Unequal-Design / The Blog

S'Twenny Somethin

2010-11-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Reflecting back on this year seems to be futile, since it was maybe the most lived one I've ever had and how can I really distill that into words, you know man. Still though, I've turned 24, and 23 was pretty incredible; I went through some of the best highs, leading me to this astounding position professionally that I couldn't have foreseen a year ago, and I've also gone through a pretty indomitable personal hardship that has left me for months thinking.

All in all though, I have some health, I have some friends and I have some blind ambition and layers of honesty. My parents didn't raise me to be one that fretted over such things as age, but considering how spread out are those that would celebrate this with me, I figure it in my best interest to just keep you all posted that I have indeed lived another year, and I'm looking forward to Michael Jordan (or Kobe, considering the jersey) dunking through the next.

TONGUE OUT AND ALL.

No Crime / No Shame

2010-10-16T17:14:00.000-07:00

Being young is wonderful. There's an inherent ability in youth to extrapolate problems to a degree that undermines everything else in your life, but those problems are easily washed away with mistakes, frivolity and / or contemplation that only youth can give. I'm focused on this because, really, I'm still incredibly young and I'm cycling through this all the time. Problem to other problem to solution to fun to problem to contemplation to solution to problem to not giving a shit to giving too much of a shit to fun again; what isn't there to love about that? Not being ensconced in the bigger problems that age and experience brings makes you do some really remarkable and beautiful things. Youth wasted on the youth is such a misnomer, because being young IS being wasteful, but in a way that means nothing is precious, but that everything is adaptable, and you can live in no set pattern or reason.

I'm barreling down on age 24 with nothing but open arms for what could be amazing and what will be awful. It's all going to shape the dynamic of how I act, relate and treat people and places. As a designer, I'm mindful of all of that already. Communication is key, honesty is invaluable and willing to fail is necessary. If I didn't tend to all of those things daily, I'd go insane. I might even feel old. The eye rolling term "young at heart" comes to mind, but maybe there's something there. Heart not being your organ — that will age and develop problems accordingly — but that ethereal "heart" that can break, mend, and represent emotional resonance, which I think is more, "young in thought and feeling," a phrase I which I wish was adopted more openly.

I'm young because it's the best thing for me, and probably a lot of other people. I'm young because what else would I want to be? Young is mistakes and truth. Think young, feel young, fail, succeed, and be kind. I'm going to get all of that tattooed on my knuckles, which will be a huge mistake.

Healthy Hands Work

2010-09-29T18:39:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I just draw for hours. Mostly none of that stuff ever gets seen by anyone, even myself after I've drawn it; I feel there's a redundancy to drawing this stuff that maybe only I can appreciate. This is mostly a destressing exercise rather than an attempt at executing something beautiful. Still though, I can appreciate some half-way constructed pages of type when I flip back through a sketchbook, and maybe you want to appreciate them too.

Shield Brand 101

2010-08-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

This weekend, while working on Longshot magazine, Will went out and bought us some new ping pong balls for our resurrected office table. This helped alleviate the stress of completing an entire magazine in 48 hours. The packaging was so nice, I had to scan it in. Full size version can be found here.

The experience of working on Longshot deserves a much more in-depth write up, but sadly, my brainball is totally deflated after this weekend. It was amazing though, and I couldn't be more proud of the product, which you can buy here. Big thanks to the entire Longshot team, and extra large thanks to Keith Scharwath for letting me participate. Would happily do it again, if not just for the free Pop Chips and beer.

GOOD × Education

2010-08-19T15:19:00.001-07:00

Here is the poster that will greet people for the upcoming series of talks about education being held here at the GOOD offices. Pretty excited about these discussions, especially with the tumultuous nature of contemporary education right now. Apparently tonight's offering will potentially be pretty combative.

Here is the program I also designed. It's kind of fun when all of this stuff pulls together in a few hours the day before an event.

Fizzed Bounty

2010-08-08T14:27:00.000-07:00

I finally made it out to Galco's Soda Pop Stop in Highland Park yesterday. Galco's is a long standing, independent grocer that specializes in small market sodas. If you have 12 minutes, you should watch the video above. Going to Galco's has been something I've been intending to do for a couple of months now, but for whatever reason I just hadn't accomplished the task. I think maybe my personal affinity for soda makes it almost seem seedy to go there, rather than an enjoyable excursion for fun. My struggles with sugar water is well documented, so I won't bore anyone with the exposition.

What got me there was my friend Theo bringing up his own personal desire to try a wide variety of root beers and cream sodas, primarily to break it all down bracket style, like his own personal March Madness. I'm hoping he wasn't joking, because that would be something to really behold. Irregardless, we both decided it was due time for us to pay a visit.

First off, Galco's is great. It has a real family feel that is not at all forced. It almost felt like I was stepping back into days of my youth, hanging out in my grandfather's auto parts store in Cheyenne; the staff are all kind, informed, but not clinical in how they talk to you. There's a real passion for independence here, and in a way, sustainability. You can tell that Galco's doesn't approach the subject in a ham-handed way, but rather was the logical reason for what goes on the shelves. Glass, and only glass is what you see. There is evidence of reuse, both in strict recycling, and in the way in which they box up your final purchase. I don't think these are political considerations, but just they way things should be done.

Theo and I were lost amongst two aisles of cascading colors and graphics. The selection is daunting, which is weird considering how little of the actual aisle space it takes up in the store. There were other items sold here, primarily alcohol (looks like the beer selection is also pretty great), candy and other snacks. I found everything I could have ever wanted though, soda wise. I grabbed some Sprecher's Root Beer, which I had missed greatly since my departure from the midwest. Also got some Bubble Up, RC Cola, Dog n Suds, Frosties, and a few others. The bounty was rich, as you can see.

This is what I'm drinking today. Cheerwine, a cherry soft drink from North Carolina. It is crisp and refreshing, with a pretty nice and understated label. Check out that "C" extending as an underline, and the weird half-ligature overlap going on with the "r" and "w". I'm sure I'll review others as I go along. I have to limit myself though, because this could get bad fast if they all taste this good.

Outerwear

2010-08-05T23:21:00.000-07:00

It's tough not to wear it on your shoulder. I don't know how many inches to dish out regarding the personal upheaval, but rest assured I'm ardently working on turning this ship around. It's just tough. No one has ever accused me of being able to side step these emotional landmines, because that's obviously not my nature. I'm a composed mass of exposed senses, heightened and aware at all times. I react swiftly and in a prolonged timetable. I just have to work through it through work, I guess.

Archival Chromed

2010-06-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

I can't really tell what candor to take with this blog anymore. Should it be about "feelings" and exploits, or about interests and information? Does content need to be identified editorially if it's personal, or is that a quibble that only I care about? There's been a lot on my mindgrapes lately, and I'm just unsure what the protocol is any longer.

The largest item plugging away in the hull atop my shoulders is the compartmentalization and sprawl of all the people I love far away from me. From my girlfriend to my family to my beloved friends, I am periphery to their lives — half due to my fleeting attempts at proper communication and the other half because of distance. I'm incapable of fully grasping how this happened, really. Isn't there some sort of romantic notion to carrying those people close to you through thick and thin? Aren't you supposed to be near? I suppose the same level of romance can be attributed to someone who leaves; a lone soul living by way of travel and fleeting encounters.

I'm rambling. I'm aware I'm rambling, but bear with me. All of these things need to be thought out and captured in a net of text for me to further look back on, and if I make that net public than perhaps others can lend their voice to these questions. Smarter, more capable people than myself. Not to sound trite and sad, but it just gets hard, you know? To amass those feelings and people only to watch them board planes and pack into cars and you do the same. Measuring the worth of a relationship by a calender as opposed to a more internal mechanism, one that rationalizes the interaction and connection. It shouldn't be about what can be accomplished on a deadline before departing but about shared levels of emotional singularity. Understandably, singularity might be the wrong word, but it's what feels right. The notion of shared experience that draws out resonance of me to you, making an us. I don't have that with those closest to me right now. Honestly, I don't know when I will. This also isn't to write off or ignore those fledgling friendships I have made here, of which I'm three thousand times more grateful for than your initial radar might read. There are great people with me, they just aren't the inner circle yet.

Course of action? Unknown. I cannot begin to untangle this knot because doing so might present fuses and triggers. Those things could be lit or hit and BOOM, the whole building goes up. I'm just looking for something between the lines of text or the quietness on the receiver. There's a sensitivity to the inaction I'm honing in on. It's not to make a rationalization or decision, just to be aware, like learning anything. I'm a student of seeing the silence now. I'm a disciple of misunderstandings. The wire gone cold, am I just archiving these feelings? I would prefer to keep making new ones.

The Line

2010-06-24T22:42:00.000-07:00

If you have the unfortunate pleasure of following me on twitter, than you might well be aware of my recent travel woes. Now, I imagine most people found it annoying of me to live-tweet every experience I had (seriously was so grossed out about the zit couple though), but this is my second go 'round on a hassled travel event, and I wanted to keep the memories fresh because that last one actually taught me a lot about patience, kindness and having a good human spirit.

I won't bore you with the specifics, and I have a feeling the overall story might be best served with a few cool beers and conversation than me regaling people with what is probably a pretty boring story in the written word. The Reader's Digest version is that storms struck Chicago yesterday, delaying many flights, but most notably those of United Airlines. Again, if you were following my tweets, you know I was none too happy with United, but you might be asking yourself, "Die-lon, they don't control the weather! Not like Storm is up thurr in the control tower flicking her wrists and flashing lightening." You are right, and I fully accept the mantra of "shit happens," but this is no excuse for a company to not inform its customers of what is actually going on. There were long stretches wherein we had no idea why there were certain delays, only to find out in the end that they weren't storm related, but purely managing oversights: sending our intended plane — that was on time — to a different gate; not informing the staff arriving on the separate (but 5 hour delayed) plane that we were boarding that they were flying to Los Angeles, making three flight attendants illegal for flight; not also calling separate pilots to be on standby, because they were an hour away from being illegal themselves.

These are just a few of the problems experienced at United. This doesn't include the three-plus hour long "customer service" line, or the fact that they cancelled another flight out to L.A. because they were missing a pilot, after everyone was in line to board and the standby list had been fully filled out. All of these things could have either been handled better by a major airline, or at least told to their customers in a more timely and less divisive manner.

Still though, lessons were learned, and mostly all were positive. While disembarking from the plane after being grounded for three hours, most of the strangers around me began commiserating while exiting the plane and moving directly the two-thirds-of-a-football-field customer service line just outside our gate. I, too, found myself in casual conversation with those around me, all of us piecing together information, sharing and joking with what little we actually knew of the situation. Most notably, I met a small group of women in front of me who were all very different but very awesome. There was a small Iranian-born woman who befriended me ("Deelahn, would you mind saving my space, I need tu charge my phone!"), a nice, old German woman with stunningly neon pink lipstick on, who was trying to get to San Francisco after having a hassle traveling back from Munich, a pretty lively woman from Los Angeles but living in Chicago who kept saying things like, "It's a dog ea' dog world out there," and "Nuh huh, there is NO WAY I'm not getting to L.A., TONIGHT." and, lastly, a grandmotherly, but salty Korean woman who was traveling with just one box in a bag. My favorite moment of her's was when she explained her travels as this, "My granddaughter booked this flight for me. What, I don't know how to book a flight? I never book on United. United SUCKS. I mean, look at this line? They SUCK. I'm never having my granddaughter pick out anything for me again."

There were many pleasantries and jokes shared amongst us. Most of these women were traveling to see family based in Los Angeles, which I learned a lot about because of our similar ages. I liked the idea and expectation that I'd look up their kids and suddenly have a crazy motley crew of friends, "Remember when I was locked up for a night with all your moms and grandmas? Thoooose were the daaaays." I also met a really nice U.S. history teacher from Minnesota, and we talked Twins — we agreed there needs to be an ace on staff or we're not gonna go deep in the playoffs — as well as Teach for America, the education system in general and his students, who were headed for a trip across the east coast, studying all of America's founding landmarks. I also met a super nice Australian guy in a sharp suit that had clearly been marred by the waiting of the day, but still stylish. He told me that there were no hotel rooms near the aiprot, which was a bummer, but he had gathered valuable info about our flight the next morning and that he found a hotel 10 miles away, but it sounded like rooms were going fast.

By the end of the night, most didn't get out of the airport, either by flight or for a room. People split off into family units or to where their needs lied: outlets, food, or space to sleep. I plugged in my fully dead computer and fully dead phone and began to inform everyone in Los Angeles and back home that I wouldn't' be making it that night. This wasn't done with any tinge of sadness, because by the end of that line I had met some pretty interesting and wonderful people. I had also learned that when things aren't going well, people really do tend to make the best of it. At any point people would have been within their rights to lose it. There was a powder keg feeling throughout the day, but everyone remained calm and mostly there were shared "good grief" type smiles as opposed to raised voices. That's why I wasn't really upset when I finally was able to communicate to the world. I was just so tired and worried about my job that I hammered out a few emails and then just tried to relax, kicking on X Files and zoning out in the brightly lit, nearly silent airport.

