Palm Springs

After a wedding in the desert this weekend, I stole an hour to indulge in one of my guilty pleasures: shooting images that capture a unique sense of place.

Most people’s vacation albums are full of images of friends, family, & famous landmarks. Mine are a collection of details most people don’t even notice: architectural details, typography, way finding, signage, textures, landscapes, & color palettes. I’ve been building my souvenir library of placemaking images for decades. I’m obsessed with documenting the elements that build each location’s unique identity. I love how each combination of images creates an emotional profile, a visual story that reflects my experiences.

Palm Springs evokes a sense of swingy, mid-century modern optimism and freedom. Historically, it was a popular get away for celebrities due to its proximity to LA — old Hollywood contracts had stipulations that actors remain within 2-hours of studios when in production. Their presence built an elevated yet playful mystique that is still present today. It’s a living museum of MCM homes that are meticulously maintained. Art, design, and culture are just embedded in Palm Springs’ DNA.

So what was I able to collect in one hour to convey this desert haven’s essence?

1) Color

The natural light in the desert is crisp and clear, giving color the perfect stage for the bright, cheerful colors associated with this western city. Mid-century tones of mint green, mustard, flamingo pink, sunset orange and aqua that would be kitschy or garish elsewhere feel happy and welcoming here. They’re colors that could feel overly dated but here they still manage to feel fresh and current. Almost classic. They just work.

2) Typography

As a graphic designer, I have a special affinity for typography. Signage has always been one of my favorite things to hone in on. The different fonts and the way they’re composed for roadside recognition is incredibly powerful. Each location shows trends that subtly dot the landscape, giving it a unique voice. In Palm Springs, there’s a real penchant for playful, casual script typefaces that give off a relaxed resort feeling. Even the more modern san serif treatments have personality. Helvetica would feel uptight in this environment.

3) Patterns

While iconic mid-century modern homes are the undeniable star of the show, the patterns achieved in brick around them are key elements to creating that MCM effect. They’re everywhere in endless variation, reminiscent of the playful forms from Rae Eames and Alexander Girard. They provide a sense of depth and rhythm to the simple, minimal lines of the modern architecture they adorn. I kept wondering where they were sourced, and if there are still local vendors producing this dazzling array of styles. Is it difficult to replace vintage ones when they get damaged?

4) Textures

The California desert is a study in harsh extremes where only the toughest survive — stone, sand, cactus, blacktop. Palm Springs is a man-made mirage — a lush mix of tropical palm trees, manicured lawns and golf courses, and coiffed boxwood hedges. The dramatic contrast between the natural and built environments has created a unique sense of place, different than other western desert towns.

5) Sky

I can’t close without acknowledging the one constant in Palm Springs - the glorious blue sky. Dominating the landscape, its a dramatic lead character that reduces even mountains to supporting characters. In most urban landscapes, our view of the sky is obstructed by deciduous trees and evergreens so that we often don’t even notice it. But in the desert, you just can’t miss its presence. It lifts your spirits — the perfect backdrop for a playful escape. It’s a critical component to the Palm Springs experience.

Blue

Blue is the color of water and sky, associated with serenity, stability, inspiration and wisdom.

It has a positive effect on our wellbeing, giving off a feeling of calm.

HISTORICALLY

• In Ancient Egypt;

• During the time of the Roman Empire,

• Chinese culture,

• In Japan

• In Africa

SPIRITUALITY
Blue symbolizes different things across spiritual traditions:

• Buddhism =

• Christianity =

• Hinduism =

• Islamic =

• Judaism =

MARKETING
Blue connotes stability, reliability and wisdom, so companies that depend on customer trust and loyalty .

Common phrases using blue include:

• The blues/feeling blue = depression sadness

This list just scratches the surface, but underscores the importance of really knowing your target audience. Its wise to understand cultural impacts of colors as we expand into an increasingly global society.

Green

Today’s post is inspired by the emerald green grass growing out my window today, brought to life by the first thunderstorm of the year. That iridescence makes the downpours and gloomy skies worthwhile.

Green is the color of nature, growth, renewal, prosperity, Ireland, ecology and money (in the US, at least). On the shadow side, green is associated jealousy and inexperience.

It has a positive effect on our wellbeing, giving off a feeling of calm and serenity. A walk in a green forest can reduce anxiety and ground us.

HISTORICALLY

• In Ancient Egypt; the god Osiris, king of the underworld, was depicted as green-skinned.

