design
Jill Tarter’s call to join the SETI search
I have always been a huge fan of the movie “Contact”. After moving down here to the “silly valley”, i was delighted to discover that SETI headquarters is only a few miles from where i live… and I was double-delighted this morning when i learned that Jill Tarter (the person who Jodie Foster’s character was based on) came to us to design her TED presentation.
Alex (my coworker who did this piece) did a fantastic job with the execution… I’m especially fond of all the renderings he created custom for this job. As it turns out, Contact has long been one of his favorite films, and he put a lot of heart and soul into this project. What a great pairing of client and designer. I have to say, the best work i have done has been for initiatives that i personally cared about… it’s too bad more projects don’t involve working relationships of this level.
Sometimes, when you care about something enough, the universe jumps at the opportunity to respond… serendipitously.
Pecha Kucha @ The Improv (10-20-09)
http://www.pecha-kucha.org/“usually pronounced in three syllables like “pe-chak-cha”, is a presentation format in which content can be easily, efficiently and informally shown, usually at a public event designed for that purpose. Under the format, a presenter shows 20 images for 20 seconds apiece, for a total time of 6 minutes, 40 seconds.”
Every so often you have to try on a different hat. So I’ll be putting down the dj gear and performing a little monologue for you at Pecha Kucha, on October 20th at The Improv in downtown San Jose. Myself, a few others from work, and many other enthusiastic speakers will be taking turns, delivering high-energy, fast-paced presentations. Come be part of the fun. =)
Proper Signage
Clear communication is important. Therefore i chose my words carefully when making this label.
Simple and effective; this statement is never not true… and normally the first thing people want to know when they find my cup mysteriously sitting on their desk.
Rorschach test… sorta
What does this look like to you?
We were looking at this shape at work today right after i got done eating some fun-dip. Yes… fun-dip. As in lick-m-aid. Someone gave me one for valentine’s day… so when i looked at this popsicle-stick shaped thing, the first thing i thought of was the white stick that comes with fun-dip. My coworker, on the other hand, said “that looks like a pregnancy test.”
I just thought it was funny that the same shape made me think of something that you put in your mouth, and she saw something that you pee on.
History of Comic Sans (yuck!)
I wonder how much it would suck to be known as the guy who created comic sans. It’s not his fault he created the bane of the typographical world… He could not have predicted how insanely popular it became. If it were me though, i would drive around town in a bulletproof car. =)
Having a Purpose
Historically, I have had the hardest time justifying my life to myself at previous jobs. How can you stay aligned to your morals and spiritual values when you are part of an sick and twisted corporate machine? It’s hard to keep your head up when you are marketing for a company that expects it’s manpower to take the hit whenever their numbers need padding… or when you watch them make a conscious decision to do wrong because paying the fine is cheaper than doing what is right.
Today, i feel much better about my day-job. Many of our clients are purpose-oriented individuals or organizations who are really trying to make a positive difference in the world. Just now somebody passed around photos of Al Gore on Capitol Hill yesterday, testifying in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the latest information on climate change… and in the photos you can see him projecting our slides.
Warm fuzzies abound.
Also I am very very excited this week to have been given full creative freedom on a presentation I’m designing for a speaker at the upcoming TED conference. (www.ted.com) And lo-and-behold… the subject matter is one that i am DEEPLY committed to; restoring a sense of morals to corporations… the need for people to do what is RIGHT instead of what is profitable.
when i am personally committed to something, it ceases to be “work”
Good times. =)
Here For Now (almost here!)
Music – Complete!
Album Art – Complete!
Mastering – (almost there!)
Friends… I am deeply deeply deeply satisfied with how this whole thing has played out.
Historically, I have had a hard time finishing personal projects… but as I’ve matured I have discovered new heights of patience, focus, and dedication. The last few tracks are off being mastered, and already this is the THE most complete production that has ever sprung from my brain. Nothing was rushed or compromised… but somehow I managed to avoid falling victim to my own ADD nature. For the first time, I have nitpicked the shit out of every detail of something, (from the music to the message to the album art) for years and actually finished what I started. I am still sort of shocked, to be honest.
I’ve spent virtually every free moment for the past 2 years working on this thing… and now that it’s over, I’m not quite sure what to do with myself.
Oh and did I tell you that it’s coming out on Muti? (www.mutimusic.com)
I couldn’t be happier about that. =) <– beaming swami
Only a few more weeks until the official release! Stay tuned… and thanks for all the love, support, and inspiration!
~S
Pecha Kucha Tonight
Going to Pecha Kucha tonight!
www.pecha-kucha.org/cities/san-francisco
more: pechakucha-sf.com/
(voted “BEST HYPERINTELLECTUAL SHOW-AND-TELL” in the bay area by the San Francisco Guardian!!)
Sounds like an interesting event… kinda like ADAC but on more of a sharing level. I’m going to be interested to hear what some of these people have to show. Maybe someday i’ll show some work there.
Also… THIS: sdo.seoul.go.kr/english/index.html seems like a good enough reason to go back to Seoul for a visit! I like how there is a picture of the olympic stadium they built in 1988 (the last time i was there) and right next to it it says that it’s going to to be held in the Jamsil Sports Complex Main Stadium… conference hall. =(
Killer Motion Graphics
I saw “The Kingdom” a few weeks back… and even though the movie was kind of “ho hum” sensationalism, the intro blew me the fuck away. It is an amazing blend of info graphics, motion graphics and video footage… seamless and powerful.
luckily, the design group has it online for us to view =)
www.picagency.com/kingdom_movie.html
I am especially impressed with how there is 2D type floating in 3D space… and when the camera moves it creates differing text sizes that align in typographically sound ways on the horizon line. Also the 3D oil consumption bar-graph for the United States turning into the WTC was pretty clever.
![](http://www.seventhswami.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/twit.png")
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