Listen To: Start a War 05.20.2009
A great song off of the National’s latest album, Boxer that always enchants me with its slow rhythm and acoustic guitar picking. Definitely worth listening to. I really have fallen in love with the National lately.
Life is Art 05.20.2009
So there I was, watching “Ghost Ship” – a cheesy and somewhat scary movie made a few years back, and I decided that I wanted to make a picture of my face that described my life. So, I took a picture of myself, and illustrated what my life is right now. This past semester I was completely surrounded by art, design, and all of their neighbors, and I came to realize that if you decide to become a graphic designer, you have to fully immerse yourself in art. Thereby saying that:
I’m a Kyle 05.18.2009
Lately Microsoft has been pushing their “Laptop Hunter” commercials a lot. If you haven’t seen them, the concept behind them is to give someone a certain amount of money to find a laptop, and if they find it, they can keep it. Now, I’m not against companies giving away free laptops, that’s for sure, and I have to say that it’s a relatively well done marketing idea. If you think about the audience Microsoft is reaching out towards, it really snags the viewer’s attention and relates to them on a personal level – just as their “I’m a PC” commercials did previously by showing different people (from everyday folks, to “famous” people) saying that they are a PC.
This is where the campaign gets me. I hate this concept.
To me Microsoft is saying, “You are all PCs.” Well, I’ve used a PC before, and for the most part I appreciate PCs and what they do when their purpose is truly served. Yet, I am not a PC. On the other hand, I love Apple products including Macs, yet I am not a Mac. Apple knows this and in their latest ad shows it. Near the end of the ad (which I have embedded below for your viewing pleasure) Justin Long says “Hi, I’m a Mac” and she replies “I’m a Meagan”. This to me is the greatest stab Apple has taken towards Microsoft yet. Apple takes their whole “I’m a PC” campaign and states quite clearly that Mac users are individual people. Which, for the most part, is how Apple treats it’s customers. Sure Apple doesn’t have quite as big of a selection as PCs do, but Macs are kind of a one-size-fits-all product. Something I have come to love and appreciate about Macs.
I’m not here to bash Microsoft, or to raise Apple on a pedestal, I’m just here to say that I am not a product or a brand, I am myself. When Microsoft starts realizing that, I think that they’ll start making a lot better software.
New Website Design 05.13.2009
I’ve been working on a new design for this site for the past few days, and it’s coming along nicely. I am really trying to integrate my image with my business cards, Twitter, and website. That way when someone looks at my business card, they associate the look and feel of that card with Kyle Turman (me). Then when they go to the site, it visually affirms the connection made in their brain when they read the card.
I’m also debating on whether or not to keep the logo, or go with the “kyleturman” logo on my business card and twitter. We’ll see what happens. I might do both (kinda).
The design should be up this week sometime, so check back often!
Advertisements 05.12.2009
You know that you’ve seen a good advertisement, how? In my opinion, an effective ad is one that you click on (or at least want to). Of course you see millions of ads in your life, but how many do you actually respond to?
I recently downloaded Tweetie for Mac, which is a desktop Twitter client released by AteBits shortly after Tweetie for iPhone came out. Atebits offers two versions of Tweetie for Mac, a $19.95 registered version, or a free ad-supported version. Being the cheapskate that I am, I of course downloaded the free version, at least just to test out for a while.
Well, the ads that have been in it so far have actually been non-obtrusive, and a little interesting. That’s exactly how ads should be. Ads should be a part of your normal ebb and flow, not a separate entity that just pisses you off.
In the end, I don’t really mind ads that much, just make sure they’re:
A) TRULY relative to the subject at hand.
B) Not obtrusive or intrusive, but a natural part of the page.
DO
DON’T
Business Cards 05.11.2009
Well, I finally made some business cards! I figured it was about time, and I think they turned out very nicely!
I decided to use a kind of grungy background and add a little bit of distress to it by making it appear like crinkled paper, but although I am using a somewhat grungy theme, I kept the design as simple and minimalistic as possible by only displaying information that was crucial. I thought it was a bit redundant to include my website url, since it was included in email address, so I instead bolded it out to make it more clear to the viewer that it was a url they needed to go to.As usual, I kept my font choice as limited as possible and only went with two fonts: Helvetica and a light version one of my new favourite fonts, Eurofurence.
I had heard from a friend that visual association is very crucial in getting people to remember you, so I put a picture of myself on there as well. The picture was given a “sketch” look and feel to make it look like someone just sketched it on a piece of notebook paper, and then slapped it on there. The same goes with the thumbs up on the back as well. I thought I would tell the people viewing my card that they were doing a good job. ;)
So, that’s that!
I hope you enjoy it.
Sitting There 05.8.2009
Here I sit, in my chair waiting for the world to change.
