25. Personal Portfolio

My portfolio is still in the development stages as I am gathering work to place on it.

http://cargocollective.com/michaelledouglass

 

24. National Geographic

I grew up looking at the pictures in this magazine and have always wanted to possibly work for them, either taking pictures or designing the layout of the Magazine, but National Geographic is more that a magazine these days.

The magazine I grew up loving has transformed into a brand.  They are known for their stories that touch the heart so millions with beautiful photographs and cinematography that draw the view in.  Having expanded from print media alone, they have been able to continue with the continuity what has become synonymous with the magazine into every avenue they venture into.

As a Designer, I would be honored to have a position with this “Brand.”

23. Graphic Design Trends

http://inspirationfeed.com/articles/design-articles/web-graphic-design-trends-in-2012/

Check this out for a great look at the Trends in Graphic Design for 2012.

22. NY Times Theater Review

As I glanced through the theater review, this one caught my eye.

http://theater2.nytimes.com/2010/05/27/theater/reviews/27marathon.html?ref=reviews

The play is titled “A Handful of One-Acts, Some Packing a Punch,” and I have to say it intrigued me.  I love the classics, but I also enjoy things that are a little more unusual.  I remember many years ago, my mother and I attended a performance at Lane Community College of “Stop the World, I Want to Get Off.”  I believe it was that moment in particular that I began to look more into this form of expression and art.

Although I was never very good at drama, I enjoy everything about a theater performance; the crowds, intermissions, and the atmosphere itself.  I am trying to pass on my appreciation for this form of expression and creativity to my children.  Theater is one of those things that means something different to everyone.  I don’t demand that my boys love the theater, I just expect them to respect the venue and the performances the actors and actresses giving.

Actually seeing a performance in a large performance hall is something that should be on everyones bucket list.

21. Inspiring words

I am not one of the faithful “Office” watchers, but when I saw this, it made me laugh.  Just a simple phrase, “Don’t be and idiot,” can be used by anyone at any time to decide if they are doing what they should be.

20. Talented Professionals Give Back

Design4Kids, a non-profit organizations that pairs the disadvantages children of Guatemala with  seasoned professionals front the art, business and communication world to help local charities solve design challenges.

This is a charity that is close to my heart.  Founder and director of the Design4Kids project Jeff Speigner is my uncle.  The work he has done with the under privileged children in Guatemala has been amazing.  Although I have not had a chance myself to attend one of the workshops he has orchestrated, I have seen much of the work that has come out of them and look forward to when I have the opportunity to share my knowledge and talents with such a great program.

The 7th workshop happened in January and Mr. Speigner is alway very good at posting pictures of the children and the work they have accomplished on the blog site.  Take a few minutes to check it out and perhaps one day we will be side-by-side helping this great cause.

http://design4kids.org/

19. Fostering Imagination

Oh to be a kid! To dream in vivid color, explore the universe through your own backyard, and accomplish anything we set our minds to, even if it is just capturing butterflies.  One of the great parts of being a creative person, is seeing all the opportunities for a child to expand their imagination.

A few months ago, I visited Columbia South Carolina on vacation.  During my time there, we did many of the usual tourist things, however the one thing that has been the most memorable was our trip to the EdVenture Children’s Museum.  My 12 year old son, my self and my oldest son’s 19 year old friend decided we would walk from downtown to this museum after spending some time in the state capital building.  We arrived between 1:30 and 2 pm and didn’t leave until the museum was preparing to close at around 5:00, we were all transformed back to a time in which our imaginations thrived.

Although society attempts to guide children’s imaginations into a particular direction, we have places, like EdVenture in Columbia and OMSI in Portland, where children can go and learn while allowing them to use their imaginations to do so.  Whether or not you have young children in your life, I recommend taking the time to visit a local children’s museum, the zoo or even the playground in the neighborhood part.  Just swinging from the bars, gazing at the majestic animals or exploring the workings of the human body, as we did in South Carolina, will take you back to a time when your imagination was less tame and give you the ability to release those creative juices and let them flow freely.

If you get a chance, check out the website for the EdVenture Children’s Museum in Columbia South Carolina.  Their main attraction is the worlds largest child Eddie, a 40-foot, 17.5-ton, hands on exhibit that allows children and adults alike to explore the inner workings of the human body.

http://www.edventure.org/