Southwest Virginia Blogs

Is Anybody Surprised that the president of the teachers union doesn’t know what 1/3 + 1/4 is?

I have too many irons in the fire right now to post much, so I’ll leave you with links to a couple of good design posts on other sites, and open trackbacks so that you can tell me what you’re writing about.

Thoughts on Design » Setting graphic design free

If I had the opportunity to give one, and only one suggestion to a young graphic designer… it would be “simplify”. It might sound too easy, and maybe it is, but that one word is a major key to design.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. - Michelangelo “

The most difficult aspect of the design work I do is setting my design free.

Saurian Sagacity: The Official Blog for Inquisitive Florida Gator Fans: 32 Bowls, 32 Logos - Part 2

This is the 2nd part of a 4-part series where we evaluate the bowls based on their logos. “We” is myself, an 11-year veteran of the advertising business and Alex (the expert), a professional colleague who is a creative director that came out of the graphic design and art direction end of the ad business. Alex is a contributor at the popular South Florida blog called Stuck on the Palmetto.

I have too many irons in the fire right now to post much, so I’ll leave you with links to a couple of good design posts on other sites, and open trackbacks so that you can tell me what you’re writing about.

Thoughts on Design » Setting graphic design free

If I had the opportunity to give one, and only one suggestion to a young graphic designer… it would be “simplify”. It might sound too easy, and maybe it is, but that one word is a major key to design.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. - Michelangelo “

The most difficult aspect of the design work I do is setting my design free.

Saurian Sagacity: The Official Blog for Inquisitive Florida Gator Fans: 32 Bowls, 32 Logos - Part 2

This is the 2nd part of a 4-part series where we evaluate the bowls based on their logos. “We” is myself, an 11-year veteran of the advertising business and Alex (the expert), a professional colleague who is a creative director that came out of the graphic design and art direction end of the ad business. Alex is a contributor at the popular South Florida blog called Stuck on the Palmetto.

I have too many irons in the fire right now to post much, so I’ll leave you with links to a couple of good design posts on other sites, and open trackbacks so that you can tell me what you’re writing about.

Thoughts on Design » Setting graphic design free

If I had the opportunity to give one, and only one suggestion to a young graphic designer… it would be “simplify”. It might sound too easy, and maybe it is, but that one word is a major key to design.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. - Michelangelo “

The most difficult aspect of the design work I do is setting my design free.

Saurian Sagacity: The Official Blog for Inquisitive Florida Gator Fans: 32 Bowls, 32 Logos - Part 2

This is the 2nd part of a 4-part series where we evaluate the bowls based on their logos. “We” is myself, an 11-year veteran of the advertising business and Alex (the expert), a professional colleague who is a creative director that came out of the graphic design and art direction end of the ad business. Alex is a contributor at the popular South Florida blog called Stuck on the Palmetto.

I have too many irons in the fire right now to post much, so I’ll leave you with links to a couple of good design posts on other sites, and open trackbacks so that you can tell me what you’re writing about.

Thoughts on Design » Setting graphic design free

If I had the opportunity to give one, and only one suggestion to a young graphic designer… it would be “simplify”. It might sound too easy, and maybe it is, but that one word is a major key to design.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. - Michelangelo “

The most difficult aspect of the design work I do is setting my design free.

Saurian Sagacity: The Official Blog for Inquisitive Florida Gator Fans: 32 Bowls, 32 Logos - Part 2

This is the 2nd part of a 4-part series where we evaluate the bowls based on their logos. “We” is myself, an 11-year veteran of the advertising business and Alex (the expert), a professional colleague who is a creative director that came out of the graphic design and art direction end of the ad business. Alex is a contributor at the popular South Florida blog called Stuck on the Palmetto.

I have too many irons in the fire right now to post much, so I’ll leave you with links to a couple of good design posts on other sites, and open trackbacks so that you can tell me what you’re writing about.

Thoughts on Design » Setting graphic design free

If I had the opportunity to give one, and only one suggestion to a young graphic designer… it would be “simplify”. It might sound too easy, and maybe it is, but that one word is a major key to design.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. - Michelangelo “

The most difficult aspect of the design work I do is setting my design free.

Saurian Sagacity: The Official Blog for Inquisitive Florida Gator Fans: 32 Bowls, 32 Logos - Part 2

This is the 2nd part of a 4-part series where we evaluate the bowls based on their logos. “We” is myself, an 11-year veteran of the advertising business and Alex (the expert), a professional colleague who is a creative director that came out of the graphic design and art direction end of the ad business. Alex is a contributor at the popular South Florida blog called Stuck on the Palmetto.

