If it could make a panini, that would be a bonus, too.

I was at dinner tonight with some friends and we, predictably, began discussing the features of the iPhone. Everyone agreed in the end that it looks to be great, with the obvious hesitations (Cingular, price, can it be insured?, battery replacement). By far my personal favorite feature is the Multi-Touch screen. I'm not as excited about it on teh phone as for the potential for future variations of that.

From day one in my graphic design I have been bothered by the input barrier put between the user and the computer. Only when we can tactilely and immediately affect the screen – as we would the real world – will designers take further leaps in productivity and, indirectly, creativity. I'm imagining a 30-40 inch platform where you can maneuver objects around as you would if they were in front of you. This is not a new idea: See here.

Of course, the phone will be great, but I'm more looking towards future, more helpful uses for the technology. Oh, and I think they will print money with this thing, as has been said before.

UPDATE: Read this Macworld article for more potential flaws. I don't like that this is a closed operating system one bit.

The plight of the (nearly) 40-year-old gamer.

So I got a Nintendo DS for Christmas from Jimmy. It is a little slice of heaven. I went out and bought some new games for it – enough to keep me busy for awhile and they are terrific. It all just works well and is a blast to use. HOWEVER...

It brought me to a funny place. I feel insecure about being this old (37) and playing games like a 14-year-old. not wanting to feel guilt because it makes me have to crap, I made efforts to parse the feeling. With a little backtracking I realized it happened shortly after several people asked me a question.

"Do you do anything but play games?" Geez. I hope that is already clear, but here we go.

Three points, all of which put me at risk of sounding a little defensive:

1.) Some learn numbers. Some know people well. My job in life is to learn tools. I do it on many, many fronts, with gaming being the least accepted of the bunch. At the moment I am playing the DS and the Wii (two incredibly innovative tools), learning to sew on a machine AND by hand, learning how to construct and present sushi, learning to handle a culinary knife, teaching myself to be a better illustrator, organizing my home, learning Movable Type and carrying a full time job as a graphic designer. In the past I have mastered OSX, A/V systems, cleaning tools, graphic design hand tools, woodworking tools (Ugh.), my treo and the PS2.

There is a lot to pack into life. If I could not sleep and still feel good I wouldn't get a wink. I imagine a world of every day learning something and taking naps between. All at your own pace, all in your own interest. Some people travel, some work – I learn new tools and languages with my husband.

2.) Video games are efficient. They are a direct line to stress relief for me. I work hard and my brain breaks every day. Rather than get all jiggy, I hit electronic rabid rabbits with plungers.

3.) I like playing games.

Me portfolio website.

I thought this was long gone, but my father kept it hidden and safe for me. My portfolio is once again online. I might even update it now that I know and have made more.

Portfolio

Some highlights? Everything. (hehe) The drawings are my personal favorite part. I would never put up something I hated, so I like everything here at least a little bit. Or it was demostrative of a skill. Or I should shut up.

Go. Wander. Live the dream.

Little Tip fer ya #1

Perhaps I'm not seeing well and this was in another release, but I just noticed that iTunes 7.0.1 has the downloads listed below your shopping cart while you are still downloading. It is always the subtle things that turn up in downloads that make me the most satisfied.

Go ahead and download a Podcast and feel the magic happen.

New Idea #3: Just start drawing.

Actually, I did some work on an illustrator tutorial, which helped me create the nut on this page.

Drawing Nuts and Bolts


I really like this kind of drawing. Reducing detail and geometric shapes adding to others. It feels honest. Or simple. Or like a little puzzle. Or whatever you want to call it. If I were to get stuck in a rut, this would be it and I'd totally deal fine with it. Actually sounds kinda awesome.

Smiling, inviting clichés

Thank heavens someone had the time and space to put this together. I'm including a few of my own extra images just to cap off the argument which has already been so perfectly presented.

While we are on the subject, I'd like to make images not have to work so hard. They don't solve anything and sometimes dilute a perfectly good argument. If I see one more smiling person on a bank ad or an insurance brochure....
Link

Waldorf=Astoria Starlight Roof map

This was a map I did for the latest RPA Regional Assembly. It covers the Starlight Roof and confrence rooms, done in a three-dimensional style which ended up being very helpful.

A couple of things: I think the angle is a bit high now. It could have been lower, though I don't know how much could've been seen, especially in the Rotunda area.

Also, It was originally done on a yellow background, so had more fig-ground relationship.

C'mon, kids, it's time for our brainwashing.

This ain't your Grandma's Scientology headquarters. No. Not at all.

Asterix of my dreams.

Another period of experimentation with gradients and transparency. More to come.