In a parallel universe

At my new job, I handle images of amazing feats of architecture daily. I love my new job. So many of the places in my life that I’ve actually been halted for a moment to acknowledge “This is a beautiful place/building.” have originated from the minds of my new associates. It’s kind of surreal. My presence and purpose feel like a combination of looking behind the curtain at the Wizard and being given the extension cords to plug in the power for a giant carnival at night.

 

In a parallel universe, I must be an architect.

 

It’s not that far off from being a graphic designer as far as thinking goes. We make things that take up space and communicate ideas and feelings. Some of my favorite projects have been when I can create work that is produced at larger than life scales like directional signage and labeling. It may start as a 3 inch illustration of text on my screen but it jumps to sexy, indulgent 3 foot letters on a wall spanning a room! You can appreciate the subtleties of text at that size in a whole new way. I can imagine that looking out of a window that you planned on the 30^th story of a building may feel a bit similar.

 

This blog entry was made possible by a tiny dose of much needed caffeine as my 14 month old is teething and having more vivid dreams at night. Therefore, I’m sleeping like a crazy person again pulling maybe 5 hours in 2-3 hour intervals. I enjoyed the break from my deadlines of aligning, editing text, cropping images, and dreaming about visiting the buildings I’m building cutsheets for. For just a moment, I skipped away from my desk to the corner of the office floor to peer out several windows at the big fluffy snow that everyone is worried about accumulating tonight. It’s about time after a significantly milder than usual Midwest winter. In those moments of silent movement, with clumps and flakes floating towards the window, landing on the sill, and melting, I exhaled. Today is a good day.

 

Now I’m going to get back to my work load before this tea inspired euphoria wears out!

 

 

 

Rebranding the Home of the Indiana Pacers & Fever

It was announced this morning that Conseco Fieldhouse would change its name to Bankers Life Fieldhouse, reflecting the affiliation with the subsidiary of CNO Financial. Seeing as how I now work next door to this NBA/WNBA facility, concert venue, and city land mark, I thought it would be really interesting to peek behind the curtain of the rebranding in progress. My coworker and I hopped over and took some pictures just as some local event graphics shops were installing banners and the light boards and screens were being tested. While the name doesn't roll of the tounge as easily, the graphics are far more sophisticated!

There's an interesting write up in the Indianapolis Business Journal. It includes commentary on the replacement of signage and designations at the field house. The quote CNO as saying they are spending less than $1 million on the swap out. Still a good boom in business for the local sign shops and a reason to seek out goodies on eBay later today.

I'll update with pictures when the workload allows.

The Return of the Workin' Girl

After several months of unpredictable job situations, I’m back down town, working full time as a contract hire creative for an architecture firm. Let the next chapter begin.

In May, I quit my full time University marketing job, packed my bags and my family and moved 40 mins further away from my old job. I kissed my 90 min commute with daycare drop off goodbye and took to unpacking and setting up a home, caring for my 6 month old daughter, and freelancing for some really awesome clients (some of which were found with the help of my awesome reps at Artisan, a sponsor of AIGA Indy.)

 

Freelance project work rarely lasts long and I lucked out with a big client. But as it ran out, I started seeking a full time position. Surprise: the market sucked. Over saturated with talent and underwhelming entry level gigs, I enjoyed 2 solid months of personal boot camp. I made it my job to go to the gym daily, kick my own butt and shed the last 15 baby weight pounds. Check! Done! And all that positive endorphin driven refreshed youth kicked into my job hunt. A friend tossed out a job opportunity and a chat back and forth with some of my forwarded project materials  turned into an interview and then a contract spot. Schweet.

 

Ahhhh, but here’s the rub. With my quickly fading will power and the holiday goodies scattered everywhere around the new office, I’ve got to find a routine solution to maintaining this smokin’ physique (well, that’s going a bit too far.) My new schedule and the new gym that bought our old gym are going to be my new nemesis. I’m ready to fight for what I’ve got though and have to get creative in making the life balance work.

 

For now, I’m keeping memories of my personal bootcamp alive by listening to all my crazy sweaty songs on my iPod at work. Lunch break may turn into a hunt for some stairs to climb.

Back to the long awaited grind, making beautiful designs for the downtown workin’ world.

 

Inspiration for Good Design

Yesterday was AIGA's One Day For Design and all the conversations led me to discover some really cool folks in the design industry.

Nuggets, tidbits, good s#it.
I'd like to share my findings.

"This is a dangerous idea, but this is how we learn. It's okay to bite another style, as long as you don't swallow the whole thing. Use it as a jumping-off point and don’t emulate it. Nobody is simply conjuring ideas out of ether and pixie dust. Be aware of your influences and use them to your advantage. If you have talent, intelligence and integrity then your unique style will show through. I truly believe that."

Links I like:
jessicahische.is/awesome
       theinternetsendsmecake.com
       dailydropcap.com
       momthisishowtwitterworks.com
       shouldiworkforfree.com

dribbble.com

goodf___ingdesignadvice.com

youngjerks.com
       10 Design Tips
On the idea to COPY work/themes/ideas: "This is a dangerous idea, but this is how we learn. It's okay to bite another style, as long as you don't swallow the whole thing. Use it as a jumping-off point and don’t emulate it. Nobody is simply conjuring ideas out of ether and pixie dust. Be aware of your influences and use them to your advantage. If you have talent, intelligence and integrity then your unique style will show through. I truly believe that. - Dan Cassaro"
On the idea to EDIT EVERYTHING: "Sometimes saying goodbye is the hardest part. Making something you love isn't nearly as difficult as letting it go. An argument could be made that the real talent in design is to see and realize why something is ugly, not pretty. Designers, like the rest of the creative world, have a tendency to over think and over design. A more effective tactic is to find out whats not working and get rid of that. It's rough, but your mom never liked that one anyway. - Dan Cassaro"


pof.tdcsecure.org


crankypressman.com


poolga.com

http://geek-art.tumblr.com/post/4373723194/yummy-they-are

Quick Video of Silk Screening a Poster

Non-Design Related (sorta)
Super Brownie Recipe

Stuff I'm working on:

Designing lettering for interior spaces

Calling out locations on a map

Breaking down a university meal plan in a way that explains customers aren't getting ripped off

Raising an adorable 5 month old

Working While Pregnant

Our staff meeting occurs regularly every other week. As I am currently 35 weeks pregnant, I asked if anyone was sick before committing to sitting in a small meeting room. Two of our five staff members were. I sat close to the door and on the opposite side of the room.

Boss lady pointed out that I shouldn't come to work if it's detrimental to my health. Ah... but there's the rub. She's not a fan of me working from home either so that puts me in a spot where my coworkers' courtesy in taking care of themselves dictates when I take my time off :-p My very valuable time off.

Well, at least I have my job and don't have to quit after 6 months preggo like my aunt and countless other people did "back in the day!"