Sketchy

Summer 2005

Design: Good Stuff

Mike Joyce was the first person I ever interviewed with in NY. He is super nice; Met me midday July 3rd even though the rest of the office was gone home for the holiday and I didn't know someone that knew him.
Anyway, his new site is up for Stereotype. Good stuff.


Now for those of you that don't visit Hoping for Happy Accidents, she has found a real gem...via MoCo Loco!
Ahhhhhh blogging. Its the new gossip, pass it on. Anyway, I Love Lula. Original. Good Craft. Seems intuitive. Good Stuff.

Nicknames For The Roomies

Oomplahloompahs
Snaf Face
Rats
MoncheecheesTosc
Oompers
Oomp Star
Tonka
Tootles
ZerpsMr. T
Rat Face
Sweet Peas
Dude
Zoe-ologist


Tumpkin
Tumbbelina
Toodle Luma Luma
Purr Monster
Grump Face
Giglio Brothers
Whiskers
Explosion Face
Poopers
-----------------------Edit------------------------

Jeannius just remembered a few more!

little fuckers
zoeatrope
zoobear
owlface
mister.
Thanks to Rash for some of the picts.

Sally Sidebar: Fwink

Sally Sidebar recently revealed the emoticon armory's all-purpose flour. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present The Fwink.

Go Ahead. Gimme What You Got.

This weekend I suspended my very own disbelief in the softest, most navy blue way possible. I was going to keep it like a secret but a conversation with a dear confidant convienced me to extend the suspension to you all.

Words You Used To Say

Drench me in dreamy with a side of dry ice. Dean & Britta capture the feeling of falling in love and release it in the form of music. Sweet, sweet, super cool jams. If you see me in person, don't shake me from my daze. I like it here. Thanks for the heads up, Jasson.
They are playing a show in NY on March 30th at Hiro Ballroom.

Designing Duos

Charles & Ray Eames designed to everything from chairs and buildings to collages and short films. I have one of their chairs and my eyes set on another with ottoman(top right)... that one is gonna take a while though.

Massimo & Lella Vignelli
Quite the handsome couple, no? While Massimo handled 2D design, Lella took 3D. That is the previous New York Metro Map in the bottom right.
Rudy VanderLans & Zuzana Licko
He focused on magazine layouts. She handled type design. Together, the founder and co-founder(respectively) of Emigre, illustrated genius. This is no opinion, merely one of the basic axiom on which we exist. Also, the handling of their photograph is a perfect descrtion of their work.
New-comers, Claire & Olivier, were recently posted on Newstoday. They are my new favorite. I love the colors and abstract approach.

Week In Review

Song of the week: Bread by On! Air! Library!
"Shaking in your bones is required to dream above colossal empires."

I forget where I found this image but it looks
like the 1980s version of clocky, no?

Cardigan Couple at Killer Pot Luck Art Party

The NPR program This American Life branching out into television.

The way I feel about you.

Marilyn Monroe lamp

Kill Your Darlings

I love the surrealistic posture of Southern culture.

Keep Your Deviled

I have had a strange relationship with eggs all my life. On time when I was 2 yrs old my Grandma fed my 5 scrambled eggs in one sitting. My mother cut me off despite my babbles for more. A few years of decision-making later I cut all meat and most egg out of my diet. You see, I would not hold it against a food item if egg was one of its ingredients. Take cake or brownies for instance; I had no problem with their egg content. The bottom line for the last 25 yrs has been: if I can't taste egg, smell egg or see egg then all is "go" for consumption. I am not saying that this makes or made any sense.
Recently, when I was doing a year-end-review of my life I was like, 'heh, that whole egg rule doesn't make any sense. Weird. Why am I still doing this?...' And then I though, 'umm.. you're doing this because eggs are spongy and grotty.' Well the convo went on for a while and then I got bored and thought of something else.ps. this is my first phone camera piece. It has an unique (read crappy) quality and yet I still like it.
A few weeks later, I saw this appetizing post by steak and potatoes, which then made me think of all the times my mouth has watered watching omelettes pass me by. Finally, last Sunday, I woke up, bought a six pack of organic eggs and, with the help of C, made my first omelette.
First I caramelized onions. Those were added to the beaten eggs, cream cheese and some thyme.
And then(!) I ate the partially naked egg.... and I liked them.

Hello My Name Is Design. I Am Here To Show You My Gina

Gross. But seriously, I was a little nervous. I just had an informational interview at Base Design. Yikes! In my humble opinion this studio is the cream of the crop. So, I got a little tounge tied which does not usually happen. There was definitely qualification that I should have expounded upon, but over all I think it went well. The senior designer said he liked my work and that it was good to see that I had a lot of identity design (Oh yeah! I knew what you were looking for. I have only poured over Base's work for the past 4 yrs now.)
So, maybe he was a nice guy and he was lying or maybe he really liked my work and will pull my file up at the next mention of an availible position. The beauty of it is, it was and informational interview.
The space was nice and widowous, but there was no music playing and the mood with a little tense. The senior designer was very curtious and waited with me at the elevator till it arrived.
Some of Base's work:

A most enthusiastic thank you to C! Without him none of this would have been possible; the interview, the elaborate sneaky-stashing of the portfolio so that I didn't tot it into work, thus advertising my interview and the calming.

