Everomp: Design Makes the Heart Go Yonder

Row! Row! Row!

I had the privilege of attending Cameron Moll's fantastic presentation at Velencia Community College a couple weeks ago. He spoke about what separates good designers from great. I love the concept. Living in a world where all you can think about is the next deadline, it's nice to sit back and think/contemplate about where one might stand in the grand scheme of things. Has nothing to do with competition. It's about respecting the profession and being great at it.

60 is the new middle-aged? Bullshit. Denial is the new honesty.

Christmas-time is upon us, and the feeling of giving is in the air. Well, it should be in the air all the time considering we're in the upper 2% in the world. But let's start today. Donate ten bucks to help a teacher provide basic tools for a better classroom. Noble cause. [DLM]

"What are you working on at the moment?" the girlfriend asks. I reply, "Kerning." Confused silence commences. Sometimes describing my job is necessary.

Only a week after I put a grand into my Ford truck, the Check Engine light returns. I'm no truck expert, but I'm about a breath away from signing off on Ford altogether. Nothing but problems.

I've been tagged on Flickr, and I don't even own an account!

World War I in color.

Quebec now a nation, eh. What silliness is this, eh?

Green is the new black, which is the new green, which is the new blue, which is also the new brown, which can do a lot for you. [DO]

Britain is now the second largest military spender?! Military-industrial complex, here we go!

50 shots fired by NYPD. Guns don't kill people, but the bullets help.

Check out the typesetting on the top left image (cover). Bringing it old school.

Funniest quote ever heard from a client: "We need you to remove the testicles from that longhorn illustration." Don't ask. Just laugh. Sometimes my job is quite odd.

Natural Lighting. There's such a thing?!

You know who has a big set of balls? The current Iraqi president. I'd be running for the hills.

Just picked up Mutemath after hearing one track. I never do that. Risk worth taking. I love this album! I highly recommend picking it up.

Passive Cooling. Simple design, amazing idea.

A certain blonde vomits on stage. Fortunately, the audience couldn't tell the difference between her puking and the lyrics on her "album".

Robert Altman passes away at 81. If you're not familiar with his work, shame on you.

New House. A tale of a childhood home.

LED watch designs from the 60s and 70s. Yeah, baby.

Milton Friedman recently passed away at the ripe age of 94. Here he talks about the need for limited government. I'd say he was a pretty sharp fella.

V is the new black. I think we like that movie a tad too much.

Blair admits Iraq was a disaster. Hey, at least the guy admitted it. Not exactly the "bright side" of the situation we're hoping for, but I doubt it exists.

Later Or Now

My worst enemy in life is not physical. My worst enemy throughout my teenage and college years had no external influence. My worst enemy in life comes from within. My worst enemy is procrastination.

Top 40 Bands of '06. Or as I like to call it, "40 Bands I'll Never Have Time to Listen To." Boy I need some free time. [Kottke]

Fat. When a beautiful red sports car hangs out at the donut shop.

Advertising from space. We officially have no shame. The Colonel?!

The most amazing edited song I've ever heard. "I can neither play the drums or the piano." Brilliant. [Kottke]

Basketball court.

Zombies!!! AHHHHH!!!!!

When did design become so bland and run-of-the-mill? Design is meant to inspire, inform, and possibly educate. Corporate design is so hell bent on not offending anyone, that it's now simply used as a sedative (or laxative).

John Gatto is a teacher on a mission. Worth a read!

Amazing performance of Liquid by Jars of Clay.

Indiana Jones 4 script axed by Lucas. Okay, regardless of what people think of him post-Star Wars, it's still his baby, meaning he has the right to turn down a script he feels doesn't due proper justice to the character. With that said, I'm very disappointed. We need Harrison in just one more kick-their-asses Ford flick.

IE7 CSS tweaks via Zeldman.

Blood:Water Mission has a new t-shirt for sale. Sales go towards building fresh water wells in Africa.

Nintendo's Wii is packaged and ready to ship. I, for one, am stoked.

Big friggin' helmet for sale. This is for real, folks. And it's so stylish...

Just saw some ads for Jay Leno's Garage. For the record, I want nothing to do with his garage and really could care less what's in it. Thanks.

11 million bottles of painkillers recalled. Keith Richards goes apeshit.

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." -- Thomas Edison

Translated: "Opportunities can come in the form of a gigantic pain in the ass project. So don't get lazy." I like that.

I pay all my bills online now. I love it. Ruling out the few extra steps of writing a check and mailing it is a joy. However, I ran into something really, well, stupid last night. While paying my electric bill (30% cheaper than last month, I thank you), I was charged a "convenience fee" for simply using their online payment feature. Well what the hell is that? Convenience my ass. I find it rather inconvenient to be charged $3.50 extra for using a feature you promoted regularly.

Concrete that cleans the air. Smart urban design can lead to self-cleaning cities. Cities as extensions of nature. Cool.

Holy crap! Rumsfeld stepping down! Only took six years, one war, numerous mistakes, thousands of soldiers' lives, lots and lots of lies, finger-pointing, and finally Democrats retaking power. Thank God he's out.

$12 "Hybrid" magnet to make us feel less guilty. We're dumb enough to feel better with one, too.

Fontbook reimagined. I'm diggin' the browns and yellows. [DO]

Democrats take the House!

Is the Italian Mafia still in existence? You betcha, and now they use super glue!

Handmade Balinese typography.

Some strange buildings from the Soviet era.

Review for one of my all-time favorite movies, The 'Burbs.

Lovely, worn Bodoni.

Good Magazine. [Marc]

Grand Theft Mario. Oh no! The princess!

Follow the 2006 Election, every hacked Diebold machine at a time!

Did you vote today? Hope so. No excuses in a democracy. Display freedom proudly.

Just finished listening to Paul Simon's latest--Surprise--and it is now my favorite album of the year. Edges out Beck and Jars of Clay (never thought I'd say that). Go Paul go.

Paul Rand's introduction to the Graphis Annual 1971.

HBO is under serious pressure for its documentary, Hacking Democracy. Go watch it now. I'm making popcorn.

Images from the dawn of NASA's Apollo program. Back when the space program meant something.

Water experiments in zero gravity.

May be somewhat political, but check out the handshake. Rather hypocritical.

Beautiful sequence created using US flight data. Makes you appreciate the safety implemented in air traffic. [DO]

Bangkok Delivery. Thanks Kindred.

Words used most in Presidential speeches, 1776 to 2006. It disgusts me that in a land dedicated to freedom from fear, the word used most is...well, just look for yourself.

Klaus Heesch--designer, creative, director, owner, father, all-around likable chap--has an article in this month's issue of HOW (PDF). I sincerely recommend reading it. Very inspiring, and all honest. Trust me, I've met the guy--it's almost sickening how swell he is.

On the subject of Gore, I highly recommend his new book, Worldchanging. Designed by Sagmeister.

Al Gore lobbying US government. Huh?

Paul W.S. Anderson is going forward with Castlevania: The Movie. Looking at the movies he's directed, it's safe to say this movie will suck. What a shame.

What exactly will players of WoW look like in 25 years? This looks pretty accurate even in present day, besides the freaky goggles. Having been addicted to Everquest years ago, I can relate to the hopelessness of the addict.

New daily design firm favorite (NDDFF?): ade hauser lacour. Rock on Europeans.

We just love Silk Rose design.

Desert Eagle.

So what happens when I'm taking snap shots of my latest portfolio pieces to add? My camera breaks down. Lovely. So anyone know any good deals on digital cameras?

"Art is the highest form of hope."

— Gernhard Richter