T-Minus 3 Days. EEEEK!

Operation 'set up for senior show' is underway. My goal is to have everything set up by Thursday, so that when Thursday evening rolls around I can "relax", "unwind" and TRY not to think. This past week has been spent on web design, more web design and then designing some fun labels for medicine bottles. Did I need to do them? No. Did I want to do them? Yes, but at times not so much. I'm glad that I did though... it gave me a much needed break from designing stuff that was particularly wrapped up in my senior show brand manual restrictions. Being able to take a break and just design whatever the hell wanted, however the hell I wanted was a great outlet without getting so wrapped up in something un-design related (at times I would have much rather watched Glee or read one of Chelsea Handler's books, but once I start those there is no turning back). Because I don't have the bottles assembled yet, all I can share with you are the labels themselves.

3 days till senior show.

AND our website is up, so be sure to check that out! http://www.con10ders.com/

Some serious work went into this site and its a great reminder of the talent that lies within this school.

{Alone With My} Thoughts

People should warn you, growing up, that it sucks to sit around and think. It's overwhelming, time consuming, and exhausting. Instead, just do. Easy, right? Meh. Lately I've been "alone with my thoughts" and when I say "alone" I mean totally surrounded by people who have been in my art and design classes for the past 4.5 years. (Wow, it's been 4.5 years since I've been out of high school?? Like I said, don't think about it.) I have just over one week till my show goes up, and then, ridiculously, comes down 4 hours later. Alllllll this sleeplessness, stress, anxiety, for 4 hours of appreciation (at least I hope it's appreciated). So while I have a shit ton to do, I instead sit here thinking about it all, and now, write it all down. Good idea right?! (Oh, no biggie, I just won't sleep tonight; that's been my solution all semester.)
In my pit of 'thoughts' I decided, "SHIT, I need some way to display my tins! A display on top of my display, that is, to display more things!" So, my attempt at playing architect/wood worker failed when I thought about all the things I personally could hand build (all 2 things). Instead, I have my wonderful father, who's woodworking I will always brag about (no pressure, Dad), to make me a tin display AND a box for my monitor! Might not be quite as fun as building a solar system, but I'm not 8 any more (although my woodworking skills are probably at the same level).
1 week, 2 days, 17 hours, and 57 minutes until senior show. http://www.con10ders.com/

"No Sleep November"

My talented friend Jessica Sumption designed this poster that sums up this month (and the "No Sleep November" title), be sure to take a look and then check out the rest of her work!

Well, it's been just over a month since I last posted which might lead one to believe that I just haven't had stuff to post or work to show. I assure you the opposite is true.

I can't believe how insanely busy I have been; I can't even remember the last time I went to bed before 3:30 am. In fact, I'm writing this post in class, hoping that my professor doesn't yell at me for doing such a thing. But the fact is, I'm done with my website (THANK GOD: for real, I'm thanking God. I didn't think I'd ever code my own website.). We've been blessed with a bunch of new professors here who truly seem to give a shit. It's great! Nothing's worse than taking an important class and having a teacher that doesn't push, doesn't lecture, doesn't teach, and doesn't care. I've had about two or three of those classes, and luckily I was able to re-take web design.
Our website had to be on an art movement and then designed in that style. I chose the Constructivism movement because it was something I knew little about and enjoyed the graphic elements as well as the 3D aspect. I've uploaded just the layout of the website, but I promise, my coding is right on...

 The buttons are quite fun too!



We now begin designing our personal website, which is great because this is something I need for senior show anyway. And speaking of senior show....well no, I won't be. Details can be found AT the senior show! So if you are reading this, consider going! Here is our blog, check it out, and enjoy that spiffy logo because I had something to do with it ;-).

Also, more coffee pictures have been taken:

 I thought that this coffee book would make me dislike coffee, but nothing has changed. So here I sit, guzzling coffee because a minimum of 2-3 cups a day doesn't seem to be enough...

Another fantastic update: I've accepted a job at Brandgarten (where I interned) and am so very excited to move to Madison, live near some wonderful relatives, and work at a great company with even greater people!

