NEW OFFICE FLICKR SET!

We’re working remotely. My biggest challenge was to fit my work computer and monitor onto an already crowded desk at home. In true Gate6 fashion, I had a fairly killer idea and with the help of a couple of c-clamps, enjoyed a brilliant execution.

1 wooden box and 2 c-clamps results in……

A stacked control panel of temporary awesomeness.

Now back to work.

Ink Therapy Tattoo
Tattoo Care Sheet

1. WASH HANDS before ANY of these steps.

2. Take a quick hot shower within an hour of leaving the shop. (As hot as you can take it on the tattoo.) This will wash plasma and excess ink from your tattoo, which will help begin the healing process. Let air dry.

3. Use Dial Antibacterial hand soap to clean the tattoo. Then apply very thin layer of AQUAPHOR Healing ointment, which can be found at Wal-Mart or Walgreens, within 5-10 min. after the cleaning. Applying too much ointment to the tattoo can keep tattoo from breathing and prolong the healing of the tattoo.

4. Apply thin layer of ointment 3 times a day for 3 days.

5. After the 3rd day use NON-FRAGRANCE (Lubriderm Original, Aveeno, Jergen’s) lotion as needed on the tattoo until it is completely healed.

6. A tattoo can take from a week to 3 weeks to heal completely.
The outcome of your tattoo is solely dependant on how well you take care of it during the healing process.

7. In case of scabbing (no itching, scratching, or picking).

8. Tubs, Hot tubs, Pools, Lakes, Rivers, Oceans, and direct Sunlight are all natural enemies of a healing tattoo. These activities should be avoided until tattoo is completely healed.

9. If any Questions about the healing process contact your artist or the shop at 602-504-3767.

10. DON’T TOUCH OR LET ANYONE TOUCH YOUR HEALING TATTOO

Second he created a stencil and applied it to my left bicep:

(SpeedRacer is awesome)

Third he went to work:

Finally, four hours later he finished and I was very happy with the piece:

*technically I have to go back to put some finishing touches on the hair and background but it’s mostly finished.

Thanks for checking it out, lemme know what you think.

Pinche

Pros of the Corporate Marketing Gig

1. BENEFITS – We’re talking HMO baby, the good stuff. The kind of insurance where all you pay for is the cigars when your new baby is born.

2. JOB SECURITY – Generally speaking a position in a large corporate environment is many times more secure than in your typical agency.

3. BUDGET – Tuition Reimbursement? Office supplies? Conferences? No questions asked.

4. MISSION – I know not all corporate gigs come with a noble mission that involves serving very worthy citizens, but mine did and it was a great motivator.

Cons of the Corporate Marketing Gig

1. BENEFITS – Okay it’s a double-edged sword, and the #1 reason I hesitated to leave. This struggle is known as “Benefits Prison”.

2. CLIENT FAMILIARITY – This sounds like it may be a PRO but when your only client is essentially the leadership of the company you work for, it’s easy to start assuming you know exactly what they will and wont pull the trigger on. Say goodbye to all the really great conceptual ideas that are supposed to fly around a brainstorming meeting and sink into the comfortable assurance of “safe”.

3. EQUIPMENT – When you are rendering video on the same machines that the call center is using, you have an equipment issue. This is usually a result of your IT Department’s two favorite words: “Minimum Requirements”.

4. THE IT DEPARTMENT – “May I please have temporary level A-27 bio-encrypted admin-level security permission to install the font I need?…..please?……yes I’ll hold.”

5. CHAIN OF COMMAND – Deadline! – now you just have to get this over to your project lead who can review with the manager who will in turn meet with the director. The director then will need to remember to get semi-final approval tomorrow in a weekly meeting with the VP who hopefully will be able to scrounge some face time with the CEO sometime later this month.

6. WELLNESS – Yes, if your company hasn’t slid over to the dark side of wellness, rest assured…it will. A past employer actually removed anything with a hint of taste from the vending machines and refilled them with health food…even the Pop Tarts.

7. CUBICLES

8. DOWNTIME – Downtime is tricky, it’s something you may look forward to until you have it. What downtime does is make the clock irresistible to stare at while simultaneously freezing time in its tracks.

Pros of the Agency Gig

1. PACE – The hours can be long but that’s okay, there isn’t enough of them in the first place.

2. CLIENT DIVERSITY – In my first month alone I had meetings with an aramid (body armor) manufacturer, a music producer, 2 retail companies, a global technology provider, a commercial videographer, planned a social media application, conceptualized a mobile application, filmed a ping-pong match between my CEO and Interactive Marketing Director and am writing the shot list for my first commercial.

3. ANTICIPATION – Anticipation is always high, if we aren’t conceptualizing the next greatest idea for our clients we’re concepting one for ourselves. It’s never business as usual at the agency, the future is always on our minds. Having been labeled “Futuristic” on my recent StrengthsFinder™ test, it’s no wonder why this appeals to me.

