Anti-Blog Design Blog

Audio Playground

2009-11-13T16:01:00.000-08:00

Does music help you pass the time at work? The grating background music that I was forced to listen to nicely sums up the type of work I did at my first set of jobs. All static walkman radio in my neighborhood landscaping job, mind-numbing metal during my short order cook days, looping muzak tapes at my retail jobs and cliché Italian lounge music while serving at the Olive Garden.

Working at a computer in an office or my home office offers the relieving freedom listen to what you want after years of an audible prison. It is your ultimate jukebox with unlimited quarters. I do have officemates, so headphones are not the most professional accessory, but in design and production, it can be a necessity. What do you listen to at work? What helps you pass the time or improve your productivity? Here are a list of mine. Hope you enjoy.

SomaFM
Hands down, the best choice for streaming radio. It is perfect if you don't have time to weed through your music library. I first discovered SomaFM in nine years ago in college. Pulling all-nighters in the computer studios, I would have gone insane if I didn't have one of the stations cranking out magical ambient music. SomaFM has many stations of electronic genres, my top picks are Groove Salad, Secret Agent and for the upcoming holidays, Christmas Lounge. There are no ads, so be sure to donate or purchase the app.

Pandora
The smart streaming playlist with a bit of control. Pandora is really a great service. If you spend time educating Pandora what you like and don't like, you can get some amazing hours of listening pleasure. It does take some babysitting at first, when it times out and for the occasional dud of a track. There is also a 40 hour time limit per month. Check out my recent Pandora activity in the right rail widget.

Grooveshark
Is a great service for finding music specific music and adding it to a playlist. I use it more when I am craving a certain artist or song.

Library
Of course there is always the music I have on hand. I like a lot of music that I don't need to futz with, or use to subconsciously distract me from my work. A few albums I like to keep in the queue for this are; Nu Jazz Collection, Ultra Lounge and the Vitamin String Quartet.

Box.net is a great, free online storage service I use for sharing documents with clients, backing up files, working remotely on the same files and compiling music. Every once in a while I will get stuck on a song and repeat it all day while I work. Try them out here:

There are literally hundreds of choices out there for music services. Tell me what you listen to and what service you use while working, driving, house work, etc.

Old Yankee Workshop

2009-11-03T00:08:00.000-08:00

We are just about finished with a little redesigning of my condo. I'm really happy with the results. The main goal was to get rid of the germ filled carpet. We repainted the walls and cabinets. And added new hardware to the kitchen and bathroom cabinets. New faucet in the kitchen. The floor we installed is IKEA's Tundra laminate. I was a little worried about the durability of the flooring but have been very surprised with the results.

The IKEA Expedit desk shelf system I already had and bought it to help divide my large living space in my condo. It ended up consuming the space more then dividing it. I was able to take it apart and push the pieces flush against the wall plus Jen's extra shelf of the same brand completed this wall of books and work space. I added short legs to the shelves so they could sit above the baseboard heater. My tabby spends most of her time in the bookshelf and now that it has 'central heat' she isn't going anywhere.Before

After

Before

After

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What I'm listening to right now:
Lady Sovereign - So Human

Web Design Land

2009-10-07T17:08:00.001-07:00

It has been a very busy last few months. In addition to remodeling my condo for the last five weeks, which is nearly finished (pictures to come in the next post), I have also been pretty busy with freelance projects.

Hope you like what you see and support the services that these guys have to offer. They are all local and doing well swimming upstream through this recession.

World Wide Products Inc.
They supply wholesale aviation gear to flight schools and other distribution facilities.

Peca Atelier Jewelry
Lisa has a regular full time job and is doing some freelance, hand crafted jewelry on the side. Check out some of her work here or browse her etsy site.

Third Angle New Music Ensemble
I am donating my time to help update their website and promote this season's concert series for 3rd Angle. The website was already developed when I started and the concert art work was designed by Mayor/Reed.

Royal Mini Storage
This is the most recent site I created. If you are looking for some public storage on the Northeast side of Portland, RMS will set you up.

What I'm listening to right now:
Ben Folds Five - You Don't Know Me (feat Regina Spektor)

Coffee Fix

2009-09-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

The monthly publication, Fresh Cup Magazine, did a write up last month on one of my friend Leah McMahon and her coffee shops in the Portland area. The article was on her connection with customers.

Below is a screenshot of a screenshot of the site I created. Check out some of the print and logo branding I did for her as well. Oh, and don't forget to grab a warm cup of coffee from Leah (Silk Espresso locations).

