I am constantly being told that I look like I'm angry. When I reply with a no, I'm actually in a really good mood, they insist that my facial expression says otherwise.
I'll admit I usually am angry for one reason or another (let's face it...there are a lot of really stupid people out there and I am constantly having to deal with said stupidity so it's only natural that I'd be angry at the fact that I have to waste my time dealing with these people) but sometimes I may (surprise, surprise) be in a good mood.
Just because I'm not one of those people who walks around with a permanent clown smile painted on my face doesn't mean I'm not happy. I never fell for that old saying...smile more, it'll make people wonder what you're thinking...or something to that effect...I was more for the belief that if you can read what I'm thinking on my face then chances are you'll know it's better to leave me the hell alone and I don't have to tell you what a flippin' moron I think you are!
With that said...I'm so sorry that my relaxed face looks angry...GET OVER IT...this is my face! Chances are I don't want you lookin' at me anyway!
arts, graphic design, ramblings, oddities, observations, inspiring quotes...I'll let you know when I become more focused.
8.10.2010
8.09.2010
color theory
You know how crayola names their crayons weird (or is it brilliance in disguise?...hmmm something to think about) things?
You know how people say things like "jealousy is an ugly color on you"?
Ha...well I decided that there a numerous other "things" that deserve to have a color devoted just to them.
This was born out of a tiny insignificant converstaion I had with a girl from work...months and months ago. We were talking about my cubemate and how annoying her passive aggressive attacks on us were and I said "...yea passive aggressive is an ugly color on her!"
Thus the Annoying Things People Do and Say Color Chart (this is a working title) was born!
Then today I was talking to my friend, Robin, about this guy from work who keeps bugging me about some kayaking trip little did I know he mistook my lack of comprehension to mean I was joining him.
R: he came to ask if I wanted to go on his rafting trip and said you were in
D: lol omg...I can't understand anything he says...I definitely never said "I wanna go" or "I'm coming" he was telling me about the trip and I was like oh that sounds like fun...guess I'm just gonna have to break his heart lol
R: lol poor guy. he always gets his hopes crushed hahahaha
D: soooome how I think he'll survive
R: after he whines unintelligbly
D: ew when does he do that? I can only imagine how horrible that is
R: he's been bugging me about the kayaking thing. I keep telling him it's Matt's decision but he's like "wah wah something something wah"
D: ...I LITERALLY just laughed out loud... ohhh "wah wah" is not a pretty color
This was the first time Robin had the opportunity to be apart of the Annoying Things People Do and Say Color Chart so naturally she thought this was hilarious...do you blame her? I AM a flippin riot! :)
Anywho...she asked me how I come up with the colors or if it's just random...I shook my head to myself and told her...
"no it's not RANDOM...it's a carefully thought out formula of annoyance, frustration and exasperation said activity/reaction provokes... it's only coincidental that the color outputted is ugly."
Later she volunteered the word spew and I offered this...
Of course more will come...
You know how people say things like "jealousy is an ugly color on you"?
Ha...well I decided that there a numerous other "things" that deserve to have a color devoted just to them.
This was born out of a tiny insignificant converstaion I had with a girl from work...months and months ago. We were talking about my cubemate and how annoying her passive aggressive attacks on us were and I said "...yea passive aggressive is an ugly color on her!"
Thus the Annoying Things People Do and Say Color Chart (this is a working title) was born!
R: he came to ask if I wanted to go on his rafting trip and said you were in
D: lol omg...I can't understand anything he says...I definitely never said "I wanna go" or "I'm coming" he was telling me about the trip and I was like oh that sounds like fun...guess I'm just gonna have to break his heart lol
R: lol poor guy. he always gets his hopes crushed hahahaha
D: soooome how I think he'll survive
R: after he whines unintelligbly
D: ew when does he do that? I can only imagine how horrible that is
R: he's been bugging me about the kayaking thing. I keep telling him it's Matt's decision but he's like "wah wah something something wah"
D: ...I LITERALLY just laughed out loud... ohhh "wah wah" is not a pretty color
Anywho...she asked me how I come up with the colors or if it's just random...I shook my head to myself and told her...
"no it's not RANDOM...it's a carefully thought out formula of annoyance, frustration and exasperation said activity/reaction provokes... it's only coincidental that the color outputted is ugly."
Later she volunteered the word spew and I offered this...
