Video Games

I play the call of duty series a lot, it is a lot of fun. I don’t think about what effect it has on me, I really don’t think it has any. I just play online with my brother and his friends, or by myself. I saw this video on another blog and thought it was cool, I don’t think of games the way this guy does though. I don’t start playing till my girls are asleep and my wife is busy doing other things. I mean its great fun and if I had a chance to play more I probably would, but not at the expense of my family or “real” life. In the video the guy says he doesn’t enjoy a real sunset because the one in his game is perfect, I’m not sure what to think about that. Either way its a great little film, nice drawings and put together nicely.

Already Been Chewed

Very few designers reveal the tricks behind some of their most mind blowing work. If I had the time and patience I would offer up a few tuts myself. Barton Dalmer of Already Been Chewed is definetly mind blowing. But what I really like about him is that you can find tutorials by him all over the place. There is one here, here, here, here, and here. I really appreciate a guy with his skills spending time developing this kind of stuff for folks like us. Did I mention he has kids, and they are young too. Do you know how much time it takes to raise kids?

You Are So Last Year…

One of my favorites. Love the style and illustration. Its cool to see someone with so many combined talents. I can only hope to be half as good. If I could produce this kind of quality, I would cry.

You are so last year

How not to design a logo…

I agree with everything this guy says.

I drive down the street going by countless strip malls everyday seeing signage and branding just blend in to one another. Usually because these businesses logos are very lame. Its no wonder that failure rate for new businesses are so high. I would bet that # could be significantly reduced (well maybe dented) if businesses took branding and design seriously. I always check on my clients to see how art I produce for them is effecting their business (usually to just gage how well I’m able to read and effect an audience), and they usually come back saying that they are taken a bit more seriously and have a better response when pitching there idea/product/service. I really believe a good logo is a confidence builder for the client and in many ways for the business itself. Like it legitimizes it. Its the one thing any new business shouldn’t skimp on. I’m not just saying that cause I’m a designer, I really believe a business’s identifying mark will make or break those first impressions, and for many make or break a business.

First Post…

I wasn’t really sure what to do with my first post here. What I’m going to do is really unexpected for me considering my political convictions.

When I first saw Barack Obama give his speech at the 2004 DNC, I knew my party was in trouble. I had no idea how quickly his message would catch on. His campaign understood marketing and branding and took down the Clintons and ultimately won the presidency. Never have I’ve seen a candidate’s message come together so quickly and consistently. As a designer and someone who worked daily in communications I was seriously impressed, as a conservative I was dissapointed that the left had done such a great job.

When I first saw the logo for Obama’s campaign I knew it was special. I even pointed it out to my wife as we drove by a banner during primary season in Nevada. It is a great mark and the applications for it were limitless it seemed.

Check out this video interview with the designer. The guy totally nails it. Some of the other concepts were weak, but the mark they went with was a favorite for a long time according to them. A very interesting video.