FreshBump.com = Inspiration

Totally stole this post from Matt W. Moore's Blog

FreshBump.com
"The homies at FormatMag.com just launched a new website called Freshbump.com. "Freshbump is a daily visual inspiration source for industries including, but not limited to: Advertising, Architecture, Computer Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Design, and Photography. Freshbump is a social news media site that facilitates community driven content promotion and prioritizes posts based on the collective view of our userbase." Nice work guys!"

It's awesome and I can't stop hopping to different sites from it! It's really a visual person's dream distraction!

CM

Tales of On-Site Event Graphics Production

Holy cow!
Putting on an event at a professional football stadium for high school marching bands, their parents, major sponsors and the community is a huge graphics monster! Tackle it right, and everywhere you turn, you see your work staring back at you. Program books are being hocked everywhere. Jumbo displays flash with giant imagery that was born out of your tiny computer screen. And there are an endless number of credentials, passes and signs that whirl around you at the event like a design tornado.

My set up included moving my entire Mac G5 tower to the site and getting me up and running with my software, remote server access and other tech goodies.

My three day on site set up.

Lucky me, I get to share my computer with everyone else save a few people who have their computers. It's great when PC folks use your Mac because they leave all the programs open, not realizing that closing a window doesn't equal quitting the program. So when I get back to my set up, I have to run offense and close everything so I don't crash what I need. I also quickly made a sign that told people to use the web interface to check their mail, NOT my email client and sign in as their account. To make it easier, I removed my key programs from the dock (once I set it back to the place on the screen I like it to hide) so that people wouldn't just see them and use them. That helped, but my web browser had all sorts of gems left by other people, like their Gmail account logged in, a college website with school registration info and weather reports (indoor event!)

On site (day-of) design production is very interesting, constant, trying and rewarding. While you are tethered to your computer to create printed media, you also get the chance (opportunity) to run your newly printed items to the person or location in the facility that needs them. Such wonderful design needs include, but are not limited to, credentials no one made, misplaced credentials, corrected typos, signs to reduce confused patrons, and signs made bigger so that people at the end of the ticket line can read prices. Not having a color printer on-site makes you plan ahead but it also is a pain when you have black and white print options. We make up for it by printing blank templates of the color media and printing customization or stickers we apply to it. 90% of the time it works.

90% of the time, has been enough so far ;-) This is 4pm of day two of four. Tomorrow we go live at 5:45am with our first band stepping into their first official prep rooms. More crowd flow assistance than graphics from here on out (is the prediction) but we're ready for anything.

If I get a chance to work a position like the info booth again, I'd be thrilled. It was so quiet I got to write this blog. Until then, I'll go back to being on-call design guru.

CM

(Editor's Note: Three days after this major event, 20% of the workforce was laid off due to budget cuts. Nothing says thanks for all your hard work like two weeks notice. For more on that, see January 23, 2009 post)

What happens 1 week after a deadline?

You never know how hard you're working until you crash CS3 several times while finishing a project. Success or failure? Depends on when you last saved... and if you got a screen shot ;-)

It's a 3 Monday Week

I'm out of town for work Th evening through Sunday and it's feeling like a 3 Monday week.

Nothing moves forward, challenges renew and get more like a clusterf*** every hour.

It's hard to leave your design desk even a day when you have major deadlines to meet the day you return.

October 31, you're such a flirt. You may never get here!

For your visual pleasure :

Coke side of life

For now, I aspire to something greater with a better margin for people to get contributing materials to me...

Back Email Up

If you think you can't live without it, back it up. Our email server imploded (sorta) and my inbox subfolders are gone. May return in 24 hours. If they don't then my vital information on how to do my job and who to get a hold of is gone.

2nd Monday
CM

30 Reasons and NotAnotherCStudent

This nifty website has a designed image for each of the 30 days leading up to the 2008 United States Presidential Election. Check it out. What ever side you're on, you can appreciate the solid principles of design and clever use of imagery. www.30reasons.org

And for the intelligent bunch of Americans who may desire a more quotable presence... be sure to visit www.notanotherCstudent.com

May the soundest minds win on November 4th!

CM

The Content, The Designer and The Print Shop

Here’s a little story that’s hardly a fairytale. Deadlines are blown, clock is ticking, the print shop is doing what they can to print, assemble and box your order at the 11th hour and there are 3 orders due to be delivered in the next day by that same team. They’re doing their best but risk missing the delivery time requested due to not getting the file until a day or two ago.

