Hey Bloggees!
Back again with another technique for adding time to your day. I hope last week's article was a help in regards to developing goals outside of your head. This week, I want to deal with a technique that can help you determine how your time is used. Let's get crackin'!

Time Saving Technique #2: Just Say No!

This advice I had heard over the years from different sources. Recently, though, it's been through Sean McCabe on SeanWes TV that has brought this advice home. The idea is to say no to anything (even good things) that would take time away from the things you should be focusing on. Another way to view it is going for the great over the good. An excellent example would be saying "No" to a late night event, because you need to be rested up for the next day of work. You're saying "No" to something good (the event), so that you can do something great (be rested up enough to be your best at work).

This one can be a particular struggle. It's especially hard when you are afraid of losing friends or missing out on something. The truth is though, by limiting what you say "No" to, you can determine your schedule and what to say "Yes" to. Just saying "No" allows you the freedom to focus your attention on what matters (work / family / etc...). You don't need to say "No" to everything, just the things that would be more of a distraction, then a help.

 

In Action:

This one I'm still working on. Last week I saw what happened when I didn't say "No". I was working on one of my StarCars pieces and decided to turn on the Arrow television program on Netflix. Arrow is a great show and very easy to get absorbed into the story line. As a result, I watched multiple episodes. This resulted in me going to bed much later then I wanted to. The late night resulted in a slower start the next day. If I had said "No" after one episode, I could have gotten to bed at a decent time, gotten a full night's rest, and been better prepared for work the next day. Arrow isn't a bad show. Binge watching it though was a distraction from getting the well needed rest I needed to do my job. Thus a good thing (watching Arrow) was a distraction from a great thing (getting enough rest for work).

One More Thing...

I want to thank all of you who have been reading my blog since I started it here back in 2012. I have an opportunity to share my articles on another site. As a result, this will be the last blog post here on Blogger. Instead, I want to invite you to come check out my new home at medium.com. The goal is to continue to provide meaningful insight and advice from my experiences and misadventures in design. I hope you can join me in this new chapter of the jepegdesign blog. 

When was the last time you used the power of "No" for something better? If not, how do you want to apply this principle in the future? Do you even agree with this method? I would love to hear about this! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Next week, I will continue on this time saving series with efficient ways of tackling big projects. See you on medium.com!

Hey Bloggees!
Time seems to be something people have little of. We're busy trying to juggle our careers, families, friends, and personal time. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a way of adding more time to your day? What if I told you there is a way? What if I told you that there were simple techniques that you can use that can give you that extra time? Well, good news! There are. I'm going to share with you over the next few weeks, some techniques I'm learning to incorporate into my day. You will probably notice an overarching theme to these methods (which I'll get to at the end of the series).  We begin with a simple technique that has helped me out...
 

Time Saving Technique #1: Write It Down!

This advice came from my Mom and my boss at High Resolutions. I know, I know. It sounds simple, right? Write down your items on a to-do list and work your way through it. But, here's the problem, we don't do it. We don't want to spend the time to slow down and write down the things that need to be done. We tend to keep mental notes in our heads of all the different things we need to get done. This gives us a sense that we are saving time by keeping it all in our head. However, over time, that mental list gets longer and more complicated. At some point, something important will slip through the cracks or you will become paralyzed by the mountain of items on your "mental" list and not get things done. As a result, that mental list will cost you time and, potentially something else (financially or otherwise). By writing it down, you are clearing out that mental list and focusing on what needs to be done. You will have a game plan to work through. It will give you a sense of accomplishment as you see items completed on that list. Finally, it will help you save time and money that would have been wasted from a forgotten item.

In Action:

As a graphic designer at a production company, it's easy to get swamped by the quantity of work that comes in. I used to try keep track of all the various projects that I had without making a list. I was reacting to client work and as a result, I was stressing out over what I had (or had not worked on) and letting the work determine the length of my workday. To solve this, I designed a project list (which you can see here) that I print out at the beginning of the week. I then write down the current projects that I'm working on and I keep track of the work I've done for the day. If new projects come in, I add that to the list. I check through the projects I have worked on and I try to make sure I go through each project once before going back and working on additional revisions or new projects. The list allows me to be proactive with my schedule, focus on the projects at hand, and have a sense of accomplishment on what I have done for the day. As a result. I'm not getting as stressed out about the quantity of projects and I have better control on how long my work day will be. As a result, I'm able to come home at a decent hour and have time to either work on side projects or to spend time with my wife.

I strongly encourage you to do this. Create either a physical list (like what I did) or a digital one for your device. It will be a time-saver. This technique alone can add valuable time to your busy schedule. 


