WIP

Got bored last night and started another character project, a snow sniper. Maybe I'll actually finish this one. I'm finished with the major values, but it still needs a ton of detail, some texturing, and a more dynamic lighting setup (I can hear Tony yelling "Warms and cools!")

Toys...

I've needed a new camera for ages and have been forced into borrowing in the meantime (thanks Sam and Sally.) I finally found a good deal on a refurb Sony dslr and took the plunge. I love new toys.

It occurred to me that I usually wake up for work before sunrise, so to kick off the holiday weekend I strolled down to Piedmont Park here in Atlanta and took some picture of the sun coming up over the lake. Check our the rest on my Flickr page.



Note: If you ever plan on photographing a sunrise, be sure to remember to bring you sunglasses.

New Portfolio

After working this weekend on an older project I wanted to put into the portfolio, I realized that I sucked more than I thought at sketching a year ago and need to put in quite a bit of work to get that project ready to show. I'll take those first couple of weeks in DesComm to work on it, but for now here is the newest compilation, complete with chair:

http://www.daapspace.daap.uc.edu/~engelhjs/Jeff_Engelhardt.pdf

My goal was to give it a little more personal style, and I think the new color palette helps. Once I complete my last project, I'll have a wide enough range of designs to be able to tailor the portfolio to specific employers.

Last shot at the dream co-op. Even though "In [Obi-Wan Kenobi's] experience there's no such thing as luck," I could use some.

What a difference style and design can make

James Cameron hasn't made a movie since Titanic. Considering it made over a billion dollars, I guess he has an excuse. His next effort, Avatar (due out in December), has been one of the most widely anticipated movies among the wide circle of internet movie geeks. That is, it was until Friday and the debut of Avatar's first trailer. Since then tones have changed from giddy anticipation to increasing skepticism.

Initial buzz surrounded the film's radical use of CG and 3D, which Cameron says has been in development for over 10 years. 90 percent of the movie is [supposedly] computer generated to photo-realistic quality, and Cameron claims it will usher in a new era for 3D cinema. Everyone was on board until last week's trailer.

So why the drastic change? Unlike my fanboy counterparts, I really didn't have any bias for or against the film leading up to the trailer and went in with an open mind. Am I still curious about the movie? Yeah, but by no means am I excited. My problem is that the images I saw did not live up to Cameron's claims of "photo-realism." Characters and story are much more important than pretty pictures, though, and this could still be a great film. I don't believe this is where the majority of the negativity is coming from.

My completely uninformed opinion is that people were turned off by the fact that the aliens look like pussies. Seriously, they look like Thundercats with down syndrome, and they're supposed to battle giant beasts and robots? An audience can't be expected to buy into that when they look like they would get their asses kicked by a spray bottle wielding eight-year-old?

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe expectations were too high. Maybe Cameron will revolutionize the movies industry and go on to make another billion dollars. Who knows at this point. My money, though, is on the eight-year-old.

Been a while...

Sadly, this is the second time I've written this message. It's been almost two months since my last post. It's not that I haven't had anything to say. I'm just really lazy. In the next few weeks, before school starts, I will attempt to make up for it. As a little preview, here's what I plan on throwing out there:

- Star Wars Design - The Art of Clunk (provoked by John Scalzi's Guide to the Most Epic FAILS in Star Wars Design)

- Becoming an Instant Expert - How Industrial Designers' Research Methods Create Everyday Obsessions

- Opinions on some of the movies I saw and the books I read this summer (possibly:Terminator 4, Up, Bruno, The Hangover, Funny People, District 9, Transformers 2, Star Trek, GI Joe, Inglorious Basterds - Scott Robertson's Start Your Engines and Lift Off, The Simpsons and Philosophy, Batman and Philosophy)

- An updated portfolio (nearly finished - just need to back sketch on one more project)

- My adoration for the three An Evening with Kevin Smith dvds

- More props to Crossfit and Crossfit Atlanta

Until then, I'll leave you with a small sample of the new portfolio

:)

Did my first successful, non-assisted muscle-up yesterday. I got to put my name on a board and everything.

Muscle-up demo

I haven't felt like this since...