John Hughes: An Icon

2009-08-06T14:35:00.000-07:00

This has been a sad Summer for the entertainment business. Growing up a latch-key-kid and being raised by the Brady's, babysat by Mr. Roper and having siblings like Molly Ringwald and Matthew Broderick, it does bring even more sadness that this great Director has passed.

Even though he stopped directing at the turn of the 90's, what Mr. Hughes left for us was some of the most classic comedies to date at least for my generation.

Watching way too much TV may have not been the most positive influence on my social life, but I do know that it did help my creative side in writing and shooting my short films.

This weekend in Portland is going to be in the cozy 70's but I am still going to have a 'Hughathon' to send John off in style.

And most importantly, he made geekieness cool.

Fallen Princesses by Dina Goldstein

2009-07-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

I just came across a set of work by Dina Goldstein placing Fairy Tale princesses in modern day situations and given new light to 'happily ever after.' I love the staging and concepts of the series. The set came to her as she witnessed her daughters' infatuation with the story book heroines. You can view the entire series here.

Snowy

Cinder 3

Panoramic Travels

2009-06-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

I've never been much of a photographer. I have always just done my best in post production to make the photos I take a little better. I also found that having an extremely large memory card for the camera helps. If you have a trigger finger, you are bound to have some great shots out of the mess.

I've been especially disappointed with any landscape scenery photo I take. It never compares to the vast scene I experienced with the full spectrum of my own eyes. So I've often taken panoramic pictures and stitched them together. It used to be a painstaking process in photoshop back in the day. Since Photoshop CS, a new feature called Photomerge has been added to get past most of the rocky steps. I also found that Panoramic Factory ($80) works really well for a fully automatic method with some touch up in Photoshop.

To create panoramics for free, you can also follow this handy tutorial at Lifehacker.

Plaza Mayor, Madrid

Museo del Prado, Madrid

Parque del Retiro, Madrid

Atocha Railway Station

Alcazar-Gardens, Seville

Port de Alcúdia, Mallorca

On Top of Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Barcelona From Park Guell

The Grind

2009-06-15T16:58:00.000-07:00

After eight airports, four train stations, two ports and a handful of metro stations and one wicked mandal, zebra tan on my feet, my visit to Spain has come and gone. We saw many amazing cathedrals, galleries and museums that really got my creative juices flowing. Once I finish cleaning and organizing my photos from the trip (I will post some of them shortly), I am going to dust off some of my analog media.

In addition to the many photos we took, Jen bought me a beautiful modern watch by Axcent of Scandinavia to help memorize the trip. I had been drooling over watches like these for a while. It was a great birthday gift. I had been keeping my eye our for watches in Spain and after realizing it was saturated with shop upon shops of chrome covered plastic knock offs or shops full of overpriced Armoni watches, we found a little hole in the wall shop off La Rambla specializing in beautiful Axcent watches.

Gau'dias - day 13

2009-06-10T14:05:00.001-07:00

Today was our day of Gaudi. We ventured out to see his most impressing work including La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell. On our way there we saw a couple of amazing apartment buildings designed by him. (Casa Batllo and the block of Discord. We spent most of the day at the incredible and unfinished church, La Sagrada Familia and feel like we barely scratched the surface of the meaning behind his work. By mid day we ventured to his other Barcelona jewell, Park Guell. Below is an image of the iconic entrance (infested with tourists, including us).

Tomorrow, our last day in Barcelona, and our last day in Spain (sadness) we are heading to Barceloneta for some paella di frutta del mar. We cant wait.

This is probably our last blog post during the trip as we have a lot of eating and drinking to get in before we leave.....and shopping.

Adios!
Jim & Jen

Beach time and Barcelona - Day 9-10

2009-06-09T00:03:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

Sorry for the gap in writing, we have been without wifi and low on Jen´s mobile data plan. The last few days we spent on the beaches of Alcudia in Mallorca. It was a well needed break from all the running around. Jen wasn´t as thorough with the sunscreen as she should have been so she looks like a red and white dalmatian, as does my back. The amount of accessible beaches are a little limited on the island. The area we were at was very touristy (almost a touch of Vegas) and lots of families with little kids. We were there the perfect amount of time.

Yesterday we took a ferry to Barcelona and had enough time to stroll around La Rambla and a few other side streets. As with the other ancient cities, the architecture is incredible with a few modern jems mixed in (including our hotel). We are just starting our day and we have many museums, shops and sights to see. More to come.

