9.26.2011
Break Time #30
Sometimes I wonder what it would be like not to have a left hand. I don't use it that much, my dominant hand is my right one. I don't think I've ever used it for a sketch either! There is a first time for everything though! I had to create a squiggle (blue line) with my left hand, and complete a drawing related to sports with the right hand. If I could ever grow decent facial hair, and I could pitch better, this would be me on the mound! I'd rocket the ball in at 102 every time, and never throw a ball. It would be awesome, and all thanks to the 'stache.
9.18.2011
Break Time #29
I had an assignment in school that I had to design a bench that nobody would want to sit on. After thinking and sketching, I decided to make my bench look like a piece of poop. I also had a pretty creative solution for how to build it, but that's a story for another time. The park bench is a seat often taken for granted. You'll see one and think that it would be nice to pause a moment and enjoy nature, but you don't and walk away. I decided to design this park bench from the perspective of a homeless person. They often utilize the bench as a temporary bed, so why not make something that will bring them a bit of joy to their tough life.
The seat portion of the bench is curved to allow the body to stay in place, and not fall off if they toss and turn. There are also 2 arm rests. One at normal arm height, and one at child's height. People will still be sitting at this bench, so its good to cater to them as well. The smaller rest could serve as a headrest when laying, or something to put a small cushion against. A series of holes would also be drilled into the bench to allow for water to drain/air to cool the underside of a sleeping body. Because the bench has to last through any scenario, it couldn't be made of a soft material.
If somebody else wanted to nap on the bench, but did not get the seating spot, the back is curved so they would rest up against it as well.
The seat portion of the bench is curved to allow the body to stay in place, and not fall off if they toss and turn. There are also 2 arm rests. One at normal arm height, and one at child's height. People will still be sitting at this bench, so its good to cater to them as well. The smaller rest could serve as a headrest when laying, or something to put a small cushion against. A series of holes would also be drilled into the bench to allow for water to drain/air to cool the underside of a sleeping body. Because the bench has to last through any scenario, it couldn't be made of a soft material.
If somebody else wanted to nap on the bench, but did not get the seating spot, the back is curved so they would rest up against it as well.
9.14.2011
Break Time #29
I’m having trouble trying to come up with a new concept for money. It is so ingrained in my mind that thinking of an alternative to that green rectangle in my wallet is next to impossible. The problem does not lie in the shape or design of the bill, but the perception of it’s value.
People stuffed money in their mattress during the great depression. I’ve heard that those people did that long after the depression was over for the simple fact that they valued their money so much, that they couldn’t trust another with it. Today’s credit card society is so dependent on other people to vouch for them, that we are to trusting of the system. I think that responsibility needs to be woven back into the fabric of the bill.
This can be achieved with a smarter plastic card. Here is how that will work. With every swipe of the card, your bank account is accessed and money is transferred. There is always communication between the two. The credit card should have a display on it that allows the user to see the money in their account before and after the transaction. This display would be directly on the card, and have only a head on display so that others could not see the numbers at an angle. Because of that display, it will cause the person to physically see their money be transferred, and their account a little smaller. The same effect can be felt when physical money is leaving the wallet. It hurts to give another money that you worked for. It would make you reconsider that candy bar, or other movie that you saw once and kind of liked.
The display would be on for a small time after the transaction, and to turn it on before a purchase the person would just touch the card. For security they could put a sequence of touches or numbers in to access the display. A new set of interactive devices would be spawned from this new card. People at home could get a small reader for their home computer. When the card is touched to the reader their account balance is updated for their next purchase. This would be vital because of online bill pay. If that was not updated, the person would not have access to an updated balance, and could overdraft. That irresponsible action is what we are trying to avoid.
People stuffed money in their mattress during the great depression. I’ve heard that those people did that long after the depression was over for the simple fact that they valued their money so much, that they couldn’t trust another with it. Today’s credit card society is so dependent on other people to vouch for them, that we are to trusting of the system. I think that responsibility needs to be woven back into the fabric of the bill.
This can be achieved with a smarter plastic card. Here is how that will work. With every swipe of the card, your bank account is accessed and money is transferred. There is always communication between the two. The credit card should have a display on it that allows the user to see the money in their account before and after the transaction. This display would be directly on the card, and have only a head on display so that others could not see the numbers at an angle. Because of that display, it will cause the person to physically see their money be transferred, and their account a little smaller. The same effect can be felt when physical money is leaving the wallet. It hurts to give another money that you worked for. It would make you reconsider that candy bar, or other movie that you saw once and kind of liked.
The display would be on for a small time after the transaction, and to turn it on before a purchase the person would just touch the card. For security they could put a sequence of touches or numbers in to access the display. A new set of interactive devices would be spawned from this new card. People at home could get a small reader for their home computer. When the card is touched to the reader their account balance is updated for their next purchase. This would be vital because of online bill pay. If that was not updated, the person would not have access to an updated balance, and could overdraft. That irresponsible action is what we are trying to avoid.
