Mason Poe + f33db2ck

My buddy Mason just put a site out there for all things Flash. I think it's going to be a good resource as it grows. I know I am going to point my students in it's direction for future questions, etc.

Mason Poe + f33db2ck, check it out

Atlanta Adobe XD Users Group

My friend Mike Hagel just launched the Atlanta Adobe XD Users Group. This group is targeted at eXperience design for Web, Mobile, and Desktop platforms. Meetings are held the second Thursday of every month. There is no charge to become a member, no commitment to attend, and is focused at designers, developers, and business folks looking to learn more about user experience design.

Atlanta Adobe XD Users Group

Canon Camera

My Wife got me a really nice Canon Rebel XT for Christmas. So, I am going to try to get back into Photography; Check out some photos I took with it.

Andy Mckee

Andy Mckee, very inspiring music.

Project Management "Red Flags"

By Shel Perkins

"As any professional designer can tell you, many things can and will go wrong over the course of a project, both internally and externally. Here are some "red flags" that indicate potential business problems, along with some thoughts about what you can do to prevent them.

An Incomplete Plan
A lack of comprehensive planning can lead to oversights and unpleasant surprises. If your plan left out something small, you might be able to absorb the additional expense. However, if you left out something large, it will require an embarrassing renegotiation with the client.

Poor Organization of Resources
On a daily basis, make sure that there are no coordination or communication problems that could possibly lead to misunderstandings or to a resource not being ready when needed.

Lack of Role Definition for Team Members
If there is confusion about who is doing what or who is responsible for what, it could lead to serious overlaps or gaps. Establish individual accountability for tasks and make it clear who has the authority to make decisions on any trade-offs.

Dependency on One Person
Make sure there is always cover in case of emergency or illness. On a daily basis, make sure that information is shared and progress is documented.

Scope Creep
This is the most common problem of all. As work is being done, clients will always want to add things. A moving goal post will make success impossible. Stick to the original specifications as much as possible. When necessary, issue change orders or re-estimate.

Unclear Objectives
How will you know that the project is done and whether or not it has been successful? The most important things to be accomplished by the end of the project must be agreed upon in advance. Otherwise, you're setting yourself up for possible disputes in the closing days of the project. You may think that the work is complete and successful, but your client may be evaluating it in a completely different way.

Project Funding
Don't let yourself be taken by surprise—make sure that you know who holds the purse strings and whether or not they have made an adequate commitment to the project. A number of things might cause the funding for your project to dry up before it is completed: there may be a larger shift in the client's business strategy that makes the project unnecessary; poor financial performance might trigger general cost-cutting; the project might be put on hold or cancelled due to a merger or acquisition; or executive turnover may bring new priorities and pre-existing relationships with competing design firms.

Project Management "Red Flags"

Simply amazing!

I don't know much about this guy, but the movement in his animations is amazing. Play around with the Lucanus Cervus!

Algorithmic poetry by Frédéric Durieu, 2001-2002

Design Business

"You've spent years building a portfolio brimming with beautiful work; your graphics groove, your logos lift, and your posters pop. Now the bad news. All the talent in the world is worthless (or, worse, low paid) unless you know how to set up your business and position yourself for successful career.

In Graphic Design Business, you'll learn the essentials of setting up and managing your graphic design business. We'll guide you through everything from how to present your portfolio, find work, and market yourself, to the more daunting tasks of registering a company name, establishing an accounting system, and setting up your own corporation (we're not kidding).

Whether you're going freelance, setting up your own shop, or just starting out with a big company, this course will set your career on the right track. Course projects are hands-on: you'll create a business plan, respond to an RFP (request for proposal), test-drive accounting software, create a budget, and customize your own business forms. When your first customer walks through the door, you'll be ready! "

Click me and read about it

ToolBox No 9

My friend Jason owns an Agency called ToolBox No 9. They do great work, and I just found out they are doing some work with us at the office. Small world, huh.

Check out ToolBox No 9

Mason Poe

Ok, so I know this is old. But I like it. I work with Mason; smart dude that has helped me learn a lot of new things over the last year. (internet ^5)

Mason Poe, HELLO World

How to be a born again designer

I found this interesting..

"Some of the qualities that make an artist or designers work stand out amongst the crowd are attributes like originality, innovation, quality, technique and character. While searching for some of these qualities in individuals to feature on the site, one of the things I’ve noticed as similarities throughout the talented pool of profiles currently on Heavy Backpack is that, without my prior knowledge, most profiled are either self employed or available for freelance.

Although I don’t particularly believe this is a pre-requisite for the creation of great work, it has definitely presented itself as a running theme. Due to this being a web based platform, the bias in part should be put down to the nature of freelancing and the need to gather exposure and showcase an online portfolio to potential new prospects, but nevertheless, it is definitely a working and lifestyle environment which allows many to blossom to their creative potential. So why don’t more people do it? The transition into freelancing or starting a business from a full-time study or employment position can be daunting, and many find this a difficult step to make. I recently heard a short story which (although a little abstract) might help identify the situation for some people.

A glad mother had conceived twins. After several months in the womb, the twins began to contemplate to each other their life in the womb. They thought about their life so far. They had been pretty well protected, it was safe and secure, they were fed well and, all in all, they were comfortable with their lot. But, they were aware of their short life-cycle and feared the inevitable ‘birth’. Why couldn’t they just remain in the womb forever? As their concerns heightened about life after ‘birth’. Was there really a mother to care for them after birth? Was there really anything after birth at all, birth was possibly the end, and no more. If there really was life after birth, why hadn’t anyone returned to the womb or contacted them to let them know what to expect? They feared the unknown. When the birth was finally complete, they couldn’t have imagined anything better than their new life.

This story was told to me as a metaphor about the fear of death and the afterlife. But while not trying to preach or be morbid, the issues of going it alone all comes down to fear, and often fear can be paralyzing. Fear has a very good place in our lives as a self protective mechanism, and is not to be dismissed in full. But, when internal fear creates an obstacle between us and achieving our goals and dreams, it should be recognized and overcome like any other external issues we may face. For the personality types that desire freelancing, the types that cannot do anything else but want full control of their own work-life, it’s very much an inevitability like life and death. So rather than speculate to death, better to embrace, and plan for new life."

How to be a born again designer

Atlanta Hates Us

Ryan Flynn has some nice new updates for all you ATL Skateboarders out there.

Atlanta Hates Us, check it