Oh, Jen just discovered some famed chocolate shops so that will be our first priority... of course.

From Port D´Alcudia, Mallorca, Spain

From Hotel Prakti

Birthday boy - day 7&8

2009-06-05T04:49:00.000-07:00

We spent a fun day yesterday outside of Sevilla at a gothic monestary
and ancient Roman ruins. Later we went out for tapas and pizza, for
Jims 31st birthday. After dinner we walked around and came to Plaza
Salvador, which was occupied by a sea of smoking and drinking
teenagers. A private and traditional flamenco dance ended near by and
emptied into the plaza. We had a great time people watching.

Today are just killing time until we fly to the island of Mallorca.
Some how we survived the mazes of Seville but our 'always in reach'
map wasn't so lucky. We still like to imagine that the older couples
lost in the labrynth are toursits who arrived decades ago and are
still trying to escape. We wish them luck.

Our day at Church - day 6

2009-06-03T06:36:00.000-07:00

We spent the first part of the day at The Cathedral and Giralda ( the
bell tower), taking an audio tower through the largest cathedral in
the world. We both studied it in college and it was nice to see it in
person (we think we were in the same class but of course we didnt know
each other back then.

We walked the 35 flights up to the top of the bell tower to see all of
Sevilla and afterwards we had a picnic in the cathedral square to rest
our tired feet.

Night of Flamenco - day 5

2009-06-03T06:26:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Lonely Planet guidebook, we found a truly authentic
Flameco performance in the heart of Sevilla.
The performance included spanish guitar music, singing, and several
Flamenco dances. We were seated in a lovely open air courtyard at
dusk, with a towering wall of ivy and chirping birds as the backdrop.
A perfect Spanish evening.

Our Sevilla home....for now

2009-06-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

Madid was crazy fun and fast, but Sevilla is absolutely enchanting
(when we are not getting lost in the maze known as the El Centro). I
am delighted to find that shopping is abundant (a sympathetic sigh for
Jim) and the alley ways that we get lost in our filled with orange
trees and foliage. Our first day in Sevilla has been one to
remember. Happy one year anniversary to us!

From Madrid to Sevilla

2009-06-01T01:12:00.000-07:00

Our last day in Madrid was spent walking, walking, and more walking
with a bit of strolling mixed in. We made it to the Prado (for free!)
and saw one of the best art collections in Europe. Jim and I are
quickly getting a Spanish tan which is helping us look less like
tourists- until we speak that is. We're off to Sevilla right now which
we hope is a bit quieter (Madrilenos love their late nights and
partying until the early hours of the morning). More to come. Oh,
we've had a change of plans, we are skipping Granada (sad) and will
be staying in Sevilla for a few extra days hopefully making a day trip
to Cadiz or Cordoba.
Asta Luega!

Madrid and mayor

2009-05-30T01:09:00.000-07:00

After a few flight delays and being seated smack in the middle of a
high school travel group, we made it to Madrid.

Thanks to seista time, we were still able to rest, get our bearings
and enjoy the first day by walking around. Our centuries old hotel is
tiny and perfect. Its location is almost too good. Strolling around
last night, we accidently wandered onto most of our four days worth of
destinations.

We were looking forward to a true Iberica meal and our first tastel
was excellant. Below (if the picture works) are some tapas we had;
jamon on bread, queso on bread and a lobster/muscle/pinapple skewer.
Yum. Yum

And it begins

2009-05-28T09:23:00.001-07:00

At PDX and waiting for our flight to board. Travelling light with
these three bags and one small garment bag that we checked in. More
to come from across the pond....adios.
>

And it begins

2009-05-28T09:19:00.001-07:00

Objectified Documentary showing in Portland

2009-05-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

Objectified is a new documentary about relationship between manufacturing and design of everyday objects and the people behind the design. I am very excited for this film but will sadly be out of the country during its showing at Cinema 21 in Portland, June 9th. As a designer I wonder how much of deign of an object is overlooked. I hope this movie will have people taking a second or third look at their stapler.

You can also check out the director, Gary Hustwit's, last documentary celebrating the history, impact and praise of the type style, Helvetica

I'm In Love with the Morton Salt Girl

2009-04-16T17:39:00.000-07:00

I have had a life long crush on the Morton Salt Girl. As a wee lad, my grandfather would let me play with his art supplies. He stored some vintage glass glitter in old Morton Salt containers. That is when I first saw her. That cute little girl with the short dress, bounce in her step and beautifully, swooping hair.