• During the time of the Roman Empire, people would soak items made of copper in wine, which caused a chemical reaction that resulted in a colored pigmentation referred to as verdigris

• Chinese culture, green corresponds to wood and represents the color of growth and development in the Five Elements ideology.

• In Japan on the 29th of April every year, they celebrate Greenery Day on the birthday of Emperor Shōwa.

• In Africa green symbolizes and fertility, the abundant and vibrant natural wealth of Africa

SPIRITUALITY
Green symbolizes different things across spiritual traditions:

• Buddhism = balance, youth, harmony, vigor and karma. Buddhists believe that by meditating on green, your jealousy will turn into wisdom.

• Christianity = life, resurrection, new beginnings

• Hinduism = rebirth, new beginnings

• Islamic = paradise, nature, heaven, bliss, beauty, fertility. Allah described the people in heaven as wearing green silk garments.

• Judaism = renewal, hope

MARKETING
Advertisers use green on food packaging to imply freshness.

In North America, green is a commonly used as a brand color for financial institutions due to its association with money, growth and prosperity

Green is slang for environmentally aware practices, sustainability and climate improvement efforts so it used increasingly to signify climate-friendly products.

Greenwashing is a term applied to companies that try to appear more environmentally friendly than they really are.

Common phrases using green include:

• Green-eyed monster = envy

• Greenbacks = US dollars, prosperity

• Getting the green light = approval to move forward

• Green around the gills = feeling ill

• Going green = efforts to improve climate sustainability

• Being a little green = inexperienced

• Green Party = a political party based on the principles of green politics, such as environmentalism and social justice.

This list just scratches the surface, but underscores the importance of really knowing your target audience. Its wise to understand cultural impacts of colors as we expand into an increasingly global society.

Yellow

It’s the color of the sun and gold — the warmest hue on the spectrum.

Yellow is generally associated with happiness: fun, energy, joy, enthusiasm, originality, hope, cheerful, brightness, imagination, and optimism. On the downside, it can imply cowardice, illness, caution, illness, and anxiety.

HISTORICALLY

• In Ancient Egypt, gods were believed to have gold skin and bones, so yellow was used for their skin tone in art

• In medieval times, the homes of those charged with treason were painted yellow, representing deceit

• In fourteenth century Japan, it represented bravery, wealth, and refinement. Warriors wore yellow chrysanthemums as a pledge of courage to the emperor and royal family.

• In many African nations, yellow is a symbol of high rank due to its resemblance to gold, implying money, quality and success.

• In Greece it represents sadness, in France it represents jealousy.

SPIRITUALITY
Yellow symbolizes different things across spiritual traditions:

• Buddhism = Buddhist monks wear yellow representing renunciation, humility and the separation from materialistic society

• Christianity = eternal life, happiness, optimism, renewal, purity

• Hinduism = purity, victory chastity. Also, yellow is the color of Lord Vishnu, the god of preservation, the salvation of humanity. It’s also the color of the solar plexus chakra, our source of personal power, self-confidence, sight, and success.

• Islamic = peace, spirituality, one of the four colors of Ramadan. In some traditions, its forbidden for men to wear yellow

MARKETING
Wearing yellow can actually boost your mood, however finding a shade of yellow that is flattering can be challenging

The most visible color in daylight, its often the choice of fast food chains especially on signs. It also brings on feelings of friendliness, happiness, and with red it implies speed.

Drawing the eye quickly, its used as a highlighter in advertising.

Implies bargain prices, speed and fun — think McDonalds, Best Buy and Ikea.

Common phrases using red include:

• Mellow yellow = relaxed optimism

• Yellow bellied = cowardice

• Yellow journalism = writing that is sensationalist with questionable accuracy and taste

• Gold star = award of merit

• Golden child = someone who is favored, can do no wrong

• Golden opportunity = lucky chance

• Golden ticket = winner

• Gold digger = someone who gets romantically involved for wealth

• Heart of gold = supremely kind person

• Golden arches = McDonalds

This list just scratches the surface, but underscores the importance of really knowing your target audience. Its wise to understand cultural impacts of colors as we expand into an increasingly global society.

Orange

Back to the topic of color and the positive and negative meanings it can convey.

Next up: ORANGE.

On the positive side, orange is associated with sunshine, optimism, fun, creativity, happiness, enthusiasm, and youthful connections. On the negative side it can elicit feelings of arrogance, pride and impatience. Interestingly, it can be perceived as less expensive but reasonable quality (e.g.; Home Depot) or luxury (e.g.; Hermes).