9.13.2011
Break Time #28
What do woman want? That's the eternal question. What do women want if they had no credit limit on the card?
- Iphone with pink, blinged out case
- A large Coach purse deep enough to carry her
- small “designer” dog
- Lots of clothes for that small dog
- A pair of shoes for every occasion, including “picking out shoes”
- A large house in the mansion district to host parties
- A silver luxury car. Silver/gray goes with just about everything she could wear
- Personal chef so she wouldn’t have to be bothered with cooking
- Recording studio in her house, because money can make you sing better
- A closet full of clothes that could clothe an entire African nation
9.12.2011
Break Time #27
I have been "watching" a lot of Big Bang Theory lately. My eyes are not glued to the screen at work, but it is still a really funny show to listen to. So while I work, I listen. This creative challenge could not have come at a better moment! I had to think of 30 items that would be found in a mad scientist's lab. Instantly I thought of Sheldon having the genius meltdown and what he would have in his lab.
1. Cobwebs
2. Rats
3. Laser
4. Generators
5. Computer
6. Bunsen burner
7. Handheld Death ray
8. Satellite Dishes
9. Body sized tables
10. Beakers and test tubes filled with colorful liquids
11. Poster of Bunsen and Beaker
12. Crazy looking tweasers
13. Lots of leather bound books
14. Spotlights that swing back and forth
15. Creaky staircase
16. Empty energy drink cans
17. Take out cartons
18. Large machines with blinking lights
19. Chalkboards full of calculations
20. Wadded up papers
21. Jars filled with strange creatures
22. Random dinosaur fossil
23. Telescope
24. Dartboard
25. Cot in the corner with messed up sheets
26. Brick walls
27. Picture of lost lover
28. Trap door
29. Creaky deckchair
30. Calender of 1993
1. Cobwebs
2. Rats
3. Laser
4. Generators
5. Computer
6. Bunsen burner
7. Handheld Death ray
8. Satellite Dishes
9. Body sized tables
10. Beakers and test tubes filled with colorful liquids
11. Poster of Bunsen and Beaker
12. Crazy looking tweasers
13. Lots of leather bound books
14. Spotlights that swing back and forth
15. Creaky staircase
16. Empty energy drink cans
17. Take out cartons
18. Large machines with blinking lights
19. Chalkboards full of calculations
20. Wadded up papers
21. Jars filled with strange creatures
22. Random dinosaur fossil
23. Telescope
24. Dartboard
25. Cot in the corner with messed up sheets
26. Brick walls
27. Picture of lost lover
28. Trap door
29. Creaky deckchair
30. Calender of 1993
9.09.2011
Break Time #26
I've been away. I know you've missed me. When there are major trade shows to prep for, and you can't break the barriers of a 2D landscape, creative time suffers. Here is a dose of creativity though! Using only the letters A,B,C,D I had to depict certain events. I chose to illustrate these on individual post it notes.
Here we have a dog, Wagner, barking at the cat outside of the window. It's a fearsome bark, and the cat runs away instantly!
Next is that person typing pretty loudly. My wife says that I type to loudly, but I just say that I put down individual letters with fervor and force.
Here we have my tummy growling at 3 in the afternoon. Good thing I have a snack. I might have to raid the break room fridge and not care who's name is on that string cheese.
A large jet flying over my head. I wish me and Kayla were on it going to Seattle.
This was my last idea. It got crinkled into a ball and thrown away because it would not work.
Here we have a dog, Wagner, barking at the cat outside of the window. It's a fearsome bark, and the cat runs away instantly!
Next is that person typing pretty loudly. My wife says that I type to loudly, but I just say that I put down individual letters with fervor and force.
Here we have my tummy growling at 3 in the afternoon. Good thing I have a snack. I might have to raid the break room fridge and not care who's name is on that string cheese.
A large jet flying over my head. I wish me and Kayla were on it going to Seattle.
This was my last idea. It got crinkled into a ball and thrown away because it would not work.
SAVE THE FILE!
Could there be anything more breathtaking in the world? Few things stir my emotions more than this status bar in Illustrator. I have watched this bar countless time waiting for my file to save. More often than not the file saves perfectly fine, and I continue on my merry way. When a large file comes my way though anxiousness and panic well up inside of me.
I often take this time to sip my coffee, check an email, or stare at the numerous pieces of art on my wall. All in an effort to pass the time and hope that my file saves.
Most times my computer is rendered catatonic, so I am usually staring at the wall. These are the moments that the panic begins to build in me.
The eternal questions rise up in me now. Is there enough memory to process the file? Do I need to close photoshop and email? I sure do have a lot of programs open. When was the last time I used Itunes?
I figure I can still see waves in the status bar then I should be fine. What if it doesn’t save though?
I check in on this bar every few seconds to see if any progress has been made. Two new pixels? Good, it’s working.
