Midspace?

When Round and Round was formed, its mission existed in three statements. They are as follows:

•  A midspace where independent creatives come together to work, learn, and enjoy their careers.
• Fellow makers in the middle of a city, thinking and making, sharing and collaborating.
• An environment meant to be iterative and efficient, with everything on wheels.

And just what exactly is a midspace? For us, it’s the in-between. The middle between start and end. Not about a destination, more the journey. The in-progress, the still thinking, the back and forth, and the round and round. An apt metaphor for the creative process and how we think the most appropriate, most inspiring ideas are able to be fully realized.

The Appleseed Poster Show: A Recap

The posters themselves are powerful tools for advocating for equal justice and opportunity for all. Some designs are very broad and inspirational. Others focus on one important issue and shed new light on it. As a collection, the posters represent a hopeful view of what we can all do when we work together. The designers who have participated lend their time and talent to the cause and show just how much great design lives out here on the Great Plains.

Read on Medium »

The Most Annoying Thing Designers Do

Taking a step back to look at all the annoying things designers do, there is one that drives me the most crazy. Even more so than discussing kerning in public places. Not only is this thing annoying, it strikes me as terribly insulting. Here it is: redesigning someone else’s logo right after the original gets released. To channel Last Week Tonight, how has this become a thing? There was the Safari icon, the Windows logo, and now the Hillary H/arrow. Designers who haven’t been hired to design take it upon themselves to fully assert their superiority and do something so amazing in hopes to, well I’m not even sure. To insult the client? To show up the designer who was actually hired to do the job? Designers, why?

If it’s a question of what to do with the free time you may have lying around, why not instead, approach a non-profit you’ve always admired. One that probably doesn’t have the funds to hire a designer to do important design or communication work they probably really, really need. Why not approach them and offer up your services in support of the cause. That, to me, is time better spent. The designer gets to design by putting their services to good use without needlessly duplicating efforts on top of something that’s already been done. And the non-profit can then present themselves in a professional light. One that truly represents the important work they do. That I could get behind.  

44 Posters

Brought to you by AIGA Nebraska with all proceeds to benefit Nebraska Appleseed. For one night only, 44 posters will be on display to remind us that it just takes one person to say no to discrimination, oppression, and indifference. A huge thanks to the participating designers: Rachel Boshart, Adam Casey, Liz White, Donovan Beery, Katie Condon, Aaron Stubbe, Anthony Banks, Cate White, Jesse Harding, Ellen Wilde, Matt Carlson, Miranda Bouck, Nicholas Peterson, Josh Schwieger, Ben Lueders, Carrie Ratcliff, Dave Markes, Jeremie Memming, Liz Hunt, Craig Hughes, Steve Gordan, Eric Nyffeler, J. Curtis Rawlings, Nicholas Burroughs, Tyson Reeder, Megan Merry, Drew Davies, Adam Torpin, Joe Sparano, Kelsey Janda, Cathy Solarana, Paul Berkbigler, Peter Morris, Jake Welchert, Ella Durham, and Sam Rapien.  

Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at 7:00pm
Bancroft Street Market in South Omaha

Introducing Round and Round

I’m really excited to announce a new side project that’s been in the works for the last couple months. The coworking space I share with Jake Welchert now has a new brand. We’re calling it Round and Round.  For us, when we look at what this space can be, everything is on wheels at an intersection of old and new, thinking and making, independence and collaboration, start and end. It’s a midspace of makers working hard to make shit happen. Now formally launched, we’ll continue to put our time toward making this something that’s inspiring and unique. A home for the well-designed, the fun, and the weird. We’re already working on what’s next, so keep an eye out. You can follow us on Tumblr. And if you’re in the neighborhood, pop-ins are welcome.

Website Workshop Recap

Thanks to everyone who came out last night for an insightful and inspiring evening of website knowledge sharing. It was a packed room at Carver Bank. A special thanks to the Union for asking us to put this workshop on. In case you missed it, if you’re an artist, here’s a quick recap. If you’re needing a portfolio site, there’s two directions you can go. Either a fully assembled, thought out, and well-maintained collection of work, or just go with weirdness. I think either are fine as long as you own the direction you go in. The reasons for going the way you go can be numerous. Time, budget, skills, etc. Just remember this. The Internet is a place that can bring much joy. Keep your attention focused there and you’ll be just fine. Wink, nod, John C. Reilly.

Building your web portfolio

The Union for Contemporary Art hosts a variety of community events, workshops included. As an organization that supports local artists, they help provide resources and opportunities that may not be readily available. Their next workshop will be about building an artist’s online presence. Myself and Jake Welchert will deliver a crash course on getting a portfolio site up and running. From domains and hosting to platforms and CSS with some philosophical ponderings on the meaning of an online presence, it’s sure to be a good time. 

Monday, April 6, 2015 at 6:00pm
Carver Bank in North Omaha