chriscashdollar.com

The Reset Button

2008-03-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

Every now and again it's good to reinvent yourself. Bart Cleveland's recent post in AdAge's Small Agency Blog reminded me that it's important in our profession to stay focused on the "now". You can't become overly comfortable in your current skill-set or you risk becoming irrelevant. Everything in our industry is affected by the blossoming mix of technology infused with the need for creative problem solving. Keeping up with the "young and hip" isn't really the correct way to label that issue. The true enemy is complacency and stubbornness. I've seen it in every aspect of my career from established NY agency executives to cranky audio engineers - we all can fall victim to feeling like we've reached the pinnacle of knowledge and we don't need to listen to anyone else for advice.

In hopes of avoiding this, I'm hitting the reset button. Next week, I will be starting as the new Creative Director for Happy Cog Philadelphia. I'm excited, nervous, and invigorated at the prospects of learning and working with some folks that I really respect. At the same time, I'm going to back to a more hands-on role where I'll have the opportunity to design again and not just be a "meetings and paperwork" professional. ...Now, don't get me wrong. There was nothing inherently bad about my previous position. It's just that I wasn't ready to hang up my design-gloves and be satisfied with watching the talented designers on my staff have all the fun. Now, they might not classify design as "fun" but I always have. This re-boot on my career will help me remember that specific feeling and, once again, allow me to be excited about going to work every day.

Ambigrams in the Wild: Marge

2008-03-09T19:11:00.001-07:00

I snapped this photo on my VX8700 recently of an Simpsons-based ambigram that uses Marge's name on a bookmark. I believe the retailer was Barnes & Nobles in Plymouth Meeting, PA.

LG Mobile's Social Survival Guide Movies

2008-03-03T09:32:00.000-08:00

It has taken almost a year, but all twelve Social Survival Guides are now in the can and approved. Check them out on YouTube, for now.

Personal Soul Archive: A Retrospective

2008-03-02T14:45:00.000-08:00

It's only taken me 10 years, but I am finally hosting an chronological viewing of the short-lived comic strip I created in the Drexel student-run newspaper in 1997-98. Front-end coding is definitely not my strong suit so a bug or two might still exist.
Check out the oldness.
Caution: Many of the comics contain adult language and images! Kiddies, stay away!

Chip Kidd was from Reading, PA?

2008-01-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

Stop Being Badgered

2007-12-19T11:52:00.001-08:00

Might be my new favorite commercial ever... well, it probably won't replace the uncomfortably awesome Burger King "King" series but it's pretty darn close.

Via Consumerist

Ambigrams in the wild

2007-12-02T08:41:00.000-08:00

Since John Langdon was my typography mentor when attending Westphal, I am always on the look out for very unique hand-rendered type... in this case, "ambigrams".

Even if you don't know what an ambigram is, I am pretty sure you have been exposed to them by now. They were a key visual element in Dan Brown's books "The DaVinci Code" and "Angels and Demons" which were conceived and rendered by Mr. John Langdon, himself.

Recently, I have come across two example of ambigrams that I wanted to share. Hopefully, due to John's work, these beautiful type-as-image executions will be evidence of a blossoming trend.

The Princess Bride 20th Anniversary DVD

Come In/Go Away door mat

Via Design*Sponge

Ads in Odd Places

2007-11-22T06:41:00.000-08:00

While flying back from San Francisco last week, my seat tray table was doing more than just hold my Diet Coke - it was trying to sell me on the benefits of Zicam, a brand of homeopathic zinc cold remedy. I was surprised , initially at the placement but then remembered how many people view planes as 600mph mobile germ factories.

Johnston clan classic "Funny Face" shot

2007-11-01T21:13:00.001-07:00

Johnston clan classic "Funny Face" shot, originally uploaded by Chris Cashdollar.

I love my family. A "funny face" photo has now become standard fare for any reunion of the Johnston clan.

LG Malibu House burns

2007-10-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

In very unfortunate news, the recent California fires damaged (possibly destoryed?) a section of Malibu that included LG Mobile's party house from this past summer. TMX recently launched a expanded section of our lifewithlg.com site to showcase the house and the events that occured there from July through September. Today we added an intercept page that explains the situation and points users to the Red Cross site on how to help.

View the site.

Donate to the Red Cross.

Dia de la Website

2007-10-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

Big internal projects need a bit of fanfare and homegrown excitement. Today, I officially kicked off a larger internal project and the revelry needed a visual vehicle to help brand the effort. Enter my never ending desire to mix the Mexican Day of the Dead with something.

The kick-off/fiesta seemed to be a success and I am pleased with how the mini-poster set turned out; especially since I designed them on-the-quick.

Stampede of Negativity: New RNC logo

2007-10-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

The new Republican National Convention logo is taking some major criticism in the design and political community.

Read Brand New's opinion.