I'm home now after a 6:30 am CST flight. My body succumbed to sleep at around 10:45 am PST, and now I'm wide awake, bounding around the internet, anticipating getting back to some normalcy tomorrow. Small slices of strange in your life can be good though, and I'm glad I got to eat that humble pie. It made me all the more appreciative for the world I share with all these amazing people. Travel lightly, friends.

Introducing! 020

2010-06-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peek at the next issue of GOOD, the New Orleans issue. I am traveling back from Burlington, VT — where I was on press — as we speak. Really. I'm in O'Hare awaiting my connection to LA and I'm trying to watch the USA v Algeria game on some very spotty wifi. I've gone next level, it's true.

This issue focuses on New Orleans in a lot of ways, from the rebirth and rejuvenation to critical assessments of what is happening there, from media, housing, environment and culture. Nessim Higson was our guest art director, a resident of New Orleans with deep connections to other talented individuals in the crescent city, like Daymon Gardner, who took the cover photo and quite a few other shots for the issue. All the art on the pages comes from creative folks who are currently living or were originally from New Orleans. That's not to say it feels of a certain voice or aesthetic, as the creative community in NOLA is incredibly varying and all great in different ways. Of course, the writing is sharp and fun, also with a focus on featuring local voices speaking on issues important to the city.

Couldn't be more grateful to have worked on something like this and I hope people are as excited once it hits stands as we all were to make it.

Primaries

2010-06-13T12:12:00.000-07:00

"There is only one road to follow, that of analysis of the basic elements in order to arrive ultimately at an adequate graphic expression."
— Wassily Kandinsky

Been working a lot, but had time to noodle a bit (digitally, but I'll take it). More reports to come.

The Title Is Ironic Only If You Let It Be

2010-05-16T23:42:00.000-07:00

I made a summer mix. I blasted it everywhere, so why not one more place? It's filled to the gills with some stuff that I really like, and maybe you'll like it too. If not, I'm sorry. Deeply.

Going to New York on Wednesday night, and I'm hoping to have a really wonderful time. I need to nail down my plans as not to interfere with the real reason I'm going, but if you want to hangout, let me know. I'm hoping this trip smooths out some recent bumps in my personal life.

A (Last) Man and his Monkey

2010-05-05T22:56:00.000-07:00

There should be a full disclosure moment here: I have been reading comics since I was 12. Earlier than that, of course, I consumed 32 page installments of superhero books (I bought a lot of X-Men comics, most notably a one-off issue of Wolverine and Gambit fighting one another that I tried to emulate in drawings for days), but at age 12 I hit on something different. It might have been at the urge of Wizard magazine, or maybe at the suggestions of the local nerd — said with all due respect — at the Walden Books in the mall, but I somehow came across Vertigo comics.

Having few friends, a lot of free time and a sense that I wanted more from my fiction, I began slamming through trade paper backs, namely Alan Moore's Swamp Thing, Niel Gaiman's Sandman and Garth Ennis' Preacher. These books are considered "adult," in the fact that they contain salty dialogue, violence and sometimes nudity, but that merely puts a facade on what should separate books like these from something like Green Lantern. That's not to take a shot at Green Lantern, but more to put a distance between something that is purely entertainment, which is always a fun time, to something that pushes a reader to feel something — oftentimes something that is hard to deal with.

All of this is incredibly long exposition to what I really wanted to write about, which is Y: The Last Man. I started reading this series towards the end of my time in high school and it immediately took to me. Brian K. Vaughn (words) and Pia Guerra (art) created a seamlessly easy to digest story that could extrapolate to allegory very easily; a plague has eradicated any species carrying a Y chromosome, thus leaving it in the hands of all the females, save for one man and his monkey. Yorick Brown is the last surviving man and the only other mammal with a Y chromosome is his helper monkey, Ampersand. If you aren't on board already, I don't know why you are reading my blog.

Of course, Yorick has to have a tragic angle to the global tragedy of every other male in the world dying (other than the obvious), and it's actually pretty sad, but obvious. His girlfriend Beth, whom he was set to propose to before all the males died, is in Australia. I could continue detailing the entire series, but I won't. I'm just hoping to set the table for you to go pick it up, if you so choose. Now I'm going to get to what I wanted to talk about.

Y: The Last Man provoked an emotional response from me in its closing that I hadn't felt from a piece of art in a long time. Maybe when I watched the end of The Wire was the closest thing I have felt to this, but even saying that, this somehow struck me in a far more specific and pointed way. The entire series walks on a tightrope of smartly crafted science fiction critically important post-modern narrative, primarily posting incredible ideas about feminism, war and what humanity is capable of. It inverts a premise that is seemingly easy to write off and creates a new world shaped by the horrors of what we can do and the greatness that we can aspire to do.

I know that it's be hard to believe that feminism works into a narrative where the primary character is a male, but you have to trust me with this. You have to trust me that Yorick is outshined on almost every page by a wide array of strong women — mothers, daughters, sisters, body guards, assassins, scientists, astronauts, etc — all carrying on in a world that, on a superficial and base level, would be left to chaos. It doesn't hide the fact that it is almost expected by societal perception that the world would crumble without men, and yet it makes a pretty valid case that men are the ones that ruined it. Not only that, but maybe the fairer sex is really who should have been in charge the whole time. Even in Yorick, right at the end, you wonder if he ever found enlightenment in a world full of women or if he is doomed to repeat the transgressions of who he was pre-"gendercide."

War also comes into play. The notion of war — primarily carried out in the name of commodity and/or religion — is also heavily worked in the book. It's interesting to see how war changes with women in charge (understood, I know that this work is made by two guys and that can be taken with a grain of salt), but I don't think it is outside of our initial response to assume that women would eliminate violence, or at least drastically reduce it if this were a real world scenario. The series lays waste to that by digging deeper into the non-gender specific catalysts for war, and how violence isn't assumed to be an emotional response dictated by our genitals; it's a human condition, and the plague doesn't take out every human, just all the dudes. Even that can be pretty obvious and not particularly mind-blowing, but the reasons for what women would fight for is, especially when it can relate back to how badly men ran the world. The books never answer these questions outright, though. Like all good fiction, it speculates and allows the reader to come to conclusions based on the varying characters you personally identify with.

It is worth repeating that I started the books in high school and just finished them up, so there was obviously a gap in my readings. From about my freshman year at MCAD until I moved to Los Angeles, I hadn't picked up many comic books. Having wrapped up the series and not being done with college yet might have changed how I saw Y: The Last Man's conclusion, but I'm glad that this is how it all unfolded. I was lured in originally based on the hook of the concept, but I finished it with an emotional reaction because I have lived a little since high school. Again, I come back to that whole "adult" comic book, which as you can see means a lot more than just seeing heads get cut off.

I want to discuss this with someone who's also read it and see what conclusions they have drawn. My feeling is that there are multiple interpretations to how one can view the series, but hopefully we'd be able to agree that it concludes in a satisfying — if not heartbreaking — way. So, read it. Now. And tell me what you think. And let's go get coffee and talk about it, like those kind of people.

The Warmth

2010-05-02T23:16:00.000-07:00

The weather welcomes cracking open a book. Just wear sunblock and remember to stay hydrated.

Currently I'm jamming through this, this and this. Shut up, comics don't make me lame.

A Glass Needed

2010-04-25T23:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I extrapolate the problems in my life into a bigger pool of misery. I know this not to be a healthy practice, so lately it's been a goal of mine to separate and solve each problem as its own spill. This past week presented a bit more for me to clean up though, and it was hard to not let it all gather together and begin to rot. I take comfort in knowing that I'm not alone with issues like this, and I also take comfort in the ability to lean and learn from people around me. Execution of problem solving can come in any numerous ways, but seeing what the positive goal of a solution is takes a few eyes outside my own and a bit of shaping from kind and critical words from those closest to me.

I will tell you, most of this is personal, meaning it's not really for disseminating to the masses. But, it can obviously put into practice with design or cultural issues, two things I attempt to address, so keep this in mind: Always learn from those around you, and cast a wide net with a curatorial eye for what is being said. Be a sponge, but not in a new-agey way — because rightly so that will make you feel ostracized — but in the way that allows for both soaking and cleansing. Taking it all in is one thing, but squishing it all back out and wiping up the mess is even better. Spilling milk is totally fine as long as you learn why you are doing it, and how you can prevent it. Or, better yet, learn to make those spills work for you, because we all know about "happy accidents" and it's worthwhile to document those.

Precise spilling, if you will. And I really hope you will.

The Spoils

2010-02-25T22:58:00.001-08:00

We're moving the GOOD offices tomorrow, which meant that a lot of the books amassed over sometime were being given away to lighten the load (don't worry too much, we're only moving a spot over in the same building). These are the books I snagged, and I'm pretty psyched on them. I mean, a free copy of Free Press? Christmas come early y'all.

I've also been informed that The Futurist is a great novel, so I am looking forward to devouring that at some point soon. You know, if I can tear myself away from Hoarders.

Been Too Long

2010-02-23T22:54:00.004-08:00

Better late than never on this. For those of you who check this, but do not follow me here, here, here, or here, I thought I should inform you that I am no longer in the midwest, but on the west coast. That is right, my friends, I'm in Dodger country, and let me tell you, the weather is sublime.

To catch you up to speed (and to write this odyssey down for my own sake), I will run down how I came to be here instead of the east coast, as last you might have heard. Upon returning from my journey to North Adams, MA — where I had left all my important worldly possessions — I had settled into some quality family / holiday / girlfriend time in my hometown, Cheyenne. Not a mere two days in, I got a pretty shocking item in my inbox from GOOD. You see, sometime in late October or early November, I had applied for an opening with them. Now, my admiration for GOOD is not lost on anyone, especially those close to me, so I felt a certain compulsion to apply. You know, might as well aim high sucka. As the month(s) rolled on, I kept hunting for a job, hustlin' and runnin' and gunnin' as best I could to find something. Fortune smiled down on me, and I got a terrific internship at MASS MoCA, which is where you and I left off on this here blog.

Okay, okay, cut back to my inbox in December, my jaw slacked. GOOD had gotten back to me about the job. Not only that, they wanted to, you know, INTERVIEW. I had two phone calls with the office out here in LA; couldn't have been more excited, but I'm sure they could hear how sweaty my palms were. Now remember, here I am interviewing for a post in LA with GOOD, my stuff is in North Adams, MA, where another dream opportunity is waiting, and I'm wondering how I got this stockpile of luck. On a Friday night, hanging out with my family, eating dinner with the whole motley crew (sadly, the crüe could not attend), I got final word from GOOD. And, as the cliché runs, the rest is hizzzztory. Which downplays how hard I flipped out; smile pinned ear to ear, hugs that almost hurt, and some ridiculous yelps, whoops and hollars!

After having to make some delicate emails back east, and putting pen to paper, I charted my course for Los Angeles, CA. I got a spot, a whip and vitamin d from the sun. It has been outrageous. I work with the best people, doing some of the best work I could dream of, and my blessings are counted on the daily. Also, MASS MoCA made a brilliant hire in Kelly Abeln, and I couldn't be more psyched to see what that team does, because it will be slam dunx all around.

I will keep this space open for more thoughtful ideas, projects and work, as I had been doing pre-bonkers turn of events. Thanks for indulging me in this retelling. If'n your are in LA, I'll buy you a taco!

Spreading 'dat Cheer

2009-12-16T11:38:00.005-08:00

A little holiday cheer from yours truly. WINTER / 2009

Recent events have led me to engage in the warm, fuzzy feelings of the season. So, here is a little token of those feelings for all of you yule logs! I hope your lives and holiday times are going great and that it carries through to the new year!

"Because I'm Little"

2009-11-29T22:47:00.005-08:00

Fantastic Mr. Fox. Directed by Wes Anderson, 2009

The trap with a Wes Anderson film is that you're left rooting for first world problems. This is no more evident than in The Darjeeling Limited (2007), wherein the three protagonists, Francis, Peter and Jack (played by Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman respectively) go on a quest for higher spiritual meaning in India, all the while focusing on material possessions, ruining relationships and the burden of being white, affluent and abroad. Where his previous films seem to resonate a bit better with this similar tone, The Darjeeling Limited seemed surface and almost hollow in its effort to be funny. In my opinion, the standouts have always been his first film, Bottle Rocket (1996) and his sophomore effor, Rushmore (1998). The main characters are no different than his later films, but pull of the ease of their humor more gracefully than what you find in Life Aquatic (though still a great film) and The Darjeeling Limited.

