The Outer Banks: A Little Vacation, a Little History

Back from vacationing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where we had a great time, for the most part doing nothing but being lazy and laying on the beach. Did sneak in a bit of sight-seeing and photography, mostly toward the northern end of the islands, in a neat little community called Corolla.

Since I love all things old (especially architecture), and this being a design blog, I’m posting a couple images of some of the interesting things I was able to photograph. This area has unfortunately built up tremendously over the past several years, so there’s not a lot left to see. Still, if you venture out early enough in the morning, you can clearly imagine what must have been a very quiet peacefulness that existed many years ago.

The Life Saving Station was especially interesting. Once located in Kitty Hawk (south of Corolla), it stood very near the site of the Wright brothers’ flight. In fact, the gent who took that very famous photo of the Wright brothers’ plane worked in this very station. It was moved in 1986 to Corolla, and now functions as a real estate office. An agent who worked there was kind enough to let me in to have a look around–it’s furnished with many original artifacts from its early days. Very cool indeed.

See Me on design:related

For a while now, I’ve been a part of a designer’s social networking site called design:related. Just in case anyone’s interested, you can see some of my work there, along with about a zillion other designers as well. You’ll see some very nice work by lots of very talented people. Check it out when you have a moment.

McCarthy Era Connection

I was scanning my book cases and stumbled across my Grandpa Leroy’s old book, Joe Must Go. A mild-mannered rural Wisconsin newspaper editor, he became an overnight sensation in the early 1950s by initiating the recall movement of one of the most well-known and widely-feared political figures of his day—Senator Joseph R. McCarthy. 

All family members young and old ended up with a copy, and mine sits on my office bookshelf where I occasionally re-discover it, and read through the pages remembering my grandfather for the neat guy that he was. Remembering too that he and his family suffered dearly as a result of his taking a stand against McCarthy. Always a fun trip down memory lane, plus the cover is a true gem of 50s design.

Letterpress “BOOKS” Poster Now Available

I designed these posters last year as a promotional project. Sent them to all my clients as well as bunch of potential clients, and now I’m making them available to the world at large.

They’re very nicely done if I do say so myself–11 x 14 inches, printed letterpress by a small shop here in Nashville, 2 colors on heavy felt cover stock with a deckled edge. (I had them really lean on it during printing, so they have a nice, extra-deep impression–very tactile.) These weren’t cheap to produce, so just to help defray some expenses, I’m selling them for $10 bucks plus a little for shipping–a small price to pay for a quality product. HOWEVER, if you happen to send me some work, you get one for free–such a deal!

Email me at Bruce@gorestudio.com if you’re interested, and we’ll iron out all the gritty details.

Gore Studio Survives to See 20th Anniversary

February 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of being in business for myself. (Applause, humble bow, queen-wave to audience)

Every time I read how most small businesses die before they reach 5 years, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling inside… and it makes me glad I never hired a bunch of employees. Nothing against employees mind you, but I’d make a lousy boss–plus, making payroll is hard enough with just one employee, much less a whole shopfull.

I officially hung out my shingle in Februay 1988, two weeks after I found out my wife was pregnant with our daughter (just long enough to give my notice at work). My theory at the time–no matter how foolish or unbalanced it may seem now–was that “if I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it with a baby in the house.” Maybe so, maybe not, but it’s worked out well over the years, and I’d probably do it all over again if given the chance.

So, here’s to the next 20!