Parky's Farm Halloween Nights

Parky's Farm Halloween Nights

I volunteered at this event a few years ago (who could pass up the opportunity to make a fire and smores with kids). If you live in the Cincinnati area, I highly recommend taking your young child to this event. They have a lot of fun activities and performers (nothing that'd scare them).

 

Hamilton County Park District

Come join us for this non-scary, family-friendly Halloween event! See tens of thousands of animated and decorative light displays, take a hayride through the woods, make S’mores by the campfire, and experience the many activities offered for the whole family. October 6 is Sneak Preview Night with half price admission!
http://www.greatparks.org/halloween/tickets-activities.shtm

 

Be Right Back

Posts will most likely be on hiatus for the next few days. -The Sketchpad

Amazon Kindle Fire

Amazon's winning tablet feature: Price

Amazon announces the Kindle Fire to be realeased for $199.

Feng Shui

:)

Feng Shui Mobile

Before USB Flash Drives

Before USB Flash Drives
William D. SIEMER II

I came across an amusing note I had written in a process book back in college. Up until the point I wrote this I had saved all my AutoCAD drawings on floppy disks, most of design files on ZIP disks, and backed-up on CD-ROMS.

A Small Inspiration

One day I was at my place of work and a co-worker showed me a keychain that her boyfriend had bought her. She said that it could hold a gig of memory and be transferred to different computers.

This was a big inspiration for me.  Sometimes inspiration comes in small forms.  When you are a designer, your mind never turns off.  Everything around you becomes an idea.

I can use this kind of system in a car design. I can have this gig of memory be the vehicles' key and give each car its own identity.  This key could start the car, hold various car settings, and store mp3s for the radio system.

An old sketch: Flash Sticks the future of vehicle customization? wdsiemer

I was referring to a USB Flash Drive. This must have been the first time I had seen one. I wouldn't have had to tote around a case full of 20 ZIP drives full-time during college. It seems every generation of designers have new luxuries afforded them through our advancing technology. I always anticipate the next innovation...

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now by The Smiths

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now by The Smiths
Hear it here!

Google Turns 13 with a Doodle

Google Turns 13 with a Doodle

This Google Doodle reminds me of Wallace and Gromit...

Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Hear it here!

Reach For The Sky

Reach For The Sky

A piece we created for former Bengal Keith Rucker last summer. Let's hope more Bengals start making positive contributions to the community.

Find out more info at http://reach4thesky.org/

Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure

 

Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure

I have had the opportunity to do some work for the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure for the last several years. It is nice to see the community come together and raise money for such an important cause. The funding not only goes to research; it also provides assistance to families, medical clinics and care programs while bringing awareness to the fight against breast cancer.

According to FOX19, up to 75 percent of net proceeds from Komen Race for the Cure will remain in the Cincinnati community to fund breast health community outreach programs.

The remainder of the net proceeds, a minimum of 25 percent, will support the national Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Award and Research Grant Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research.

Cincinnati is fortunate to have a chapter rooted here, and to have so many volunteers, participants and survivors involved.

Visit their website to learn how you can Get Involved.

JIM HENSON’S MUPPETS Google Doodle

JIM HENSON’S MUPPETS
New Google Doodle celebrates late creator’s 75th birthday

A fun, interactive Google Doodle today...

Facebook Ticker

Facebook Ticker

That little ticker thing showed on my Facebook over a month ago and I was wondering what the heck it was. It was instantly showing me everything everyone was doing. It disappeared when I closed my browser. Now it all makes sense. I guess I was getting a quick taste of their testing.

Here comes Timeline...

Expression With Typography

Expression With Typography
Design We've Seen (a lot) Series

A good exercise for designers to get acquainted with expression through typography, but still has to go under the category of designs we've seen a lot.

The most important part of this challenge is to go a path that isn't as typical as some of these...

Be Original! DON'T DO THESE! wdsiemer

A Box of Dough Pretzels: On My Porch

A Box of Dough Pretzels: On My Porch

Finally something arrives specifically for me. A box of dough pretzels (pretzelsdirect.com) from my wife. Such a lucky guy!

A box of pretzels. wdsiemer

Spring Cleaning by Neva Dinova

Spring Cleaning by Neva Dinova
Hear it here!

Just My Type

Just My Type
(journal entry)

Been so busy designing 11+ hours a day that I haven't had a chance to make many updates, except for the occasional photo. I guess it's good news having work to do, but it doesn't always feel that way when it's happening under strict deadlines.

On another note, I finally received my copy of Simon Garfield's Just My Type. As soon as I'm done, I will share my thoughts (for what they matter.)

