living your dream? If not where do you want to be in 1 year… 5 years… 10 years??

I’ve been behind a camera for over 20 years from the age of 16 I don’t think I have arrived yet, in fact I know I haven’t. I have done some amazing jobs that would scream ……"I’ve arrived!" but they were for other studios.

I’m currently going through a ‘re-branding process’ and will be finally splitting my websites in to 2 separate businesses, one for weddings and portraits and the other focusing on my commercial and corporate projects.
5 years from now I hope to be well established and have a small studio and office to get my work out of the house and I’m hoping by then to have at least one full time assistant or studio manager. 10 years from now I have no idea. Hopefully, still learning and evolving; I would love to try my hand at teaching, its something I have wanted to try for a while now.

If you had to make a transition from the corporate world or at least the security of a 9-5 job, how has your experience been? Have you been able to support yourself?

I have had full time jobs in the past that were all related to photography and I have been photographing as a contractor for other studios in the area for over 10 years now. My wife works full time at the local city college so we have good health insurance (Phew!) and a reliable income other than mine.


What has helped you get your business off the ground and moving forward? Blogs, Facebook, websites, books, professional affiliations?

I'm still working on that but my website by far has been the most valuable asset. Its my virtual storefront, the first line of contact, so it has to look good and needs to be representative of you and what you do.
I’m a member of the WPJA which is an organization that pre-qualifies certain types and levels of photography. They have quarterly competitions, which really do push and elevate the ‘Art’ of wedding photography and help people move away from the soft focus, fluffy dreamscapes of the mainstream.


What are the top 3 things that excite you about your work and motivate you to keep plugging along?

I’m a different person with a camera; it’s almost an out-of-body experience, an alter ego, and a vacation from myself. I enjoy the challenge of what I do, making something amazing happen with very little production, equipment and time. I love the fact that it’s constantly changing and evolving with technology. I really like the fact you can impact someone’s life in a positive way through photography, whether it be a wedding, portrait or a story for a non-profit organization. It’s making everyday things and happenings into tangible memories, something that outlives us all and gives our children and grandchildren a connection to their history.

Name: Kevin Meynell
Age: 39
Hometown: Sheffield ,England
Education: BA In Commercial Photography, Newcastle, England
Current Location: Oakland California
Title/ Company: Kevin Meynell Photography/Kevin Meynell Weddings
URL: www.kevinmeynell.com and coming soon www.kevinmeynellweddings.com

Creative Minded Community Spotlight Series Volume 2: Chef Tyler Morris of Morris Kitchen

Welcome followers, foodies, friends and fans of Murray Design Studio!!! Hope you are hungry because this Series we take a break from the design world and focus on everybodies favorite thing in the world, FOOD!

We welcome Tyler Morris, Chef and Partner of Morris Kitchen as he takes a moment out of his culinary inspired life in NYC to share a little of his story and how he has turned his passion for food into his profession!


MANGIA!!

MDS: Lots of people have great ideas but never act on them for one reason or another. What made you take the leap into making this real for you and taking it to the next level?

TM: My sister and I started hosting a monthly supper club out of our apartment a few years ago. We'd invite 10 friends over, each of them inviting one of their friends. Curating and producing an event for 20 people, 10 friends, 10 strangers, helped push us into the realm of sharing our passions with the outside world. As we did more supper clubs, we thought of products that we might like to sell. This is how our Ginger Syrup came about. To sell in NYC markets, your food product has to be produced and bottled in a certified kitchen. This, coupled with liability insurance, packaging design, logo, website, etc, pulled us into a new level-- a legitimate business!

MDS: What is your biggest challenge so far with taking on all of this?

TM: Time management. To live in this city, you have to work so much to make ends meet, which means that there isn't a whole lot of spare time or energy to give to a fledgling company. It really takes a lot of commitment.

MDS: What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you regarding attaining your goals?

TM:Take what you need and leave the rest.

MDS: What tips or advice would you offer to someone who is considering a venture like this for themselves?

TM: Don't do it for the money; Do it because you love it. Stay true to yourself.