Coffee & Logos

Sleepless nights, frequent cat naps, copious amounts of caffeine (usually in the coffee form), and headaches from staring at a computer screen. Yay school! Senior semester is already proving to be time consuming and hectic. Time for blogging, you ask? Well, no, not really. But I count this as a form of relaxation/down time.
Last weekend was AIGA Design Camp and it was beyond amazing. I wish every weekend were design camp. Nothing would ever be accomplished, but if one were in dire need of a serious inspiration sesh then design camp would be the place to go. It's hard to leave a place like that and not feel totally ready to design the shit out of everything and stay optimistic.
Today I took a few pictures for my Senior photography class. Our duty: to make a themed book that will blow potential employers away. My book is "all about coffee" (will come up with better name later...or maybe not). These pictures are for a coffee, almond, chocolate biscotti recipe!

You know that great morning light that sneaks through your windows and plasters itself on your walls, tables, and floors? Yea, I love that.

Also, we finally came up with a logo for the UW Stout Graphic Design senior show (a website to come soon). Some great collaboration between a few of us resulted in this little diddy. Stay posted for information on this event soon. It's definitely a can't-miss!! Colors are still pending, but for now you get the idea. :-]

Year Number 17.

Already a week and a half into my last semester. 17 years of school. How am I suppose to know what I want to do after this when I've never known anything else? It's crazy to think that graduation is just around the corner and soon I will be introducing myself to people as someone else other than "student" or "intern". I can't put "student" on those various questionnaires, and freeloading off of my parents insurance isn't going to fly any longer.
This summer was the most amazing summer of my life. I had a wonderful time studying abroad for about a month and then was lucky enough to have an amazing internship at Brandgarten. On the side I did a few projects as well. I did a quick logo for Matt Hintz (be sure to check out his stuff), a very talented photographer who goes to school in Madison. It's always great to work on things for people who are interested in the same thing you are! I also did some senior pictures. A first for me, but I'm happy with the results and would love to do more!

It's been the summer of photography, and I love that I have some friends to join me in my photog adventures. This semester is going to be crazy stressful; graphic design senior show, photography portfolio class, web design (*crossing my fingers that coding comes easily), and listening (yes, a whole class devoted to the skill of listening). There is so much to come in these next few months....

"Crap-I-Wish-I-Had-My-Camera"

Lots and lots of pictures; that's what this summer has been. I feel that the only way I can truly get to know photography is with practice, and while sometimes I can't imagine carrying my camera around for one more minute it's the seconds I don't have my camera that I regret. It's the "crap-I-wish-I-had-my-camera" moments that consistently remind me that carrying my camera around pays off more time than not.

Around Madison this past weekend:

Got some fun shots up north two weekends ago as well:

Pictures to come soon from a logo and senior photo session that I did!

Madison, WI: Home For the Summer

Well this blog is a little dusty. It's been a while, but fear not for I have some pictures to show!
My internship here in Madison has been going great; wonderful people, wonderful hours, and stuff I'm interested in. Can't complain one bit! I get to bike to work every day and that's even better, especially by way of a bike path right on Lake Monona. The office is beautiful and the view from the office windows is also pretty great.

My first weekend in Madison was great- I have some family here and that is so nice. I went and watched my cousin, Eva, do some horseback riding. She is quite talented and it was fun to photograph her riding!

I was visited, here in Madison, by some wonderful out of town friends this past weekend. I didn't have my camera for every activity we managed to squeeze into the weekend but I did have it for the Olbrich Botanical Gardens. I regret not carrying it around with me more but sometimes it's nice to see things with "fresh eyes" and not through the lens of a camera. Regardless, the camera will be joining me more often!

A great opportunity for a "senior pictures spoof" photo session...because let's be honest, some of those poses are ridiculous.

 The pictures doesn't do this justice, but there are some sorts of lilies that actually look like they have a soft sparkle to them. This would be one of them.

 The leaves on this plant were huge! Felt like we were Alice in Wonderland.

More to come soon!