Solid Workshop http://www.solidworkshop.com Interactive Design and Marketing Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:58:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 en Goodbye 2007, Hello 2008! http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/12/31/goodbye-2007-hello-2008/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/12/31/goodbye-2007-hello-2008/#comments Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:51:28 +0000 ricecakes http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/12/31/goodbye-2007-hello-2008/ Well, 2007 was a crazy year for me and many of my friends and family. Lots of life-changing events: injuries, employment changes, random luck and misfortune.

Let’s see if 2008 might be just a little smidgen more mundane.

Everyone, party safe — there’s a lot of crazy idiots out there tonight.

Happy New Year 2008

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/12/31/goodbye-2007-hello-2008/feed/ Flash Platform Maturing http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/11/15/flash-platform-maturing/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/11/15/flash-platform-maturing/#comments Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:04:54 +0000 ricecakes http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/11/15/flash-platform-maturing/ There have been a lot of exciting developments in Flash within the last couple years, especially with ActionScript3 (Flash CS3, Flex Builder), and because of these changes to the Flash “platform” the community has flourished. Open source projects are taking off and Flash finally has the functionality to facilitate real development (as opposed to all the fake development that has been done up til this point).

OSFlash

OSFlash is a good starting point for all the open source goodness.

If anyone is daunted by the prospects of learning Flash from ground zero, you should try to attend one of Colin Moock’s Adobe-sponsored ActionScript3 lectures or just get his book, Essential ActionScript 3.0.

There has always been exciting stuff happening on the Flash platform but there are all new possibilities,
such as real 3D, and a robust modern object-oriented environment. For some more examples what people are doing now, visit TheFWA.

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/11/15/flash-platform-maturing/feed/ Wireframes and Shadows http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/10/08/wireframes-and-shadows/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/10/08/wireframes-and-shadows/#comments Tue, 09 Oct 2007 01:25:50 +0000 ricecakes http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/10/08/wireframes-and-shadows/ These links are a week old by now but they are cool art.

Wireframe Cars
Benedict Radcliffe makes amazing wireframe sculptures. He created a pedal-powered Lamborghini for the UK Art Car Parade and was commissioned by Toyota to make a Corolla.

Link to Lamborghini, Link to Toyota Corolla

Trash Shadows
These art pieces are piles of random trash whose arrangement casts a picture in shadow.

Link to piles of trash

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/10/08/wireframes-and-shadows/feed/ DRM-Free Music http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/09/25/drm-free-music/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/09/25/drm-free-music/#comments Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:59:33 +0000 ricecakes http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/09/25/drm-free-music/ DRM-Free Music Sources
Today Amazon announced their online music download store that features DRM-free (unprotected) MP3 files for sale. The Amazon MP3 Download Store joins Apple’s iTunes Music Store, eMusic, Beatport, and others in providing ‘unprotected’ digital music that anyone can play in whatever device they choose.

I predict that they will quickly come up to the number 2 spot behind the iTunes Music Store in online music sales, and that this is the turning point in the music industry in general for ditching DRM.

Of course, digital music sales still has a long way to go to catch up to illegal music downloads, but this is a start.

Content wants to be free!

UPDATE: Here’s a good bit of commentary comparing the iTunes store and Amazon’s new store:

“‘If you have a choice of paying $0.89 on Amazon for a higher-quality track with no DRM, or $0.99 for a lower-quality track with portability restrictions, where will you turn?’”

Link to more info

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/09/25/drm-free-music/feed/ Nike Run-Hit-Remix http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/11/nike-run-hit-remix/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/11/nike-run-hit-remix/#comments Sat, 11 Aug 2007 07:50:33 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/11/nike-run-hit-remix/ hammer.jpg
I passed on the last few of these, but when I saw that MC Hammer and Sir Mix-A-Lot are going to be there, performing live… I was like “It’s Hammer Time!”

Here is the awesome oldskool line up:
Naughty by Nature
Sir Mix A Lot
The Sugarhill Gang
Dawn Robinson of En Vogue
and a Finish line concert by MC Hammer.

It’s happening at the LA Memorial Coliseum Saturday, September 15 at 9am.

I have a special invite a friend link - so if anyone is interested in going for running or just watching, hit me up.

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/11/nike-run-hit-remix/feed/ Zoolander Photoshop Style http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/10/zoolander-photoshop-style/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/10/zoolander-photoshop-style/#comments Sat, 11 Aug 2007 06:08:31 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/10/zoolander-photoshop-style/

Zoolander Photoshop Style from Solid workshop … “Blue Steel” Get It?

NOTE: I couldn’t make this one an ASL file… I just realized that it takes the color of the layer object you apply it to, so attached is a Zip’d PSD file… Enjoy.

