Amazing Work

You have to check out this amazing work by Slovenian artist Franc Grom.  Grom drills thousands of holes into egg shells to create unique Easter eggs of fragile beauty.  It was posted on boston.com under The Big Picture.

Great Post From Guy Kawasaki

Guy Kawasaki has written an interview over at the American Express Open blog with Hartmut Esslinger, industrial designer.  I think you will find Kawasaki's post "The Inside Scoop on Design: Ten Questions with Hartmut Esslinger" very informative.

Apple AirPort Extreme

Today I would like to share with you my recent purchase of the Apple Airport Extreme and my decision process.

  

Previous Network

I was using a Netgear wireless router WGR614v6 but it just stopped working.  It worked well for what I was doing.  Just surfing the net and email.  

Comparison Shopping

I had been looking at the new Apple Time Capsules because I wanted to have a network attached storage solution as well as the ability to have a network attached printer.  Apple offers a 500 Gb priced at $299 and a 1Tb for $499 with a usb port for printing.  I tried to do some comparison shopping and found that Netgear doesn't really offer anything with a usb port.  The Linksys WRT610 Simultaneous Dual-N Band Wireless Router has a usb port but it seems as though it's only good for a hard drive.  Here is a link to a review on cnet.  So there wasn't really anything that was comparable to either the Airport Extreme or the Time Capsule.  Upon further research, the Apple products allow for the attachment of a usb hub that would allow for both printing and storage.  A perfect solution for my situation.  

Number Crunching

So time for a little number crunching.  The Airport Extreme is priced at $179, the 500 Gb Time Capsule is priced at $299, and the 1Tb is priced at $499.  If I bought the Airport Extreme I would have to by a usb hub to allow for hard drive and printer sharing.  The Time Capsules would need no additional accessory.  So Here I go in search of a usb hub.  I came across the NewerTech miniStack priced at $59.99 for 'Add-Your-Own-Drive' Kit.  This usb hub would allow me to add my own hard drive and give me 3 additional usb ports for more hard drives.  It also offers 2 Firewire 400 ports but attached to the Airport Extreme they wouldn't work according to the macsales support.  These ports would be handy later if I decided to use it attached to my MacBook Pro.  So the total price for the Airport Extreme with the ministack would be $238.99.  That's $60 cheeper than the 500 Gb Time Capsule.  Being the penny pincher that I am, the problem was solved.

Setup

Setting up the Airport Extreme was simply amazing! So easy, a caveman can do it.  (Sorry Geico)  First, I had to install the Airport utility and then plugged everything into the Airport Extreme.  After that, just a little typing.  Name and password for Airport Extreme, then if you would like you could enter a name and password for Airport Disks. Next, enter a name and security level of the wireless network and finally, a choice to enable a guest network with a name and password.  That was it.  Beautiful.  

Conclusion

I am very happy that I purchased the Apple Airport Extreme.  I have not purchased the NewerTech miniStack yet.  There's no rush right now, but as soon as I add it, I will definitely be posting about it.

Interview with Larry Jensen

Larry Jensen is the owner of Jensen Designs, Inc. As a Graphic Designer and Illustrator he believes creative ideas are meaningless unless they provide a results-oriented solution to the marketing problem, meet quality standards, and satisfy the client’s budget. Jensen Desings, Inc brings together creative and production specialists to work with the client, creating a team that will produce innovative, cost-efficient solutions that generate results.

Now , let’s get to it.

Larry, what are your tools of the trade (Computer, Monitor, Scanner, Cameras, etc.)?
Mac and PC, mostly Mac for design and PC for administrative work. For several years I have used dual monitors with my Mac. I have used expensive scanners and printers, but now use a basic Microtek scanner and HP printer/copier.

What is your favorite tool (Plug-in, Software, Equipment, etc.)?
My favorite software has been Macromedia FreeHand. But, thanks to Adobe, that will be a thing of the past. I also use Adobe Creative Suite. For intial concepts I still like pencil and paper the best.

Favorite Resource(s):
This varies with each project. It may be the web, a trip to Barnes & Noble, or a tour of the client's work...

Who, what, or where do you get your inspiration?
I consider myself to be a right brained individual with left brained tendencies. I often start my creative process brainstorming using a word grid exploring terms that relate to the project.

If you could have one thing what would it be? Why?
God's creativity. Wow, just imagine what you could do.

What are the primary goals of the church as it relates to your position?
"To be a community of believers that glorifies God through Christ-likeness and proclaiming Christ to the World." One-on-one marketing is the most effecetive marketing weapon a church has in its arsenal. My goal is to create tools that inspire and equip people to engage in one-on-one marketing for their church.

What hindrances do you have to overcome?
My biggest hindrance is me getting in the way of God's solution.

What is your favorite trick or technique and would you consider giving an example?
The word grid mentioned above is probably my most effective tool. I use this for myself and also in brainstorming sessions with clients. Along with the word grid I use a visual grid (still words -- not sketches) to explore colors, symbols, abstract, and concrete terms relating to the project. Combined with the word grid visuals begin to emerge -- visual that solve the problem and typically bring results. My second "trick" is to ask questions and take notes. Sometimes asking the right questions will prompt my client to provide the solution.

How did you get started in your profession?
I've been drawing all of my life. I started creating graphic design projects for my church in high school. I was blessed to have a family and church that encouraged my artistic pursuits. I began my career as an illustrator for the U.S. Army where I was selected to head the Graphic Arts Department for the Chief of Staff of the Army in Washington D.C. In this position I designed collateral material and visual presentations for the highest levels of the Department of Defense, the U.S. Congress, and the President of the United States.

Readers can find out more about you by?
www.jensen-designs.com