Karen McKay
Gifted designers draw inspiration from their surroundings. Seemingly inconsequential sights, sounds, tastes and experiences can inform a designer’s sensibility and serve as his/her ad hoc muse. Design Associate Karen McKay has worked closely with Tom Gunkelman as his assistant for 11 years and also works on her own design projects. (See, for example, some of her work in the Aesthetic story We’ll be back in May.)
Karen shared a small sampling of her sources of “inspiration and invigoration.”
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1. Travel – Recent trips: Hawaii, Ottawa, Door County, Wisconsin. |
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2. Library – I can literally spend all day there. |
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3. Laughing – It cleanses the soul. |
 4. Bright colors and patterns – For example, I love the Schumacher print Chiang Mai Dragon that hangs in my office.
5. Drawing/drafting – I love using CAD, but sitting down with paper and pencil to sketch is the best way to get the ideas flowing. |
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6. Family—Spending time with my new husband and our dogs, Winnie, a Yorkie Poo, and Max, a Papillion. |
7. Photography and photo editing – a new passion that I am just starting to learn the art of.
8. Staying active – I am addicted to recreational sports. They relieve everyday stresses and allow you to spend time with good friends. |
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9. Sudoku – I can’t stop until I finish. |
10. A good night’s sleep – when my imagination is at its best.
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