There are very few things I get more satisfaction out of than physical exhaustion. If I'm sore, tired, limping...whatever, I feel incredibly fulfilled knowing I pushed myself beyond my limits. When I played football and baseball I took this feeling for granted. I am, however, no longer regularly beaten to a pulp and relish in any opportunity to regain this feeling. That being said, I feel like shit right now. My latest 3-day set of Crossfit was:

Monday-
Max weight back squat, shoulder press and deadlift (new PR at 140 kg/308 lbs)

Tuesday-
5 rounds for time: run 800m, 30 1.25 pood kettle bell swings, 30 pull ups

Wednesday-
Run 10k

I was obviously sore from Monday, Tuesday was aweful (it took almost an hour whereas most Crossfit workouts take 20 min or less), and the 10k was the icing.

I've got a massive blister on my foot, my hands are torn to shit, walking is a chore and I doubt I could do a single pull up right now. After my run today I realized that this is probably the most physically strained I've been since the aftermath of the Flying Pig last spring, which is fucking fantastic. Crossfit is not simply a workout plan; it's a sport. I'm starting to love it as much as any other.


Crossfit Atlanta - the best part of my day

Can I really force myself to do this?

I hated Transformers. I hate Michael Bay. I'm not sure if I've ever seen a movie that perfectly made for stupid people - not to mention the fact that it was made by one of the most arrogant men in the world. In no way shape or form do I want to support Bay or his franchise by seeing Revenge of the Fallen.

That being said, not going to see it is tearing me apart. One of my earliest memories is my absolute devotion to Transformers: The Movie, the 1986 animated feature based on the original cartoon. I LOVED THE TRANSFORMERS. Whenever my mom would ask me at breakfast what I had dreamed about the night before and I didn't remember, I answered with "I met Optimus Prime." I had the toys. I watched the show. It was awesome.

I have also come to respect good animation and CGI, having had a small taste of how insanely difficult they are, and watch bad movies if only to see good CGI the same way I would watch a bad movie if it had stunning cinematography. Needless to say, the effects in Transformers were spectacular, and they promise to be even better in the sequel.

I fear there is some inescapable force pulling me to the movie theater. Can I resist it? Do I really want to? Maybe I can somehow arrange a way to go, beat the shit our of Michael Bay as I leave the theater and take back the $9.50 he'll owe me. If only...If only...


Just try and tell me you didn't cry when Optimus Prime died.

P.S. My little sis really needs your prayers. I'll explain when it's more appropriate, but please keep her in your thoughts.

In case of vampire...

Ran across this online a couple of times. I thought it was appropriate seeing as how I've watched the entire first season of True Blood in my days of drug test boredom.

Sitting around because my co-op thinks I'm a drug addict

Last week my co-op sent me a drug test. No big deal as I only participate in the satanic rituals that don't involve halucinogens. Oops, the Ivy State grads that work in Cincinnati said my hair was too short to test. Again, no big deal. I'll just call the HR department and explain the situation. Oops, that woman is on vacation this week, so I call my boss. Now it is a well-known fact that designers don't give a flying fuck about corporate bullshit, and I could tell he was annoyed when I called. That aside, he thought it wouldn't be a huge deal and that it wouldn't delay my start date, Monday. So I left town Friday morning. The HR woman calls me at four o'clock on Friday, 100 miles into Kentucky, telling me to go back to Cincinnati and take a piss test or something. Oh, you're on your way? Well then just call again Monday morning. Guess who doesn't show up to work until 11:30. She sends me some place in downtown Atlanta; they have no problem taking my hair. I call her up and am informed that I still can't start until my results come back in 72 hours. This all adds up to me sitting around until at least Thursday when I will likely be informed that I failed the test because I ate a poppy seed bagel or something. Awesome.

On a much better note, I found a gym in town that specializes in Crossfit. It's cheap, and I'll finally be taught to do all the movements the right way (I was told yesterday how terrible my deadlift form was.)

