Waiting for Photoshop to Open…

(via @pixelle)

[VIDEO] A Glimpse into the Life of a Freelancer

A truly fantastic representation of how us freelancers feel when a client tries to take the cheap way out. It’s undermining to the individual and to the web industry. This video depicts various scenarios that all send the same message to each and every industry out there. Whether one runs a freelance business, an upscale dining venue or a music store, no one should have to expect to pay or earn less than the true value of a product or service.

United States Army launches Blog, Facebook Fan Page

This past week, the United States Army launched their official blog and Facebook fan page. I found several interesting points from an article on Army.mil titled, “Army launches official blog, facebook page:“

“The blogosphere is a place where a lot of different people are at,” Lindy Kyzer said. “We know our active-duty Soldiers are there. We know that our family members are there. We know that there’s people simply there who choose to get their information from blogs.”

The Army Facebook site is also looking for comments and discussion. One page asks readers “Why did you join the Army?” A bit lower is a banner for the Year of the NCO and readers are asked “Who is your favorite NCO?”

The Facebook page features Army podcasts. It has dozens of Army photos from Flickr. It has links to Army Web micro-sites, and it has a page of information about the new Army Live blog site.

If you’re interested in becoming a fan on facebook or adding the Army to your blogroll, check out these links:

Facebook fan page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-US-Army/44053938557?ref=mf

Army Live blog:

http://armylive.dodlive.mil/

Food Bloggers

I’ve been noticing more and more food blogs out there in the Web sphere. Here are a few of my favorites:

Bread & Honey.

Bread & Honey is a cute, rustic type of blog that features food recipes with beautiful high-quality photos. It used to have two full-time authors, Summer and Alicia, however, it looks like Summer has moved on to different things. Great archive to dig through.

Foodess.

Foodess is one of the newest blogs out there that I’ve been following. The blog incorporates wonderful use of the latest web design trends (minus a favicon. okay, okay, I may be biased) and also features beautiful recipes with cook-as-you-go photography; always an added bonus. Side note: it appears that the awesome agency behind the design of this site is Pallian Creative of New York City.

JMUeats.

This foodie blog site is called “JMUeats” and features posts by some gals from my alma mater, JMU. I love what they are cooking up — only wish this was around while I was a student! Keep it up girls and go DUKES!

Have a favorite food blog that you’d like to share? Go ahead and leave a comment!

Sexy & Functional Designer Desk

Can we say SOLD?! I’m so digging this designer’s workstation, called the “Novanta Designers Workstation” by Luke Riggall. It’s full of functional features, including:

• Speakers
• USB and Audio Hub
• Monitor Stand
• iPod Dock
• Power Strip
• Cable Channelling
• K/B & Mouse
• Drawing Utensil Drawer
• Electrical Equipment Drawer
• Laptop/A3 Paper Drawer

Check it out at YankoDesign.

How to be a Rockstar Freelancer

Has anyone read “How to be a Rockstar Freelancer,” the Official book of FreelanceSwitch? If so, what are your thoughts? Is it worth checking out?

Check out the book at Rockablepress.com.

Hot or Not? of the web design world

It’s called CommandShift3 and it’s quite possibly one of my new favorite websites. You know websites out there that ask you to rate a person? Well, instead of people, this site rates any two website designs side-by-side. You can even upload your own design and see how people are rating it. What’s great is that you don’t have to log in to vote!

Check out the site: http://commandshift3.com/

Announcing launch of Refined Designer

On Sunday, February 15th, 2009, Refined Designer was launched. The website features a collection of web design projects that I have completed for clients over the years.

You can check it out at: http://www.refineddesigner.com.

The Evolution of Apple Design Between 1977-2008

Apple III from 1980

30" Apple Cinema Display from 2004-Current

With the 25th anniversary of the first Macintosh computer coming up on January 24th, 2009, we’re taking a look back in time at the evolution of Apple products from 1977 to 2008.

read more | digg story

Can You Design This for Me?

Client: “Can you design this for me, please?”

Me: “Sure, I accept payment via PayPal based on milestone completion.”

Client: “Actually, I’m not sure what kind of design I want. I was hoping you could just come up with a new look and feel for my website. I have a few others doing the same, then I’ll pick the best and we’ll go from there.”

Me: “Uhm. No. I do not endorse spec work.”

What’s spec work? “Basically, its any kind of creative work rendered and submitted, either partial or completed, by a designer to a prospective client/employer before taking steps to secure both their work and an equitable fee.” -NO!SPEC Campaign