With his most recent effort though, Anderson may have found a way to move beyond the stagnation of his overall comic approach: animation. Fantastic Mr. Fox is just as detailed, beautiful and rich as his other works, but heightens the experience by making it tangible with stop motion animation. The story isn't unlike a penned Anderson tale — an astute, smart protagonist tries to outfox (sorry) three despicable antagonists with thievery and cleverness, all the while learning something about himself in the process — yet this one comes, originally, from the mind of Roald Dahl. This, I think, frees up Anderson to pursue a richer story because the core emotional and moral tale is intact, all he has to do is bring his charm to the story. The fact that it's animated allows his diorama-esqe, French new wave inspired cinematic styling to feel more controlled and tangible. It also allows the previous problems of The Darjeeling Limited (two dimensional characters engaged in a near-mid-life-coming-of-age story arc) to be more acceptable because animation often times relies on simple characters doing extraordinary things to play up the moral center. Fantastic Mr. Fox does that so well it's almost astounding that we haven't seen this type of outing sooner.

The voice acting is superb, the craft impeccable, and the soundtrack, as always, terrific. The humor plays out better because of the lunacy of the styling. It also doesn't talk down to kids (similar to the less kid friendly Where the Wild Things Are, released this October), which is refreshing in animation. There's some gruesomeness that kids will understand, but not find hard to swallow. There's some pitch perfect family jokes, and the voice of the film should reach most who see it, without forsaking the Anderson touch we've all come to appreciate, even if it slips up. I really enjoyed myself in this movie, and in the Anderson canon might be a high riser.

North Adams, MA

2009-11-21T18:27:00.002-08:00

Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts located in North Adams, MA.

I'm excited and eager to announce that I will be the design intern at MASS MoCA for the upcoming slate of months (January–May, to be precise). I can't explain the thrill I have experienced upon learning I will be joining such an esteemed institution with an equally esteemed design team. This means I will be leaving Minneapolis, though I may return after this stint, but I also am not able to pin down what this opportunity will do for me. I have to keep my life in flux. Flux can be fun though!

Thanks to all my friends, professors, and family. It just feels right to thank people sometimes, even if it makes me sound like a goon.

The Shelter Dubai

2009-11-18T09:30:00.004-08:00

A shot from inside The Shelter, located in Dubai.

The Shelter is a hybrid of sorts. Functioning as an "innovation campus", holding lectures, screenings and other events, it also allows creative entities to work in conjunction with small business to facilitate a better relationship between the two. This space provides the ability for in-tandem work that creates less stress on both sides. Funded in part by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, it appears as though this is something built to both sustain culture as well as proper commerce for the region and beyond.

Interior of The Shelter.

Their mission statement reads:

The shelter is an innovation campus that allows ideas to exist in a creative environment. This environment is infused with added value experiences such as language and design classes, regional major events such as the Art Dubai VIP lounge and will exist to create an experience in order to attract and identify innovation.

The design of such a set up is encouraging. It takes on the breadth of design and business without hindering either, but rather fostering a proper venue for the two to work better and harder. It also heightens cultural awareness through the stripped down means, which is often the aim of museums and galleries, but sometimes those places fall privy to being too closed off to a general public. The Shelter also houses Brasserie, a contemporary café / restaurant which appears to be casual in its approach. There is a store as well that features "regional as well as international designers to create bespoke products that are uniquely made for the store at the shelter."

Storefront at The Shelter.

If it appears as affordable as it seems — $80 a month for residency — then this is a fascinating leap for cultural centers and could be a remarkable template for those moving forward. If I ever stumble into Dubai I want to see this for myself and understand how it works. For now, I'm left hoping it is truly as amazing as it appears.

Additional research provided by Core77. Seen originally on Selectism.

We Create Massive Change

2009-11-09T22:41:00.003-08:00

Bruce Mau is a visionary and world-leading innovator. As Chief Creative Officer of Bruce Mau Design, he proves that the power of design is boundless, and has the capacity to bring positive change on a global scale.

Mau founded his studio in 1985, and his first project was the celebrated Zone Books series. A decade later he produced S,M,L,XL, an award-winning compendium developed in close collaboration with Rem Koolhaas. In 2003 Mau founded the Institute without Boundaries, a studio-based postgraduate program that was formed out of the conviction that the future demands a new breed of designer. This became the engine for Massive Change, an ambitious traveling exhibition, publication and educational program series that mapped out the power and possibility of design. In recent years he also worked on !Guateamala!, in collaboration with business and cultural leaders of Guatemala, to design a galvanizing movement to realize a positive future of their country.

Throughout the years, Mau has gained an international reputation for his commitment to interdisciplinary and purpose-driven innovation. As the creative force driving studios in Chicago and Toronto, he recognizes that the complex challenges of the future demand innovation across disciplines and industries. In the fall of 2009, Mau was given the distinguished Louise Blouin Foundation Award at the Global Creative Leadership Summit for his exceptional creative achievement. In 2007 Mau was presented with the AIGA Gold Medal for communication design. He was named the Bill and Stephanie Sick Distinguished Professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His clients include: Frank Gehry, MTV, New Meadowlands Stadium, Coca Cola and the 11th Hour. Through his design practice, Mau continues to pursue life’s big question, “Now that we can do anything, what will we do?”

— Bruce Mau Design

Perfect timing seeing the new site for Bruce Mau Design and reconnecting with his work and greater design philosophy. Currently amassing thoughts and dialogue about a (potential) new effort going forward with some engaging collaborators. Cultural centers must facilitate connection, discussion and passion, and the by product can be movements in the arts and design. Paradigms of who art and design serve and the basis for the practice must be shifted from the (im)personal to the communal and relegated in no certain terms other than positive change and doing good.

Raise an Imaginary Skull for Your Alma Mater

2009-11-08T23:00:00.002-08:00

Crank it to eleven.

2's & 3's and 23's

2009-11-05T15:21:00.003-08:00

Another year down.

Annual Birthday Wish List*

2009-11-03T10:45:00.004-08:00

Alden High Work Shoe Indy Boot

Moscot Nebb Brown Crystal Fade glasses

Wood Wood leather pencil case

Opening day tickets to Target Field / season tickets to Target Field

Dry erase paint. A whole wall / counter for ideas!

R. Buckminster Fuller I Seem To Be A Verb

Apartamento Magazine

Daytimer watch

Leica D-Lux4

Eames LCW (Lounge Chair Wood)

My own copy of Annie Hall

The ability to visit New York / specifically the Lower East Side constantly (be that through proximity from a job or someone who has great hook ups on flights)

*Obvious emphasis on wish.

Waiting

2009-11-02T16:02:00.003-08:00

Waiting. Type sketch / inside joke. FALL / 2009.

Three days away from my birthday. Please make all checks payable to Dylan C. Lathrop.

Us & Our Places

2009-11-02T08:16:00.005-08:00

I & MPLS. A sketch for a broader idea, FALL / 2009.

I want to create a set of contextual posters about us and our places. The idea being that where the "I (heart) New York" illustrates a fondness for a city, while also becoming a hallmark of tourism — and inversely, the "I (bike) MPLS" transforms the city into a utilitarian transit host — that the "I & ____" campaign would be a signifier of just you and the place. It would not resolve to define your relationship, which often is amorous, but can sometimes be not so fun. "Us & Our Places" would just set up the linkage that we inhabit a place, and that we can show allegiance by stating our inhabitance, but it draws on no sentimental or your practical iconography / ideas. It is rather just a state of being between who we are and where we are.

Maurice Binder

2009-10-28T13:36:00.004-07:00

Maurice Binder's opening sequence to the film Charade, 1963.

Little is on the internet about film title designer Maurice Binder. The Wikipedia page states:

Maurice Binder (August 25, 1925 – April 4, 1991) was a famous title designer best known for his work on 14 James Bond films including the first, Dr. No in 1962. He was born in New York City, USA, but worked mostly in Britain from the 1950s onwards. The Bond producers first approached him after being impressed by his title designs for the 1960 Stanley Donen comedy film The Grass Is Greener.

I find this interesting. Considering the iconic nature of his work on the Bond films, which by proxy we could extrapolate to a large influence on film title sequences to this day, how is there not a more comprehensive biography on this man on the internet? I've also done small searches on various booksellers and I'm unable to find any print collateral on Binder.

Now, I am a very big fan of Saul Bass, and it's evident how far his influence has reached not just on film, but also on design. Binder's work — especially in the above Charade opening — contains such vibrant and fun form play, reminiscent of Bass' work, that I'm just boggled by this lack of substance around him.

Opening sequence to the film Dr. No, 1962

Perhaps it was just the lack of diversity in Binders work, or maybe there is something about his character that doesn't warrant the type of comprehensive biography as we've seen with Bass and others. I'm not sure. I did unearth this blog post from The Mid-Century Modernist, and it seems they have about the same level of information as I do on Binder.

Regardless, his work is great. It exemplifies a time in film graphics that I think some of us wish was as prevalent in contemporary movie design. If you, or anyone you know, or anyone you don't know has more info on Binder, please keep me posted. I'm interested.

The Preferred Aesthetics of the AFL Throwback Jerseys

2009-10-25T13:22:00.005-07:00

Above: Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater in the AFL 50th Anniversary throwback jerseys.

This year, the NFL is celebrating the American Football League's (AFL) 50th Anniversary. The original teams in this league were as follows: Boston Patriots (now the New England Patriots), Buffalo Bills, Dallas Texans (now the Kansas City Chiefs), Denver Broncos, Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans), Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers and the Titans of New York (now the New York Jets). To celebrate this anniversary, these original teams have, in varying games, donned jerseys that commemorate and celebrate the tradition of 50 years ago. The one thing I wasn't fully expecting from these jerseys: how much I want to see them full time.

Above: Tennesee Titans quarterback Kerry Collins in the original Houston Oilers uniforms.

I have never been privy to hiding my love for my (relative) hometown heroes, the Denver Broncos. In 1998 the Broncos switched from their iconic D logo with a bronco breathing steam in its counter form to the somewhat lackluster — in my opinion — "cyber horse". I quickly lost my issues with that logo / uniform switch because that very year the Broncos brought home the Lombardi trophy for the first of two back to back Super Bowl victories. Still though, the sore feelings of losing that beloved logo lingered on. I always wanted to see some sort of historical resurfacing of that look, but the Broncos this year did me one better: by unveiling and playing in the yellow and brown unis of their first few seasons. These uniforms have been pretty much universally panned by NFL analysts, but how can you argue with such bizarre and amazing color choices? How can you argue with those socks? It's not that they look weird, it's that they look nostalgic. By and large, I feel, the Broncos uniforms hearken to a bygone era. They feel like, if photographed in black and white, you wouldn't for a second question that it's ‘59, not ‘09.

Above: Oakland Raiders tight end Zach Miller.

The other class acts and standouts of this retro revival have to be the Raiders, Titans (Oilers) and Bills. I should have included a picture of the Chargers as well, considering how amazing the powder blue throwbacks they wear are, but the Chargers have been playing this game longer than the other teams, with them playing in those uniforms for the past few seasons in a handful of games. The Bills, too, play in their throwbacks fairly often, but they haven't been featured in as many higher profile games as much as this season (which is a shame considering they can't capitalize and are floundering this season). The Raiders — through all my disdain for that team — look so good in the black-stroked-silver-numbered uniforms, it almost makes me want to root for them. Almost. And how good do the Titans look losing all those games in those Oilers throwbacks? They might be cursed, but they sure do look crisp.

Above: Buffalo Bill cornerback Leodis McKlevin.

I just want this feel and look to stay. I don't want to go back to the gaudy, technocentric look of the NFL continues on. Give me these simple, classed up, and complete looks on the field. Ditch the vertical stripes that run up into the armpits of most teams. Lose the extended, cyber type, unnecessarily outlined on sideline hoodies and micro mesh shirts. Put the coaches in suits, put the players in high striped socks and let the officiating crew look as though they should be handing out candy more than throwing flags. The aesthetics of sports (outside of baseball [for the most part]) are so atrocious that it's no wonder the creative set has ditched these games. Make the design of teams smarter, and maybe the game will feel smarter and more inclusive as opposed to catering to the common white hatted bros that inundate the stands across all games.

All photos come courtesy of FanIQ.

Spruce Up

2009-10-23T17:20:00.002-07:00

Perpetual Calender I soon hope is in my possession. From Three Potato Four.

Just thought I'd bring some TLC to this little niche of the web I have cultivated. This is now my "desk", where-in I will place items of interest, appeal, process and discussion more often than most recently provided. This will be a long form, as opposed to the tumblr, which is about the immediacy of visual archiving. Also, this will be personal, as it has always been, but with an air of restraint that previously — at times — has been left out.

I feel as though writing is a key part of my practice that must be continued and cultivated and recently I have left it out of my day to today. Hopefully this blog again becomes a slice of dialogue for myself and others on the things I care about most: family, friends, design, art, architecture, fashion, sports, current events and balloon boys (just kidding). Tangentially, do not sleep on my twitter and tumblr, because I view this as a three pronged attack that will further my exploits of grandeur and narcissism.

I do have one bone to pick: MLB post season. Seriously, you couldn't give me ONE team to root for? I just feel ill checking the games. Downright ill.

In The Interests

2009-09-23T00:50:00.003-07:00

This is far interesting and more frequently updated than this.