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/10/zoolander-photoshop-style/feed/ Ultra Mondrian Photoshop Style http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/10/ultra-mondrian-photoshop-style/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/10/ultra-mondrian-photoshop-style/#comments Sat, 11 Aug 2007 05:28:07 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/10/ultra-mondrian-photoshop-style/

Solid Style Number 4 - Ultra Mondrian - Inspired by the "Super Clean White Style" of the Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles - One of my Favorite Button Styles to Use, Works Best on White Backgrounds... Enjoy.

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/10/ultra-mondrian-photoshop-style/feed/ Carbon Fiber Photoshop Style http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/09/carbon-fiber-photoshop-style/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/09/carbon-fiber-photoshop-style/#comments Fri, 10 Aug 2007 04:37:20 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/09/carbon-fiber-photoshop-style/

ss03-carbon-fiber.jpg

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/09/carbon-fiber-photoshop-style/feed/ Brushed Stainless Photoshop Style http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/09/brushed-stainless-photoshop-style/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/09/brushed-stainless-photoshop-style/#comments Fri, 10 Aug 2007 04:30:02 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/09/brushed-stainless-photoshop-style/ Solid Workshop used this style for the logo of Oceanaut Watches - oceanautwatches.com

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/09/brushed-stainless-photoshop-style/feed/ Black Chrome Photoshop Style http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/09/black-chrome-photoshop-style/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/09/black-chrome-photoshop-style/#comments Fri, 10 Aug 2007 04:14:03 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/09/black-chrome-photoshop-style/ ss01-black-chrome.jpg

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/09/black-chrome-photoshop-style/feed/ Pee & Poo http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/06/pee-poo/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/06/pee-poo/#comments Tue, 07 Aug 2007 03:19:54 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/06/pee-poo/ pee-poo.jpg

Buy It Here

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/08/06/pee-poo/feed/ Copycats on PopUrls http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/07/11/copycats-on-popurls/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/07/11/copycats-on-popurls/#comments Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:23:15 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/07/11/copycats-on-popurls/ copycats-pop.jpg

First is PopUrls, still my favorite news site aggregator.

Second is the most blatant rip-off called BuzzJapan.

The third rip-off is from Most Inspired, they really only copied the 3 column layout, but it looks too close to be coincedence.

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/07/11/copycats-on-popurls/feed/ Guerrilla Usability! http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/18/guerrilla-usability/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/18/guerrilla-usability/#comments Tue, 19 Jun 2007 03:30:40 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/18/guerrilla-usability/ bacon-btn.jpg

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/18/guerrilla-usability/feed/ Link Roundup Number Two http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/14/link-roundup-number-two/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/14/link-roundup-number-two/#comments Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:56:01 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/14/link-roundup-number-two/ I posted the last roundup on May 14th, so I guess I’ll continue and do I roundup every 14th of the month.

designer-slash-model.jpg
A Hilarious Video by Digital Kitchen : LINK

hejz.jpg
Winner of the May 1st Reboot - Nice Flash Site - (personally I liked the old site better) : LINK

aeiko.jpg
2nd Place May 1st Reboot star. The site is “eh” but the artwork is fantastic : LINK

collision-theory.jpg
Lots of crazy graf and vector illustrations : LINK

bionic-systems.jpg
Nice portfolio site chock full of sweet logos and identity systems : LINK

doffdog.jpg
Ahhhh - Click this freakin link YO! I got a kick out of this site, you will too : LINK

diesel.jpg
A NIIICE new site from Diesel : LINK

apple.jpg
an Honorable Mention goes out to APPLE
I know it’s a bit late, and I’m sure everyone has already seen it and talked about their site re-design but to leave them out would just, suck. So there.
LINK

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/14/link-roundup-number-two/feed/ Very Similar Looking Sites… No 2 http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/14/very-similar-looking-sites%e2%80%a6-no-2/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/14/very-similar-looking-sites%e2%80%a6-no-2/#comments Fri, 15 Jun 2007 03:47:54 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/14/very-similar-looking-sites%e2%80%a6-no-2/ copy-cats.jpg

I wonder who copied who…

LINK 1 … LINK 2

More pics after the jump.
(more…)

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/14/very-similar-looking-sites%e2%80%a6-no-2/feed/ Japanese Tobacco Etiquette http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/12/japanese-tobacco-etiquette/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/12/japanese-tobacco-etiquette/#comments Wed, 13 Jun 2007 02:08:13 +0000 ricecakes http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/12/public-service-announcement/ So I just came back from visiting Japan for the first time. I have lots to share soon, but here is something in the meantime. These signs are posted around designated smoking areas all over Tokyo (maybe all around Japan, I’m not sure) espousing tobacco etiquette. I’m not sure if they make more sense in the Japanese cultural context but many of them are very amusing to me.