Of course more will come...book debut
We've been really slow at work lately and it makes an already boring job even more boring so I decided to give myself a project. It may make me appear to be a brown-noser or just a plain old dork, but I don't care...the project gave me almost a full day's worth of something to do...plus I AM a dork so I had more fun doing that than translating words to braille per my usual daily activity!
Oh...maybe I should go back and give you a little background on what it is my job entails. I think I told you I work for an architectural wayfinding firm...oh that's right I did tell you that...so no need to glamorize it...I make signs. :) Anyway...my firm deals mostly with government building, universities and hospitals across the country. I work in interior graphics, so I'm responsible for drawing maps (evacuation plans and main directory maps), single units (these are signs that are made out of photopolymer or cast bronze...I do the artwork digitally and send it to our vendor who then does the production part) dimensional letters, artwork they needs to be printed on film for our silkscreening department, production drawings and a little bit of digital work for frame and inserts.
I've discoverd that my shitty cubemate is overly concerned with job security so to ensure that she keeps her job she works extra slow to make it appear that she has soooo much work to do...(since I started working here, i've taken over everything that my department is responsible for with the exception of production drawings...which we share equally...and digital...which I help with when I run out of work to do and luckily since she works so super slow there's always plenty to go around.)
Ok this would be a good time to talk about my cubemate which i've thoughtfully renamed Shittianne. (Yes my smartphone has learned this loving nickname and prompts me with it every time I start talking about her...I love my iphone!) After 16 months of working with her I've finally been able to grasp what her deal is...no it doesn't make it right...and no it doesn't make it any easier for me to deal with...and no i don't hate her any less!
She's like in her mid to late 40s (i'm 25), 3 kids (one of which is younger than me and already has a kid - so that makes her a grandma...did I mention I'm 25?) she claims to be a graphic designer, she's been in the sign business since she graduated college, got a degree in drafting or something like that, she's been working for our company for like 5 years and only at about that time did our company start doing more things digitaly (because yes, it is more efficient than cutting vinyl, weeding said vinyl and laying it)...this being said...she learned digital design on the job. So you know those "graphic designers" who think using clip art to fancy up their flyer is a good idea? yea that's her.
She's one of those types who refuses to let anyone make suggestions on what she's doing to...I don't know make it easier, faster... Oh, and apparently a couple of years ago they all went to some inservice type thing and learned about printing...um I think the only thing she learned was the term ICC profile because any time anyone asks a question about colors and she can't give a legit answer she throws something about the ICC profile bla bla bla at them and they look at her blankly and walk away. I don't know what that means and I'm pretty sure she doesn't either!
My point is that she's hated me since I got here...well, I did found out she's run every single person off that's had my position since she got there...scary huh? My boss says it's just because she's really insecure, but if you're doing a good job there's no need to constantly remind people what a good job you are in fact doing...right?
Oh...my book... =)
Like I said, I do all the fire evacuation maps and I thought it would be nice to put together a little booklet with all the information the customer service guys would need to aid their clients in the most efficient way. This includes, various parts that the client would need to check before submitting their approval, sizes etc...(yes really boring since you have no idea what I'm talking about)...I totally branded the book with our "new" standard book design stuff...all in all I think it turned out great! So, I decided to show my boss what I had done (yes I was sucking up...I need a raise!) And she loved it and said she was going to go show her boss...so I waited all day to hear back and finally she told me to make another copy and bring it to the customer service meeting next week (tomorrow). So, I'm totally excited and super nervous!.
You see, I was uninvited to the customer service meetings about a month after I got here...I guess that was when my cubemate really decided she hated me, so instead she talks about what a horrible job I'm doing to the big boss...though all the customer service reps sing my praises (or so I'm told)...and my cubemate comes back to me with updates about how I'm doing a, b and c wrong and everyone is complaining about my productivity etc...
...um wait...didn't I just explain how I'm always ahead of the game and looking...wait correction...begging for work?! hmm curious...
Anyway, now I'm just eagerly awaiting tomorrow...the only thing left is to decide what to wear!
Oh...maybe I should go back and give you a little background on what it is my job entails. I think I told you I work for an architectural wayfinding firm...oh that's right I did tell you that...so no need to glamorize it...I make signs. :) Anyway...my firm deals mostly with government building, universities and hospitals across the country. I work in interior graphics, so I'm responsible for drawing maps (evacuation plans and main directory maps), single units (these are signs that are made out of photopolymer or cast bronze...I do the artwork digitally and send it to our vendor who then does the production part) dimensional letters, artwork they needs to be printed on film for our silkscreening department, production drawings and a little bit of digital work for frame and inserts.