Rewind to a day or two ago:
Panic induces increased heart rate, heightened jumpiness, ease in forgetting to eat lunch and a mental meltdown on the brink! Persperation and an involuntary tear or two weep out of the corner of the eye as a mouse is clicked frantically, returned proofs are scanned for new corrections, phone calls and messages are taken from late contributors and a mere mention of tomorrow’s deadlines could lead to sudden death. The files get uploaded to the print shop’s ftp site before said panicked designer leaves for the day to catch a carpool. Gives you the feel of an Indiana Jones worthy hand off. But coming back tomorrow, it’s hard not to be counscious of the fact that there are 11 more programs to creat and a large finale of a book before the “busy season” ends.

A designer can lose oneself in the panic and agony of late contributors, hair splitters, and indecision. It is a personal challenge to stay level headed, breathe, smile, continue with a teamwork attitude, and not drive the print shop to spontaneous self destruction as their presses fly at Ludicrous Speed.

Flash back to real time:
The programs arrive boxed and happy to go on their way to their far away destination just in time to not be shipped- a savings of over $600. The next day’s programs arrive in time as well. A pause occurs as the designers brain mushes and relaxes at the wonderful news. But the overused muscle has the long haul to battle ahead and there’s no time for respite.

A cancelled weekend of traveling to work events leads to a committed 8 hour Saturday at the office to battle the deadlines once again. This designer will have the best nights’ sleep she’s had since August 15th on the nght of October 30th if everything goes as planned.

CM

I don't drink coffee

I’ve had two cups of it today.

Deadlines have been blown for several projects. Special thanks to emergency design commitments that took my time, bumping my long term projects to the back burner and not preparing me for the aftermath of the hurricane a few weeks ago in the gulf. Information we’re relying on from Texas because of two events being hosted there is a lost cause. The printer is calling every ten minutes because they need to go to print with files that aren’t done. We’re asking the impossible.

After Employee A was fired several weeks ago, Intern B had to quit because of family sickness and Employee C quit because she got a better job. That leaves Intern D, me and my boss in the marketing department with Employee C doing consultant work for us to get through our busy fall season.

Spontaneous eye tearing is occuring, a general feeling of over stretchedness and a mild nausea with a headache just don’t seem to go away.

This marks my 12th week with the company. I should not have had to cross out 4 peoples’ nams on the company staff phone list in that amount of time. But I’m glad someone vacated the seat I’m occupying because I might be a lot more stressed if I didn’t have a job in this economy.

I’m starting to remember why I don’t drink coffee- I feel sick. Or maybe it’s my job.

CM

The Magic of Carpooling

Carpooling is great for your wallet- especially if your commute is around an hour and 15 minutes long. Carpooling with people who have different hours than you can be stressful though.
I leave at 6:45am and arrive around 7:45am (less traffic that time of day.) We leave the office around 4:30 on 3 days, but 2 days a week, we leave the office at 4. Being used to an 8:30-5pm job, that’s tough. Having a boss work remotely from 3 timezones earlier makes it even harder. I cut out earlier in her day and have to hit the road at the peak. My day starts out sluggish with me crawiling out of bed as late as I can (5:45am anyone?)

By the time I get home, I feel like a lump, try to go work out, do something around the house, desperately catch up on freelance and from there, stay up way too late with my student husband who is on a different schedule.

It’s only September and I can’t imagine what it will be like as the sun goes down earlier and rises later. MY OFFICE HAS NO WINDOWS.

But at least I can rely on the carpool for a lift, and maybe a nap.

CM

Who Stole My Lunch?

Today I emailed my entire office regarding my stolen lunch. Being the new kid in town, I was a bit worried that it would not be taken nicely.
Then again, someone eating your lunch is mean.

Here's what I wrote to my coworkers:
"Dear All Staff-
Would you eat a homemade PB+J with a bite already taken out of it? If you’re hungry enough to eat my left over rice, with no regard for the fact that I put my initials on it and probably my own germs since it’s leftovers, then leave a note and say your sorry.

Nothing stinks like a Monday with a minuscule lunch because someone else got the munchies and didn’t want to spend their own money or take the time to get food for themselves.

The Disgruntled Designer"

To describe- I went out for lunch last Thursday with coworkers. I came back with a half a bowl's worth of Jambalaya. Looking forward to it on Monday, I opened my box that was marked with my initials and Voila! there's 75% gone! You can even see the spices from where the food used to be. First off I was mad. And hungry. Then I was grossed out because someone left me leftovers from my leftovers. And it wasn't like individual pieces of food like french fries. Someone had to dig their fork in that had already been in their mouth over and over as they consumed my food. After I had already done that.... so yuck.

