"Always be prepared because you'll never know when an opportunity will come around." Wise words from my dad and I've appreciated the knowledge all my life. I attribute it to me constantly day dreaming and crafting new designs because you never know if your ideas will create new opportunities.
Don't Change
"Make the money, don't let the money make you. Change the game, don't let the game change you." -Macklemore
Inspired by Macklemore's latest album "The Heist"
Make the Money
[Verse 1]
Now, this is my job, I will not quit it Pulled me out the depths when I thought that I was finished Yeah I questioned if I could go the distance That's just the work, regardless of who's listening, listening Listen, see I was meant to be a warrior Fight something amongst me, leave here victorious Classroom of kids, or a venue performing If I'd had done for the money I'd have been a fucking lawyer Concrete, vagabond, van telling stories Humbled by the road, I'm realizing I'm not important See life's a beautiful struggle, I record it Hope it helps you maneuvering through yours and That's why we stay in the lab at night I've been staring into this pad for over half my life A true artist won't be satisfied So I guess that's the sacrifice And I say...
[Hook] Make the money, don't let the money make you Change the game, don't let the game change you I'll forever remain faithful All my people stay true I say... Make the money, don't let the money make you Change the game, don't let the game change you I'll forever remain faithful All my people stay true
[Verse 2]
Forget about the fame, fortune and the mansion Sitting and tripping watching myself on a plasma Yeah, I start slipping when I'm thinking about that stuff Ego won't swole until the karma catches that up, that up I'm my grandma's number one grandson I lost myself to remember who that was We start thinking about some kicks, a necklace What I really need is a job off craig's list Take away the dot com, name, love Fans, twitter followers, and the buzz See, you keep the issues but you take away the drugs And I had to find out who I really was Who I really wasn't So sick of who I was becoming Yeah, tired of running Time to look at the man in the mirror until I can learn to love him
[Hook] Make the money, don't let the money make you Change the game, don't let the game change you I'll forever remain faithful All my people stay true I said... Make the money, don't let the money make you Change the game, don't let the game change you I'll forever remain faithful All my people stay true
[Bridge](x2) Of course I want dubs and a candy painted 'lac Watch the videos and get the girls in the back But if that's what I believe in, and the reason that I rap Uncle Sam is my pimp when he puts me on the track
[Hook] Make the money, don't let the money make you Change the game, don't let the game change you I'll forever remain faithful Stay true, stay true And I said... Make the money, don't let the money make you Change the game, don't let the game change you I'll forever remain faithful Stay true, stay true, stay true
[Outro] Forget about the fame I said forget about the fame I'll forever remain faithful Stay true, stay true, stay true
Good Listening: Neon Cathedral
Macklemore and heavy hitter Allen Stone. This is so nice.
Complimentary Friends
Lets all agree to disagree that the friends we keep close makes up a percentage of whom we are. Yes, I must admit I've been a bit of a hermit crab lately. Staying in during the weekends drinking little to none and geeking out on work because I've been surrounding my self with three roommates that are all working towards a deadline. Whether it is graduating, job inquisition or plain old work. We've rubbed off on one another in an ambitious, motivational way.
I'm glad to be surrounded by a combination of inspirational, fun and geeky folks. Who do you surround your self by?
Design Dodgeball pt2
Man, last Friday was so eventful and fun. Started our day early with some beers and dodge ball against the Bay Area's best design firm, Fuse Projects took 1st place this year but we will be back next year with vengeance. Following the dodge ball tournament HUGE design held an after party. I swear I got drunk sobered up and got drunk again about four times. Immediately after HUGE's party we had a hotel party- and after the hotel party we went to Oktoberfest at pier 48. Click on the photos to check out the album:
Dodge Ball Album
HUGE party album
Design Dodgeball 2012
Jackson Park in Potero Hill. Yup we will be there.
COMMUNITY, WE NEED YOUR HELP
Fortunately, two of our concepts placed "TOP 40" in the HP X Project Runway bag design competition! In order for us to move further we'll need your votes! (It only takes two seconds!)
Follow this link to vote on "HP ESSENTIAL" by Anh Nguyen or "CLUTCH" by Hoang Nguyen.
HEART&SOUL
"I DO MY JOB LIKE I BREATHE - SO IF I CAN'T BREATHE I'M IN TROUBLE."