We all dread the orange barrels and cones of construction, conveying caution.

Orange is the national color of the Netherlands, because of its association with the Dutch Royal Family: the House of Orange. The collective energy and liveliness of national celebrations is referred to as “orange madness”

It is becoming a color of human rights, increasingly used by organizations around the globe as a calling for peace and change. The Orange Revolution in Ukraine used it in protest of electoral fraud; the United Nations uses it to raise awareness and inspire action in regard to gender-based violence through their Orange the World campaign.

As the color of optimism from a mental health perspective, it has an uplifting, invigorating health-promoting affect on the body.

Seasonally, its associated most with autumn and Halloween in Western countries.

And of course, in most countries orange as a color is tied to the fruit, originally from China.

HISTORICALLY

• For ancient Greeks its associated with Bacchus, the god of hedonism and thus frivolity and entertainment

• Egyptians associated orange with rebirth and eternal life, due to the evergreen orange tree — so oranges were commonly part of religious ceremonies, including funerals.

• The French Impressionist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec used it to symbolize the raucous energy and excitement of Parisian nightlife in the early 19th century

• In Ireland it represents Protestants.

• In Thailand its the color of Friday.

SPIRITUALITY
Orange symbolizes different things across spiritual traditions:

• Buddhism = simplicity, letting go of material

• Christianity = fire, purification, divine presence, the Holy Spirit

• Hinduism = fire/purification, wisdom and the quest for light. Saffron, a shade of orange, is the most sacred color for Hindus

• Islamic = flame of the divine lamp leading to spiritual enlightenment, nobility, royalty

• Judiasm = rebirth, renewal, inclusion of women

MARKETING
Orange in fashion can represent energy, excitement, confidence, adventurousness, happiness, warmth.

Its another color that stimulates appetite and digestion, and is commonly used by fast food restaurants in their identities.

Common phrases using orange include:

• Apples to Oranges = comparing incomparable items

• Orange Alert = heightened state of security

• Squeeze the orange dry = extract all value and usefulness from something

• Throw someone an orange = offering someone a bribe

• Orange hard hat = construction zone, caution required

This list just scratches the surface, but underscores the importance of really knowing your target audience. Its wise to understand cultural impacts of colors as we expand into an increasingly global society.

Red

Color is one of the most powerful forms of communication in the world, rich with cultural, historical and spiritual themes. Colors quickly convey emotions and meaning, both positive and negative. It can make or break a brand or campaign. When choosing color, thoughtful designers consider the reactions each color can evoke.

It would be impossible to cover every meaning, but here’s a start:

First up: RED.

In Western cultures, red is associated with passion in both positive and negative forms: love and war. The color of hearts and Valentine’s Day is also often used to alert us of danger with stop lights and delete buttons.

In Asian cultures it represents good fortune and joy and often prominent at weddings and celebrations.

From a health perspective, its the color of blood, vigor and life.

It is the first color babies perceive after black and white

In some tribal African customs and traditions it can represent the blood of ancestors and the ongoing struggle against repression and racism.

HISTORICALLY

• Paleolithic tribes used it to bury their dead from protection from evil spirits

• Egyptians used it to represent danger

• Roman soldiers and gladiators wore red, representing courage. It was the color of Mars, the God of war.

• Ancient Byzantines adopted it from Romans as a color of majesty and authority

• Some Native American tribes consider it a color that transcends worlds, used red to call to ancestors in the spirit world.

SPIRITUALITY
Red symbolizes different things across spiritual traditions:

• Buddhism = achievement, wisdom, virtue, fortune, dignity

• Christianity = sacrifice, blood of Christ

• Hinduism = root chakra, sexuality, love, energy

• Islamic = life force

• Judiasm = compassion, generosity, beauty

MARKETING
Red in fashion represents confidence and boldness.

Sale items are often advertised in red to get attention and express urgency.

Over 40% of fast food chains have harnessed red’s ability to increase our heart rate, blood pressure and appetite. Not only can it urge us to quick action, but it can make us hungry!

Common phrases using red include:

• Red in the face = embarrassment

• Seeing red = rage

• Red flag = warning, danger

• Being in the red = Debt, financial loss

• Caught red handed = catching someone doing something wrong

• Paint the town red = going out and partying

• Red carpet treatment = treating someone like royalty

• Red tape = excessive bureaucracy

This list just scratches the surface, but underscores the importance of really knowing your target audience. Its wise to understand cultural impacts of colors as we expand into an increasingly global society.