Shades of Gray

Try These On For Size...

2009-01-25T07:07:00.000-08:00

In my last post, I said that I've had a few posts sitting, waiting to be published. Well wait no longer. I've been reading books when ever I have some quite free time (which is becoming less and less for some unfortunate reason) and I'd like to fill you in on what those books are. I know that this posts probably isn't the most thrilling and profound post you will ever see gracing this blog but these books have really helped me in the past few months and I thought you might want to check them out.

So... Book number one in no particular order:
The Visual Display of Quantitative Data - Edward R. Tufte.
Now I already know what you are thinking and yes it is a little "heady" but if you are ever in a position that requires you to understand and create a graph or diagram, this book will help you immensely. It's not the easiest read I've ever sat down with but to this date, it has been the most helpful. Tufte discusses the designers responsibilities to the audience when creating graphs, charts, and diagrams and how to be the most efficient while doing so. I can't recommend this book enough.

Book number two:
Trek, David Carson recent work - published by Ginko Press.
The last book that I suggested was completely informative and purposefully very intelligent. This book shouldn't cause you to walk away with a slight headache and more questions then when you started out. Instead this book offers you short glimpses into the mind and approach of one of the most renown graphic designers in the world (David Carson if you didn't grab that from the title of the book). A great read, terribly interesting and overall, I really liked it. I don't know if it needs to be part of the collection but it sure as hell doesn't make it look bad.

Book number three:
The Graphic Design Business Book - Tad Crawford.
So this book's title pretty much says it all. Yes this book is for all you designers out there who want to have your own business or already do. Basically this book hits on all the finer points of running and owning you own business. The best part about being a designer is that if you are doing any freelance work, whether it is your full time gig or if you moon light to make the rent, you are your own business. This book can be very helpful for any designer out there who is doing more than just showing up for their nine to five and then going home. With chapters like establishing your business plan, negotiating contracts, and taxes; this book becomes your go to source for all graphic designer business practices.

I have a few books that I'm reading right now and I can't comment on the quite yet because I haven't finished them. Two of them are by the same guy that wrote A Visual Display of Quantitative Information (Edward R. Tufte). They are called Envisioning Information and Visual Explanations. I don't think a designers library can be considered complete without these three books gracing the shelves. The other book that I'm reading along side the other two is Understanding Design by Kees Dorst. I haven't made it too deep into this book yet so I can't comment on it as well as I would like but it basically is a book of reflections on being a designer. I'm guessing if you are reading this blog to see what my reflections are about design, you might really like this book as well.

Well that is it for now. Six books should keep any designer busy reading for a couple months so I'll make another post then about more books I'm reading (I'm obviously going to make other post in the meantime but if this is the only reason you stopped by, well now you have a better idea of when to come back). Keep checking back, with the school year rapidly coming to a close and the design community will shortly be inundated by young fresh talent (basically you my readers) I will be writing a post on how and where to find jobs. Until then, Adios

I'm ashamed..

2009-01-09T07:55:00.000-08:00

I didn't want to start the new year on a bad note but I feel I owe you, my loyal readers, an apology. I've been MIA lately and for that I am extremely sorry. I haven't posted since early november and I don't even have a good excuse. I've been busy but that doesn't mean that I didn't have a half hour here or there where I could have sat down and posted something. I have a couple really good posts in the works but I need to sit on them a little more and make sure that they are complete.

I was also hoping that my first post for the new year would be an update for all of you to let you know that my new website is up and running. Hoping is the key word in that last sentence. I have run into a few obstacles and it doesn't look like I will be able to get my new site up for a couple more weeks. I will definitely let you know when that happens and keep you posted on the progress I'm making.

Well, that is it for now. Like I said, I'm really sorry to have abandoned you for such a long time. I promise not to do that to you all again. Let's make a deal. You check back once a week or so and I'll make sure to make a post once a week (maybe even a couple if I'm feeling devious). Thanks for a great 2008 and I'm looking forward to 2009!

The Impossible Client...

2008-11-10T11:39:00.000-08:00

To everybody out there, I am sure you have worked with a very difficult client. I will bet that each of you could tell me, in a heart beat, the name of your client and the project you worked on that made them go down in your personal history as the toughest to satisfy. It might have been that they were constantly changing their mind or maybe it is that they had no clue about what it is exactly they wanted. Maybe they expected the world and never understood that it came at a price (that they were unwilling to pay). Whatever the case may be, we have all gone through that torture at one point or another.

This may be true but I think there is one client many of you might have over looked. Someone for whom you have done countless work, who is the hardest client of all to please, and they pay next to nothing for your services. I am referring to the person staring back at you in the mirror.

As you might be aware, I am currently in a personal re-branding phase and it has been made painfully clear that you are your hardest client. If you think of this in a logical perspective, this doesn't make a lot of sense. Who else knows you better than yourself? That is the ultimate goal when doing work for someone. Truly understanding who this person is, their likes and dislikes, and what they are trying to convey to those interested in them. The difficulty comes when you are trying to interpret how other people are going to view you. You have to remove yourself from yourself (this is as difficult to explain as it is to actually accomplish) and try to complete work with an unbiased opinion. It can also be difficult for those of us who are closet perfectionist to decide when enough is enough or when to push it further.

You can get around these problems pertaining to creating work for yourself by asking a friend or colleague to assist. If they are gracious enough, they might be willing to do it for free if in return you do the same for them. Defiantly a fair trade because more than likely they struggle with the same difficulties. This doesn't mean that it won't be any easier but you do avoid the problem of designing in a vacuum. Having someone's opinion can be an invaluable advantage when trying to re-brand yourself.

The benefits that can come from doing work for yourself or working with colleagues on your own material can very easily out weight the negatives. Be aware of the questions you are asking yourself, take note on how you respond, and if you would want your client to respond differently. Try asking yourself different questions to see if you can learn more from different methods of questioning. When doing work for yourself, you have the greatest opportunity to experiment on workflow, interviews, and creativity. Don't set to many limits and let yourself explore the usually unimaginable.

Update from Yours Truly...

2008-10-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed I've been blogging a little more recently. This is occurring for a few reasons and I'd like to take some time and let you know why. First and foremost, I haven't blogged in a while which means that I have a lot of posts building up in me and I need to get them out before they escape my memory. Secondly, I am making a conscious move to increase my virtual presence and identity. One of the best ways I know how to do that is by blogging. The more posts I have out there, the more I appeal to the masses and touch on subjects they want to read about... hopefully. Lastly, I am currently in a rework phase on my personal website and I've been thinking that I might incorporate a blog into it as well. My personal website blog will not only contain posts from Shades of Gray but other posts as well that you won't find here. You'll have to check it out when it is complete. Right now I'm hopping to have my website up and running by Nov. 13th ... I'll keep you posted on that. I want both my blogs to run parallel to each other with each one touching on certain subjects while leaving certain topics for one or the other. I'm really excited to see how pairing these two blogs together will work.

Since I don't have anything profound to leave you with, I think I'm going to take this opportunity to end this blog with a couple quotes. They are some of my favorites so I hope you enjoy. Both are from Stephen Leacock.

Advertising may be described as the science of arresting human intelligence long enough to get money from it.

It may be those who do most, dream most.

I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.

The "Yes" Man No More...

2008-10-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

As a young designer, I left college with the mentality that I should always say that you (my client) are right and yes I can do that for you. I guess I felt that if I said no, that my clients would have their "feelings" hurt or that I would develop the stigma of the designer who couldn't measure up. After having dealt with clients that are either well informed or completely unaware, my stance on being the "Yes Man" has changed. Some people understand design like they understand rocket science. They know it exists but are completely oblivious to the amount of work and thought that goes into some of the simplest creations. It is a completely foreign language that they simply cannot understand. Designers understand the complexities that are inherent when it comes to developing good design from scratch, but "Joe the Plumber" doesn't (sorry... but I had to use this terminology. I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to be like the Pres. candidates!).

I am not saying that you should say No to everyone that comes knocking at your door asking for design. Really, I think you should say that you can work with them no matter what but you need to set certain rules and criteria when it comes to working with people that are uninformed. Expressing your concerns upfront with your client can be the foundation to an open communication and trust. That is usually what it boils down to with people that are uninformed. They need to know that they can trust you to accomplish exactly what they are expecting from you.

This is all great but I haven't really given you a real life example for you to see exactly what I mean.

Let's say you have been doing work for a client for the past three months. The work has been pretty steady and they have worshiped you for the hard work and the excellent designs you have provided them over and over again. You're two days away from the deadline to complete all the elements for their campaign. You agreed to a definite list of deliverables and the deadline is absolute. Now your client wants to add four more pieces of collateral and three more pages to their website. What do you say?

First I think you need to sit down with them and really discuss what it is they are asking for. Make them completely aware of the amount of working they are now asking you to do. Bring your planner so that you know what you have already planned for the next couple days. Ask yourself "is this even close to being feasible" and "how much more work do you want to do for this client?" Obviously you need to let them know that the cost of your services is going to increase because of the amount of work has also increased (In most cases, they are already expecting this but it is best to communicate everything that will be affected by this last minute addition... always best to cover yourself just incase). If you can't possibly complete everything by the drop dead date of a couple days out (which is the probable outcome of your conversation), you need to start cutting desired work or pushing them past the deadline. Create a list of everything you have remaining to complete and say, "what do you want to cut from the list of deliverables" or "what is least important to you?" They need to know that these last minute additions have consequences. Be sure you get them to sign off on a final decision ... again just to cover yourself.

Most of you probably understand why this is important. Like I said earlier, you need to have an open line of communication at all times with your clients. They will appreciate it and communicating with them will make your life ten times less stressful. All this is to ensure that your client doesn't take advantage of you and your work ethic. This is a lesson that they teach you back in elementary school and one that can be used throughout your life. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is a great book (a children's book but it carries a great lesson within). It speaks exactly to the point I am trying to make but puts it in the simplest of terms. Basically what the book is saying is that if you give in once, the person asking for the favor is bound to think you will give in again and then start to take advantage of you. You should check it out (If someone asks why you are checking out a childrens book, you can blame it on me). Your clients need to know that at some point you can no longer be the "Yes Man".

Check these out...

2008-10-16T07:50:00.000-07:00

Lately, many of my post have been about what I've experienced in the past year and a half of working. I know that these insights can be very helpful for many of you who are just now entering the design profession or thinking about pursuing a career in design. Most schools that I know of don't offer a course on the abstract working life and therefore I hope these post have been helpful. It is my hope that you can take from these post what you need to be better prepared for what is inevitably going to come to you. Still, what I've come to realize is that there is so much more out there to supplement what I've been saying since the inception of this blog. So today I'd like to take some time and mention a few of the other sources that have exposed me to valuable information. I'm not saying you have to read or watch any of the following to become successful but it is never a bad thing to be informed about what is out there. So with out further adieu, my list of external sources:

Helvetica (the movie) - Yes, I know what you are thinking. They made a movie/documentary about a font. Not just any font mind you, but possibly the most successful font ever. It is worth checking out to hear what some of the greats say about typesetting and font creation. It is interesting, informative, and unique which makes it a near absolute must (at least in my mind). I'll warn you. If you are feeling slightly sleeping, I would not pop this movie in the DVD player in hopes that it will keep you awake. This is not the action packed documentary like Super Size me but I'm still highly recommending it to all designers out there.

The Art of Looking Sideways - I've blogged about this book before but I really like this book and think every designer should read it at some point of their life (sooner rather than later). Written by Alan Fletcher, this book offers intellectual insight into the mind of a great designer. It covers his inner thought on life, design, art, communication, and so much more. He kept notes most of his life and this book is out come of that. Phaidon says this about it, "An irresistible visual and verbal feast for everyone who enjoys the creative interplay of word and image." Can you think of a better book for designers?

Breaking into Graphic Design - This book really helped me prepare for the interviews that most of you will experience in the coming months. Michael Jefferson is a designer just like you and I. He is young and had many hardships in getting a job. He kept notes on what he felt he did right or wrong and then went back and interviewed those that interviewed him. It is really interesting to hear what some of the top agencies are looking for and how they think you should interact with those who are going to be hiring you.

How Magazine - This magazine is a really useful tool for designers of all ages. There are columns that offer advice to those looking for jobs or are in need of direction for their small design shops. Along with all this, I've found that this publication can be a great place to look for creative inspiration. If you are a little hesitant about subscribing to How Magazine, don't worry. There is a website that offers nearly the same amount of help, advice, and info.

AIGA - I'm am almost sure that most of you out there are already more than aware of this organization. Still, believe it or not, there are some people out there who are unaware of this seemingly invaluable group and this is my chance to inform them. This international organization is the largest grouping of creative professionals. It is a great way to get involved with the design community and develop an excellent network of creative friends. Through AIGA, you have access to endless contacts, great design inspiration, and competitions that can boost you to international stardom (that might be a stretch but not entirely unlikely).

I know there are other pieces of literature and movies out there that I am sure are more than helpful. I thought it best however not to drown you in words all at once. What I am thinking is that every now and then I'll drop post like this that will point you in their direction. So keep a keen eye open for more post like this. I promise that the above and the more to come will help you in some manner. You will never know unless you check them out.

The Economy and a Designer...

2008-10-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

The economy is in shambles. It's kind of scary to hear that all the "experts" are saying this is an international crisis. It is no longer just an American problem but the entire global community is facing a financially uncertain couple years. I have no doubt that we all will come out of this with bumps and bruises on our nest eggs but I don't think we (the general public) will be missing any arms or legs. That being said, everyone seems to be cutting cost where ever they can. Some are driving less, cooking meals at home instead of eating out, shopping at Walmart, and reconsidering their everyday expenses. For many business owners this is a very bad trend that could possibly lead to many of them going out of business. However, as a young designer, I am not so worried. I might even go as far as to say I'm secretly smiling.

I was once told that a smart business practice is to spend more advertising money when the economy is on the down and out. Why you might ask? Honestly, I'm not entirely sure but I've been hearing that more and more. Spend more money now to gain a competitive advantage. It goes against the typical thought process of save your money for a rainy day. However, when you sit down and think things through a little bit, it starts to make sense. All of the competition is sitting back waiting for things to get better while you are out there gaining recognition and impressions on your customers. Still, how does this effect a designer. More importantly how does this affect young freelance designers that are just entering the design community. Here is the silver lining in all of this mess that is constantly swirling around us.

As young designers, we are cheap, fresh, and hungry for work. Like I said, businesses are trying to cut cost where ever possible. One place where they can cut cost is by using young freelancers with little overhead costs compared to the large design agencies that are more expensive. This means that there is a lot of freelance work out there. Even more, there are a lot of freelance jobs out there that would normally go to agencies but are now on the open market for all to bid on. What better way to beef up your portfolio than to get a bunch of work from a variety different businesses. It can also be nice because typically, younger designers are not making millions of dollars. Freelance work can pad your wallet and help with paying the bills.

So where does someone find freelance work? Good question. Most of my work has been through my network of friends and co-workers but there are also web sites out there for freelance creative professionals such as ourselves. A few that I know of are: Craigslist, Elance, and iFreelance. I am sure there are more and if anyone knows of any please share for the rest of us to check them out.

I guess what I'm trying to say to those young designers out there is just to sit back, breath deep, and realize that this economic fall out isn't such a bad thing. Take advantage of all the work out there, get your name noticed and who knows, you could make it big.

The World of Freelance...