Just My Type Simon Garfield

National Geographic Photos

National Geographic Photos: always a viewing pleasure

I see "Nature" and "Photos" I'm there.
[View Slideshow Gallery]

“This shot was taken during our family tour [of] Iceland. The waterfall is called Seljalandsfoss. During this trip we used a motor home, so we camped about 500 meters from the [beautiful] waterfall. Before our dinner at 10 p.m., I took this image with the sunset colors.” Cast your vote and weigh in on the best shots at http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/your-shot/voting-machine. (Photograph Courtesy Amnon Eichelberg / National Geographic Your Shot)

Cigarette Wallpaper

Cigarette Wallpaper

An impressive collection of cigarette butts accumulated in a matter of a few months by two guys at work. Just when I'm stressed and feeling like a cigarette may do me some good...

Cigarette Butts Wallpaper

Cigarettes in the Trash

Cigarettes Measured

Netflix Apology Letter

Dear William,

I messed up. I owe you an explanation.

It is clear from the feedback over the past two months that many members felt we lacked respect and humility in the way we announced the separation of DVD and streaming and the price changes. That was certainly not our intent, and I offer my sincere apology. Let me explain what we are doing.

S. Truett Cathy

Good thing S. Truett Cathy takes better photos than I do. wdsiemer

S. Truett Cathy

I have mad respect for this man, S. Truett Cathy. I see this face every time I go to Chick-Fil-A and I think: this guy could have been Photoshopped by the design department real nicely, he could have used an old photograph of himself to trick people into thinking he still looked young, he could have worn eyeliner and blush, or even banned his photo from being used at the restaurant.

But no! He has his beautiful face blown up to greet every guest coming through his doors... And what's not to love and be proud of--S. Truett is a true celebrity without the glamor. Now only if he was the one to announce it's his "pleasure" when I'm served.

CENSORED

CENSORED
Designs We've Seen (a lot) Series

Just when you thought you found your favorite celebrity nude photos this is all you get... It's good for web hits, bad for "collectors."

A collection of photos. Enjoy!

Golden Girls Nude

Donald Trump Bush

Bob Barker Nip Slip

Wildflowers by Tom Petty

Wildflowers by Tom Petty
Hear it here!

Netflix Spoof

An update to my NETPROFIT spoof... Not looking so pretty now

NETFLIX LOGO SPOOF wdsiemer

Higher Netflix prices equals fewer subscribers
Horror show: Netflix losing more customers than expected on price hike, stock plunges 19 pct

|Read Article|

Spotify Ads

Spotify Ads

Spotify's advertisements might just do the trick and get me to subscribe if I don't have to see this guy's mug every time I switch albums.

David Guetta: Is it a mullet?

Yogi & Boo Boo Playing with Fire

Yogi & Boo Boo Playing with Fire
Humor We've Seen (a lot) Unseries


Yogi: Hey Boo Boo, you got the lighter ready?
Boo-Boo: Yes Yogi, but Ranger's not going to like it.
Yogi: Oh well, here it comes...

Do not try this at home. wdsiemer

Vanilla Twilight by Owl City

Vanilla Twilight by Owl City
Hear it here!

Phone Number Letters (re-post)

Phone Number Letters
A re-post from 5-17-11

As I have continued my blog, I have realized photos usually garner more attention than words. As a re-post, I ask you to find a way to numerically dial 555-555-WILL on my phone...

New Phone Keypads make Number Wordplay a thing of the past. wdsiemer

A lot of companies with 1-800 numbers try to come up with catchy ways for their callers to remember their phone numbers, such as 1-800-SKTCHPD. But if you don't give me the numbers I can't call you because my cell phone doesn't work like that. The letters "K, T, H & P" don't even have related numbers on my numerical keypad.

Buddha Figurine Photograph

Buddha Figurine Photograph
Finding peace in hectic times...

Lit Up by Buckcherry

Lit Up by Buckcherry
Hear it here!

09.11.11

Photo By Reuters/POOL

Family members gather around the North Pool during the dedication ceremony for the 9/11 National Memorial and tenth 9/11 Attacks anniversary ceremonies at the World Trade Center site in New York, September 11, 2011. The New York 9/11 memorial includes two plazas in the shape of the footprints of the twin towers with cascading 30 foot (9.1 metres) waterfalls. Around the perimeters of pools in the center of each plaza are the names of the victims of the 9/11attacks and an earlier 1993 attack at the trade center. REUTERS/Timothy A. Clary/Pool (UNITED STATES)

World Trade Center Construction. the sketchpad/wdsiemer

Miami Whitewater Bike Trail (Journal)

Biking Journal
wdsiemer ii // 09.10.11

Miami Whitewater Bike Trail

In beautiful weather, I biked another 32 miles today at Miami Whitewater Forest before my rear was bruised and my body cover in smashed gnats. It's great exercise through nature, and gives my mind a chance to run wild and feel at peace at the same time.

Coasting with the wind blowing across my face, seeing the sun come out from the clouds from across the corn fields, and hearing the sounds of nature surround me is all very inspiring.