HP x PROJECT RUNWAY COMPETITION ENTRIES
Here's a sneak peek at our submissions for the "HP X Project Runway" Ultrabook bag design competition! The Ultrabook is HPs premium thin and light notebook. The contest ran for less than a week so the concepts may seem a bit rough! If we make top 40, well NEED your votes to win! Check back for updates!!! :)
IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT US
Trophy for 2012 URBAN DANCE FEST
A few weeks back Sergio and Freya of "All the Way Live" reached out to us about designing the trophy for this years "Urban Dance Festival". They both wanted to finesse every detail from the location, venue, fliers, shirts and trophy.
The idea is to create a holistic experience that will carry on in the years to come. This is exciting because it' should set an expectation for each new year.
In the past the trophies where usually generic off the shelf poly-urethane cups but this year we wanted to integrate design thinking in designing the trophy but dancing characteristics as well.
Check our process video:
"We are as committed to creating this as you are to winning this"-- Creative Session
2012 URBAN DANCE FESTIVAL TROPHY - ATWL X CS from Creative Session on Vimeo.
Here are random photos taken from Iphone throughout the process:
ITS GOING DOWN. SEE YOU THERE
Mini vacay from all the cray cray
RONNIE FIEG X QUINTIN : SELVEDGE DENIM HAT
If this hat we're a car it'd probably be an Aston Martin - It may come off a bit conservative or stealthy but don't be fooled by it's minimal tones. Some find the flat brim to be a little too "street" but the material palette is where this hat WINS.
This thing is seriously DENSE. The cap is wrapped in THICK untreated denim, fabric lined interior, and has a nice selvedge trim to finish things off.
If you're familiar with Ronnie's caps, they are grade AAA, super premium materials... and sell out within the first hour of release! Keep an eye out for this guy, he's about to change the fashion game! :)
Post-it notes
You can judge how great my attention span is by looking at my notes after a meeting... :|
Creative Confidence
Instead of playing music as background noise today at the office I put this video on repeat. Only because I'm MAD ADHD and my attention span sucks. Especially while I'm trying to design and focus on the contents of the video.
Being in the creative industry thus far I am constantly surprised by the level of influence a designer has as a part of the creative process. Often the power we hold feels a bit much and overwhelming. I find my self defaulting to the modest excuse that; "I'm glad I get to do what I love as a kid and that who knew loving to draw got me this far."
Realistically I believe the way we make an impact as designers is through long term exposure to creative work. Consider it a muscle except you're not really getting buff. (maybe creatively buff?) But we need to be reminded that at some point earlier in our careers we had insecurities and lack of creative confidence and that constant practice makes you more and more savvy. Creativity isn't a natural born skill:
YOUR POINT OF VIEW IS KEY
"I DON'T KNOW THE KEY TO SUCCESS, BUT THE KEY TO FAILURE IS TRYING TO PLEASE EVERYBODY."
LUNCHTIME - FEAT. KEITH OF CS
Following a successful show a few weeks back, this is Keith's second show within a month! "Lunchtime" features 100% brand new watercolor paintings - all pieces were created in-between shows! The dude grinds mad hard! Props to Keith, make sure you check his Instagram - @BakerSon
"This body of work is a study of bread. It deconstructs bread as it applies to history, race, culture, and social class. Bread is not just a food but also a symbol of status. Contemporary slang elevates the meaning of bread from something that is essential to sustain life, to a word that is used as a benchmark of success. Because bread is universal, we look past the common meaning of bread to identify with other interpretations."
Don't Worry Be Happy
Why, Aren't you Clever Nike
I'm spending 5 days in Shanghai working at one of factories following a device I designed for Amazon. While here I usually spend a big chunk of my time at the factory and get back to my hotel quite late, therefore the day time hour available to play tourist is little to none.
I was lucky enough to overlap a weekend trip. Landing Saturday I head straight to work and didn't get home until 845 pm. On top of working late the awesome phenomenon we call "Jet Lag" wasn't playing in my favor.
Sunday I didn't have to come into the office until the afternoon so I walked to the near by shopping strip by the hotel. The area was jammed packed with shoppers and hustlers, the hustlers are super funny approaching you with brochures for fake; watches, hand bags, sneakers, clothing and sex. Any whom this is a whole other conversation on it's own.
From a far I spotted a Nike store, I religiously visit Nike stores in different cities because I really appreciate their interior design. This particular store had a huge photo wall, frames upon frames of athletes tiled along the wall from the first floor to the fourth floor. Visually this is a compelling sight.
The thing that really drew me in was not the tiled photos but the black rubber material masking the whole wall. If you look closely these black pieces are cropped patterns taken from the soles of popular Nike shoes. There is the Air Force Ones, Waffles and possibly a Jordan. This is an awesome alternative to painting but I thought it would be super fun as a tack board. I could use this wall in our office to pin up our work or inspirations. Check it OUT.