I have too many irons in the fire right now to post much, so I’ll leave you with links to a couple of good design posts on other sites, and open trackbacks so that you can tell me what you’re writing about.

Thoughts on Design » Setting graphic design free

If I had the opportunity to give one, and only one suggestion to a young graphic designer… it would be “simplify”. It might sound too easy, and maybe it is, but that one word is a major key to design.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. - Michelangelo “

The most difficult aspect of the design work I do is setting my design free.

Saurian Sagacity: The Official Blog for Inquisitive Florida Gator Fans: 32 Bowls, 32 Logos - Part 2

This is the 2nd part of a 4-part series where we evaluate the bowls based on their logos. “We” is myself, an 11-year veteran of the advertising business and Alex (the expert), a professional colleague who is a creative director that came out of the graphic design and art direction end of the ad business. Alex is a contributor at the popular South Florida blog called Stuck on the Palmetto.

I have too many irons in the fire right now to post much, so I’ll leave you with links to a couple of good design posts on other sites, and open trackbacks so that you can tell me what you’re writing about.

Thoughts on Design » Setting graphic design free

If I had the opportunity to give one, and only one suggestion to a young graphic designer… it would be “simplify”. It might sound too easy, and maybe it is, but that one word is a major key to design.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. - Michelangelo “

The most difficult aspect of the design work I do is setting my design free.

Saurian Sagacity: The Official Blog for Inquisitive Florida Gator Fans: 32 Bowls, 32 Logos - Part 2

This is the 2nd part of a 4-part series where we evaluate the bowls based on their logos. “We” is myself, an 11-year veteran of the advertising business and Alex (the expert), a professional colleague who is a creative director that came out of the graphic design and art direction end of the ad business. Alex is a contributor at the popular South Florida blog called Stuck on the Palmetto.

I have too many irons in the fire right now to post much, so I’ll leave you with links to a couple of good design posts on other sites, and open trackbacks so that you can tell me what you’re writing about.

Thoughts on Design » Setting graphic design free

If I had the opportunity to give one, and only one suggestion to a young graphic designer… it would be “simplify”. It might sound too easy, and maybe it is, but that one word is a major key to design.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. - Michelangelo “

The most difficult aspect of the design work I do is setting my design free.

Saurian Sagacity: The Official Blog for Inquisitive Florida Gator Fans: 32 Bowls, 32 Logos - Part 2

This is the 2nd part of a 4-part series where we evaluate the bowls based on their logos. “We” is myself, an 11-year veteran of the advertising business and Alex (the expert), a professional colleague who is a creative director that came out of the graphic design and art direction end of the ad business. Alex is a contributor at the popular South Florida blog called Stuck on the Palmetto.

I have too many irons in the fire right now to post much, so I’ll leave you with links to a couple of good design posts on other sites, and open trackbacks so that you can tell me what you’re writing about.

Thoughts on Design » Setting graphic design free

If I had the opportunity to give one, and only one suggestion to a young graphic designer… it would be “simplify”. It might sound too easy, and maybe it is, but that one word is a major key to design.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. - Michelangelo “

The most difficult aspect of the design work I do is setting my design free.

Saurian Sagacity: The Official Blog for Inquisitive Florida Gator Fans: 32 Bowls, 32 Logos - Part 2

This is the 2nd part of a 4-part series where we evaluate the bowls based on their logos. “We” is myself, an 11-year veteran of the advertising business and Alex (the expert), a professional colleague who is a creative director that came out of the graphic design and art direction end of the ad business. Alex is a contributor at the popular South Florida blog called Stuck on the Palmetto.

I have too many irons in the fire right now to post much, so I’ll leave you with links to a couple of good design posts on other sites, and open trackbacks so that you can tell me what you’re writing about.

Thoughts on Design » Setting graphic design free

If I had the opportunity to give one, and only one suggestion to a young graphic designer… it would be “simplify”. It might sound too easy, and maybe it is, but that one word is a major key to design.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. - Michelangelo “

The most difficult aspect of the design work I do is setting my design free.

