Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Never before have I been so interested in an announcement aimed at the education-sector as I was with last week’s announcements from Apple.  Having children has changed that, just as they’ve changed many aspects of my life.  When the iPad was first announced in 2010, I put together a short list of areas in which it could be affective, and education was one of those.  With the launch of iBooks Author, the iTunes U app, and the updated iBooks 2 app, that opportunity has been cemented.  However, the educational benefits of the iPad have shown their face long before this announcement.

I read a post earlier this month questioning why adults are amazed when children, even as young as 2 years old can pick up an iPad and use it with ease.  Surely these are superior children that possess Mensa-quality intellect and will be running the country by the time they’re 7!  As much as I’d like to think that, again speaking as a parent, I no longer believe that’s the case.  That’s not to say I don’t think my children aren’t intelligent (or even above average). The truth is, the iPad is easy to use.  Period.  As I’ve written before, I’ve seen both of my kids use the device, navigate through the screens of apps, find their favorites and use them with ease.  So simple, so elegant, so…what’s next.

The announcements from Apple, iBooks 2, iBooks Author, and the refined and retuned iTunes U (making it’s app debut) are all amazing elements when you look at them on their own merit.  But it’s when you lump them all together that a truly-inspired vision of what the future of education could be.  While the approach from Apple locks schools into one platform and one device, it’s an approach that I’ve not seen rolled out on such a promising scale.  These items aside, I’ve seen my own children use the iPad as more than just a gaming device, but rather an educational tool.  My youngest son has two favorite apps, AlphaTots and TallyTots and after using them he’s now able to easily recite the alphabet and count to 20.  What’s the draw to these apps?  They’re engaging, they’re entertaining, and they’re able to present lessons in an easy-to-understand format.  Who knows what role, if any, the iPad (or similar devices) will play in education, but it appears to off to a good start.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

2012 has become the year of the personal project.  Along with a list of client projects, I’ve made an all-out effort to nurture a few random ideas that I’ve had rattling around in my head for the past…few years.

One of the projects I’m the most excited about is a new community-based site concept that I’ve had an on-again, off-again relationship with.  Wrestling with the basic questions of “will it work” and “will anyone use it” and the all-too-familiar “will anyone care” has been at the heart of my internal hesitation.  I was about to write this particular project off and had almost forgotten about it until I stumbled across a brand identity that I had started sketching.  The last revision date on these logo sketches was in 2009.  Almost three years this file sat on my computer, half-finished in both concept and reality.  I was ready to delete the files (and all other traces of this project) until something struck me.  The logo concepts weren’t that bad.

When a spark or even a faint glimmer of creativity hits, you need to grab onto it and carry it as far as you can, regardless of the outcome.  After rediscovering this site concept, I poured a fair amount of work back into it and dedicated myself to giving it life.

Without giving too much away, the concept of this project is simple; build a website that will act as a hub for connecting people with similar interests, share information, and discover new places.  On the surface, it sounds like a recipe for a social network.  The truth is, this will be built and thrive on social.  Using tools and networks that have been established and hold a decent user-base is an appealing prospect when you’re looking to make a community-driven site.  We don’t need another social network, we just need to fine-tune and focus those that we have. Hopefully, this project will do that.

Monday, January 02, 2012

If you were to look at the music on my iPhone, you’d find that a good chunk of it isnt even considered music.  I’ve been a fan of podcasts (and podcasting) ever since it hit the scene.  I’ve found it to be a great way to learn about topics that interest me or to get acquainted with new ideas and I can listen to them no matter what else I may be doing.  If you’re looking to bolster your design knowledge or just want to soak up some great talk about the topic, here’s a list of design-focused podcasts you should subscribe to.

1. The Web Ahead - A relatIvely new show, I’ve enjoyed what the host, Jen Simmons brings to the table.  The guest list has been an impressive variety of design professionals.
2. The Boagworld Podcast - I’ve enjoyed Paul Boag’s show for quite some time.  He covers topic that are central to the business of web design and uncovers some areas that may be forgotten from time to time.
3. The Big Web Show - Jeffrey Zeldman and his guests cover the gamut of design topics in a fun yet informative way.
4. Media Artist Secrets - This podcast by Franklin McMahon may be one of the first design podcasts that I subscribed to.  Usually focusing on one topic an episode, the show length is manageable and can be the perfect fit for your morning commute.
5. TEDTalks - This is a series of podcassts created from the amazing TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) events that take place throughout the year.  Rather than focusing on how-to’s and techniques, these “episodes” focus on concepts, ideas, problems, and ultimately solutions that apply to all walks of life.

I hope you’ll find that these selections are not only informative, but are a pleasure to listen to!

Sunday, January 01, 2012

I found a few great and inspiring typography examples to help any designer get the new year rolling in a creative direction.

A, B, C…

Bubbly 2(0)

3 minutes

Concert poster

Cola

Steal

Symbols

Save the Date

Saturday, December 31, 2011

As we bid farewell to another year and look forward to the one coming up, what’s in store for you?  What are your plans and what are your goals?

Here’s a short list of what I have planned.

• A year of new projects, new ventures, and new experiences.
• Letting ideas grow and allowing them to fail.
• Finding what works, realizing what doesn’t and moving forward.
• Streamlining both concepts and self, cutting the fat both figuratively and literally.
• Creating more content and building tools that can be shared with the communities that I believe in.
• Help connect people that share the same passion(s).
• Picking up the “pen” and writing more.  This was sorely lacking this year.
• Using the tools that I have and creating new types of content.
• Acting on items with more speed and worrying less.
• Banishing excuses. They accomplish nothing and only hold us back.

Now it’s your turn! What do you have planned for the new year?