I would love to hear how you have applied this technique to your schedule. Please leave a comment below and let me know how you incorporated this method and how it worked out for you. 'Till next time!

The Making of a StarCar

Welcome Back Bloggees!

You may recall in my recent posts about my trip to Circles, a design conference in Grapevine, Texas (you can read those posts below). While at Circles, I heard about James White's Star Kade series of 80's icons and designs. This inspired me to start doing a series of pieces based off of two of my favorite interests: cars and movies / TV shows. The result of that endeavor is Star Cars, a series featuring a new vehicle every week from the big and small screen. Today, I want to share with you the six-stage process I use in making a Star Car, featuring the Thorndyke Special from the classic Disney movie, The Love Bug. Let's get crackin'!

1 - RESEARCH

Before a new car is rendered, I go online and track down source photos for a particular car. In this case, I searched for photos for the Thorndyke Special (a 1963 Apollo 350 GT Sports Car). These reference photos allow me to figure out the shape, color scheme, and other details (like the racing number). Once I have a good idea of what the car looks like, I pull out the template.

2 - TEMPLATE

I devised a set of templates for cars, vans, and helicopters (not shown). These templates allow me to keep a cohesive feel with each vehicle for the entire series. The templates are saved to my computer and I print off a fresh sheet when I'm ready to draw a new car.

3 - DRAWING

After I have acquired enough source photos for the vehicle of the week, I draw out the car using the template as a guide (you can see the slight shape of the car template in this drawing.  This allows for quicker rendering the car and more time to figure out the look of the particular car. In this case, I've sketched out the line work for the car. The color and shading will be determined in the color stage.

4 - LINE WORK

Once the drawing is complete, I scan it into my computer and start working out the line work in Illustrator. This allows for fine-tuning of the actual drawing and making sure that it will be consistent with other vehicles in the series. At this point, I also add elements to add a level of detail to the piece. In this case, the racing number and stripes in the background. 

5 - COLOR

After the linework is complete, it is now time to add color and shading to the piece. I use a separate layer in Illustrator under the line work layer to add color. This allows me to lock the line layer and add color without messing with established shape of the car. The light / dark color design creates a nice sense of form without going completed complicated with multiple levels of tone (i.e. high light, light, mid tone, etc...) 

6 - RENDER

For the final stage of the process, The piece is brought into Photoshop for background color and texture. The texture in this case is a soft concrete brush. This gives the design a slightly distressed appearance, like the one that develops on a favorite t-shirt.

And there we have it! The Thorndyke Special is complete. This six stage process allows me to create these passion projects within a tight schedule. You can find the Throndyke Special and other StarCars pieces on my dribbble page.

Interested in doing a passion project like this, but you just can't seem to find the time? Well, starting next week, I'll share with you some techniques I'm applying to help add time to a busy schedule. 'Till next time!

Lesson’s Learned from Circles Part III

 
Hey Bloggees,

Back again for the final set of lessons from the Circles Conference. As I mentioned last time, this is summarizing some of the great lessons I came away with from the 2015 Circles Conference. Let’s get crackin’!

Learning from Your Mistakes
Food type design Danielle Evans shared her backstory of mistakes and errors on her journey in design. She recommended us to use our bad ideas as a springboard for future design. Danielle also encouraged us that mistakes and error are not the end, but an opportunity to develop our own style (which she referred to as a consistent series of calculated errors).

Design Advice
Young Jerks founder Dan Cassaro asked us what type of designer are you (serious with substance or style and light)?  He then explained the important elements in design in the form of nobility - Taste (which is king), Style (which is queen), and Ability (which the trusted adviser). These three elements develop good design. Lastly Dan encouraged us to work hard at not working hard.

10 Things in 10 Years
Design Duo Katie & Nathan Strandberg of Eight Hour Design gave us 10 bits of advice (representing the 10 years they have been working together). For example…

Surround yourself with good people
Known when to walk / run away from a bad job
and a great bonus one…
Don’t listen to us! Learn for yourself.

Made in the Middle
The conference ended with a great presentation from Tad Carpenter. He reminded us to take risks and that we get to do this work for a living. It’s easy to forget, in midst of client woahs and design mishaps, that we have a chance to do something that we love. It was a great message to rally the design groups to head back to the workplace.

Applications
These speakers have encouraged me in the realm of perseverance. When it comes to mistakes and botched job, I need to press on and learn for next time. In regards to my work load, it needs be a persistent balance of work and rest. When it comes to life, I need to keep learning and growing in my field. Lastly, in my focus, it’s the constant reminder that I get to do what I enjoy. Next time, I’ll  be sharing the process to my Star Car Collects. Thanks for reading the blog. Till next time!

