Home PeopleHoboken Girl of the Week Hoboken Girl of the Week: Britt Ford {Cartographer and Designer}

Hoboken Girl of the Week: Britt Ford {Cartographer and Designer}

by Jennifer Tripucka
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If you’ve been in Washington General Store lately, you’ve probably seen the amazing handmade maps of Hoboken. They’re heat-embossed pieces of art on recycled cardstock, made inside the Neumann Building. But, who is the lady behind these illustrations? Her name is Brittany Ford, and she’s our latest Hoboken Girl of the Week — as well as owner of BRITTFORD, the multi-faceted design studio in Hoboken.

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Britt was born and raised in Chatham, New Jersey. Having always worked for small businesses, Britt knew she always wanted to own her own. She entered the corporate fashion world upon graduating college with an economics degree, but in April of 2015, Britt decided it was time to follow her dreams and make BRITTFORD her life. Her business is dedicated to transforming the industry of modern cartography and illustrations by utilizing heat-embossing versus the traditional two-dimensional mass-produced maps and illustrations.

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When it comes to talent, it seems that there’s nothing that Britt can’t do. She handcrafts every custom design in her Hoboken studio — and her motto is “custom without the cost.” Manhattanites, don’t worry — Britt’s talent doesn’t just start and stop with Hoboken maps — she has amazing works of art that cover Manhattan including the villages, Soho — and just across the river in Brooklyn. She can also customize designs for basically any place around the world — and also etches things into glassware, etc. Your home, boat, neighborhood, beach, mountain range; you name it, she’ll make it. When Britt speaks of her mission, it’s to “provide Millennials with custom art without breaking the bank.”

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Of course, we couldn’t let Britt get away without having her answer our Hoboken Girl of the Week questions. As someone who is in her studio on Observer Highway very often, we were curious about her downtown habits. Here are her answers:

What is your favorite restaurant in Hoboken?

DINE IN: Anthony David’s! You can’t go wrong with a place that is BYOB. The décor, lighting and presentation make the experience formal yet cozy. This is my go to spot when I take out of town guests to dinner and brunch.

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^Anthony David’s — can’t wait for the warmer weather!

TAKE OUT: Hoboken Burrito. I order their chicken fajitas at least twice a week – you’ll get enough to last you 2 or 3 meals and it’s truly authentic Mexican.

What is your favorite boutique in Hoboken?

Washington General Store! I love Meghan’s selection of home goods, and it’s a great place to shop for family and friends. Fun fact: Washington General was my first retail store to sell BRITTFORD maps and glassware!

What do you love most about Hoboken?

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I love how close yet how far away we are from the city. I have the luxury of looking over the entire city from my desk every day – it’s the best view in the world. I also love how Hoboken feels like a neighborhood; streets lined with a mix of modern and historic architecture.

What is your favorite thing to do in Hoboken?

I like to walk or ride my bike down different streets. I am obsessed with the ornate details of Hoboken’s brownstones and I get a lot of my inspiration from my surroundings in this unique city.

How long have you lived and/or worked in Hoboken?

I’ve lived in Hoboken since graduating college in 2013 and started working in the Neumann Leather Building in August of 2015 — after deciding to take on BRITTFORD full time. I never plan on leaving.

What is your favorite outdoor place to spend time in Hoboken?

It’s hard to choose between Pilsener Haus and the roof of my office building. Pilsener Haus is a fun, social day drinking spot when the weather is warm.

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But, nothing beats the view of the entire city from the roof of my office building. It’s great sometimes to escape from the daily grind or bring friends to enjoy the view.

What is your favorite place to workout in Hoboken?

Midtown Surya Yoga. I’ve taken up yoga in the past few months as a way to relieve stress and get ready for the summer season. They have great instructors and it’s a short walk from my apartment!

Where do you go out with friends in Hoboken?

Pilsener Haus or Pier 13 during the day. For cocktails, we either head to Bin 14, Elysian, or Stingray – or all three. I think I’ll have to add Sorellina to the mix after going for the first time this weekend – love their MacKenzie Childs-inspired decor!

What is something you think needs to come to Hoboken {ex. Type of restaurant, business, etc}?

Hoboken could really use more rooftop and waterfront bars/restaurants. There is nothing better than eating outside with a view.

 

In addition to illustrations/maps, Britt often works with small businesses in helping to cost-consciously transform their retail and office spaces, doing everything from installing flooring to painting a custom wall to getting cool staplers. Britt says, “We spend a lot of our time in our work environments, and I believe that an office can change the well being of its employees and visitors and promote better efficiency.”

Check out her website here and follow her on Instagram + Facebook!

Want to be featured as Hoboken Girl of the Week?

Email your story to hello@hobokengirl.com and you just might!

 

 

 

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