A few tidbits for the week:

1. Adobe just released the specs and some product shots of the new Creative Suite 3, and it looks...amazing. Especially be sure to watch the video in the "Design Premium" section. Normally I really don't gain that much pleasure from software but I'm looking forward to how this new stuff will run on my Intel-based MacBook, which currently runs slower than my old G4 did due to the non-nativeness of the current Adobe software.

2. I finally purchased some server space of my own, since the space provided by my school will most likely disappear upon my graduation. This means that soon I shall be moving my blog over to my own space instead of Blogspot, and it also means that I have 49 email addresses available that end in "@justinchildress.net." So...if anyone wants one...consider it my gift.

3. Also, apparently my apartment complex is being shut down due to (I suspect) impending drilling for natural gas under my very floorboards. So, I am required to move out by June 1 which makes things a bit messier than I would have liked.

Ah well. So it goes.

I have spent the last couple of days listening to the new Modest Mouse album and at this point I just might have to mark it as my favorite release so far this year. MM is one of those bands that just seems to constantly be pushing into new territory and expanding creatively without losing touch with those elements that made it a great band in the first place. "WWDBTSES" is no exception. The noteworthy addition of Johnny Marr (most notably the guitar player and melodic prowess behind The Smiths) to the permanent lineup of MM is evident in the developed instrumentation and increased complexity of the music (although it undoubtedly retains a definite "Modest Mouse" de-tuned twang throughout) and it seems as though Isaac Brock's new found sobriety helps promote a sense of lyrical and vocal cohesiveness throughout the whole project. It's really a rather pleasant listen overall. I think that the fact that the entire album flows so well is the strength of this project, which perhaps cannot be said about some other Modest Mouse projects (at least in my opinion.) Although I think this album cannot truly be appreciated unless you're familiar with MM's earlier work. But I would say the same thing about the music of all good long-standing bands, really.

Of course perhaps you will have a less glowing opinion of the whole matter. Check it out and let me know what you think.

ew, this is gross.

Well, I just returned from another of my yearly jaunts to the DSVC Student Show and conference in Dallas, and as usual it was a grand time. While the speakers and breakout sessions were not quite as stimulating as they have been in years past, the experience over all was quite invigorating and gave me a bit of a fresh perspective on design, at least it feels that way for now. A few of the fun parts: I picked up this sweet little book (this, being the only one that you see a photograph of anywhere in this post) which was given out at one of the breakout sessions which I did not attend. I found it in the hall, and what good fortune. The book was put together by Duane King (from BBDK) and is a nice reference to little bits of graphic design wisdom as well as a ton of books and websites on various topics that will be cool to check out. I shall definitely spend a lot of time purusing it this week, as I start to construct a (hopefully) killer self promo that I've started brainstorming. Also, I was able to spend a bit of time talking with Matt George (who graduated from UNT a couple of years ago and is still spoken about in low respectful tones by students who saw his work back then) from VSA Partners about my portfolio and got some very helpful tips. I also finally met the dudes from Innocent Citizens, and then proceeded to watch those Missourians steal all of our Texan awards (just kidding, many congrats to those dudes for their sweet work) so that was cool to actually meet them in person. Also, I was able to hear Debbie Millman of Sterling Brands and Speak Up give a very inspiring talk and was introduced to her weekly talk show "Design Matters," which can be downloaded as a free podcast. I'm sure that this will be what takes up my iTunes time for the next few days.

But anyway, overall it was a super cool weekend and a great way to wrap up my adventures as a student conference attendee. I do believe I might come back next year as a volunteer, who knows?

Here are my new cards, appearing with 10 different phrasiological variations. I also bought this handy new corner rounder to complete the job. Amazing what you can find from your friendly neighborhood creative memories scrapbooking supplier (namely...my mom.) Also, there has been a new Yewknee mix posted and it's well worth downloading, so everyone go do that now, eh?

...now back to my breakfast coffee and cookies. and Ice Cream.

I keep finding myself pining after my very own lomo fisheye camera. Will someone please buy me one without further adeiu?

it's amazing what one weekend of sitting around a campfire with little more to do than strum a guitar can do to give you some perspective.

i need to get back into the habit of camping regularly.

Well, it's finally time for a relaxing weekend of camping. I shall leave this computer behind and not miss it a bit.

I bid everyone a splendid couple of days.

I just finished getting my VIRB on. Now I shall be done with this silliness for the night and get back to work.

Well, it looks like VIRB is on it's way to being fully launched. I haven't thoroughly browsed it yet but it looks to be oh so much cooler and way less lame than most other "social networking" sites. Though I could be wrong, so don't quote me on that. I'm afraid that cool design tends to give me a positive view of otherwise mediocre products. Misgivings aside, everyone go sign up and let's be friends!

In case you were unaware, Coudal Partners has initiated a new "fleet identification system" which involves giving away free static-cling CP logos which you are encouraged to place on your car. They claim that this creates all sorts of comradary and friendliness amongst the creative masses, which very well might be true. It also gets these same masses to give Coudal some absolutely free mobile advertising (with a smile.) But hey, it's a free static-cling window decal, right? Who would turn that down?

...Not me, for sure.

One more thing: everyone needs to go download the new flux-rad mix. I am not usually one to rave about mixes, but this one is really quite tasty.

It's that time of year again for the budding graphic design student; conference time. Time for wearing ties and blazers and toting your oversized portfolio everywhere you go (you know the kind. large enough to function as the sail on a boat, the kind that just screams "student?"), looking around wide-eyed at job fairs where fiercely business-like men glare at your work like its making them physically ill. I generally try to avoid these functions at all cost (the job fairs, not the conferences) as they seem entirely unnatural and uncomfortable, but I suppose that since I am graduating in May I should perhaps make a bit of a foray into these strange events and test out the tepid waters of "career employment." Though I still doubt that I will wear a tie.

As preparation for these upcoming events I am currently trying to fix upon a leave-behind of some sort, probably a business card or small book or something. Or maybe both. Right now my plan is to create business cards out of this small stack of old library card catalog entries, which would be cool since every card is completely unique. I think that I'll probably design a rubber stamp with my name and website and such and then stamp the cards with the info. I'll also cut them down to a more natural business card size for easy storage. I'll also probably put together a small leave-behind book that I can easily reproduce and deposit at each table so that my smiling face will be more easily remembered. I'm not really looking to get a job directly from these ventures (it's really more of a networking exercise for me, I suppose) but who knows?

What do you think?