MDS: What made you choose this business/ field above everything else out there in the world to do?

TM: The ability to travel and the endless opportunity for learning new techniques and styles.

MDS: How long have you been at it and where do you want to take this??
TM: I have been cooking for a living for 13 years, starting in high school. My career is a constant work in progress, and I plan to take it in many different directions. Whether I continue to be a Chef, or I further develop my product line, or both, I feel that there are many new heights to attain. I'm particularly interested in seeking out the source of food, where I can feel more connected to food the way it was intended to be-- unadulterated, sustainable and fresh.

MDS: Are you living your dream?
TM: I'm getting there!

MDS: If not where do you want to be in 1 year… 5 years… 10 years??
TM: In a year I'd like to be working fewer hours in a basement kitchen-- I need fresh air to grow creatively. I'd like to be growing Morris Kitchen.
In two years: living in a more sustainable environment. I'd like to have debts paid, save for the future and own a house/ mortgage.
In three to five years: raising a family; running a family business; appreciating all that life has to offer; traveling.
In 10 years, I want to be secure and have a beautiful home somewhere, in a small town where I can be a part of a community. I want to watch my family grow and be there for all the little things. I'd like to sit down to enjoy the dinners that I cook, and share them with people that I love.

MDS: If you had to make a transition from the corporate world or at least the security of a 9-5 job, how has your experience been? Have you been able to support yourself?

TM: I have always worked in an industry of extremes, where hours are long and you work hard for every cent you earn. I have come a long way in my career and I've learned that there's no way to make a secure future, financially, unless you branch out on your own.

MDS: What has helped you get your business off the ground and moving forward? Blogs, Facebook, websites, books, professional affiliations?

TM: In the beginning, it was the support of family and friends that sparked our passion to start a company. Since then, we've been fortunate enough to have a strong network of well-connected people who have been spreading the news about our Ginger Syrup via blogs, word of mouth, and even mentions in magazines and newspapers.

MDS: What are the top 3 things that excite you about your work and motivate you to keep plugging along?

TM: Creative freedom, positive feedback, and the potential of the future. We are at a point in history where traditional cooking, combined with a renewed interest and passion for local, sustainable food is meeting 21st century culinary technology. It's an exciting time.

Bio: I was born in Santa Fe, NM, and lived for a short period in Port Townsend, WA, before my family settled in Sonoma. Growing up in Sonoma County, I was exposed to the height of culinary arts from a young age. I developed an appreciation for beauty and quality, which I have carried with me professionally, in Sonoma, back in Santa Fe and now in NYC.

Name: Tyler Morris
Age: 30
Hometown: Sonoma, CA
Current Location: NYC
Title/ Company: Partner and Chef of Morris Kitchen, Sous Chef at the Breslin
URL: http://www.morriskitchennyc.com/ / http://www.thebreslin.com/

Hats off to Tyler Morris and Morris Kitchen! Thank you for your contribution to our Creative Minded Community Spotlight Series! Inspiring us one handmade gnocchi at a time! If you want to get your hands on a bottle of that lovely Ginger Syrup or try a Morris Kitchen original recipe, please check the website for details. Keep up hard work Tyler! And to everyone out in cyberspace- thank you for reading our blog! Please feel free to leave comments or ask questions below! Yours Truly, Murray Design Studio

Creative Minded Community Series Kickoff ! Volume 1: Featuring MYD Studio's Lauren Moss

First off, a sincere thank you to those who have contributed to this Spotlight feature. Even in the short time that I have been working on this I have learned so much already from you brave souls who put yourselves out there in the world, chasing after your dreams! Thank you for your willingness to share your story with us and contribute to this community of fellow dreamers.

We are very very excited to present to you Lauren Moss, Architect and Partner of Moss Yaw Design Studio (MYD Studio). Lauren is a graduate of UC Berkely and has started her own architecture firm based in south Orange County. Lauren and I crossed paths during our involvement with the U.S. Green Building Council, and I soon discovered that she has a ton of energy, ideas and commitment to offer and our goals for our companies were closely aligned. A great person to kick off this Spotlight event. Enjoy!