As a continuation to my piece "Nine Parks in Seven Days" I have documented some of my ride through low-resolution cell phone photographs. You'll see some of the bridged areas, a six foot snake (I thought was a branch at first) slithering across the bike bath, the wildflowers/corn fields, and the overall enjoyment I had with the trip.

contact: wdsiemer@yahoo.com 

PHOTO JOURNAL:

Across the Fields

Through the Tunnel

Bridge on my way

Old Schwinn Bike

Mile Marker

Shadow from Bike

Past The Snake

Under the Bridge

A Sad Realization

A sad realization...

It's a Friday night, I pull the shower curtain back, and hopping out of the tub I am reminded that I just spent the past hour reading old Time magazines.

Time Magazines. Friday Night Entertainment? Sadly, yes. wdsiemer

Too personal?

Snake in a Plant

It's been a hectic 12 hour day designing for deadlines. Came home and my rubber snake had gotten out of its tank. Vay. Have a great weekend!

Rubber snake in plant. wdsiemer

Saturn's Rings Photograph

Saturn's Rings Photograph

Beautiful photo taken of Saturn and its rings by the Cassini spacecraft. I had a bit of an obsession with the Cassini-Huygens craft since it began orbiting Saturn in 2004.

I vividly remember being at work and constantly refreshing my web browser to catch glimpses of Huygens descending through Titan's, Saturn's largest satellite, atmosphere. Titan's thick atmosphere is believed to resemble an early Earth. There were numerous glitches with the data feed, but I was excited to see the first image that showed the surface to resemble a squishy Mars.

Saturn [Image credit: NASA]

Carousel by Paper Route

Carousel by Paper Route
Hear it here!

Gimmicks for Money

Gimmicks for Money
Designs We've Seen (a lot) Series

How many times have you seen self-promotional gimmicks to make money? Charging to put tattoo advertisements on your body? Creating a web site and charging money per pixel? All you need is a simple idea, be the first to issue a press release and generate some buzz...

A millionaire dollars will get your name tattooed on my ass.

AD SPACE AVAILABLE (Inquire Inside) wdsiemer

Abbey Road Construction

Abbey Road Construction
Designs We've Seen (a lot) Series

Of course any iconic image is going to be a victim of people's imagination, interpretation and manipulation. So this photograph of The Beatles on Abbey Road is open game. I have used the Mario Brothers' characters as my "place image here."

Mario Brothers on Abbey Road. wdsiemer

Lay, Lady, Lay by Bob Dylan

Lay, Lady, Lay by Bob Dylan
Hear it here!

Brown: The New Pink

Brown: The New Pink

Part inspired by Victoria Secret's Pink series; part UPS. Pick up a pair today! You'll be popular and informative.

Brown Sweats. wdsiemer

Freddie Mercury Google Doodle

Freddie Mercury Google Doodle
09.06.11
[Watch the Video]

Freddie Mercury would have been 65 yesterday

Shain Erin Photostream

My friend Nick turned me on to Shain Erin's Gallery on Flickr. Check out the work. It's done really well!
View Shain Erin's Photostream

Fessa – Exquisite Monster Art Doll
Copyright © 2011, Shain Erin. All rights reserved.

American Sign Museum

The Enquirer/Michael E. Keating

American Sign Museum on the move
Big check from anonymous donor paves way to spring opening in new spot

[Read Article]

Killer Queen by Queen

Killer Queen by Queen 
Hear it here!

Snooki Unveils New Perfume

Snooki Unveils New Perfume: Puke by Snooki

I still don't know who Snooki is, but she has announced a new fragrance. Not a lot of details are known at this time, except for the fact it will come in a "cute, collectible, mini beer bottle" and will be titled "Puke by Snooki." The tagline reads... "A cocktail perfume with a hint of... Puke."

It looks like a generic design with Edwardian script, so this may be the prototype. The minute I hear more on this breaking story I will provide updates. Well, actually, I probably won't.

Snooki's New Fragrance: Puke by Snooki. -wdsiemer

Praying Mantis: On My Porch

On My Porch
Series?
I've shared with you some of the many things that pop up on my doorstep--boxes of Count Chocula cereal, decapitated chipmunks, and solar-powered owls. Now this little fella wanted to join in on the publicity. As I opened the front door I was attacked by a praying mantis or whatever this thing is. He has been preceded by countless moths, walking sticks, and grasshoppers.

The Attack of the Praying Mantis

Away From The Sun by 3 Doors Down

Away From The Sun by 3 Doors Down
Hear it here!

Two Beds And A Coffee Machine by Savage Garden

Two Beds And A Coffee Machine by Savage Garden
Hear it here!

Drum Head Graphics

Drum Head Graphics

Not anything we really advertise, but have done a few...