2008-10-03T07:31:00.000-07:00

It wasn't too long ago that I graduated from college. I gave myself about 30 seconds to catch my breath and then I busted out of the cocoon of the college environment and crashed into the real working world. Literally, the next day, I had someone asking me if I was interested in competing for a freelance job. It was then that I realized no one had ever explained anything to me about freelancing. I was slightly overwhelmed. Instead of dragging my heals, I accepted the challenge and landed my first job.

It is hard for me to believe that my school is the only one who doesn't offer freelance 101. Although there were plenty of business courses to take, I took none. I thought my time would be better spent learning how to communicate and understand people. So, today I'm going to offer up a few suggestions that I have learned either the hard way or by observation and discussion.

1. Get Everything in Writing - There is nothing more powerful than something in writing that proves your point. You don't need it to be a physical piece of paper, emails and txt's work just fine too (just be sure to save them ... don't delete them. DUH!). This way if the unthinkable happens and your client refuses to pay, you have documents that will hold up in court.

2. NETWORK - I can't press this more. Knowing people and being visible is the only way you are going to achieve any kind of success. If you are freelancing right now, you probably already know this but some people think work is just going to fall on your laps. It won't. There are plenty of groups and organizations out there that are solely meant to facilitate freelancers. Find them and love them.

3. Rehearse - You will never know what a client is going to say but you can pretend to have the interview with them. It is better to walk in somewhat prepared then not at all. Have your rate prepared, a tentative timeline for completion, the file formats that you are going to provide, and questions about the project you need to have answered. If it helps, get a friend to act like your potential clients so that you can practice in front of people.

4. Look Professional - I know we are all designers and we like to march to our own drum but don't show up in jean with holes in the butt and bed head. Look like you care.

5. Use Good Interviewing Techniques - the simplest of things can sometimes make the biggest impact. Keeping eye contact, taking notes, moving your head slightly and keeping you posture somewhat erect are all good practices. People feel like you are really listening (you really should be listening too).

6. Keep Track of Expenses - It is amazing what you can write off in your taxes if you are a freelancer. Everything from pens to possibly even your car can all be business expenses. Be careful not to go overboard and expense everything you own. The government doesn't appreciate that too much and I'm almost positive it isn't legal.

7. Invoice - A lot of professionals would like invoices for their own records. Provide one just in case. It makes you look a little more professional.

8. Confidence - If you can project confidence and knowledge about the project, your client will be reassured he or she has made the right choice in you. Speak with a professional tone, use good interviewing techniques, and be relaxed are great ways to show this. Make sure that your client leaves trusting you will accomplish what they want. It makes the whole process go much more smoothly.

These are just a few of the things I've realized since entering the professional world. I know there are countless other lessons to be learned and when I experience them, I'll be sure to pass them on to you. If you have anything you think needs to be added, please let me know and I'll append my list. I'd like to get a really long list so your input would be greatly appreciated.

Walk or Talk...

2008-09-30T07:39:00.000-07:00

So here is the typical cliche... do you talk the talk or walk the walk? In the context that I'm thinking, neither is better then the other. I'm referring to your personality, your passion, and your drive. I think that all of us (not just designers and such but everyone out there) are one or the other.

The question now is how did I stumble upon this revelation. To be completely honest, I didn't. I was talking with a friend after getting home from the cantina and he made me aware of the two types of people. We were talking about how people socialize (network) in any given situation. There are people that can spark a conversation with anyone and make them aware of who they are and what they are all about. Others let their work speak for themselves.

Let's start with those that are the social butterflies (the talk the talk type). They are the kind of people that you place in the middle of a room with complete strangers and when they leave, not only are they friends with everyone but they have hook-ups (not the Martha Stewart kind... legal) for everything you can imagine. You need to get your shoes fixed or your art sold, they know someone who wants to help them out. Everyone could use to have this personal trait but as designers, this is invaluable. I've said it before but your network is the life blood of you career. The more people you know, inevitably the better off you are going to be. People are always looking for design and talking to their friends about it. Your friends are always going to recommend their friends over someone they have just heard of.

For those that don't necessarily fall into that category (which I'm not sure I do), you fall into the walk the walk group. These people are not the most outspoken in the crowd but when it comes to their work, they live, breath, and sleep it. They believe in what they are doing so much that they think their actions speak louder than their words. This category of people relies on their work to grab attention and bring in business. Not a bad way to do things but you need to have patience and time because recognition doesn't happen overnight.

It was interesting to hear what he had to say. My friend is definitely the talk the talk kind of guy and the more I think about it, i would classify myself as the walk the walk type. Both categories are completely capable of networking and being successful. They simply go about it differently. I'm curious what you think about this. Where do you fit in? Let me know what your thoughts are or if you think things are not that simple.

The Elusive Muse...

2008-09-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

Like many of you, my loyal readers, I am an artist. I'm an artist in the strictest of terms and in the loosest. Graphic design is a passion, a hobby, and a life style but so is the fine art world. As with any one involved in the world of art, we draw inspiration from the world around us. Sometimes we passively observe the happenings that surround us and let it guide us as we create and other times we actively search out that defining moment that opens the flood gates of ideas and creativity. Whether you search or wait to be discovered by inspiration, everyone has their own methods of breaking through the barrier.

Personally, I have two separate paths I take when searching out inspiration. The first path I take is just that; literally I leave where ever I am at and go for a walk. I have no destination in mind except that I will inevitably end my walk back where I started. It is easier for me to dive back into my work with what I observed still fresh in my mind. I try not to put a time constraint on my roaming because I'm never really sure if I have taken in all that I can. Still, sometimes the deadlines are pressing and I must gather my thoughts sooner than I may wish so that I can deliver on time. The other path (this time more figuratively), is a pretty common practice amongst the designer community. Music has a way of opening a can of creativity. I've talked to countless designers and others that interact with creative people and in almost all cases they say that music has a guaranteed presence in any setting. Maybe this is the case because music is an art in itself and that fuels the fire for most of us. I can't say one way or another but for some odd reason, now that I've been thinking about it, I think they did a study on it sometime. I'll look into it and report back later on what I find.

Anyway, no matter if you fall into the common or the uncommon, everyone has their muse. We constantly seek out external elements to spur our imaginations in hopes of uncovering something even more elusive to most, originality. The lucky few of us stumble upon it with very little work while others search their entire lives. Unfortunately, originality and creativity goes hand in hand. You can have creativity without originality but not very often can you have the opposite. You're muse is there to help you along the path and push you closer to your inevitable goal. Finding the elusive muse to do that can be the hardest part.

As always, I'd like to hear your thoughts and more specifically, I would like to hear what you do ignite creativity and originality. Shoot me an email or leave a comment and I'll try to get back to you.

Did You Miss Me?...

2008-09-10T15:02:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the real world. I have to keep telling myself that everyday after work. A little over a year ago I was accustomed to waking up a few hours after the sun and crawling into bed a few hours before the next morning beckoned me to do it all again. Now however, the sun and I compete to see who can rise first and I am sorry to say that in my old age, midnight is turning out to be nearly impossible (excluding weekends of course). What I am trying to convey to you, my loyal readers, is that I have had absolutely zero time for anything outside of work. It should come as good news to you out there that I am once again in control of the ceaseless barrage of responsibilities and have now discovered time to blog once more.

So you may ask yourself, what is it that I have been up to in the past three months that I have been M.I.A? Surely there are some stories that need to be shared or some insight that I have stumbled upon as I gain experience in the working world. As far as stories go, I have a few that will make for a good read and they will come in the next few posts. They are laced with helpful knowledge and even some humor. The insight which seemed to appear from time to time in my weekly posts has not left me. I am bursting at the seams with advice that in the past few short months I have acquired. Words of wisdom from people who I greatly respect in both the business and advertising world will be shared along with new designers and new places of reference. There are a few books that I can't recommend more highly that will change your perspective on employment and design. As always, I will continue to share my personal life lessons and hope that you, my readers, take from them what you want.

If it isn't obvious yet, let me make this extremely clear and concise. I'M BACK! Check back as frequently as you'd like because I am going to try and bombard you with posts to the point you might as well be reading a novel.

Hello Strangers!

2008-05-29T14:07:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been a while. Nearly a month since my last post and it's my guess that you thought I dropped off the face of the earth. That's not quite the case but pretty close. My life as of late has consisted of me waking up, going to work at 6 am, eating lunch at my desk, leaving work at 8 pm, cooking dinner, and going to bed. I know, you're envious of my non-existent social life. I'm not. For me, the perfect working life is a healthy balance of work and play. Still, a crazy schedule is the kind of work life we, as designers, have chosen. When things need to get done and out the door, you can't say that I have to meet my friends for a happy hour and that this can wait till tomorrow. You have a deadline and it needs to be met.

Fortunately for you and I, this is not the norm year round. I have discovered that having a job in the design/advertising field means that sometimes you have ridiculously long hours and other times not. My professors warned me about this very thing my sophomore year of college but I didn't realize that even though you are sitting behind a desk, you leave work exhausted. Thirteen hour days take a tole on you.

I just thought I would post something to let everyone out there know that things are slowing down for me and you should start to expect the regularity I once possessed for my blog. I am hoping that next week I can resume my Who Are We posts and offering advice to those that seek it. I've got a few good blog ideas sitting on the back burner so keep a keene eye out for new posts!

Who Are We (Part:18)...

2008-04-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

When giants are mentioned, most people tend to think of huge illiterate men hobbling around with massive clubs. That or the baseball team out of New York. This week however, my weekly entry into my Who Are We posts is a giant of another kind. His work is known through out the world and he is sought out for work, advice, and inspiration by some of the greatest people on earth. When I mention his name you will undoubtedly say "Of course.. it was only a matter of time till he was mentioned" or "Who?" If it is the latter of the two, you may want to do a little research of your own. This guy is "designer royalty."

Who is this giant in the design/marketing community? None other than Pat Fallon of Fallon Worldwide. He founded Fallon in 1981 and has seen success in every dimension of the word. Known internationally for their ability to deliver results without breaking the bank could be the key to their success. It could also be that Fallon employs some of the best talent out there and has clients that place complete faith in the work they produce. With clients like Sony, Purina, Time, and NYSE it's hard not to gain international recognition. Fallon has experienced such success that they have reached a level where they can be selective with their cliental. They aren't exclusive because they feel like it. Pat Fallon creates a very personal relationship with each of his clients and that just isn't possible with hundreds of clients.

Pat Fallon released a book a couple years ago named "Juicing the Orange." It was recommended to me by Greg Ness of Sundog (a former professor of mine whose agency has a great blog worth checking out as well). I'm currently reading this book and so far I can't seem to put it down. It's a book that delivers invaluable advice and opinions on the creative marketplace. The insight that Fallon's book provides makes it a must read for any designer of all ages and experience levels.

Check out Pat Fallon and his book "Juicing the Orange." Let me know what you think. As always, if you have anyone you think belongs in my weekly posts of Who Are We, let me know and I'll check them out. You could see them up here soon.

Disconnected and out of touch...

2008-04-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

I've been MIA for the past few days. This was planned and much needed because I have a feeling the flood gates are going to open and I will be drowning in work for the next two months. So I have taken time to take a few deep breaths and am now ready to dive deep into endless hours and constant work. The best part about this weekend vacation to rural Pennsylvania was that I was completely disconnected from everything. I had no internet access, no phone reception, and only a couple channels of television which were constantly showing golf (I love golf but after two hours I can do without watching it). So what did I do? I read. I read a couple books about our little design community. These books offered advice, tips and tricks to make it in our field, and even some humor about the stereotypes we designers are given. They were great reads and I'll be making a post soon about books to look into as a designer. I figured in a month or so it would be great to have a list for summer reading.

Now you may ask yourself, why do we care what Chris did on vacation. Good question and really I'm using my relative abandonment of technology as an excuse for me not having a post for my Who Are We series. I use the internet to do the majority of my research so it was nearly impossible for me this weekend. I promise I'll have one tomorrow. You should check back to see who I've decided to highlight this week.

This isn't the only reason why I've decided to mention my weekend plans. It dawned on me a couple days ago that even though I was on vacation, I really wasn't. I was still reading about graphic design, I was still out networking and picking up clients, I was even still designing (albeit on a napkin in a bar one night but it may have won me some work... so it counts). I think that as a young person still trying to secure my place in the graphic design community, I have learned that you are never really done working. You may be at the office for ten to fourteen hours a day but that doesn't mean when you walk out that door your are done. At the bar talking with people, you may be networking which is helping your freelance career. Even while you are sleeping, you mind should be subconsciously thinking of graphic treatment, typography, and color choice.

Don't misunderstand me. I don't mean that if you are not dreaming of design you are a bad designer. I am just saying that there are people out there that are. They eat, sleep, and breathe design. There is not a single activity or second that is dedicated to anything else but their design career/work. Maybe as you gain more experience and amass a larger reputation, you can afford the luxury of complete relaxation but I tend to think that isn't the case. Our field is a highly competitive one and to play game with all of the competition out there, you have to make some sacrifices. Thankfully we have a field that allows for work to be fun, exciting, social, and evolving so this level of dedication isn't awful and dull. So think about your level of commitment and ask yourself, "Am I disconnected and out of touch with the design field, or am I living design?"

Who Are We (Part:17)...

2008-04-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

I started this week off by looking through some of my past Who Are We posts. I checked out their sites and looked through a lot of their blogs. I found myself browsing through Carole Guevin's blog NetDiver (I have recently become a huge NetDiver Junkie) and stumbled upon a designer by the name of Jesse Kaczmarek. His worked looked interesting and jumped out at me from a quick glance. I dove deeper and soon realized that this was not just some lesser known designer. He has done work for clients that would make an average sized design agency drool yet he remains a one-man shop out in New York. Clients like BMW, GE, HBO, Motorola, Pepsi, Porsche, Red Stripe, Sony, Target, and Virgin Mobile don't just come knocking if you're a mediocre designer. They want the best and only hire the best.

Jesse Kaczmarek's designs seem to be geared towards a very simplistic approach while still maintaining a high level of viewer interest. He is able to convey an elegance with a simple treatment of color and direction. Even within a small color palette, Jesse creates vivid, eye catching work that is classy and sophisticated. It is no wonder why these big name clients have gone with him for some of their design work. I am not the first to realize that Jesse is a great designer hidden within the millions living in New York. Google search him and you'll get pages after pages of people praising the incredible work he has created.

Check him out and let me know what you think. I'm always looking for people to add to my Who Are We posts so if you have someone you think belongs up here, let me know. I'll look into them and you could seen them up here soon.

When To Wage War...

2008-04-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

We designers are artist. Because this is so, it is hard for us to separate ourselves from our work. It's not a bad thing to be proud of you work. It's OK to think that your work is the greatest thing to grace the pages of some publication. Inevitably though, someone will disagree with your choice to place a chunk of text somewhere within YOUR design. They are not Satan because they would have done things differently. They are entitled to their own opinion and it is just that, an opinion. Now where this can cause a little turbulence is when that person with the opinion is your boss or art director. This forces you to make a decision. Do you take their advice and run with it or do you dig your heels in and say this is the way MY design is going to look.

I'm not sure either direction is the best option. If this person is your boss, more than likely they have worked their way to the top and probably have a pretty good idea of what they are talking about. So their advice should not fall upon deaf ears. Still, always take all advice with a grain of salt. Another thing you might want to do if you feel that you have made the right decision is explain why you did things the way you did. Your boss may not see things the same way you have and with a little explanation your decision may turn out to be the right one. You can then revel in your brilliance and indulge in a little self satisfaction.