"...logo has pushed the immobile elephant in a less cute direction, now looking something like Babar's evil and dumb cousin who ate wild mushrooms; it's breaking free of the circus ring in order to bludgeon the crowd."

Read some of Crooks and Liar's comments.

I'm not entirely sure where I read it, but I would have to agree with the general consensus that the elephant looks like it have been run over by a large truck and is lying on the ground dazed.

Not the interpretation the designers or the party had in mind, I'm sure.

...No work today - just meetings.

2007-09-26T05:01:00.000-07:00

How is anyone supposed to get anything done?

Flying again

2007-09-24T19:45:00.000-07:00

I've been asked to craft another Teddy Nitro-themed party flyer. The first party graphic I created for TN was such fun that I couldn't turn down the opportunity to design another. He consistently gives good direction and also provides great source material photos. I am often "LOL'in" while messing around in Photoshop when I sit back and realize what I'm working with.

Here is a sneak preview image of where the 30th birthday extravaganza flyer is headed:

Check out the first flyer from summer 2007.

EDIT: Here is the final version of the Nitro 30th Bday Jam flyer

State-of-the-Music-Release-Union: 2007

2007-09-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

For my personal music tastes, 2006 can be summed up in a simple word: disappointing. Some really high profile releases that I was looking forward didn't live up to expectations and let me feeling a bit empty. (Black Heart Procession, I'm talking to you. You too, Misters Flaming Lips, Built to Spill and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.)

2007 seems to have attempted to rehash 2005, which I can half-heartedly say, might be my favorite year of new music ever. (Oh, sweet sweet memories of Doves, Low, Kanye, BRMC, Gorillaz, The Mountain Goats, Sufjan Stevens...) If things continue on the fever-hot release schedule, '07 might surpass this glorious high water mark.

Notable albums that have "wowed" me so far:

...phew. That's alot of "favorite albums" of the year. I haven't even given the new Kanye disc a spin yet.

Other releases I am looking forward to in the short-term:

PJ Harvey - White Chalk
Iron and Wine - Shepard's Dog
British Sea Power - New EP
Matt Pond PA - Last Light

Aussie for Left Hander

2007-09-17T18:47:00.000-07:00

I was in a huge hurry. It has to be known that I was late - really late. Zoey should have been bathed, Penny should have been walked, and dinner was most likely getting cold. I could picture steam billowing out of Heather's ears like an old cartoon tirade. The reason I was late isn't really important nor worth getting into... what made me later, actually is.

In the domestic red isle, I was stuck; staring, gaping-mouthed, stumbling over some of the most awesome wine labeling/branding I have ever seen. The bottles were for Molly Dooker, an Australian brand with some wonderful illustrated and typographic labels that remind me of Gary Taxali a bit.

I purchased something, of course. The "Two Left Feet" Shriaz blend is currently on my wine rack for a not-too-hefty cost of $20 from the Ardmore PA Wine & Spirits. The design alone is worth the dough but apparently the wine more than holds up it's share of the purchase price. The fact that Molly Dooker is Aussie slang for "left hand" sealed the deal and made up for the potential scolding I would receive for my tardiness.

Check out the cool flash site and the wonderful labels in glorious hi-res.

Clarkie Logo

2007-09-12T18:56:00.000-07:00

I've been working on the Chris M. Clark website for what seems like eternity. I guess that is what happens you have to split time between your full-time gig and the other very important job of parenting a newborn.

By the end of the month, we should have at least a temporary homepage up with the logo/mast pictured below that I am really stoked on how it came out. I tried to mix the architectural and motif mixing style of his paintings while keeping the type clean and blocky, similar to what you would find on a blueprint or technical drawing.

Accidental Beautiful

2007-09-12T15:08:00.000-07:00

Screenshot of the build up of source and throw-away elements in my Illustrator document where I was building icons for a client animation.

Tag, I'm it. (Thx, Larry!)

2007-08-14T18:21:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Larry. Thanks, Larry. You might have brought this blog back from it's vegetative state.

Four jobs I've had:
1. Food hawking at a Renaissance Fair the summer after my freshman year at Drexel... I worked the chicken burrito booth while dressed in a piss poor version of traditional garb. Relied on my high school thespian experiences to appear and act a bit more authentic but it was utter nonsense and the worst run business I have ever been involved with.

2. Crystal Laser len fabricator for three summers at a company that was making these parts for industrial and military uses. I sanded, polished, beveled, and ground down thousands of pieces of crystal that would end up in such things as cruise missiles. During slower times I would do sharpie caricatures on paper towels of my fellow shop employees.

3. Brunch buffet cook at a family run restaurant... I worked Saturday and Sunday mornings ultra early, setting up the buffet and then short-order cooking custom omelets and egg orders until the mid afternoon. When I finally got to take my break, I made myself a massive Dagwood-like omelet that was to die for. For years to come, friends and family would look to me to man-the-pan for morning eats.