I'm unsure what to use this blog for anymore. I haven't felt like writing lately, primarily because I've been trying to keep my hands busy with some semblance of work other than idly notching more words into this old stump. But I still feel it's a good thing to write when one needs to, and this blog is a suitable outlet for that. I just feel it is burdened with so much me that I kind of want to avoid it most days. Rerunning through recent posts just feels awkward. But, I've always been one to keep things for posterity's sake, so this blog rolls on.

Image Dump

2009-09-17T22:29:00.003-07:00

Laramie County of Wyoming Seal. SUMMER&FALL /2009

A set of three illustrations for Shine Get. SUMMER&FALL / 2009 Original Articles can be found here, here, and here.

Submission for Create Democracy. Colors took a beating from the blog. FALL / 2009

When there is no work, you make work.

The Updates Can Be Monster

2009-09-02T20:02:00.002-07:00

Illustration for an article I wrote on Shine Get. SUMMER / 2009

I have a lot of things to report on, so bear with me. Yesterday, my friend Toby and I launched a video game / geek culture site called Shine Get., which feels wholly awesome and insane. It came together in roughly a month and already has a nice little nuclease of posts that people seem to be responding favorably to. The idea for the aesthetics of the site were to go in a different direction than most gaming sites, which tend to be inundated with tons of techno-graphics and gradients and are so weighed down by them that the content is tough to get to. We also wanted to attract a different audience, one that is into gaming, but aren't looking for strict review rubrics or pirate v. ninja jokes. We think we are hitting the right stride for that, and also welcome any and all submissions for articles and illustrations. In the semi-near future we hope to set up a shop and sell some of these illustrations as prints, tshirts and other odds and ends, for people to enjoy.

MCAD video bumper. SUMMER / 2009

Unused MCAD video bumper. SUMMER /2009

The above video bumper is one of two video bumpers that is being used by MCAD for recent video content, including this video of the (in)famous blue house moving off campus here. The second is from a round I made at first for ideation when I got put on the job. I really like both directions and how different they are. You can view more at the vimeo.

I also want to point everyone in the direction of Levi's blog, where he has written 100(ish) one line poems that are pretty amazing. He and I are currently in talks about self-publishing these, which these — among his other poems — are in need of. Seeing these works in print is a necessity.

Lastly, congrats to Colin Trechter and Arron Moodie for The Union Graphic. Please go to Colin's blog to read up more on this very awesome little studio they are putting together.

Rebound

2009-08-19T21:34:00.002-07:00

To Live & Fight Another Day. SUMMER / 2009

Moving on.

So Why Not Go Out There and Stop Them?

2009-08-17T20:44:00.007-07:00

Terrible Things three part poster series. SUMMER / 2009

Beauty Pill is an indie rock band from Washington DC with band members once/currently affiliated with Smart Went Crazy, Del Cielo, Most Secret Method, Bald Rapunzel, Druids, Casino Action, Soccer Team, The Routineers, Faraquet, Medications, Ida, Jon Langford, and Heat Better Scream.

The brain child of Chad Clark, Beauty Pill creates atmospheric indie rock including subjects such as drug use, murderous thoughts and events, and complex love relations. Beauty Pill has had two previous female vocalists, Joanne Gholl and Rachel Burke. The steady line up includes Chad Clark (vocals, guitar, song writing), Jean Cook (vocals, keyboard, percussion), Basla Andolsun (bass guitar), and Drew Doucette (guitar).

Beauty Pill began as a studio project with Chad Clark, Joanne Gholl, and Abram Goodrich. They were the creative force behind The Cigarette Girl From the Future. Ryan Nelson was brought in as they tried to become a touring outfit, and Joanne and Abram dropped out as they were unable to commit to such a band. Then, Rachel, Basla, and Drew joined, and they began playing shows together. In Fall 2004, Rachel moved back to Seattle to be closer to her family, and Jean Cook was brought in to take over vocals and wurlitzer. After brief tour in the fall and winter of 2004-5, Beauty Pill went into "hibernation," during which Ryan Nelson left the band. He was replaced by Devin Ocampo and Chad Molter.

Source: Wikipedia.

The song "Terrible Things" was released on the album Unsustainable Lifestyle. The song references Mark David Chapman, the man who killed John Lennon. It also references Idi Amin, the violent Ugandan military ruler and former president of Uganda in the 1970s. The juxtaposition is one that both strikes as unfamiliar and unfailingly interesting. Perhaps the interest lies in the militaristic background of both men, or maybe it's just the paradox of brutal mass killings that Amin committed in contrast to the sole murder perpetrated by Chapman.

The song is pushed by a clockwork bassline backing the mid-tempo-ed and mid-ranged voice of Clark. The only additional music comes from drums and the only other voice is that of the haunting Rachel Burke. For some reason it all hits me in some strange way. It might be completely stemming from the line: "Empathy and dissent: the catholicons for violence," which begs it's own essay unto itself.

"Terrible Things"

M. David Chapman shakes and hovers in the shadows of the Dakota hearing voices,
one of which will never sing again when this is over

Terrible things
Terrible things, they are gonna happen
Quite often, there is nothing that you can do to stop them

Idi Amin is born in '25
A bouncing baby
Decimation
Boxing career gives him the sad idea to bludgeon his own nation

Terrible things
Terrible things, they are gonna happen
And sometimes there is nothing that you can do to stop them

But you got your fear on permanent loan
Some crazy fear on permanent loan, alone

Send it back

Evil loves the averted stare and the subsidy of silence
Empathy and dissent: The catholicons for violence

Terrible things
Terrible things, they are gonna happen
And sometimes there is a lot you can do to stop them

You got your fear on permanent loan
Some useless fear on permanent loan, alone

Send it back

M. David Chapman shakes and shivers in the shadows of the Dakota hearing voices,
one of which will never sing again

Terrible things
Terrible things, they are gonna happen

This records over, so why not go outside and stop them?

The Song can be found here.

Travel Well

2009-08-14T18:36:00.003-07:00

Submission for We Saw That #3.

Travel is dangerous. Travel well.

The Death and Dissonance

2009-08-13T00:22:00.003-07:00

Outdoor office. Seen at MCAD. SUMMER / 2009

I just haven't had much gusto for words this summer. It's been eventful, engaging and good, but in the past few weeks it has become worrisome and beleaguered with thought. The blogosphere has more ample things to discuss then my own personal world, and often times I feel I am more engaged with that and work then I am myself. I haven't really stepped back in awhile to assess me outside of a greater context as a son / designer / friend et al. I can feel that process slowly greasing the gears again, and I'm never too keen on the assessing part, but always feel better at the end. Maybe I'm do. Maybe this blog needs words.

The Tendencies of Absence

2009-07-14T20:40:00.003-07:00

MCAD Magazine. JUNE / 2009. Shots from the freshly minted MCAD DesignWorks blog.

There has been a long lull on this blog, and for that, I am sorry. But I have been living, so no need to fret. What you see above is something that I was working on for some time in DesignWorks, the freshly made over MCAD Magazine. This was done under the direction and aid of MVA, and I'm forever indebted to them for all they taught me. It was a big design challenge and I'm glad that it is now out in the world. Big ups to JZK for all his help and tutalage. I'm glad he saw fit to put me on this project and saw fit to help me along the way.

So, in near a month long absence, what have I been doing? Well, I've been roadtripping every weekend with friends, going to hometown after hometown after hometown, doing a circuit of carnivals and fairs in each one. All of that has been pretty great, though it made me long for my own hometown, and as such, I'll be wrapping up this month long tour with a short visit to Cheyenne. The reasoning is two fold: as I mentioned before, I got fams to see and funnel cakes to eat, but secondly, I gotta get my phone plan switched around, which will make me become part of an elite group of bholes known as "iphone owners". I make this leap because the 3GS seems so hot to trot that I can't hold my breath a second longer awaiting the ability to play Edge AND answer phone calls. So, I'm sorry if you see me brandishing this device and looking particularly pretentious: it's just the phone wooing me.

I should also note some praise for some friends up in hurr. Colin S. Trechter recently got some favorable news on a new assignment for when he gets to his other homeland, Australia in a couple months time. The project sounds sweet, though I'm unsure if I should be the one divulging all of the greatness, so I'll just point you to this tumblr link. Congrats dude! Also, Justin McKinley won a design contest for FRWD, doing a redesign of their brand. Totally amazing! Justin is gonna exit this summer with a robust resume and he should mega proud, as we all are of him. Lastly, Levi Rubeck has begun his assault back on the webershed with new updates to his blog. Levi completed his graduate studies in creative writing this past spring and I'm glad he is getting back to some sort of constant bloggage.

Man, this post was super TL;DR and linky. HAYSUP INTERNET!

Reductive Properties

2009-06-21T15:56:00.003-07:00

Untitled installation by Liz Plahn. SPRING / 2009

Minneapolis is short one, as Miss Liz Plahn has ventured out east in hopes of brighter and bigger things in both design and coastal location. Liz has been one of the better peoples of my time in Minneapolis, constantly giving quality critiques, expanding the paradigms of design and otherwise mooching gracefully from myself and my roommates for sometime. She will be missed, but as she had kept telling us over and over before her departure, I (among others) are welcome to visit, and visit we will.

This summer has felt more evenly paced than previous ones, but it has also signified the most change to the cosmetics of Minneapolis than I have ever been a privy to before. Not only is every highway and downtown one way chewed and gnarled by construction, I have also watched the departure of friends — old and new — and that's been a strange sensation. The knowledge that most are going on to accomplish great things quells the bittersweet taste of knowing I will not see them daily. And there is still more leaving, which will be even more strange and gut wrenching, I imagine. But in a good way. Always in a good way. And then there is the percarious position I have placed for myself, wondering where exactly I'll end up, being satiated in the knowledge that I think I can do this from anywhere. What happens if / when I go? I won't labor too long on those thoughts. No need to until that bridge must be crossed.

Take care out there my friends.

Seasonal Discharge

2009-06-12T19:27:00.003-07:00

Paul Simon – "You Can Call Me Al"

I have been off the radar in Wyoming a bit, then off the radar in Minneapolis a bit. I'm still figuring out this whole "post-college" lifestyle stuff. Mainly that means drinking slushies and seeing sites, sending out applications and permanently keeping my fingers crossed, which starts to hurt after a while, but only in that THE FUTURE kind of way. Luckily, there is Paul Simon and Chevy Chase. Which begs to question, what happened to you Chevy? You were Fletch!

I mean, c'mon!

Tweetside Jokes

2009-05-27T01:09:00.003-07:00

Experimental Twitterset. SUMMER / 2009

For the clever twitter critter I am, I decided to pay a bit of homage to the heroes of the design world, Experimental Jetset. More examples of T-Shirtism.

Countdown to Wyoming travels with (sorry dudes, he ain't rolling to Cheyenne, just to Denver [GO NUGZ!]) Colin Trechter t-minus 9 hours.

Back to the Culling

2009-05-25T07:13:00.001-07:00

Batting practice homerun that hit me in the right bicep. Boston Red Sox v. Minnesota Twins, 5/25/2009.

Sometimes, you have to take a baseball to the arm. Every now and then, you have to make summer happen. This weekend was a pretty brush stroke of summer, splayed out in greens and drinks, slurred speech of baseball fans and the wails of karaoke. It's been nice to take a break from the rigor of academic rule to finally open up to dome dogs and patio seating. I have to get back to work, but of course I'm going to allow myself more summer fun when not pushing for jobs. Once I find that groove expect the same smattering of graphic dunx I usually throw down on this intrepid blog. I'll leave you with the Boss, singing a song I may or may not have sung to a room full of vets at a VFW Saturday night (I definitely did).

This gun's for hire.

Symmetry in Buttons

2009-05-19T12:39:00.002-07:00

Me big upping during my walk across the stage at MCAD's 2009 graduation. Photo courtesy of Erin Nicole Johnson. SUMMER / 2009

And so, here we are. Completion of a long project — one with ambling twists and turns, high fives and low dives — my tenure at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design as an undergraduate student is over. It was a beautiful thing getting to take that stroll in front of friends and family armed with the knowledge that I completed something that required more effort and diligence to accomplish than I had ever put forth on any other endeavor. Thank you to my mom and dad, brother and sister, nieces and nephews, grandparents, good friends, honorable and amazing professors, and an institution that allowed me to develop a craft I had no idea how to develop.

Now, what's next?

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

2009-05-07T17:23:00.004-07:00

Exhibition of Senior Project. SPRING / 2009

This is my exhibition for my recently completed (and never completed) senior project. The work has been on display since this past Tuesday, May 5 and will run through May 17 (if I recall correctly) with a culminating event bathed in food and drink and fun on May 16. On that same day I will receive a diploma declaring I earned a BFA in graphic design. Hard to believe I've come this far.

More documentation here.

Harbinger for Dust

2009-05-06T00:44:00.002-07:00

Adaptive: Found & Forced motion peice. SPRING / 2009

Less than a week.