Things that were good - Things that were bad

Been following a graphic design blog lately that has been writing a series of posts on things that are good (e.g. sharks and the fact that they are referred to as killing machines) and things that are bad (e.g. invisible force fields surrounding wastebaskets.) With that in mind, here is my run down of the quarter, in those things good and bad:

Thing that was bad - I have never been beaten down by school the way I was this quarter
Thing that was good - My chair turned out great and is by far my best project

Thing that was bad - Got a shitty co-op
Thing that was good - Got a shitty co-op in what should be a fun town

Thing that was bad - I was not as dedicated to Crossfit as I have been in the past
Thing that was good - I maxed out on deadlift today at 300 lbs, so I'm still progressing

Thing that was bad - Messed up one relationship
Thing that was good - Met a lot of new people, especially in the Greek community

Thing that was bad - Had a shit for brains new drawing prof
Thing that was good - He's great for the program as a whole

Thing that was bad - Going to get my first ever B in a normal class
Thing that was good - Though it was incredibly interesting...most of the time

Thing that was bad - Had to pull more all/late-nighters than ever before (stupid drawing prof)
Thing that was good - Learned to enjoy going out to bars

Thing that was bad - Ski season had to end
Thing that was good - Though it ended with two of the most enjoyable days I've had on the snow

Thing that was good - If anything it was a memorable quarter.

Making up for the fall

:) Critique :) was :) awesome:)

SQUIRREL!

Been watching Planet Earth a lot lately. Stumbled upon this baller squirrel painting. That is all.

Nice chair pics

Chair is finished. I am happy :)

Chair Bitches

Chair is 99% finished. Just needs a little more sanding and some shellac for staining. Good pictures and process images to come.

I should be smiling, but it won't happen any time soon

I'm going to accept a co-op. I should be happy, right? I just can't muster a smile. After the work I did in the fall and the recognition I received in the winter, I really thought I had turned the corner in terms of becoming the designer I hope to be. I wasn't worried at all about finding a job.

Then...nothing. No calls. Two interviews - one failed (fuck phone interviews), one with no chance of a job. Other students are getting the jobs I want, and all that's left are fucking blow driers and a place in town that seems sketchier than Barry Bonds' hat size. I mean, these are the jobs that we make fun of and let the sophomores take. People always talk about cutting your teeth as a designer, but what drew me to UC was the fact that co-op replaces that. I paid my dues last quarter, and shouldn't have to again.

I know I'm whining when I shouldn't. I know I'm lucky to have an offer at all. But I felt like the next great thing was just over the horizon and I missed it. FAIL.

Rojos!

After last night't thumping of the D-Backs, the Reds are in first place...and it's not like that retarded year where everyone got excited when they won a bunch of walk-off games during the first half. They're actually playing first-place-worthy ball.

been gone...shoes

Been gone a while because life sucks right now. Anyway, here's some shoes (There was a high heel, too, but the interweb is screwing it up - sketches will be up later)

:(

Didn't get Reebok.

Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.

What a terrible fucking day

Turns out Nike was here without the intention of hiring anyone. $60 and 4 hours of portfolio making down the drain.

Awesome

Pretty sure I'm going to get a bad grade on my paper for music class. It was well written but completely off topic, and I thought I caught a disapproving remark in my professors' whisperings.

Awesome

Up until 4:30 doing foundations level bullshit for Design Communications. As awesome as Des Comm was in the fall, this quarter is the complete opposite. At this point I am completely apathetic toward it (a viewpoint shared by many of my classmates) and my work in all of my classes is suffering as a direct result.

Awesome

new pb

Maxed out on deadlift yesterday at 275. I love crossfit.

Chair and Spaceships

Had to draw some more chairs for des comm. Got bored and drew spaceships instead.

?

I know what a pamphlet is.

WTF is a pamph?

Star Wars design and why it rocks

Stumbled upon this fantastic article about the design merits of the original Star Wars films. It's quick and to the point but easily gets its point accros.

Simpsons QOD

A woman is a lot like a refrigerator. Six feet tall, three hundred pounds...it makes ice.

Awesome!

Chris Welsch just referenced Snake Pliskin in his color commentary. Awesome.

Chairs and crazy guys

In addition to the portfolio, the past two weeks have been dedicated to drawing chairs and fixing up my character project.

Chairs - I'm doing some kind of bent plywood stool...Sketches were done digitally, and I'm very happy with the outcome. I will go back and render those picked to move on, but probably not until the next portfolio

Reworked Sketches - not nearly as good as they need to be, but they're improving

Final Rendering - 90% inked - hopefully I'll have time to go in and actually render this to presentation quality

12 Angry Men and personal tests of will power

I watched 12 Angry Men this morning, loving every second of it. At first glance it seems to be a rather simple story of justice, but if you look deeper you can see that it's really about the power wit and intellect can have over reason.