So when do you wage war over your designs? Never? No. Sometimes you need to stand up for your designs. I think some times clients feel like they know more than you do. Are they designers? No. Have they studied art, design, and communication? Probably not. So grab hold and take it to them.

Now I'm not saying you should walk in, get in their face, and say listen here... I know what I'm talking about and you should shut up and just go with it. Take information to support your claim. Offer up to them your thinking and process behind your designs. Give them a few options that may offer some of what they want and some of what you think needs to be present. The most important thing to remember is that they are the ones that are giving you the money that puts food on your table. When it comes down to it, they are the ones paying for it and have the power to veto your entire design.

Designing for yourself is easy. Designing for others is hard. If your going to be a good designer you must learn that it is about compromise. You are entering a service industry. It's not quite like McDonald's where the customer is always right but it's not far off. Clients and Directors almost always enter a project with a preconceived notion of what the end result is going to look like. Each person has their own ideas and the difficult part about being a designer is finding a way to solve the design problem while still incorporating everyones thoughts. Understanding each individual involved in the process and what their expectations are can be extremely helpful. Know your client, know their product, know their market and you'll know when to wage war and when to surrender.

Who Are We (Part:16)...

2008-04-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

There are some designers that are well known. There are even some designers with a Wikipedia page. In most cases that I have found, those that have a Wikipedia page have at most a couple paragraphs about their life and their contributions to the design community. This weeks addition to my Who Are We posts trumps that because not only is his work amazing and known all over the world but his Wikipedia page is the longest of any designer I have stumbled across. It's crazy to think but you can almost judge the importance of an individual by the length of their Wikipedia page, but that is for another post.

Neville Brody is a graphic designer, typographer, and art director. He has been in the industry longer than I have been alive. This is a great accomplishment because of all the changes our field has undergone in the past 20 years. Yet he still remains current and an exceptional designer. If you are into the music scene and are thinking about gearing your graphic design career in that direction, this is a man you must know and worship. He has done record covers for multiple artist including, James Brown, The Covenant, Level 42, and many others. His accomplishments don't stop there. He has been an influential component in experimental typography through many different mediums. The kicker, that sets this man apart from most other designers, is that he wrote a book. Big deal you might say because there is a flood of graphic design books out there. His book is different. It is the world's best selling graphic design book with over 120,000 books sold. Not too shabby Neville. In case you are curious about this book it's "The Graphic Language of Neville Brody" by Jon Wozencroft. I haven't read it yet but I just bought it off of Amazon and should be waist deep in it by the end of next week.

Take a look into this man, I promise you will not be disappointed. His work is outstanding and inspirational. Let me know what you think of this man. As always I would love to hear from everyone out there. If you have any suggestions for next weeks Who Are We post let me know. I will look into them and you could see them up here sometime soon.

Who Are We (Part:15)...

2008-04-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

I know I missed my usual deadline for my weekly post Who Are We and again I'm sorry (I don't mean for this to be a reoccurring theme!). This time however I had a reason for not posting on Monday. I wanted to start April off with a great addition to my blog. I wanted to add something different and take my blog someplace it had never been. I've explored the western European states, ventured into Russia, and of course, tackled the United States. It seems odd that I have yet to find someone from my neighbor to the north. But no longer because this week I am taking you to the great country of Canada to highlight a designer who is more than deserving of a place in my Who Are We posts.

This remarkable woman's name is Carole Guevin and she currently resides in Montreal, Quebec. Her job title is listed as Chief Imagineer at PixelTable. I'm assuming that this is along the lines of CEO or Lead Art Director because of her success story that I read while researching her. She is taking a company that had been purchased from a conglomerate and reworking it, head to toe, while still remaining connected with the existing clients. She understands that a smooth transition is the key to achieving this daunting task.

But how does all this tie into the graphic design community? Well, besides the fact that she is indeed an excellent designer (which you can see for yourself at her companies website: PixelTable), she is also into blogging. Yes, you're right, last week I also mentioned designer who is a "blogger". Just like Debbie Millman, Carole Guevin is known for both her graphic design accomplishments and her creative blog. Her blog, NetDiver, has been named by leading leading professionals as one of the 42 Design/Tech Magazines To Read and was part of the 100 Websites You Should Know and Use lecture given by Julius Wiedemann. NetDiver offers interesting reads, current design community news, and great designs in general. It's a great place to go when you are in need of some inspiration or you just have a few minutes to spare in-between projects. Check it out when you have some spare time, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Let me know what you think of this weeks addition to my weekly Who Are We posts. As always, I am constantly in search of great designers to research and add to my blog. If you have someone in mind, send me an email or just simply comment. I will look into them and who knows, you could see them up here some time soon.

The Swiss Army Knife Approach...

2008-03-28T06:59:00.000-07:00

I've started to notice a trend that is rising up within the graphic design community. No longer is it enough to be just a designer. You have to have something else going for you as well. I'm not sure if it is because the pay isn't there (I don't think that's the case... we get paid pretty good for just drawing) but more and more I am noticing designers entering the field with multiple disciplines. Sometimes the fields or interests compliment each other and sometimes they are completely opposite. Personally, I'm of the mindset that the more you know the better off you are. So who's to say you can't have a biology degree and still be a designer; Margo Chase (Who Are We - Part: 2) did it and she is one of the most respected designers in America today. Other designers like Randy J Hunt (Who Are We - Part: 10) are pushing the envelope by being a business man, designer, and basically a social worker (I'm not sure how to categorize his efforts in helping the less fortunate) . People like this are perfect examples of why you should not just take a 9-5 and be happy doing just that. Stretch yourself.

We are designers. We live in a world that revolves around marketing, advertising, and sales. We understand the angles and know what the consumer is thinking. So lets apply what we know to ourselves. Ask yourself, would you want to buy a pocketknife with only one blade or ten? I know, it depends on what you're using this knife for but work with me here. Most people would see the ten bladed pocketknife, snatch it up, and probably pay more for it. Same applies for designers or any professional for that matter. If you are able to accomplish what three people can, you're an extremely marketable individual and pretty valuable as well.

So when it comes to competing in today’s emerging design community, you cannot be caught sitting on the sidelines. There are too many people out there wanting to know more and do more. You cannot afford to be left behind. As young designers, this is a golden opportunity. We are not stuck in a rut, having mastered only one aspect of an expanding field. Branching out is not a goal we must set for ourselves to stay current. We are already there. We are free to experience every option, learning as we go, and applying those experiences to better our career and ourselves. Dare to push yourself and expand you capabilities. Ultimately, you will be the one who benefits from it.

Who Are We (Part:14)...

2008-03-24T08:50:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the week again. I've had a little time this weekend to look around for great designers and I think I've stumbled upon an amazing woman who has contributed a great deal to our profession. Debbie Millman is that woman and this week's addition to my weekly post Who Are We. She is a Managing Partner and President of the Design Division at Sterling Brands, one of the leading brand identity firms in the country. This probably means that she is no longer getting her hands dirty in Illustrator or Photoshop like so many of us designer pawns but she has put in the time and her involvement in the graphic design community speaks for it's self.

She has invested over 25 years in the design community and now heads up a brand identity firm with clients like AOL, Burger King, Citigroup, Miller, NBA, Sony, and Valvoline. This is all very impressive but I think the reason why I'm glad to be highlighting Debbie Millman is because of her blog. Yes Debbie blogs just like yours truly. To be honest with you, Debbie's blog is much better than mine. She is so well respected by designers around the globe that she is fortunate enough to be able to sit down with other designers and conduct an actual interview. These sessions are called Design Matters and she does this live every Friday from 3-4 pm (eastern). She has interviewed nearly everyone that I have highlighted. I only offer an overview of who these people are, and then you have to go out and research more yourself. Debbie gives you the opportunity to hear what these designer greats are thinking. She can ask the questions that everyone wants to know, dig deeper and further into the graphic design elite, and expose some of their tricks and secrets.

Some of her comments out side of the interviews are a great read as well. They are reflections on the design/marketing/advertising world and everything else. I haven't had a lot of time to really dive deep into her blog but from what I have seen, I'm extremely interested and impressed. Let me know what you think. I'm always looking for feedback on my choices for Who Are We. If you have any suggestions on who I should highlight next, I'd love to hear them. You never know, you could see them up here sometime soon.

Spotlight Search: Design Inspiration...

2008-03-20T13:06:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be great if when you hit that inevitable mind block during a project you could hit a couple keys and search for inspiration. Most designers after being in the real world for a while build up a bunch of prior concepts that they can return to for help in tearing down the walls of a mind block. Maybe those more experienced know of places on the web that can either offer advice or inspire you so that you can beat that lingering brain fart. One thing your not really taught in school, that you most likely pick up on the job, is where to look for new and fresh ideas. So I thought I would share a few sites that might help when your feeling creatively challenged (these are most likely familiar to a lot of you out there but maybe not).

1. HOW Magazine - A design/Creative/Business magazine/website with a lot of great articles online to help offer ways of breaking through some of the most common design barriers. It also has great information on the global design community. Most of the articles are pretty interesting and worth checking out.

2. DeviantART - It's kinda like a social network for amateur and professional artist alike. It's a great way to see what some of the young undiscovered talent is doing out there. It can help when trying to get a read on what the younger generation is into and doing.

3. DesignFLOOD - More for the web designers among us but who says print designers can't take inspiration from websites. It's a site that has multiple pages of links to some of the most creative websites I've seen. You can vote on which ones you like and don't like. It's another great way to keep your finger on the pulse of design.

4. CMYK Mag - Another heavy weight in the design magazine/website arena. Basically HOW Mag and CMYK Mag are along the same lines although they may not appreciate me saying this. They have different writers and therefore different articles but both appeal to the same demographic.

5. Best Brand of the World - This site isn't really about inspiration but it can be a big help when doing logo designs or using corporate logos in a project. If you ever need a logo (ex: VW, Smirnoff,etc...) look here. It's my bet that they have it along with all the restrictions that go along with how you can use the logo. Best part is that they tend to be in vector format so they can be resized easily.

There are countless others out there that are great for inspiration and help it's just a matter of finding or hearing about them. If you have any sites that you think have been invaluable to your creativity or design and you want to share them, post them in the comments or shoot me an email and i'll include them in a later post. I'll keep looking and my ears open for any more sites and when I find them, I'll post them.

Without Email...

2008-03-19T08:43:00.001-07:00

I'd like to propose a question to everyone. What would you do if you didn't have email for a day? Would your business grind to a near halt? Could you function as a designer or entrepreneur? Think about how much of your daily life revolves around the internet and email. If your like me, maybe you receive thirty to fourty emails a day and spend five to six hours on the internet. Or maybe that doesn't compare. Still, very little of my communication happens through "snail mail" or even the telephone any more. It seems like we take for granted the luxury of having email. So how would you cope without this modern form of communication?

The generation before mine may find themselves saying, back in the day we didn't have the internet, there was no email. We still got things done and we had to walk up hill in both directions in the snow to do it. But I say, do you think you could do that again and still maintain the same level of efficiency. I'm not sure you could. The immediacy of email and the internet compliment this fast paced world in a way that has allowed businesses to accomplish tasks that would normally take a couple weeks in only a couple days. I don't think we could digress back without some painful sacrifices and a whole lot of complaining.

The crazy thing about this is that the internet is only getting faster and more reliable (kinda). Back when email first came about, you had to wait a couple hours to receive it and you were never really sure if it got there. Most found themselves calling the recipient to make sure that they received the email. Talk about a pointless waste of time. Not any more. Email has become so ingrained in our daily lives it's hard to imagine what it would be like without it ... until you don't have it any more. Still some of you might remember when there was no web, no email, no PDA's with email and web access but for the emerging generation of working professionals it has always been there. We rely on this relatively new technology for everything we do. We are almost helpless without it.

I am in the midst of experiencing this crisis and I will tell you that I can not imagine what it must have been like. For now though, I am relying on my personal email (which is about as fast as a comatose sloth), my cell phone (texting), and someone two floors down who still has their corporate email for all my communications. It has been a pain but I think I can weather the storm till we get our system back online and I can keep up with the world once more.

Who Are We (Part:13)...

2008-03-17T08:28:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks I have been talking about designers from either the distant past or my relative geographical proximity so this week I feel as though I should expand on my boundaries a little. In order to do this I am heading across the pond to a island called the United Kingdom, more specifically London. A friend introduced me to this designer over the weekend (we were at a bar enjoying a cocktail at an Irish bar ... Happy St. Patty's day) and so I checked him out and decided I would like to feature him this week. So without further ado, this weeks designer for my weekly Who Are We posts is a man by the name of Kam Tang.

Tang is not unlike most designers out there that like to think of themselves and a combination of artist and designer. A student of both the old and new ways of creating graphic images, Tang is able to appreciate the intricacies of well thought out simple graphic or a elaborate flowing image. With educational training in Illustration from the Royal College of Art, his understanding of design is nothing to be overlooked. His client list is impressive enough to make some large design agencies blush and yet this man is doing it all as a free-lance artist. Just to give you a feel for who Tang has done work for, here is a list of some of his clients. I think you might have heard of a couple: The Guardian, Wired, Arena, Wallpaper, Adidas, Nike, Sony, Gnarles Barkley and the Royal Mail. Not so bad in my book. If your interested in who this designer is you can check out his Wikipedia site. His website is worth checking out but unfortunately there is only a limited amount of art (google images has much more of his work).

Let me know what you think of this weeks addition to the Who Are We family. As always, if you have a designer in mind that you think I should look into, leave a message and I'll check them out. You could see them up here sometime soon.

What Makes Your Cube Creative...

2008-03-10T11:02:00.000-07:00

In a working world surrounded by four free-standing walls, it is hard to find great inspiration from your surroundings. That doesn't mean that it isn't there, just that you need to look harder. Some people take their work space and turn it into some sort of theme park, others litter the walls with notes and other assortments, but what ever you do, it must speak to you.

I'm interested to hear what other designers and creative individuals out there do to make their work space more conducive to the nature of their profession. You can post a picture, describe it in word if you'd like, you can even make a crayon drawing and submit it. I'm just very curious to see the lengths some people will go to make their environment creative.

I'll start things off...

My "cube" is four walls covered with notes, color palettes, thumb-tacks, and posters. My shelves are littered with books that focus on design and help stir my creativity. Out the door is a window that looks over downtown Denver. It helps me feel like I'm not trapped in a cell. Computers and monitors consume most of the space on my desk but their is still room for a notepad when I need to sketch up an idea. It's not the most creative environment but I'm still in the process of making it my own.

-Chris Nuernberger-

Who Are We (Part:12)...

2008-03-10T11:01:00.001-07:00

I'm a few days late with my Who Are We post and I'm terribly sorry about being tardy. It's been a busy week with very little time to sit down and find a graphic designer that I think you should know about. You need not worry though because I have stumbled upon a designer during my reading that I think not too many people have heard of. Maybe you have heard of him but you don't think of him as a designer. This designer is different from the rest in a unique way. He was born in 1860, back before computers were even a distant thought. He is proof that our profession has been around for a while.

