One of those things you should be doing
I can’t deny the value of reading, for example, and when I see everyone I aspired to around me doing so, I go ship myself the most appealing book at the time.
However, after skimming the first few chapters, I tend to forget about the thing and let it collect dust for months before ever picking it up again. The feeling? Waste of money, space, time, effort, intent - I could have spent those hours doing something I truly enjoyed. In the end, I would have felt good about the time put into the result instead of regretting.
Lesson Instead of gravitating toward things you think you should be doing, take a step back and figure out the things you actually enjoy doing. As we grow up, it becomes more and more evident that we’re all racing against time. To develop a good handle on anything, it’ll take dedication and hours. But more importantly, it’ll be an enjoyable journey on the way to that peak point.
Reminiscing via photographs - Look at how small and cute Habu was when we first got her guinea pig butt. She’s also fond of the camera (click-thru for Flickr set).
I can’t stop thinking about this plush Totoro mousepad I spotted today…
Sometimes, Form > Function.
More notebooks than I could possibly find time to fill…
I wandered into an Anthropologie last night after getting my fro-yo fix. Picked up both the Lime and Purple washes for 4 a pop. <3 I’d be willing to pay around 10 for a good sketchbook.
The paper inside is slick (good for pens), and is lined w/ a dotted grid.
3 Birds is under New Hotness! 3rd derby submission is doing well (appropriately for the “three” themed derby).
One thing I like emphasizing in my process for shirt design is the placement. The front of our bodies, as a canvas, are rarely flat. Draw shapes to wrap around the curves!
As much as my love for organic foods and branded clothes grows, I will always love love love stores like Daiso Japan who stock ridiculously cheap but cute things.
Interestingly perhaps, the cashier was a fairly young (high school?) white boy. He politely asked me how I was, and in return, I smile and asked him as well. He snapped out of his polite talk mode, and looked genuinely happy that I returned the question. Poor guy was probably getting ignored by all the Asian ladies buying toilet scrubbers. So, glad to have made his day.
click-thru for rest of cute swag
Support pls! I drew a kiwi on of a pile of kiwis for the latest derby.
At any rate,
Chances of popularity: slim.
Benefits of giving myself a reason to do something I actually enjoy: infinite.
Now, this is truly a sketch (5, 10 minutes?). Click thru to see the animation.
Day 02 — Your favorite movie
Instead of reposting posters, decided to doodle something!
I just saw Toy Story 3 this past Sunday. That being said, Pixar movies are SOLID. Toy Story 3 is my favorite movie of the moment. (See, 5 stars.)
Other long time favorite movies include Totoro and Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo.
the aftermath
cheap economy canvases... rippable
based on this post-it sketch
IT’S ABOUT TIME I picked up the brush again. In an hour and a half (respectively), I laid out the first two paintings of the summer.
For the Modern Art Enthusiasts - Sometimes, you can’t help but to feel lost. The ground you are walking on, is it real? Even if it’s clearly concrete, doesn’t it feel like thin ice at times? What if you just plunged into bitterly cold waters? This caved path with spots of light poking through means to show you that not only there is a clearing at the end of the pass, but little spots of wonder throughout the journey as well. Surreal, wonderment, provoking.
For Everyone Else - I wanted to paint some pretty trees.
Regarding the second painting - Due to the leftovers, and the desire not to waste paint, I used what I had to sketch out a second piece. There’s not much to it, maybe I’ll finally get some people practice.
At any rate, I love the stench of turpentine. Even if my professional title is “Interaction Designer,” the creativity that dwells in me expresses itself naturally in painting.
Why haven’t I shared this yet? LinkedIn and Yelp pillows inspired by the Adobe CS pillows seen on the internet. A very simple, and rewarding, diy project.
Day 03 - Your Favorite Television Program
I’m still listening to the soundtrack, and it still makes me fluffy on the inside. Can anyone recommend anything of the same caliber?
I skipped a from Day 01 to 03, kthnx g’night.
Day 01 - Your favorite song
This is it, at least for the moment. I pop on a song like this whenever I’m designing, and need something soothing to keep me going through the pixel pushing.
NDAs: Adult Pinky Swears
Sorry for the lack of updates! I am being creative, and such, however most of my work recently is bound by NDAs. Thus, keeping my legal promise, I’m not allowed to share any of it until it goes live on their respective sites.
All of it takes up most of my time, and pushes the majority of my pet projects into the back burner.. for now.
Enjoy my stabs at Woot! derbies (with 129 votes, I am very happy with my first go) since I am sure to enter more.
Also, I’ll pursue this in the meantime. Maybe it’ll humor some of you.
Day 01 — Your favorite song
Day 02 — Your favorite movie
Day 03 — Your favorite television program
Day 04 — Your favorite book
Day 05 — Your favorite quote
Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 — A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 — A photo you took
Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 — A fictional book
Day 14 — A non-fictional book
Day 15 — Part of a story
Day 16 — A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 — An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 — A talent of yours
Day 20 — A hobby of yours
Day 21 — A recipe
Day 22 — A website
Day 23 — A YouTube video
Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 — Your day, in great detail
Day 26 — Your week, in great detail
Day 27 — This month, in great detail
Day 28 — This year, in great detail
Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 — Whatever tickles your fancy
30 Days via chanjou
Awhile back, someone suggested that I try joining the shirt design community, and making some pocket change with my abilities. Here’s the first stab on Woot! Shirt’s current Psychedelia derby.
Version with a hand: http://shirt.woot.com/Derby/Entry.aspx?id=42692