I’m sure there will be many more Pros to come, as well as a few Cons, but until then thanks for reading.

- Pinche Arnold

If I gave stars this place would get all of them. I love German food and this is about the best I’ve had. I say that even as my Oma, God rest her soul, rolls over in her grave. (She owned “Koehler’s”, a German restaurant in Utica, New York for over 20 years.)

It’s a must visit – the links were piled high, the ham was delicious and the paper-thin German pork chop was to die for. My favorite part of the meal is hard to put into words, for like ancient Rabbis referring to their creator, I hesitate to even mention it by it’s name. (potato salad, ssssssh.)

I loved the place.

I went with my lovely wife (who is half-German and also approves) on a Thursday night. I read on their website that a tuba and accordian player walk the joint on Friday and Saturday nights so I’ll have to go back soon and enjoy that.

Thank you Haus Murphy’s, you rock.

LINK: Haus Murphy’s

LINK: picmax.com

Go and vote if you love it – if not buy a cool shirt from threadless.

KEY POINTS:

1. Keep your portfolio in the back of your head, always be on the lookout for a great portfolio piece.

2. Color theory, perspective, etc. (non-core design classes) are very important.

3. Learn the rules (even you creative geniuses) so you know when to break them.

4. Carry a sketchbook for life.

5. Embrace the diversity an art school will provide.

6. Be fearless, yes it’s a competitive field. (Cut half the competition by striving to be the best)

7. Fall in love with visual communication.

8. Try to tell a story in everything you do.

9. Everything you broadcast on the internet will follow you forever.

10. Advice I’ve taken to heart:
– Present your future self.
(You aren’t a know-nothing art school graduate, you are a desperately needed wealth of fresh perspectives and design)
– New title: User Experience Designer

11. Have thick skin. Your creations will be edited, changed, re-worked, re-hashed, rejected and sometimes laughed at.

12. Diversify your job search – there are usually more avenues to offer our skills than we realize.

13. Make the world a prettier place.

…..and now for the links:

Design online:

http://k10k.net/
http://surfstation.com/
http://designiskinky.com/
http://www.booooooom.com/
http://ffffound.com/
http://motionographer.com/
http://www.cpluv.com/
http://www.qbn.com/
http://www.yayhooray.com
http://www.lifeclever.com/

HTML:

http://960.gs/

Photoshop Tutorials:

http://www.tutorialmagazine.com/30-best-photoshop-tutorials-of-june-2009
http://new.psdtuts.com/

Flash Tutorials:

http://www.kirupa.com
http://flashandmath.com/
http://flashloaded.com/

Local:

http://www.phxdw.com/main/
http://gangplankhq.com/
http://phxlayers.com/
http://www.reapsow.com
(that last one is my favorite)

Jobs:

http://www.ad2phoenix.com
http://www.krop.com
http://jobs.smashingmagazine.com/

Don’t forget:

http://www.tweetdeck.com
(need Twitter account)

I hope that helps a little, thank you all again and good luck to all of you.

- Arnold

http://www.reapsow.com is live!

***UPDATE***

Reap & Sow (R&S) will have an unveiling soon, I thought I’d share some copy from the upcoming website (http://www.reapsow.com) for your consideration and comments. I’m very excited about this new endeavor and just couldn’t wait for the launch to share.

We reap what we sow.

The concept of planting and nurturing an idea, observing its successes and failures in order to formulate new strategies will always be at the heart of marketing. What this looks like however has shifted considerably. We now have the tools that give us a front row seat to the world. The instant an idea or product is experienced we are privileged to the nature of the reception with the ability, and often the responsibility to respond directly. Social media, however, is much more than its constantly evolving tools. Success in social media is how we utilize the tools and importantly, how we process the flow of information provided. Our audience is savvy, we are transparent and this is a very good thing.

The process of reaping and sowing is now simultaneous.

One major shift is influence. The brand can no longer influence culture without an invitation for culture to influence the brand. It is important to note that at this early stage one should be cautious with the label “Social Media Expert”. It would take the mind of a science fiction writer to predict how social media will ultimately impact the way society communicates. R&S is as enamored with the possibilities of social media as your clients. Social media has created loyal champions of countless brands. The tools of social media have created communities around the globe, facilitated historic creative collaborations and continues to undermine governments who oppress traditional media. Are your clients prepared to embrace social media? This authentic and transparent relationship with their audience can be intimidating. R&S understands this concern, but believes the risk is well worth the reward.

…………………………………………………………………..

Reap & Sow is not an agency, but a collective. A carefully selected partnership of passionate creative professionals, diverse in skill but united in focus. Each R&S “catalyst” is committed to a unique and intriguing user experience in relation to our client’s brand. Our own relationships with marketing and interactive agencies allow us the freedom to focus solely on our passion to create visual and conceptual masterpieces.