Alphonse Mucha was an artist in the purest sense. Lived the stereotypical life of an artist. He was drawing before he could walk. Born in the Czech Republic in a time where artist were creating masterpieces. This influx of art from the masters into mainstream society gave Mucha only one choice, he must move to Paris. He moved there in 1887 and from there his career took off (in a very loose sense). He had moments of success followed by periods of little work. During this time Mucha was called upon to create a poster for Sarah Bernhardt's play, Gismonda. His design was something completely new and sparked a little movement called "ART NOUVEAU." I'm sure you've heard of the movement but most people don't associate Mucha with graphic design but more with painting. Back then they were more one in the same rather than being separate. From here his fame spread and Mucha had finally made it. He paired up with a man by the name of Champenois and started doing postcards and other things.

He is a very good artist and designer. I'm not sure I can say that he started the graphic design profession but being able to say that you helped start a movement isn't a bad thing to have on your resume. If your looking for a designs to give you a traditional feel then I would have to recommend Alphonse Mucha.

A thing to keep in mind as your looking for inspiration among the design community. You can never know where you are going if you don't know where you've been. I hope you like my selection for this week's Who Are We post. Let me know your thoughts and if you have anyone I should look into, please don't hesitate to send me an email. I promise I'll look into them and you might see them up here on my blog.

Careful, Confidential...

2008-03-10T10:42:00.000-07:00

Working in the business world, sometimes you are told things that probably shouldn't be repeated outside of your office. Other times you know more about something than the rest of the public but you are still asked to keep things confidential. I was going to make a post last week about certain information that has been floating around my office. It is nothing scandalous or really that secret but I was reminded by a fellow colleague that even though I may not view this as a confidential piece of information, others (more importantly, those who have the power to fire me) might think differently.

So I'd like to take this time to offer a piece of advice to those out there that are just entering the working world and may not have a complete understanding of what confidential means. It means, anything you hear, read, write, or look at cannot leave your work with out expressed approval. If you're going to take it and place it on a blog (like I was about to) you have to go through your PR department, your SVP of marketing and get written consent to publish anything having to do with you place of employment. If you ever have even the slightest concern about whether or not you should talk about this, just ask someone and I'm sure they will be able to guide you and possibly save you from a lot of trouble.

So whether you're blogging or just chatting with some friends at a bar, remember your job hinges on what you say and to whom. Better to learn your lesson through reading about it than experiencing it through your own mistakes.

Who Are We (Part:11)...

2008-03-03T19:32:00.001-08:00

So last week I brought you a young man who is doing amazing work with helping mankind in mind. The week before I spoke about David Carson. He could possibly be the most well known graphic designer in the world. He lives in London. For this week however I would like to highlight America's take on designer royalty. This designer comes from, where else, New York city. Actually he was born in Pennsylvania but has since moved east to the big apple. Who is this man who USA Today calls the "closest thing to a graphic design rock-star?"

His name is Chip Kidd.

He is mostly known for his unique approach to book covers and his ridiculous pace at which he cranks them out. He is so good at what he does that some authors, like Oliver Sacks, require their contracts have clauses in them stating that Chip Kidd must design their book cover. A following like that doesn't come easy. Besides having the lure to attract such a loyal following, his list of authors is just as impressive.

There are a couple of websites that you should check out if your interested in Chip Kidd. First is his website. It has a blog that has some interesting quotes and links to some of his other pages and projects. The other site I will be posting on later in more depth later but you should check it out now. It's called ilovedesign.com and it's from Quark. They're starting to change things up a little bit and I think this site offers a unique mingling of the design community and a social networking concept. There are interview clips with Chip Kidd and a couple other great designers. It is defiantly worth the time to check it out and see what they have to say.

As always, I am interested in what you think about this weeks addition to Who Are We? If you have any suggestions for me, please don't hesitate to let me know. I will look into them and you might see them up here in the future.

A Golf kART and the Open Road...

2008-02-29T07:06:00.000-08:00

Every once and a while there are those people who make an impact on the world we know through extraordinary efforts and vision. They pursue a dream in which they hope to capture a moment in life and immortalize it through some means of art, diction, or word. Their hopes vary in detail and medium but their overall goal is one in the same: to bring people together through exposure of a common interests.

You might be asking yourself what does all this have to do with a golf kART and an open road. Well, before a couple months ago I would have said nothing. In most cases a golf kART and art are found on completely opposite sides of the spectrum. From today on they will find themselves mingling for the first time and in time, they may become synonymous with each other (its a stretch but it could happen). This fusion of art and kART is possible through the vision of Jeremy Make and Andy Raney and an amazing trek across america.

On April 19, 2008, kART Across America will embark on a 12,000-mile, 130-day, 48-state journey on a golf kart to discover the art of America. While on this art-seeking endeavor Jeremy and Andy will be interviewing, documenting, participating, discovering, and observing all forms of art in hopes of sharing it with the world. At the end of this some-what odd yet still entirely inspiring expedition they will be turning what they have learned, filmed, and experience into a documentary film, a book, and a sue-do MySpace web site where you can post your own art and share your opinions. It will be interesting to watch as people all over the United States share their art forms with these two. Keep an eye out for them as you are driving around where ever you are. Even if you are not lucky enough to run into them be sure to ask yourself, what is your art? You might be surprised by what your response is.

An Ever Shrinking World...

2008-02-26T07:09:00.000-08:00

This may not surprise many of you but the world is shrinking. Obviously I don't mean that the world is physically shrinking but that it is becoming increasingly easier to communicate, travel, and do business with all corners of the globe. This notion of a shrinking world has hit me a couple times in the past week or two and I thought it important to mention.

Some of you, my readers, may not be aware of this but this blog in its self is an international tool of communication. I don't simply write for my fellow countrymen but for an international audience. This blog has readers from 26 different countries and of those, Spain and the United Kingdom are at the top of my hits lists. So I'd like to take this opportunity to say hello to the international audience that this blog receives. Welcome, Hola, Bienvenue, Willkommen.

Another eye opening experience to fact that this world is in a constant state of shrinking is that the company that I work for just had it's yearly corporate meeting. It lasted a week and we had people flown in from over fifteen different countries. There was so much culture and difference present. Yet we were all here for the same reason speaking the same language with relative ease. Also with this company, every time we take a design to press it has to go through translation; getting translated into the basic five international languages: French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Chinese. It is an interesting feeling to know that your designs are being seen all over the world. I don't think that this feeling is as rare as it may have been twenty years ago which is even more evidence that this world is getting smaller and smaller.

I'd like to throw a piece of advice at you and you can take it with a grain of salt but here it goes. Realize that your culture is not the only one on this planet. Everyone has their own beliefs, practices, traditions, and ways of life and to be intolerant is career suicide. In this fast paced world, being a mono-lingual individual places a glass ceiling over your head in the professional world but having the ability to communicate on an international level opens countless doors and opportunities. Personally I have taken five years of French and can only ask your name and sing the national anthem, I know enough german to ask where the bathroom is, and I think I can order a drink in spanish (an obvious necessity while in Spain). Needless to say that I am not the international person that I should be although I plan to remedy that soon enough. I think that we need to start to realize that the vast distance that our grandparents understood as a reason for remaining mono-lingual is vanishing if it has not already disappeared. Soon the only way to survive will be to communicate effortlessly in multiple languages. It would be smart to anticipate this change and prepare yourself for the inevitable.

So with that I leave you. Au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen, Arrivederci, Adiós, and Goodbye. (Thanks to Babel fish for the translations!)

Who Are We (Part:10)...

2008-02-25T17:03:00.000-08:00

This week I would like to do something just a little different for my weekly post of Who Are We. Instead of focusing on a designer that has already made it and has accomplished the unimaginable. I would like to bring to the forefront an up-and-coming designer (according to STEP Magazine) who has the potential to shock and awe us with his future.

His name is Randy J. Hunt and he is changing the shape of our profession. No longer is it just OK to be a good designer. Now it takes a thirst to be so much more, to do things not only better but different and with on a bigger scale. Randy has done just that. He has started CitizenScholar, SuperCorp, The Amazing Project and many other things. Not to bad for a man young enough to be the son of most of the people I have mentioned in my weekly posts.

You should check out Randy J. Hunt's website and look at what he is doing and what he has started. Many of his works and projects are geared towards helping those that are less fortunate. A worthy cause in my book. Let me know what you think of this designer entrepreneur. As Always, if you have any suggestions for next week or any week for that matter, don't hesitate to comment or send me your thoughts. I'll check them out and you might see them up here on my blog.

Who Are We (Part:9)...

2008-02-18T19:39:00.000-08:00

Every week I try to spotlight a designer I think you should know about. It has always helped me with my designs to see what others are doing and to try to understand the design community. Knowing where we are heading is the best way to stay fresh in the market. So it surprised me this week when I was introduced (figuratively) to man who is deemed "the most famous graphic designer on the planet" - Creative Review Mag. I feel ashamed that I have gone this long and not mentioned David Carson as a designer that you must know.

Why can people honestly say that this man has revolutionized the design community and is most likely the biggest player in our field. He has more honors than I could even start to mention, clients that every designer drools over, and his designs are truly innovative. He even has a Wikipedia page (you know you've made it when you have your own Wikipedia page with more than just a little blurb). Traveling to speak to thousands of students and fellow designers is just another aspect to this great designer. There is so much to say about David Carson that I'm going to refer you to just one of the many websites that highlight this man's amazing career. Also keep an eye out, soon I'll link you to an interview with David Carson that I think you will find interesting and helpful.

As always, I am open for suggestion. Let me know what you think of this weeks candidate and if you have anyone you think belongs amongst the greats.

Play Hard, Work Even Harder...

2008-02-16T15:41:00.000-08:00

As a young person who has just walked into the business world, I am quickly learning the unspoken rules that are associated with youth and inexperience. What has become even more clear is that this is going to be the most difficult part of my life. Trying to make it in a field that is super saturated with talented and driven individuals. I think that it is very important that as a young person we work hard, make some sacrifices, and never give up. You might be wondering what I mean by sacrifices. Those late nights in the middle of the week that leave you hurting the following morning are going to have to be far and few between. The days of only working to get by are no longer an option. It is no longer all fun and games, this is the real world.

Even though I may sound like I am trying to suck all the fun out of being a young person with a career ahead of him, I am not. I am merely reordering the old adage of "Work Hard, Play Even Harder" to "Play Hard, Work Even Harder." A young person has a lot to prove, especially when they are first starting out and if he or she lets to much fun get in the way, it could cost them severely. Use your best judgement when your ordering your Jack and Cokes at the bar on Wednesday. Party hard on the weekend but during the week, keep your nose to the grind stone and I promise it will pay off in the end.

Who Are We? (part:8) ...

2008-02-11T08:38:00.000-08:00

This weeks subject for my weekly posts "Who Are We?" comes as a suggestion from a fellow designer that I have had the luck of knowing. We were sitting down over a couple drinks and I had mentioned my weekly posts and asked if maybe he had anyone he would recommend to me. He told me that his favorite designer is a man by the name of Charles Spencer Anderson.

I had never really heard of this designer before my friend had suggested him but I went exploring and to my surprise he is somewhat of a giant flying below the radar of a lot of people. He doesn't have his own Wikipedia page describing in detail his life and his accomplishments like some of the other designers I have mentioned in the past but his list of clients is enough to make your jaw drop. That list looks a little like this: French Paper, Nike, Target, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Coca-Cola, Levi's, Sony, Nissan, Paramount Picture, New York Times, Japanese Monster, Turner Classic Movies. These are only a few of the many that this amazing clients this designer has had the opportunity to work with.

You need to check out Charles Spencer Anderson and all the incredible work that this man has produced. I will promise you that you will not leave disappointed. Thank you to my designer friend who suggested Charles Spencer Anderson to me and as always, I am open to suggestions from you, my readers. Let me know your comments, suggestions, and designers you think belong among the ranks of those that have made it into my weekly posts of "Who Are We?"

B.E. Agressive

2008-02-11T08:01:00.001-08:00

Recently, I have been put into a position where I was unsure if I would remain employed with my current company. No I didn't lose the company millions of dollars or for that matter do anything wrong. Simply my contract with them was coming to an end and I hadn't heard from them yet if it was going to be extended or not. It happens to a lot of people, especially those that are "self-employed" but I still faced the problem of an uncertain future.

I was unsure how to approach this problem so I called some of my older family members, a couple friends who have been in the business world for a while, and I talked with some co-workers who I think have my back. The reoccurring theme that I kept hearing from them was that I needed to be aggressive. I need to march in there and confront my boss. I took all their advice with a grain of salt. I think that after working at a place for a while, you pick up on how to approach your higher-ups. So use a little common sense when gearing up to having a sit down with your boss.

What I did was asked to speak with her for a minute. Told her that I really enjoyed working here and tried to focus on all the positives that I have been able to contribute to the company. Then I simply asked her if she could keep me up to date on the status of my contract. It was a simple request and one that I thought I deserved. She said that that would not be a problem.

I think what all my friends were getting at when they told me to be aggressive was that I should just be direct. People respond when you are upfront with them. Remember to be polite but there is nothing wrong with wanting to be informed.

Who Are We (Part:7)...

2008-02-05T18:23:00.000-08:00

This week's post has come a little late and as I mentioned in the post proceeding this one. I am truly sorry. As mentioned, this weeks post would be worth the wait for I am not bringing you someone from out of the unknown but rather a "Designer" who is possibly the most famous of all. Most in the artistic community would consider never looking at one of his pieces a sin. Who, you might ask, is the designer I have chosen to spotlight for my weekly Who Are We posts? None other than Andrew Warhol.

What can I say about Andy Worhal that you don't know already. His career began in the fifties when he moved to New York. "Whimsical" drawings of shoes are what got him noticed and eventually led him to the doorsteps of RCA Records. There he was hired as a free-lance artist to produce the record covers for the artist on the label. He might have been an excellent designer but his art is what put him down in the history books.

Not many people can put on their resume that they helped start an artistic movement. I would have to think that something like that would be a golden ticket for a job any where. You don't just start a movement if you're mediocre, you have to be good. Really good. Andy Warhol was an innovator that designers and artists alike still mimic his approach to design and art. From cans of tomato soup and shoes to iconic figures like Marylyn Monroe, this designer could do it all.

I think that it is appropriate to include Andy Warhol as a member of the design community for a few reasons. First, he started his career in graphic design/communication arts and then transformed into a pure fine artist. Secondly, I think that any designer is an artist. You do not have to use traditional mediums to be consider a "true" artist. Finally, Andy Warhol has done more for the design/marketing/advertising community than anyone else I can think of. If you can think of someone who tops Andy Warhol or someone you think I should highlight, just leave me a comment and I'll check them out.

Busy, Busy, Busy...

2008-02-04T20:54:00.000-08:00

I know that today was Monday and normally on Monday I post on Who Are We. Every Monday morning when I walk into work, I normally have a few minutes to get settled and ready for the week ahead. This is usually when I usually put the finishing touches on my posts. This Monday however, I walked in with not just a couple things to get finished but literally five different projects to get out by 9:30 a.m. (I start work at 9!). I was a little busy to say the least.

I guess what I am trying to tell you, my loyal readers, is that I Am Sorry. I didn't have the time today to sit down and really put the time into crafting another wonderful post on Who Are We. You don't have to worry. I will be making that post some time this week but you're going to have to check back often to see when I can finally pry myself away from the busy schedule that is my life to write. I promise the wait will be worth it!

The Difficulties of Being Young...

2008-01-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

There is a catch twenty two in the business world. This exists even more so in the design and marketing field. Most employers want to hire someone that has some reasonable experience behind them but still has fresh ideas and a youthful perspective on the current market. But to get experience you need a job but to get a job you need experience. How then are the recent graduates supposed to walk out of college into the business world and make an impact? Even more importantly land that coveted first job?