Lessons from Circles Part II

 
Hey Bloggees,

Back again with more lessons from the Circles Conference. I realized that at this rate it will take a while to go through each session. Instead, I’m going to summarize the lessons over the next two blogs (beginning with this one). So, without further ado… Let’s dive in!

One Item = Multiple Solution
Creative tinkerer Kelli shared she has found multiple uses for paper. The key was thinking outside the conventional usage of the medium (i.e. can I make a functional camera out of just paper). The lesson here is that the medium shouldn’t challenge your creativity. Instead, use the creativity to develop the use of the media.

Check Your Motivation
Photography expert Helena Price gave some great advice on checking your motivation. This motivation ranges from the work you produce, the career path you take, and your interactions with others. Two things she shared stuck with me. The first was Don’t put work in your portfolio you don’t want to do again (advice from one of her teachers). The other was to get out to know people (as opposed to using people for future jobs).

Masters of the Universe
Harnessing his love for the 1980s, designer / illustrator James White, shared how he combined his childhood memories with his artistic talent to create pieces that he loved. These passion projects have led to paying projects.

Application
These sessions have inspired me to make some changes in the way that I do design. When it comes to creativity, I need to be open to different solutions to a problem. In how design work is done, I need to focus on work that I want to do and to treat people as people. Finally, James White’s talk has inspired me to start creating car pieces (which you can see on my Dribbble account. I’ll be back next week with more lessons from Circles. Till next time Bloggees!

Circles 2015... Lessons Learned Part 1

Hey Bloggees!

After a long hiatus, I'm restarting with the miniblogs. A week ago I got the opportunity to go to Circles, a design conference held in Grapevine, Texas, just outside of Dallas. It was a great chance to catch up with friends I had made at Creative South, a chance to hear some great speakers, and, to be honest, a chance to take a small vacation from the chaos that had become my life... I was letting myself get overwhelmed with my work and struggling to find the balance between it and home life. The conference was just what I needed. It gave me the chance to clear my head and get a fresh perspective of my job as a graphic designer. Over the next few weeks I'll share some of the lessons I've learned and am planning to apply to my life.

Creativity is a Fight
Online Writer Shawn Blanc started off the conference with a session entitled "Fight to Stay Creative." His message resonated with my work struggle and creative burnout. To help out the rest of us, Shawn gave us a strategy to fight the good fight...
   • Showing up every day.
      Having the discipline to show up mentally and creatively.
   • Rest well and take time away from the screen.
     Take time out to clear your head.
   • Set clear goals and celebrate success.
     Have daily goals and rewards to celebrate completing those goals.
   • Have fun while you create.
     Relax and enjoy the creative process.
   • You are not alone.
     Stay connected with the community.

Application 
Shawn's message made me realize that I wasn't alone with my struggle. His guidelines made me realize that I didn't have to be bogged down by this mental load. Instead, I plan on using his strategy to fight for creativity and learn to enjoy the process. Till next time bloggees!

Learning to Step Away...

Hey Bloggees and a Happy Belated New Year to you.  Once again, life decided to happen and the blog got set aside for other things.  During that time I’ve been doing a little bit of house keeping (narrowing down my decent size T-Shirt collection, reworking my home schedule, etc).  I’ve also been reevaluating how I prioritize my time and how I use it.  Two things that I spend a lot of time on are “design” related activities and  tech (watching Netflix, Social Media, etc…).  Now, before you think I’m going to denounce my design interest or use of tech and go live as hermit, that is not where I’m going.  I enjoy design.  I enjoy sitting down and enjoying some great shows on Netflix.  Where the issue is how I use those things and why.  For this post, I want to be open and honest about letting go of design and tech, and what my game plan is for a more balanced usage of both…

A major use of my time is design, or should I say, design related activities. That includes perusing Pinterest for ideas, designing side projects, and studying up on design related news.  This doesn’t sound bad, and to be honest, it isn’t.  Where the problem has been the heavy drive in this area and why.  You see, I feel like I need to do something “productive” (i.e. design related), otherwise, I’m wasting time.  What’s worse, I feel like that design is my identity (something we guys struggle with).  I identify myself by what I do, not who I am as a person.  This drive and personification has resulted in me desperately working on something design related to feel complete.  This dependance on design goes right into the next area, tech.

I enjoy technology.  I like the fact I can catch up with friends and family on Facebook, laugh at a great show, or catch up on art and design. The question arises though, am I a master of the technology I use, or a servant. Am I so dependent on being entertained that I miss out on life.  These points were brought home from two completely different sources.  The first came from an article in Communication Arts by Ernie Schenck (you can read the article here).  In it he shares how, if we are not careful, technology could effect creativity, but can cause us to lose “awareness of the real world”.  In essence, technology, if used incorrectly, will cause us to miss out on life, not enjoy more of it.  The second came from our Church’s youth pastor.  His message, which you can hear (here) made me think of how dependent I have become on it (and not in a good way).  So, how do I get these two areas sorted out?  By learning to let go and step away.

