Latest Projects Pt. 1

Thought I'd take some time to highlight some stuff I've been working on as of late. I've been working at with Microsoft's Branded Entertainment & Experiences Team these past two weeks on an interactive web application that will be launching November 8th. It's been really fun work and the folks are rad.

I've also been helping out with Art Bash, an auction-style even put on by AdClub Seattle. I reworked their logo so that it would tie in better with the AAF brand. I also added some movement into the word Bash to play off of the word's meaning & give the logo some energy.

As a result of meeting folks within AAF, I've become involved with Ad2, which is for individuals under the age of 32 in the marketing & advertising industry. Ad2 provides the spotlight artist for Art Bash, and this year's artist will be my buddy C.M. Ruiz. I think his approach to creating marketing materials and lo-fi aesthetic will be an awesome contribution to this year's event.

Friend O' Lesbos

Tonight I invited my 5 year old neighbor to carve pumpkins with me. The problem with hanging out with a 5 year old friend is that their bed time is waaaay early. I am finding that living at my folk's home takes certain adjustments I hadn't foreseen.

At 7pm, after my little buddy left, I was able to get around to carving my own pumpkin. Another note about switching to a suburban social scene: a lot of the time spent with a 5 year old is wasted on explaining why they can't wield a 6-inch knife.


I decided to turn my pumpkin into Larry David. Unfortunately, it didn't really end up looking like him in the end. Granted, I think the pumpkin being a fail only furthers the Larry David theme.

Steve Jobs, RIP

Under, Over, Done.

Today I got some bummer news that I did not get a job position I had interviewed for. This position was, like, the holy grail of design positions out there. It wasn't that it was just the best one available out there right now, but it was the kind of position I dream about having.

So, I didn't get it. What I now want to know is what I can do the next time this kind of opportunity rolls around to ensure I actually get the job. One of the pieces of feedback I received was that I was over-qualified for their design intern position, which I hadn't applied for, and under-qualified for their design position. I was then offered a potential consideration for a future contract role.

I need to figure out what is it about me, my portfolio, and/or experience that has me pegged as an eligible contract-designer but not a full-time designer. SPECIFICALLY in a larger studio environment. I haven't had any difficulties with smaller studios, but I really want to go in the direction of working in a larger, more corporate environment that has an emphasis in marketing.

If you have stumbled across this and know something (anything) about design, I would love some feedback.

Seattle

This is my home.

Captured so well by Thatcher Kelley

Gold!

Today I had a meet & greet with Filter Creative. Got some super feedback on my portfolio and how to better structure my work. When it was all done, they offered me these awesome tokens that can be used on parking meters or the bus.


I'd never heard of these little gold nuggets until today, and it seems that my bus driver was in the same boat. When I asked him how many to use he responded he had no idea what they were and to just not pay. So now I have a collection. As does this guy, it seems.

They're like make believe money that actually works. I am totally into it.

Cleaning the internet

I've decided it's time to do a thorough cleaning of my web presence. I logged into an old coroflot account I forgot I had. Ooof, was it ever old. I found stuff I had done 5 years ago.

Back around that time I had a rat tail. I thought it was a really cool idea. Sad thing is some people still do.


I just finished watching Comic Book: The Movie on netflix. It took me a while to realize Mark Hamill is in it. It wasn't that good, but I watched it all anyway.

Arts, Farts & Crafts

Today I realized how low I am on art supplies. I played earlier at Ricochet Recital and wanted to have something to promote the band. I was actually performing solo — just one song on acoustic guitar. I think it was the closest I've ever come to doing something in the style of open mic.

Anyway. I made little cards to hand out. I used the back cover from my sketchbook, some markers I had lying around, and a magazine clipping.

Bad Design always Bad Design?

My last post left me wondering... If something is known for being bad design, can it be/should it be mimicked?

Lost cat/dog posters have always been ugly, but you know that when you see a centered photograph sandwiched between two HUGE sanserif headlines, it's because someone desperately wants their pet back. So, did I execute my Lost Website poster properly? No.

I got the gist of it but failed to take it a step further. Granted, I only spent 5 minutes on it and it was just a joke, but it reminded me of this awesome blog post from a while back. The first three posters are probably the most effective ever. I would totally stop and stare at it stapled on a telephone post if it were in my path. BUT I would have no clue what was being advertised to me.

Lost Website

I am looking to pick up some side work, freelance stuff, so of course it's time to update the resume, portfolio, website...Oh, wait. Where's my website?
Turns out my portfolio website, which I spent a lot of time customizing, is gone. It was through behance...their prosite feature. I took it down once I found work because it was money being spent on something I didn't need.

In any case, this is now a chance for me to play around with Adobe Muse. Sooo cool. It kind of drives like a cross between InDesign and Dreamweaver. I figure I'll use it much like I did Dreamweaver, but have a less clunky result.

