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Welcome friends! Lovely to have you here. So where exactly is "here"? And what on earth is a ThinkerBelle? "Here" is a blog space on all things that interest this little strategist, namely design, social media and technology. I like to think that "ThinkerBelle" (my strategist persona) lives at the intersection of these three domains. I hope you enjoy this space, please comment and don't be a stranger. I appreciate you being here. Follow me in the tweetverse if you like @thaz7. Stay groovy.
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Add a little Zakka to your life.
Home design usually isn’t my topic of choice, but this one was irresistible. “Zakka” is a broad term used to describe anything that “improves or spruces up your home or life and often refers to a common household object infused with “Japanese cute” “. It is often based on basic household items from the West that we more commonly regard as “kitsch”. Zakka is more than just kitsch, it truly is the contemporary Japanese handicraft. Whimsy and playfulness exude much of the work.
Relative to culture today there is so much to be said for truly embracing the art of seeing the savvy in the ordinary and mundane. In a world that is kind of ordinary and mundane (and that’s on a good day!), zakka can make you smile. And reminds you that you SHOULD smile everyday, at any moment.
Designer Shinzi Katoh epitomizes this idea of zakka. His simple cartoon like characters and beautiful line designs are nothing like the Americanized version of kitsch. I daresay, it feels a bit…modern. But not in a cold, unfeeling way. It has a warm quality that feels innocent and just has an ability to make you feel just a bit happier.
It makes me feel happy too!
and i like the name…