good taste vol 2
Hi again! I hope life is being kind to you, and if it isn’t, know that even this will pass.
I realised the first volume was quite long and that maybe I should shorten them a little so they're more digestible. So for Volume 2, we're keeping it cute and a little shorter.
As I was putting this together, I realised there was a thread running through almost everything I had saved this week: ordinary things becoming extraordinary through creativity. Be it nail art inspired by everyday objects, collages made from personal memories, a building telling a story through architecture, or Michael Jackson's relentless commitment to his craft, it's all a reminder that creativity isn't always about inventing something completely new. Sometimes it's about seeing familiar things differently.
Let's get into it.
The Michael Jackson Movie
The Friday before last, my friend and I went to watch the Michael Jackson movie at Ster Kinekor. I didn't have any expectations other than wanting to learn a little more about the icon that was Michael Jackson. What followed was a full weekend deep dive into his life and work.
My biggest takeaway from the film was how passionate he was about his work and how neurodivergent he seemed. I actually didn't know that was what his personality was like. How intense he was about his input and output. How involved he was in every detail. How big he was on affirmations and manifestation.
I liked that the film was light-hearted and focused on preserving his legacy. I know some people wanted it to go deeper and unpack all the gory details of his life, but I love that they chose to focus on his passion, character, and impact.
I left feeling inspired because I, too, relate as a very intense, passionate neurodivergent person who is, at times, misunderstood.
Nail Art Inspired by Ordinary Things
I am not the biggest fan of the process of getting my nails done. It takes so long, I can't use my hands properly, and the more intricate the design, the longer it takes. So I almost always go for a no-design set.
The funny thing is that the nail art I actually want is usually quite simple, but somehow that seems harder to execute than the really elaborate designs. Weird, right?
Anyway, I've been obsessed with these Pinterest finds where people take inspiration from everyday objects or pieces of art and turn them into nail designs. I love it so much that I might just ask my nail tech if we can take things up a notch at my next appointment.
Digital Collages
I don't know about you guys, but I had amazing Plak books and scrapbooks growing up. Looking back, there were many signs I would become a graphic designer, and that was definitely one of them.
I had a love-hate relationship with cutting up magazines because I loved creating new layouts, but I also loved the magazines themselves.
I enjoyed it in high school for Mein Lesebuch in German class. I enjoyed it when we had to create mood boards in fashion school. And apparently, I still enjoy it now.
I've loved seeing the trend of creators making digital collages from photos in their lives to tell stories about themselves, their travels, or a specific moment in time. It's such a fun storytelling tool and can be used in so many different ways.
This is your sign to try making one. You can use InShot on your phone or, if you're a little more advanced, Photoshop. :-)
Other than those collages, I've also been drawn to nostalgic cut-out style compositions that use colour, typography, and imagery to tell a story. There's something about them that feels both playful and thoughtful.
Unexpected Photo Sets
One thing I'm bored of is generic studio shoots. The grey backdrop. The white backdrop. The expected airbrushing. The uninteresting colour grading.
Unless it's a corporate shoot (and honestly, even those could be more interesting), we need to be building more unexpected and unorthodox sets.
Let's bring back creativity.
Let's be fun again.
Here are some photo sets that stopped my scroll recently.
Obama Presidential Center
The vision for the Obama Presidential Center was to create a campus, a place where the public can gather for all kinds of experiences.
You'll find a museum, Michelle Obama's dresses, gardens, a massive playground, a library, an athletic centre, a sky room, and so much art and culture woven throughout.
One thing I thought was incredibly cool is that President Obama became the first president to digitise all of the letters from his presidency.
The building itself is a massive stone-clad structure that feels almost brutalist. Apparently, it's been somewhat controversial in architectural circles, but I love it because it has such a presence. It commands attention.
The façade features stacked lettering from one of Obama's speeches, and the overall shape of the building is designed to resemble four hands coming together, symbolising the importance of collective action.
Images by @e.___lopez on threads
Which makes perfect sense because the surrounding community (Chicago, Illinois, USA) was involved in the planning process, helping make decisions about everything from programming to where the parking lot should go.
It's just great design, thoughtfully executed.
Watch more about the making of the centre here
Fruity Makeup
There's a creator, @jaimariah, who does fruit-inspired makeup, and wow, what a concept.
The idea is brilliant, but so is the execution. It's such a great example of using creativity to showcase both skill and innovation.
These looks would be incredible for editorial shoots, magazine covers, music videos, and campaign work.
Now for our wrap within a wrap...
Here are a few videos I enjoyed this week, with very little context:
That’s all from this week! I hope you found something new, interesting, or inspiring. Here's to paying a little more attention to the things around us, you never know where the next good idea is hiding. ☺️