Some might say that if you are truly gifted no amount of experience can rival you. I don't think that is the case but that is not to say that being good is a bad thing. It is great if you are naturally gifted with design/marketing. You should feel extremely lucky. Realize that employers don't just hire you based on your experience or your portfolio alone. They look at the whole spectrum of talents and abilities you bring to the table and then make a decision from that. This may sound like a "Duh" statement but when you go in for those interviews, lead with you best foot forward. If you have a great personality, flaunt it. If you art a gifted artist, so them your masterpieces. If you work harder than anyone, make sure they are aware of your dedication. Sometimes these things can be shown in your resume and other times you need to find a different way of doing things. Even the little things matter so be sure to include show them off too.

Graduation came with a feeling of unlimited possibilities and this might be partially true. What I have discovered that though your professors may try to teach you everything they think you need, the reality is that there is so much to learn, they have only skimmed the surface. This is why employers want some experience behind you. The more you are exposed to the real life elements of the business world the more you learn. What could be the most beneficial component to a recent graduate is not necessarily what you know but who you know. It helps to have a friend that is willing to open that door to let you get your first big break. Most of time, people you know have been where you are (trying to land that job) and want to help you in any way they can.

Some post graduates move away. They go in search of the big city life where there is promise of making it big. Realize that you are not the only one with this thought. There are some advantages to moving to the big city though. Obviously there are more opportunities and possibilities but there are more ways to meet people too. Get involved! Meet people and befriend them because you can only look for so many possibilities. But having a few extra eyes keeping a look out for your perfect job can't hurt.

There are a lot of hardships that come with being young and trying to make it in the business world. But when you do finally make it, you have that feeling of accomplishment that makes the struggle worth while. These are undoubtedly one of the hardest moments in your life. Persevere.

Who Are We? (part:6) ...

2008-01-28T09:43:00.000-08:00

This weeks designer needs no real introduction. He is by far the biggest name I have chosen to highlight since I began this dive into the graphic design history. I would have to think that at some point in every designers education this man would be brought to the forefront and honored for his contribution to our field.

Alan Fletcher is a graphic design god of his generation. He is from the earlier tradition of graphic design where computers where just a vision of the future and everything was created by hand. Those of us today who are either about to graduate or our careers are just starting to blossom probably have no real understanding for how this approach to design really took place. I am part of that group. From what I understand though, it was not easy and extremely time consuming.

Alan Fletcher's honors and positions are too many to list which should explain why when he died in 2006, The Daily Telegraph described him as "the most highly regarded graphic designer of his generation, and probably one of the most prolific". If you want to see just a few of his great accomplishments, check out his page on Wikipedia. One work of art that I would highly recommend to any graphic designer, or artist for that matter, is the book that he published in 2001 called "The art of looking sideways". It took him 18 years to complete this book and it is obvious that this was his life. There is an interview about the book on YouTube if you want to know more.

I am going to leave you with a quote from his book about design that I have always liked. "Who ever said pleasure wasn't functional?" - Charles Eames

Check back this week. I have some great post coming, I just need to do a little more reflecting on them before I can post them.

Who Are We? (part:5) ...

2008-01-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

It is that time of the week again. This is the fifth installment of our weekly dive into the graphic design community. This weeks subject is a pretty big player in the New York scene and it is my guess that if you live within 100 miles of the big apple, you have almost had to have heard of him.

Michael Bierut is a partner of Pentagram, a design firm in New York City. His influence on the design community is obvious through his hundreds of awards and his commitment to leading multiple associations in a direction of betterment. He is a teacher, a writer, a public speaker, but first and foremost a designer. He has held positions as the president of the AIGA chapter in New York and now is president emeritus of AIGA National. He works with the Yale School of Arts as a senior critic in graphic design and has a weekly broadcast on Public Radio International called "Studio 360." All this only begins to brush the surface of what Michael Bierut has done for the Graphic Design community. To learn more about Michael Bierut check out Pentagram. There is a lot of really great work on their site and a great little bio that offers a more in-depth look at who he is.

As always, let me know what you think of this weeks player and if you have any suggestions as to who next weeks spotlight might be. I'm always looking for new people to research and talk about.

Are You Visible?...

2008-01-16T08:21:00.000-08:00

One of the hardest parts about starting and maintaining a career in the graphic design field could be keeping yourself a visible player in your community. There is a lot of talent out there and as every semester ends more designers flood the stage with new and intriguing concepts on design. So how do you keep your head above water and allow yourself to be noticed. This is a good question because it pertains to almost everyone that is designing. Whether you are a free-lance designer trying to make it on your own or you are working for some big name design firm, you run the risk of falling out of view to those that matter most to your career.

Sometimes the littlest things like always being on time are what get you noticed and other times you have to push to stand out. One piece of advice that I would like to throw out there to you my readers is to participate. I think you all know this but you can't just sit on the side line and wait for someone to ask you to join the game. You need to be an active member of what is going on around you. This could mean many things. Joining AIGA seems to be a good place to start. This is a great way to keep up to date on what the designers in your area are doing not to mention a great medium to extend your designer network. What happens if you don't have an AIGA chapter in your town? Well, you could call up everyone you know who is a designer in your town and just get together for some drinks and talk about what each other is doing (basically that is what AIGA does but on a much grander scale).

I've said this before and I'll say this again, your network is the most important component to your career (check out my post from 9-19-07: Your Network: The Life Blood of your Career, to see what I mean). Knowing people and keeping up with them is the best way to remain visible. You never know when they might have something for you to do that could get you some attention.

One last idea that might work and that I have done a couple times is simply create a direct mail marketing plan for yourself. It sounds ludicrous but if you think about yourself as a product (when you are trying to find a job ... you basically are) it just makes sense. So make a postcard and mail it out to the design firms and in-house design shops. Even if you don't hear anything back you are still making yourself known. Who knows, they might have an opening that you might be perfect for that they might not have been advertising. I'm not saying it is a sure fire way to get a job but if you go in for an interview down the road and they remember those postcards, it could be that little element that pushes you to the front of all the other applicants.

Just remember that no one will no about you if you remain a spectator. Constantly be asking yourself ... AM I VISIBLE?

Who Are We (Part:4)...

2008-01-15T19:23:00.000-08:00

Ok. I know I promised that every Monday I would post about someone in the Graphic Design community that I thought was worth knowing. I APOLOGIZE for faulting on my promise. It has been a difficult week (and it is only Tuesday!) but this week's highlighted designer is worth the wait.

Anyone out there who has had any formal training in graphic design has almost had to have had a little bit of history in the subject. You most likely have heard of Milton Glaser. Now to those of you from the Big Apple. This guy is like a hero. His designs not only re-ignited the worlds affair with New York but his " I 'heart' New York" campaign revitalized New York City, basically bringing it out of the modern dark ages and giving those that lived there a certain sense of self pride. Not many people can say that about their work.

Milton Glaser didn't stop there. He has since gone on to accomplish what most of us in the design community can only dream of. So if you are interested in Milton Glaser, check him out. He is truly an inspiration and a design role model. As always, I would like to hear from you as well. Let me know what you think about Milton Glaser or if you have any other people you would recommend that I check out.

It is a Mac-World...

2008-01-10T14:08:00.000-08:00

This past year we have seen Apple Inc. gain fame and fortune through a couple of the new product launches. The iPhone has basically revolutionized the mobile phone industry and the new operating system, Leopard, is relatively new but introduces us to some pretty new concepts on desktop organization and work flow. With the Macworld Conference and Expo coming up next weekend, those of us who drool over the notion that Apple could be announcing new products or upgrades are licking our techie chops.

So what does Macworld have in store for us this year. The big rumor running around is that Apple is going to announce a new notebook line that is ultra-portable. Super thin and extremely light is the idea with a small 13" screen. I'm not sure if I would be interested in buying one, but I can see the demographic that would be and I don't see any other companies chasing after them (not yet any way). There is also mention that there will be demonstrations on new iPhone applications. The new applications are a direct result of iPhone users wanting more from their revolutionary phone. There are bound to be a few surprises but if there weren't no one would really get this excited over a trade show. So keep an ear or an eye out for the unknown this year. We will have to see if this year lives up to the hype that last year's show delivered.

Who Are We (Part:3)...

2008-01-07T18:21:00.000-08:00

For the New Years, I thought I would highlight one of my role models in the graphic design community. He is known throughout the world for his role in developing the modern thought of graphic design and more than holds his own in the business world. He has been recognized by AIGA for his numerous achievements, his commitment to bettering the community that our profession revolves around, and obviously his incredible skills.

I hate to keep you in suspense but I thought it appropriate to outline this weeks Who Are We?? candidate before clueing you in on who this remarkable person is. Joe Duffy of Duffy & Partners is possibly one of the most influential players in the marketing and design field. If you haven't heard of him, well... you haven't done your research. His vision in branding is superior to all others and is most likely the reason for the success of his firm. Any design student from the midwest knows about Joe Duffy and every other student should. He is sought out all over the world for the almost guaranteed success of any branding project he is involved in. His designs speak for themselves but the clients speak even louder. To have clients like Pepsi, Bahamas, and Fresco in your rol-a-dex could only mean you are better than the rest.

If you don't believe me, than check out Joe Duffy yourself. If you never have heard of him, look up his firm's website, I swear you will not be disappointed. Let me know what you think. Well, until next time and keep an eye out, I plan to keep to my new years resolution!

Welcome Back!...

2008-01-04T08:53:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone! It is 2008! So with the New Year starting up I thought it would be appropriate to discuss resolutions and goals. It is a tradition that at the beginning of every New Year we make a promise to ourselves to better who we are. Either we try to kick those bad habits or lose those few extra pounds, what ever it is, usually it is something that we have been meaning to get around to but just haven't found the motivation. Normally these resolutions revolve around our personal life but they don't have to. What I am saying is that instead of making a resolution to only better your health or personality (because that is usually what people do ex: lose weight, be more out going, be more honest, quit smoking, etc...), make a career resolution as well.

I think people tend to neglect their profession in ways that they may not notice. I know I am guilty of doing this. We all are in pursuit of that perfect job. Some of us out there have been fortunate while others are still fighting, but I think we can all benefit from a promise to ourselves to complete that project that has been sitting on the side at work for as long as we can remember.

Me, personally, I have made a resolution to put myself out there and increase my presence in the graphic design community. To do this I am going to be taking on more free-lance jobs, I will be posting a new website that accommodates my pursuits, I am going to become more active with AIGA, and I will be making TWO POSTS A WEEK! (just in case you can't get enough of me.) I am sure that there will be other ways for me to bring myself to the forefront and they will present themselves to me as I trudge through 2008.

I am curious about what you might be thinking as far as a work resolution for this New Year. I would like to hear what everyone is thinking or if you have any ideas for me. Any ideas would be great.

P.S. - I just started a new blog. There is not a whole lot of me talking but I have been posting my art on that site. Check it out! I will be starting 5 new paintings this month so also keep an eye out for those as well!

It's Time to Party!...

2007-12-20T09:00:00.001-08:00

Now here is a tricky question that I'm sure they don't address in college. For those company parties, how much is too much? We'll I'm here to offer a little advice. I may not be the best role model when it comes to living the true professionals life but I think I can shed some light on the world of social drinking/partying. That is not to say I partake in that life excessively but lets just say I had a good time in college.

So as for the upcoming party with your co-workers, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, take it easy on the booze. You don't want to be referred to as the company drunk. I've know a couple people who have had the unfortunate luck of being the company boozer and I can promise you it is not a good thing. Make sure that you stay in control and stay within your limit.

Second, remember that you are responsible for your actions. A drunken conversation with you boss is probably not going to reflect well on your overall professionalism. You are constantly being interviewed by those in power and the more you represent yourself as someone who is reliable and professional, the better your chances of taking those steps up the corporate ladder.

Third, this is not a contest. Some people you work with might have a higher tolerance that you do. This is not a bad thing. Don't feel like you have to prove to everyone that you are unaffected by alcohol. You're only human after all and everyone is influenced to some degree.

Fourth, make wise decisions. By this I mean, if you do happen to get intoxicated, don't be a fool and drive home. Be responsible and get a cab or a ride home from someone who is still able to drive. You don't want to have to call your boss the next morning and tell them you will not be coming in to work today because you are in jail. A DUI looks bad on the resume no matter how you slice it.

Fifth, parties are not a bad thing. Use your lowered inhibitions to talk to those you wouldn't normally talk with. Parties are meant to be a place where people can socialize with co-workers in an atmosphere outside of the working environment. Try to make some friends.

Ok, well these are just a few pieces of advice from yours truly. Be safe this holiday season. I hope everyone has a relaxing and fun break from the fast paced world we work in. I'll see you on the flip side!

Who Are We? (part:2) ...

2007-12-17T09:01:00.000-08:00

Well it is time for our second installment of Who Are We. Just in case this is your first visit, this is a once a week post about a designer you should know. Last week I blogged about Peter Jaworowski. Probably a lesser-known designer from Warsaw, Poland who has a great eye for design and work that blew me away. If you haven't had the chance to see his work yet, you should really check it out.

This week I want to speak about a better-known designer that comes from the United States. Her name is Margo Chase and she currently works in L.A. She is the founder of the Chase Design Group. Her story is not a typical one that you hear about when you think of graphic designers and actually is a great inspiration to most aspiring designers out there. Her biography is on Wikipedia if you would like to know more and I would highly recommend reading it.

Margo Chase and the design group that she founded have not had huge corporations like Peter but her list of clients still is outstanding. With her location obviously working in her favor, most of the clients stem from the entertainment industry. Clients like Madonna and Cher have had her do identities for them and Networks like USA and the WB have also used her talents in creating memorable logos for the network as a whole or individual show also.

Her design approach as I see it is a simple elegance that is not only impactful but also clean crisp and well thought out. I have been using her work as inspiration from the onset of my own career and I still am deeply impressed with the quality and clarity she displays in all of her work. Not only does she focus on the basic graphical elements in all of her designs but she takes it one step further by reinventing typography to fulfill the overall design needs.

She is truly a worthy role model in the design community and I think she is a great person to highlight in this weeks edition of Who Are We. I would like to know your thoughts and comments so please do write.

Who Are We? (part:1) ...

2007-12-10T14:46:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been scouring the internet searching for new and innovative ideas in the graphic design community. The best way to do this is to search out graphic designers themselves and see what it is they are up to. In the midst of my quest I happened upon a group of blogs who feature graphic designers, artist, photographers, etc. and I thought that my blog could also benefit from this idea. In case you hadn't noticed, I try to share my experiences, my reflections, and my knowledge with you the reader for you benefit.

So from this week on I plan to acknowledge one graphic designer that I think you should know. Sometimes you will have already hear of them, other times maybe not but the more you know about your career and the people involved in it, the better off you will be.

To start off this experiement, I would like to highlight Peter Jaworowski. Peter is currently residing in Warsaw, Poland where he holds a position at Ars Thanea. His designs will amaze you with their beauty, their creativity, and impact. When I stumbled upon his website I was taken back by the powerful elements in use in almost everyone of his designs. His list of awards and recognitions is impressive just as is his list of clients. It is not hard to understand why he has been so fortunate in dealing with big name clients like Sony, Oakley, and Nike. I think Peter is a great person to start this segment with. His work is a great place to look for inspiration when you are trying to create digital beauty. Let me know your thoughts on Peter Jaworowski.