I've discoverd that my shitty cubemate is overly concerned with job security so to ensure that she keeps her job she works extra slow to make it appear that she has soooo much work to do...(since I started working here, i've taken over everything that my department is responsible for with the exception of production drawings...which we share equally...and digital...which I help with when I run out of work to do and luckily since she works so super slow there's always plenty to go around.)
Ok this would be a good time to talk about my cubemate which i've thoughtfully renamed Shittianne. (Yes my smartphone has learned this loving nickname and prompts me with it every time I start talking about her...I love my iphone!) After 16 months of working with her I've finally been able to grasp what her deal is...no it doesn't make it right...and no it doesn't make it any easier for me to deal with...and no i don't hate her any less!
She's like in her mid to late 40s (i'm 25), 3 kids (one of which is younger than me and already has a kid - so that makes her a grandma...did I mention I'm 25?) she claims to be a graphic designer, she's been in the sign business since she graduated college, got a degree in drafting or something like that, she's been working for our company for like 5 years and only at about that time did our company start doing more things digitaly (because yes, it is more efficient than cutting vinyl, weeding said vinyl and laying it)...this being said...she learned digital design on the job. So you know those "graphic designers" who think using clip art to fancy up their flyer is a good idea? yea that's her.
She's one of those types who refuses to let anyone make suggestions on what she's doing to...I don't know make it easier, faster... Oh, and apparently a couple of years ago they all went to some inservice type thing and learned about printing...um I think the only thing she learned was the term ICC profile because any time anyone asks a question about colors and she can't give a legit answer she throws something about the ICC profile bla bla bla at them and they look at her blankly and walk away. I don't know what that means and I'm pretty sure she doesn't either!
My point is that she's hated me since I got here...well, I did found out she's run every single person off that's had my position since she got there...scary huh? My boss says it's just because she's really insecure, but if you're doing a good job there's no need to constantly remind people what a good job you are in fact doing...right?
Oh...my book... =)
Like I said, I do all the fire evacuation maps and I thought it would be nice to put together a little booklet with all the information the customer service guys would need to aid their clients in the most efficient way. This includes, various parts that the client would need to check before submitting their approval, sizes etc...(yes really boring since you have no idea what I'm talking about)...I totally branded the book with our "new" standard book design stuff...all in all I think it turned out great! So, I decided to show my boss what I had done (yes I was sucking up...I need a raise!) And she loved it and said she was going to go show her boss...so I waited all day to hear back and finally she told me to make another copy and bring it to the customer service meeting next week (tomorrow). So, I'm totally excited and super nervous!.
You see, I was uninvited to the customer service meetings about a month after I got here...I guess that was when my cubemate really decided she hated me, so instead she talks about what a horrible job I'm doing to the big boss...though all the customer service reps sing my praises (or so I'm told)...and my cubemate comes back to me with updates about how I'm doing a, b and c wrong and everyone is complaining about my productivity etc...
...um wait...didn't I just explain how I'm always ahead of the game and looking...wait correction...begging for work?! hmm curious...
Anyway, now I'm just eagerly awaiting tomorrow...the only thing left is to decide what to wear!
8.05.2010
an email converstaion...why you should never ask a graphic designer for help
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster
Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.
This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks Shan.
From:David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news.
Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster
yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
I never said I don't like cats. Attached poster as requested.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
It's a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say Lost.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww
Dear Shannon,
I don't have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend's cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter. I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww
Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww
I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says "I haven't seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?" you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww
Please just use the photo I gave you.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
From: Shannon Walkley
From: David Thorne
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster
Hi
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.
Thanks Shan.
From:David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news.
Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster
yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
I never said I don't like cats. Attached poster as requested.
Regards, David.
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. it looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
It's a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don't come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say Lost.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww
Dear Shannon,
I don't have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend's cat for a week but after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter. I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww
Thats not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww
I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says "I haven't seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?" you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.
Regards, David.
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww
Please just use the photo I gave you.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
Fine. That will have to do.
8.04.2010
I'm a designer...aren't I?
Does owning photoshop7 make you a graphic designer?