These Days Burst Beautiful

2009-04-27T12:23:00.002-07:00

The Citizen—Cheyenne from yesterday's newspaper. Photo care of Sara Fleenor. SPRING / 2009

I must say, these past couple days have been pretty amazing. Yesterday was the release of my senior project back home, The Citizen—Cheyenne. So far I've heard really positive feedback, and also got a kind write up from this blog, Beyond the WTE. Then, today, I got in a few copies from the press check that my wonderful mother did on my behalf. From the sounds of it she handled it all pretty well. Congrats Mom! So, now all that's left to do is keep updating The Revival Network as well as hang the show over the course of this week. This also doesn't include all the other crazy work I have to get done for my other courses. Hard to believe it's all wrapping up. Before I get too nostalgic, let's cut to my nephew Jameson and niece Maddie reading The Citizen.

Jameson reading up on local news. Photo care of Sara Fleenor. SPRING / 2009

Good work Maddie! Photo care of Sara Fleenor. SPRING / 2009

Too Eager

2009-04-23T10:17:00.003-07:00

Newspaper stand, procured by the fine staff at MCAD's Academic Services. SPRING / 2009

What you are looking at is the newspaper stand that will house all of my commencement pieces from The Citizen—Cheyenne. I have to paint and maybe do some other trickery to it, but this bad boy is ALLLLL MIIIINNNE. I'm really eager to start getting this show up. More proof that I actually OWN this thing.

Get ready!

The Revival Network

2009-04-22T09:07:00.002-07:00

The Revival Network screengrab, from my ongoing senior project. SPRING / 2009

I'm officially launching The Revival Network, the website dedicated to a new way of thinking about the hometown newspaper! Essentially, this is a hub for those interested in having a new interaction with the newspaper. It stems from a case study that I have been carrying out for the past semester, wherein I purchased ad space in my hometown newspaper, The Wyoming Tribune Eagle, and inserted a new publication, The Citizen—Cheyenne. This new publication is an experiment in citizen journalism, but done with an attention to quality not just in content, but in design. There will be more documentation of that piece as it arrive, but if you live in Cheyenne or the greater south-east corner of Wyoming, be sure to pick up The Wyoming Tribune Eagle to see it. The publication has relevant, local news to the city of Cheyenne, written by the people of Cheyenne, so there can be a more open investigation into how we interact with these daily objects. I'm excited to see and hear how it goes over, and even more excited to see if others around the country want to get involved through The Revival Network.

Many happy returns on this Earth Day! Remember to recycle and cycle!

Not Just the Two of Us

2009-04-16T16:12:00.002-07:00

Some words of encouragement for all of us.

TL;DR

2009-04-07T00:15:00.004-07:00

The Answer & The Question. 24"x36" posters, originally worn as sandwich boards in a workshop with Experimental Jetset. Photographic proof here. SPRING / 2009

Minnesota State Fair poster. FALL / 2007

The Bauhaus and Me. FALL / 2007

Finally took the time to document my work for my soon to be relaunched website. I figured since the last post was so text heavy this one should show case some recent and non-recent — but still totally killer — work. You can see all of these AND MORE at the soon to be debuted Unequal-Design / The Site. You know, once I have all the kinks, cricks, hiccups and silent farts worked out of it. Thanks for dropping in!

Prolonged Discussions

2009-04-02T15:10:00.005-07:00

Made at MCAD wall vinyl. WINTER / 2009

Above is a lamesauce cell pic of the Made at MCAD exhibition graphics I made. I need to get in there with a proper camera and a proper focus and get that stuff put on some real feel (INVENTING SLANG!)

Alright, so, revered and admired music critic and prolific blogger Jessica Hopper (a woman I admire and continually appreciate) has been writing up some pretty funny insight on dating c. high school times. The other blogs engaged in this conversation are Urban Honking written by M. Ritchey and Rule, Brittania!

Essentially, the discussion is about how girls on the cusp of feminism are often duped into dating the endlessly wounded young white males by way of the appearance of A) being cool and B) being intellectual or cultural. This is made apparent by ladies often dating dudes in bands and dudes who read Bukowski, both of which I am full on guilty of in high school. The significant upside to this problem is women finding feminism by way of these awful episodes.

Alas though, I bring to light THESE revelations from the other end of the gender spectrum: I didn't get into Bukowski until I had a girlfriend. To be fully honest, she was the one who purchased the book for me. My interest was based on my appreciation for Jawbreaker and Modest Mouse, mainly because one seemed to be similar in motif and the other directly referencing the poet. I never felt a need to predicate my vision of the world on her by force feeding her my interests. My assumption was that there was a shared appreciation for one another's interests, though I figure my nature was to be WAY more vocal about it. Still though, I equally hid my true fondness for Sandman comics from her because I figured it would give the appearance of being even lamer than being into poetry. But, that's the thing, there is equal parts disassociation of our true selves to our relationship selves that happens, and the idea that one person exits the relationship more enlightened than the other about these ideas rings false to me.

My ex-girlfriend and I sort of stumbled through this hyper sensitive reality with each other because we were piecing together who we were individually. The sentiment that seems absent in what J. Hop has to say is that dudes are paint-by-numbers blow hards (which we are, to THE FULLEST) but we also often sober up to the reality that all the shit we liked in high school has become relic. You revisit the things you were once into to gain a better appreciation of the person you have become. There is no gender bias towards understanding who you are. At that same time in high school I was discovering that I wanted to play guitar like Sleater-Kinney more than riff like Braid, both presenting interesting lyrical content steeped in personal understanding as well as relational understanding of other people, mainly significant others — however brief those encounters can be.

These lovely writers are speaking not of these specifics of course. Feminism rings true to women for a reason; it's a collective investigation into discrepancies that exist between genders that are probably true to the personal struggles teenage girls must go through alone. As a male, I can discover and understand these ideas, but I can't fully grasp their personal ramifications since I am not coming from that gender. What I can assess is a collective submergence in culture and thought — one that I went through — that allowed some of us to see how it was probably terrible to be a girl and have to sit in a room full of sweaty dudes and listen to them play their sweaty dude songs about how wronged they were by they very girls they were singing to.

So, allow me to apologize to all the girls out there that got this bizarre treatment. I won't say all the dudes you knew in high school have matured or even act differently at this age, but at least know some broke through the barrier of being into their own interests.

It's still cool to put "Oh Messy Life" on a mix, right? I don't want that high school part of me to die.

Peeks & Whistles

2009-03-25T22:45:00.002-07:00

Screen grabs of my second presentation on my ongoing senior project. SPRING / 2009

This is a small sliver (or is it splinter?) of my second presentation for senior project class at MCAD. What you are seeing above is three components that make up this presentation, one that must illustrate form making and headway in the design process. This of course is not reflective of all the work I have been doing, but gives you a lil' peek in. I think I have developed an ulcer from all the stress of this and a few other things, but ulcers are character building, right?

In sunnier news:

Monocle magazine's opening image on thier website this week. SPRING / 2009

Check that out! That's my senior project proposal in the hands of my amazing adviser Ann Marie Gardner, bureau chief of Americas for Monocle! I stumbled upon this after listening to The Monocle Weekly , where the current struggles of the daily newspaper are discussed and probed. It was lovely to hear the conversation reaching far beyond my own world, and also inspiring to know such esteemed individuals are considering this trend to be a worrisome one as well. I can't deny that I'm still floored to see my humble project proposal in the same proximity of a publication I have such high regard for. I can't begin to describe how appreciative I am for the help I have recieved. Soon I'll be launching a lot more information on this project, until then may I suggest giving The Monocle Weekly a listen (you may also find it on iTunes).

Adaptive / Found&Forced

2009-03-18T20:52:00.002-07:00

Typographic fiction work. Completed one sketchbook, full. SPRING / 2009

My project for Erik Brandt's Adv. Graphic Design Seminar course has advanced me to this point: the completion of 61 collages. You can find more results here at the Flickr. This original idea gestated from the notion of found narrative and forced context, which at one point were two mutually exclusive terms when thinking about this overarching project. What has since happened is an investigation in form based on those two parameters. This is how the assignment has progressed, in two simple ways:

01: The found object, specifically type and image to create narrative.
02: The forced narrative, created from the juxtaposition of these forms and the sequential nature in which they will exist.

This has led to thinking about the understood term of adaptation, and based on research done in another course taught by Rob Nelson, I have become interested in the term both as a quality for work as well as an existential notion. That is not to say that these images convey a larger philosophical thinking, but rather a convergence of these two lines of thinking into a singular term or perception: adaptation. The message in them is based on immediacy of both their creation and the objects they are made with, so the interpretation of them is based on just as much immediacy, for not just me but others that wish to look at them.

The end result of this work will be a compendium of some sort, though I took the suggestion of Mr. Brandt and looked at these images laid out on a simple grid. With the confines of the 24" x 36" poster, created an "introduction" of sorts, which you can see below.

First formal investigation of sequence. SPRING / 2009

These ideas are based on being fluid. There is not firm grounding for these forms as yet, because they are constantly in-flux due to the Forced&Found nature of what these images are. These things are also not inherently based on the idea of concept, but rather aesthetic investigation, which is allowing my generally admired construct of "form follows function" to be inverted and subject to evolving ideas over the course of these last remaining weeks of my time at MCAD.

The Press and Swell

2009-03-14T13:20:00.006-07:00

Cropped in illustration of some familiar buildings. SPRING / 2009

This is a small sample of an illustration that has been worked into my senior project. There's more to it, but I figure you might as well see that unveiled in one fell swoop as the project nears its end. Between this, some DesignWorks work and Advanced Graphic Design Seminar, I am pretty well drained. I am thankful to be doing such great work and working with such great people, but I am starting to feel the suction of my brain sliding down he walls of a bathtub drain. It's not a bad feeling, really, just an exhausting one.

Screen grab of Process Type Foundry lecture, from March 9, 2009

I also attended the Insights Lecture series opening lecture this past Tuesday featuring Process Type Foundry at the Walker. Process Type Foundry is the studio name for Eric Olson and Nicole Dotin who have designed some of the most used typefaces in contemporary design. Most notably are Bryant, Klavika, and FIG. The lecture was incredibly informative, with one of the better Q and A sessions we have seen (as discussed with boss and friend, J. Zachary Keenan) at an Insights Lecture. I appreciate what Eric and Nicole have done, spotting their place in design's culture after realizing that being freelance designers wasn't working out for them. There is that fear in me right now as I'm about to leave school, and seeing two people get together and make something of themselves that wasn't on their original path is inspiring. You can find the lecture online in various places, but may I recommend the Walker's iTunes U archive, where you can find the lecture here.

Appreciative Form

2009-03-03T12:26:00.004-08:00

Typofiction, found objects and implied narrative. SPRING / 2009

These are working sketches / forms from my final for Adv. Graphic Design Seminar with Erik Brandt. Currently I am working on trying to amass as many of these as possible, but with all the other homework (esp. senior project) I feel like I won't ever cobble enough together. Still, it is lovely to take a break and just make when you've found yourself all tuckered out from the long nights of researching and thinking and emailing. You can find more of these here.

That isn't to say I'm not loving my senior project, which has been blessed with unbelievable good fortune and the help of even better people. I think once this project has been a bit more realized (from me), I'll give proper shout outs, but I will say a small and humble thank you to Ann Marie Gardner of Monocle magazine, who has taken time out of her busy schedule to help me with this project, and who I can't thank enough for that. As well, I'd like to thank Cindy Marek at the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, who is helping me and has been open to my project, even if it seems a bit strange.

Appreciation overflow!

Crux Crutch

2009-02-26T22:54:00.002-08:00

Lydian lead type seen at MCBA. Maybe an inside joke? WINTER / 2009

Minnesota is doing it's annual flirtation with spring, only to pull the rug out from under your worn soles. Blizzard yesterday! Awesome! Sadly, the cities got a fresh blanket of snow. This did not deter myself and others from venture to the Minnesota Center for Book Arts as part of our further exercises in Erik Brandt's Adv. Graphic Design Seminar course. I teamed up with Justin McKinely, who has been "DOING IT THIS WAY FOR FIFTEEN FUCKING YEARS" to make a collaborative typographic fiction.

COLLABORATION BOOOSH! WINTER / 2009

We were both pleased with how it came out and feel that the ampersand you see at the top, perched up there all gangsta like is perhaps the greatest find of the day. A million thanks to MCBA and Erik for the opportunity to work in that beautiful space!

In web-ish news, I have begun twittering: Unequal-Design / The Twitter. Feel free to lurk my snippets if you feel. I'm still feeling out my feelings on the who shebang.

Continued appreciation!

(Minor) Updates

2009-02-17T21:55:00.002-08:00

Bird on cardboard, from the archives. SPRING / 2007

I have increased some internet-ish activity. Not only the small little face lift of this blog, I should also point you to this:

Unequal-Design / The Flickr

I have upgraded my Flickr account, and thus uncovered some work that had been deep in their servers. I also will (I hope) utilize this as a running archive of my work, and considering some of that back log, it could be pretty mortifying. Awesome!