Ho, Ho, Hoe?...

2007-12-09T18:12:00.000-08:00

This may be a little late and I'm sure most of you have heard of this but for some unknown reason this story just popped into my head. It could be because the holiday season is closing in and that I have yet to do my Christmas shopping. Or it could be for another reason I will not mention. Anyway, I was watching the news a few days ago and the newscaster was talking about a state that has decided to make the phrase "Ho, Ho, Ho" indecent for Santa to say. It is now politically incorrect for Santa to recite his timeless phrase because someone thinks that the little kids sitting on his lap will pick this up and demoralize the nation. What??? I mean really! All of us have grown up with that phrase as an iconographic statement and I'm not so sure the nation is going to hell because of it.

Where this comes into play with graphic design, marketing, advertising, and communication in general is that if this trend continues to progress; we could be living in a society that censors all. We, the people, who not only communicate with those in our immediate presence but everyone who sees or hears our work must be extremely mindful and weary of what we are doing. Being P.C. is important but when is enough enough? We as people need to start asking ourselves this question. As people of the communication business, we need to pay particular attention to those making and answering these questions. The whole idea of being politically correct has taken control of our waking lives.

I guess this is just something to think about while you ride the elevator to your job in the morning. Happy Holidays!

The Virtue of Patience...

2007-11-29T20:36:00.000-08:00

I think it is a common feeling for those of us who have recently graduated to have a sense of immediacy. We leave college expecting the world to welcome us with open arms. Maybe we think that we are going to land that once in a life time job because we have recently accomplished the seemingly impossible task of graduating college. But what people really never tell you as you are winding down your college experience and gearing up for the real world is that it takes time.

Your college life flies by you. Your life is moving at a million miles an hour. You're meeting new people every second, your changing classes every three months which means you have new projects and things to learn, your weekends are a blur. Everything moves so fast. When you enter the real world THINGS CHANGE! Yeah so the week still flies by but it feels different. You start to develop long term goals for you and your career. You start to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier. I mean ten a.m. used to be early!

So as you sit in your cube in the middle of the building with not even an opportunity to glance out the window, realize that those people who have the corner office have been there a while. Patience, they have put in the time. You may be better at what you do but there is something to be said about experience. You can wait just as I will have to. A six figure income and your dream job just doesn't appear over night!

I May Have the Secret!...

2007-11-19T18:45:00.000-08:00

Sorry it has been so long since my last entry. I know i said I was going to post more often but I'm finally experiencing a job I enjoy and fortunately or unfortunately, however you see it, I just haven't really had the time. Tonight however is different and I have a little time.

So I'm sitting here, watching Dancing with the Stars on ABC, and I have got to thinking; What is it that makes these celebrities so inspiring and entertaining? What is it that makes them work so hard? Why are these four left in the semi-finals? It should be obvious that they are all working harder than humanly possible. Also, there might be a little pressure hovering over their heads because of the millions of people watching on live television. But what I think is the reason why so many people enjoy this show is because you can actually see that they are enjoying what they are doing. I think this is the secret.

The secret to success is very simple. Honesty and truly enjoy what you are doing. Be it dancing, or accounting, drawing, painting, coding, or designing. In order to become the best, you must love what you are doing. I hope that you have found something you love to do and that you continue doing what ever it is for as long as you can.

Oh Sooooooo Bored! ...

2007-11-07T10:02:00.000-08:00

The graphic design industry can be a fast paced and extremely stressful profession with ridiculously short deadlines or gigantic projects waiting for you at every turn. But just like every other job out there, there is bound to be a little down time. I myself have found this to be terribly true because at this current moment I am experiencing some down time. Maybe you already guessed that by the unusually high amounts of postings I have been making in the past few days. You caught me. That is why there have been more postings than normal but I want to try and make posting a relatively normal habit. So check back often.

(sorry got side tracked a little bit)

So your used to this crazy work pace that keeps you moving at a hundred miles an hour but when you screech to the pace of a salted snail you find yourself going insane. I have stumbled across a few ways to entertain yourself while your waiting for things to pick up again.

1. - Try reading the news. There are all kinds of news stations out there and each one has a little different twist on each story. I've been reading CNN.com and BBC.com, just to name a couple. It is interesting to see how different countries view the same stories. It is even more interesting to see how BBC (the English) view us. I try to compare similar stories from the two networks and gauge who is being biased. I is kind of nerdy but it gives me something to do when I am fighting of boredom.

2. - Watch TV! I am sure you are all aware of this but most major television networks are now running full episodes of prime time programming. ABC.com has some really good shows on the air right now so if you think you have about forty five to sixty minutes of free time, put on those headphones and relax.

3. - Learn something. It sounds dull and boring but it can be really beneficial. I was bored a couple weeks ago so I decided I was going to take the Google Adwords online lecture. It is free and you can go at your own pace. By the time you have finished you know everything you could ever possibly want to know about the Google advertising program. It is interesting but have some coffee with you because it is defiantly not a nail biter.

4. - You can BLOG! Yes, that is what I am doing right now. Another period of down time for me so I thought it would be a good idea to speak about something. It's a great way to get some of your ideas out there and start up conversations with people. I realize I'm preaching to the choir but I thought I might as well mention it.

So these are just a few ways that entertain me while I'm drifting a way to La-La land. A couple things you don't want to do (and these are pretty self-explanatory).

1. - Sleep! Very Very Very Bad to do at work!

2. - Leave! If you are trying to piss someone off I would recommend this but otherwise ... not so much.

3. - Flirt with the Secretary! Yeah she may be hott but that doesn't mean it is ok. Save it for your lunch break.

I'm sure there are more do's and don'ts to fighting the long hours of nothingness. Just be smart about things and you should be just fine.

A Tale of a Not So Good Idea (sort-of)...

2007-11-06T11:45:00.000-08:00

Graduation can be a daunting time for many graduates. It is a time when we enter the great wide open world and we think we know what to expect. We have been taught the ways of the world through our classes, our life experiences, and through our temporary jobs (serving, bartending, retail ... the list is endless). I, like many of you out there, was feeling rather confident about the coming future but I still thought it a good idea to read up on what other people are doing (one of my steps to better myself). A book I picked up while on vacation, entitled "Breaking into Graphic Design", by Micheal Jefferson, gave me a few ideas that I wanted to employ in hopes of landing that elusive first job.

A quick side note - If you are gearing up for graduation with a degree in Graphic Design. I would highly recommend this book. It has great interviews with professionals in our field that provides extremely useful insight to the wants and needs of those in charge of hiring. It also helps with preparing you for interviews in all manner of speaking. Barnes and Noble carries it and so does the Tattered Book Cover.

Ok, back to the story. So one of the ideas that I stole from this book was to create an introduction package. Not really a new concept but one that I had not thought about. I had also heard about such an idea from a returning graduate that came and spoke in my portfolio prep. class so I was pretty sure this was a worthy use of my time. I spent about a week dreaming up and designing this package that had multiple elements to it. I remember thinking to myself that this is going to kill everyone and I'm sure to get the job I want. Now you might be wondering to yourself, what exactly did I dream up to make myself and many others think that I should have no problem landing that perfect job? Well that’s a secret but I will tell you it involves a CD, a pair of socks, and UPS.

I sent my package out and waited for the responses to come flooding in. It turns out that they didn't. I sent out about twenty-five or so to places all over the country and got nothing back. I got a couple responses back saying that they loved the package but that they weren't hiring any entry-level positions right now. They would keep my resume on file and get back to me if they had a position that suited me. The little bit of wisdom that I am trying to impart to you is take every piece of advice with a grain of salt. Sometimes that advice will work but other times it will fail and fail miserably.

I still think that an introduction package is essential to getting a great job but what I think is even more important and much harder to come by is experience. So my advice to all you out there getting ready to grab that diploma and run. Take every design job you get no matter the pay or the hours. As you grow in experience so will you opportunities and your paycheck. Like I said, take all advice with a grain of salt!

Your Mentors and What They Mean...

2007-11-06T07:28:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I went back to Moorhead, MN. (the town where I spent four years of college) to visit friends and family. I got to thinking over a cup of coffee that I'm not sure I would be in the positions I am today without having a couple very solid mentors to guide me along the way. It was then that I realized how much they have influenced my post college pursuits and that I should recognize them for all they have done for me.

I would like to outline a few of the characteristics that I think make up a great mentor and how my mentors have helped me and how yours might be able to help you. First and foremost, a mentor must be someone you are comfortable with. You need to be able to sit back and talk plainly with them. You know, bullshit a little. Talk about the weekend, complain about your job but also ask them serious questions that will help you make some big decisions. Secondly, they have to have your respect. This just makes sense. A mentor is only a mentor if it is someone you look up to or idolize in some fashion. Third, they need to be honest. This is a very important aspect of a good mentor. Some of the best advice that I have received from my mentors has not been what I wanted to hear but in the long run it worked out for the better. Lastly, you have to want to trust them. This notion ties in with the prior three. Trust makes the whole mentor relationship work and can make it terribly rewarding for both members involved.

Now that I have outlined a few characteristics of what a good mentor is all about, let me tell you what they might be able to do for you. Most professional mentors have been in the industry for a while and know people scattered throughout the country. So talk to your mentor, ask them if there is someone they know that they might be willing to introduce you to. This can be extremely helpful if you are moving to a new city and don't know anyone there (this also goes back to the whole idea of networking. You professors, colleges, and friends are a great place to start getting your foot in the door). Also, ask them what steps they or their colleagues have taken to get where they are. They must be doing something right if it has worked out for them. It would be important to ask what not to do as well. You don't need to make the same mistakes that they did. You can make your own and learn from them. Bouncing ideas off of your mentors is another great way to get the ball rolling in your favor. I personally had some really crazy ideas that I thought would benefit me but after talking with my mentors I decided to go approach things differently. Finally, your mentors can be a sort of living Facebook if you will. More than likely your mentor is not solely yours. Other people look up to and talk with them. Through them, you can keep a pretty good beat on what your colleagues are doing and maybe even stay connected with old friends.

So, this morning, I would like to raise my cup of Caribou Coffee to my professors David Boggs and Greg Ness. Both of you were my guide in an uncertain time. You both pushed me to refine who I am, gave me the support I needed to carry through, and taught me invaluable lessons that I will not soon forget. I am sure I am not the only person to be blessed with great mentors so let us toast with our Caribou, Starbucks, or whatever your drinking (it's early otherwise I'm sure it would be some variety of an alcohol infused drink) to our mentors. CHEERS!!

A World Without Google...

2007-11-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

Come with me on a mystical ride to a place where Google doesn't exist. A land where search engines are still spitting out random results, offering only one service, and where online advertising is still in the dark ages. It's almost a scary thought for some. I would have to be included in the many that are frightened by the idea of an Internet age without Google. I use Google for Internet searching, email, RSS service, news, advertising, weather, driving directions, phone numbers, ski reports, and even this very blog. The list doesn't end there either! Many of us don't realize that there are other sites that Google owns or controls that we also use on a daily basis. Example: Okurt (Google's social network platform that is laying low for now). And now Google is going after Myspace!

So what is the next step for Google? I couldn't even venture a guess. They are already venturing away from the Internet in the advertising world. A couple new features in the Google Adwords program are RADIO & PRINT advertising. Yes you can run your radio and newspaper advertisements through your Google Adwords account. The one arena left for them to conquer is television advertising and to be honest with you. I bet they are working hard at getting that one figured out too.

With so much of our daily life revolving around technology, especially the Internet, it is hard to think of a world where Google didn't exist. So join me in this technological age. A proud participant in the positive progress of our information/communication based world.

I for one am proud to say that I am "Googlependant".

New Steps for Yours Truely ...

2007-11-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I have written a post for "Shades of Gray" and I am truly sorry about that. I've been terribly busy with the hustle and bustle of a workingman's life. That doesn't mean that I haven't had time to think about the events and happenings that have taken place in our surrounding world. Big news like, Apple just released a new operating system (it looks amazing!), California is on fire, the Red Sox won the World Series (Booo!! - I live in Denver now), and my roommate has finally found a job (not really, she is going to serve food for a while. A righteous job but one not worth spending four years at a private college for)! But during all of this I had a thought enter my head. A thought that I am sure has entered you minds and caused a little bit of concern. What am I doing to better myself?

I thought long and hard about this question and came up with a few questions that helped me arrive at an answer and solution.

1. What are my goals?
- A pretty broad question but I think you need to know where you are going before you can decide what you need to do to better yourself.

2. What are other people doing that have the same goals?
- Monkey see, Monkey do is not usually the best approach but if you take time to observe what other people are doing around you and then learn from them, you might avoid making a few their mistakes. Also, different people think differently. It never hurt to have a couple options open or ideas running. You never know which one will work the best.

3. What are my options?
- Keep yourself within range of what you are capable of accomplishing. You don't want to over extend yourself, wasting time and money. If you have some free time, tackle larger projects but if you are finding yourself to be busy all the time, take care of the little things first.

4. Who do I know?
- Friends and Family are the most important thing. They can open doors, teach you things, give you support, and can be there to help you celebrate when you accomplish what you set out to do!

5. What is best for me?
- This one might be the most important. After all, you are trying to better YOURSELF! You are going to want to see an outcome to all of your hard work and it is just that much sweeter when the outcome positively affects you.

These are just a few questions that I started with and helped me find avenues towards bettering myself. If you take time to reflect on what you are all about, the answers just seem to appear. If you want to know what I am currently doing to improve my professional life, feel free to email me at cjnuernb@gmail.com.

The "Magic" in Creativity

2007-10-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago, I was sitting in my apartment watching one of the new shows that are being premiered on all the national television channels. The new episodes or surprising plot twists were not what caught my attention. The commercials are what really reached out and grabbed me. Not all commercials I guess, but one inperticular stood out. It was a commercial for Hewitt-Packer laptops. It went like this:

Gwen Stephanie was walking around, Japan or some oriental country talking about all the benefits that this laptop brought to her work. She mentioned that there is a "Magic in creativity." She also said that you can't just turn it on and off but it just sort-of happens and when it does, she is able to create her wonderful masterpieces.

That little segment of the thirty-second ad really kinda struck a cord with me. As a member of the creative community, I would have to disagree with Ms. Stephanie. As a graphic designer, I am asked on a daily basis to be creative and create work that millions will deem worth purchasing or paying attention to. My whole life revolves around me being able to turn my creativity on at 8a.m. and off at 5p.m. (sometimes much later). I do understand what they were trying to say in the ad. That she takes inspiration from her surrounding world and that she doesn't know where or when something will inspire her. Still, as I sit here in my cubical with nothing to inspire me but my wandering thoughts and a brief conversation with my supervisor. I can't help but think, what if the world really knew what advertisers, marketers, and designer went through on a daily basis. Do you think that we would be idolized just like those musical performers who are "SOOO CREATIVE."

I'm not sure what we do is as glamorous or as individual. Not that most of those performers do everything on their own either but I think you get what I'm trying to say. So I would like to make a toast to those of you out there who are like me. A member of the creative community that has been over-looked by the public. We are the true creative gods that have found a way to be creative on command.

All Advertising is Fair in Politics and War

2007-09-24T09:59:00.000-07:00

It is about that time again where we as consumers start to become overwhelmed with advertisements. With the traditional spending season approaching, we should gear ourselves for the inevitable onslaught of deals and once in a life-time offers. But corporations and businesses are not the only advertisers that will be squeezing their thirty second ads in between the ten minute segments of our favorite programming.

