Finally caught the portfolio up to the present time, with all the new work I’ve been doing the past 6 months. Just added a couple new logos and new ad concepting series.
Life will also start spinning up with Sapitot Records soon, as Kyle just announced he is returning to the studio in April to start recording his second full length…with a twist. It’s going to be a Christmas album. He’s posted some details on his BLOG.
Just got done streaming the new REM CD, Accelerate, (which you can too…just go to iLike) and I’m now officially excited for the release next Tuesday. I’m very pleased to hear one of my favorite bands of all time roar back to life. After several albums of more downtrodden, subdued, and meandering rock, the group has returned to form (not that I hated those albums, they just didn’t sound like they were giving it their all). The opening riff of Living Well Is the Best Revenge recalls the live feeling of one of my favorite albums from them (and the very underappreciated), New Adventures in Hi-Fi. Stipe has returned to his pointed, freewheeling lyrical ways again, and is sporting a tone that is starting to get more gravelly as he ages. I like that! Mike Mills’ bass lines are alive once again and fun to listen to on their own right. He’s also back to the backing vocals that compliment Stipe in the very best way. Peter Buck is rocking like he hasn’t since the mid-90s, with Monster and the aforementioned New Adventures.
Much like Pearl Jam’s last album, it seems that at the very least, the current president and his administration are very capable of inspiring some great new, politically-charged music out of bands that many have written off. Pick up Accelerate this Tuesday, April 1st.
If you’ve been a diligent Sapitot visitor, you would have noticed that I’ve quietly been putting some new pieces into the portfolio.
In addition to new pieces, I’ve also been tinkering with the portfolio format to organize it for faster browsing. The print portfolio is now divided into sections based off project type. Happy browsing!
So yeah, its been awhile since I last posted on the blog. This would either be because I’ve been too busy watching election coverage on CNN, playing Smash Bros, or had nothing to say. We’ll assume it was one of the formers, as this posting will only further an argument for the latter.
For those of you who haven’t seen me in awhile, up to this past weekend, I was sporting almost 3 month’s worth of facial hair growth. Of my own free will (mind you), I decided to shave it all off. I have to say it was somewhat satisfying cutting into it. Here I am pre-shave and of course, you can’t cut all that off with out a mid-shave pic as well. I should have kept the ’stache.
Currently listening to: The Mountain Goats - The Sunset Tree
On the eve of the Virginia primaries, I was fortunate to secure tickets this weekend to see Sen. Barack Obama speak at a town hall in Alexandria, VA. I have to say, it was a site to behold. We arrived over an hour before the doors were scheduled to open and were greeted by a line of at least a thousand people ahead of us. The news reports definitely have it right, there were whites, blacks, Hispanics and Asians, running the gamut from very young to the elderly, from those that were obviously well off to those who looked to just be getting by. He truly has support from all walks of life.
After standing in line for over an hour and the line probably doubling in length behind us (along with dropping temperatures), we were efficiently moved through the lines to the high school gymnasium. From then, we probably sat for another hour. Obama was running late, but at no time did I hear people complaining. Everyone was excited to be there and the crowd was electrified, entertaining themselves with cheering and doing the wave.
Once Obama stepped out into the crowd, the place exploded in cheers. After taking an introduction from Gov. Tim Kaine and a testimonial from a Hispanic mother, he went into his stump speech, frequently interrupted by applause, but also got into specific details of his plans. He also took at least 30 minutes worth of questions from the crowd, showing his wide knowledge of world issues, tackling problems in Africa, school funding, and bridging the bi-partisan gap. In one of the more touching moments, an undecided immigrant voter asked him why she she vote for him saying she was torn between her husband’s choice of Hillary and her son’s admiration of Obama. He brought her 9 year old son on stage for a photo op and then in reply, he took 10 minutes to sell himself, showing he cared enough for this one woman’s vote as if her vote was the only one that matters. From the look on the woman’s face after his answer, I think she’s voting Obama.
I’m proud to have a candidate that I am proud to support. This has been the first time I have felt not only interested, but engaged in the political process, and in 2 day’s time I’m going to my polling place with a sense of dignity in my choice, not just a decision of the lesser evil.
So Apple just announced their new laptop this past week, and all I can say is shazam! If anyone could argue that Apple is not using design to the fullest in their products, I would say check this out, HERE. It’s a marvel of product design, the whole thing is thick as a finger and weighs less than 3 pounds, yet contains a 13 inch monitor and full keyboard. I cannot wait to try this out at the store. With a starting price of $1,700, it is probably out of my range for the meantime, but it holds a lot of promise for the future of mobile computers
All this new geek hype got me to thinking…with my aging PC desktop here at home approaching the 5 year old mark, I have to face facts that one day when I go to turn it on, it will either not start, or give me the blue screen of death. I must say, it has done an incredible job during its lifetime, as I’ve pushed it hard, running Photoshop, Illustrator, iTunes, and more, all at the same time, on just 500 megs of memory and 80 gigs of hard drive space. I’ll give the credit to my buddy Eric who pieced it together with separate parts. I’ve only had to replace the CD-ROM drive during that time, and that was only because it was used from my previous rig, which would have made it almost 8 years old.
My PC is probably hurting inside for me typing this on its screen, but I am definitely considering a Mac the next time I’m faced with a computer purchase. How could you not? Leopard runs both PC and Mac programs, is faster and cleaner than Vista, and not to be superficial, but it is sexier. So what to get? I’d love to have the portability of a laptop just for the convenience factor, but I could still probably get more use out of a desktop for my freelance. I’m seriously looking at the new iMac as an option, but at the same time I’d love to have the Mac Air for travel. Ah, heck, let’s go gangbusters and just get both!