MDS: Lots of people have great ideas but never act on them for one reason or another. What made you take the leap into making this real for you and taking it to the next level?

LM: Though there are a number of factors, I’d have to say the impetus came from a combination of a sense of obligation to myself and increasing desire to advance my career goals. The catalyst to actually make some enormous changes in my life was as simple as circumstance.
On January 9, 2009, I became yet another statistic reflecting our increasingly distressed economy. Being forced out of that comfort zone, I starting looking more closely at the world around me. Without projects and deadlines dominating my life, I was compelled to address those things I wished I was able to do if I wasn't chained to a computer all day. So, in addition to making a commitment to broadening my exposure to things other than work (reading, travel, painting, etc.), I also decided it was time to do what I had intended to do with my education all along- work for myself.
Since that surreal Friday in January, I have attained my architectural license, opened my own sustainable architecture and design firm (MYD studio), started a non-profit with other entrepreneurs I've met along the way, but best of all, I find myself inspired on a regular basis.

MDS: What has been your biggest challenge so far with taking on all of this?

LM:The biggest challenge I have faced personally is getting past the fear of the unknown and figuring out where to start and how to do it. This encompassed a number of issues, tasks, skills and logistics that I had never dealt with previously. Working in mostly larger-sized offices for the majority of my career, I wasn’t exposed to many aspects of business operations- things that would have seemed simple before became more uncertain without guidelines to follow, especially regarding such basics as communications standards, writing contracts, types of insurance, marketing and branding, and a host of other seemingly unexciting , but necessary items.

To compound this uncertainty, it was very difficult to do this mostly on my own in the beginning. Though I have a full-time partner now, for over the first year of my practice, I had to either teach myself, reach out to colleagues and mentors, or turn to the internet to understand and implement the necessary elements of a small practice. The value of direct contact and physical proximity to colleagues who know the ropes and are willing to answer questions, clarify uncertainties and give direction, cannot be understated, and when you’re on your own, you have to put a little more effort into creating and maintaining those resources.

MDS: What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you regarding attaining your goals?

LM:I think to sum it up in simple terms, it would be to keep moving forward and avoid self-doubt, regardless of setbacks and uncertainties. It’s a bit of a cliché, but true.
I’ve also been told (and finally started to learn) that it’s important to take things in stride, try to minimize stress, and enjoy life while you’re at it. No matter what happens, I know there will probably always be plan check corrections, that not every potential client will hire me, and that I will definitely make mistakes on the way. Inevitably. But it happens, and life goes on.

MDS: What tips or advice would you offer to someone who is considering a venture like this for themselves?

LM: Be as informed as possible, but also be prepared to be unprepared! You can never account for everything and unanticipated hiccups are inevitable. More importantly, though, they’re almost never insurmountable and there are usually multiple solutions to every problem… It’s okay to take risks. I have grown so much in such a short period of time by taking risks.
That said, one should still take whatever measures possible to think realistically about the pros and cons of being a sole practitioner and running a small business. Every individual has to decide what’s right for himself or herself, taking into consideration all the factors that will affect or will be affected by this new venture. It’s a difficult exercise, because often one doesn’t know what those factors are until they happen, so that’s when you just have to trust things will work out.

MDS:What made you choose this business/ field above everything else out there in the world to do?

LM: Architecture is never stagnant- it’s constantly evolving and as such, there are always new ideas to explore, new problems to solve and opportunities to learn, allowing for an incredibly creative, stimulating, and fulfilling practice. I am grateful for the opportunity to be in this profession and of course, I think it’s endlessly interesting… but it's difficult to think back to why I chose this field in the beginning! I love to make things and I always have. I don’t know if becoming an architect was a choice or an inevitable result of an instinctive desire to create.

MDS: How long have you been at it and where do you want to take this? Or have your arrived? Are you living your dream? If not where do you want to be in 1 year… 5 years… 10 years??

