Whew, it been a long and busy year. Seems like a lot of people I know and am close to went through hardships in 2011. I’m quite thankful that they are picking up the pieces and gearing up for a better 2012. (Mayans be darned!)

In spite of life’s foibles I found time to make a new album which I’m quite proud of. The process was fun and I think that shows in the final results. Still not sure how to find an audience for my zaniness but I’m eager to get started on the next one.

I didn’t get to see as many friends, exhibits and performances as I’d hoped to in 2011, though not from lack of want. That’s something I’ll try harder at in the months ahead.

Still have to give this site a refresh some time. I’m spending more and more of my online time at Twitter, Facebook and the like. Drafting longer posts is difficult after getting used to the limits of haiku-like expression.

Happy holidays all and may your dreams come true in the new year!

Here’s a new video! My toy piano tribute to Nyan Cat. Please don’t hate me.

I’m still figuring out where I stand on the Jay Maisel vs. Andy Baio incident that Andy broke the news about yesterday. As expected, forums for sites commenting editorially on the issue exploded with people taking extreme positions for or against either party, and a mob mentality led to the disappearance of Mr. Maisel’s Facebook page.

As a fan of and participant in remix culture I appreciate both sides of the debate. I released my own album of audio collage in homage and celebration of an often-overlooked genre and period of music. I do not claim creative proprietorship of the sampled material. But I strongly believe in the fair use of transforming and juxtaposing it in the spirit of exploring new contexts and facets of appreciation.

My knee-jerk reaction is to take Andy’s side for his experimental intent. However one thing sticks in my craw. Andy took pains in securing rights for his album’s reinterpreted music. Yet he admits neglecting to do the same for the cover art, and is paying a frighteningly heavy price. As a designer and musician who frequently has to justify the worth of my work, I’m very sensitive to how much artists and their contributions are taken for granted. It’s one thing for someone to transform (or “steal” as many would call it) an artist’s work and think it’s fair use or just hope they don’t get caught. It’s another thing to completely overlook the fact that a cover image is as much an artistic work as the music it packages. I’m a little surprised to see that concept slip by someone involved in so many professional and personal creative projects.

As much as I sympathize with Andy and his family’s huge financial and emotional loss, not to mention the blow to creative culture in general, I don’t blame Mr. Maisel for defending his work. Looking forward to hearing his side of the story when the villagers finally lower their torches.

I broke down and got Korg’s iElectribe for the iPad. Instead of actually making music with it yet I was compelled to put together a custom interface skin. Inspired by the cool Gorillaz edition.

If you use the app feel free to download the skin here.
See how it looks with the actual controls.

Tip: Use it as the background image and set the Print alpha to zero. Please do not redistribute it or claim it as your own.

Wow…Letercult’s top lettering of 2010. Lots of amazing samples here, with links to artists’ portfolios chock-full of more fine work. I’d start listing faves but would be here all day. Looks like I have a bunch of new typographer crushes.

Bibliodyssey posted a special valentine for lovers of ornamental typography: Title pages, headings and letterforms from maps issued between 1880 and 1920. Overwhelmingly beautiful stuff.

Jessica Hische nails it again.

My take: I’ve been a professional designer for 20 years. I’ve been approached to “help out” with many projects over that time, and agreed to a lot of them.

I’ve never gained measurable exposure.

I’ve never gotten more (ie, paid) work from the “client.”

I’ve almost never received money or merchandise promised to me when the person or company became profitable.

I’ve rarely received proper credit or even thanks.

Friendships have ended when I’ve pressured for any of these things.

I still get calls out of the blue from people who took advantage of me years ago and don’t get the hint when I repeatedly turn down their “free”lance projects. There have been times when I was glad to help out a friend or cause, but I can count those on one hand.

Creative types of all ages and skill levels, take my advice: Just Say No!

(Jessica’s infographic found via fastcodesign.)

My next cat will be Japanese.

My original post title was eight words. See what I did there? See what Antrepo does here with a refreshing design exercise. Though reactions are overwhelmingly positive, the few critical comments are valid. A true test would be to see these minimalist products in proper context: crammed together in endless supermarket shelves. But I suspect it would make the shopping experience much less panic-inducing (for me anyway) to be presented with such relatively soothing visual stimuli.

Looking forward to a creative year, and already awash in inspiration. Also enjoying the work of several artists that are new to me. Two notable collage artists working in very different styles are Ramona Szczerba and Health Killen.