Learning to step away from these areas is tough.  I’ve come to be dependent on both areas for major portions of my life.  I have to do this though for a couple of reasons.

1. My identity is not jobs or possessions, it’s who I am.  It doesn’t matter what I do or if I’m aware about the latest gossip.  What matters is what makes me unique (personality, interests, hobbies).  Most importantly, my identity, as a Christian, needs to be Christ.  My identity (who I am) needs to be found in Him.

2. Too much of a good thing can be harmful.  My over-obsessed drive for creative could be hampering my ability to create new ideas.  My tech driven focus could cause me to miss out on quality time for myself, loved ones, and God

Here’s my gameplay for stepping away…

Design - Limit my at-home design time to no more then an hour in the evening and remember that it is okay to rest and enjoy…

Technology - Limit my TV intake daily and to unplug from all tech entirely for a day or two each week.

I hope my honesty is an encouragement to you.  I’ll keep you posted on how this goes.  ‘Till next time Bloggees!

So...What to Watch on Netflix Tonight?

Hey Bloggees,

If you're anything like me,  chances are you that you crash onto the couch after a day of work, flip on the TV, and start scrolling through Netflix.  With the thousands of choices and changing inventory of shows, it can be a little daunting to try and pick something to watch.  Recently though, I've come across some great documentaries that are worth checking out.  If you're not a documentary person, at least give these a shot before trolling for 80's TV shows or British Sci-Fi (which I enjoy)...

Drew: The Man Behind the Poster
(WARNING: Some language and imagery toward the end of the documentary / credits may not be appropriate)
Back to the Future, The Walking Dead, and Alice Cooper, what do they have in common?  One man, Drew Struzan.  This documentary delves into the story of the man behind some of the most famous movie posters of all time.  The documentary includes interviews with George Lucas, Harrison Ford, and Micheal J. Fox (just to name a few).  Definitely great for movie lovers, designers, artists, and illustrators.

Muscle Shoals
(Mild Language)
 Every wondered about that one line from Lynyrd Skynyrd's Sweet Home Alabama?  Well this documentary will help answer that question (just stick around through the credits to find out).  Learn about the little town in Alabama with big music impact.  Here from Bono, Keith Richards, Aretha Franklin, and many others.  Great for music lovers.

Superheros: The Never-Ending Story
Ever curious about the history of modern American mythology?  You'll definitely get quite the education with this PBS series.  The documentary chronicles the history of comic book superheros from the arrival of Superman to the high-grossing Avengers movie. Stan Lee, Adam West, and Lynda Carter are just a few of the many guests that share their story.  Definitely for the true nerd of heart.

So there you go, three great documentaries to check out on your next round of Netflix.  Hopefully this should make for a more relaxing evening (as opposed to getting overwhelmed by the selection). Happy viewing and...your welcome!  'Till next time Bloggees!

More Freebie Websites To Check Out!

Hey Bloggees!  It's been a while since the last post and figure you should be rewarded for your patience.  With that, I'd like to share with you  ... websites where you can download material to use for your next project.  Get your bookmarking tool ready for this...

FONTS
dafont.com: This was one of the first font websites I learned about. The website is full of fonts available for commercial and personal. Before going wild on the downloads, do realize that you can't use personal fonts for commercial use.  My advice is, go for commercial use and donationware.

Font Squirrel: This is definitely a site you will want to come back to time and again. Unlike dafont, Font Squirrel's collection of fonts are commercial free and free to use. This site is definitely a personal fav.

IMAGES
Free Images: Formerly know as stockxchange, Free Images is a good starting point for finding free images.  If you are willing to pay for images, the site's search bar can help you find images on istock.

Pic Jumbo: Great commercial free photo site to explore.  The photos are divided up into categories.  The site itself may not have as much as say shutterstock or istock.  However, there are some real gems in there.

Unsplash: is set-up like a scrolling page website.  The site provides unique, artistic style photography that is free to use.  I've used unsplashed images on this blog on a few occasions (including today's posting).

MISCELLANIOUS
Blog.Spoon Graphics: This web blog, hosted by designer Chris Spooner, provides great material (from Photoshop actions to patterns).  For a monthly fee, you can access even more material.  The free elements are definitely worth a visit.

DBFreebies:  I just discovered this site this summer and it is definitely a gold mine!  The site is a portal that keeps track of free design elements (fonts, backgrounds, etc...) that are posted on dribbble and behance.  One of my personal favs is the font Streetwear.

