x - p o l l i n a t e s t u d i o Is Badass

Currently x - p o l l i n a t e  s t u d i o [which is pronounced cross-pollinate, as in the transdisciplinary nature of design and ideas] is busy with a number of projects. We're finally at a point where we're working on both spaces and objects. While it's true that architecture at large has it tough at the moment, if you look hard enough, there are projects and opportunities all around. We're even working on a few graphic logos and brand roll-outs, which has flung open the pandora's box on my obsession with typography. But that's an entirely different post.

As of last week, our UPcycled Lights, which are made of discarded cardboard, are now available for purchase[!!] at the hands-down-coolest furniture & design boutique in San Diego: the appropriately named, Progress. They're always on the cusp of what's new in design, carry a number of local designers and have an environmentally conscious lean.

So back to our projects: one of our design endeavors is signage for a local coffee shop/wine bar called The Village @ 631. It's in the East Village [hence, the name], a newer addition to San Diego's central district. We're designing a sign and concept for their storefront. We love the location and feel it's got the potential to activate the community aspect of this developing part of town. We're kind of into their coffee too.

one of 3 options from our design proposal.
material: reclaimed wood, steel
fabrication method: C&C machine

In actuality the East Village is speckled with posh and sadly over-gentrified nodes, but as a neighborhood it doesn't have a cohesive feel. Yeah, that's where we come in... We're going to engender all of that with a 3-dimensional sign. But we also get the chance to text out a few fabrication techniques, so it's a win-win, as we of the fifty states like to say. Check out a version of the concept above [that one entails c&c'ing reclaimed lumber].

current 2D sign + UPcycled cardboard lights. [photo courtesy of Quixotic Pictures]

 The photo above is of the current sign. If you click to enlarge it, you can just make out one of
x - p o l l i n a t e  s t u d i o 's coolest designed objects: a cluster of our UPcycled cardboard lights! They're hanging by the wine bar! That's them, in the lower left hand corner!


After a flatteringly high number of inquiries of where one can purchase the basswood laser cut tags [[Hadley was sporting] [as a result of my being fresh out of grad school and broke last year], we decided to take the resourceful + upcycled wood design to a level of mass customization and are making them available for purchase through our website, which is now just about ready. Check it out at xpollinatestudio.com. Any day now our online shop will be up & running and you'll be able to fill out a form with info like your pet's name, your email or digits, and where we can ship the goods.

PUPTAG: x - p o l l i n a t e s t u d i o 's response to the lack of cleverly designed pet ID tags.
This one sits well not only w/ the Discerning Puppy but her servants as well.