Other designers

David Carson, Milton Glaser, and Paula Scher are definitely a few of my favorites :0) It’s always fun to see what is considered successful design and what isn’t.  I like to stop by book stores and browse their art/design sections to see what’s being published and flip through annual design books for design companies (and then google them).  I guess it’s also my way of keeping myself on my toes.  

Typography

Type wasn’t always my strengths in design, but I’ve learned to appreciate it and view it as an art.  While browsing through books and magazines, I like to check out what kind of fonts are being used for certain brands and look over my portfolio projects to see what I can do/use to revamp them.

Illustrating

Ever since I was little, I loved to draw and paint. Now that I’ve grown up a little, I get to incorporate them in design and apply them to real world projects. I don’t get to do it as often as I used to, but when I do, it takes me to a whole new world :0)  And I still have yet to find a medium I don’t like working with!

Photography

Like illustration, I have a special place in my heart for photography (especially black and white photography). I’ve taken a few classes where we actually developed the film and made enlargements using negatives…and I miss it :0(  There’s just something about being able to manually manipulate the photo on paper and having a one-of-a-kind piece in your hand.

Color theory

The colors Duke!!!  Color is a powerful tool and it’s amazing to see how they are perceived in different cultures around the world.  It’s because of color that I want to travel to far away places and learn these meanings as well as their use of graphic design.  Side note: if you love vibrant colors then go to Hawaii! :0)

Kids stuff

Why do kids always have the cool stuff?  Sometimes I wish they had the same things for adults (greeting cards, toys, easy bake ovens, pajamas…etc).

Craft stores

Being a resourceful type, I love finding textured paper, office supplies, and anything I can use for a creative project.  Discounts are a plus! :0)  I used to collect a bunch of knick knacks, but since we’ve been moving a lot, I’ve been condensing and restraining myself to shop for more.  It’s ok, I needed to de-clutter my art supplies.

Board games

Scattergories is my all time favorite game now because it’s another game that gets your blood pumping and thinking cap on (same with Catch Phrase) :0)  Games are a great way to think “outside the box” because it can unlock ideas you wouldn’t think of just sitting in front of a computer/screen.  Plus it gives you an excuse to hang out with friends and collect their ideas too!

Music & Dancing

Music is great for the soul and dancing is great for the body :0) When there’s a good beat going, I start tapping my feet and bobbing my head; then go all out if there’s an absolute favorite playing.  Music is definitely a mood setter and it’s nice to have it playing in the background while working or relaxing.  I usually listen to classical music to wind down or while I’m sitting in horrendous traffic; pop/oldies or Merengue/Salsa (anything up-beat) music for work; really anything except heavy metal and country…

Baking

Baking is such a fun and creative outlet for me :0) I especially enjoy attempting the checkerboard cake (from Cake Boss) and making it look pretty! I haven’t gotten to actually decorating cakes yet, but just getting the frosting right is a challenge in itself. I also like making chocolate mice (from PBS Zoom) :0) Usually for Christmas or whenever we have extra time and money, my sister and I get together and form an assembly line to make these delectable creatures. It’s basically a Maraschino cherry (with stems) dipped in chocolate (any kind) for the body, a Hershey’s Kiss or Hug for the head, and sliced almonds for its ears. It’s super easy, but the chocolate can overcook. It’s these fun things that gets me excited to create things out of ordinary ingredients.

My XXL snuggie

It was actually a white elephant gag gift, but I love it! :0) For those of you who don’t know what it is, it’s a fleece blanket with sleeves. It’s really great for those cold days (which we have a lot of here in Seattle) and for sitting in front of a computer screen all day.  Kudos for the inventor(s)!

My Lolo (Grandpa) who turns 97 years old today!

He is such an inspiration to me because he’s conquered it all :0) He was in WWII where he survived the Bataan Death March as a P.O.W., had 3 kids that had a total of 9 grandchildren that now have 4 kids and counting…and he still drives and walks (without a cane) to this day! When I think of him, it motivates and inspires me to do anything :0)

All of these things (and more) inspire me to do what I do: design and illustrate.  Whether it’s sitting in front of the computer and making comps or making word lists and/or drawing thumbnails in my sketchbook, I look to these inspirations to get me to the point where I am more than just satisfied with my design.

So what inspires you?

It’s crazy to think that this time last year, Adam and I received our LLC paperwork for Xhatch. Year one is officially in the bag. It was a good year but we know there is a lot of opportunity for us to learn and do even more work to help people out with projects. The first move we are making is refining our services to become even more specialized.

Xhatch is now exclusively a mobile app design and development entity.

We’ll be working on native iOS and Android (sorry Blackberry) apps as well as cross-platform solutions for the mobile experience. There’s still going to be web and social when we do integration though.

I could not be more excited about this move. Stay tuned for a few apps we’re releasing in the app store at the end of the month.

“Today Apple is going to re-invent the phone” said the late CEO Steve Jobs in 2007.

Wow, was he right. I must admit, I was skeptical at the time. When it came out, I wondered to myself, “why would I give up my perfectly good Motorola RAZR and iPod (now classic) for one device?” Then, I didn’t see the potential. I don’t know if many of us did. That’s what made Steve great. He knew what we wanted before we even knew we wanted it. A few reasons I’m thankful for the iPhone:

• Most of our work at Xhatch is designing and developing iOS applications. I never thought I would be doing this now, but I am…forever thankful.
• The revolution of mobile browsing. Design has shifted for mobile first, usually starting with the iPhone.
• Applications to be constantly connected to friends, family, work and making new friends.

Happy Birthday, iPhone. I can hardly wait for the years to come. I still dream of one day having a carbon fiber iPhone.

And you? How has the iPhone changed your life? No, I do not think it is ridiculous to say it is a life-changing device.

Good design is innovative.
Good design makes a product useful.
Good design is aesthetic.
Good design makes a product understandable.
Good design is unobtrusive.
Good design is honest.
Good design is long-lasting.
Good design is thorough down to the last detail.
Good design is environmentally friendly.
Good design is as little design as possible.