I hope this makes up for the lack of articles faithful Bloggees.  Hopefully, I'll get the chance to write again soon.  'Till next time!

Dribbbling in a Busy Life

How's your dribbbling Bloggees?  If you don't know what I'm talking about, I'm referring to the design show-and-tell website, Dribbble (you can check out the site here).  This Salem, Massachusetts based site has grown to be a go-to site for showcasing design work.  As a matter of fact, my personal website is directly connected to my dribbble account and updates each time I post a new shot.  One problem though is finding the time to create pieces that you can show off on your account.  As with each year, it seems like life goes by just a little bit quicker.  It won't be long until designers everywhere will be neck deep in projects for Christmas.  However, before you give up the idea of a dribbble account due to time constraints, here are three useful ideas to produce productive, shot worthy designs (without taxing your schedule).

PERSONALPROJECTS
Create projects for items that you need for your home (grocery list, checklist, etc.).  Treat it as a two-fold venture, a design problem to solve and a potential dribbble post.  For example, when we were moving to our new home, I created moving invites to encourage people to come help us out. As opposed to simply slapping something together and shooting it out to people, I took the time to develop a unique design in order to make it memorable (you can see the final product here).  The end result became a shot worthy piece (and has created interest in my design skills).

Moral: Don't skimp on personal home projects. Invest in them.

WORKPROJECTS
You can showcase work that you have done in the office.  I do strongly suggest though that you check your workplace policy in regards to posting work from your job (to avoid any legal or job issues).  If they do, however, allow you to post work from your job, this is a added incentive to add your own spin to a project.  In our line of work, it's easy to just want to brush through a project we don't like and get it over with.  When you do that, you miss out on a chance to produce something shot worthy.  Even if the project is canned, you can still use it as a dribbble piece (see some examples of my work-related designs here and here).

Moral: Make work work for you.

COMMUNITYPROJECTS
Whether its a community band that needs programs and flyers, or a ministy that needs graphics for a banquet, look for opportunities in the groups you are involved in to sharpen your design skills and create some great shots.  For example, last year, our church's VBS had a Western / Gold Rush theme to it.  I took the opportunity to create Wanted Posters for the team leaders and kids.  The project proved to be a success, both to the kids and the adults.  This allowed me to come back the following year to produce design work for VBS (see them here, here, and here).

Moral: Look for opportunities in whatever you do.

I hope these can be a good jumping off point for your dribbble projects.  Do you have any time-saving ideas or suggestions, I'd love to hear from you.  Leave your thoughts in the comment portion of the blog.  'Till next time Bloggees

Special Post: Tom Craig

Hey Bloggees! I'm back with another post.  This time however, it isn't about design or how to improve your life.  Instead, I want to share with you a need of a really good friend of mine, Pastor Tom Craig.

When we first arrived in Knoxville, a co-worker invited me to a church out in Oak Ridge.  When we visited the church during a fall festival, we were surprised by how welcoming and personable people were.  As it turns out, the church had a pastor just as welcoming, personable, and human.  Tom and his family have been a huge blessing to us as we have gotten accustomed to our new life outside of Florida and dealt with issues in our marriage.  His humor and fun-loving nature are balanced out by the seriousness that he has about the Bible and the importance of following Jesus.  His faith in Christ just took on an added challenge this past June, when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (with a 6-12 month window to live).  For a man who has given his life to God and trying to be a great leader (both to his church and to his wife and three daughters), it would be easy to raise a fist at God and go "I don't deserve this!"  Instead, Tom has been showing us how God is good, even when it seems He isn't. You can hear some of his messages here (start on June 15th and the sermons afterward).  Trust me, they are worth listening to.

I share Pastor Tom's story because he needs your help.  First and foremost, with your prayers.  Specifically for healing, hope for him and his family, and for physical and emotional strength during this time.  This would mean the world to him and his family.

The second is through financial support.  The church has set up a fundraising page on idoitfor.org (you can find the link here).  In short, these funds will help out with medical and insurance costs and a way of showing support to this man and his family.

Thank you for your time and support on this Bloggees!  'Till next time.


 

jepegdesign blog reboot

Hey bloggees,

First off, I want to apologize for the lack of blog posts (I just check the blog and realized that the last one was over seven months ago...) YIKES!  A lot has happened during that time...

NEWLOCATION
Since we moved to Knoxville, we have been living in a small 960 square footish town house.  In April, we began our search for a more permanent home.  After praying and searching, we found a fantastic 1,400 square foot home with everything we wanted (YAH!).  What's great is that it feels like a Florida house in Tennessee.  Definitely makes us feel more at home.  This space will allow us to entertain and have a more suitable spot to have guest (as opposed to tight quarters and a leaky air mattress).


