Posts by Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart

Emma Taggart is a Staff Writer at My Modern Met. Originally from Northern Ireland, she is an artist now based in Berlin. After graduating with a BA in Fashion and Textile Design in 2013, Emma decided to combine her love of art with her passion for writing. Emma has contributed to various art and culture publications, with an aim to promote and share the work of inspiring modern creatives. While she writes every day, she’s also devoted to her own creative outlet—Emma hand-draws illustrations and is currently learning 2D animation.
Art History
December 13, 2022

Unearth the Colorful History of Paint: From Natural Pigments to Synthetic Hues

Whether you’re planning a painting or simply giving your walls a new lick of paint, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to shopping for pigments. However, sourcing colors wasn’t always so easy for artists. Before art shops and DIY stores, paint wasn’t readily available in tubes and cans like it is today. 40,000 years ago, primitive artists invented the first pigments, using a combination of soil, animal fat, minerals, charcoal, and chalk.

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Gift Guide
November 26, 2022

40 Buzz-Worthy Gifts for People Who Love Coffee

What was once a humble cup of joe has now been elevated to a fine art, and buying for coffee lovers can be difficult when there’s so much to choose from. Thankfully, we’ve curated coffee gifts to wake up your favorite sleepyhead on Christmas morning. Everyone knows someone who can’t function without a cup of coffee and we’ve got something for every type of caffeine fiend.

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Gift Guide
November 7, 2022

36 Wearable Gifts for People Who Love to Travel

Do you have a friend or family member who’s been bitten by the travel bug? While most seasoned travelers pack light, there’s always room for special tokens from loved ones to remind them of home. And for explorers who like to accessorize, there’s a seemingly endless treasure trove of must-haves. Luckily, we’ve got a handy list of wearable travel gift ideas, from jewelry to clothing, that are anything but plane.

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Design
July 11, 2022

Who Invented the Smiley Face? Discover the Not-So-Smiley History of the Graphic Yellow Icon

The iconic yellow smiley face—with its perfect circle, two oval eyes, and a large, upturned semi-circular mouth—is immediately recognizable worldwide as the symbol of happiness. However, the story behind the graphic motif isn’t as cheerful as you might expect. Who Invented the Smiley Face? The classic smiley dates back to 1963 in Worcester, Massachusetts, when graphic designer Harvey Ball was commissioned by State Mutual Life Assurance Company to create an image to boost staff morale.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.