Memories of Music: Record Player

The record player is very much connected to activities with my mother in my mind. I got to listen my Disney record, narrated by Micky while she was cooking dinner. And she would listen to the Doobie Brothers while we cleaned. We always cranked the tunes. There was also a workout album that we got all dressed up for.

Beanie

Welcome to the wonderful, ripe age of 28!

Oh I'll Keep You Company

6:oo Begin staring at my phone
6:15 'Its weird because usually if I... at least I feel like I have willed things to happen with enough concentration. The collective unconscious... Chill out. Read a few blogs. I hate the web.'
6:20 Ring ring. Answering machine. "Hi! My name is Gina Whitt. I was suppose to get a phone call at 6 concerning my question about "keep you company". Uh so yeah just checking. My name is Gina... again. un MY NUMBER is 7-1-8-Niiiiiiinnnne-3-0-2-8tt-6-4. ok thanks."

Ack. I finally received a call at 6:30 explaining they were running late, blah blah.

If you are just now joining me, then you should know that I was expecting a phone call from Hosts Martha & Grant at KPBS' A Way With Worlds. They were calling me so that we could discuss my questions on the phrase "Keep you company".
You see, the word "company" is in a unique position. Is it a noun? Is it a verb? C seems to think it should be referred to as a adjective. Another good point, brought to my attention by jason, is that any word that describes a "state on being" can replace the word "company". ei. "Can I keep you dancing?", "Can I keep you warm?" or "Can I keep you safe?"

Anyway, I finally get on the phone with Martha & Grant, who are just delightful! I was so excited slash nervous and sooo trying to keep my composure. I should let you know upfront that I have no idea when and if my convo will air. But you can bet your shorts that I will let you know when I find out.
While they didn't end up defining what kind of word "company" is in that particular situation, Martha did give me scoop on the word "company", itself.
1. It comes from the idea-turned-phrase "to break bread with". You break bread with someone you know well or want to know better. Comer= eat Pan=bread y
2. The bible uses the word to suggest sexual relations ie. "Beware the company you keep..."
3. Not surpringly, the southern term "company keeper" means a person that you are intimate with yet not married to.

Sally Sidebar: Alarmed for a Cause

'Hey! Where did my alarm go? Oh, Clocky!!' If you remember my previous rant about alarms and my inability to wake up on time, then you know why this clock would be of interest. If this alarm is not turned off soon enough it runs away and apparently has the capacity to "jump from 2 feet". Though, there is no way to be sure that I still wouldn't sleep through it, its totally cute. Thanks Sally Sidebar!

oediPUS =^..^=

Ahem. Lets see. This is sort of a delicate subject. I don't really want to blow up this guy's spot but I am struggling with some frustration he is causing me and I figured that I could trust you with the information. Maybe you recall me writing about Tosca in previous posts. We have lived together 5.5 years now and he has seen me through the best and worst of times. While he has always been a little needy, I appreciate the company, the friendship and even the neediness.
For instance, Tosca has always cried at bedtime in need of attention. About three years ago I noticed his cries becoming muffled. Come to find out that he was carrying a stuffed toy mouse around with him during his distress. Like all cats, Tosca also took to makin' muffins for relaxation purposes. At about the same time as the crying-while- toy-toting, T took his common cat kneading to a whole new level. He started kneading-humping.
One of the things I really love about the guy is his drive to really push the envelope. So, when he started clinching a stuffed mouse in his mouth while knead-humping his faux fur blankie, I was sort of proud. 'Let that freak flag fly ! Maximize your enjoyment. You're a cat. Why not?!' In fact I can tell when he is plotting a "session" and looking for perfect spot.... and so move some papers off the couch or hand over a sweater already in need of washing for his use.
However, I am drawing the line at his new insistence on touching me during his sessions. He waits until I am nestled into bed or on the couch with my favorite blaket. Then he acts like he is looking for a place to lay down. Now, more often that not, his settling down motions turn into a "session" on my legs. Totally not acceptable!

Away, A Way!

