bad banana blog

Dresden Drainpipes

Something to think about when you go to attack your next creative project. Not all necessary evils are necessarily evil.

Via Crib Candy.

Beginners: Fight Your Way Through

This time of year, I get a lot of new advertising and design graduates hitting me up for jobs and/or career advice. I truly think this Ira Glass clip should be required viewing upon graduation. It's the perfect advice and encouragement for anyone embarking upon a creative career (or for anyone struggling in the early years).

Via The Denver Egotist.

Feel Small, Dream Big

Bottom: Sunset in California. Top: Sunset on Mars.

Twitter Explained

I know a lot of people just don't get Twitter. If that includes you, perhaps this Commoncraft video will help explain what Twitter is and why it appeals to some of us. Personally, I value Twitter for a variety of reasons, some of which are explained in the video. But here's a professional reason. Oftentimes, when I'm percolating on an idea or two, I'll jump into my Twitter stream and just see what happens. While my subconscious continues to chug along, I scan various tweets, click through to links, see what other people are doing and thinking about, and then WHAM! A word, a phrase, a thought spins my brain into a totally new direction. Over the past year, I can think of quite a few ideas directly generated or made better through this use of Twitter. I'm talking client work, not just creative play. As a person who must create on deadline, one of my jobs is to keep my radar up for any source of inspiration. Right now, Twitter is one of my favorite tools for doing so.
    Of course, if you're going to take from Twitter, you better be prepared to add something. I find that aspect of Twitter creatively stimulating, as well. Already on Twitter? Please feel free to add me.

Video via Greg Verdino.

Credit Card Art

Advertising art director James Helms, who blogs over at Yonder Ponder, made a New Year's resolution to do something with all of those fake credit cards he'd been collecting from his junk mail. So he started painting them. What about you? Have you set any creative goals for 2008? Any creative diversions or projects on your resolution list? Learn from James. No project is too small, as long as you're creating.

Unique Observations

I love the mash-up of ideas and inspiration you can find while spending a few minutes on the web. Take these three blogs, for example. Each one has inspired me over the last few weeks for totally different reasons.
    The top image goes with Indexed, a brilliant blog from Jessica Hagy. This woman is a genius. Her handwritten charts and graphs on index cards are a study in humorous observation and simple communication. I was not surprised to find out Jessica is a copywriter. Great copywriters are masters of simple storytelling.
    The middle image was taken by David Byrne (yes, that David Byrne) on a recent cross-country trip. That post alone at David Byrne Journal is a fascinating glimpse into a wildly creative mind (and just may be the best post I've read anywhere this year). His posts are full of the kind of intelligent, curious, off-center observations you would expect from David Byrne. They are also wonderfully and unapologetically wordy.
    The bottom image is from Faces in Places. This fun little blog delivers exactly what it promises; pictures of faces found in unlikely places. I like it for the exact opposite reason I like David Byrne's blog. It's a quick, visual reminder of our strange and humorous world. For a few seconds each day, it makes me think about those little details that are hiding in plain sight all around us. It encourages me to be more observant.
    What about you? Are there three special blogs that are providing you with an inspiring, unique perspective of the world? Any hidden gems you'd like to share with all of us? My RSS reader always has room for a few more.