I’m pretty happy with how this print turned out, but it went through quite a few stages. It was going well, then I thought I messed it up. In the end, I think I salvaged it.

• Monotype with wood and stencils

This group of images was part of an incredibly fun project that I took part in several years ago. It is a set of collaborative prints that I completed with Beth Pearson and Holly Hauser (whose site I can’t find), through the Burlington City Arts Print Studio. During the span of a couple months, the three of us worked together on these unique prints. Working with plates created by each of us, we swapped prints and matrixes fluidly. In the end, I think the result was stronger than what either of us could have produced alone. It was, at the very least, outside of what we were used to creating.

The process was a beneficial one for me, and I look back on these images fondly. Beth in particular was—and in some ways remains—a big influence on my work. Looking back, I’m a bit ashamed to see how much of her aesthetic surfaced in my work. It was a formative period for me, so hopefully she took it as flattery.

I attended the inaugural WordCamp Boston this weekend. I wasn’t completely sure what to expect with the event, but it ended up being very worth-while.

As you may or may not know, this site runs on WordPress. It’s the second site that I built around the platform, and it’s generally my testing ground for ideas that I have. Before this iteration of the site, I had been hard-coding HTML pages. They were a drag to update, and—due to my extremely limited ability to write code—their functionality was quite limited. They we very basic, and not really a lot of fun to update.

When I discovered WordPress, it took me a while to wrap my head around the concept of how the software functioned, and even longer to figure out how I could bend it to my will. I have found that despite its roots as a blogging platform, it is an excellent content management system. It is used for an extremely diverse variety of sites that have little or no relationship to a blog. What I really love about it—above of its other attributes—is that it democratizes the web.

On wordpress.com (a hosted service, not to be confused with the .org domain) anybody can create a site. The platform there is much more blogger-centric, but the fact remains that anybody and everybody can have a voice there. In this environment, anybody can put their voice out there. Sure, it’s not easy to find an audience, but nobody could say that they weren’t allowed to speak. That’s really why I got into learning how to create web pages, and it’s amazing to me now how easy it is.

With all that said, I’d like to highlight a few of the stand-outs from the weekend.

The Loop

After Mitcho’s talk about the Loop, I was left feeling that manipulating the Loop was both easier and far more complex than I had imagined. I got some good ideas and tips from the talk, but he really operates on a level that I’ll never able to attain.

jQuery

jQuery is one of the things that I want to learn more about. Jim broke down the basics, and answered some of the burning questions that I had. His talk really inspired, and made you want to write (less) code. His site: jimdoran.net

After the Deadline

Raphael’s demo of After the Deadline was the only “wow” moment that I had during the conference. I hadn’t really thought about spell checking and proofreading in the past, yet installing the After the Deadline plug-in was the first thing I did after logging in today. It’s an amazing piece of software that helps you write better via contextual clues.

Parent/Child themes

Parent/child themes have seemed like an interesting concept to me, but it’s like learning a new piece of software. Especially since most of the theme frameworks out there aren’t that well documented. Daisy from wpmama.com really helped to break it down. It makes a lot of sense, and I’m strongly considering using a parent theme on my next site.

WP Security

Site security is something that I know that I should spend more time on, but it’s just difficult to focus on. Brad laid it out in a very clear way, with some concrete advise and things to get me started.

In addition to the technical info, I met some interesting people and generally had a good time. It’s something that I’m looking forward to next year, and I suggest that anybody interested should attend.

• Monotype with wood, stencils

An innovator in the virtual goods market, viximo needed a logo revamp. Early on in the process the decision was made to focus on a type treatment, and I chose to create the type from scratch. I’m fairly happy with the final logo, but I like the original direction quite a bit more. Below is the original type treatment, with the wireframe that shows the construction.

Unfortunately, as the process moved long, some of the ‘uniqueness’ was removed from the type. The final logo is actually the third round. The second round is below. It keeps some of that connected ‘gift’ idea, but still loses something.

Done at Alphabet Arm.

The New Collisions commissioned Alphabet Arm to design the packaging for their first official release: the EP “Invisible Embraces.” Even though they’re fairly new to the scene, they’re already causing waves opening for Blondie and the B-52’s. With a great New Wave sound, it’s obvious that there are good things on the horizon for them. As part of the direction for the package, the band wanted it to really say “New Wave.” The final product uses a lot more saturated color than I normally use, but it was a good exercise to get out of my comfort zone.

Part of the fun for this project was that after the album design was done, I executed an entire press kit. This kind of stuff doesn’t happen much these days, so it was quite enjoyable.

Designed at Alphabet Arm. Thanks to Tony Luong for the photography.

I had never heard of MocoSpace when the client came to us, but apparently it’s a wildly popular mobile social network. Admittedly, it has a more “urban” demographic than I typically travel in. The client came to us looking for a media kit, and we pitched them an idea of a booklet contained within a folder.

Among the many challenges with this project, one of the largest was their lack of a consistant brand. The media kit uses a cut and aesthetic to convey the brand’s roots, but walks a fine line of restraint, as the target audience for the kit is really investors. The other aspect of the project that I’m proud of: a user chart executed in spray paint.

Designed at Alphabet Arm. Thanks to Tony Luong for the photography.

With a name that is rather self-explanatory, NRG BAR is fairly new bar on the market. They distinguish themselves by offering a bar that is created from exceptional ingredients that actually taste good. Based out of Mass., Alphabet Arm did the identity, branding, and some packaging a little while back. I’ve been involved with expanding the brand, including creating this box packaging that establishes the “word stripe” look.

Done at Alphabet Arm. Thanks to Tony Luong for photography.

A premium package that went out to campaign participants, the box contained a guide, make-up bag and product samples. The box features a fold-out panel and spot silver which highlight its exclusivity. The guide has a wrap-around, self-sealing cover and two spots throughout—including spot silver.

Done at Alphabet Arm. Thanks to Tony Luong for the photography.

This CD package design for Letters to Cleo was done on an incredibly tight turn. It was a lot of fun to do, but I definitely wish that I could have put 2–3 times the amount of time into it. The band had some fairly minimal direction for it, only that it should hint at the aesthetics of the mid–late 90’s when Letters to Cleo were in their heyday. I was inspired by iconic releases of the era, as well as the rough concept of the ephemera collected during a relationship.

Done at Alphabet Arm. Thanks to Tony Luong for the photography.

This is large moving sculpture near where I live. I’ve always loved it. It reminds me of so many things: a fair ride, a wind speed sensor, a lobster. It’s in movement (almost) all the time, no matter the weather. Probably this would’ve been better represented on video, but I think this captures some of it. And I think that light leak in the direction of illumination makes it.

Quick heads up: I have work at the Nave Gallery’s December Salon. For those not ‘in the know,’ it’s a great show with a ton of art. Everything is on sale for less than $400, so if you’re in the market for new work for the apartment or looking for holiday gifts, it’s a great place to go.

The Nave is located on Powderhouse Blvd. in Somerville. You can check out more info about the Salon, including directions here.

The show is open now through Sunday, so you have to go quick.