For example, I’m combing the Internet for the appropriate graphic content; headers, details, color schemes and typography that hearken back to late modernism, yet suggest a new Golden Age of architectural design that is yet to emerge. I came across this collection of images from the ICIF called “Architectural Fantasies” that I thought you might like to browse through.

(LINK)

The Iakov Chernikhov International Foundation (ICIF) showcases the life, work and legacy of the late modernist Ukrainian architect-artist, Iakov Chernikhov.

I’d be lying if I said AMC’s Mad Men wasn’t the major aesthetic influence for my historical investigations. As I write this I’m listening to a Pandora station I crafted for the occasion. Please enjoy my “Mad Men HiFi“.

Image via CrunchBase

I welcome any comments or suggestions as I develop Building Content toward it’s transformation roll-out.

Welcome to Orlando!

 The occasion for this change of focus? Well, on behalf of Architizer.com, I will be attending and blogging about Coverings 2010 – The Ultimate Tile + Stone Experience, in Orlando Florida. I have attended my share of conventions, but this is my first time as a member of the press. I look forward to posting my Coverings experience here daily but I also invite you to Architizer.com for “best of” coverage. (And go ahead and join Architizer.com while you are there!)   

 The following is from an early Coverings 2010 press release:

 ”Coverings is the premier international trade fair and expo dedicated exclusively to showcasing the newest in ceramic tile and natural stone. It has grown to be the largest and most important show of its kind in the U.S., featuring exhibitors from more than 50 countries and attracting thousands of distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors and specifiers, architectural and design professionals, builders and real estate developers, plus the press and journalists who cover this vital and dynamic industry. Coverings is the stage for introducing some of the most innovative tile and stone products in the world. The exposition also serves as a valuable resource for continuing education for all categories of attendees, with informative, accredited seminars and live demonstration sessions conducted throughout the four days and all free of charge.”

I’m so grateful to have found a job in a nearby state, in a familiar city. I pledge to do whatever I can to help the rest of us. 

I hope this helps: Try blogging.

Within days of being laid off I launched a blog to tell about my job search. Although my wife and friends were uber-supportive, I needed an outlet to keep creative hope alive. I treated my posts as short, self directed design projects; a blend of graphics and text. I believe blogging became a form of therapy. I didn’t write every day, I wrote when I wanted to. Many of the posts weren’t even about my job search. You’ll see…

 One Man’s Search for Employment

If this sounds therapeutic, like something you could use, please let me know. I’ll show you the no-cost methods to get started. Who knows, maybe it will morph into a long-range endeavor as it has for me. Either way, my prayers for your job recovery will continue.

In the few months since I launched this blog (dedicated to encouraging and equipping fellow architects to start their own professional blogs) I have seen several developments that are worth noting. If launching your own blog seems daunting, you may find solace in numbers. Here are three blog communities you could affiliate with or just visit to see what other professionals are producing.

The industry-specific networking site, UPworld, which is built around the global Real Estate, Design and Construction fields began its blog feature last year. Selected UPworld members agree to provide one publish-ready post per month. The site administrator regulates the posts so there is a fresh flow of new content for member-readers.  UPworld is free but it has moved to ”by invitation only” enrollment; please let me know if you’d like to check it out and I’ll email you the link. My series of blogs explores netgiving, a term I use for enlightened online interaction beyond mere networking.  

There is a new industry-based blogging venture that I just encountered through one of my LinkedIn groups. It was initiated by a young Engineering Marketer named Curtis Lewis. The site is called AecPress and serves ”interior designers, architects and builders (who see) the benefits of engaging in social media” and seek an audience of peers for their blogs. This audience aligns with my target niche, so I’m right in there with Curtis. Membership is open, so please take a look at AecPress.

I have one final example of industry-directed blogging - and along with it a humble request. Mark Buckshon at Construction Marketing Ideas has established one of the finest construction blog networks. To showcase the quantity and quality of the blogs, he has established the Best Construction Blog competition. Follow this link to the official ballot; from the titles alone you can see the array of specialty niches within the construction industry. There really are some fine examples of professional blogs that you can peruse for information and blogging inspiration. Why not vote for one or two? (I’ll tuck my request in here: While you’ve got the ballot open, please vote for my blog, “Building Content“. It is seventh on the list. Soliciting votes like this is okay, it’s actually approved by the concert rules. Thanks!)

I invite you to access these different blogging communities. If you have any specific questions, please let me know. And as always, feel free to leave your comments here.

From time to time I have the opportunity to contribute to the blog at UPworld, a unique online community for designers, builders and real estate professionals. As UPworld grew they chose to move to an invitation only model. Recently when tweeting a reference to a blog I’d posted there, a friend pointed out the simple truth – without access to the site she couldn’t get to my post. I’ve come up with a fix, in the form of this offer:

If any of my readers here at Building Content would like to join this global network of industry specialists, please contact me. I would be pleased to have you join and become part of my UPworld network. We can move from the traditional writer-audience relationship to a more dynamic paradigm within an industry-specific community.

Please leave a comment or email me at collier1960@hotmail.com.