In the past, I used to give myself what I called "personal tests of will power." Take stairs two at a time, never loosen your tie, read something you don't understand, etc. Some have stuck around as personal habits, but after a while I began to forget about the little ones. Lately, however, I've gotten back to testing myself, mostly through school work. Henry Fonda's character seems to be doing something similar. The kid is guilty as hell, and he knows it. He also knows how he can talk. He walked into the deliberation room having taken it as a personal challenge to sway the jury in the opposite direction, and you can see the self-satisfaction on his face each time a member of the jury switches his vote.

While Fonda's "accomplishment" is impressive, it is not commendable. He has convinced 11 other men to let a murderer walk free. It's just interesting to see how similar my acts of self-improvement are to Fonda's slight of hand.

Porfolio is up

http://daapspace.daap.uc.edu/~engelhjs/Jeff_Engelhardt.pdf

Fival effing rocks

An American Tail is one of those movies from my childhood that I remember loving despite not remembering the movie itself. I got a chance to watch it again a couple of weeks ago, and it rocked my socks off.

This movie is simply gorgeous. The characters, the backgrounds, everything makes today's "stylish" animation look like amateur work. Every scene is placed in an environment with a unique, painterly look that perfectly captures the tone of American immigration in the late 19th century. Their level of complexity and detail are enough to make the movie a technical achievement by themselves.

But it doesn't stop there. The animation is top notch. The main characters are "Disneyified" to perfection while the humans are stunningly accurate in their movements. I'm tempted to believe that the animators traced over frames from actual film - it's that good. Take a look at the final shot (approx. 3 min into the video) as the camera pans around the statue of liberty. This was before the days of 3D models and cel shading and it was executed without any hiccups. Stunning.



Watch it; you'll be amazed.

Here we go again

School is going to be a bitch this quarter. Oh well, I guess it's time to man up. Anyway, I've been reworking my portfolio (again.) The work is pretty much the same, but the graphics, text and layout are now much cleaner. Here's a taste.

Character project

Never really got to work on digital sketching the way I had hoped, so I decided to do a small character design project. Did some sketching:



There's a whole story I have to go with this, but basically it's slave > rebel > leader > crazy leader > bat-shit crazy executee. Sketches aren't 100 percent finished, but I need to get working on a final concept render/painting. It will be of "crazy leader" looking ultra Jack-Nicholson-in-The-Shining crazy...hopefully.

:(

Xavier lost last night. I just waxed my skis and put them away for the summer. Oh well. X will be even better next year, and baseball season, a suitable replacement for skiing, is right around the corner.

Still...sad face.

Core77

Well, even more to make me smile this week. My portfolio was featured on Core77 today. Pretty huge to me.

60'

This is not me; it is someone much better. But it gives a good impression of the size of the large hit at PFC this weekend, perhaps the best jump I've ever hit.

60 feet from the lip of the takeoff to the knuckle of the landing
70-75 feet to the sweet spot

The feeling of flying through the air with this much nothing beneath you is indescribable.

A weekend of skiing, friends and pink flamingos

I'm sore all over but can't stop smiling.

Every year since 2004, after they have closed to the public, Perfect North Slopes has hosted the Pink Flamingo Camp. All the snow that is left is pushed around to turn the hill into one giant terrain park. Regrettably, due to money/timing issues, I was never able to attend.

After leaving straight from co-op for an 11-hour drive, I finally made it back for PFC 6 and the best weekend of skiing I may have ever had.

The atmosphere at Perfects' terrain park is unmatched. Go to a resort, and the parks are full of trash talking twelve-year-olds who snake you in line and give you shit for taking it easy. This is not, nor has it ever been, the case at Perfects. Everyone loves to ride and loves that you do, too. Can't figure something out? Chances are someone will offer up advice without being asked. And, even though they're doing switch 1080's, you'll get props for you first 540. It's a great vibe to experience, and, compounded with getting to see some old friends, it made for one of those rare times that will cause an involuntary smile everytime it pops into my head.