But on the lining of the cloud, several coworkers came forward to offer their snack food to me and gripe on the fact that some one is doing this habitually (it wasn't just me that was stolen from and it's been a longer term problem.) How nice to know!

Can't we all just be adults?!
Come on anonymous lunch stealer.....

Now Firing

Is it a warning sign when the director of finding sponsors gets canned because of budget cuts?

More thoughts on this later.
CM

How Not to Get to Work On Time

Lesson #2 Commuting is hazardous to your relationship

First, put your husband's car keys on your key chain.
Then drive an hour to work.
Begin to pull into the parking garage and have him call you to ask where his keys are.
Look at your key chain and say "f*!#."
Call him back and ask if he has a spare key.
Have him tell you that he does. And it's in his car.
Drive an hour back home and hand off the keys.
Sigh.
Drive back to work. Shake your head at the snafu and you're finally at work.

CM

The First Real Commute

After getting married and moving to Bloomington, Indiana- I increased my commute time from 30 minutes to 55 miles in an hour and a half. It's all for the guy! I start my carpool next week.
There's this awesome thing called flex time that I'm being introduced to and can't wait to take advantage of: we have seasonal hours where those who have accrued comp time can take FRIDAY OFF! Details eventually.

I'm loving the new set up at work. I've entered the world of the cubicle and, boy, is it nifty having cloth walls that I can decorate :-)

I also have the best computer in the company- a Mac G5 Pentium Tower. Yum! Not to mention CS3. w00t! check us out at our website: www.musicforall.org


More to come on how I handle the fright of knowing there are a ton of projects looming but having no idea how to start them, or perhaps even what they are! I meet the rep from our printing company today. That should help ease some anxieties.

Until then, back to playing with color schemes for embroidered patches
and picking photos for giant banners.
CM

Chapter 2: The Awakening

HIRED

I start my new position at Music For All, Inc. (www.musicforall.org) on July 2. My title is Graphic Design Specialist. More to come as this opportunity to pair my passions unfolds.

All I can say is that I'm a firm believer in volunteer work benefiting others. But I never knew it would become the reason I found a job. I volunteered at the Broad Ripple Art Fair in Indy in May. I volunteered for Music For All in February with their National Festival. I saw a Music for All table at the art fair, stopped to say hi and discovered as the two volunteers conversed that MFA was looking for a graphic designer. I was looking for a job. Information was exchanged. A few emails later and an impromptu interview, I was offered the position. What a great match of my interests and personality. Honestly, it's the 180 I needed. And a compensation package to match most of my worth. Still hard to commute from Bloomington but it's something I might be able to do in a carpool. Details later but if you're well employed or seeking a job- VOLUNTEER! You never know when who you'll help- it might even help you!

Moving on Up

After being laid off May 2nd, life has been one big sprint with no finish line in sight. Right out of the gates, I was emailing and applying for a new job. I landed an awesome part time position with full time hours working for the only paintography studio in the US! Visit www.gallery-portraits.com to see what it's all about. Want to get a portrait but you're no where near Indiana? The studio can take your snap shot and turn it into a paintography portrait!

I really enjoy the clientele and couldn't think of a better quick solution for two months before my wedding to make income and gain photography related experience. Not sure what's going to happen after the wedding, with future Hubby having commitments to a last year in school and hour away from where I am now.

"Always look on the bright side of life..." - Life of Brian
Thanks to my buddy Kelly for playing the Spamalot CD coming back from my first 5K the day after I was laid off. It took everything I had to run that day, but it got a lot of the sad, hurt, angry, and worried feelings out of me.

There's something bigger and better out there. We'll see when I find it!

April Fools follow up

So I decided to prank a coworker...

Swapping wireless mice with our office mates makes for fun times. Until, that is, you hear your office mate banging her mouse on the desk cause it's not working... then taking the batteries out and throwing them in the trash... then more banging. Then a chuckle... she's on to us.

Professional April Fool's

Pay-Per-Tweet- good.
(Check it out)

Google: Virgle and a trip to Mars, and Google Custom Time - great
(Google it, sign in to your gmail, or, find it by accident- the layers of creativity are amazing!