Saurian Sagacity: The Official Blog for Inquisitive Florida Gator Fans: 32 Bowls, 32 Logos - Part 2

This is the 2nd part of a 4-part series where we evaluate the bowls based on their logos. “We” is myself, an 11-year veteran of the advertising business and Alex (the expert), a professional colleague who is a creative director that came out of the graphic design and art direction end of the ad business. Alex is a contributor at the popular South Florida blog called Stuck on the Palmetto.

I have too many irons in the fire right now to post much, so I’ll leave you with links to a couple of good design posts on other sites, and open trackbacks so that you can tell me what you’re writing about.

Thoughts on Design » Setting graphic design free

If I had the opportunity to give one, and only one suggestion to a young graphic designer… it would be “simplify”. It might sound too easy, and maybe it is, but that one word is a major key to design.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. - Michelangelo “

The most difficult aspect of the design work I do is setting my design free.

Saurian Sagacity: The Official Blog for Inquisitive Florida Gator Fans: 32 Bowls, 32 Logos - Part 2

This is the 2nd part of a 4-part series where we evaluate the bowls based on their logos. “We” is myself, an 11-year veteran of the advertising business and Alex (the expert), a professional colleague who is a creative director that came out of the graphic design and art direction end of the ad business. Alex is a contributor at the popular South Florida blog called Stuck on the Palmetto.

I was tagged with a Christmas Meme a few days ago. I didn’t notice the tag right away (sorry), but I’ll address it now. I know, it’s after Christmas, but it’s the thought that counts… right?

Three Things I wanted for Christmas:

• To be with family
• Peace and quiet
• A white Christmas

Two out of three isn’t bad, especially when I only missed out on the white Christmas.

Three things I didn’t want for Christmas:

• Too much family drama
• Too much family drama
• Anything in blue plaid

I grew up having Christmas with the my father’s family. They’re… melodramatic would be a nice way of putting it. I like things a lot quieter now that I have a choice in the matter. Fortunately, the spirit of Christmas reigned at our house this year… and no blue plaid was in sight.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and that you will have a fantastic new year!

I was tagged with a Christmas Meme a few days ago. I didn’t notice the tag right away (sorry), but I’ll address it now. I know, it’s after Christmas, but it’s the thought that counts… right?

Three Things I wanted for Christmas:

• To be with family
• Peace and quiet
• A white Christmas

Two out of three isn’t bad, especially when I only missed out on the white Christmas.

Three things I didn’t want for Christmas:

• Too much family drama
• Too much family drama
• Anything in blue plaid

I grew up having Christmas with the my father’s family. They’re… melodramatic would be a nice way of putting it. I like things a lot quieter now that I have a choice in the matter. Fortunately, the spirit of Christmas reigned at our house this year… and no blue plaid was in sight.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and that you will have a fantastic new year!

I was tagged with a Christmas Meme a few days ago. I didn’t notice the tag right away (sorry), but I’ll address it now. I know, it’s after Christmas, but it’s the thought that counts… right?

Three Things I wanted for Christmas:

• To be with family
• Peace and quiet
• A white Christmas

Two out of three isn’t bad, especially when I only missed out on the white Christmas.

Three things I didn’t want for Christmas:

• Too much family drama
• Too much family drama
• Anything in blue plaid

I grew up having Christmas with the my father’s family. They’re… melodramatic would be a nice way of putting it. I like things a lot quieter now that I have a choice in the matter. Fortunately, the spirit of Christmas reigned at our house this year… and no blue plaid was in sight.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and that you will have a fantastic new year!

I seems that the quality of education at Washington State University hasn’t changed since I attended. The sentiments shown here by Professor Streamas are very similar to those I heard being taught in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

“he (Prof. Streamas) argues that a person of color cannot be racist, by definition, because racism also defines a power differential that is not usually present when a person or color is speaking.” - The Volokh Conspiracy

A similar theme was present in the Women’s Studies program when I attended WSU. Any suggestion that a woman could be sexist was loudly and aggressively shouted down. It was taken as fact that no woman, by definition, could be sexist. I would have considered the theory that it’s less likely in women, but impossible? That’s just ridiculous.

Professor Streamas’ theory is just as absurd. While in his statement he says that the power differential is “not usually present” when a person of color speaks, this somehow turns this into an absolute when defining racism. Racism unusual in people of color? Sure, I’d accept that. Rare? No problem. A person of color cannot be racist? That’s an absurd argument.

