The (Graphic) World is Flat

I went on a graphic design job interview back in 2008…maybe 2009.  I met in a conference room with four people, all roughly 10 years younger than me. After answering a barrage of their questions, reviewing my portfolio, and asking a few questions of my own (always a good idea), they gave me some homework to do. They described one of the company’s software products to me, and asked me to come up with branding for it…a test, if you will. We scheduled a meeting a few days later to review my branding idea, and off I went. 

When I returned, I had what I felt was one of the best logo/branding ideas I’d ever done. During my presentation, I explained my design philosophy…how I designed in black and white to show the strength of the design itself without being dependent on color. Then I showed them how the design can be enhanced by color.  

The group then showed me some of the other branding and design they currently use for other products. It was all very photo rich, and used a lot of 3D looking things. They explained to me that my flat design style wasn’t what they were looking for.

Those 3D gizmos were nicely done, and very popular at the time…but they were trendy. However, most of it never had any purpose to me.  It was almost as if a given company was saying, “Look - we have the wherewithal to hire the very best photoshop talent.” Sadly, as cool as many of those designs were - they didn’t mean anything, or say anything about the product or service they represented. No message. They were just….cool.

Spring forward to 2016, and shortly 2017, and let’s look at hot design trends. The glassy looking buttons - passé. The horizon in the background with the reflection in the front - old shoe. The glassy 3D rendered gizmos - obsolete. 

That's nice, Jay - but what does all that mean besides you need to update your website? What’s hot?  

Flat.

That same design style I was trying to push years ago - is now officially in. The latest design trends are that of modern-retro and minimalism. Nothing needs to be transparent, or dimensional, or have a drop shadow. I’ve also noticed quite a bit of design that has a simplistic hand-drawn vibe.  

Not sure?  Let’s make an example out of one of the world’s biggest brands: Google.  Remember not all that long ago, Google’s wordmark had letters with a dimensional look and a drop shadow? Guess what? Flat. Google rebranded about a year ago, and now it’s all flat. Still multi-colored letters…but flat - like my holiday card design.

The world is flat! So, embrace it - or your brand will look dated…and you don’t want your brand to look like the world has passed it by. Talk to a graphic designer about it. Chances are you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but rather just tweak things a little. In addition, if it’s simplified a little and flat - it’s easier to make it responsive…but responsive logos are a separate discussion. In the mean time, evaluate you brand, and don’t be so…2010.

John Stabb's Legacy

I went to a punk show at the Masquerade – a live music venue in Atlanta.  The headlining act was called “Flag”, and was the original members of the punk rock band Black Flag playing Black Flag tunes, but they have to roll under the name “Flag” for some kind of legal reason – probably an absurd one.  Flag put on a great show.  I love Keith Morris, and he was in his normal stellar form. 

There were a few opening acts, but War on Women from Baltimore was the band that played just prior to Flag.  I’d seen War on Women before, and made sure to arrive at the show in time to catch them.  I’d seen them in that same building a few months before, opening for Government Issue on what would be the final G.I. tour.  A few months after that tour, G.I. singer John Stabb was taken from us by cancer.  War on Women singer Shawna Potter introduced a song about half-way through their set by talking about that tour with Government Issue, and about the death of Stabb.  Then they broke into one of my favorite Government Issue songs, “They Know”.

As the band tore through a very well-executed cover of the classic DC hardcore tune, I started to get kinda choked up.  I’m not sure if it was because of Stabb’s passing, or the fact that I’ll never get to hear him sing that song again, or maybe it was because I was witnessing something I’d not seen first hand before; the influence of Stabb and Government Issue on punk rock moving forward…carrying on his legacy.

One thing was clear to me in that moment: Stabb’s passing had a much more profound effect on me than I figured.  I hope to see other performers give tribute to Government Issue…but it’s evident to me that Stabb’s absence is substantial.  There’s a hole in the scene, where Stabb used to be.

Photo from Stabb's Facebook page.

The Green Crack

A friend of mine posted a picture of a restaurant menu page showing a description of a sauce they called Green Crack.  With curiosity, I began to search the internet for answers.

The first recipe I found was basically a cilantro puree.  It had some vinegar, salt, mayo, and olive oil.  We found this recipe delicious - but I later found out the original sauce posted by my friend had avocado...so I went back to the drawing board.

I like to think of sauce recipes as living documents...but here's where I am with the Green Crack today:

1 bunch Cilantro - washed, patted dry
1 avocado - diced
2 garlic cloves - minced
2 tbs cider vinegar
3 tbs mayo
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cajun seasoning
2 tsp lime juice
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor, and blend smooth.

Dip grilled chicken in it, dip veggies in it, schmear it on steak, spoon into tacos...enjoy!

That Smell

Driving to work this morning, I found myself at a traffic light behind a (probably) 20-year old Jeep Cherokee.

As I'm waiting for the light to change, I started to look over the old girl.  She's got one of those off-road roof rack baskets with a full-size spare in it, and a big red fuel tank.  The body is dark green, and the paint has been applied via rattle can - and applied whimsically in places. I can see overspray on the license plate and a few other places. There's a cargo strap wrapped around the tailgate, and it's attached to the rear set of side door handles - presumably holding the tailgate closed.  The wheels are a bit oversized, and the suspension's been lifted a few inches.

All that said - it's idling nicely...has a good exhaust note.

