Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Dirty Keyboard
Will there be a time when physical keyboards are no longer relevant?
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| Ancient? Not yet. wdsiemer |
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Same Image / Different Results
An interesting part of maintaining a blog and supplying "free" graphics is the fact that the same image gets used in different ways. Some people/companies have contacted me about using my images like my Obama Gay Pride emblem, and Cincinnati Skyline silhouette; while others just found the image and ran with it.
When I create my images, I personalize (alter) them in a subtle way to determine if I was the original artist. I've seen the skyline included in at least three designs including a billboard. Listermann Brewing contacted me, and created an awesome graphic from the skyline, while Cincinnati Resident Spouse Association used it as an element in their logo.
I've always enjoyed the idea of re-purposing one image for multiple causes--it shows originality and creativity. Artists can express one idea in millions of different ways.
The following text:
This year I've been going to dinner outings and book clubs with the Resident Spouse Association, a support/social group for fellow residency spouses and a ready-made place to find new friends in a new city, plus ones who completely understand the craziness of this stage of life.
The person who used to host a website for the group moved away, so they started a blog in its place - and I got to personalize it from the generic template. We didn't have any kind of logo, so I started by finding a free-use silhouette of the Cincinnati skyline to create an identity, but then I was stumped about where to go with colors... And that's where the pinspiration came in. I love the colors in this photo, fun and vibrant but not too girly (which I sometimes have a tendency toward), plus two of them are in the hospitals' logos so quite fitting!
When I create my images, I personalize (alter) them in a subtle way to determine if I was the original artist. I've seen the skyline included in at least three designs including a billboard. Listermann Brewing contacted me, and created an awesome graphic from the skyline, while Cincinnati Resident Spouse Association used it as an element in their logo.
I've always enjoyed the idea of re-purposing one image for multiple causes--it shows originality and creativity. Artists can express one idea in millions of different ways.
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| Listermann Brewing |
The following text:
This year I've been going to dinner outings and book clubs with the Resident Spouse Association, a support/social group for fellow residency spouses and a ready-made place to find new friends in a new city, plus ones who completely understand the craziness of this stage of life.
The person who used to host a website for the group moved away, so they started a blog in its place - and I got to personalize it from the generic template. We didn't have any kind of logo, so I started by finding a free-use silhouette of the Cincinnati skyline to create an identity, but then I was stumped about where to go with colors... And that's where the pinspiration came in. I love the colors in this photo, fun and vibrant but not too girly (which I sometimes have a tendency toward), plus two of them are in the hospitals' logos so quite fitting!
Don't forget to bring a towel
A recent character I streamlined for Cintas... Remind you of anyone? Anyone want to get high? :)
Monday, November 19, 2012
Texas Secession
I could go on a rant of why a Texas secession isn't a realistic idea, but it doesn't warrant my valuable time. I get it--made your point...
Do it, Texas! I dare you. :)
Texas Secession Petition
Do it, Texas! I dare you. :)
Texas Secession Petition
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| As a point it sounds good, but it makes a lot less sense when you look at the actual details of what a Texas secession would involve. |
Friday, November 16, 2012
Goodbye Hostess (Repost)
A re-post from The Sketchpad on Jan. 12, 2012: Goodbye Hostess...
Gold Twinkies | William D. SIEMER II
Twinkies maker Hostess seeks bankruptcy protection
As a kid, me and my mom would sometimes go to the local Hostess store to get some produce, bread, and a box of Hostess snacks. It eventually shut down, followed by the other location, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2004, changed its name to Hostess Brands in 2009, and now filed for bankruptcy once again early in 2012.
Supposedly Twinkies last forever, so hold on to them like gold to see if their value increases over time because Hostess profits sure need to...
As a kid, me and my mom would sometimes go to the local Hostess store to get some produce, bread, and a box of Hostess snacks. It eventually shut down, followed by the other location, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2004, changed its name to Hostess Brands in 2009, and now filed for bankruptcy once again early in 2012.
Supposedly Twinkies last forever, so hold on to them like gold to see if their value increases over time because Hostess profits sure need to...
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| Twinkies: Good as gold wdsiemer ii |
Don't blame me, I wasted my vote on Roseanne
Phrases we've heard a lot (sort of...)
Don't blame me, I wasted my vote on Roseanne.
I didn't post one thing about politics on facebook, but people decided to unfriend me, call me an idiot, and my family practically disown me. Whatever.
Note: Wow, my monitor at work is so off that I couldn't tell how bad the Photoshop work looked until I got home.
Don't blame me, I wasted my vote on Roseanne.
I didn't post one thing about politics on facebook, but people decided to unfriend me, call me an idiot, and my family practically disown me. Whatever.
Note: Wow, my monitor at work is so off that I couldn't tell how bad the Photoshop work looked until I got home.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Updated Resume
Not that anyone followed The Sketchpad anyway, but in case you were wondering where I've been...
We sold our business, and I am staying on as a Graphic Designer/Creative Consultant. The transition was smooth for the most part, but the updating of equipment, networks, and archives have been time-consuming and tedious. However, it was all for the best.
We are updated with new workstations/networks running Windows 7/MAC 64-Bit and Adobe CS6, and are using new printing materials. Exciting times, but has also been stressful.
Hopefully, I can get back to the blog with new ideas and updates.
-Will
Monday, November 5, 2012
Friday, November 2, 2012
President Obama
We have had our share of anti-Obama sign request, so it was quite the relief to get a project from the official Obama campaign for his rally at UC. I believe society should embrace the positives of the candidate they support over demeaning their opposition. I try to stay silent on politics to avoid conflict with others who like to explain why I'm wrong. (Photo by Brent Cole)
