My 1st Book - Learning to See
This past weekend I was working on the new book and trying to dissect the design process that my office goes through in creating a job from beginning to end and it’s hard because so much of what I do is instinctual…I don’t really think about it. So it takes a long time to analyze what I do and then work backworks in order to really find the rhyme and the reason and the why and the how that I have followed.
The 2nd Book - Crossing Boundaries
Even if it’s just instinctual, behind every instinct there is a thought pattern. So it teaches me something when I work on these books, because what I have to do is really verbalize what the thinking behind my actions are. So I have roughly finished one of the three sections of the book and am just going into half of the second one and it is getting me closer to completion.
You know, a pregnancy is nothing. The pain comes at the end. When writing a book it involves nine months of delivery pains! (But I’ve had kidney stones, so I know what that’s about.) I hope you all will like this baby when it is born. It will be published – like the last one – by Monacelli Press, so keep asking your bookstores when it will be coming out.
#1 by katiedid on July 3, 2009 - 12:28 pm
I am looking forward to the new book! I have both of your other books and find them inspiring in every way. Your view of the world is an adventure.
#2 by The Countrypolitan on July 4, 2009 - 1:14 am
I love your books, and this will be very interesting.
Perhaps you wouldn’t mind sharing some information about project budgets. If you are working on a project that the client has given you a total figure for the budget which involves remodeling in addition to the furnishings, do you have a general idea of what percentage of the budget will typically go toward furnishings.
Also, do you base your fees on the total overall budget? Several other designers and myself have been discussing this. Many people are recommending a value based flat fee, as opposed to time plus a percentage over costs for goods. I understand the logic behind a value based fee, but determining what that fee is can be difficult. You risk undercutting the amount of time you actually spend on a project.
#3 by Laura J. on July 5, 2009 - 3:15 pm
I wouldn’t wish you pains of any sort, kidney stones especially, but I do REALLY look forward to seeing the new book, so be strong for all of us
. I am intrigued on how you will “verbalize” the whole design process (you have quite a challenge you have on your hands) 
Good luck!
#4 by Tessa on July 7, 2009 - 4:21 pm
I also love your books and look forward to the new one. In fact, I took “Learning to See” with me to my mother’s house-in the the southern Utah desert-over the holiday. We (mother, sister-up from LA, and I) poured over the book all weekend. We discussed, speculated, day-dreamed, share our favorites, and of course we were inspired to move the paintings and furniture around! A young architect-a family friend-came by and I had the chance to show him what I like so much about your work. As an artist, if I claim a philosophy or mantra it revolves around the process of learning to see in new ways. I also appreciate anything that reveals the creative process in direct and indirect ways.
#5 by Jackie Von Tobel on July 8, 2009 - 2:38 pm
Vicente, I love your books and I am a great admirer of your work but as a fellow author and illustrator of three books, designer of my own fabric line and other products I must say that the writing process is rough but pregnancy is tougher. I’ve had three kids and they can still be a pain even after they are born as well!!!
Can’t wait to see your new book after it’s “birth”. Just be glad you don’t have to put up with constant heartburn, swollen feet and other unmentionable discomforts for nine months while writing it.
#6 by Valerie Wills Interiors on July 8, 2009 - 8:02 pm
Cannot wait for your new book…. just remember, the pregnancy, the 9 month wait, the pain, etc., will all disappear once you see that beautiful baby that YOU created. The anticipation….. ooooOOOO.