We are all familiar with that urge to get out of town and break away from the routine of life, whether it’s a weekend getaway to another city or flitting off to another country for work or play. Either way, travel serves as a great way to stir the pot, inspiring ideas and innovation in our hearts, minds and souls.
“I love to get out of Cincinnati to capture inspiration and see how that translates to design ideas,” says Prisbet Yanes, director of interior design at Alto Design. She often goes on business trips to see what other vendors and companies are up to. She finds that chatting with professionals who live in other parts of the country is invaluable.
“The last two trips I’ve taken, I’ve met up with architects and interior designers who have given me a different perspective on things,” says Yanes. “Looking at their designs, portfolios and ideas has been wonderful.”
Walking the city, soaking in the culture, and taking note of the architecture also lights a fire of creativity.
“It’s the culture, the people and the place. All those things are important from a design standpoint,” says Andrew Schaub, director of architecture at Alto. He has traveled specifically to see architecture in other places. He recalls one trip to Florence in which he spent an entire week digging deep into how things came to be. Short side trips are also stimulating, he notes. For instance, when Schaub and his wife went to New York over the summer, along the way they checked out Fallingwater (an architectural masterwork designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright).
“It’s having that attitude of being able to stop and smell the roses when you’re traveling as opposed to just sitting in the hotel room answering emails or whatever,” says Schaub.
By truly taking in the city, you’ve been transported to an authentic learning experience that generates an environment ripe for creativity.
“Bringing all of this information to our client enriches the design process and, in turn, enriches the relationships we have with them,” says Yanes, who earned her master’s degree in Italy and has had the privilege of living in multiple countries. “Tapping into the commonality of the travel experience lets us connect with the client on a whole other level.”
Being present physically in a locale is a far cry from simply leafing through a book or scrolling through pictures on a screen.
“Those genuine experiences spark the curiosity, the imagination and the questions,” says Schaub. As a result, they can bring ideas to the table that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.
Then, of course, there’s the food – everyone’s favorite topic of conversation.
“We have a client that goes to Italy once a month, and she’s a big cook so she really lights up when she talks about the cooking experience – the pizza oven and all of that,” says Yanes. “It’s a great way of engaging that passion, which we, too, appreciate.”
Alto Design is located at 1100 Sycamore St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. For more information, visit altodesigngroup.com.