In a digital world numerous resources are at your finger tips...the average Joe can get his hands on photoshop7 for next to nothing. I spoke to this guy the other day while waiting for an appointment...we chatted about gardening and how busy he is at work (selling computers...or computer products...i dont really remember) and I mentioned that I owned a printer from his competition and explained that I couldn't live with out it, best investment of life! Anyway he was like "oh, it's a large format printer? what kind of work are you in?" I told him that I'm a graphic designer, but do a lot of freelance stuff from home, so the perfect home print station is cruitial...He agreed and said that he too did some graphic design. I was intrigued so I inquired about what type of stuff he did. He went on to tell me that he had a copy of photoshop7 and he liked to play with his vacation photos.
Ok. Hold the phone. Did I just heard hear him correctly?!
graphic designer = adding a glaussian blur to your sunset shot?
Did I just go to school for 6 years (ok so, obviously it doesn't take 6 years to get an undergrad degree, but I changed majors a few times, and school in savannah requires a lot of drinking...so it took me a little longer than most) for nothing?! You mean all this time I could have gotten a bootleg copy of photoshop and that would be the equivalent of BFA degree?
Maybe I'm being a little too sensitive...but this isn't a far stretch from the every day morons I deal with. Before you get confused and think I'm some big shot at this this super famous design firm or anything like that...I'll tell you that I'm (unfortunately) not that girl. Not to say I don't wish everyday for just that...but I'm paying my dues at the moment (at least that's what they tell me). So anyway, I work for an architectural wayfinding firm...impressed? Ha if you are don't be. I make signs. No it's not like FastSigns or any of those other types, we actually get to do some pretty cool stuff every once in a while, which totally make worth while. But, I digress...
I was talking about the morons I deal with...so I'm a designer, and you (the client) have come to me (the company) with a request for a sign to say a, b, c and you have no idea what you want it to look like, fonts to use, colors to use, etc... So, I get my creative jucies working and work up a fabulous proof for you. You love it...BUT...now all of a sudden you have a million ideas and equally as many changes and additions to make. Are you kidding?! Yes. I am here to please...or rather make the client happy. But come on!! There are limitations and REASONS why your sign can't be yellow with white copy or why only a certain amount of copy can fit LEGIBLY on a certain size sign.
I mean I don't go to the doctor and tell him his diagnosis is incorrect...ok well with WebMD I'm sure doctors get that all the time...probably a bad example...but totally relates...man I feel bad for the doctors now.
Ok...conclusion?
Don't tell me OR the doctors how to do our job when you clearly don't know!
The end!
In a digital world numerous resources are at your finger tips...the average Joe can get his hands on photoshop7 for next to nothing. I spoke to this guy the other day while waiting for an appointment...we chatted about gardening and how busy he is at work (selling computers...or computer products...i dont really remember) and I mentioned that I owned a printer from his competition and explained that I couldn't live with out it, best investment of life! Anyway he was like "oh, it's a large format printer? what kind of work are you in?" I told him that I'm a graphic designer, but do a lot of freelance stuff from home, so the perfect home print station is cruitial...He agreed and said that he too did some graphic design. I was intrigued so I inquired about what type of stuff he did. He went on to tell me that he had a copy of photoshop7 and he liked to play with his vacation photos.
Ok. Hold the phone. Did I just heard hear him correctly?!
graphic designer = adding a glaussian blur to your sunset shot?
Did I just go to school for 6 years (ok so, obviously it doesn't take 6 years to get an undergrad degree, but I changed majors a few times, and school in savannah requires a lot of drinking...so it took me a little longer than most) for nothing?! You mean all this time I could have gotten a bootleg copy of photoshop and that would be the equivalent of BFA degree?
Maybe I'm being a little too sensitive...but this isn't a far stretch from the every day morons I deal with. Before you get confused and think I'm some big shot at this this super famous design firm or anything like that...I'll tell you that I'm (unfortunately) not that girl. Not to say I don't wish everyday for just that...but I'm paying my dues at the moment (at least that's what they tell me). So anyway, I work for an architectural wayfinding firm...impressed? Ha if you are don't be. I make signs. No it's not like FastSigns or any of those other types, we actually get to do some pretty cool stuff every once in a while, which totally make worth while. But, I digress...
I was talking about the morons I deal with...so I'm a designer, and you (the client) have come to me (the company) with a request for a sign to say a, b, c and you have no idea what you want it to look like, fonts to use, colors to use, etc... So, I get my creative jucies working and work up a fabulous proof for you. You love it...BUT...now all of a sudden you have a million ideas and equally as many changes and additions to make. Are you kidding?! Yes. I am here to please...or rather make the client happy. But come on!! There are limitations and REASONS why your sign can't be yellow with white copy or why only a certain amount of copy can fit LEGIBLY on a certain size sign.