Maybe Prof. Streamas isn’t aware of it, but “people of color” aren’t in the minority everywhere in the world. Is he arguing that because people of color were oppressed on some areas, they are incapable of racism in other areas? Has he considered the behavior of one minority race towards other minority races right here in the US? I somehow doubt it. The fact that Prof. Streamas used this idea as a defense, when he himself was accused of racist language, is when this story gets bizarre. According to him, he couldn’t have had any racist intent when calling a student a “white shitbag”. He’s a professor, the student is in an inferior position, and Streamas used racial terms to define his verbal attack… How is this not racist? I think the official reprimand was entirely appropriate.

h/t Instapundit.com

lgf: LGF Wins Two Categories in Warblogger Awards

“Best Designed Blog” and “Best Blog Overall.”

I’m glad to see that Little Green Footballs won best designed blog at the Warblogger Awards. It’s well deserved, it is a very well done site. A nice, clean three column layout which still has plenty of content space. A lot of three column layouts crowd the content, but lgf has struck a very nice balance.

lgf: LGF Wins Two Categories in Warblogger Awards

“Best Designed Blog” and “Best Blog Overall.”

I’m glad to see that Little Green Footballs won best designed blog at the Warblogger Awards. It’s well deserved, it is a very well done site. A nice, clean three column layout which still has plenty of content space. A lot of three column layouts crowd the content, but lgf has struck a very nice balance.

I’ve found out what’s wrong with me! I have the the Design Disease!

It seems to me that if you’re a designer, a proper designer not someone who learnt Photoshop in between phone calls, then design runs through your veins like Pantone 7418. But more than that, it’s there in every aspect of life. You can’t stop looking at things through your designer eyes. Everything you do is clouded by this thing that lives inside you.

Now, this is no bad thing. But I’m becoming fascinated by how this thing takes hold of us all and I’d like to share it with you lovely people.

So what’s it like, living with this disease? What does it make you do that other people don’t do? How does it affect you?

OK, honest now. How does the design disease affect you? Here’s a partial list of my symptoms. Please note that it isn’t entirely restricted to graphic design.

• See signs along the road and find design faults in them?
• Identify fonts at 65 mph on passing delivery vans
• Drive erratically for a second look at good sign
• Identify the software used by the clip art
• Point out design flaws on building signs to building managers
• Pick wine by the quality of the label design (Thanks for the reminder Noisy Decent Graphics)
• Choose products by the quality of their advertising
• and the inverse, boycott products with badly designed advertising
• Built the rock walls in my landscaping, because I’m the only one I trusted to match my design idea. Dug up the rocks myself.
• Completely gutted and rebuilt the interior of my last house, because the contractor inappropriately mixed design styles
• Have stopped reading a magazine because the design was so poor, even though I liked the contents
• Often look at the source code of other people’s websites, just to see if I agree with how they structured it
• Have given photography suggestions to perfect strangers because they were missing an obviously great shot - (Got thanked!)

Those were just off the top of my head. I’m sure more will come to me as the day progresses.

I’ve found out what’s wrong with me! I have the the Design Disease!

It seems to me that if you’re a designer, a proper designer not someone who learnt Photoshop in between phone calls, then design runs through your veins like Pantone 7418. But more than that, it’s there in every aspect of life. You can’t stop looking at things through your designer eyes. Everything you do is clouded by this thing that lives inside you.

Now, this is no bad thing. But I’m becoming fascinated by how this thing takes hold of us all and I’d like to share it with you lovely people.

So what’s it like, living with this disease? What does it make you do that other people don’t do? How does it affect you?

OK, honest now. How does the design disease affect you? Here’s a partial list of my symptoms. Please note that it isn’t entirely restricted to graphic design.

• See signs along the road and find design faults in them?
• Identify fonts at 65 mph on passing delivery vans
• Drive erratically for a second look at good sign
• Identify the software used by the clip art
• Point out design flaws on building signs to building managers
• Pick wine by the quality of the label design (Thanks for the reminder Noisy Decent Graphics)
• Choose products by the quality of their advertising
• and the inverse, boycott products with badly designed advertising
• Built the rock walls in my landscaping, because I’m the only one I trusted to match my design idea. Dug up the rocks myself.
• Completely gutted and rebuilt the interior of my last house, because the contractor inappropriately mixed design styles
• Have stopped reading a magazine because the design was so poor, even though I liked the contents
• Often look at the source code of other people’s websites, just to see if I agree with how they structured it
• Have given photography suggestions to perfect strangers because they were missing an obviously great shot - (Got thanked!)

Those were just off the top of my head. I’m sure more will come to me as the day progresses.