Portland is a city that is not afraid of being different and which could serve as a model for other American cities. Its unique identity and lifestyle were shaped by local creative minds that care about sustaining a decent quality of life: through good coffee and food, green transit systems, and independent retail stores.

On Stark Street (pictured above), the Ace Hotel serves as headquarters for curious travelers and as workspace for local residents in search of inspiration and a wireless internet connection. The hotel building also houses Stumptown Coffee, that diffuses a wonderful aroma throughout the lobby and  where each single cup of coffee is made to perfection, and Clyde Common, a restaurant serving foreign and domestic cuisine cooked with local ingredients.

Eclectic Portland, pictured from top left: Coffee shop in East Portland, Voodoo Doughnut, Give/Take a book mailbox, dry cleaner’s window, Deschutes Brewery in Northwest Portland, Old Town.

Cycling is fully integrated in Portland’s culture and way of life: from the urban infrastructure to organizations like Bike Portland, retail spaces such as Veloshop, “public art” made of children’s bicycles. street furniture, or custom frame builders like Sasha White from Vanilla Bicycles.

Years before he opened his custom bicycle studio and store, Sacha White – owner of Vanilla Bicycles and Speedvagen, was devoted to Vespa and Lambretta scooters. To this day the Italian design aesthetics stuck to him and inspired the look and feel of his custom bikes: pastel colors with a slight touch of red, a brand name that starts with a V like Vespa, curvy typefaces…

The symbol for Speedvagen (pictured above on a pair of boots) is inspired by Ferrari’s visual identity. More pictures from the Vanilla workshop are here.

Call + Response is an exhibition that questions the realm of design, craft and art through the works of designer-makers and educators from Oregon. In this show craft is shown as a highly conceptual practice that can play a role in society and also holds hidden cerebral qualities. Amongst the various themes some include: environmental responsibility, artistic processes and historical contexts.

Clockwise from top left: Sam Morgan, Studio Gorm, Heidi Schwegler, David Eckard.

Call + Response is on view at the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland until October 31 2009.

(Above: Joel Templin and Katie Jain, creative directors at Hatch)

JAQK Cellars is a wine company launched by design firm Hatch in partnership with wine maker Craig MacLean. This recently launched wine label smartly blends wine culture with poker themes. As a matter of fact JAQK stands for Jack, Ace, Queen and King.

Katie Jain and Joel Templin wanted to introduce something different within the wine world. Their branding approach to wine is highly unusual but has been warmly welcomed by the press and during the latest edition of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas where JAQK was introduced as the Official Wine for the event.

JAQK Cellars is a playful brand that focuses on offering the best quality wine from the Napa region. Their flagship bottle “High Roller” is not only beautifully packaged, it is a 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon of high caliber that appeals to both the connoisseur and design-savvy customers.

Hatch is a design firm that strongly reflects San Francisco’s entrepreneurial spirit. Although Katie and Joel want to continue working for their corporate clients, their ultimate goal is to launch their own products on the market and expand in that direction. With JAQK Cellars their vision for the future is to open lounges across the United States where people can enjoy high quality wines and perhaps also play a little poker.

San Diego, California, has a very unique aura that encapsulates the quality of life one can be experience there: perfect blue skies, omni-present Pacific waters, laid-back, friendly, and sunny. It is quintessentially Californian.

Around Balboa Park – one of the largest urban parks in the United States, North Park, South Park and Hillcrest are young and vibrant districts filled with restaurants, bars and shops. There is strong potential for more design content in San Diego: from signage to retail, restaurants, products and place branding (see our interview with designer Bennett Peji).

The beach is part of San Diego longest traditions. Surfing culture is strongly associated to the city and its identity (see our report and interview with Tim Bessell). Beyond this reputation San Diego is also one of the most cultural cities in the United States with countless museums and theaters across the city. Our favourite is MCASD at La Jolla where the exhibition MIX on contemporary San Diego architects and designers is showcased until September 2009.

The Pearl is a great addition to the city and the current place-to-be with its very lively bar restaurant, film screenings above the pool and themed parties.

Tim Bessell is a surfboard shaper and shop owner who likes to experiment with his creative and craftsmanship skills. We had the great pleasure to see him, in his workspace, shape a board for an hour and a half. But what we also discovered was Tim’s enthusiasm for what he calls functional art (and what we call design). With a major in psychology and a minor in fine arts, Tim sees the therapeutic virtues of board shaping and looks at his craft as a form of expression. Beyond surfing, which he  likes to refer to as “an indigenous culture in San Diego”, he paints big pictures on cardboard, designs furniture and is working a large-scale initiative called Bessell Modular Living Systems, a sustainable architecture project using old ship containers.

Before, during and after shaping sessions, Tim uses his creative mind to make things: from chairs to paintings, energy windmills and modular houses. Looking at his work it is undeniable that design skills are transferable and applicable in many areas – in this case from surfboard design to architecture. While talking with him we understood how surfing could lead to architecture as they are both means to improve people’s quality of life.

Tim Bessell details his rise to how he became a master surfboard craftsman for Cities x Design.

Tim Bessell demonstrates master craftsmanship in shaping a new board for Cities x Design.

Phoenix during the summer months can be summarized in one word: heat. Not being able to walk down the streets of downtown was unfortunate as we would have liked to take a closer look at the stunning local architecture.

Sleek buildings over a background of dry and sandy desert mountains is a combination that makes Phoenix a rather unique city.

Some of the architectural highlights from Phoenix are the Museum of Art, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, the Clarendon Hotel, the Valley Ho and Marlen Grove.

The Valley Ho is a mid-century modern hotel located in neighboring Scottsdale. The building has recently been re-opened to the public and offers an eclectic mix of modern and contemporary designs.

Greg Esser from Made boutique is one of the individuals behind the Roosevelt Row initiative: a dynamic, walkable mixed-use cultural district connecting historic neighborhoods with the urban core of downtown Phoenix.

Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a place defined by art, craft and architecture and where the boundaries between creative practices are blurred. The city attracts tourists and creatives from around the United States and the world.

Many details in Santa Fe, from signs to storefront and menus (pictured above) are a reflection of the city’s interest in the past and things that are handmade.

American Indian art is an underlying theme and a strong creative influence in Santa Fe. The Institute of American Indian Art is a one-of-a-kind museum and college of fine arts dedicated to the study of indigenous cultures and art.

New Mexico Creates at the recently opened New Mexico History Museum is a different kind of museum store that sells handcrafted jewelry, Native American art work, Hispanic crafts, art glass, and textiles all created by New Mexico artists and artisans. One of their approaches is to showcase products that integrate contemporary design in traditional craftsmaking techniques.

Further from the city center, Railyard Santa Fe is a neighborhood that is being regenerated. It represents the possibility of a more contemporary Santa Fe.