Reflection

Sitting at a spot my grandfather showed me gives me a sense of sadness and joy. In my camo he picked out and the gun he got me I get to live out one of his favorite activities. Hunting to me is not about the game you are planning to kill but every other aspect of it. This is a place where good friends can get together and escape the normal life. Drink, play poker, talk about the past and just be guys. Makes me miss my grandfather. This is the world he showed me and I am happy I could experience as much of it as I did. The happiest feeling I get is the thought that he would never want to be a sad memory. Instead I crack a beer and say cheers to the greatest man I have ever met. RIP JAH

Work is for the wicked but the wicked get paid.

It has been a long time coming but my life is starting to make sense. My work and personal life are blending into what I hope becomes something I can live with. When my side work comes, it seems to come in like a landslide. Not one or two jobs here but all or nothing. At the moment I am working on two fliers and starting layouts of two paying websites. This doesn't include my day job and my own personal work. With all this coming I have found that I not only need to teach myself new techniques needed for my web design and that I could use some help. This proves to me that I can make it with what I want to do and that I can help the people I know around me at the same time. I was informed last night that Rich is shutting down Grind House. It survived longer that I figured it would but I hate to see it go. Helping him the best I can with the liquidation of the remaining gear and what not is the least I can do. Maybe this will give me a look into how a self-started business can start and fail.

On with the new projects...

I finally finished our Yearbook for Right Coast and sent it to print yesterday. This is a huge weight off my shoulders and gives my eyes a break from looking at the same layout pages. Now onto a new project. This involves the mobile integration into our website. After some research I found that the new plug-ins for CS5 would greatly help my work or of course the upgrade to CS5.5. That comes at a very heavy cost and if I could avoid that I could use that as leverage for a raise. So with that in mind I went out and started researching The php and coding it would take for mobile browser detection and redirection. Of course this is my least favorite kind of work but it has me learning.

I would like to have the mobile site up for testing the beginning of next week. Also we need to start getting our videos ready for SEMA. This will either involve me bringing in my Mac or Rob bringing in his G4 tower. Although this company doesn't necessarily need a super high end computer like I wish, it would greatly help my work. Bringing in my Mac is going to be a pain in the ass too.

But for now back to my coding. I am surprised how much I am enjoying learning more about this. Lets see where it takes me.

Upgrade your life.

This has been the longest gap so far in my posts. I am happy to say it is not because I have not thought about it but purely because I have been crazy busy. Work has picked up with the mad rush leading up to SEMA. I have also been getting quite a bit of work at home as well. This is showing me that I definitely need more organization in my life. Now that my house and room is not a disaster it is time to get my portfolio and work up to par. It is the fine tuning in life that always seems to make the most difference.

Laziness...

Laziness makes the pockets grow slimmer.

This week and weekend is time to get my shit together. I want to have my bedroom completely empty by Friday as well as start working on a demo website for one of my clients. This is my plan to start moving forward. While I am working on one task I will mirror that progress with my design work. Also today bow season opened on last years tags. Goal tomorrow is to get off my ass in the morning around 5:45-6:00am grab my bow and make blood fly.

These aren't high goals so lets see how they pan out. More to come. I am happy to say I am not doing it alone either. :)

If I do not do it who will

It has been a while since my last post. This is due to an almost overwhelming amount of things going on in my life. Not like this is anything new but definitely takes some time to get under control. I am gladly awaiting this upcoming down season. After the yearbook I am currently working on is done and a couple other small print jobs for SEMA then I will be working purely on our website. Teaching myself more techniques I will need for it as well as fine tuning the skills I already have.

On another note, things outside of work are finally getting to a point where I need to start putting in more time at home. This involves the majority of my family since it seems like this fall will be hard for everyone. Yesterday was my grandfathers first birthday since his death and it will only bring back sad memories. I have to push myself to get the rest of my pistol permit finished since the state of his guns is mainly in my grandmothers and aunts hands. The only thing holding me back is my fear of being rejected. It was a huge part of his life and I will make it a huge part of my own.

At home things are slowly moving forward. I took some time to rearrange my living room. This makes it more welcoming to spend time in especially with the new internet connection. My next task is to get my room under control then take on each room from there on. I am past the point of dividing up the crap my family has been storing for years. If it has dust on it it is not worth holding onto. The cleaning starts tonight.

it's not what you do, it's how you do it

Last night I got to spend some much needed time with my sister, Billy, and Evalet. Melissa and I went over to their house for dinner and hang out time. It has been a long time since I spent time with just them without the rest of the family around. After that I finally set up my Xbox for live and had to break it in with a couple games of Halo Reach...and yes it is still as awesome as it was in college.

With all these upgrades in my life it has been putting a cramp on my wallet but is also opening up opportunities that I need to pursue. So my goal this week and weekend is to get my comp and sketch book on the same page to begin some layout work. This is going to involve web design (both desktop and mobile), application development, and some print jobs. I am going to take what I have learned before Right Coast as well and what I have learned while working here to create a new way to design sites for both visual and technical advantages.