What a terrible way to perceive the world – to sit back and wait for action that you know will never happen. The structure of the world holds on to the perceptions of those whom try and change the world through actions, not just words. The control is yours. There you are sitting on your couch with the controls to your life right in front of you, and you do nothing to take advantage of it. The Lord God almighty is reaching down from the apex of the heavens, and offering assistance to you if you only take his hand. Yet, you just sit there. Lying to yourself about the demonic spiritualization that whispers through your mind.
You tell yourself that you are okay, and you think that you are in control. The ravaging beast stands behind you waiting to pounce, and you just sit there drowning in your self-pity, and arrogance. You are drowning in a pool of lies and hatred, and you pretend that you are perfectly fine. You have gained nothing for yourself, and yet you assume that you have it all. Your wealth, your possessions, they will all vanish in front of your eyes before the fading of the moon, but you clutch on to them as though they are life preservers in a flood of indecency.
What you have crafted for yourself is a masterpiece of disaster. The world thrives on indecent behavior, yet everyone blames the one on their right for the harm that has besought them. Why won’t you take it upon yourself, sinner? Why don’t you listen to the countless words that pour from the mouth of justice? Why don’t you have it in you to let go of your pride and succumb to a life of anti-narcissism? Your words are useless, and your thoughts unsure, but hallowed is the name of the Lord. Weakness and frailty there are in you, but all that is left is to take control of your life, only then to give it to the Lord fully.
I am humanity.
He is Lord.
Here He stands, helping the world to change.
The Beginning is the End is the Beginning 05.7.2009
As I round this turn of life, I realize that I have come to a crossroads in life perhaps. I am actually starting to become an adult. I never thought that I would become an adult. It seemed like it was taking forever to get through being a kid, but as I close in on the world of adulthood, I realize how awesome it was to be a kid. I have responsibilities now that I didn’t before, and I have to think about things that I haven’t thought about before.
I have many friends who are graduating this Friday, and as I am now a Junior, I see that day quickly approaching for me too. That day scares me. College has been such a fun experience for me, and having my friends around me constantly is something I’ve grown quite fond of.
Summer approaches and knocks on my door. I’ve never been a big fan of Summer break. Most of my friends leave, and it seems so incredibly boring sometimes. I think this summer will be better though. It is nice not to be constantly stressed out about schoolwork all the time though. I’m very excited about being able to go to sleep at a reasonable hour now.
The Fall semester approaches in the distance, I can see it from afar. My excitement for the Fall semester has reached a boiling point. I cannot contain my excitement in any form or way. I think it won’t hit me that I’m leaving the country until I actually step foot on that plane. For those of you who don’t know, I’m going on a Study Abroad trip and will be gone all next semester. Gah, I can’t wait to go.
This week has so many ends and beginnings. I hope that I can keep up with them all.
Weather 05.6.2009
Isn’t it amazing how the weather can change so abruptly and dynamically?
One day you are sitting on the bench outside enjoying the weather, the next day you are bundled up from head to toe and your nose is all red from blowing it a bazillion times. What causes this change in weather? How does it work? You would think that the sun would still heat the surface of the planet evenly because of the way the Earth rotates, but it does not!
Since the world is on a tilted axis, the different parts of the planet we’re on experience different climate changes at different times depending on the rotation around the sun. [Source]
Oh what a great God we have! In all of his infinite wisdom and glory, he created this Earth to be in such perfect harmony with the rest of the universe. I know that sometimes when the seasons change it frustrates us a little and possibly discourages us, but take this time to look at what all is going around you! Look at the plants and animals, how they not only adapt, but are defined by and could not exist without these different seasons.
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. — Psalms 147:5
Listen To: I’ve Just Seen a Face 05.5.2009
This song is so amazingly good. Most whom are not familiar with the Beatles might recognize it from Across the Universe, but I’ve loved this song for many years. I cannot get it out of my head today, therefore I will post it on here.
It has such a good mix of pseudo-country/bluegrass feel with just enough twang. It’s one of those mysterious songs that you cannot help but listen to several times in a row. I cannot get tired of it today! Enjoy!
Track: I’ve Just Seen a Face
Artist: The Beatles
Album: Help!
Lyrics:
I’ve just seen a face, I can’t forget the time or place That we’d just met, she’s just the girl for me And I want all the world to see we’ve met Na na na na na na
Had it been another day I might have looked the other way But I had never been aware And as it is I dream of her tonight Na na na na na na
CHORUS:
Falling, yes I am falling And she keeps calling me back againI have never known The likes of this, I’ve been alone And I have missed things and kept out of sight But other girls were never quite like this Na na na na na na
CHORUS
I’ve just seen a face I can t forget the time or place And we’d just met, she’s just the girl for me And I want all the world to see we’ve met Na na na na na na
CHORUS