NEWCHALLENGES
Last November marked the one year anniversary of me joining the highresolutions team in Knoxville.  The job definitely brings its fair share of challenges.  Projects range from Newspaper Ads and Flyers, to Banners and Wall Murals.  I was even considered for a design project for the classic rock band, Kansas (but more on that in a later post :-).

Outside of work are the new challenges of  being a home owner and learning this new chapter in our lives.  We've experienced the loss of a good friend (which we found out about during our house hunt).  More recently, we found out that our pastor, Tom Craig, has been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer (you can find out more about it here).  It's tough, considering how close Tom and his wife, Kim are to Jen and I.  Hopefully, we (and hopefully this blog) can be of some help to them.


NEWDIRECTION
Initially, when I started this blog, I wanted it to be a go-to place for designers to find helpful links, great tips, and useful advice.  What I'm realizing is there are a couple of issues with the current blog.

1. Length:  I'm realizing that my blog posts might be a bit lengthy (thus in resulting in me procrastinating on posting blogs). Plus, when it comes to design blogs in general, they seem a little lengthy.

2. Purpose: To be honest, the focus has been what "I" can give to others. This site needs to be more focused on someone else, the reader (yes, that includes you on the iPhone in the corner).

So what's the plan?  Well, for starters, the blog posts will be shorter and more concise (so that way, you can read it quickly and come away with something useful). Also, I want to shift the focus more toward you, the reader.  I'll still share personal advice and thoughts that can hopefully be handy to you.  However, it won't be for the sake of "Hey, look at me and all I know."  I want to be that good friend that can give you some good advice and cares about you.  I hope you can give me that chance.

Hope you join me on this new chapter of the jepegdesign blog.  SeeYA! Bloggees!


Photo Credit: http://unsplash.com

A Merry Christmas Update

Merry Christmas Bloggees!

After a very long hiatus, I'm back at the blog for a brief update (as well as a goody along the way.

FROMONLINE:
On November 5th, Google honored my new design hero with a Google Doodle, Raymond Loewy. I'd heard briefly of him when I toured the Studebaker Museum in South Bend back in 2002.  Strangely, I never really heard anything about this industrial design leader in art school.  After the doodle came out,  I started researching about him online and was staggered by the amount of work credited to him and his studio (including Air Force One and design work for NASA).  The fact that a designer not only did identity work (Shell, Exxon, etc...), but also worked in aviation and aerospace (two areas that I have a real soft spot for.  To find out more about this icon of American design you can check out the following links...

Wikipedia Article on Raymond Loewy
Raymond Loewy Official Site
Hagley Museum and Library 

Plus, I have picked up a copy of Raymond Lowey's Industrial Design.  I'm pleased to report that it reads a lot better than Paul Rand's writing and I'm enjoying the book.

PERSONALPROJECT 
I came across a really neat design technique via Photoshop.  After viewing the process, it got me thinking...Why not do it in Illustrator and use it to create official cards for the Christmas Exchange Game.

Sample Sheet of the Gift Exchange Cards

 In honor of the Christmas Season I wanted to share with you the red and white versions of the alphabet in Illustrator.

With that, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2014 to you!

SeeYa!
  

An Apology for Perfection

Hey Bloggees,

I wanted to apologize for something that you might not see as an issue…Perfection (or at least the drive to be perfect).  Now before you say anything about improvement or quality, that is not what I'm talking about here (both are crucial).  I'm talking about the drive for perfection (completion).  This self-centered drive is detrimental to clients and to the very things you care about. The drive for this kind of perfection is what I want to apologize for, to you my readers.

How did this come up? This past Labor Day Weekend, Jen and I visited our best friends from college (fellow artists who are married to each other).  I just had dismal results on some postings I had uploaded on dribbble and was questioning my design skill.  That Sunday, we visited they're church, a place I have always walked away with something profound.  Toward the end of his sermon, Steve Daugherty, the teaching pastor, spoke about perfection, which got my attention. He broke down the word per- (complete) -fect (work) and how hard we try to be something that even God himself didn't ask me to be.  That's when it hit me.  I had been trying to do that in my life as a designer.  I wanted to be perceived as a perfect designer to look up to.  I was so focused on being perfect I was letting effect my focus as a blogger and designer.

So, here it goes…
I'm sorry for trying to be the complete designer. I've been more focused on impressing others and being perceived as something which I'm not.   I'm sorry for not being honest with myself and you.  I'm sorry for seeking perfection.

You can hear the sermon here...
( perfection portion of the sermon at the 34:30 marker)

Photo Credit: http://unsplash.com

Learning to Learn...

Hey Bloggees...