The setup was top notch. Though it may have lacked the mid-sized jumps (25-35 feet) that I prefer to learn on, everything was laid out to perfection. Rails everywhere, as couple of small hits, a 40-foot step up, and a 60-foot step down that, though I wasn't comfortable enough to spin over it, may have been the most well-built jump I've ever hit.

Despite my personal suckitude on the slopes, the level of talent of the rest of the skiers rivals anything I've seen in a mountain terrain park. 450 pretzels, switch 1080's, superman front flips, nasty 360 hand drags, rodeo 900's, and even a double-cork 1260. It's simply amazing the talent that Perfects breeds.

I was too busy to shoot anything, but I'll throw up some pics when others get them online.

The most influential thing I have ever learned

While I'm on the subject of things I learned in high school:
If I've taken one thing away from the bastion of academia that is East Central High School (cough-horseshit-cough,) it came from my freshman english class.

NOTHING HAPPENS BY ACCIDENT IN A WORK OF FICTION

Take a minute to think about this. Life is very seldom random. More often than not, whatever happens happens for a reason. Apply this wherever you like, and you'll find it provides some interesting perspective.

Designers strive to be Plato's philosopher kings

Back in high school, I learned about Plato's allegory of the cave and his concept of philosopher kings. Basically, PKs are able understand universal truths (Plato calls them "forms.") A PK, for example, knows true beauty whereas Joe-Toga-and-Sandals can only see instances of beauty.

This seems very similar my idea of the purpose of the design process. Let's say a company asks me to design product X. It isn't my job to just make it pretty, or appealing, or functional, or marketable, or profitable. A successful designer uses process as a method of problem solving to simultaneously fulfill all of these needs. Initially, there is no way to know what makes the best product X. But, through research, ideation, exploration, etc. designers can find rational, justifiable answers that lead to a complete understanding of product X. With that knowledge we are able to create the best product X possible.

It is impossible to find every truth in every (or possibly any) design problem, but we use process to get as close as we can. Since we aren't philosopher kings and can't just see them, the design process is our way of arriving at Plato's forms.

Movie Haiku

Finally put two and two together this weekend, realizing that my Plasystation can be used for watching movies online. I don't feel compelled to right real reviews or opinions, so here are some haiku.

The Wrestler
'Bout redemption? No.
You glossed over the real point.
A constructed life/lie.

Frost/Nixon
Nixon's funny voice
Just what you had expected...
...till the thoughtful end

Rachel Getting Married
Anne - complex addict
Deserved Oscar nod; hot, too
Was the end her choice?

Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Judd's hilarious.
Vampire musical fun.
Way too much penis.

Watchmen, meh

The New York Times review said "[Watchmen's] ideal viewer ... would probably be a mid-’80s college sophomore with a smattering of Nietzsche, an extensive record collection and a comic-book nerd for a roommate." They got it mostly right. While perpetual adolescents (i.e. most guys) will enjoy the movie, the only viewer who will actually find it groundbreaking is the Times's "hypothetical young man."

My overall feelings about the movie are almost identical to those about the graphic novel. The themes are there: Quis custodiet ipsos custodes,deconstructing and rationalizing the idea of superheroes, does the end justify the means, etc. but there's not much else. The story becomes too mired in plot to transcend geek lore and become literature. Provoking thought is commendable, but providing insight, something Watchmen is short on, is artistic. While just the idea of putting these themes in a comic book may have been unique when Watchmen was originally published, it's just not enough.

The film also misses out on one of the novel's most impressive and intellectual facets. At the end of each installment the story is supplemented with some "fake" literature. This includes a chapter from the superhero tell-all Under the Hood, as well as a psychiatric profile of Rorschach. These do a great deal to bring the reader into the alternate reality of the novel, and were probably a major factor in making Watchmen the only comic named to Time Magazine's 100 best English language novels since 1923. Regretfully, they cannot be translated to the silver screen.

As for the movie, it's probably as good as it could have been without pissing off the loyal fan base. It follows the comic like a storyboard, often going shot for shot, line for line. The visuals are impressive and not nearly as self-indulgent as 300, director Zach Snyder's previous work, and the soundtrack, though distracting at times, is appropriate. The altered ending is actually an improvement from the novel, which was a little on the silly side.