I have also started asking around for broken or beaten up iPhones that I plan on fixing up and reselling. Fixing my friends phones here and there has become a hobby but I would like to make some money off of it. I have all the tools and I have taken apart every generation phone to know what I am doing. My first projects are a water damaged 3GS and a 3G that won't power up. Hopefully I can pay for my home internet and utilities with this hobby. Problem is finding phones that people want to ditch. And just like any other business, you need to spend money to make money.

(if anyone reading this has any iphones they need fixed or they think are beyond repair leave a comment)

time out

I got the much needed push to start being productive on Sunday. Nik called me in for an opening tattoo slot which I jumped on without hesitation. It was good catching up with him about art and everything but the best thing I took out of it was him insisting I start living with my sketch book. Just saying I want to start drawing again is easy but actually doing it is another story. Looking through his latest drawings and work helped push me to push myself. And with the new organization of my room it gives me room to set up my desk with all the projects I have been wanting to pursue. Also with the upcoming hunting season, sitting in my stands gives me the perfect setting and environment to fill some pages.

I read an article the other day about the best thing for a designer is "time off." Not in the meaning of time off the clock but taking time for your mind to wander. Taking a 5 minute break from your desk to walk outside or write or draw. This made me reevaluate the way I take my "time off." Like how it is better to take 5 minutes to write or draw than click the stumble button or go to the prison of facebook... Enough said.

Step by Step

Today is the beginning of a some much needed changes. I finally got internet hooked up at the house. I know someone like me living without internet is unheard of but I made it work for a long time. Now I am hooked up and ready to get the ball rolling. I plan on using this to stay in contact with my fellow designers as well as to get my side work done. Got make that money. This will finally get me working on my desktop again. I miss my Mac.

On the other end of the internet installation is I get my xbox live back. Can't wait to shoot some heads off. Gotta love the kid in me.

Not just a desk job.

Feeling a little bit better today but doubt i'll be putting in a full day at the desk. We got the graphics back from the printers today and I am happy to say they came out good. Of course there will be some tweaks needed for the final t-shirts and what not. This kind of work makes me want to refinish all the design elements of this company. I feel if each piece was tightened up and organized we could make the community we created into an empire. Everything comes in time and as I am noticing so far, I will have plenty of time to update our identity over the upcoming low season.

I also just got done discussing some more details of IOS5 with my buddy and the beginning of next week I will be starting the application process for IOS developer. Even with coding not being my strong point I know that is were my future is. It will give me the resources needed to create applications for both Right Coast, any side business that might come, as well as myself. With everything I learn it only makes me more valuable as an employee.

But for now I get to cut out vinyl for BEHIND BARS. Music blasting and razor blades flying.

I feel like crap

Being sick is always a fun time... I woke up yesterday in the middle of the night and was instantly sick. Yesterday was a struggle and today is looking to be the same.

Yesterday I finished the project that was giving me so many problems with the help of Rob and I am happy to say I like the final design we came out with. The project was to create a logo to start an identity for a mud truck. We are going to be presenting the design at this weekends Mud truck party.

Hopefully I will be feeling better for this truck show. It sounds like it is going to be a great time and I get to spend some time with the drivers I have became friends with. 

Now onto the next project. A 44 page layout for our yearly magazine. 

slow down

Not a very productive day if you ask me. On a task at the moment that for some reason can not wrap my entire self into. Taking a breathe in hope that clearing my thoughts will help me through this. I have been trying to tell myself to slow down but it seems that everything in my life is just picking up speed. This is not a bad thing at all but it is taking time to readjust.

I need to draw more...

Frank Zappa

"With out deviation from the norm, progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa -

What a beautiful gray blah day it is. Funny thing is these are the days I like the best. Makes my day sitting at a desk seem the most productive. Same as yesterday I will be spending the bulk of my work day working on page layouts for our yearbook. They are almost to the point of me being happy with them but I am sure there will be many tweaks to be done. I am coming into work tomorrow morning to meet with our editors to go over the stories and layouts that I have completed so far. Lets just say I am not looking forward to that. 

On another note I am getting ready to get internet back at my house. I hope will make me start to do more side work on my own time. This will involve upgrading my operating system on my mac and getting my app developers license. Although it will be expensive in the long run I hope it pays off. Gotta spend money to make money...

This Sunday is my friend JJ's wedding. It will mark the first wedding in my close group of friends that are my age. Lets just say get ready for the shit show. 

Keep that ball a-rolling.

I am currently laying out our yearly magazine or yearbook for Right Coast Cars. This project is something that I can put more of my own personal style and creativity into. So of course I am taking my time and nothing is looking right in my head. With the new addition of CS5 master collection in my arsenal I feel more at home with the layout and design of something this important. The one thing I enjoy about this company is the "Custom Car" background is open to many different styles but most prominent is a simple clean page. Simplicity in graphic design in my eyes is not an easy task but when completed the most rewarding.