Ek!
Compose.
And A Way I go!
I've really gotten into these PodCasts as of late. First it was just the news: The New York Times and NPR both do a daily 5 minute coverage. Since I don't listen to the radio and, up until recently, didn't have a tele, the PodCasts have been ideal. Like all things wonderful-your favorite magazine, guilt, the city and a sparkling red, to name a few- you can't help but to indulge a little or a lot as your wants may be. So, I started branching out. Maybe 60 sec. of science would be interesting. AIGA even has a podcast. Left, Right and Center is great if you can manage to let it wash over you and take what you need. However, I feel that NPR has got the medium on lock down. Wait, wait! Don't Tell Me won my heart and listener support, hands down!
But wait, I am not finish. To the point, I started listening to this nerdy/goofy/ highly-informative program that is advertised at the end of Wait, Wait!... The radio-program-turned-PodCast is called A Way With Words. Hosts, Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett, plow through the English language, answering questions on regional slang, proper usage and the unique circumstances of overlooked phrases. For instance, maybe you've felt awkward about beginning a sentence with "And". I actually remember elementary school teachers discouraging the practice. Turns out, its perfectly fine. Go ahead, start a sentence with "And" today!
Needless to say, I find the program thoroughly engaging. Much like my desire to one day have a This American Life moment to write about, I find myself wanting interaction with Martha and Grant's words wisdom. So, about two weeks ago I emailed Martha with what I hoped to be a worthy query: Where does the phrase "Can I keep you company?" come from? My thoughts on this are simple. We don't say: "Can I keep you sanity?" "Can I keep you milk?" "Can I keep you activity?" Et cetera.
SooOOOOooo! I got an email today from "A Way With Words". They want to give me a call next Wednesday (Another good question: What in the heck is that D doing in there?) and record my convo with Martha and Grant. ek!

Sally Sidebar: Photo Discussion

I don't need to explain why this photo deserves a discussion.
However, I would like to formally introduce Sally Sidebar as I am positive she will make future post apperances. Sally is a coworker of mine with a knack for finding interesting sites and images... yes, I know that you do too... that's nice... Anyway she often interjects her trivia and tidbits into conversation or the workday, hence the "sidebar". Since she won't start her own blog and since I have been seriously slacking, I figured 'what the heck...'

The Banana Update

Other than having trouble waking up this morning, banana is doing alright.

GoOn!

Why? Why? Why does MoveOn.Org email at least 4x a week? Since when did they fall prey to the reasonings of spammers and cheap product advertisers? Effective people! More is just more. I don't like to read your redundant rants. Once a week- or what the hell! even once every two weeks- pull your shit together, get to the point IN ONE SHORT EMAIL. put a link in there and if I want to read the cute-with-a-cause copy then I will click the link and read it.
I just feel like if you've already got me down as a prior volunteer then its pretty safe to assume that we are on the same page.
So, I receive this:

And all I need is this:
MoveOn.Org needs volunteers to make phone calls from your home tomorrow:
We need you to:
1. make calls to other move.on members

2. have these members to call congressmen to ask them to stop the Iraq escalation

Click Here to find out more about this volunteer option>>
Click Here to find out more about the Senate vote on the war>>

Anyway, if you are fed up with this war and have some free time tomorrow night then sign up here.

While we are on the topic I thought I might point out some great design for a non-profit. I am sure that I have mentioned Stefen Sagmeister before... and now I am mentioning him again. Here is some work he did for Ben Cohen's (the Ben of Ben&Jerry's) True Majority:

If you want an easy job, go sell shoes!

Yeah! What he said; Nut up congress. Can we go back to one of the first queries about this war? um. Why are we in Iraq again?

Le Merle

A Lovely 1958 animation by Norman McLaren. He imparts unique visuals to the nonsense French-Canadian song. The simplicity is refreshing.

Pixelpatterlicious

Squidfingers created pixel patterns with a keen attention to depth and texture.
There are even swatches to make your own patterns.

Hi Ho

I have spent the last three hours doing this: Trust me I am not attempting to diminish color palette selection. Clearly, its very important to me... by the by I not quite finished with this, but constructive criticism is welcome. To the point, I have been a bit busy but plan to get back blogging soon.

Cause For Alarm

Firstly, I can't wake up to a clock alarms to save my life. You can ask any poor soul that has lived with me starting with my family. Its a genetic disorder, to be sure.
I currently use my cell phone's alarm function. It allows me to set 3 different alarms, all of which I use. I like to turn the volume up to high, stagger the times about 15 mins. apart and vary the alarm "ring" on each. Still, I wake up about 30 mins later with the phone craddled in my hand right next to my head. "What wakes me up?" you ask. Oh well, a number of things really... my cat hovering over my face, a nightmare that I woke up late, sunlight, a fed up roomie....

... OR sometimes I wake because of the car alarms going off next door at the car wash. Lucky for me, if they are going off, then they start at about 7 am.!(read as extreme sarcasm) I am not sure why the car alarms wake me up and my scheduled clock alarms don't(!) but what I would really like to discuss(selfishly) is why the guys(fully awake) at the car wash repetitively set the alarms off. One would think that they would get sick of hearing the noise and.... I-don't-know... turn the alarms off till the car is clean(?) Alas, this is not the case. 4 days out of 7 alarms are set off long enough to go through all the different sounds twice.
If you don't live in the city it may be difficult to understand the breadth of my hatred of the car alarm. Basically, I feel that they are a poor attempt at eliminating car theft.
In my misery, I like to contemplate ways of resolving this problem... on a national scale. Picture this:

Clean House

Thank you for the image Jason
Greeting a new year is like going to work.
Maybe the day before was a little stressful but productive and you wouldn't mind taking it easy or maybe it was fun but before you knew it, the day was over and little had been done. Or maybe the day before was a lot of fun AND you were very productive and you go in the next day with the hopes of hitting the same sweet spot. Whatever the case, there is a whole year in front of you.
Good Morning 2007