There is some fat that could have been trimmed. The movie is too long, and certain elements, like the Dr. Seussed white tiger, make no sense without their counterparts, which were not included. The movie is also plagued by some terrible CGI. Dr. Manhattan looks increbile, but he clods around like that soccer playing robot from Honda, and said tiger looks and moves like shit, plain and simple.

Watchmen boils down to a novel and movie made by people who are smart - but not too smart, artistic - but not too artistic. They're both fun too look at and may provoke some thought. Don't expect anything more, and you'll have a good time.

3 out of 5 stars

Slumdog Millionaire

I won't bother repeating what just about every critic in the world has said. Let it suffice to say that this movie is spectacular.

But why? There's nothing here I haven't seen before. The visuals, soundtrack and story are everything for which you could hope, as they combine to reaffirm any faith you may have lost in humanity. Normally, I hate that. It's too idealistic for my uber-postmodern views. I even thought this as I was watching the film. I have a terrible habit of trying to dissect movies as I'm watching, but I can't help it. Near the end, I caught myself thinking, "Everything's going to end up happy. Damn, this was just okay." Then, as the film did a quick recap of itself (a technique for which I would also normally have a distaste), I realized I didn't care about all my snobby crap. I loved these characters and wanted them to be happy.

As the films ended with the quintessential spinning camera kiss, I couldn't help but smile. Very few films have this effect on me, and I really have no idea why this one did. But who cares? If something makes me feel this way, I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Holy shit Sam

Amis, your portfolio looks amazing. My inferiority complex is kicking into high gear.
http://www.daapspace.daap.uc.edu/~amissj/Sam_Amis_Portfolio.pdf

so...

I haven't been around for a while, so I have a few things to come including my thoughts on Slumdog Millionaire, Watchmen and how co-op went this quarter.

Things that I love to hate and hate that everyone loves

Non-ski vacations
Not to say they aren't fun, but they pale in comparison to becoming pale (except for goggle tan) at a world class mountain. Between the two, everything's the same - drinking, nice restaurants, etc. - except when you ski you burn 900 calories per hour. When you sit your ass on the beach you burn your skin.

Transformers
Take away every human but that creepy kid from Even Stevens and you have the exact same movie. Wait, the movie's about those people? Shit. Watching giant fighting robots, awesome. Watching John Turturro in the worst performance of his career, not awesome. I've never seen another movie more meant for stupid people.

CSI
I've never seen a TV show more meant for stupid people.

The Yankees
Why is baseball so messed up these days? Exhibit A. I don't hate them because they win all the time; I hate the way they've done it in the last 15 years, buying championships.

and finally...

Celery
One of the very few foods I just can't stand the taste of. Nothing against 99% of the world liking it, but do you really have to throw it in every time you make a casserole?

Awesome footwear blog

Just ran across this great footwear blog today. Info like industry terms and how to create lasts. Click the logo to check it.

The guy's company, The Directive Collective, is also pretty nice.

Good weekend, can't wait to get home

Took a trip to Whiteface Mountain this weekend (Lake Placid, NY.) Ever though the skiing was pretty terrible I had a great time. I haven't gone out much this quarter as it is just a huge hassel to go back into the city after I get home from work, so this was a welcome change of pace. Counting the days until I get home for PFC, Perfect North's annual newschool camp that I've never been able to attend for one reason or another.

More Yanko

My teapot was featured this week, and my computer was included in their Best of February 2009.

Reebok project finished

I wish I had gotten to all of this sooner, as this project is really lacking on both the front and back ends. It needed more research, inspiration and ideation up front and more things like colorways and detail refinement at the end. All in all, though, for about a week and a half of work in my free time I'm pretty happy with the result. A special thanks to John Ariosa for the great advice you had regarding my original rendering. Sorry about the shitty image quality, but I really don't feel like uploading better copies.

Shoe Render

Still need to do some tweaking, but here's my final design for my Reebok project. It's a low-profile cross-trainer meant for sprint and agility workouts rathter than distance. Other details include the outsole being brought high in the front to give traction to the sides for activities like rock climbing and dance. Rendered in Illustrator CS4.

