We also tried to remove any trends and make this timeless, meaning it had a flavor of the past but it would be contemporary even ten years from now.

Main typeface is Verlag by H&FJ. Great when widely kerned to give a mid-century modern feel.

These are printed on 120lbs cover weight Eames Bright White. 1 Color.

Propagate

We wanted this to have the polish of Googie’s vision of a future but be more grounded in modern form and also take typical Baseball centered signage and put it on its head. It is my belief that signage in Baseball stadiums needs to modernize and quit relying on cliche’ references of the past. Dodger Stadium, because of its history and team leadership at the front office, was the opportunity to do that – while still nodding to the stadiums architectural past. We also took great inspiration from mid-century modern artists and painters – like the color fields of Ellsworth Kelly – the father of “California Cool”.

We spent great time pinning down the original pale yellow color that was included when the stadium first opened. HKS Inc. out of Dallas, TX, designed the initial box seat renovation and continued the Field Level architecture that definetly set the ton for historical preservation and re-imagining. The whole team’s pursuit and design process really pushed the project to the next level. I am honored to have been a part of it.

Note: These changes took place for the opening of the 2008 season.

All Photos by Blake Marvin
Architecture: HKS Inc.
Fabrication by TubeArt

Propagate

I have been reflecting lately on what has happened in the past seven years. What I have done wrong and what I have done right. Mistakes, though dreadful, are never as bad as we first fear, and successes are usually smaller than we expected. But both, mistakes and success, and your actions directly after, define your character to those around you. The following is the first installment of “Mistakes/Successes”.

Mistake – Not Working Hard Enough For My College Professors
I can remember sitting down with my professors. It was portfolio review time. I had joined a social fraternity at my small college. I had not been focusing on my art/design as much as I should of been but I was still performing at a high level compared to the rest of the class – but that was all mostly instinct. I hadn’t been pursuing excellence. I knew it. They knew it. So they confronted me about it. A professor I admired very much asked me why I wasn’t in the Art Department more. I said that I had been “busy with the fraternity.” They knew what that meant. Another professor said “We gave you a scholarship because we thought you would be more involved.” My response… “You gave me a scholarship for what I did – not what I was going to do.” Not smart….

I look back on that statement and I was a fool. In a twist of fate I wasn’t in the fraternity a year later. I probably spent more time in the Art Department than most of the other designers after that (not the painters because they were intense). But it wasn’t until I was out of school did I realize I could of used more time to be a better designer. It was only after school that I realized I fractured a possible mentorship with one of my professors that could have made me a better designer. I wasn’t as passionate as I should of been. I was given an opportunity. I should of taken better care of it. The worst part? I just didn’t let them down – I let myself down.

These days? Design is all I can think about and I won’t let myself or anyone who ever believed in me down again. You only have this time to do something with.
LESSON: STAY PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR LOVE

Success – Gaining the Ability to Reflect
Designers tend to “jump” at the end of a project. Meaning they “jump” from that one and on to the next. They leave little time in between each project to really understand what worked and what didn’t. Its okay – we are all a little ADD and want to keep creating.

The ability for me to reflect on my actions has been a critical part of my career. After every presentation I reflect about what went right and what went wrong. After each project I go back and try to streamline processes or learn from my mistakes. How could I work with someone more closely next time? What fabrication method would of worked better? Who came through for me when I needed them to? Reflection is a key to being a better person, a better designer, and a better collaborator. It is the only way to begin to move forward.

I recommend after each project calling a joint “Lessons Learned” meeting. Speak openly about the difficulties in the project – whether that difficulty was a client, fellow collaborator, or process. Just remember to be there for support and to build a stronger bridge – not burn it.
LESSON: REFLECT ON YOURSELF AND YOUR PROJECTS.

Mistake – Little Things are Nothing
You most likely will not have amazing clients and complete control over a project when you get out of college. That is okay. It will come. I spent hours programming hospitals, typing message schedules, creating art for code maps, etc. I can remember re-numbering a hotel tower ten times. I was frustrated. “Why would they keep making me do these menial tasks?” I would ask myself. For others it might be text layout out, or creating templates. Whatever it is – these are all little tests. Some people want to see how much you can handle, or how well you can take direction. It will be frustrating. It will be, at times, heart-wrenching. You will go through periods of depression because you are not creating something you deem “worthwhile”.

Just take this advice: Do the absolute best you can on every single thing your hand touches. Each task will help you become a better designer. Find the detail in the work. If its map art – work on the legibility and ease of use. If its laying out type – work on your typography. Make the challenge. If you still need to feed the craving to be creative make sure you do personal projects at home to balance the tedious work at the job.
LESSON: EVERYTHING YOUR HAND CREATES SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU

Well thats all for now. I hope you enjoyed this. I will be writing one of these a month.

Propagate

Go here to download my new EP.

http://thedesertdessert.com

Thanks and enjoy.

Propagate

I have been working on these for awhile. Its an extension of the same work I have been doing for the past 2 years. I hope to have a few completed in the next couple weeks but wanted to share this with you now. Have a great weekend.

Propagate

Propagate

1 – How is it affecting the ability of the phone to work in a majority of real world instances. Half of the problem is AT&Ts network. People with strong signals can still make calls even with the antenna issue with no problem.

Which brings up #2

2 – Do the consumers even care? If they have seen zero change in service or even an uptick (for people like my father who couldn’t get a signal in his house but now can) what the hell does it matter? Even Engadget with its emotional readers and commenters can’t point to a substantial consumer backlash for the device. People are using their phones and not caring.

I believe there is alot of hype around this that shouldn’t be. Given that Consumer Reports can’t give a “Recommended Buy” to the iPhone4 but have it listed as the “Best Smartphone” followed by the 3Gs should be a dead give-away that this is just another sensational story meant to get eyes on webpages. Meanwhile, oil just stopped gushing in the gulf.

Here is my prediction for tomorrow and what Jobs will do.

1 – Introduce himself.
2 – talk about the iPhone 4 and how successful it has been. 3 million + units.
3 – say something about the antenna “has been *chuckle* an issue. I am sure you have heard.”
4 – bring out experts that explain antenna design and the issues.
5 – steve will say “okay if you want to bring back your iphone – please take it to the nearest Apple store we will exchange for a full refund. If you buy one and you don’t like the service bring it back. If you are happy keep it.” *What I don’t know is the whole AT&T side the story*
6 – Steve will throw in a bumper if people want it.
7 – Thank everyone and leave.

Now is the second part. WSJ and every other newspaper/magazine/blog will run a story asking “Did Apple Do Enough” and they will undoubtedly say “no” and quote un-named sources about how the whole ordeal.

People will move on. Apple stock might take a 2% – 3% hit for the day. And the next day no one will care and I will still buy mine regardless of tomorrow in a couple weeks.

Propagate

The 12 Hills Nature Center in the Oak Cliff suburb of Dallas, TX is an example of what determination can accomplish. Over ten years has past since the first e-mail mentioning the possibility of a independent group of individuals that would use grants and personal donated funds to build an urban nature preserve. The nature center will act as a outdoor classroom and community hub.

My role was to design signage and graphics for the entry and donor recognition. Working closely with the landscape architect Carolyn Perna of TBG (located in Dallas), we fully integrated the graphics into the landscape. This type of integration is unheard of of on this scale. Sandblasted text, donor names, and a 36″ cast bronze recognition plaque that uses names to mimic tree rings were all placed into the space.

All work was Pro Bono.

Landscape Architecture: Carolyn Perna, TBG

Plenty of More Photos After the Jump

Propagate

FOR THE PUBLIC 1 of 1

Propagate

Boom 1 of 1

Propagate