What is the key to being an expert?  Academic facts?  Years spent in a specific field?  If you are relying on acquired knowledge and expertise, you may find yourself in trouble.  New technology is developing everyday.  Techniques that work in one situation may not work in another.  These factors alone can hamper your effectiveness to your clients, profession, and career.  So how do you stop that from happening?  What is this key to being an expert.  It is…to keep learning.

Huh?

The Truth of the matter is we should all be learning.  Despite our Academic or Experiencial background we should always be learning.  We should be attentive to other experts in the field, our fellow artisans, and our clients…

Wait a sec.  Our Clients?

That's right.

But they don't know our profession and heaven knows if they'll want some gaudy design element.

 Learning from the client can be a shocker for some people (especially for those of us who are <ahem> experts).  The fact is, our clients know their area of work.  We don't.  As opposed to shooting down their ideas, why not use it as a springboard.  This past week, I was working with a client on a flyer design.  I thought the design was coming along rather nicely.  Then, the representative for the client suggested placing the logo for the company (which I had created) at an angle in the top left corner.  I wasn't thrilled with the idea, to be honest.  However, I took her suggestion into account, went back in, and discovered a way to present the logo even better then the way both of us had originally thought.  The client loved the flyer and I was pleased with the result.  The morale to the story?  Use your client's suggestions as a springboard, not as a source of frustration.

So, how do we keep learning?  Well, to start off, take notes.  Write down everything that you want to learn from lectures, blogs, videos, you name it.  Second, and this is tough… Stay humble.  Realize that you still have a lot to learn and that you can always learn from others.  Lastly, don't debunk what you know, just add to it.  Find ways of doing what you know better.

Now if you will excuse me, this expert has some studying to do… 'Till next time.

When Life Does Not Go Your Way (Or the Way You Planned It)

What were your ambitions in life?  What were your plans after art school?  Land an awesome design gig with major clients like Apple and Nike and enjoying the "good life". So what happens when life throws you a curve ball?  What if instead of a major design studio with design savvy clients, you're working for a small company, or freelancing and you have clients whose design skill maxed out on Office Paint.  What should you do if life is not ending up the way you thought it would be?

To be perfectly honest.  This thought came earlier this week.  It reminded me of my plans and ideas of what life would be like after graduation.  An artsy, Florida studio working with clients that totally got my design sense (Yeah…definitely was fantasizing that).  Instead, I spent the first four years of my design experience was spent making corrections on someone else's design projects (with little bits of design scattered throughout).  Just when I started doing regular design work and get back on track… I found myself moving to Knoxville, moving AWAY from our most of our friends and loved ones.  Plus, I work with clients who do not appreciate design savvy (can I get an amen?)  So as you can see, life hasn't been what I thought it would be.

So, you're probably thinking that my dreams are a bust… Well, they're not, just different.  Recently, Apple CEO Tim Cook shared about a 25 year plan that he wrote for a class at Duke.  Oddly enough, the plan only stayed accurate for 18 - 24 months.  Why?  According to Cook "the journey was not predictable at all." The key to planning from Apple's CEO?  "…prepare."  In essence, don't get thrown by life because it's not working out according to your plan.  Life is unpredictable, learn to see the good in it.

So I'm not working from a successful studio in Florida and I don't have clients that accept my work without question (probably never).  The thing is, I'm doing more design work then I've done in the past and I'm gaining experience with working with clients.  I may not be near friends and loved ones, but I'm making new friends and making new connections.  Sometimes life does not go the way you planned.  The best thing to do then?  Prepare for the unexpected.  'Till next time Bloggees.

The Need for Rest and #Unplug

Hey Bloggees!

Back in February I wrote a post about the rising dependence on social media (see post here).  I noted about two companies who encouraged "disconnecting" from social media and focusing on the world around us... Apparently they weren't the only ones to note this concept.

This past week Fast Company featured #unplug , a collection of articles about resting or "unplugging" from electronic correspondence and the benefits that come with them (increased rest, renewed focus, clearer thinking, etc.).  These observations bring to mind the need to slow down and catch our breath.  We get into this line of thinking that we have to be constantly on top of every piece of information that comes our way.  The truth of the matter is, our brains can't handle all this information.  This constant rush effects our health, our effectiveness as human beings, and as designers.  Needless to say, I'm guilty of binging on information and the overall feeling of needing to be in the know.

These articles have been a real eye-opener about the need to pull away and to rest, not only from social media, but in my life as well.  Even my personal devotions have mentioned the need for rest (see here).  I guess Someone is trying to tell me something.  To be honest, it isn't easy to slow down and rest (especially if you feel like you have to get everything done and you don't want something like "rest" to slow you down).  The truth of the matter is, I need to take breaks (both electronically and in life) in order to recharge my mental batteries.