Quick Illustrator

Quick Illustrator drrawings of the two concepts I decided to go with. Both are low profile trainers. Final concept will be a combination of the two.

Shoe sketching

Finished the sketching (done in Painter X) for my Reebok project, now on to Illustrator.

I'm in a bookstore, wishing it was the internet

I had to work late yesterday, and, since my firm isn't big on overtime, my boss told me to come in late today. So as not to alter with my normal morning routine and consequently tear a hole in the space-time continuum, I left at my usual time and spent an hour in a Barnes and Noble.

People, as Steve Jobs says, don't read anymore. Constant scoldings from publishers and scholars inform us that too often we accept internet headlines and succinct blog entries in place of tradtional print. Today, however, as I crooked my neck to scan the titles on hundreds of spines, I realized that I would much rather be doing this from a computer. While there is something to be said about the surprises I will inevitably come across by randomly browsing the shelves, I'll trade them any day for a search bar.

As my mind bounces from subject to subject, writer to writer, I find my feet can't keep up. I'll open up a book and instantly forget what I have decided to look for next. Oh shit...I forget if this one was to the left or the right of that big blue one...which looks interesting...but wasn't I headed over there...for a big blue book, right...fuck. But, in the wonderful world of the interweb, I can simultaneously divide my conscious between a dozen different tabs and windows, opening, closing and searching at will.

While staying out of bookstores may keep me somewhat detached from the experience of reading for pleasure, I can't deny the simple pleasure I get from browsing through 184 titles...all without incurring the dreaded Taco Neck Syndrome.

Been busy

Been busy. Lots of skiing, and Reebok is requiring a shoe project in order to apply for summer co-op. That will be consuming my time until the end of next week. I'll try to post progess shots.

Simpsons QOD

My Homer is not a communist. He may be a liar, a pig, an idiot, a communist, but he is not a porn star.

NR4 picked up by Flylyf.com

Flylyf, where "you will be exposed to the latest news in the world of Style, Tech, Design, and Flicks," has picked up Yanko's coverage of my running apparel design. Check it out.

:)

http://www.yankodesign.com/

Props

While working on my portfolio over the last two weeks, I had a feeling that it was turning out much better than previous versions. Guess I was right. I just received word that two of my designs, my recent HP project and my illuminated running apparel, will be featured on Yanko Design. For those of you who don't know, Yanko is a website dedicated to showcasing the latest and greatest in the field of industrial design. It is well known throughout the design community, and it is quite an honor to be featured on their site.

Let's celebrate in due fashion.

New Portfolio is up!

Finally got it up and going. Though I'll be doing some back work on some of these projects, I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. I think it's a big improvement from the last iteration. Check it at:

http://daapspace.daap.uc.edu/~engelhjs/Jeff_Engelhardt.pdf

Sketchin' Spaceships

There wasn't a whole lot to do today at work, so I spent an hour or two sketching little thumbnails of planes and spaceships. It was, sadly, the first time in while that I have just drawn for fun. Much like reading novels, I rarely make time to do it. Hopefully when I finish my portfolio, which should be online tonight or tomorrow, I can start my snowmobile project with the same enthusiasm I had today.

I just now realized that this is the n-th time I've written a "hopefully" post. I need to get off my ass and get this shit done.

Dylan Thomas - famous last words

I've stumbled upon this twice now. I can't think of a better way to go.
"I've had eighteen straight whiskies, I think that's the record."

Five films to put a smile on your face

People are always complaining that the winter depresses them (though, due to the orgasmosity of snow, I don't really understand it.) But, if you're feeling low, these flicks are sure to brighten your day.


Amelie
It's weird, French and weirdly-French, but Jean-Pierre Jeunet's gorgeous story of a dreamer will reaffirm any faith you've lost in the human race.


Stranger Than Fiction
Turns out Will Ferrell is great when he's not being Will Ferrell. Witty, cute and insightful all at the same time.


Big Fish
I've always looked at life as if it was a movie. Edward Bloom saw it as his story to tell, and his is one that's worthy of the silver screen. Also, Billy Crudup is a tool.


Babe
The Citizen Kane of talking pig movies.


Wall-E
You've got to give it to Pixar, they know how to tell a story. A breathtakingly beautiful film, beginning to end.