hello chalkboard #1 (and #2)

so i painted a chalkboard onto one of my walls. i thought it would help my productivity and organization skills but really, so far, it's main function has been welcoming guests. to clarify, i wrote the word "hello" nice and big so its the first thing people see when they come in (aside from the horrible carpet) (but it doesn't matter because nobody comes over anyway) (because of the horrible heat) (and maybe the horrible carpet) (but not, i should hope, as a poor reflection of my character or hospitality). i didn't really think much of it at first. i was bored one day and decided to fill up the space. i went a little graphic on it, nothing obsessive, fairly imperfect actually. in all honesty i don't even like typography that much (which is sort of sacrilege for a designer).

but recently i thought to myself, "why not make this a thing?" not a big thing really, just a thing to do every once in awhile. i get bored every once in awhile and this helps in two ways: 1. the drawing of the word and 2. making a post about it. so here i am kicking it off. the image above, and i do apologize for my photography skills, is the inaugural "hello." a "hello" that didn't even know it was part of a series. the image below is the most recent change. the first in the understood series. both are kind of lazy and make use of negative space to suggest the letterforms. both are clearly flawed. but i'm hoping in time, should i keep it up, this categorizing of "hello's" will show an improvement in letter crafting and creativity, as well as a growing love for typography.

*just a quick edit: i should mention this is all just freehand. i dont really grid it out or lay down a light framework first. overtime maybe these are practices i'll adopt but as of right now im just kind of winging it.

jiro dreams of sushi (2011)

 

this will be one part movie review and one part sushi study guide. jiro dreams of sushi highlights the life and accolades of the most respected sushi chef in the world, jiro ono. while the movie itself is a captivating look at one man's life, it also serves as a bit of an intro into the entire structure of the sushi economy.

jiro's life is one of solitary purpose. i think what audiences find so captivating, aside from the sharp cinematography and dramatic orchestral score, is the singularity of his determination. and, perhaps more importantly, how outside of himself it appears to be. jiro does not make excellent sushi as a credit to himself, rather, he makes excellent sushi as a credit to the very act of making sushi. and even while his work ethic may border on obsession, his genius seems hardly undeniable. it begs the question though – can hard work eventually create works of genius or is this just the story of a man who found exactly what he was meant to do?

at any rate, the entire movie, which is maybe only an hour and a half, is no less than food porn set to a magnificent score. if you can sit through the entire thing and not want to savor the taste of fresh fish on a bed of rice then i dont want to know you.

japanese philosophy 101  

 samurai, no longer useful in government, have been forced into other trades (or, fuck yeah that guy is using a katana to cut fish)

 is it easier to have this mentality when preparing sushi than, say, making advertisements for a healthcare network?

 

 no doubt a contender, but perhaps you have yet to see this guy.

 oh, but, sorry tuna...

 jiro and the gang

and now we've come to the portion of the post where we learn a little bit of japanese, make ourselves potentially look cool in front of our friends ("yes i'll have the chu-toro please. oh what, you guys have never heard of that?"), and get a little hungry in the process. all of this can be yours in real life for the low, low price of $300 or so. 

ico ico an deye

another crossover post. no unique content these days. this time i wax nostalgic about a beloved boy-meets-girl classic and a website which hopes to re-capture some of that magic. check it out at the mdg blog.