I hope this blog and these articles will be a help to you!  How do you help yourself rest (electronic or otherwise)?  I'd love to hear about it.  Please leave a comment on the blog (or my facebook or twitter feed).  Now if you'll excuse me, I believe I need to do some resting.... 'Till Next Time Bloggees!

R.E.A.D. Method (TWA Samples)

Hey Blogees!

Welcome back!  We just wrapped up a four week stint on one of my methods for creative graphic design, the R.E.A.D Method (Research, Extract, Apply, Design).  Along the way, we were developing a logo for the fictional rebirth of TWA.  I wanted to share with you some of the ways the new logo could be used.  Feel free to leave comments, suggestions, and thoughts on the blog about these concepts.  Feel free to taking a stab at doing this project.  I would love to see what you came up with!  Hope you Enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed the designs samples here and that this four part series has given you ideas of how (or how not to) develop your designs.  I'm open for suggestions on topics, themes, and the like!  By the way, you can find most of these pictures online at sxc.hu.  Have a great weekend and I'll see you next time!

R.E.A.D. Part 4 (D for Design)

Hey Bloggees, Sorry for the delay in the blog post.  I took some time off to spend with family. I hope you all had a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend.

Well, I'm back and ready to conclude the four part series of the R.E.A.D Method. Just to recap, R stands for Research, E for extract, and A for Application.  The final stage is...(Drum roll please)…DESIGN!

The design stage is where final experimentation and design development takes place.  I take the best sketches that I have and scan / photograph them to my computer.  From the sketches, I experiment with various layouts, shapes, and fonts.  To help choose an appropriate font, I develop a list of potential canidates.  The list allows me to evaluate and chose strong font candidates (and even, on some occasions, discover a totally different idea.  Timing always varies in this stage. Sometimes, I do the design in one sitting.  Other times I set the work aside and come back to it later and reevaluate it. All the while, I try to keep the overall concept and usage in mind.  The goal, in the end, is a final design that effective, attractively, and accurately coveys it's message.

TWA Application
 

 I snapped photos of the sketches to be used and dropped them into Illustrator.

From there, I experimented and explored various design options ranging from various shapes to color palettes.  I tried to stay with TWA's red to pay homage to it's history and bringing continuity to the design.  When it came to the font I wanted a contemporary sans serif font that would reflect the forward, innovative nature of the airline.  To that end, after perusing various font options, I selected Aller, a rounded, modern sans-serif.  The font's design implies strength without being too chunky, or rigid.  Aller's font family of various weights and styles (a great thing to keep in mind when choosing a font) helped solidify the decision.  The chevron shape developed through various rounds of experimentation (as well as some inspiration from the British Airways design.  The directional shape of the design implies the company's innovative thinking.  The chevron, made of two different reds, represents how the company started as a merger of two airlines.  The final design works well both in color and black and white, and in various sizes from pins and business card, to billboards and aircraft.

Next time I'll show you the application of the design. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions on this or on another topic, feel free to leave a comment here on the blog.  Hope to hear from you all! 'Till next time!

R.E.A.D. Part 3 (A for Application)

Welcome back to Week 3 of our little mini-series of the R.E.A.D. design method.  We have covered the "R" for Research and "E" for Extract.  We now come to "A" for Application (or Brainstorming, but it would have come out as R.E.B.D….not exactly memorable).  So let's dive in.

WORD LISTS

In the Extraction phase, we distilled our Research down to a slogan / or three words.  From there we form lists for each word.  Any word will suffice.  The point here is to flush out any bad / cliche ideas and spark new ones.  Once the lists are made (10-20 entries) look for exact or similar words in each.  Note those words and make a new list from them.

SKETCHES

Now that you have descriptions to go by, start sketching away ideas.  Aim for at least 25 different ideas.  The exception to this if you hit on a solid concept early on.  If you do, try to come up with a couple of more options to consider.  Don't be discouraged if you don't come up with something in the first sitting or the first few days.

HOW "A" APPLIES TO THE TWA PROJECT

As you can see, I made lists from the three words I extracted, as well as the name and the similar / exact descriptions (see below).

From there I started sketching out ideas.  I experimented with different concepts for travel, direction, and globe.  I also tried to keep in mind what the design would be use on from pins and business cards, to terminal signage and aircraft.  I definitely did plenty of sketches. From these sketches, we'll develop the final logo in next weeks entry...DESIGN.

Next week, we'll wrap up with "D" for Design.  If you have any comments, questions or thoughts, I'd love to hear from you.  Please leave a comment on the blog or at my twitter @jepegdesign.  'Till next time.