4. Intern graphic designer for a recruitment advertising agency... It was my first real design working experience. The people were fun and a bit wacky - a great mix of all the many different types of people that this great city of Philadelphia houses. The younger crew, fun as they were, made me realize that regardless of what age you are, everyone still reverts to high school-like gossiping and pettiness. Although, they did get me into many bars while I was only 19 years old.

Four movies I can watch over and over:
1. The Fog of War
2. The Big Lebowski
3. Children of Men
4. The Godfather

Four countries I have been to:
1. England
2. Belgium
3. France
4. Germany

Four places I'd rather be right now:
1. Camping
2. The dogpark with my family and IG Penny
3. AKA Music, Old City
4. A nice dark authentic pub with friends

Four foods I like to eat:
1. My wife's homemade marinara
2. Spicy crunchy tuna roll
3. Tilapia fajitas from Adobe Cafe
4. Pierogie Pizza from the Church Brew Works, Pittsburgh

Four places I have lived:
1. Havertown, PA
2. 16th & Spring Garden
3. Northern Liberties
4. Mars, PA

Four bloggers I'm tagging:
1. Mike the Mayt - http://michaelmayton.com/
2. Diane - http://blog.circa1979.com/
3. Jennifer - http://jayesel.net
4. Springfish - http://www.springfish.com/blog/

Birth Day

2007-03-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

Zoey: 03.21.07
Heather: 12.30.77
Chris: 01.23.77

Lost and Found

2006-11-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

I hate having to be constantly weighed down by modern gadgets. The mobile phone is one piece of electroincs that I loath to have to keep on my person, worry about keeping it charged, and taking up my precious pocket space. When my VX8100 went on the fritz last week, I quickly understood the true value this piece of intricate plastic. Despite my luddite nature, I was rendered socially inoperable for 7 days when I couldn't contact any person that I didn't personally have their telephone number memorized. Luckily, the phone was still under warrenty and quickly replaced, ending my woes of having no text messaging, mobile web access and ultimately, no contact to my outside world.

The other companion device that is always by my side is the wonderous video iPod. Oh, how wonderful it is to have my vast and eclectic music collection (and some of my movies) with me at all times! I haven't listed to the radio since 2004, thanks to this invention of Apple. When my iPod went missing in August, I had to quickly adapt to a world where I no longer controlled my audio destiny. Yesterday, this blanket of muscial darkness was lifted when, on a whim, I slid my hand between the passanger seat and middle console of my aged car and found paydirt.

So, I'm back to my normal self again. ...Easily connected but also continuously detached.

[+] Beth's upcoming 26th birthday
[+] 21 week ultrasound
[+] Explosions in the Sky
[+] MLS final today
[+] ...and yes, my found 60 gig video iPod

To the End

2006-10-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

All things must pass, or so George Harrison writes. My week-long vacation had many more rollercoaster moments than a quiet, "low-key" holiday usually presents. I will try my darndest to sufficiently document this week into a classic "top-five" format. Please forgive me if it runs too long and bores you to death.

[+] "You want my best guess? It's a girl."
[-] Stupid Steelers. I am cursed when watching the black and gold @ The Pour House, DC.
[+] This guy. By Mr. "Jack" Brad Berkner. Happy 30th, buddy.
[-] Shoulder woes.
[-] Not finding any Pumpkin Ale in H'town.
[+] Blur's "Parklife"
[+] Heather's revamped work life... now I have to share the office.
[+] Fall is truly here.

The End of the End of the Week

2006-09-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

Never long enough, this weekend seemed ultra-micro.

[+] Good meals and pleasant times
[-] Lousy football
[+] Shredding 5 years of receipts, bills, and statements
[+] Continued trips to the dog park

Really digging this band... Cold War Kids. Song is "Hair Down."

Kodak logo thoughts

2006-09-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

I almost attended Rochester Institute of Technology for college. Instead, I attended Drexel University in Philadelphia and therefore never had to think about Kodak 24/7 which, I believe, has it's headquarters next to campus. When the recently redsigned logo for Kodak caught my eye, I couldn't help think about the aesthetic decisions that were made by the designer.

So, that leads me to ask, what is up with that squished letter "a"? Those nice, round letterforms of the "o" and the "d" would have given me hints on how to create the "a". But, no - this designer stamped on this lowercase vowel and made it look almost melted as a result. I don't like it and I took a quick photoshop stab at what I might have done differently.

Does it work? Or am I missing the point of the designer?

Rainy Weekend

2006-04-22T12:29:00.000-07:00

April showers, indeed. After a beautiful week of cloudless skies and 70 degrees, the weekend has turned to a total washout. My plan? Update some HTML, possibly redesign my chriscashdollar.com homepage and hit Fellini's in Ardmore tonight with our newish neighbors.