Some creations are foundational. If you design a typeface, other people create things using that font. Photographers and illustrators create works of art that can be incorporated into other designs. Brand design crafts visual and verbal foundations that others can build on. These days, I’m much more interested in these foundational creations than I am designing ads or billboards.

Beware hype without details

Remember the invention that was going to revolutionize transportation in the early 2000s? Apparently not…

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My Three Fontstruct Color Competition Entries

Every so often, Fontstruct has a themed competition and the current competition focuses on the new color features. I’ve pulled together three color designs that try to use color in different ways — a pattern, a bright multicolor whimsical design and a 3D effect.

One of the fun things about the competitions is the amazing creativity that comes out of the community. Fonstructors can interpret the theme is very different ways and it’s always amazing to see the varied approaches driven by a simple prompt. I’ve entered a few times and even got an honorable mention once in the “Reverse” Competition for SbB Codebreaker. I will also note that I’ve been impressed with how Affinity Designer has handled the color fonts. Seems to work flawlessly.

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Remember the hype leading up to the introduction of the Segway? Never believe the hype until you actually know what the product is…

Wrapped up a really long middle school lacrosse season. Ryan had a great season in goal and he’s continuing to learn the craft, but I am incredibly glad that we’re done for a little while.

A youth lacrosse game is underway, with a goalie and other players actively engaged near the goal.

I’m taking a six-week summer grad school class for the first time… and damn, there is a lot of work in a short time.

Spending the morning at the Subaru dealership while they make a warranty repair to our Outback. It’s a pretty nice customer lounge with extremely average coffee.

Luxury experience

Reflecting on a favorite hotel in Charleston, SC that was just honored as one of the best in America.

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Did some grad school work after watching the Andor finale… I had some weird dreams mashing up the two…

Color fonts and signal flags

I’ve been thinking about color fonts lately. Experimenting with the color fonts features in Fontstruct and Glyphs. Trying to better understand how to create color fonts. And while I’m starting to understand how they are made, I’m left with one major question… why?

Why do we need color fonts?

If you don’t know, fonts are typically monochromatic. Black and white only. Color is applied in software like Adobe Illustrator or Microsoft Office. The ability to customize is limitless.

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Loved this: Stop Trying to Raise Successful Kids. And start raising kind ones.

Overemphasizing individual achievement may cause a deficit of caring. But we don’t actually have to choose between the two. In fact, teaching children to care about others might be the best way to prepare them for a successful and fulfilling life.

On tiredness

Reflecting on feeling tired and worn down.

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I have no tolerance for people who preach compassion, but have no compassion.

Leo XIV is notably the first person named Bob to become Pope.

Prom pictures for my Jilly.

A woman in a black dress holding a bouquet stands at the bottom of a grand staircase leading to an elegant neoclassical building.A person holding a bouquet of colorful flowers stands outdoors in a formal dress.A woman in a black strapless dress is posing on stone steps with a cityscape and greenery in the background.A woman in a black dress stands between two columns, leaning against a stone wall.

I’m writing a paper for class and I’ve just had to cite myself for the first time. That’s a pretty funny feeling…

I know that students love the food delivery robots, but my favorite campus robot is the little grass cutting bot over by the observatory.

I need to finish a couple of class projects for the semester, but instead, I’m designing typefaces.

Clean Slate

Slate Auto announced their new electric pickup truck this week, and I’m intrigued. If you haven’t heard about it, the Slate is a barebones electric truck — intended to be customized — all for under $20,000 with current Federal EV incentives.1

A green Slate Auto pickup truck on a green background

Some of these ideas have been tried before. Jeeps have always promoted modularity and customization. The Slate uses plastic body panels like Saturn did. Toyota tried to target youth with Scion, which was intended to be heavily customizable. But Slate takes these concepts further. Much further:

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The Cubs’ offense is fun to watch this year. I’m glad they score lots of runs, because the team sure gives up lots of runs.