Archives:
February 2008

Podcasting Equipment Guide

“So, you’re thinking about podcasting and have no idea where to start. Or maybe you tried recording using your computer’s built-in microphone, or the USB headset you bought to use with Skype, and realized just how bad that sounds.

My hope is that this article detailing different setups I’ve used over the last few years will assist you in putting together a recording rig that suits both your needs and budget.”

Posted by Bill Keaggy on Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Archived in Music & sound, Software & technology | Comments Off



Pixish

“Here’s the short version: Pixish is a new site where you can create image contests.

Here’s the longer version: For Artists: You’ve got talent, admit it. You can draw, paint, take a great photo, or design something beautiful. But you need a way to get your work out there. Pixish is your chance to get published.

On Pixish you’ll find Assignments from people who need visual art for all kinds of projects. Each Assignment will have different requirements and rewards. If one inspires you, you can submit. The Pixish community can then vote up the best submissions. In the end, the Publisher who started the Assignment will choose a winner and give out any listed rewards.”

And here’s Derek’s story behind the story.

Posted by Bill Keaggy on Monday, February 11th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Archived in Photography, Sketching & illustration | Comments Off



A history of the stick figure

A presentation by former XPLANEr Eric Lewallen at Ignite Portland 2. (Thanks Jon!)

Posted by Bill Keaggy on Friday, February 8th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Archived in Infodesign & graphics, Logos & symbols, Visual thinking | Comments Off



The States, by Frank Chimero.

“An exploration in form where I take each of the states in the US and turn it into something. Childish? Yes. Awesomely fun? Definitely.” (Thanks Drawn!)

Posted by Bill Keaggy on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Archived in Sketching & illustration | Comments Off



The Evolution of Tech Companies Logos

“You’ve seen these tech logos everywhere, but have you ever wondered how they came to be? Did you know that Apple’s original logo was Isaac Newton under an apple tree? Or that Nokia’s original logo was a fish?

Let’s take a look at the origin of tech companies’ logos and how they evolved over time…”

Posted by Bill Keaggy on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Archived in Logos & symbols | Comments Off



Why Does It Still Take So Long to Publish a Book?

“For writers, few steps in the publishing process are as strange as the state of suspended animation between submitting a manuscript and seeing the book appear in stores. The sudden change in cabin pressure from writing to waiting can be jarring — and can last a very long time. ‘It comes as a huge shock when it happens the first time,’ said the Irish writer Colm Toibin, whose first novel, ‘The South,’ appeared in 1990, a year and a half after he turned it in. ‘It was all slow and strange.’”

Posted by Bill Keaggy on Monday, February 4th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Archived in Books | Comments Off



How to record a kickass podcast between two Macs — and cheap!

“A lot of people ask me how I do the MetaFilter Podcast (warning: the podcast makes no sense to anyone outside of MetaFilter uberfans). I know they don’t mean ‘how do you do it man, you’re making magic over there every week!’ but rather “what software and hardware does it take to make a decent sounding podcast?” After almost a year of regular podcasts and trying out different software and equipment, I’ve gotten the workflow down cold and I wanted to share the my way of making a good sounding podcast on the cheap. This works perfectly well for me being in Oregon and talking to my friend Jessamyn in Vermont over Skype, recording at both ends, then tossing it all into Garageband to complete the podcast.”

Posted by Bill Keaggy on Monday, February 4th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Archived in Music & sound | Comments Off



The Greatest Ad Ever

“We have unearthed, in a most unlikely place, an ancient print ad we believe to be the greatest in history. We think you will agree. Or, alternatively, that you will not.”

Posted by Bill Keaggy on Monday, February 4th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Archived in Marketing & branding | Comments Off



Immaculate Heart College Art Department Rules

This is making the rounds but it is pretty great, especially #6 and #7. (Thanks kottke.org!)

Posted by Bill Keaggy on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 7:23 am
Archived in Art & architecture, Creativity | Comments Off



Periodic Table Printmaking Project

“Ninety-six printmakers of all experience levels, have joined together to produce 118 prints in any medium; woodcut, linocut, monotype, etching, lithograph, silkscreen, or any combination. The end result is a periodic table of elements intended to promote both science and the arts.” (Thanks Boing Boing!)

Posted by Bill Keaggy on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 7:21 am
Archived in Art & architecture | Comments Off



Kronos video

Sample visual
Check out this video we made for Kronos to help celebrate International Women's Day, 2011. Learn more in this xBlog post or jump over to YouTube and watch it there.

Azure poster

Sample visual
XPLANE | Dachis Group developed a A vibrant, engaging poster showing how Microsoft Azure enables developers to run applications and store data on Microsoft servers. The poster recently took top honors in the American Business Awards.

Tweets & Flickrs