I mean I don't go to the doctor and tell him his diagnosis is incorrect...ok well with WebMD I'm sure doctors get that all the time...probably a bad example...but totally relates...man I feel bad for the doctors now.
Ok...conclusion?
Don't tell me OR the doctors how to do our job when you clearly don't know!
The end!
8.03.2010
silhoutte
I guess I should explain why it's called "silhouette in warm gray"...
other than it just sounding nice...
silhoutte can be defined as:
the image of a person, an object or scene consisting of the outline and a featureless interior, with the silhouetted object usually being black...
From its original graphic meaning, the term "silhouette" has been extended to describe the sight or representation of a person, object or scene that is backlit, and appears dark against a lighter background. Anything that appears this way, for example, a figure standing backlit in a doorway, may be described as "in silhouette". Because a silhouette emphasises the outline, the word has also been used in the fields of fashion and fitness to describe the shape of a person's body or the shape created by wearing clothing of a particular style or period.
with that said...and my affinity for abstract thought as well as art...I've chosen to think of a silhouette abstractly for the purposes of my blog. the blog entries you'll find here will be merely a crude representation of who I am...you'll get a few tid bits here and there that will make up a whole...
warm gray 11 (color is represented in the background of the title)..um it's just a nice color...no? silhouettes are thought of as being black, i think life is too messy and complicated for things to be just black and white...I prefer to live in the gray...
"yes...but..."
other than it just sounding nice...
silhoutte can be defined as:
the image of a person, an object or scene consisting of the outline and a featureless interior, with the silhouetted object usually being black...
From its original graphic meaning, the term "silhouette" has been extended to describe the sight or representation of a person, object or scene that is backlit, and appears dark against a lighter background. Anything that appears this way, for example, a figure standing backlit in a doorway, may be described as "in silhouette". Because a silhouette emphasises the outline, the word has also been used in the fields of fashion and fitness to describe the shape of a person's body or the shape created by wearing clothing of a particular style or period.
with that said...and my affinity for abstract thought as well as art...I've chosen to think of a silhouette abstractly for the purposes of my blog. the blog entries you'll find here will be merely a crude representation of who I am...you'll get a few tid bits here and there that will make up a whole...
warm gray 11 (color is represented in the background of the title)..um it's just a nice color...no? silhouettes are thought of as being black, i think life is too messy and complicated for things to be just black and white...I prefer to live in the gray...
"yes...but..."
7.30.2010
Welcome!
I thought as my first post I'd provide you with my most favorite quote...by my most favorite graphic designer...
"...design seems to occupy a place between fine art and craft, between aesthetics and commerse, beauty and persuasion, novelty and familiarity and so on. Obviously the emphasis between the polarities changes in response to the specific problem and the intention and talent of the designer. The term commercial art is a simplification and seems to eliminate the inherent conflict. For this reason I prefer the more ambiguous phrase 'graphic design'..." m. glaser
you might be most familiar with his work like this...
Of course he's done a million other things, but is probably most famous for this!
I came across this quote in my quest to find an answer to a question I've been asked a million times. "Do you consider graphic design to be a fine art?" I realize there is a difference between computer arts and painting, photography (which by the way there is yet more difference between digital and slr), ceramics...etc. But, in a digital world isn't there room for computer arts to be added to the list? Does a painter not use specific tools to create his masterpiece? Answer: yes. Paint...canvas...brush. I too use tools to create my masterpieces...Computer for one. Anyway. I'm sure in time I'll have plenty of time to sway you to my side.
"...design seems to occupy a place between fine art and craft, between aesthetics and commerse, beauty and persuasion, novelty and familiarity and so on. Obviously the emphasis between the polarities changes in response to the specific problem and the intention and talent of the designer. The term commercial art is a simplification and seems to eliminate the inherent conflict. For this reason I prefer the more ambiguous phrase 'graphic design'..." m. glaser
you might be most familiar with his work like this...
I came across this quote in my quest to find an answer to a question I've been asked a million times. "Do you consider graphic design to be a fine art?" I realize there is a difference between computer arts and painting, photography (which by the way there is yet more difference between digital and slr), ceramics...etc. But, in a digital world isn't there room for computer arts to be added to the list? Does a painter not use specific tools to create his masterpiece? Answer: yes. Paint...canvas...brush. I too use tools to create my masterpieces...Computer for one. Anyway. I'm sure in time I'll have plenty of time to sway you to my side.
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