This journal was bought in New York last Friday from a paper shop called "Kate's Paperie". The shop is quite large and is devoted to supplying all types of paper and pens; it stocks journals of all sizes and design, writing paper fore very occasion, card and paper for crafts and hobbies and pens for every hand.
"Kate's Paperie" is just a few doors down from The Parker Meridien Hotel and is on the same block as Carnegie Hall. The store gives you, well me anyway, the desire to be creative. So, this small journal has been bought to be my "reflective journal" and I have just finished copying my original notes into it. It was only $3.00 - about £1.60 at current exchange rates.
Bargain.
I was a little disappointed with the vehicle signwriting on the cars and trucks in NY. With very few exceptions - I mean VERY FEW - the vehicles have signwriting that can only be described as terrible. Many of the trucks have the company name, address and telephone details on the cab doors. As big as possible with little regard to design and style; and not done very well at that. The moto "bigger is better" seems to be in fashion.
In contrast to the UK, there were very few vehicles that employed the use of full colour graphics - vehicle wraps as they are known. The use of "traditional" vinyl livery was very scarce, at least to my experience.
Also, the shop signage was disappointing to me. With the exception of the higher class shops, boutiques and hotels, the majority of the signs were not well done. It seemed to be an "all or nothing" situation.
Having said that, the signs in one particular area of NY was very impressive; those in Times Square were incredible - magnificent examples of neon and LED signs. They light up the nighttime and can be seen from many blocks away - they must look incredible from above.
I was impressed by the advertising billboards. They were very eyecatching and impressively designed with superb photo work and typography. I did like them.
The menus for the diners and coffee houses seem to be very keen on showing photos of the foods available. This is not uncommon - but appeared to be much more widespread than in our country.
Talking about design icons - the New York taxi cab is a very powerful and recognised icon. The yellow cab is such a familiar and recognisable sight from so many movies and TV shows and I was delighted to see them for real. And to actually ride in one.
Mind you, our cabbie was a lunatic!
I was surprised at how many yellow cabs they have. Hundreds.
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