Politicans will be starting their campaigns soon and with expectations of their budgets running in the billions this year, expect to see and hear them the most. Yes, you did read right. Billions!! With candidates that are hungry for the public eye and who most have already been seen in the countless headlines, this years political advertising should prove to be the most ever seen. Those advertising companies that have had success with political campaigns must be licking their chops.

The candidates this year are not your common, run-of-the-mill, president to be. Each has a unique aspect which might lead to non-traditional forms of advertising. It will be interesting to see how each candidate tries to portray themselves. We could have, for the first time, an African American president or we could be addressing our commandor in chief as Madame. No matter how the election turns out, we are poised for an interesting year of debates, commercials, and accusations.

Your Network: The Life Blood of your Career...

2007-09-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

I took many courses while I was in college and as I am a graphic design and public relations major, communication was very important. Classes like inter-cultural communications, small-group communication, public relations, advertising, and marketing plagued my college life. What I have discovered though, in the past few months after graduation, is that I was missing one very important class that was niether offered nor truly discussed. That course being Networking. There should have been courses offered dealing with networking, building, and keeping relationships; business or others. My ability to do these things is proving to be very beneficial but I can't help but wonder what I might have learned if a course was offered. Would I be communicating differently? Could I have taken different steps that might have produced and even greater oppertunity?

Now, some people are just naturally gifted at meeting people and making friends. If you happen to be one of those, be thankful and use you god given gift to advance yourself and your career. To those that may not be as outgoing as they wish or just find it hard to keep in contact with people after they have created a relationship; there is hope yet. I would like to offer a few suggestions that I have found to be very helpful.

-First, and this is pretty simple but extremely effective. Just remember their names. Most people really respond well if you can remember their name after not seeing them for a long time. Do that and that shows them that they are important to you and they will be more likely to remember your name. If they remember you, they are more likely to put in a good word with their friends who may be employed were you want to be.

-Secondly, give them a call. You don't have to call them every other day or even every week to stay in contact. Peoples lives seem to get less eventful the older they get. So call them but only when you have given enough time for something to happen that may stir up a good conversation. The worst is when you call someone and you have nothing to talk about. It makes the call pointless and all your really doing is just wasting each others time.

-Third, being friendly and finding common interest. This one is also a no-brainer and i'm sure you've heard the old addage, you only get one first impression. People remember you if your nice but they will never forget you if you are an ass. Finding common interest is the easiest way to be nice with people. You are learning more about the person you are meeting and vice versa. You'll find that if you know three different things about one person, you will probably never forget their name and how you know them. A very good thing to be able to do when you're walking in for that interview with your friends boss.

All of these are pretty simple and i'm sure most are saying "Duhh!" but some people really just need to be told how to do things. Remember that without friends and a network of people, your career is pratically dead in the water.

I know I've been MIA ...

2007-09-18T08:12:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody! Sorry it has taken so long for me to start writing again. I've been a little busy and now, finally, i have some time to sit down and reflect. But before i do that, maybe i should clue you in on what i have been up to.

I no longer live in Moorhead, MN. Actually I have moved far away to a small little town called Denver, CO. (just a little bit of dry sarcasm there). It has been a good move so far and I'm slowly assimilating into the busy city life. I'm currently working as a graphic designer with the Creative Group, a temp agency that is based here. The work through them has been great and I'm loving every minute of it. That's about all the news that I have. Sorry no great stories or anything. :(

I've lost my train of thought on what I was going to say. It's a pitty really, I had something profound and enlightening to say and it just escaped my brain. Well i guess you will have to check back later to see what life altering thoughts I had!

A Good Black Night...

2007-07-06T08:37:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been sitting around late at night and not sure of what you can do with a tennis ball, some lighter fluid and a lighter? No? Well neither had we until a couple nights ago when my room mates and I we sitting around talking about random things. Tennis became the subject and then we started talking about "Fireball" from the sitcom "Friends". We thought it was a funny idea.

Now this night happened to be a little different than all the other nights where we have sat around and talked. You see, it was the fourth of July and we had just came back home from the fireworks show. We were all feeling a little adventuresome so we decided to give "Fireball" a go. It turned out to be more fun than we had ever thought! Somme of the photos turned out to be really cool. A friend and I figured out that if we gave the camera a slow shutter rate and a did a couple other adjustments to the settings we got this really cool effect.

I think the photo speaks for it's self. I'm not sure how legal it is to light a tennis ball on fire and hit it back and forth on the street but a cop drove by one time and didn't seem to care too much.

So if you are ever sitting around with a tennis ball in hand, wondering what you could do to entertain yourself. Simply find some lighter fluid and a match. It will be a good time ... I guarantee it!

These Little Black Words are Changing...

2007-06-26T06:25:00.000-07:00

A new English is upon us. The most exciting part about this is that it is already being taught in our schools and none of us are the wiser. What is this "New English" you might ask. It has the same basic principals as the current form of English and is actually readable by those who are still using the "traditional" form. By the time children are 10, they have nearly mastered it while adults are still struggling with it.

It is the way we text!

2 much txting mks u 1 bad splr!

Everyone can look @ this n mke out wht i'm tryn 2 say. This still sounds the same when u spk it but looks entirely diff when u try 2 read it.

Now technically it is not a new language but a form of shorthand for English. I think it is going to replace the current way of spelling in some manner of speaking. It will not happen over night but as more and more generations grow up with txting as an option for communicating, the spelling of words will slowly start to drift to the most common and practiced form.

Txting may just be trend but so far it has lasted and made serious ground as a niche market option. That is the first step to changing everything.

Whats New in the World of Gray...

2007-05-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! Yes I know, it has been a long time since I have posted last but don't worry, I think now I will have the time to be able to post fairly often. So I bet all of you out there are wondering what I have been up to since graduation. Well there are a few things that I have been keeping myself busy with.

First, I have picked up a Freelance design job. Yes! I am now officially a graphic designer with a client. Not too bad for just graduating not more that a month ago. So how it happened was, I was sitting around in my room playing guitar when the art director of the Fargo-Moorhead Opera called me. He asked if I was interested in competing against other designers in the area for the chance to have them as a client for the upcoming year. I'm not sure he needed to ask because of course I was interested. I met with him the following day and he explained what they were looking for. The gave me a week to present them with my ideas. Well, I went home and that very day came up with a great layout and design approach. So instead of taking it only to the idea phase and presenting them with rough sketches, I did a complete comp and had most of the design work done. I created logos for the three performances that they were going to do, developed a unique layout, and did the necessary photography for my designs. A week came and I presented to them, they loved it and said that they would present it to the board the following mon. I got a call a couple days later and I had won the account. Lets just say I was a little excited! So for the past week I have been fine tuning the design, coordinating the printing with the print vendors here in town, and have been meeting with people to get my design to work. I think by the end of the week I should be at the printers getting the proof which is a full week ahead of the deadline they were hoping for! I'll have to keep everyone posted on that.

I know and if that isn't enough to keep someone busy for the entire day, I've been taking 4 hrs every morning to teach myself Macromedia Flash 8 professional. I was unable to take a class on Flash and I feel that if I am to be competitive in today's market, I need to know how to use Flash even if it is not going to be a part of my daily routine. It is going really well so far. I bought a book (which is 1200 pages long!) and have been working through it every morning. To be honest I thought that when I graduated I would take some time from learning and really just relax for a while but I am really enjoying learning this program on my own. I think I might be one of those people who doesn't want to stop learning new things. I plan to apply what I learn to my website so keep an eye out for changes at CN-Designs.

I think I must be crazy because I'm also working full time at a steak house here in town. I put in about 35 to 40 hours a week so my nights are pretty much shot. I do however get wed. off so I do have one night out of the week to go out with friends and have a good time.

Now I know it sounds like, I must be out of my mind but i am always looking for more design work. If more work comes in I will begin to start cutting back my hours at the steakhouse so I can accommodate my schedule (they are pretty good at giving my a fitting schedule). So don't hesitate to contact me!

There are other things I've been up to but these are the most common and everyday things that I do. So far (and I know you won't believe me) I've been having a great summer! I'm looking forward to all the new things that come my way and hope that there are more people out there that like what I do.

Black Gown for a Happy Day...

2007-05-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

It comes twice, or maybe three times in your life. You are asked to wear a black gown to celebrate the culmination of a chapter. But what does this black celebration mean?

"At today's American colleges and universities, both students and professors wear academic garments during formal academic processions. Each gown is distinctive of the degree earned by the individual. The gown for the master's degree is more full and has oblong sleeves that open at the wrist. The gown for the doctorate degree is even more full, has bell-shaped sleeves with three velvet bars or chevrons across the upper arm. The color of the velvet is black, royal blue, or a color distinctive of the subject to which the degree pertains."

"the caps worn by professors and students evolved from the clerical pileus. The Roman Catholic Church, at the Synod of Bergamo, adopted the round clerical cap, or pileus, and required all clergy to wear it. Gradually other varieties of headdress developed in the academic community. In 1520, a square cap was worn at the University of Paris. It was known as the bonnet carre and is the predecessor of our own square cap or mortar board."

This is what the history books tell us the gown means. To me it means something else. It is a key to the door of adulthood, a bridge to life, a life vest to keep me from drowning, and a lantern to light my way.

Some people do not experience college and there is nothing wrong with that. But personally I would not give up the past four years for anything. The friends I've made, the network I have established, the knowledge I have acquired, and the passion I have developed would be non-existent had i not gone taken this step in life. If college can instill in me feelings and emotions like these, I can barely wait for what the rest of my life holds. I am anxious to see what I experience in my career. All I know is that I am ready ... Ready for it All!!

When Black Text Starts To Blur...

2007-04-17T06:31:00.000-07:00

It is that time again for all of the college students to enter into a chaotic frenzy in hopes of finishing the 13 projects, 5 papers, 7 chapters, and 6 homework assignments. Well maybe I've exaggerated just a little bit but for myself, as a graduating senior, it feels that way. I do have many projects due and a couple papers to write ... and oh yeah ... there are all the resumes that I'm supposed to be sending out as well. So we can all easily say it is crunch time and I'm Loving It. This is the time when you see what you are made of and then in the end, there is the complete sense of gratification. That is the best part. The part when you know you have accomplished something.

So I don't know if this entry is really targeted for the masses, but I would like to make a comment to everyone who is on a deadline. Focus, put you nose to the grindstone, work hard, and everything will work out the way it should. That is what I have been telling myself for the past five weeks now and so far it hasn't let me down.

In the end, when the black text starts to blur, you'll be able to sit back and look at what you have accomplished. Then realize that it never gets easier, it never slows down, and it never gives you a break. You just have to power through it and love every second of it.

Not a Black Night Last Night...

2007-04-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

It is amazing what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it. And it is such an incredible feeling when everything you plan out works just as you had thought it would. I guess the only way I can explain what I mean is ... you know how when you are truly happy you can't remove that ear to ear smile. That was the way I was last night.

My roommate and I were sitting around one night and I mentioned to him that I wanted to do a fundraiser for the Leukemia Foundation. I thought that we could host a party at a venue here in town, charge people a small cover charge, get a few bands to donate their time and play for us, and then all the proceeds would go to the foundation. He thought it was a great idea and so we began organizing it.

We decided to call our event "Time For A Change" because not only was it an event to help the Leukemia Foundation and show people how important it is to help a worthy cause, but we also wanted it to be a Concordia College senior farewell (I'm currently a senior at Concordia College... at least for the next 24 days!!).

We'll like I said, everything worked out. We had Lucille Black, Poitin, and Blind Joe play for us and lets just say they were absolutely amazing. Our turn out was better than we had anticipated, not that were complaining. We raise alot of money and I really do think we raised awareness to my senior class.

A notion that I'm starting to realize is that no matter who you are, you are capable of making a difference. No one should underestimate what they are capable of. Now we didn't raise millions of dollars but if what we did raise can help just one person with Leukemia, then I think what we have done has all been worth it.

So if you were able to attend "A Time For Change", I would like to thank you for coming. If you were unable to make it this year do not worry, I'm currently thinking about trying to make this a tradition at Concordia. So hopefully there will be a next year!

Television Advertising No Longer Black and White ...

2007-03-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

I'm seeing a change happening. Maybe it has been in the works for a while and I've just started to notice it but it is sweeping the nation. Television is changing. Why is it changing, what is causing this subtle shift, where are we headed? These are some of the questions I was asking myself as I sat in front of the television one night after a very long day of test taking, designing, and studying.

These questions dawned on me when i realized that there hadn't really been a break for a commercial for a long time. As a matter of fact, there hadn't been one since the movie started. So now my attention is drawn away from the movie (not a big deal, I think I had already seen it and it wasn't that good of a movie anyway) and i begin to wait, wondering when the next ad will show. Then it happened, the ad popped up on the bottom of the screen. It was there for just a little bit and then it disappeared.

I've noticed this happening with soccer games, other big television events, and obviously movies on basic cable. I personally think this might be a form of subtle subliminal advertising. I like it but mainly because my movies and games aren't really interrupted. But I wonder if this form of advertising really works. Could this be the new way of advertising, could the super bowl someday be technically commercial free and have these little bottom screen ads instead. I'm not sure really.

I don't think that this way of advertising works for all products so the remove of traditional commercials seems a little far fetched. Still the shrinking attention span of consumers may make this the ideal way to advertise to the upcoming generations. Now I'm sure that before this happens there will be test conducted and trial shows that open the doors for the rest of the television community. I think this is what makes the advertising and marketing field so interesting. There is always change taking place and uncertainty never really goes away.

White Words, Black Secrets...

2007-03-19T11:16:00.000-07:00

Communicating has always been important to human kind. From the very beginning we grunted to express ourselves, later we developed symbols to convey our thoughts over greater distances, recently we have moved back to the oral communication and invented ways to converse at anytime and anywhere on this planet, and now we find ourselves taking an old creation and fusing it with new technology. An new form of communication has risen and with it, even greater possibilities.

As with every invention and assimilation of ideas, there must come a test period where this new idea will be stretched in countless directions to see if whether or not it will work. Sometimes this new idea will break and crumble before us and other times it will work better than it could in our wildest dreams. We are just starting to ascend the Internet mountain. We are learning that there are bumps, holes, crevasses, and impassable points along our journey but with every obstacle we manage to find a route either around it or through it. Privacy is the relatively new obstacle that is holding us back from scaling higher into the potential of the Internet.

I think the privacy issue first surfaced with e-commerce and whether or not your money was safe when purchasing items or doing online banking. I think we have pretty much got a handle on those issues and you don't really hear about people having problems any more. Now we are our own victims. Our own self disclosure is causing us greater head aches than identity theft ever did.

Facebook, Myspace, Blogs, and other programs such as Twitter are our new concern. What we disclose now will be forever held in some obscure archive for our future employers, family members, and generations to come to look up, examine, and scrutinize. Is what we say a reflective aspect of who we are? Are our private actions really that important that all we ever do be posted, labeled, tagged, or searched? We are all slowly becoming voyeurs of private lives. Peeping toms into lives of those we hardly know in hopes to catch a glimpse of the unknown.

Obviously I am being hypocritical with this blog in itself. I am opening a passage to my own personal thoughts that will be cataloged and almost definitely searched. Yet, for some reason I am OK with this. Maybe I feel it is the responsibility of my generation and the generations to come to not only maintain multiple identities (virtual and actual) but to supply a seemingly never ending record of who we are. To update those close to us and far away about our weekly, daily, and hourly habits.