LM: I’ve been working in the field since I graduated from UC Berkeley in 2002- I started out for a year or so at small firms, building models and doing some basic drafting- the usual. I then worked for three years at a larger residential office, where I spent a year in the production department, on construction documents, details, etc. I spent the rest of my time there as a designer and was fortunate to have the opportunity to actually design early in my career. This was a critical element in gaining confidence in my abilities, and it enhanced and informed my understanding of the relationships between aesthetic considerations, such as scale, massing, style, and the functional needs of residential project types.

After that, I moved on to another large office, and spent several years working on K-12 projects. Large-scale project management in the context of institutional and public realms exposed me to the details of the construction process, how to handle code-related issues, and team coordination. Now I’m back to residential (mostly), and this feels right. As I see it, different product types are almost completely different practices. Working with stakeholders and school districts is a world away from working with individual families on a very intimate level. However, I will always value the time I spent working on public and institutional projects, as it gave me a broad base of experience, as well as the working knowledge necessary to obtain my license.
So, back to the question… In short, yes? I don’t know what my dream specifically is (or was)- I think if someone asked me the same question 5-10 years ago, though, my answer wouldn’t be too far from my current reality. However, I can’t say that I’ve arrived or reached all my goals, because of the inherently changing nature of architecture and design.

MDS: If you had to make a transition from the corporate world or at least the security of a 9-5 job, how has your experience been? Have you been able to support yourself?

LM: The transition felt fairly significant- moving from an office of over 200 architects, engineers, and support staff to an office of 2 was a shift in not only my environment, workload, and comfort level, but also required coming to terms with the lack of job security. I've had concerns about financial instability; however, my partner and I assessed the options, risks, and benefits to moving forward on our own, and the circumstances have been favorable for us so far. My fiancé continued to work at his small residential firm for well over a year before he quit to work full-time at MYD. Though that did mean an increased risk factor in terms of security and stability, we knew it was what we wanted and neither of us would have changed that decision. We didn’t take it lightly however, and provided ourselves with sufficient cushion for the inevitable ups and downs of the industry. We’ve also been fortunate to have the quantity and quality of the projects that are currently active in the office, and by planning thoughtfully and minimizing overhead, we’ve been able to support ourselves and our business. We’ve got our fingers crossed for further growth as we move forward!

MDS: What has helped you get your business off the ground and moving forward? Blogs, Facebook, websites, books, professional affiliations?

LM: We have maintained a blog for a couple of years now, and the website has been online for about a year. MYD studio also has a facebook page, and we try to stay active in online social media. In addition, becoming a part of the growing community of sustainability-focused designers and architects has helped us to stay current and involved. MYD is a strong supporter of the local chapter of USGBC, and we also work with a number of non-profit and community organizations.

In terms of obtaining work, MYD had a few small projects completed or in the works before we actually started marketing our firm, and that probably helped ease the transition to a full-time commitment. And full-time truly means twenty-four hours a day, especially when social media, marketing, and pro-bono work is taken into consideration. The huge difference is that it doesn’t feel like work- I think that’s how entrepreneurs maintain sanity while trying to take on the responsibilities of starting and running a new business- it has to be an engaging, challenging, and inspiring endeavor.

MDS: What are the top 3 things that excite you about your work and motivate you to keep plugging along?

LM:

1. The opportunity to contribute positively to the built environment.
2. Developing meaningful relationships with clients within a collaborative design process.
3. The ability to create and manage my own schedule and to be accountable for the work that I produce.

Name: Lauren Moss
Age: 29
Hometown: Laguna Beach
Current Location: Aliso Viejo
Title/ Company: Architect at Moss Yaw Design studio (MYD studio)
URL: http://www.mydstudio.com/

Check out her blog:http://www.mydstudio.com/blog/

Find MYD Studio on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aliso-Viejo-CA/MYD-studio/116965947698#!/pages/Aliso-Viejo-CA/MYD-studio/116965947698

On behalf of Murray Design Studio, again thank you to Lauren Moss and MYD Studio for a very genuine and insightful contribution to the Creative Minded Community Series Spotlight!