Recent revision on el 3arabia dada project. WINTER / 2009

Also, take the chance to venture to this post on Geotypgrafika to see some recent developments on a project I've been working on for Erik Brandt's class. Some fun stuff is afoot!

For Four Days calender / book. SPRING / 2007

Also, big ups and many thanks to Chris Burns for referencing the above project (that desperately needs better documentation) I worked on a couple years ago on Yanko Design. I am glad I came to mind when writing about that project.

All is well on the midwestern front!

Proportions

2009-02-11T17:16:00.002-08:00

We pressed our divisions like thumb smudged glass
Our holding pattern kisses softly dove tailed one in one
I slowed the cycle and recounted the natural disasters between us
Your eyes shifted softly to the edges of my lips and you didn't ask me
We divided into separate books lined with felt tipped vases

I asked if you remembered the sucking wounds on the streets
If you could recount the plump fog of our breath
You asked if I still think of your finger tips dividing my eyes
The wink and glint of our wire-tapped confessions
Your phone voice like a rattling can of spray paint

You won't find me in the supermarket living amongst the grain
I won't see you in the church pew voweling your words to the ceiling
I'll stop going to libraries and I'll burn all my hygiene products
You will find dinner friends who are into Neruda and pottery
My bed will sink in quicksand upended with abruptness

Our divisions pressed on fresh tankers just off the east coast
Our divisions a parcel shipment of maybes and neverminds

Printed Matter

2009-02-09T18:39:00.004-08:00

Continuing Studies / Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program brochure. FALL / 2008

I'm trying to document work in the spare time I have for my eventual update of my static site. This is one of the projects that has now been documented and (for the most part) is ready to go.
This is an informational piece for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program at MCAD. Nice little project.

Made@MCAD post card. WINTER / 2009

This was another quick project I did. The annual Made@MCAD exhibition features student works made by and at MCAD. This will be sent out to remind people about the show, since it is usually one of the highlights from the academic year.

Expect more in the near future.

Still Trending

2009-02-08T23:28:00.007-08:00

Primarily masked. Streets are fair game. WINTER / 2009

Things I should not be doing: making animated gifs. My bad real life.

Edit: Obv. reference / reverence to / for certain Minneapolis design persons.

An Educated Guess

2009-02-05T23:49:00.004-08:00

Some assembled items from a Senior Project. WINTER / 2009

Initialized forms / ideas coming together for my senior project. Lovely people on board who have been the most superb help. A lot of interesting items to come from this, I hope. We're all in this together, f'real.

HAYSUP LADIES

2009-02-04T10:42:00.002-08:00

Valentines Day e-card submission for a contest at MCAD. WINTER / 2009

This sentiment is forever true. LADIES.

An Animated Gif That Can Resemble a Soul

2009-02-02T14:59:00.005-08:00

B&W glacier eye test. WINTER / 2009

I'm intending to graduate. I hope my intentions are good. Sorry if this burns your eyeballs.

This Is Not About Perfection

2009-01-30T16:24:00.007-08:00

A test on type. Many errors! WINTER / 2009

Above is an example of how much more I can learn. This is taken from my Advance Graphic Design Seminar course, taught by the enigmatic and very tall Erik Brandt. Thanks and cheers to him for helping me learn. Let this stand as a moment that all young typographers and designers can always be better! I will hearken back to this here little failure often to remind myself of what is right and what is wrong and why I do what I do.

Typo-fiction. Curvesome! WINTER / 2009

Also from Adv. GD Seminar. This is a form of typographic fiction. 36 characters assembled via letraset (48 pt. ITC Souvenir bold, if'n ya want the deets) that are just about form and counter form. Always, always, always!: I will enjoy what I make. More in process work to come soon.

Recent Findings

2009-01-28T21:27:00.004-08:00

Three young skateboarders in Afghanistan. Photo from Tyler Hicks/The New York Times.

I found this interesting article on The New York Times website about the popularity of skateboarding growing amongst the youth in Kabul, Afghanistan. The article is peppered with a sort of optimistic sense of their world — given how intense and violent it sometimes is — and overall you'll feel better (I hope) after reading it, like I did.

Monocle Logo.

Monocle is a magazine that Colin had shown me late last summer upon his return from Australia. He and I have both been pining for it to be put into the MCAD library, or for the subscription price to suddenly drop for us to nab it up real quick like. But! The Monocle has provided us with something awesome and free: The Monocle Weekly. The Monocle Weekly is a fairly in-depth radio show / podcast that covers Monocle's usual topics — A, B, C, D, E — affairs, business, culture, design and edits. You can listen to the program on their site, which does have a lovely visualizer, or you can subscribe to the free podcast. Highly recomended if you are interested in well crafted audio programming.

Thorns of Life – "New York's Giving Me the Creeps"

I will leave you with this. Blake Schwarzenbach / Aaron Cometbus' new band, featuring Daniela Sea (from The L Word) performing a new song on 1/24/2009 in L.A. This is via Stereogum. The song is reminiscent of later JTB era lyrical work / vocals paired with 24 Hour Revenge Therapy / Dear You musical hustle. There's some urgency there that I think fans of Blake had been pining for. Glad to have Thorns of Life around. Feels right, right now.

Somedays, It's On

2009-01-20T15:07:00.004-08:00

Three cheers for this day! WINTER/2009

And now this crazy journey can begin. Join hands and hearts.

Jawbreaker – "Jinx Removing"

Bumpz!

2009-01-19T19:40:00.005-08:00

Interior spread from What do the Twins Mean to Minnesota?, a collaborative effort from Colin Trechter and myself. FALL/2008

My dear friend, beloved roommate and professional dartsman, Colin Samuel Trechter, has finally put his website out on the internetz. I won't tell you how he got help, or from whom it came from, but it's nice to finally have his work out there for the world to see. A couple of the things on his site are a couple of things we collaborated on, so it feels good to see them on some website, since this (meaning me) fool can't seem to figure out how to get his website properly updated. [editor's note: if you know how to help with drop down menus in HTML, please hit me up at dylan@unequal-design.com. Thanks!]

I got back to Minneapolis a few days ago, and it has felt wonderful to be back. I do miss my mother and our fun in Denver, but as she kept ardently telling me, my place is here and my time IS NOW! We plan to hang sometime in the spring, and hopefully by then she will be out of Denver and back home in her own home. Fingers, stay crossed!

Tomorrow is a big day, from the personal to the national/global. I embark upon my last full semester at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and simultaneously, the much bigger event of Barack Obama being sworn in takes place. The harmony of life is sweet sometimes. Let us all hope that resolve comes to us both personally and as a nation, and, as a world, especially in these times of absolute trial. We must stand resolute to hope. We must not fear change. All these things will carry us through these treacherous and beautiful times.

Merci! Merci!

I Never Knew Scripture

2009-01-07T23:27:00.002-08:00

Craig Finn discusses his religion and rock. SUM/2008

A surreal week, to say the least. I haven't written, worked, or dissected all week. I've been assimilating medical information, navigating a new city, cooking meals, cleaning up, vomiting and worrying too much to think beyond the immediate.

I should state, at this time, I have become (and will be for the next week) my mother's full-time caretaker while she undergoes outpatient treatment for her stem-cell transplant. I was once provided for, and now I'm providing. I carry out the tasks that were once so common and motherly to me that they seemed foreign at the outset of this whole process. Measuring out the meds, following the guidelines for food preparation, picking up and making sure things are at least neat...I was average at best with some of these tasks. Now, I feel as though I am not just capable of accomplishing all of those listed, I think I might be the best suited to carry those tasks to order for my mom. That's not to discredit or state that anyone else that tends to these matters after I return to Minneapolis won't be good at it, it's just that we've become in sync with these routines. I worry that my mother won't find the patience to deal with fumbling on the picline, or she won't enjoy someone prodding her beyond her limits if she's dizzy. Although, more often than not, she is the one doing that to herself.

I'm not sure how this post has come out. I'm not even sure it reads correctly, and really, I don't know that I care to rectify that if it is needed. I just wanted everyone to know I'm alive and doing something both strange and huge (to me), and that has been the reason for the lull in any sort of communication.

I hope you and yours are well. Make sure to hug those you love every night. It helps.

Correlations

2008-12-31T14:09:00.003-08:00

Hannah's birthday last winter. Myself, Kate and Colin. WINTER/2008

2008. I kind of liked you, for the most part. You gave me some good moments and the people I love some good moments and you also gave the country I live in one really great moment. Sure, you did not give me any laptop theft (thought you gave others that) and you didn't shatter my world (though you came close), but you also kept me longing for a complete departure from the hangover of 2007. GR8 IN 08! Remember that? I kind of do.

I understand the peaks and valleys of time. Naive as I am, I get that the only constant in life is that life isn't constant. I had to equate the greater as being good this year, and the personal as breaking even. An infestation, a crisis of identity, a break-up, more illness, more unhappiness, more awkward self-discovery. But there were friends, loved ones, new homes, further academic rewards, awkward self-discovery.

If I had to assess everything as it stands—this very second—it would be pretty dire. I haven't had the best time home, and that is no one's fault, just bad situations. I am going further down a dark rabbit hole of guilt, sorrow and worry that I have to try and shake. But that old cliche of one step forward and two steps back should be tattooed on my neck.

Maybe things will be Just Fine in 09. Or maybe I shouldn't have the expectations.

The Discussion of Seasons

2008-12-24T14:17:00.003-08:00

Cookie decoration time, with sister, non-sister, niece and nephew. WINTER/2008

The dust on this blog is hefty. I haven't been up to writing much due in large part because there is A) few things to discuss and B) they tend to more bummer than funner. But, last night, I made some cookies with my sister and her kids and my sister's half sister (it's complicated). You can catch a glimpse of Emmaray in this pic, with her art smock on, next to a couple of really green bears. She was insistent I draw the mouths on her bears, but when I made one a bit uglier than the other, she stated, "That is for Santa. It's ugly". It was very cute, but I also had to tell her that Santa likes the pretty cookies too, and she should consider that before setting him out all the duds. She looked contemplative, but I'm not sure the message got through.

So, just in case—for her sake—if you read this blog Santa, Emmaray is a great kid and still deserves all the wonderful presents you were bringing her. She just needs to work on her cookie ettiquete. I'd hate to be theone that gave you the wrong impression about her.

Also, Santa, if you see it in your lovely heart (and bushy beard) I'd ask you to deliver some peace and joy to all my friends, wonderful presents to the rest of the kids in my family, some holiday cheer to my two man household, and to keep providing fighting health for my mother, who is taking massive strides in getting better.

Best of luck tonight Santa! Give my regards to the missus and the riendeer.

The Sink Unends

2008-12-17T16:19:00.002-08:00

Everything feels deadened or working against the grain of hope I had slowly established before coming home. "Home"...this is the furthest from home it has ever felt. My mom sounds dosed and distant when I talk to her on the phone, and is two hours and various drugs away from home. I can't figure out where my friends are. Their flakiness is seemingly unrelenting, when all I really really really want is to distract myself from thinking about the personal shit storm I'm going through. I just need someone to ride in a car with me for a while. And I understand everyone has their own lives to live, and I'm not going to begrudge that, but my house feels like the most lonesome place I've ever been. It's just me and my father. While we're both completely cool with one another and love each other greatly, our interests are so different that it's hard to talk with one another.

I am sinking and trying not to. I've been blaring happy music and furiously fighting these emotions, but having no one and staying in a house that feels altogether different is beating me down. I feel disparate. I feel desperate. I feel depressed.

Completion: When We Wrote (Pt:01)

2008-12-09T14:55:00.004-08:00

When We Wrote—A Documentary on Coping Told Through a Mother & Son by Dylan C. Lathrop and Debbye K. Lathrop (140 pgs) WINTER/2008

This is the labor of love, completed and ready to be turned in. It is dedicated to any mother or son who has ever been affected by a life-threatening disease. Thank you to my mother, who is to this day still fighting and staying strong. Her strength is a constant source of inspiration and admiration for not just me, but many family members, friends, acquaintances and strangers. Do send positive thoughts to her in Denver, Colorado, where she is undergoing further treatment for myelodysplasia.

Our story is never finished.

Egregious! Blow Out!

2008-12-07T01:22:00.003-08:00

A lot of stuff from the end of this semester. WINTER/2008

Things are falling into place. Things are a bit slippery. I got many work days ahead of me. Bonkers times right now. Home in six days.

Working Some

2008-12-01T23:22:00.004-08:00

Book cover for final Illustration assignment. WINTER/2008

Part 1 of a few finals. In the words of the immortal Craig Finn, "We gotta stay positive!" Include "whoa ho ho's" as you'd like. Keep tuning in.

When You Leave

2008-11-30T19:01:00.003-08:00

I have been in Cheyenne, Wyoming for the past six days. To say the time was not awesome would be a lie, but to say that my heart isn't in my throat would be lying as well. This past week has been spent (largely) in preparation for both the book I have been working on (about my mom and I and her cancer) as well as preparing for her return to medical care in Denver, Colorado.

