Christmas

(UPDATE)

So my Wife and I talked about Christmas. We decided that we are going to dedicate the holiday to helping others in need; the people that go after your lunch once your throw it away, the people that wander the streets at night trying to stay warm. Commercialism may forget about them during this time, but we won't.

Feeding the homeless? Maybe teaching a one day art class to children? We are not sure yet. However, we do know that Christmas is not about you nor I. Maybe this will set the tone for the following years to come.

---

Christmas used to be my favorite holiday as a small child. I loved everything about it, the decorations, food, carols, my family and of course, presents. But as I became an adult, I found myself disappointed with the holidays. The true meaning of Christmas was somehow lost.

Somewhere the joyous day that I remembered as a child was traded for a big commercialized nightmare. I remember when it was a day of giving, prayer, kindness, and helping those less fortunate. But the horrible reality is Santa has become the only symbol of Christmas.

People are literally bombarded with commercials during the holidays. Stores are packed with frantic Christmas shoppers and Jesus has somehow been lost in the chase for the perfect Christmas gift.

How do you feel?

Happy Thanksgiving

Go spend time with your Family.

Mac Performs Ad-Jujitsu on Windows

Forget about the Fox Business/CNBC ad wars. If you want to see true evil genius at work, check out the anti-Windows Vista campaign Mac is running on CNET. Apple has bought ad space across the site -- including on the Vista page itself. Steve Ballmer is really not going to be happy about this.

Skateboarding

As most know, I quit skating (Ok, so I did not quit, I just don't really do it much anymore. Thanks Kenny Bunch for reminding me) around 1999. Old pal Rhett Freeman never did and wow, he is still ripping it.

Nirvana: Unplugged In New York

Wow, after all this time they finally released it on DVD.

"While the album of the same name made its first appearance in 1994, and went on to become Nirvana's second best selling CD of all time, nearly 15 years have passed since that memorable initial broadcast. Now, fans will finally get the chance to see the release of the entire, unedited performance...with neverbefore- seen footage...on DVD...and in Dolby Stereo and 5.1 Surround sound. Mixed in surround sound by legendary surround mixing engineer Elliot Scheiner, this DVD allows fans to experience this performance like never before, completely unedited including the two songs not originally broadcasted ("Something In The Way" and "Oh Me" ), and with the best sound ever available (to anyone not in the studio for the original taping.) For the purists, also included on this DVD is the original 44 min broadcast version of the show, plus never-before-seen REHEARSAL performances. As an extra bonus to the DVD, a 14-minute interview segment called Bare Witness produced by MTV focuses on the recollections of those who experienced this magical moment in music history, those who produced it and interviews with the band from the day of the taping."

The Design of Everyday Things part 2

So I have been reading The Design of Everyday Things. (Which was Donald Norman's first book. I had finished the 2nd novel about a month ago) Here are some new quotes I like.

"In addition, some doors have signs on them: pull, push, slide, lift, ring bell, insert card, type password, smile, rotate, bow, dance or, perhaps, just ask. Somehow, when a device as simple as a door has to come with an instruction manual—even a one word manual—then it is a failure, poorly designed."

"Designing well is not easy. The manufacturer wants something that can be produced economically. The store wants something that will be attractive to it’s customers. The purchaser has several demands. In the store, the purchaser focuses on price and appearance, and perhaps on prestige value. At home, the same person will pay more attention to functionality and usability. The repair service cares about maintainability: how easy is the device to take apart, diagnose, and service? The needs of those concerned are different and often conflict. Nonetheless, the designer may be able to satisfy everyone."

"The phenomenon call learned helplessness may help explain the self-blame. It refers to the situation in which people experience failure at a task, often numerous times. As a result, they decide that the task cannot be done, at least by them: they are helpless. They stop trying."

"The correct parts must be visible, and they must convey the correct message. With doors that push, the designer must provide signals that naturally indicate where to push. These need not destroy the aesthetics. Put a vertical plate on the side to be pushed, nothing on the other."

If you too have read this book, what did you think? Were you inspired?

Joe's NYC

I love this guy's work.

Online Ad Agencies Face Shortage of Workers

"Digital ad firms are on a hiring binge as more money migrates towards Web advertising. But they're having trouble finding workers with the right mix of creative and technical skills." Listen here.

Norman Rockwell Artist and Illustrator

My Grandfather gave me this rare book today. It had been sitting in his living room for about the last 30 years. It was purchased in 1970. Still in perfect shape!

Forgotten

An artist on Flickr contacted me a few months ago about using one of my photos for an idea he had for a painting. Sure, why not right? Well, I think it turned out pretty nice.

Alex Bogusky

So a bunch of us from the office headed over to The Variety Playhouse last night to check out Alex Bogusky speaking from Crispin Porter + Bogusky. It was a good time. He had some interesting insight on the industry we work in, how creative ideas always needs to be at the forefront. The big idea is always the most important thing. Without that, what are we all really working towards? And then, there was something about "Just doing your own thing"..... Funny, my buddy Mason even got a pic with the guy. (Sorry Mason, I had to) Hey, maybe I am just jealous.

Here's to good ideas and hitting the "sauce".

The Design of Everyday Things

So I started reading The Design of Everyday Things. (Which was Donald Norman's first book. I had finished the 2nd novel about a month ago) Here are some quotes that I have enjoyed so far:

"When I use a direct manipulation system—whether for text editing, drawing pictures, or creating and playing games—I do think of myself not as using a computer but as doing a particular task. The computer is, in effect, invisible. This principle can be applied with any form of system interaction, direct or indirect."

"Did the firms need the extra features of the machines? No. It turns out that they liked to put them in the front offices where clients were waiting—impressive machines, with flashing lights and pretty displays. The firm gained an aura of being modern and up to date, capable of dealing with the rigors of modern high technology. The fact that the machines were too complex to be mastered by most of the people in the firms was irrelevant: the copiers did not even have to be used—appearance alone did the job. Ah, yes, the worshiping of false images, in this case, by the customers."

"Designers go astray for several reasons. First, the reward structure of the design community tends to put aesthetics first. Design collections feature prize-winning clocks that are unreadable, alarms that cannot easily be set, can openers that mystify. Second, designers are not typical users. They become so expert in using the object they have designed that they cannot believe that anyone else might have problems; only interaction and testing with actual users throughout the design process can forestall that. Third, designers must please their clients, and the clients may not be the users."

Do you agree? More to come....

Make My Logo Bigger!

Ok, so we have all been there.. I can't tell you how many times clients have done this stuff to my work.

Typography Friday

The idea seems to be growing. I had fun with this weeks entry. Heres to Friday.

Good Things Should Never End.

Very nice work from Poke London.(Thanks for the correction)

Whiskerino is here!

It's that time of year again. Join the Whiskerino. Thanks Mason for sending this over.