Apartment: Round 2

So kids, here are some pics of my apartment now with stuff and paint.

Also, I hope to write more in here. I've got so much going on! I'll get it all down in here eventually.

P.S. I sautéed the best porkchop. ever. seriously.

I'll show you cutting edge!

OK. I need to rant here. A little designer-ly peeve..

I CAN'T STAND IT when clients ask for something 'cutting edge.' Something 'fresh' yet at the same time 'solid' 'classic' ..pick your term. This just bugs me! These terms are so vague. They don't say anything about design direction! One person's 'cutting edge' could look totally old school to someone else. I need actual material.. give me feelings, adjectives that conjure up an image, an idea. Give me color schemes, examples. I want something 'classic'.. ok. elaborate! What message are you trying to convey? What colors are you leaning toward? Do you want classic as in warm and inviting or cold and corporate? Don't send me one dinky file of a logo (bevelled/embossed/dropshadowed, too small, and poorly designed) with no direction or explanation and expect me to come up with something jaw-dropping. It's just not going to happen.

Argh. Clients.
Meh. Tuesdays.

Michael Osborne

Is awesome. And the Nashville chapter of AIGA is equally as awesome.

Michael Osborne came to Nashville to give a presentation, showcasing his design work. It was amazing! (Aside from an obvious obsession with hearts) his work was fantastic. The logos he's done are great, simple, they've got staying power, convey a message. They're not overly done, yet not too simple. Some of his work include the Archer Farms brand (found in Target stores), the re-branding of the Gymboree line (which was really really superb), LOVE stamps, wine identities, and SO much more!

He's done gobs of volunteer work which was both refreshing and motivating. It's great to see design talents being used for the greater good. Being blessed with such skills as we designers possess, it's a shame to not put them to some use. Designers are generally pinpointed in the art industry as being 'sell-outs' as 'giving in to The Man.' So it's nice to stick it back and say 'see?? we can use our powers for both evil AND good!'

After the show I was able to chill with the Nashville AIGA folks AND Michael Osborne himself! Got to ask him some questions. It was so great being able to speak with such an accomplished and successful designer. Really very motivating.

Great show, great people, great time. I love it!

What the Fitz??

I REALLY like this clock, but for almost $200? You've got to be kidding me. I think I'll try and make my own version, but personally, I'm more of a Garamond fan as opposed to Bodoni. It's just more pleasing I think. I feel Bodoni's sharp contrasts in thicks in thins make it seem kind of harsh, sharp almost. Garamond's friendlier. There's a green version of the Bodoni clock which I like even better and it's a smidge less expensive, but still, I could SO make that... maybe.

I do enjoy this clock too... and.. is that Helvetica? I'm really starting to grow fond of that font. I know it was seriously knocked all throughout school, put down, made fun of. But I'd say this old dog's about to have a mid-life crisis.. maybe start dancing around the house in Hawaiian shorts singing out loud to Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca.." Oh wait. That's my dad. Either way, I really think it's going to resurface as the new 'it' font. We'll see. I could be {probably am} wrong, but who knows. Stranger things have happened.

Anywho, check out Fitzu. They've got really nifty (albeit semi-expensive) stuff and assorted thingamajigs. And not just clocks! Check out their line of toy cars designed by designers. Famous ones.

Every design nerd’s latest fixation (or should be)

Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which is celebrating its 50th birthday this year) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. Helvetica will begin screening at film festivals worldwide starting in March, followed by cinema screenings across the US and Europe, and the DVD release.

Helvetica's got quite the following! Its own movie, businesses named after it, and even a myspace!

I wish I could be as cool as Helvetica!

Best Friday EVER!!

So you know you have a kick-ass job when at the end of the week you're hanging out with your coworkers, drinking beers at the office, and watching your bosses play Guitar Hero.

Yup. I love my job!

Je suis heureuse!!

I AM SO HAPPY! I LOVE it here:

• the people are fantastic! fun, laid back, easy to get along with and SO friendly!
• i LOVE my job! the work is good, the clients are great! the atmosphere is perfect!
• my neighbors are great and have an awesome dog
• the area i'm in is wonderful.. little shops, cafés, a yoga studio, right down the street
• Nashville itself is just plain awesome
• getting involved in volunteer work and AIGA
• my apartment's really cool and i FINALLY have my own space!
• barnes and nobe and borders are only 10 minutes away
• and i'm sure there's more.. my brain's just too full at the moment..

reasons why i don't like it here:
• oh wait.. there aren't any! :-D

happy happy happy!