2twentysix | Blog

Just finished a website design for a colleague’s mobile development company, Compound One. Website is currently in development, and isn’t live yet.

Somehow, in recent days, I was re-connected with this band while browsing myspace. Some great songs, and an interesting approach to instrumentation: guitar, drums, 4-track?

Myspace///Official Website

For the past two months I’ve been keeping steady with freelance work and want to share some of the projects I’ve been involved in. Most of the work is mainly front-end web development production, which is good, because I can finally put my html/css skills to good use. These projects are within the non-profit advocacy sector and support some important/interesting issues. There have also been a few website designs, but those will be posted later once they’re final.

Weather and Climate /// AK2UK /// Reform Immigration for America

It’s great to go back and re-discover music. Lately, this has been going back into my electronic collection and pulling up some old favorites, and one of them was this album by Ghostly artist Dabrye. I remember pretty vividly getting into the music of Ghostly when it was in it’s earlier stages, going to the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor to see Dabrye and Midwest Product shows. Anyway, for anyone who likes hip-hop infused electronic jams, Dabrye comes highly recommended.

Ghostly Page///Dabrye on Myspace

As a designer, I am intrigued and fascinated by how designers creatively solve problems. I’ve found in recent years I get much more out of hearing (or reading) their particular view of their work and processes rather than just admiring the finished product. Perhaps this has been my biggest growth as a designer is having more investment in solving the problem rather than the solution. Finished solutions, if done well, will complement a great idea, but will most inevitably be tied to a style. And though as styles change and evolve, what must endure is ones ability creatively assess and execute a good idea.

It’s been years since I’ve felt the need or looked at a design annual, or follow the trends of my favorite designers in order to get ideas. I will concede that one must be cognitive of what is going on currently in design, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of work one can see just on the internet alone. I’ve recently set aside my daily routine of perusing the thirty-something blogs in my Google Reader to listening to some design-related podcasts that focus on designers and their insights into their work and process.

Here’s what I’m listening/watching:
SVA | MFA Designer as Author //// Walker Art Center //// Read Between the Leading

Any other podcast suggestions?

Quimby The Mouse from This American Life on Vimeo.

I really dig Chris Ware’s style, and it’s great to see it animated, for This American Life none the less. Set to music by Andrew Bird.

This past weekend I was able to check out Cranbrook’s MFA Exhibit titled “Loose Canon”. Great collection of work. For a really good collection of photos, check out TryHarder LA’s post.

This past Friday, my girlfriend and I went and checked out the Art Battle here in Detroit. Great to see old friends and great work from local artists. Below are some of my favorites from the event. Pics courtesy of Picture This Detroit

I apologize for not posting any new Monday Music posts, hopefully this will make up for it. A friend of mine just gave me a heads up on some sweet music worth sharing. Check out Lone. Style is 50% Flying Lotus, 50% Boards of Canada.

I haven’t posted in a while due to my having to move and get settled coming back from the west coast. I figured I’d post a few things related to Detroit. A documentary about Detroit Techno label Underground Resistance, and collection of Detroit-based photography from James D. Griffioen. I think what ties these two things together is what I’ve been reminded of having returned to the Detroit area, which is the enduring spirit to create and find beauty amongst one of the most broken and bruised of cities in the country.