Wow that was a big jump, I think I’m going to be all right. Would it really be so bad to start over from the beginning? Sure it would get me closer to lunch, but it just means that I would have to start over. I’m pretty sure I saved the dielines version. I don’t like trying to move the dots again, and the edges of the embedded images ALWAYS get in the way. How did I even click on that? I was nowhere near it. This thing has better save or I’m going to drop kick the file in the face.
This large box I’m working on, like all large boxes, they are very fickle in their nature, and if you disturb the computer too much the box disappears. I sit patiently as the computer renders what I’m guessing is the last few bytes of this 150MB behemoth.
Now comes the moment of truth. There are TWO pixels left Illustrator. If you do not save this box then I am going to uninstall you forever! Do you hear me? You’re not going to like what will happen if you do not save the file! This is the panic talking.
I think if it displayed an “Estimated time remaining” I would go insane. Those things are never accurate, and it always sits on “12 seconds remaining” for three minutes.
How could I better spend my time during these saves? Maybe I could sketch something? Complete a creative task? I’ve tried that, but the computer always seems to sense that I am ignoring it, and saves quicker so that I can be drawn in to the machine again. If you try to purposefully ignore it, then the computer saves slower. Catch 22.
It’s hard for my mind to wrap around the fact that graphic designers were designing without a computer. I was once shown mock-ups for a logo design, and a gradient on a sheet of paper. How? How could I make these things? I know that many older designers prefer to still do everything by hand. This might be a better solution to the eternal save. That work doesn’t have to be rendered in bytes, it can just be stored in a shelf for later. I like the notion of this approach, but I can’t imagine using rub-on letters on a daily basis.
I’m getting ready to give my monitor the “Designer’s glare”. The glare coupled with the phrase that I yell in my mind “COME ON YOU STUPID COMPUTER THERE ARE TWO PIXELS LEFT!”. That stare had to have compelled the computer to save faster. I know it can sense my growing frustration with it’s lack of speed.
IT WORKED! The file saved! The status bar is gone and I can once again continue on my way. Saving the file worked this time, but I know that sometime in the next day or two I’m going to get the dreaded “Illustrator failed and needs to restart. Would you like to send a crash report?” In which case the monitor will still be enduring my “Designer’s glare” and I will have to start over again.
I often take this time to sip my coffee, check an email, or stare at the numerous pieces of art on my wall. All in an effort to pass the time and hope that my file saves.
Most times my computer is rendered catatonic, so I am usually staring at the wall. These are the moments that the panic begins to build in me.
The eternal questions rise up in me now. Is there enough memory to process the file? Do I need to close photoshop and email? I sure do have a lot of programs open. When was the last time I used Itunes?
I figure I can still see waves in the status bar then I should be fine. What if it doesn’t save though?
I check in on this bar every few seconds to see if any progress has been made. Two new pixels? Good, it’s working.
Wow that was a big jump, I think I’m going to be all right. Would it really be so bad to start over from the beginning? Sure it would get me closer to lunch, but it just means that I would have to start over. I’m pretty sure I saved the dielines version. I don’t like trying to move the dots again, and the edges of the embedded images ALWAYS get in the way. How did I even click on that? I was nowhere near it. This thing has better save or I’m going to drop kick the file in the face.
This large box I’m working on, like all large boxes, they are very fickle in their nature, and if you disturb the computer too much the box disappears. I sit patiently as the computer renders what I’m guessing is the last few bytes of this 150MB behemoth.
Now comes the moment of truth. There are TWO pixels left Illustrator. If you do not save this box then I am going to uninstall you forever! Do you hear me? You’re not going to like what will happen if you do not save the file! This is the panic talking.
I think if it displayed an “Estimated time remaining” I would go insane. Those things are never accurate, and it always sits on “12 seconds remaining” for three minutes.
How could I better spend my time during these saves? Maybe I could sketch something? Complete a creative task? I’ve tried that, but the computer always seems to sense that I am ignoring it, and saves quicker so that I can be drawn in to the machine again. If you try to purposefully ignore it, then the computer saves slower. Catch 22.
It’s hard for my mind to wrap around the fact that graphic designers were designing without a computer. I was once shown mock-ups for a logo design, and a gradient on a sheet of paper. How? How could I make these things? I know that many older designers prefer to still do everything by hand. This might be a better solution to the eternal save. That work doesn’t have to be rendered in bytes, it can just be stored in a shelf for later. I like the notion of this approach, but I can’t imagine using rub-on letters on a daily basis.
I’m getting ready to give my monitor the “Designer’s glare”. The glare coupled with the phrase that I yell in my mind “COME ON YOU STUPID COMPUTER THERE ARE TWO PIXELS LEFT!”. That stare had to have compelled the computer to save faster. I know it can sense my growing frustration with it’s lack of speed.
IT WORKED! The file saved! The status bar is gone and I can once again continue on my way. Saving the file worked this time, but I know that sometime in the next day or two I’m going to get the dreaded “Illustrator failed and needs to restart. Would you like to send a crash report?” In which case the monitor will still be enduring my “Designer’s glare” and I will have to start over again.
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