When the light changes, a pretty good amount of smoke emerges from the vehicle.  My first thought is; well - it's an old Jeep...probably has some formidable ring wear and is burning some oil.  But then the smell of the smoke makes it's way through the vents of my trusty Crown Vic, and I realize it's running rich - because I also smell the distinctive odor of excessive fuel burning.  The amount of smoke producing this combination smell isn't overwhelming - but certainly noticeable...especially when trying to make it up a large hill and the driver gives it more throttle.

But that's when the truth hits me: I like that smell.

Tom Brady Should Ask the NFL to Follow the Rules

I'm no Brady apologist, and I don't like the New England Patriots...but for the life of me - I don't understand the four game suspension, the $1 million fine, and the loss of draft picks.

Yes - I'm aware of the fact that he lied.  Yes - I'm aware of the fact that his actions may have provided him (and his team) an unfair advantage.  Furthermore, I'm aware of the fact that he deserves to be punished.  He broke a rule, and for that - there are consequences.

You may ask, "What's your problem, Jay? Dude got what he deserved!"

Well...no - he didn't.

According to the NFL rule book, the penalty for tampering with a football is a $25,000 fine.  There's no fine print underneath that provides stiffer punishment for playoff games, or high profile players.  There's no addendum with a $1 million fine if there's suspicion of prior ball tampering.  None of this penalty is in the rule book.  It's arbitrary, and nonsensical.

I'm just glad the NFL's jurisdiction starts and end with the NFL.  Can you imagine if Roger Goodell was a police chief?  He'd be like, "Yes, Mr. Brady.  It appears you were speeding...32 in a 25.  Now the normal fine for that is $115 plus court fees - but since it's you, we'll just make the fine $1,750.  Have a nice day, Mr. Brady.

The Brunswick Stew

I've worked with a number of a great people over the years. Thanks to the internet and social media, I'm still in touch with a great many of them. One of the best was Bill. He owns a small company where I worked twice; once in the mid-90's, and then again in the early 2000's.

Bill is a guy with a great sense of humor. I recall on the day he hired me – he started out with a pretty straight forward interview...asking a few questions about my skills and experience. After a time, he paused looking out the window, and then turned to me and asked, “Can you cuss and drink coffee?” I responded affirmatively and was hired on the spot.

Although Bill is extremely knowledgeable in his field and possesses determination and a work ethic like few I have ever known, it was often difficult to get a straight answer from him...due to the fact that he seems to get great pleasure from messing with people. Case in point: the Brunswick stew recipe.

The first summer I worked for Bill, he made an enormous pot of Brunswick stew at the company picnic. It was amazing, and I immediately asked if he would share the recipe...but he declined. During my second tenure of employment with him, I tried again to get the recipe – but was turned down again. Over the next ten or so years, I would periodically touch base with Bill via email and ask for the recipe...always being turned away, but figuring maybe one day persistence could pay off. In February of 2011, I asked once again for the recipe, and received the following response....

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An Indian and his son are sitting by their campfire.

The son asked, "Father, how do Indians get their names?"

The father says, "When the mother is in the teepee giving birth, and the father hears the baby's cry, the first thing he sees will be the name of the child. Our tribe has Running Brook, Soaring Eagle, Fallen Leaf, Prancing Fawn, and Black Crow."

The son thinks a minute and says quietly, "Oh, I see."

The father says, "Why do you ask this, Two-Dogs-Fucking?"

So, my question to you is, why do you ask this, Two-Dogs-Fucking?

Are you doing something personal or public? Private or passed to someone else? Commercial or in the secrecy of your own kitchen?

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After I assured him it was for personal use only – he finally shared the recipe. I still haven't made it yet...as it calls for 23 lbs of chicken and a 12 gallon stock pot...but having it feels like victory. I guess persistence does pay off.

Politicians Breaking the Law - Scandalous!

Campaign signs on a public street in Arlington

Anyone who's not in the sign business probably hasn't given much thought to the laws pertaining to signage.  If you're one of those people - let me tell you, the laws are extensive and can be complicated...and they extend to political campaign signage, too.

Here in the Commonwealth, we just had a gubernatorial election.  That's a pretty big deal, and it got a lot of attention...and a lot of signage.  State laws in Virginia allow political campaign signage on private property starting 75 days prior to an election, and mandate removal no later than 15 days after an election...on private property.  There's also an allowance for signage near polling locations on election day itself - not to be placed within 40 feet of the entrance.

However, maybe you've noticed all political campaign signage doesn't take up roots on private property.  Maybe you saw an occasional roadside sign...on a median or street corner.  I did a little research on the codes, and one government site says and I quote, "State law prohibits putting political campaign signs on roads and medians."

Wow. If I understand that correctly - that means our honest and trustworthy gubernatorial candidates (and pretty much all candidates for this and other offices, past and present) are breaking the law prior to even getting elected to office!

I'd love to call a politician breaking the law scandalous, but the number of people in line to be shocked by it would rather be short.  That said - is there a point to all this?

What stands out to me initially is a politician's blatant disregard for the law - minor or not.  After that, leaving the signs behind after the election shows a willingness to litter all over what the consituents call home.  Granted, it hasn't been 15 days since the election...but that regulation only applies to signs on private property - not the ones that were never supposed to be there in the first place.

Until the political funding/contribution laws get a much needed overhaul - the candidates were getting plenty of support last time I checked.  May I suggest you save some funding for after the election - to hire a few unemployed people to walk along the highway and pick up all your trash? That would be great...thanks.