This week I have been in touch with some colleagues and want to expand my work. I have been looking into App layout and design for the IPhone as well as mobile site design. I feel this will increase my code knowledge and give me what I need to take my position to the next level. This also reminds me to get a hold of some possible clients for web layouts. The ball is in my hand and it's up to me to roll it at my speed. Now is my time to not get comfortable but play it safe.

I want to congratulate Melissa for her new job. I'm so proud of you.

Goin' in for the kill.

It's amazing how much can change in so short of a time period. I can honestly say my entire life has done a complete back flip 180 since January. Some changes came with excitement and others did not but one thing they have all taught me is not to live with regret. No matter the out come of my actions keeping my head up and pushing forward will make everything work out in the end.

I have been trying to define my progress in my current employment as well as my path I see myself taking hereafter. The skills, techniques, experience, and most importantly the connections I am gaining from the seat I am in right now are worth more than a dollar amount. From this I am taking in all that is put in front of me and creating my own identity. This identity is something that will define me and my future. The funniest part is the one thing I see myself doing for foreseeable future is the last thing I wanted to do coming out of college. Like I said before, "it's amazing how much can change."

Another day in paradise.

Today was a day of relax and recovery... lol yeah right.

Today I did relax my mind from the design aspect but spent the rest of the day under my truck. It seems to be both my money provider as well as my money spender. With all the work I have been doing for the king of trucks show coming up I have been aching to put some time into it. Right when I thought it was going to be a great summer with me being able to take it out of the garage I find out that it is in no way ready to be my all around vehicle. Especially with a show coming up next week that it is going to be appearing at promoting King of Trucks, I needed it to be in the best condition that I can get it.

After spending the time looking over all the little parts of the truck I notice that this is in no way going to be a little project. If I want something to be proud of I might as well go all out. At least I have a good start with a great base model with already done after market parts. This is my new base model.

I have been thinking like this a lot lately. Not just about vehicles but all aspects of life. The job I'm working, the place I'm living, the area that surrounds me, the people I hang out with, the direction of my life. I am too young to be set into a set path and too old to expect it to drop right in front of me. One thing I have found out is the best thing you can have in life is a network of people that have your back.

On that note I'm going to go hang out with a couple while trying to make new ones.

Keep the thoughts flowing

I have found out that the best way to get work moving forward is to keep writing down my thoughts. I have been branching off to my past contacts for ideas and networking possibilities. With my friends and classmates the contact list is stacked with ideal partners. Now I just need to get everything organized.

As I find my self in a position to get my own work going I am thrown into a world of situations. I am currently working with Right Coast Association doing design work in all aspects. With this brings a laundry list of abilities and connections.

I have been working more with web based designed including css, php, dreamweaver, javascript, and other design/layout tools. This not being my strong side is only strengthening my trade. Working with all the tools and designs that this company handles branches me out to multiple tasks. These tasks both small and large make this company what it is.

With my last encounter with small business I noticed it is the look and task of the business that sells it. Meaning your end game is the money maker but the main draw to the company is how it looks. Any one can get a mower and go mow lawns but to create a business its all about getting your name out there. And that is the main thing this place is missing. All the business in this area with no networking and not even a thought of trying it. Small business will always be small business when it decides not to expand. I'm talking posters, banners, billboards, websites, you name it. I was just told McDonalds has its own brand band-aids for employees. Why spend money on band-aids if you are a company not even close to that trade? The answer is the be self contained and cut expenses. Then as soon as you get to be a larger corporation branch out and then sell to all them. Same idea, say I run a print shop that deals with large quantity runs. As soon as I can get the chance I start a sub-corporation in that company that sells paper. I sell my paper to my print shop and make profits on both ends.

Ideas are a means to an end. Take an idea and form it into something that you can retire on. But who really wants to retire? What about us that just want to dig our way out of the hole we were put in. Or the hole our society puts us in.

Just a few of my thoughts. Time to go work on something... Be back soon.

First Post

Welcome to the introduction to theBOUGHTONcollective. 

This was an idea I have been working on for a couple of years now ever since college. While I was in my senior year at college I developed a student created and operated store that was geared towards the art majors. Although it was geared towards the art majors themselves, in no way would I turn down other fellow students. My goal was to make a place where we could take what we were learning and turn it into physical pieces. Then in turn take our art and sell it. Going to college is supposed to give us the education to be able to make a living for ourselves. With all of this in mind I created Digital Signature. We worked with other names but since the bulk of the work that was being produced was digital based this seemed most fitting. We were placing our "digital signature" on the world.

This store ended up including just my buddy Dan and my own work. With a lot of help from another friend Jeff, we created a ton of t-shirts and prints via screen prints. This was our back bone. Along with a digital website and some other store attributes we were ready to present the night of our senior projects gallery which was placed in the library. Sales went well but that wasn't the true goal of the store. I was kicking myself for not starting it sooner. It was the taste I needed at that school to make it all finally seem worth it. The combination of artists to create work that was physical and could be spread out into the world.

The best feeling in the world is walking down the street and you see a poster you designed or a t-shirt you printed.

This is my goal. Join me.