I'm not sure where I find myself on this issue. And as with every issue, there are both positive and negative elements that make the decision even harder. But for now ... my current status is "Chris is finding his way out of the difficult spot between a rock and a hard place..."

The Gray Way of Life ...

2007-03-09T11:34:00.000-08:00

Recently, as part of an assignment for advertising class, I was required to test out the program "Second Life." I explored the virtual world trying to get accustomed to living in a digital world. With this program, you can create your character, find a job, build a house, raise a family, and go out and have fun. Basically it is a way to escape you actual life and live a "Second Life."

I got to thinking this could be a great program but it also could become an all-consuming addiction. I could see a problem where people become so intrenched with the virtual life that they start to mix reality with "digi-reality." What happens when the line between the real and the false fades away and what you start to see is your life no longer in black and white but a mix of gray?

I've heard that you can make a serious living working in Second Life. An income to the tune of six figures. Now i'm not entirely sure how you would go about that because I only spent about an hour in my false world but if your willing to invest the time, anything is possible. I can see a real potential for advertising. You have a captive audience that is willing to spend countless hours exploring a world where the restrictions of advertising are limitless. Floating billboards, clothing with ads on them, and anything imaginable.

I guess all I have to say is give it a try yourself. Be careful of the Gray way of life but enjoy the chance to create a Second Life.

Black Doesn't Belong in Paradise...

2007-03-06T11:02:00.000-08:00

I was fortunate enough to be able to visit paradise this past week. Well maybe not paradise but pretty close since I was coming from Moorhead, MN. (where there was approximately thirty inches of snow on the ground) and going to Peurta Vallarta, Mexico.

While I was sitting on the beach in a warm bliss, I began to realize that there was something surrounding me. A saturated feeling came over me and my senses opened, letting me become absolutely lost, adrift in an ocean of beauty. What was this surrounding element? Color! Everywhere you looked a new hue of color, an new brilliance of light, a constant rainbow of color illuminating everything in a seemingly perfect way.

As the sun began to set, the colors found their strength and opened the flood gates letting blue, purple, orange, red, yellow and every shade in between out into the vastness of the ocean. Even as the darkness began to swallow the last bit of light, color found other ways to survive. The glow from the orange lamps along the walk way bounced off the perfect blue pool and created a color that can literally only be described as darkened paradise. And then it hit me. Black doesn't belong in paradise. A place where color reinvents itself on a daily basis does not need black to cover up it's beauty.

Next time you are in paradise, look around and try to find a true black that feels at home. My guess is you won't. And then look around and realize that color in paradise has created a palette for this portion of the world that seems limitless. Take time to take in one shade at a time because you never know when you will experience it again.

I Take My Coffee Black...

2007-02-21T07:26:00.000-08:00

I started this blog in hopes that people wanted to understand how I think and what I think about. I wanted this blog to reflect my personalities, my values, and my life and so far I think it has. I've relized though that in order for those people who do want to know who I am to get to know me, they need to know other things about me as well. Other things such as how I take my coffee, what my favorite color is, what kind of music I'm listening to right now, and other little quirks about me. So today I'm going to take the time to let people know more about me.

1. Obviously I take my coffee black

2. I play guitar (Creating Self on Myspace)

3. I'm the oldest of my brothers

4. I like sunsets more than sunrises

5. Greece is the most beautiful place I have visited so far

6. Steak medium rare is the only way you should have it prepared

7. I paint when I have time

8. My favorite color is white (I know technically it isn't a color but what ever)

9. I'm 5'8" with brown hair and brown eyes

10. I have a love for art

Ok so I know this sounds like a crude online dating format but really I just thought that you, my readers, needed to know more than just my thoughts. So I'm sorry if you were hoping for a deep reflection on my life, advetising, or design. Next post will be much more like my previous posts.

White Gloves are a Nessecity

2007-02-15T09:39:00.000-08:00

As I'm grearing up for graduation, I am recieving countless pointers as to how I should prepare myself fo the coming real world. Some are telling me to take the summer off because this is going to be your last summer vacation, others say that you'll be in disastorous debt and you should try and squirm your way out. I think the most crucial information that I have come upon is the advice to make sure that I have a clean digital image. No .. I don't mean a nicely resolved picture for my resume.

What I mean is that I should be aware of what I have on the internet. More and more employers are starting to use the internet as a reference on young applicants. It gives them a way to see the social person that they are comtmplating. Most likely you are going to be more yourself amungst your friends and what better way to see how you interact with people than to check out Facebook or Myspace.

But is this really ethical. Where do we draw the lines on our private life and our work life. Does what a person do with his or her friends on the weekend really reflect their work ethic and deteication to the job. I'm not sure. I haven't been in the position to where I have felt the two crossing paths. I'll admit that I am young and there is much out there for me to experience and I'm sure somewhere along the way I will have to deal with this question.

In a world fastly becoming digital, we need to be more globaly concious of our actions and the possible publication of pictures, quotes, actions, who knows. It is almost like we should wear white gloves to make sure our image is squeaky clean.

Your Reflection is Never Black and White

2007-02-13T21:59:00.000-08:00

Here is something I bet not very many people have taken the time to really notice. You will never see your reflection in black and white. Take some time to really let that sink in... Kinda strange to think about that but that is how my mind has been working lately. I've been taking the most common occurences and trying to scew them, re-invent them, and view them from a completely different perspective in hopes that it will cause me to think in a few different ways.

First, I've noticed that just like everything else, you need to practice your creativity in order to get better at it. What better way to stir up the creative juices than to take the most mondain event and cause it to be something exciting. It's like areobics but for the mind.

Secondly, the world has become less dull. I'm starting to realize that my little slice of the world has so many intertwining elements that go unnoticed unless you make the effort to notice them. Take the title of this little blog; I sat and really thought about the different ways I've seen my reflection for at least forty five minutes. To be entertained by that little curious thought shows me that there are countless bits of entertainment lurking around every corner, I just need to be actively seeking it.

Lastly, I've been reminded of how much I have lived and how much I have left to live. I'm starting to really become aware of who I am and what I am surronding myself with. Your surrondings make you, create you, and define you. So take time out of your day today and look around. Find the charm in the life you live in. I garuantee you that just like your reflection, it is sitting right under your nose.

A Black Day ... for all apparently ??

2007-02-09T11:12:00.000-08:00

Yesturday Anna Nichole Smith died. Yes death is tragic. Especially when it happens to a young woman such as her. But is it nation wide news worthy and should it be deliberated on for two whole days?

I think the media is going way overboard with this story. She was a public figure who was having trouble with legal issues but comparing her to Princess Diana (which i heard on CNN yesturday) is just too much for me. It seems to me that everyone is making her out to be some great American figure.

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me remind you of who Anna Nichole Smith was. She was a stripper, an obese televsion personality with a horrible show, and plastic pinup. Do we as a nation really need to be caught up in all of the issues that surrond her and then also raise her to a platform of excellence. I don't think we do. I think that we should re-examine the comments that are being made and make them more true to life and not some false coverup to fill the newspapers and draw readers.

A Black Heart

2007-02-05T23:31:00.000-08:00

In honor of the greatest marketing achievement in all of communications history, I would like to take time and congratulate Hallmark on successfully creating a timeless occasion where they can almost guarantee a jump in sales. Yes, I am talking about the much covenanted, respected, and hated holiday of Valentines Day.

While i was growing up i would always here my parents refer to Valentines Day as a Hallmark Holiday and yet my father would go out and buy a card and some sort of gift for my mother. It was almost expected. Even if you are only casually dating someone, Valentines day is a day where you are expected to exchange gifts and spend money you don't have on your significant other.

If you don't have some one special in your life, you wind up hating the day because you are reminded (on an almost hourly basis) that you are either lonely or socially inept (i mean this in the nicest way).

But still, I think congratulations is in order for who ever was brilliant enough to think up a day where people would show their significant other how much they loved them with a folded piece of paper that has a cute, quirky, or loving saying on it. Nothing says I love you like a $4.00 piece of paper with a a lame excuse for a pick up line and your signature on it. It makes me all tingly with excitement(sarcasm).

Don't think me bitter. Valentines day is a great idea and is a perfect time to show someone how much you care but i can't understand how a folded card got put into the mix. To me, it says - look how much i care, i drove to the nearest Walgreen's and spent 5 minutes trying to find the perfect card for you. Aren't you impressed.

Maybe I have a black heart. Or maybe I expect too much from myself and the rest of the male population (because lets face it, it is mostly the men who are scrambling to find some kind of Valentines day gift and a Hallmark card is the easiest option). To me, the expressing of your feelings to the ones that you care the most about shouldn't be some sort of mass produced, cheap cop out but instead it should be creative and deliberate. Your present should show them that they are important to you and that you spend hours think about them.

I don't think that i am the only one with a Blackened Valentines day heart and for Hallmark to realize, convert, and capitalize off of people like us, they deserve a round of applause. So cheers to you Hallmark for helping our nation cheapen our love for others to the point it is worth $5.00+tax.

Staying in the Black

2007-02-04T03:35:00.000-08:00

Recently I was watching the television and it occured to me during one of the comercials that I was witnessing a new era of Advertising. It was something so suble that had I not just been talking about advertising with a couple friends, it would have most likely remained aware to me only in my subconcious.

I'm not sure how to refer to is so I'm going to give it the name of "2X Advertising." It is still the traditional advertising but with a little twist. An Ad within an Ad.

It happened while i was watching TBS and an ad came on for the television show Monk. Nothing out of the ordinary took place in this commercial but i noticed the purposeful positioning of Windex throughout the 30 sec span. It seemed like TBS or whom ever was responsible for the making of the commercial went out and got Windex to pay for product placement with in their own ad.

If this is the case, then i think this could really affect the way we approach commericals. With the ever rising price of the Superbowl Commercial slot and television commericals in their own right, smaller businesses need to find a way to make tv commercials more affordable. This could be the answer. Business might not have to break the bank and stay in the black for the quater.

Soon we could be watching a commercial and not have any idea who they are advertising for. Only time will tell.

The Brighter Side of White

2007-01-29T16:20:00.000-08:00

It's a common occurence during the winter months up here in Moorhead, MN. The wind is blowing and the snow darts around trying to cover every last remnent of the earth. Still i fear that there might be an end to the blissful dream of waking up to a winter wonderland. I know this subject has been visited more times than a confessional recieves visits from a devoute catholic prostitute but i worry about my winter mornings.

Global Warming is officially a problem. If you haven't seen the movie "An Inconvenient Truth," go rent it, it will be well worth your time. I'll warn you though, if you drive a big SUV and never recycle, get ready to feel horrible. But seeing it snow for the first time in a month really made me think.

Maybe you don't know what winter was like or should be like up in the fridged north. I've created a little snipit of info for you who are unaccustomed to the Moorhead climate.

-It's cold ... real cold ( months after months of below freezing temps.)
-it snows ( a winter sports heaven)
-it's windy (it's always windy here but it just stings more with the cold)
-It's white (every where you look, everything is covered in snow)

These are the elements that make a winter a winter for Moorhead, MN. but recently i've noticed that we are missing some of those elements. It's still cold but not as it used to be. I think we've gone a couple weeks without coming above freezing but that's no where near where it was. The snow comes but maybe once a month and there is no where near the accumulation we are accustomed to (we don't use snow plows up here, we use front end loaders ... you know, the huge construction machinery that mines use to lift tons of rock ... yeah thats how much snow we used to get.) I wish the wind would leave but it hasn't and i don't think it every will.

I'm not saying that i think Moorhead will become a tourist trap because of the warming temperatures and changing weather conditions but i think it is a cause for concern. The future could be a completely different world and not just in my little nook of the world.

I'm not so worried about my future. I know that we'll run out of oil within my lifetime and i'm sure a few other natural disasters will shake things up a bit but who i really worry for is the generations after me. My generation and the generations older than myself have all been blessed with a great period in time to live. We have seen miricles happen in all manners of speaking. The first moon walk, the first personal computer, and the new global backyard are just a few to speak of. But what good will these miricles do for the generations to follow if there is no planet left for them to live?

Snow is truly amazing. Not one flake the same and their existence so fragile but also so peaceful. I think if i were to have to chose my favorite day out of the entire year, it would be the day of the first actual snowfall. You feel refreshed, alive, and everything and everyone around you seems to be ... relaxed.

Life as a Blur...

2007-01-23T14:18:00.000-08:00

I never have really sat back and thought of all the things that i have accomplished. Not until today. I was sitting at home over lunch break and it occured to me that i am 22 years old. Now to anyone out there that is evern remotely well passed that age, 22 years does not sound that old. But then add 22 years to your life and think how old you will be. Yeah ... it's old!

So where has all the time gone?

We'll there was my infancy which most of us never remember. But how i wish i could. Think about all the challenges you faced and overcame with limited help. Speech being a big one and granted you didn't master the english language right away but, even learning how to force your first words is a huge accomplishment. Walking follows along with countless other little things that we take for granted once we are old enough to forget.

Adolesence tails infancy and we begin to truly experience the world. We are able to run around, talk to people, we are a sponge absorbing all the worlds knowledge. i wish i could back to that time where i had complete faith in the world and trusted everyone. Ignorance is bliss ... what i would give for that again. But really??

The more you learn as you grow, the great life becomes. All of lifes little idocincracies make it worth the ride. Now i'm am old in a way. i have brothers who look up to me, i am entering the real world, and i am bound to face lifes most difficult questions. Questions like: where do i live, is she the right one, is this the right job for me, how do i say goodbye? But i'm not scared. I look back at my life, blured by the speed that it has taken, and see the brief seconds of security and the moments of triumph and i know that this is going to be one hell of a ride!

Nothing Should be left Blank

2007-01-17T13:55:00.000-08:00

In honor of my new blog, i thought it appropriate to discuss the void that is present today. I know what everyone is thinking, "What void?" isn't there an overwhelming presence of information and communication in our newly technological world? To those people, i can only offer you a simple "yes." Still i feel obligated to bring to the front the quality of the substance we feel so overwhelmed by.

I've heard it over and over again, it is not the quantity but the quality that is important, and i can't help but want to apply that notion to my everyday surroundings. To that idea i ask the question, why are we the way we are? The world has become saturated with advertisements, jingles, slogans, interfaces, mobile communications, promotions, pop-ups, and everything else under the sun. So how are we as a growing community (not just local but global) going to sift out the good from the bad?

The World Is No Longer White and Black, But EVERY SHADE OF GREY!

The question can not be: is this advertisement good or bad, is it worth listening to or drowning out, or should I ignore it or dive in? There is just too much of out there. We have to be a more conscious and intelligent community of consumers and providers. We need to answer the calling from both the corporate community and the community only we can answer to, ourselves. The responsibility that I place on you (and feel i don't have the right to charge everyone with this responsibility but I'm going to anyway) is to become the informed consumer that everyone in the advertising community hopes you are. Surprise yourselves and us ... we know you have it in you.

On a more personal note, this is my first blog entry ever. So there could easily be somethings that i could improve on but i plan on commenting on the countless thoughts that float through my mind on a daily basis. So if for some reason this entry didn't resonate with you, check back soon because I'm sure I'll have something that will either make you hate me, love me or find that middle ground (that space between black and white that I live my life) that I have so affectionately dubbed the SHADES OF GREY.