I have known about her needing to go back into the hospital for months now, but the gravity of what it is she is going through and how long it will take had not yet kicked in until these past few days. My mother will be undergoing a stem cell transplant. Her donor—apparently—had to have all the same ailments as my mother to insure that this process works. He is an anonymous twenty-two year old male. Strange. Also, according to my father, this process will be so intensive that it will change my mother's original blood type to that of the donor's. I mean...how do I begin to wrap my head around that type of science? How do I continue on these next two weeks with the knowledge that my mother will have to endure the chemo, the therapy, the neutropenic food, the endless boredom, etc? How do I maintain positivity? Where on earth does she get all of hers?

There are risks with this procedure. Risks that I try not to think too heavily on and that my mother often tries to keep me a safe distance from. There is the thought that she will not be able to enter our house...our home...until a minimum of four months have passed. All of these things have been stirring in me and I've been trying to quell them for sometime, but now it just feels to real again. That dark cloud that hangs over every conversation I have; over every assignment I work on; over every fitful night of sleep. I can only hope. I can only enjoy my time with her when I can and stay eager for the moments we have yet to share.

Still though, this book project brings it all back. Maybe I should have chosen a different subject. I am going to need to dig deep on this. I'm going to need to figure out all the ways to keep my head above the sinking tide. I have to stay up and grit my teeth and get through it and await eagerly to hug her once again.

Dream Jobs

2008-11-20T01:13:00.004-08:00

Fugazi full length LP redesign initial sketches. FALL/2008

For my Design Systems course at MCAD we have been given the open ended brief of rebranding/packaging an already established/made up/personal item and creating a system for said objects. What I have chosen to do is maybe one of the dreamiest jobs anyone could have: redesign every Fugazi full length LP (also including the Instrument DVD). I am utilizing a single type face at a fixed point size, a fixed grid and aesthetics based on the albums to create these reimaginings. The beauty of this project is that I can never hope to surpass the brilliance of the actual designs, so I am in effect designing purely for my own enjoyment.

Some days, it's pretty worth it. Here's the band in action:

Fugazi–"Waiting Room" from the album 13 Songs

Scrawl Drawl

2008-11-17T21:25:00.003-08:00

I Amn't The Concept: Carl Jung's Archetypes as Murdered by Unequal-Design who is Dylan C. Lathrop FALL/2008

Another fun illustration piece. A small book collecting my rendition of Carl Jung's archetypes. More to be made (I hope).

Yelling Up

2008-11-16T14:23:00.003-08:00

Leaving or gone. FALL/2008

Yelling Up

I pressed my hand deep
into the soft spots
of your center wrist
and I shipped my lips
a few hundred miles west

on Pershing or something further
and I kept telling myself
to not let up on the shifts
I crest in shipments of unends
and a couple of new couples

my eyes never stopped stinging
I crept in this cold
only your eyes helped mine
I didn't mind
I think you did

my mind had been lost
to a back-trap of seething
intestinal disrupt
I hadn't discussed it with you
but that might be because I kept
changing who the you was

I slept
I haven't slept since
and you didn't want to meet
my eyes
I tore them out

I pressed the blue dents
and kept the heat off
I trusted that no one
would seal me alone
I had already taken care of that

I hadn't been drunk before
but I got drunk alone
and watched as Minneapolis
gurgled a last breath
I couldn't take mine just then

I couldn't stop being crushed
because that's what crushes
give you
I never preserved my life
because it wasn't in my wrist

Purposing Processing

2008-11-12T00:23:00.002-08:00

Screencaps of current publication project presentation for When We Spoke, a book close to my heart. FALL/2008

Here's a little peak into one of my finals. What you are seeing is a rough cover for the design presentation I'll be giving tomorrow as well as a sketch/book map to illustrate some pacing and formal devices of the book. This will be further explained in the coming month ahead. This is something I've been looking forward to for quite sometime.

okjoijok,; (This Will Stand)

2008-11-09T22:59:00.003-08:00

Unequal signs as unequal sign. FALL/2008

Cold has snapped. A little over a week ago I was still able to get away with shorts, but now that seems like long-lost memory. Hesitantly, Minneapolis watches its breath. Reluctantly, I gather blankets.

I have moved (pretty much) into my new apartment. I quite like it, with all its space and coziness and great people. Already there have been too many fond moments. Already I hardly feel like leaving. But that cannot be. We are entering the more stressful times. Up comes the work. Down goes the dunx! We relearn to celebrate the work.

This blog is fresh, oui? Thanks for keeping up on the keeping up. You're all gems!

Sometimes, We Work in Progress

2008-11-04T18:02:00.006-08:00

I voted! FALL/2008

Originally written for HSX2940: Critical Condition course pbwiki.

I can remember in 2004 the day after election. I was two days removed from my 18th birthday, but every room I went into felt like a vacuum. The air had been sucked out of the spaces I was in. The thought of "FOUR MORE YEARS! FOUR MORE YEARS!" was a cobweb in every corner, hanging heavy and low and clouding anything I was trying to do. When I turned 18 on November 5th, 2004, I went through a period of feeling I had been personally robbed. It was hampered by the celebration of Cheyenne, Wyoming, reveling in the stench of Bush/Cheney, the apathy of the few like minded punk rock friends, and the sullen depression of the even fewer passionate leftists around me. But then there came resolve. Weeks after, we dug ourselves out of the rubble, and I dusted off those webs and thought long and hard about 2008—far removed from high school, steeped into higher education and holding hope on the horizon. During the Democratic National Convention in 2004 I had watched Barack Obama speak to the ravenous hounds of discontent, and I watched him cull them. I watched him rationalize their pain and fear and dissent and rebuild it into hope and resolve. My ears warmed to his words hugging my thawing cynicism.

Now, here we are, hanging with bated breath. I no longer have this notion of personal anything. Right now, I am surrounded by friends and peers who share this same sense of communal betterment. The air is buzzed with nerves as we are young and huddled and unconstrained about those things. We all once felt like this wasn't our thing. I think, in some way, every generation has that sense; that no matter how hard you try you will never be in power until age makes you relevant. On the eve of being 22, four years removed from the gut-check; years after the start of war and recession; months from the primary; days from late rallies, interviews and polls, we are on the verge of some sort of awakening. As it stands right now the major news organizations are looking at an Obama presidency. The polls are closing, the east coast rolling in like a tumble weed, and the talking heads are smashing and gnashing marbled words of blue states and red states. Up in the air is Florida, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio and others. They are dangling and dancing in this ethereal babble like snowflakes caught in a gust. And everyone that has been rooting one way or the other is waiting—tongue out—to catch those flakes. 2004 didn't have that same urgency. It had a sense of entitlement on both sides, more of a sense of polarized bitterness even. This election has brought those overtones, but via the commercials and rhetoric. That, though, has underpinned the worst of our society; that rhetoric stoked sense of racism, classicism, and McCarthyism. Michelle Bachmann's words on "Anti-American" ideals seeping into the Senate and House—and citing Obama as the primary source—allowed people to pick those scabbed over wounds on both sides. Still though, it feels like the bitterness has been between pundits and ralliers, not the everyman as it was four years ago. But maybe that was the condition of Wyoming and my personal feelings. Maybe that's just a condition of being 17 and hypersensitive.

Now the media has broken down the microcosm. What was once a country is now a vector graphic. What was once a state is now juice for the news. What was once a community is a commodity. This is not a condition of the election, but rather a work of the machine. We have moved into ultra convenience and intense talking points. If we can boil these portions of information into smaller and smaller chunks we can manage it more. A gunshot becomes a scrolling ticker. This election has been brought to you by Coca-Cola (my cynicism, no matter how much my heart grows, will remain in someway). The beauty of this election though is that Obama was not bought by interest. He was financed by the people—even though I regret him breaking his promise on public financing—that's something. His candidacy will not be at the beck and call of the private interest of corporations. He was funded by us for us to help us. As the electoral count keeps rising for him my resolve becomes a little bit more solid. My spine is thicker with each passing minute.

I can't tell from this moment who will be the president tomorrow morning. I can't put myself out on that limb without the fear of it snapping and me falling perilously to some greater void. I can say that over the past four years things emerged inside me that I had long thought dulled. I cannot and will not push myself into blind optimism, but I cannot and will not push myself off a cliff. The rationale of people is impossible to forecast. All that can happen is collectively keeping our head up. I cannot and will not allow myself to stop hoping, no matter what the outcome of this unpredictable event is.

Brushed Terror Fields

2008-10-26T22:22:00.004-07:00

The Self; a depiction of my idea of Carl Jung's Archetype of The Self. FALL/2008

Color glacier, sketchbook drawing. SUMMER/2008

DOOM. Sketchbook drawing. SUMMER/2008

The pavement of Minneapolis has grown icy. Halloween hangs over the week, and maybe it is a scary one. Many new things coming. I'm only seeing in inks and two's and two's.

A humble servant, I amn't! A starving artist, I will never be! These things are for the people, about the people, by the people! Slam dunkin', I dream of thee!

An Unordered List of Things I'd Be Okay with Getting for My Birthday

2008-10-24T15:11:00.008-07:00

Snuff by Chuck Palahniuk

Social Gothic, typeface from YouWorkForThem

A subscription to Monocle

Grid Systems T-Shirt from YouWorkForThem

Extras–The Complete Series

The Office–Season Four

Mogwai–The Hawk is Howling

Trafic Criterion Collection

These Arms Are Snakes–Tail Swallow & Dove

Young Widows–Old Wounds

New Balance 1500 "Evil Eye" (No idea where one could buy these)

Acne/Trebor sneakers

Trainerspotter Lumber Shirt - Green

Trainerspotter Waxed Jacket - Black

Casio G-Shock G5500 Series

This dude to be president.

John McCain / Soft Face

2008-10-20T17:58:00.005-07:00

McCain as Americana. McCain is meeeelllttttiiing. FALL/2008

15 days from election day. 16 days until my birthday. One is obviously more important than the other, and I will not bore myself or you with my wish for a certain candidate (cough, B-rock) to win the presidency, but just know that that would be the ultimate gift. A close second would be a 1080p flat screen television. GO AMERICA! GO ECONOMY!

Also, I'm slowly updating my website. You can glance that hold page over to get a slight sense of what is to come. It's a bit buggy, but, you know...sorry? I'll work on it? Okay? Great!

Second also! I'm moving! I'll be living with this guy, this guy, this guy, and this girl. Two floors? Check. Three living rooms? Check. Spiral staircase? Check. Good people? Definite double check! Feel free to visit. I'm sure we'll have something to do. It will most likely involve listening to either Kate Bush or Braid. Who says I don't know how to live!

Ongoing Research: Alien & Blade Runner

2008-10-15T08:41:00.005-07:00

Alien
Directed by Ridley Scott
Written by Dan O' Bannan & Ronald Shusett
Starring Sigourney Weaver & Tom Skerritt
Released in 1979

Blade Runner
Directed by Ridley Scott
Based on the book "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" written by Phillip K. Dick
Screenplay by Hampton Fancher & David Peoples
Starring Harrison Ford, Sean Young & Rutger Hauer
Released 1982

In coordination with ongoing research on Ridley Scott and the themes of his films, this is a snapshot into the aesthetics and themes of each movie.

Themes: Structures collapsing (both perceived and real), the contrasts and comparisons of human v. non-human, technological advancement at the sake of cultural advancement, cross cultural mixing, lapse in trust as the human condition, environmental concerns in regards to both films' futures, the perception of a "cherished life", the destruction of sexuality, and more.

Aesthetics: Scott, before becoming a director, received his undergraduate degree in graphic design. In the documentary Dangerous Days: Making Blade Runner, we are treated to the elaborate detail with which Scott handles his universe. In the chapter A Good Start: Designing the Future, the documentary shows sketches, renderings, and fully realized versions of Scott's dynamic, post-modern vision of the future. The world is mixed with varying typographic styles, industrial design and architecture. At one point, Scott states (paraphrase), "I don't believe in straight lines. I love everything to have some curve or bend to it".

Alien utilizes a similar aesthetic feel, but contained to the microcosmic spaceship. The design hearkens to some 2001: A Space Odyssey qualities, while never asserting its modernist crisp. Again, all things seem to be skewed, or damaged, and as such, it is another exploration of a dilapidated future, one rich with visual complexities.

These films are works of density that will be probed in the ongoing months, along with other Ridley Scott films. More updates to come.

Career Change

2008-10-13T22:36:00.002-07:00

Peeling it off. FALL/2008

I guess the bottom is falling out. Maybe I should have been a derelict painter or poet; a tramp shifting from state to state and translucent against the landscape. A designer is in contradiction to my skill-sets. At least, the skill-set of being a "nice guy". A verbal communicator, someone that can put a room at ease. I have fumbled haphazardly through a system I've grown more uncomfortable and alienated by. I have tumbled deeper into the rabbit hole, counter formed into a corner. Who knows if I am making the right decision, but I have, for the first time in quite sometime, felt inept.

