Design Passport
Apple icon creator Susan Kare reveals San Francisco’s arty side
The graphic designer and artist created the original fonts and icons for Apple in the 1980s and is now the product design lead at Pinterest. The San Francisco native “never tires of the landscape and culture” of her home town. Here are her favourite spots.
1. Andy Goldsworthy artworks in The Presidio
“The Presidio is a beautiful urban forest and a great place for a quiet walk. A lot of visitors and residents, too, are unaware that the park houses works by British artist Andy Goldsworthy, all made with local wood, clay and other natural materials. I love the two that are outside on the trails – Spire and Wood Line.”
2. Mollusk Surf Shop
“People don’t always think of San Francisco as a beach town but it’s easy to head west and enjoy the ocean and relaxed atmosphere. Mollusk (mollusk surfshop.com) is a combination store and surf-oriented gallery. Also in the eclectic space are books, beautiful surfboards and beach-inspired T-shirts. Across the street is 3 Fish Studios (3fish studios.com), a hub of creativity. It’s a workshop and gallery for husband and wife Eric Rewitzer and Annie Galvin, who sell and create art there. You can find good coffee nearby at Java Beach Café, that’s been there forever.”
3. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
“It’s not quite a hidden treasure but the renovated SFMOMA
(sfmoma.org) is an amazing space inside and out. Lots of terraces and nooks and a living wall. The donation of the Gap Inc. founders’ [Doris and Donald Fisher] collection added many unfamiliar pieces from well-known artists. I love to visit the works of [American artist Alexander] Calder, the shows that the Architecture and Design department puts together and the photography exhibitions. My local’s tip: the museum is walking distance from Mourad (mouradsf.com) – an authentic Moroccan restaurant run by brilliant local chef Mourad Lahlou.” “Some day I’m going to replace every mismatched plate, bowl and mug in my kitchen with beautiful, classic ceramics from Heath (heathceramics.com), made near San Francisco since 1948. Their tile factory is part of a large complex in the Mission District and it shares the space with Tartine Manufactory (tartinebakery.com), a beloved bakery. Grab a coffee and scone or croissant. They’re made fresh every day – but they sell out fast.”
5. Cookin’: Recycled Gourmet Appurtenances
“Allow yourself plenty of time in this store (339 Divisadero Street, San Francisco; +1 415 861 1854), which has an impressive variety of used, new and vintage kitchen equipment and books. There’s often also an assortment of signage and unexpected items such as artificial fruit. It feels like walking around in a Pinterest board. I’ve heard that photo stylists and designers shop here, which makes sense. The owner can find anything you ask for.”