Brain to pencil

As promised I am uploading a few loose (very loose) quick sketches (no more than 3-5 minutes on each) of some vignettes that we are incorporating into our remodel and renovation. This was actually a fun exercise because I really haven't had an opportunity to sketch since my CSULB days. I'm basically tied to the computer at work and this was nice because I was able to break free of that for once. These sketches are a perfect example of design as a visual language. Our clients were having trouble visualizing what we were showing them when we were just going over the floor plan but using these sketches to communicative too, supplementing what we were talking about and showing them how we want the spaces to feel from more of a human scale helped them see get a clearer sense of our designs. This is just a sample of what we are doing- this has been one of my favorite parts of the project so far. Once I get back into the feel of it they will hopefully be more easy on the eyes. Don't laugh. :)

Creative Minded Community :)

After an email from a colleague saying that he has some ideas he would like to blog about but isn't ready to put himself out there, I realized there are probably many people who feel the same way. Then I thought that right within my immediate network, I have tons of people who are "creative minded" so to speak and who could benefit from a community of other like minded people and learn/ inspire one another . I would like to utilize this blog as a place for those people to connect and share experiences and give some light to someone who might be quietly doing some amazing things but could use a place to show it off. There are several people that I can think of off hand that want to or just started their own companies or are selling wares that they are doing as a hobby and might want to take it a step further- there are also those who are well established in their career who probably have some words of wisdom to us newbies- or at least give some courage to anyone who is timid about jumping in. I'm thinking of a quick spotlight on individuals and their work, use it as a plug for your business, etc and let people in your community know what you are working on. This is for start ups, entrepreneurs.. anyone who has gone off the deep end to follow their dreams and passions.... writers, architects, artists, industrial designers, culinary lovers/ foodies, film producers, photographers...within 3 minutes I was able to come up with this list of people who work in these fields... let's get all of these ideas off the ground and create a community out of it. Watch for the next post... this is going to be fun!

Light + Openess"

One thing that has stood out during our first interaction with our client is that we have taken for granted that design is truly a visual language that not everyone speaks. Those of us who consider ourselves designers and artists, communicate through images, shapes, color and masses. We take for granted the specialized tools that we gained during our training in school, some tools that not everyone is well equipped with. I once did a project in my Design Processes class where we had to convey the meaning of certain words with nothing more than a simple black and white drawing in a 2”x 2” square. We had to define what words like “masculine, repetition, passion and connection” looked like 2-dimensionally. It felt foreign because it makes you treat words as individual objects and the forces you to be accurate with the definition you are giving them visually. Going along with this idea, it would ultimately make everything that we design a statement- a definitive solution or attempt at defining some form in space whether it is a hot pink stiletto, an art museum in LA or the next new gadget from Apple.
This area of thought is very important because as we define and make these statements of architecture, of fashion, of technology, we are thus creating physical relics if you will, on what our thoughts are at any point in time. I really feel that if you don't know clearly what you are want to say then you are just creating "stuff" that isn't really making a contribution to our society or the legacy that our generation is going to leave behind. We see those "blah blah blah" forms in architecture all over the place, some hideous building that was created without a lot of thought, those houses that were of the mind of making the builder the most money and costing the least to produce. What are those buildings going to look like 50 years from now. Will they even exist? Will they look as good or better than the day they were erected? Will the inhabitants of that space grow "out of" as opposed to "in to" their homes?

That is the state of mind that I am taking with me as we work on our first project. Of course, we are no Frank Gehry or Calatrava- but that doesn't mean we can't hold this project in the highest regard. It is our beginning and even if we never get another project ever again I want to look back at this and know that we gave it everything we have and made a positive contribution to the lives of the people we designed for as well as the community that the project resides in. I dont just want to create a bigger version of the house. This home is going to make a statement about us as designers, about the people that reside in it and the life they want to live.

The words that we have to define in this project are "light + openess."
.. uploaded sketches to follow... so far we are integrating natural light into every area we can. Doors that fold back into the walls in their great room that lead into the backyard, giving them that glorious indoor/outdoor experience. Smooth transitions from one room to another and setting up situations for them to take in the wonderful views of the green rolling hills behind their property... sounds pretty dreamy huh? zzzzzzzz