I’ve refrained from telling pregnancy stories until now because well, they’re pretty boring if you’re not pregnant. However, I think anyone can enjoy a good round of “weird things people say.” These weird things were said to me in the recent past. Size Matters. Being pregnant sends the message that it is now OK to… Continue reading Weird things people say when you’re pregnant
Author: Alicia
3636 Project Opens at Paxton Gate’s Kids in SF Friday, February 21
36 antique spoons rebirthed by 36 artists. 3636 Project opens at Paxton Gate’s Curiosities for Kids February 21. Reception 6-8pm. 766 Valencia Street (between 18th & 19th Streets). The curator of the show, Courtney Cerruti, is always making the world around her more beautiful. She calls herself a maker extraordinaire and that she is. Doesn’t… Continue reading 3636 Project Opens at Paxton Gate’s Kids in SF Friday, February 21
Flocking v Differentiation aka why I’m uncomfortable in IKEA
(image from Flickr Creative Commons) I have a lot of anxiety around IKEA. For starters, it’s always packed full of grubby kids and Noah’s ark styled couples, you know, the kinds that dress alike. Second, they trap you on certain floors and sections, by making you go up an escalator with no way down, urging… Continue reading Flocking v Differentiation aka why I’m uncomfortable in IKEA
What do you do? A printable booklet for applied anthropologists
I usually cringe slightly when people I just meet at a dinner party ask, “So, what do you do?” Not because it’s very complicated, just because it’s a little amorphous. I created this booklet so that I can simply hand it to the person who asks. You can print your own copy by clicking the… Continue reading What do you do? A printable booklet for applied anthropologists
Permission to Play
First, a plug. My lovely and talented friend Courtney Cerruti just released her first book, Playing With Image Transfers. And it is wonderful. Beautiful artwork, creative projects with clear “how to” instructions, and delightful personal anecdotes that give the book warmth. It would make a wonderful holiday present for kids and adults. Just saying. In… Continue reading Permission to Play
When the hipsters co-opt your lifestyle
“Where did you get this?” Seana’s man-friend says to me, nervously pawing the Klein tools bag that I’m using as a purse. “You didn’t buy it at Urban Outfitters or something did you?” “No. I stole it from S who bought it at the hardware store.” He lets out a billowing sigh, “Well, that’s a… Continue reading When the hipsters co-opt your lifestyle
Between the Lines: Listening with a Tarof Ear
With a background in anthropology and a family of immigrants, I like to think that I’m pretty good at understanding people. For folks who grew up with tarof we’re going to say things differently than say, plain white people from the Bay Area. But I’ve realized that even though I should be listening with different… Continue reading Between the Lines: Listening with a Tarof Ear
Thinking on Microinteractions
I just read Dan Saffer’s Microinteractions: Designing with details a great, straight-forward approach to thinking about design details in any given user experience design. It got me thinking about my own UX preferences as well as past pleasant and painful interactions. But first, “What the heck is a microinteraction?” you might be asking yourself. It… Continue reading Thinking on Microinteractions
Feeding Expectations
I’m a terrible hostess. I hardly invite friends over to my place. When I do I get so distracted by their presence that I’m barely able to ask how their grandma’s been doing lately and pour a beer at the same time. My meals are haphazard and I never have the right condiments. I invited… Continue reading Feeding Expectations
Why This Anthropologist Loves (and is frustrated by) Design(-ers)*
*Warning. This is a guise to promote the app, Design School Cheats, which I helped create with the lovely and talented Cara Oba and Kyle Oba of the design shop, Pas de Chocolat. At this time, it would be appropriate to visit iTunes and download it. The first section “LOOK” (like a designer) is free.… Continue reading Why This Anthropologist Loves (and is frustrated by) Design(-ers)*