Here are two of my favorites:

Japanese Tobacco Etiquette

Link to more

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/06/12/japanese-tobacco-etiquette/feed/ reCAPTCHA http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/25/recaptcha/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/25/recaptcha/#comments Fri, 25 May 2007 21:18:07 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/25/recaptcha/ recaptcha.jpg
I just came across this, and I’m pretty impressed. Basically instead of using random f’d up words for CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) it feeds up mangled scans of old books, and lets you digitize them one word at a time. Its an ingenious solution to an age old problem.

Link

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/25/recaptcha/feed/ Get the 411, yo. http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/25/get-the-411-yo/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/25/get-the-411-yo/#comments Fri, 25 May 2007 07:50:19 +0000 ricecakes http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/25/get-the-411-yo/ Google Local 411What do you do when you’re out in the real world looking for a place without enough information?

Do you call 411 on your cell phone and get charged a ridiculous fee from your provider? Do you call a friend who might be sitting at a computer to search the internet for you? Do you have mobile internet on your cell phone?

Our dear and glorious leader, Google, has seen fit to reinvent this wheel, and usually that’s a great thing™.

Link

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/25/get-the-411-yo/feed/ Google Analytics : UPDATE http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/17/google-analytics-update/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/17/google-analytics-update/#comments Thu, 17 May 2007 21:40:08 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/17/google-analytics-update/ google.jpg
They’ve made it even better than before. Wicked…

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/17/google-analytics-update/feed/ Visit Our Clients http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/15/visit-our-clients/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/15/visit-our-clients/#comments Tue, 15 May 2007 22:22:10 +0000 ricecakes http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/15/visit-our-clients/ To see examples of our existing work, check out “Our Clients” links in the sidebar to the right.

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/15/visit-our-clients/feed/ Link Roundup Number One http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/14/link-roundup-number-one/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/14/link-roundup-number-one/#comments Tue, 15 May 2007 05:59:57 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/14/link-roundup-number-one/ ingraphicswetrust.jpg
In Graphics We Trust : Link

 

ekiselev.jpg
Evgeny Kiselev : Link

 

xcomicx.jpg
Insane 3D work by Kyungup Hyun : Link

 

gabrielrocha.jpg
Gabriel Rocha : Link

 

vandal-60.jpg
Vandal : Link

 

neilduerden.jpg
This looks familiar… Reminds me of the Alberto Seveso stuff
Neil Duerden : Link

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/14/link-roundup-number-one/feed/ FlexPetz Dog Rentals http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/14/flexpetz-dog-rentals/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/14/flexpetz-dog-rentals/#comments Tue, 15 May 2007 05:39:46 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/14/flexpetz-dog-rentals/ flexpetz.jpg
What a freaking great idea… I wish they had this service before I got stuck with my dogs… j/k.

Link

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/14/flexpetz-dog-rentals/feed/ Pneumatic Anatomica http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/09/pneumatic-anatomica/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/09/pneumatic-anatomica/#comments Thu, 10 May 2007 03:51:11 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/index.php/2007/05/09/pneumatic-anatomica/ baloon-dog-anatomy.jpg
Dude, anatomy of a balloon dog? Awesome.

Link

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/09/pneumatic-anatomica/feed/ It’s Not A Bad Idea http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/09/its-not-a-bad-idea/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/09/its-not-a-bad-idea/#comments Thu, 10 May 2007 03:30:10 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/index.php/2007/05/09/its-not-a-bad-idea/

Just ran across this on Jalopnik, one of my favorite automotive blogs, and man are they seriously hating on Venables and Audi. This is the post title:

“Audi’s Venables Bell Provides More Evidence Of Clueless Automotive Advertising”

To my knowledge these are the first ads specifically created for DVR users. They go by in a blink-of-an-eye and require you to rewind the spot and go through it frame by frame. I think its a neat idea.

They’ve also created a nice site to match.

See the Slow-Mo video @ http://www.tt-truth.com/

]]> http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/09/its-not-a-bad-idea/feed/ Yay! More Books http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/09/yay-more-books/ http://www.solidworkshop.com/2007/05/09/yay-more-books/#comments Thu, 10 May 2007 02:53:20 +0000 unseenmaster http://www.solidworkshop.com/index.php/2007/05/09/yay-more-books/ Some cool books to check out… Logos, I just can’t get enought of em.

btw… I own all these books, and recommend them… Just so you don’t think I post these for fun.

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