|
Monday, 07 July 2008 |
|
While flipped through a Creativity magazine and saw a little tid-bit about a USPS stamp commemorating the careers of Ray and Charles Eames. A fitting tribute. The work of the Charles and Ray Eames has always been some of my favorite. Two chair designs are must have’s in my book for anyone who appreciates great design. Both chairs are part of the permanent collection at the New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) The Eames Lounge and Ottoman circa 1959 manufactured by Herman Miller furniture company tops my list. As well as the The Eames Plywood Lounge Chair, which was designed in 1946. I prefer the metal legs version. I don’t know why or even if this is correct but I’ve always considered these Nuclear Era designs. Lots of glass and chrome, fiberglass and plywood.
Postal Service Previews 2008 Stamps newsroom statement about the Eames Stamps:
In recognition of their groundbreaking contributions to architecture, furniture design, manufacturing and photographic arts, designers Charles and Ray Eames will be honored next summer with a pane of 16 stamps designed by Derry Noyes of Washington, DC. If you’ve ever sat in a stackable molded chair, you’ve experienced their creativity. Perhaps best known for their furniture, the Eameses were husband and wife as well as design partners. Their extraordinary body of creative work — which reflected the nation’s youthful and inventive outlook after World War II — also included architecture, films and exhibits. Without abandoning tradition, Charles and Ray Eames used new materials and technology to create high-quality products that addressed everyday problems and made modern design available to the American public.
 My affection for the Eames Lounge and Ottoman started at a young age – early 1960’s. Little did I know that I’d eventually grow up to become an advertising agency creative director, and design and style would play such an important part of my life. But as a kid I just loved to sit in the chair and watch TV, or just spin around and around in it. Much to the dismay of my mother, I’d push with my feet off the wall in the living room gaining momentum, until I’d get caught. Then, I cringed when my parents had it upholstered…IN VINYL! Even though I lacked the wisdom of age I knew that was just wrong. I knew then, that this chair was aclassic. Today, the chair is a shell, waiting till the day I can afford to have it refitted with all original black leather. For my own tribute, and for my office wall I created my own stamp
|
|
|
Thursday, 03 July 2008 |
|
 
Happy 4th of July! I found some old design projects I worked on back in the early 1990s. For three years I designed the invitations and posters for the 1990, 1991, and 1992 - 4th of July San Francisco Symphony Concert posters. An annual event at Shoreline Amphitheater that MDG's client, Conner Peripherals, was a corporate sponsor. They gave me an opportunity to get creative and explore diferent styles. For the 1992 illustrations I did tight pencil and color studies and then let our Air Brush Artist work his magic. This was Pre-hard core Photoshop.
|
|
|
Wednesday, 02 July 2008 |
|
 I’m looking at the wall in our living room. There’s a painting I did of a couple of cows. I just realized that its been over 3-years since I last picked up a paint brush. Just find it hard to find the time to paint, but I really need to make the time. To make me feel bad about my lack of dedication to painting, a friend sends me an article about “The Painting-a-Day Phenomenon.” Gee, that’s ambitious! So I checked out the site of one of the pioneer’s of this movement, Duane Keiser . The paintings are very well done. Small scale studies. This is a great source of cash flow for an artist. Some of these painters are awesome. Like anything, the really talented and dedicated are going to be those who succeed. By no means do I even want to compare myself with these artist, I’m just a novice. But I wish I had the time to devote to becoming a better painter. It is fundamental knowledge that “You need to paint miles of canvas to get better at painting.” I’ve heard it called “Brush Mileage.”
At my present pace I'm maybe-a-painting-a-year...LOL
|
|
|
Tuesday, 01 July 2008 |
Advice for someone trying to get a foot in the Advertising Agency Door.
One thing that I’ve noticed over the years is a common mistake that young designers make when looking for a job. It never fails, every year the phone rings and someone asks, “Are you hiring Graphic Designers?” If the Agency says yes, GREAT! You just lucked out. Maybe even increased your chance of getting that first job. Chances are they’re going to say “no we’re not looking to add to our design team.” Your efforts net zero results. You can always send your resume and hope. But you lost that ever important face-to-face.
When I first went looking for a job in the Advertising and Design industry it seemed like nobody was hiring. We were in a recession. So I looked at it more like a request for an informational interview. Explain that I was fresh out of school and would love to get some feedback and advice on my portfolio.Then, once I was in the door, it wasup to me and my trusty portfolio. Nevertheless, it was bound to leave a more lasting impression than just a resume.
Today, whenever I have the opportunity I usually try to be accommodating and find the time to review an occational portfolio. After all, I was in the same situation and I’ve always remember those designers that where willing to give me a bit of their time.
The key is, you need to get your work noticed. It can be a game of timing. online samples have become more and more the norm, but they are impersonal and i feel never can replace the true portfolio review.
|
|
|
Monday, 30 June 2008 |
  I keep everything I design. Here is a logo/avitar I did for my daughter and myself. Few years back we tried a little GeoCaching with a handheld GPS. We called ourselves the GEO-Monsters. Plus, for serious Geocachers like, Marky&joani, I designed their Nano Caches Coin.
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 Next > End >>
|
| Results 10 - 18 of 22 |
