Heck yes, I want all of these:

And I don’t even like jello, but these look amazing:

Last but not least, who wouldn’t want a whole house you could eat? I’m amazed by this gingerbread house (and the balloon “clouds” that rain glitter)!

This little blog of mine has gathered some dust this past year, mainly because it was a crazy, exciting time! I had such a blast working on my first video for the fine folks over at Lexington Health Network. I also worked on a few websites, an online focus group program, and of course, lots and lots of print. I even let people see inside my home. Now, I’m gearing up for my second video and excited about the year ahead – one that will include more updates in this little corner!

I remember logging on using slow, noisy dial-up. In bustling Appalachia, that was what we were stuck with for a very, very long time. Each time it felt like I was joining something. There was an anticipation while you listened to clicks and buzzes. It took time, it made noise, and on the other side of all of that there was something new and big – more than I could ever even process. Now, I click a button and a screen silently pops open to reveal custom web sites, that I can jump to with no wait, and that are new by the hour. Now it is cold and quiet. It’s more information, but the experience is gone.

Along the same lines, I’ve been listening to a lot of talk radio lately. I hate to be an NPR groupie, but I think it’s happening. While it’s nice to be informed, I’m not really listening because I must have the latest on Syria or the Royal Wedding. I like talk radio because it isn’t so clean. People have accents. They pause when they are thinking of an answer. They get too close to the microphone. The human element hasn’t been removed.

I feel like a lot of things in our world have gotten too clean, too quiet. Our radio and internet, our words, our designs, our feelings. When things showing the signs of age, I find it beautiful, but those the things we tear down and throw away. I guess I see it as a challenge to myself (and maybe you?) to be loud and messy sometimes. Maybe you can’t do it in your job, but you can write a handwritten letter (who wouldn’t love getting one of those!), join your kids on their craft project (glitter!), have a giant nerf gun attack, get muddy playing football (and leave the hand sanitizer in the house). Don’t use a handwritten font, use your handwriting. Turn off the internet and actually talk to someone. It’s the little things, and I, for one, am missing them.

A friend recently sent over a link to Beast Pieces, who has created not one but two really fun derby posters. Check ‘em out (and then go check out your local derby team)!

The students, who are about to graduate, aren’t ready at all. The issues that my design program had years ago are the same issues that I am seeing when I talk to students now. In the bubble of college or the classroom, there are some really nice designs and concepts. When that reaches the outside world, there is a disconnect. A good understanding of design isn’t all it takes to be a designer, and too many schools are focusing solely on building the aesthetic.

I’ve talked to printers who are baffled by the number of print designers who can’t do basic production work. I’ve talked to web designers who have open spots they can’t fill. I’ve had to explain seemingly basic concepts and tasks to new designers. There are a lot of people out there who can make really nice designs, but then can’t do anything with them. And there are a lot of people out there with degrees who simply can’t get jobs because a school didn’t do what it was paid to do.

As a designer, I’ve started going back to my own University and meeting with the students there once a year. I also make myself available online to each new senior class. I, along with several other alumni in the field, critique, give feedback, answer questions, and encourage the students. I would encourage anyone in the field to go back, help the students from your school. One hour of your time will make a huge difference for a student facing an uncertain future. Encourage the school to maintain a relevant program. In just a few years these students will be your peers and right now, they aren’t ready for that.