Consider this a blip. Please do not mind my mind.

A Hot Dog Rocket Ship

2008-10-07T07:53:00.002-07:00

Hot Dog Rocket Ship completed for Illustration: Topics. FALL/2008

Don't let your eyes deceive you. I painted this.

Any Growing Day Now

2008-09-29T17:57:00.002-07:00

Sports Stars of the 80s. FALL/2008

Featured in the above poster, John Elway, Kirby Puckett, Jack Nicholas, John Mcenroe, Cal Ripkin Jr., Mario Lemieux and Walter Payton. This was completed for Illustration Topics. Below is each spot illustration with its own little color.

Sports Stars of the 80s ganged up. FALL/2008

I had a lot of fun with these. Nice little project.

In print. FALL/2008

A Dissedent's Appraisal

2008-09-27T13:17:00.003-07:00

Blown out duck. From the archives. SUM/2005

Pursing my lips to the empty fabric of every
pillow in every room crushed from
heaviness of awkward clutches and blessings
I'm gagging and I'm not stopping
I'm gagging and kind of choking and
I'm not trying but I guess in some way I
never have
So my lips go on sucking at the ceiling
and cabinets frustrated and sucking in
no air no nothing never not gagging
Probably not anything
Probably a hawk away from a chick
Probably a hawk away from not dying
I'm probably not a hawk
This room will never be not dying
It will never be helpless but it can't
give a hand or any chick
Check
Check please
Checkered in patterned in soft issues
of gagging endless sucking kisses
I'm away I'm anon

Great Deeps

2008-09-20T20:13:00.002-07:00

Colin beneath Stone Arch. FALL/08

Yesterday was beautiful. Almost in all ways was it perfect, from beginning to end. The end though is where I felt magic. A bike ride from MCAD to Stone Arch Bridge, holding tight in a pack of youth gliding our wheels and gears over 3rd Ave...you just can't beat that kind of moment. Getting to Stone Arch and looking over the river with friends, cajoling and yucking it up to the neon signs, smelling the shit stink and beauty of the water beneath us. I would pay money for those type of moments,but—even better—I don't have to. Beneath the bridge was where jokes were shared, ducks were scared and we all looked up like we were nothing and evertying at once. Beneath that bridge time seemed completely useless. Just friends and the city.

Lifter Puller–"Let's Get Incredible"

That about sums it up.

On the Subject of Political Bones

2008-09-12T15:39:00.007-07:00

My submission for the MCAD wide project "Dear President ______" Two small "slides" attached with a bracket. Each slide is 1.5"x2". FALL/2008

The subject of politics seems to be rampant everywhere I go, and for good reason. There is a palpable buzz in the air surrounding this election, as opposed to the drunken stupor we all tend to fuzz through post-presidential elections. We are caring before ballots are cast for the first time in a very long time, or, at least, this is how I perceive the mood among many right now. In 2000 there was nothing to cause agitation until the chads were hanging on for dear life. In 2004, there was still a heavy sense that things could—by hopes of hopes—not get any worse, so the country was complacent to go through "4 MORE YEARS! 4 MORE YEARS!", because sometimes you have to dance with who you came to the dance with. Of course, I'm oversimplifying, but really, do you recall the fervent sense of, "We gotta get this done now or we are really beyond help!" in the previous elections? I don't. I remember John Kerry and John Edwards both being flat and wimpy, with progression being the last thing on their mind and the idea of fix fix fix being the message. Fix the war! Fix the unbalanced taxing! Fix justice! And the right ran on the premise that at any one moment our nation could fall to terrorists and "DO YOU REALLY NOT WANT US ON THAT WALL?"

Kerry and Edwards. Our once great hope? FALL/04

This election year there is vibrancy. There has been an alteration to the status quo. In the primary alone—on the left—there was a Hispanic, woman and African-American running. Think back to Kerry and Edwards? Oh, how far we have come! Wimpy white dudes be dammed! The fact that it came down to Clinton and Obama was astounding (although still heartbreaking considering 2008 finally marked that chance and milestone). Even as much as I dislike Palin, the fact that things have been so rearranged for how presidential politics are run, we have the GOP—of all people—wanting to be in on the fun. That said, Palin is an infuriating draw into the old shitty playbook. Trying to sway voters from the other party who didn't get their lady with someone who is so unbelievably not fit to be the VP is egregious to me. Somethings change, somethings stay the same I suppose.

Sarah Palin, doing some AD work for LensCrafters. Created by Chris Burns, appreciated and laughed at by me. FALL/08

Still though, she has caused a stir. An interesting and violent storm of scrutiny that, while not unwarranted, is a bit unsavory to digest, primarily for all the sludge that is dug up and shoved down our weary throats. We're choking on reasons to love and hate this woman. We're choking on reasons to fear McCain, celebrate Obama, worry about Biden and it's all for someone's bottom dollar, but obviously not our own. The media is a corporate machine spinning its wheels off trying to subject us to their interest, wherever that lies. The days of Woodward and Bernstein are beyond us. Nobody will harm their interest for the truth, and if someone is to try, then there is someone to dispute and pull apart.

Nearest the camera is Erik Brandt. Arrested on Sept. 4th outside the RNC for riding his bike. I reiterate: he was riding his bike. FALL/08

So, we are now in an age of prolific blogging. For instance, the most interesting coverage I found of the RNC that recently concluded on our doorstep in St. Paul came not from CNN, Fox, NBC, CBS etc. It came from Erik Brandt and Chris Burns, along with many other individuals willing to assess the situation on their own accord as opposed to sing along to the tune of a talking head. I know, probably, that my mom and dad heard nothing about the arrests and violence because, really, where would they? To the general public the RNC went off without a hitch, and even if there was reporting on the protests it was "violent anarchists" and "liberal protagonists". I can tell you, with much sincerity, the line in the sand is not that harsh. I write before you as someone who has never wanted to tow a party line. The state I came from and the family I love are all aligned with the right, never falling too far into the trenches, but never straying too far from the flock. Through punk rock, friends, literature and other media I found that I didn't hold those beliefs as those around me did. Through a maturation process we learn to take things with a grain of salt from both sides. But, right now, right here in this country, things have gone horrifically awry. I don't need much convincing that I'd rather believe in candidates proposing change—not fixing the problems—but rather adapting and solving those problems with effectively thought out means. I don't need much convincing to hear the same words about terror and war from the right to understand they are not who I wish to vote for.

Assessment is part and parcel with patience, and as much as we have run out of it in this country, let us still asses the things we all would like to see going on. Let us understand that there is no polarity to political ideas, but rather a middle ground, and right now we all are working towards the same ends. What we must ask ourselves is if we stay with the same path, or do we run with this buzz in the air? Are we ready to accept change? Are we ready to take back what was once ours?

I am.

We're Entering A New And Terrifying Age

2008-09-05T20:40:00.003-07:00

Holding page for the soon-to-come new website. The themes are the same! SUM/2008

Upgrading the internet life. Keeping my fingers crossed on a few things. Let's hope somethings are looking up and somethings stay good and people stay healthy. I'm really tired.

Bread For a Family

2008-09-01T22:37:00.003-07:00

Dematerializing Dylan C. Lathrop. Not equal. SUM/2008

I figured I'd write to get inspiration. I figured logic would win me some knowledge. Now I'm just beat up and sleepless on another heavy night in Minneapolis. Twin Cities, you are a bastion of republicans now. I have never felt more at home and that's not good. Spending years to distance only to wind up near 22 with beleaguered voicemails from the 307 haunting my high school memories.

I did not get inspiration.

My Blog Lies Untested

2008-08-29T13:23:00.010-07:00

A sign on the wall. Someone telling me somethin? Thanks, C.S.T.!

Wrapping up a week of getting my learn on. Up the Profs! Down with bums! I'm going to be amping up my skill-sets and that's all I can ask of higher education. I imagine I'll be even more robust a person/designer by the end of this semester. I'm also doggin paper with my scribbles—a sort of "illustration" thing—so that's pretty slammin. I can't say enough positive things about my situation right now. I'm just an unending clown for it.

God, let's get the party jams bumping! There is vitality in our swagger, y'all.

SOME COOL THINGS FROM THE INTERNET:

Adam & Jamie draw a MONA LISA in 80 milliseconds! at NVIDIA's Show

This is the dudes from Mythbusters using strategically placed paintball canons to make the Mona Lisa. Apparently this is also some sort of CPU v. GPU thing? Whatever that means? No clue, but at 1:30 or so, prepare to have your mind blown. Saw this via Geekologie.

Chad VanGaalen - Molten Light

This is a pretty amazing music video. The animation style that Chad VanGaalen uses is just sick. It helps that the song is actually a pretty haunting and beautiful folklore like tale, complete with full story arc and all. I really, really love this video and have watched it about 6 times since seeing it on Stereogum.

Sara, 19 from Hel Looks

This is pretty much my type when it comes to girls. I should stop checking AJ's tumblr, 'cause he's always posting up girls from this site.

New prints by Erik Brandt. Seen on display at MCAD for Position & Imposition: MCAD Faculty Responds to Politics

Erik Brandt has begun his prolific blogging again! Must be the season to dust off the internet objects and regain vast readerships. His posts have been informative and interesting and a great read. Make sure to visit his blog throughout the day!

Caress what is there everyone. The internet is tangible!

Un-Updated

2008-08-26T22:11:00.004-07:00

A sign from Tom Glaser. Unequal spreading? I think so. SUM/2008

Been gone for a bit. Apologies internet! We can't bear to be apart this long again.

The summer (in terms of academia) has closed. Classes have started again and learning seems to be top priority among many right now around the MCAD campus. Greatness is in all of us!

I think this renaissance of sorts in positivity stems from the new blood on the campus. Freshmen often are the beacons of hope that ring true through the year for the college experience, and this year brought many fresh faced and eager people ready to make work (or so they appeared for the orientation process). Education is vital—and while I question the tactics and application of certain things during my tenure in higher education—I will always hold the sentiment of vitality. It just takes rejuvenated soul. It just takes a community, something I felt had fallen off my radar for a spell. Now it's back. And now, I'm back, ready to push my education and practice and physical skills to the fullest for one more academic year.

Post-script: Twins...you're losing to the Mariners. Please rectify this so my October is not a dreary sight. You are better than this.

Election Judging

2008-08-18T14:31:00.007-07:00

A shamed statue. Reflective of my feelings? Prolly. DATE/Unknown.

"the primary is tomorrow here, vote pro life people."
— Anonymous Election Judge, taken from a social utility site.

Nice to see such unbiased feelings heading into an election day. Enjoy the election, Wyoming. Just don't allow young female election judges who might be wearing persuasive t-shirts (which is completely unethical, but, you know, this is America?).

Never Forget

2008-08-17T16:19:00.003-07:00

The name, as always. SUM/2008

We're gonna get this party started off right. Embark!

A Portrait

2008-08-15T23:54:00.006-07:00

"Constructive Summer" written and performed by The Hold Steady, from their latest album Stay Positive.

Regardless of my groaning, it has been a fantastic summer. I feel like I wrote too many posts on this song, but it rings true forever.

"Let this by my annual reminder / we can all be something bigger"

Even if we don't talk, I'm gonna care. Don't hesitate to remember our positivity everyone.

Don't Dog The Rock

2008-08-13T17:59:00.002-07:00

MCAD CREW shirt. Join the Wreck league. SUM/2008

Laramie County sample ballot cover and two interior pages. Get out the vote! SUM/2008

Psycho Beach Party poster. Jerry Steinhour directs. SUM/2008

A smattering of work from the past two weeks. Been pretty rewarding. Big ups to Colin the Aussie and Kevin the Texan for looking over that MCAD shirt with both eyes and lending some advice. S'all gravy, Minneapolis!

A Trained Stance

2008-08-10T19:33:00.004-07:00

I kept pushing out the secrets to felt tipped
air, the aroma of permanent markers coating
my uvula. Cheyenne brought down the hard
times and the non-times and accented fines
by hand of no law man.

Shoved in the streets of Laramie, startled at
the sway drunk sway drunk of the everyman.
And someone once wrote that guys that write
poetry are gay. And I hung onto it.

And her, 10,000 lakes away sounding like an
echo tells me that she was wrong. And I was
wrong. The wrong situation stacked up like
the markings on every bathroom stall that
I never pay attention to, because, what's the
point? I am a fallen sheep digging in his own
shit and guts.

I raped my mind all trip and I flipped out when
I learned I was distant from friends. I am not a
cordial or nice man. I am not a man. I have never
read "A Good Man Is Hard To find". These thing
piled on my chest crushed it into itself and that
sort of happens. It sort of makes sense.

And I can't even drink properly to drink myself
into oblivion. I want to be oblivious to you and
your scent, but I know my bed will still smell of
you and the crater you left there. I will not be
able to enjoy the place I live and I can't live with
the man I am. Undirected and directionless.

Feed me to the moss and stick and twigs of every
man's noun verb noun and aesthetic. I'm ready to
give in.