Still working on it

This is for Project 6 (the 3-D description). I’m still tweaking it, but let me know what you think.

You are stuck. Ideas just don’t seem to flow; you work hard to come up with little. The scary part, you just started out of the gate and already you feel washed up. The creative fuel tank runs low and the idea board empty. You are stuck, but the clock isn’t. The clock ticks away and the deadline approaches.

You start down one road only to find it dead ends after hours of work. Now you have valuable time invested here, do you dump it pack up and start over? Or do you salvage what you can, limp along for a while and pray for a spark of ingenuity? The spark appeared before, but will it come again? Doubt, the last thing you need, not now. You are stuck, but the clock isn’t. The clock ticks away and frustration sets in.

Alright, enough of this foolishness you are a designer, an artist, you fuse words and images in a single bound. Whatever you do, things will work out. Relax, pick a topic and have fun. Step out on a limb; try making something up, step out of “reality” for a change. This is not rocket science, you can do what you want, and enjoy yourself. Or will your fusings combust? Aarrgh! Still stuck, but the clock isn’t. The clock ticks away and you need aspirin.

Finally, you made a decision, have a product in hand and prepare to present. You wonder if the product in hand is another prize for the can. Maybe. You ask, “Has this been done before?” Probably, but this is your take on the issue. So, sell it, make it work, because you are stuck and out of time.

Dewey vs. Color

I couldn’t resist posting this. I enjoy reading the letters section of Dwell magazine for the letters and to see what little tidbits the staff will share about office life. This month (or rather Dec. 07/Jan. 08) they have included a picture of their library, which they have opted to order by color rather than the Dewey Decimal system. It may not work as well, but it looks nice.

 

Do you know what to look for?

I saw this alcohol ad in Wired magazine, I thought that was a little odd. It has been a while since I’ve seen an alcohol ad, maybe I haven’t paid attention or maybe I just don’t pick up the right magazines. Anyway, this looks like a new take on the old ‘pour alcohol into a glass and have subtle images appear’ trick. The caption that follows is “For those who know what to look for.” For those who don’t, the image includes a woman seated on a lounge chair, legs crossed, in a somewhat sexy pose and a man in a suit with glass in hand approaching her or looking at her. In between them is the bottle of alcohol and the backdrop of the image is another bottle. Basically it is a bar pickup scene.

Five steps to almond bliss

Unnecessary process/instructions from California almonds on “How to make a side dish the main attraction.” On second thought the dish in the ad looks really tasty, maybe this is necessary after all.

Here is step 4, the most important step, “Call attention to the fact that almonds give any meal a heart-healthy boost. Plus, they make it crunchier and tastier, too.” 

project underway

Okay I’ll admit it, I am a big fan of Project Runway and now the show is back with a new crew. This is the first time I’ve caught the first episode of a new season and it was okay, but I’m ready to cut out the fluff and move on. With that said, I’ll probably be glued to the tv set next Wednesday. What do you think? I know I’m not the only person watching this show.

Total Control = visual definition

Have to say I lucked out with this find. Visual definition was the mission for the week and this ad for Speedplay’s Zero pedal system was on target. The ad boasts that the Zero is “the only pedal system that allows you to adjust your fore-aft, side-to-side, and rotational foot positions independently.” So, the Zero gives you total control, just as having a remote control would. So, they use a shoe shaped remote control to represent the control that this pedal system provides.

but I'm feeling betta

I was sick earlier this week and it has been a while since I’ve had a full-blown cold; chills, night sweats, aches, etc. I’d almost forgotten how difficult it is to function while sick. I downed the usual meds, Nyquil for bedtime and non-drowsy Sudafed for the day, but still managed to sleep through the night and day (non-drowsy my @!$). On Wednesday I was awake and at my desk for hours, but accomplished absolutely nothing. Just makes me wonder about over the counter medicines and medicine in general. Perhaps I should take more time to research this stuff, maybe later, right now I feel better and I hope this feeling continues. If not I’ll be in class on Saturday to share, because misery loves company.

sandcastles or houses

This ad from Travelocity caught my eye. The image of a man working on a house is overlaid by an image of him on the beach. Which would you prefer? Work or fun? That was my first thought and it is cute, but the ad goes much further when you read the text and find out that Travelocity has a program for “Change Ambassadors” or volunteer travel/vacations. You spend your vacation volunteering and helping a community in the region of your choice. What better way to learn about and be a part of a community while on vacation? So what will it be, sandcastles or houses? Of course, you can pick both if you have extra time.

Life, narrated by Dr. Seuss

For class this week I needed something relating to narrative, so went to my bookshelf and pulled out Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” This book is a popular graduation gift for all, young and old. Dr. Seuss narrates the ups and downs of life as only he could and encourages grads to keep plugging along, “And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)”

Come on in, the water is fine

Okay, last Friday I waited at home for the Fed-X guy to deliver my long awaited copy of Leopard. Since I had to sign for the package I actually took the time to talk to the guy (don’t remember his name) he was in a good mood had a busy day ahead of him, but knew that he we would be greeted by many smiling faces this day. On Friday October 26th, Fed-X guy was Santa Claus!

Leopard, I like it. I really really like it. I’ll hold off on love for now. There are so many different features, I have yet to test and appreciate them all. Stacks have already proved helpful, I can keep my desktop a little more organized quickly. Hadn’t turned on Time Machine, but on Tuesday I wish I had. Tuesday night I lost a few days worth of work files, they just went bye-bye. So I had to start from scratch, luckily a lot of stuff was fresh on my mind. The folder views are nice also, you can take a glimpse at files (illustrator, word, etc) without opening up the program.

I’m still exploring, but so far so good.