My Creative Hero: Pioneers of Modern Architecture
First one in and last one out, Kellie commits herself to each and every project. After attending Boise State University and earning a degree in graphic design, we convinced Kellie to trade her sunny home address in Palm Springs for a new one in the City of Trees. Almost one decade later, Kellie has developed a deep passion for brand design. She has the ability to fully understand our clients objectives and thoughtfully address their visual and strategic needs - from the meticulous craftsmanship of a logomark to the most effective messaging platform and every detail in between. Kellie is also a talented photographer and has helped shape our lifestyle image portfolio to where it stands today. When she is not distracted by letter kerning or leading photoshoots, Kellie is volunteering her time teaching students and traveling the world.
LBB> Who would you say is your creative hero?
Kellie> The pioneers of modern architecture - Mies Van Der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, and Louis Kahn, just to name a few.
LBB> How long have they been important to you and what are your first memories of meeting them or coming across their work?
Kellie> My upper-division art history class in college - after taking years of 'traditional' art classes, I decided on a whim to mix it up and try something new. The History of Modern Architecture? Sure, why not?!
The class covered modern architecture from the mid-18th through the late 20th centuries. To my surprise, it ended up being my favourite class I’d ever taken (other than a close-second archaeology class that had me questioning if I was meant to be uncovering fossils instead of designing logos).
LBB> How did you go about finding to learn more about them and their work?
Kellie> That class was the catalyst for my admiration of architecture. I read and reread the books from that time and began to explore the world of architecture further through books, articles, documentaries, the depths of the Google rabbit hole, and, of course, traveling.
Image © Gunnar Klack
LBB> Why are they such an inspiration to you?
Kellie> At first, it started as an interest and another creative medium to admire, but over the years, it became a source of inspiration as I developed as a designer.
On the surface, modernism is about embracing minimalism and rejecting the 'fluff.' It is intentional, rational, and functional. That alone feeds my designer soul, but it also offers so much more.
The modernist movement was an important marker of a worldwide cultural shift. The effects of World War II forced architects to rethink traditional design practices. At its core, it wanted to create a utopian society where better architecture solves the wicked problems of the world - better ventilation and natural light would cure disease, and mass housing would end homelessness. Disclaimer: it can be debated if this movement was actually successful or detrimental in that regard, BUT it did influence design thinking of the time and still does today.
All that to say, the history of modern architecture opened my eyes to how truly impactful and vital design is and can be.
LBB> How do they influence you in your approach to your creative work?
Kellie> 'Form follows function' was the methodology of these pioneers. They didn’t just build an intricate and ornate building for the heck of it; they took a step back to observe the relationship between site and structure. What is necessary? What isn’t? How can we improve the experience and better lives?
Obviously, as a designer, visuals are inherently essential and should be executed well, but truly great work is also effective and invokes change.
I’ve always held a natural curiosity and love for asking ‘why?’. But after being introduced to the thinking behind modern architecture, it reinforced how critical it is to our work as creatives, especially in advertising. Our work can sometimes be oversimplified as encouraging consumerism, but we cannot forget how influential it is, good or bad.
It’s a reminder to dig deep and look holistically at design with intention and purpose.
LBB> What piece or pieces of their work do you keep coming back to?
Kellie> Paimio Sanatorium by Alvar Aalto
The Paimio Sanatorium was built not only to house tuberculosis patients but also as a 'medical instrument' in the healing process. Every detail of this building was thoughtfully considered and chosen to improve the patient experience, from lighting to furniture to paint. It utilises materials that are easy to clean and don’t gather dirt, ribbon windows to support light therapy, and dark ceiling paint to avoid glare. The Sanatorium is the perfect example of 'form follows function,' and the intentionality behind it is actually incredible. This work, in particular, is one I have carried with me over the years and was my first introduction to human-centred design.
Historical Photograph | ©Alvar Aalto Foundation