Design firm staging a murder, AWESOME/TERRIBLE?
Read on below

An April Fools' mystery

Mar. 31, 2008 08:31 PM

It's going to be one heck of an April Fools' Day at Graphique Communications Design Inc. in Scottsdale.

The owners are planning to punk their employees, big-time. (They gave The Buzz permission to let readers in on the joke.)

This morning, a "police officer" is set to arrive at the office and tell workers there's been a murder in the building, and evidence points to someone at the company.
Employees will be questioned and then taken away as possible suspects. When appropriately worried, they'll be let in on the joke and taken to lunch. Then, the owners plan to sneak out of the restaurant and stiff workers with the bill.

"I think April Fools' and Halloween are our two favorite holidays," co-owner Stephanie Krinetz said.

The Buzz thought most Valley HR departments had put the kibosh on April Fools' pranks, but plenty of companies still believe the day encourages office fun.

In a recent CareerBuilder.com survey, 32 percent of workers said they'd either planned or were the target of a workplace prank.

Whether to sanction April Fools' depends on a company's culture, said Aaron Witsoe, president of Creative Business Resources in Phoenix. "If all year long, your office is goofing around, you have a real tight-knit, small organization, to put a memo out saying, 'Don't do anything for April Fools' ' would seem counterculture," he said.

Need a last-minute prank? CareerBuilder collected a couple from past years:


• "Placed a pair of pants and shoes inside the only toilet stall in a men's room to make it appear someone was using the stall. It sat there for hours until someone called security to check if the person had died."

Under-Rated aspects of the work world

Important but neglected facts of life:
-Eat a good breakfast
-Get to work on time
-Don't sit on your but all day, find a reason to get up at LEAST every 2 hours to move around
-Pack your lunch, save your income
-Smile, it brightens your mental spirit even if it looks creepy and you're alone
-Find a streaming web radio (like www.wzpl.com Z99.5) because it creates a normal routine and eases the start of your day
-Take your lunch break or you're wasting recharge time
-Dress for success, but don't be uncomfortable
-Leave when your work is done, but don't work late too often, your personal time slips away quickly

Learning and Successes

Many things have happened in the last month! Still like what I do, having to evaluate how much I like it is hard. Environment vs tasks can play a large part in the life of a happy worker bee.

I wrapped up the marks developed for the University I was working with and delivered them. They're thrilled with their new youth logos and we share excitement about finally seeing them printed and embroidered on official school merchandise! Success!

Many new opportunities to do creative work at the office have found their way to me. A new coworker was hired and took over many of my non creative tasks (wonderful!!) and frees me up to spend more time on the work I've committed to. Exploring significant redesign or our company materials, business stationery system and other visual communication techniques. It's a hard sell when they don't see a problem with the stuff they have.

Mean while, I had my first life lesson in dealing with a coworker that had some behaviors violating our company's core values. I stifled my feelings for 3 months after sharing them with my boss and on St. Patrick's Day, just when I thought the entire office was going to have a sit down chat about behavior, I was asked to call out my coworker. It was not the best way to do things at all but in my boss's eyes, it was done. I guess that's all I have to say about that. Later that evening, Scott's Brew House ran out of green beer. It was a tough day.

Last Thursday, I attended a talk put on by Google and AIGA Indy about marketing and brand - how small to large businesses can use Google's tools to launch their success. Interesting presentation but I could have easily subbed for the main presenter. Eitherway, it reinforced my view that Google is hot stuff.

My fiance and I signed a lease for our first apartment together. I will be moving after the wedding and have chosen to be to commuter. It will take me around 1hr15min to get to work and 1hr30min to get home. This decision will affect my work when weather gets dangerous in the winter, when I am sick, if I have car trouble and if traffic gets bad. Discussion will begin about a month before I move regarding potential work from home scenarios or telecommuting options to save money and time one day a week. With soaring gas prices (down to $3.29 this week,) even a small car becomes a third mouth to feed. I'm exploring carpool options to cut wear and tear on my car, gas expenses, environmental impact and mental exhaustion.

New horizons, the bar is raised and I've gotta lace up my shoes.
Cait

Don't forget to change your status in job search websites

Oops, I changed my CareerBuilder account but not Monster. I got a phone call today seeing if I was interested in a full time Graphic Design position. Note, I am gainfully employed as a new hire at a small but successful company. I may pursue the offer in hopes of project based work. But leaving your setting as "Looking for Full Time" and having your current boss come across it could be touchy.

Here's to learning from mistakes and maybe even getting benefits.

I'd be rich if I could supplement my income this way!