history
at the beginning. . . .
. . . . at the beginning I displayed a natural ability to draw - growing up in a severely isolated and tiny village in mid-central Ontario, in the winter months, for a young lad, there was nothing to do. If you weren't playing hockey on the frozen mill pond, you weren't doing anything. There were no activities in our small community.....no TV, nada. So, my free time was spent doodling,drawing. As I lived with my elderly grandparents, I delighted in the delight that my grandfather took in watching me sketch, and draw. In those days, on the back page of most comic books, there was an advertisement from International Correspondence Schools, that promised free courses in drawing if one could accurately draw the displayed image at twice the size shown, in as complete accuracy as possible.
At the behest of my grandfather - I did so....and was duly informed that I had won a scholarship - in Chicago (wherever that was) to pursue my artistic studies and career.
I didn't go, to Chicago....leastwise not when I was 9 years old.....but the lovely occupancy of time that the sketching required - and the pride which my grandfather broadcast, was enough.
Some years later, still sketching in free time, a guest watched as I worked away. He asked if I understood perspective....of course, I had no idea. But, he showed me....and my career, although tumultuous, was born.
I soon after discovered the mysteries and the might of Frank Lloyd Wright.....I assiduously read every book I could get from the library...I taught myself architectural drafting - at age 15. And I designed houses and apartment buildings - completely comfortable in my conviction that soon - very soon - I would win a job working in the Frank Lloyd Wright studio.
Of course, that never happened.....but the fire had been lit.
And over the ensuing years I pushed, pulled - practised my craft. I studied - I relentlessly read and scoured all materials about FLW - about the Bauhaus - became knowledgeable of Chippendale, Hepplewhite - of Harry Bertoia.....and all the other giants. And, fortunately for me I worked at some great firms - WZMH Architects, Toronto | Ridpath's Furniture & Interior Design, many others......
Over time, I became skilled in all nature of CAD programs, of 3D modeling - became a Certified Graphic Designer - attained professional certification within many professional organisations as an Interior Designer - won design awards.....loved every high-pressured nail-biting second of it.
And came, completely unexpectedly, to teaching. It came about because in the early 80's, in Montréal, I was recognized as the pre-eminent (if only) AutoCAD practitioner. And was subsequently introduced to the faculty at Dawson College, School of Interior Design - where, at their request, I designed and crafted the very first AutoCAD course for the graduating class of the Interior Design program.
And, I was then, bitten - by the thrill of teaching.....which on most days I still feel today.
It has been, 50 years....
I have been involved in the most exciting and fabulous projects - United States Consulate design in Montreal, global design for a standardised ticket office for Canadian Airlines, the Head Offices for Alcan Canada, Seagrams and Sons - retail design for a wide variety of store types from the very first prototype for Pierre Cardin Women's Wear to Diamanti Jewellers. And work on cruise ships for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines - and then on hotels as Senior Design Manager for Marriott Hotels in Washington - airports, law firms, private residences.....my CV is rich - rich with varied content.
And yet, I LOVE design - love the problem-solving process......love to find great design and say, 'Hey! Look at this ! This is so cool!'
And so, that is what DesignReview.International is all about.....it's my efforts to seek out, to find and to put in front of you, our discoveries.....
Doesn't mean, by a long-shot, that they have merit or credibility.......it is just MY way of giving back....to interior designers, graphic designers, photographers, architects, interior decorators - any/all professions involved in the creative manifestation of creative thinking....
So - I hope you'll join me on this journey. I hope you will also find great discoveries -and you will refer me to them.....
...and I hope - in this world of ascerbic tensions and frictional conflicts - that we might all collaborate and celebrate - great creative thinking across all borders.
In this past year I have continued in my personal pursuit of growth and improvement. I was accepted into and completed a Master's degree in Creative Writing through University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, UK.
And just recently applied to and was accepted as a full-fledged member of DGC - Directors Guild of Canada. DGC is the governing body for set designers, art directors in the TV/Film world in Canada.
Thank you for listening
Michael Moore M.A.
DGC, ASID, APDIQ, IDC, CGD
At the behest of my grandfather - I did so....and was duly informed that I had won a scholarship - in Chicago (wherever that was) to pursue my artistic studies and career.
I didn't go, to Chicago....leastwise not when I was 9 years old.....but the lovely occupancy of time that the sketching required - and the pride which my grandfather broadcast, was enough.
Some years later, still sketching in free time, a guest watched as I worked away. He asked if I understood perspective....of course, I had no idea. But, he showed me....and my career, although tumultuous, was born.
I soon after discovered the mysteries and the might of Frank Lloyd Wright.....I assiduously read every book I could get from the library...I taught myself architectural drafting - at age 15. And I designed houses and apartment buildings - completely comfortable in my conviction that soon - very soon - I would win a job working in the Frank Lloyd Wright studio.
Of course, that never happened.....but the fire had been lit.
And over the ensuing years I pushed, pulled - practised my craft. I studied - I relentlessly read and scoured all materials about FLW - about the Bauhaus - became knowledgeable of Chippendale, Hepplewhite - of Harry Bertoia.....and all the other giants. And, fortunately for me I worked at some great firms - WZMH Architects, Toronto | Ridpath's Furniture & Interior Design, many others......
Over time, I became skilled in all nature of CAD programs, of 3D modeling - became a Certified Graphic Designer - attained professional certification within many professional organisations as an Interior Designer - won design awards.....loved every high-pressured nail-biting second of it.
And came, completely unexpectedly, to teaching. It came about because in the early 80's, in Montréal, I was recognized as the pre-eminent (if only) AutoCAD practitioner. And was subsequently introduced to the faculty at Dawson College, School of Interior Design - where, at their request, I designed and crafted the very first AutoCAD course for the graduating class of the Interior Design program.
And, I was then, bitten - by the thrill of teaching.....which on most days I still feel today.
It has been, 50 years....
I have been involved in the most exciting and fabulous projects - United States Consulate design in Montreal, global design for a standardised ticket office for Canadian Airlines, the Head Offices for Alcan Canada, Seagrams and Sons - retail design for a wide variety of store types from the very first prototype for Pierre Cardin Women's Wear to Diamanti Jewellers. And work on cruise ships for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines - and then on hotels as Senior Design Manager for Marriott Hotels in Washington - airports, law firms, private residences.....my CV is rich - rich with varied content.
And yet, I LOVE design - love the problem-solving process......love to find great design and say, 'Hey! Look at this ! This is so cool!'
And so, that is what DesignReview.International is all about.....it's my efforts to seek out, to find and to put in front of you, our discoveries.....
Doesn't mean, by a long-shot, that they have merit or credibility.......it is just MY way of giving back....to interior designers, graphic designers, photographers, architects, interior decorators - any/all professions involved in the creative manifestation of creative thinking....
So - I hope you'll join me on this journey. I hope you will also find great discoveries -and you will refer me to them.....
...and I hope - in this world of ascerbic tensions and frictional conflicts - that we might all collaborate and celebrate - great creative thinking across all borders.
In this past year I have continued in my personal pursuit of growth and improvement. I was accepted into and completed a Master's degree in Creative Writing through University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, UK.
And just recently applied to and was accepted as a full-fledged member of DGC - Directors Guild of Canada. DGC is the governing body for set designers, art directors in the TV/Film world in Canada.
Thank you for listening
Michael Moore M.A.
DGC, ASID, APDIQ, IDC, CGD