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?

Friday, December 16, 2011

A few weekends ago I found myself getting ready for another work-week and started thinking about how I had spent those two, precious “off days”.  While most of the time was spent with my family, there was a large chunk that had been devoted to work, either by thought or by action.  I’ve often said, half-joking, that my hobby is doing the same thing that I do for a living.  The thing is, that’s the truth.  I love what I do, the creative process, the technology angle, helping better my clients.  But although I love it,  I’ve come to the realization that I need a new way to spend my down time.  I need a real hobby.

Searching for something offline.
It didn’t take me long to run through a list of things that I’d like to do.  It took even less time to start crossing most of those items off the list. Finally an option came to the top that would fit the bill.  R/C cars.  I’ve always been fascinated by radio-controlled cars and have longed for one since my days in elementary school.  Sure I’ve had an assortment of R/C cars in the past, none of them could be customized or tuned (easily).  This hobby would also allow me to scratch my itch for racing that I’d been left with since I stopped kart racing back in 2000. 

A chance to recharge, in more ways than one.
While I haven’t begun my foray into the R/C world (yet), I’ve started researching and reviewing, and hanging out at hobby shops.  It’s fun and a welcomed escape from my other hobby.  Here’s to hoping it provides some creative benefits too.  What can I say, I’m a creature of habit. 

Friday, November 11, 2011

I love this Steve Jobs quote and I love this image.  Words to live by and create by.