Cut to present day, I found her and she is more then I could have ever imagined. A dead ringer for the timeless icon, she even totes a salt pig to the dinner table from time to time. My first and last love.

Browsing for images of MSG, I came across this book of poetry by Richard Peabody of the same title. Even though I'm not a huge fan of poetry, I virtually dashed off to Amazon.com and picked up a copy faster then you can say, "When it rains, it pours."

Now the question is, why was Lil' Jimmy allowed to play with shards of glass?

Porcelain Salt Pig

Nails on a Chalkboard

2009-04-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

Whilst eating a tasty breakfast at one of our many Portland grubbing holes [The Country Cat], I recalled a childhood dream of having a wall of chalkboards in my house when I grow up. Thanks to technology and TCC who uses a curved wall painted with chalkboard paint as their 'specials' menu, that dream is back. My next house will have a wall o' chalk!

I imagine being organized & writing complete shopping lists, sketching out new projects or just keeping the wall full of fresh wall decor.

Now, all I have to do is get a house with a bigger kitchen, purchase [or make] chalkboard paint, get organized and grow up.

Robot Love

2009-02-04T15:34:00.000-08:00

I love everything robots. Contemporary, retro, futuristic, I can't get enough...well, enough to the exact point before I'm surrounded by wall to wall collections. I think the love comes from the mix of one part kid at heart, one part science fiction and one part retro-futurism design.

Above is a print I have by designer John W. Golden. He has a wide range of great prints to choose from on his Etsy page.

And you can't get anymore retro then this collection of robot commercials below. Click on the link below to vote for your favorite.

Wrap It Up and Ring in the New Year

2009-01-14T07:53:00.000-08:00

For Christmas last month, my girlfriend and I decided to make at least one present for each other. She loves over sized, contemporary rings. I found a class to learn how to make my own wire wrapped rings. The class was at The DIY Lounge in NE Portland. Besides being the only guy there (I sweat awkwardness), the class was a lot of fun. They provided a wide range in beads and wire to try out. I had a design in mind before hand, so I swung by Let it Bead to find the right beads beforehand.

Note: Let it Bead is now at a new location in NW Portland. They have classes and one-on-one training as well.

The Holidays and Home Made Limoncello

2008-12-29T17:31:00.000-08:00

I love the holidays. I love the food, the music, movies and of course, exchanging presents. I have realized that once I stopped watching cartoons, ok, stopped watching religiously, I am not bombarded with consumerism and 'must have' items; that I don't really need very much material shtuff in my life as I used to. This makes it difficult for people in my life to do the gift exchange. Actually, they did do a great job this year, but it isn't easy for them. Ok, I guess I did need that copy of Wall-E, soft shell jacket and modern bird feeder.

We all know that the best gifts are ones you take the time and put in thought into. I have made Kahlua and infused vodkas for presents in the past. This year my girlfriend Jen and I made Limoncello for gifts. It might seem like I am trying to induce alcoholism with my family and friends. Not so. Nearly everyone gets baked goods and candy for the holidays. But how many people come to the rescue and provide liquid cheer to wash down said treats?

Follow this recipe to make a great batch of Limoncello. Here are a few recommendations:

If you use a sun tea jar, put cellophane between the opening and the lid.

I found it was easier to zest the lemons to avoid the whit pith. The left over peel shreds are delicious afterwords as well. We mixed ours in a batch of macaroons.

You can use raw sugar or splenda.

It calls for cheap vodka. But you never want to cook with alcohol or wine that you wouldn't drink on its own.

We also designed the label to add an even more personal touch.

Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley

2008-12-16T23:50:00.000-08:00

This artic blast in the Portland Metro area has me thinking about my last trip to San Francisco's MoMA last September. There was a great collection of early photography used for art and science including a vast snowflake collection by Wilson A. Bentley. There is so much beauty when snow and ice blanket the landscapes we are used to. It is amazing how much beauty is in the up andclose as well as the big picture.

There is also an award winning children's book about his work, Snowflake Bently.

Palace of Fine Arts

For your next trip, I highly recommend diving into google maps. We use My Maps to plan our itinerary and the map geotagging feature on Picasa to share with family, friends and you when we get back. My Maps isn't very print friendly. You can use this converter if you need to print it out (Google my-maps print converter).