Any other suggestions of what to look at out there?
Currently listening to: Sia - Some People Have Real Problems
Seeing as this is the first news posting of the new year, I would like to wish you all a happy new year. I hope the holidays treated you well. Here’s to a fantastic 2008.
I finally found some spare time to post up some new work that I’ve been doing at my newish job at the Discovery Channel. Some new logos and a web site made the cut. A couple more additional projects will also be added soon.
I’ve always been one that cringes at political design. It seems that no candidate ever takes the time to do justice to how they present their message. Clichés abound in this realm: the traditional flag, eagle and stars decorate just about every sign posted in someone’s front yard that proves that they are most patriotic candidate. Even worse, this fall I saw signs here in northern Virginia that used the most horrid of fonts…comic sans! C’mon now!
I finally found such a candidate in Barack Obama. I had not logged on to his site since his candidacy was in its infancy and from what I recall, it was a decent site. I revisited it during the pre-New Hampshire hype this week and was pleasantly greeted with a very fresh, clean and youthful site. An absolutely beautiful, well thought out presentation. The subtle patterns in the background, the charming widgets that decorate the page are all very tastefully done. The designers picked a very simple sans serif font to use consistently throughout the site, as opposed to the heavy handed serifs that Hillary uses rather inconsistently on her page.
The design does what all great design should do, compliment the message, and also lets the information breathe. I don’t feel as though I’m getting bashed in the head with all of his latest news and achievements, the site gracefully unfolds as the viewer scrolls down the page, with everything easily navigable. It gives the impression of a very sophisticated, well prepared candidate who represents change. The look of Obama’s site reiterates his position of breathing new life into Washington. In comparison, his rivals’ sites feel clunky and cluttered. Perhaps a it’s a good contrast of the old generation vs. the new one coming of age.
Now I’m not saying I would base my vote off of a web site design (although he already has my vote in the bag), but you have to respect someone who takes the time to thoughtfully present their case. Hats off to the designers and developers…if anyone figures out who did the site, I’d love to see their portfolio.
You can check out the Obama site here: www.barackobama.com
Most importantly, get out and vote this year, wherever you live. This election is too important not to do so.
After a slight delay, the webfolio has been added to the main navigation at the top of the main Sapitot page. Take a look!
This will be the last news posting of the year (but the blog should remain active). Look for new work to be added to both portfolios soon after the new year. Safe travels and best wishes to you and yours this holiday season from everyone at Sapitot.
What a year 2007 has been. Lots of change, ups and downs, lefts and rights, side steps and strides forwards. All in all, it was a good 365. I found a new job that I enjoy, I started reading again, redesigned Sapitot, and I rediscovered why I love art and design. And of course, a great year for music. I’ll leave the philosophizing of the death of the music industry and the fact that Nickleback stayed on the charts the entire 52 weeks to Rolling Stone and Pitchfork and get to what really matters, the music of some truly great artists. Let the time honored tradition of the year end list begin!
Here’s a list of some albums that I could really dig my teeth into in 2-Double-O-7.
Minus Story - My Ion Truss
I bought this album off the band during their show here in DC this summer. It literally did not leave my CD player here at home up to this day. The band found their inner rock and crafted their most melodic, accessible and most interesting album yet.
Kanye West - Graduation
Of any album that soundtracked my fall and winter at my new job, it has to be this disc. Undeniably catchy beats, a sharp lyrical tongue give Kanye the right to brag all he wants.
Burial - Untrue
Only got this album in the last month, but it hit hard. This is the type of album I was hoping DJ Shadow would have created, but sadly probably never will again. Hauntingly sad and paranoid, this is the disc to put during a rainy day.
The Weakerthans - Reunion Tour
Feel good indie rock record of the year. See these guys live and all will be well in your world.
Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
Can any more sugary melodies be packed into a CD? I think not. Inner turmoil never sounded so sunny.
Poison the Well - Versions
When you’re looking for something a little heavier, or in my case, an excuse to drive faster.
Kevin Drew - Spirit If…
Another quality release from the almighty Broken Social Scene crew.
Radiohead - In Rainbows
Of course this one was going to make the list…it’s freakin’ Radiohead!
Band of Horses - Cease to Begin
Hauntingly sad southern indie rock.
Khorky Custer Khrusty Presents the Klangs
I’m a sucker for my clients, and this is something you should check out. One of Kansas City’s best kept secrets.
Harlem Shakes - Burning Birthdays
Another client that I’m glad to pimp out to anyone who will listen.
Jay-Z - American Gangster
Grey-HOVA is back! Another superb release in a good year for hip-hop.
So many others I would want to comment on, but I’ll save my breath and just say that if you’re looking for some more great listens, check these out as well.
Jens Lekman - Night Falls Over Koredala
Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - Living With The Living
LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver
Tegan and Sara – The Con
Iron and Wine – The Shepard’s Dog
Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter
Okkervil River - The Stage Names
Against Me! - New Wave
Bruce Springsteen - Magic
Spoon - GaGaGaGaGa
Menomena - Friends and Foes
Lee Bock - Self-Made Man
The Shins - Wincing the Night Away
Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
The Go! Team - Proof of Youth
Albert Hammond, Jr. - Yours to Keep
