New Pursuits
There are a few updates on the design front since last post. Very much in the theme of Systematic Icon Design, I recently had the opportunity to work with the creators of the Headway Premium WordPress Theme on the application icon for their v.1.6 release. The design itself needed to seamlessly integrate into the already established suite of WordPress administration interface icons, yet also claim its own identity amongst its new counterparts. More to come on that once the new Headway becomes public facing.
Next, shortly before this past Christmas I contributed to the early stages of the Groupon iPhone application UI development. This was a fantastic learning experience for me, both in the nuances of iPhone-specific application development, and the ins-and-outs of working in Interface Builder. Unfortunately preceding the holidays, I was unable to stay on the project due to time/schedule constraints. However, it looks like a bit of what we came up with in that early phase (controls, general look-and-feel) held through to final release. Quite cool.
Speaking of iPhone apps, in the ever-procrastinating (non-)development of my home office arrangement, I’ve picked up a little gem from the App Store to assist. Home Interior Layout Designer (Mark on Call), for $3, does a fantastic job of helping you plan, preview, and (if I ever get to that stage) carry out your design ideas. You can add any number of pre-existing objects at set dimensions, or customizable objects (with custom dimensions) into a room, and move things around ad nauseum as you see fit. Anything is editable, and savable, at any point. Room colors, wall colors, floor colors…the sky’s the limit. Great bang for the buck.
Lastly, after over 4 years as the Creative Director for Xeno Media, I’ve accepted a new position as the Senior Interactive Art Director at a 75-person downtown Chicago design firm. I’ll have the tremendous opportunity to work on high profile brands like Chase, Sony, Gap, Visa, and GE. Super pumped about this new era in my career and absolutely looking forward to the fresh challenges ahead. As an added bonus, in the stead of a 40+ mile (roundtrip) reverse commute daily, my commute will now be a four block walk — I’ll probably end up selling my car as a result. Anyone in the market for a black 2009 45th Anniversary Ford Mustang GT? 4.6L V8 for 300hp of raw vehicular sex. What do I have to do to put you in this car today?! Anyone? No? Whatever.