A Glimpse at PAX

Went to PAX yesterday and it was insane. There was a shortage of passes, so I had to wait about an hour until I could get one. I went across the street and paid $8 for a crummy beer at Cheesecake Factory. Never again.

PAX blew me away. The convention center was completely transformed. Note, this is the same place I had my high school graduation ceremony (for the record, PAX was much more enjoyable).

I took some photos on my crappy phone camera of things that caught my eye:

End of the Internship

My internship at Wunderman Seattle is coming to an end. I am happy to say that I've been offered a position as a freelance contract designer, so I get to stick around.

Tomorrow is PAX, and I am super excited to see what all they'll have there. I'm definitely going to bring some hand sanitizer, though. I heard that last year swine flu broke out.

Here's the intern video we made:

SummerDaze Weekend

I finally got to enjoy 2 solid days of summer. I'm listing out below what I did with them:

Friday Night:

• Went to snoqualmie casino with Gabi & Reed.
• Played roulette & blackjack. I lost $60.
• Spent the night with my sister at my folk's place.

On my walk home today

Why, hello there friend.

Don't think I don't see you making eyes at me...

omgomgomg

Just bought my ticket for R. Stevie Moore!!! I cannot wait to see him. Oh man. This is going to be so good.

It's Here!

ROCKY VII: SILVERFINGER!



And here are some "behind the scenes" shots of the cast & crew!

The cast hard at work


The star gets injured...again...

...and the stunt double steps in

The director and her star

Rocky VII: Silverfinger

A week ago today I was at the company picnic and jammed my left pointy finger while playing a game of horse. Bummer.

I'm no athlete, so of course it makes sense that the one time I pick up a ball I go and hurt myself. Needless to say I haven't been able to bend it much since and have had it in a fancy splint I bought at Rite Aid.
Typically this wouldn't be blog-worthy, however I have a show on Saturday that I'm really excited about since we'll be debuting a bunch of new songs. Sooo, this basketball mishap is kind of an extra bummer now that I can't play guitar the way I typically would...you know, with all 10 fingers.

Through frustration creativity is born, and it didn't take long before I found a way to celebrate this unfortunate event. Really, I owe a lot of it to my super cool boss, Bo Geddes. He is one of the creative masterminds at Wunderman: Impact. He jokingly (at first) said it'd be cool to do a Rocky montage with my finger—prepping for the "big night". It was a funny idea, but then I got excited about it and watched the montage over, and over again.

So, this weekend I will be filming Rocky VII: Silverfinger. Maybe tomorrow I will post some of the props that will be included in the filming. We'll see. Until then, I leave you with this:

My Thoughts on Stereo 3D Technology

I hardly ever go to the movies. When I do go, it's usually to see something that will be best viewed on the big screen. This past weekend I went to see the final installation of Harry Potter. There was the option to see it in 3D, which I went for given that I have yet to experience the whole 3D craze.

As soon as the film started up, I quickly realized that the 3D hype was completely missed on me. For starters, how impressive can 3D effects be when you are contained to a rectangular frame? I realize that there are neat tricks to be done in terms of depth illusions, but how necessary is that in an art form that is intended to be viewed as 2D?

I found that in the case of Harry Potter, 3D attempted to enhance the visuals at the expense of the film. Rather than contribute, it distracted. I spent the 2.5 hours rubbing my forehead and wondering what sort of effect was having on my eyes.

Now, I didn't set out to write this as a long rant/complaint. I actually walked away from the film (which was pretty good) curious about the technology behind stereo 3D and what effects, if any, it might have on our brains. Turns out not a lot of studies have been done. I read about one that was done at UC Berkeley. TechCrunch had a good summary on it and how the study indicates that stereo 3D displays do have a negative impact on our eyes & brains.

The way I understand it (and can best articulate it in laymen's terms) it's the tricking of our brain that is hurting us. In viewing a movie, we have our eyes focus on the source of light that emanates from the screen. When stereo content is placed behind the screen, our eyes shift to accommodate the change in depth, only to find no change has really occurred.

I find it to be pretty fascinating, especially since it's such a trend right now. However, I will mention that Harry Potter (unlike Avatar) was not filmed for 3D, which involves shooting with a dual camera rig (imagine as though each scene were filmed with two human eyes, which would produce the illusion of depth). I've heard that films shot for 3D are a whole other beast--one that is less taxing on the viewer.

Trashy

The office kitchens were in need of some new signage, which I got to take care of...

Last night I thought about you while I was playing Tony Hawk

Going to do an actual recording of this song. Jon "Pretty Boy" Salzman has agreed to drum on it. I'll probably lay two guitar tracks and bass as well.