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Survivng the New Depression

Surviving the New Depression: Tip #87 from Steve Delahoyde on Vimeo.

[via Coudal]

Google Reader

I think that my favorite discovery of the Summer has been Google Reader. Previously I have used free RSS readers such as Shrook and Vienna, but after a week of use they would go unattended. I guess I didn't realize it at the time, but I really don't like to keep more applications open than necessary so the RSS went neglected.

After I moved to Austin I was jobless for about a week, so I decided to start up the ol' RSS reader again (which is pretty much an annual event). I deliberated and ended up deciding between News Net Wire and Google Reader. I couldn't decide, so I did what any person that spends entirely way too much time on the Internet does and put a poll up on Twitter. The overwhelming praise for Google Reader won me over. I like its features and how I can scroll through, and it doesn't lag when I just want to scan an article. I also wish more of my contacts where using Google Reader so that I could interact more with them through it, but beggers can't be choosers. I'm proud to say that I have been faithfully using Google Reader for almost 2 months now, and it's one of the highlights of my day to go through and check :). Huzzah.

Austin!

I have finally made to Austin, Texas! I love the city so far, however I am not quite used to the heat. It is on average 5 - 10 degrees warmer than back home in Starkville, Mississippi. Since I have moved from a small town the traffic and city driving has really taken a bit to get used to, and after living in the city for almost a week I am getting used to it.

I am still looking for a job, so if anybody knows of any graphic design jobs or even graphic design contacts it would be greatly appreciated. I'll be sure to post more often so that everybody knows about my progress out here in Texas!

Albany Tulip Festival

Tales of Mere Existence

My good friend Alex directed me to Lev's Youtube channel where I watched all of his videos in a row. I love his voice, probably because it reminds me of Ira Glass' voice, which is one of my favorite storytellers/voices.

MSU Styles!

After five long years at University, I am actually graduating! Our Senior graphic design class website went live this morning http://msu-styles.com, and features a page for each student with three pieces of work and contact information. Check us out!

Skitch Amazes Again!

I love Skitch, in the 3 weeks I have been using it it has already become on of my favorite apps. Today I learned that you can drag an Illustrator file into Skitch and it will automatically make it into a .jpg or whatever file extension you need. I had an Illustrator file that was too large to save-for-web (isn't that weird?) and Skitch came through. Although I have only tried this on an Illustrator file, I am positive that it would work on a Photoshop file as well. This will definitely make it a lot easier for me to take simple save-for-web screenshots in the future :).

Fontstuct!

I have been seeing a lot of info about Fontstruct around the internet lately, so today I tried it out. For those of you that don't know, Fontstruct is an online font maker/editor that is free and super easy to use. I attempted to make an quick set of letters, but quickly learned that you have to go into this game with a strategy.

Diigo!

I discovered Diigo through LifeClever the other day and have just been in love with it. Diigo is essentially an advanced version of del.icio.us. You can leave comments on a bookmarked page for others, highlight text, leave a sticky note, and of course tag. The advanced social features are great, and Diigo makes it easier to see what my friends are bookmarking from a central login page much like facebook's newsfeed. Check me out on Diigo!

Matador's Spring Sampler

Matador's Sampler is out and it's free for download. Enjoy tracks from Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, Times New Viking, Cat Power, and of course The New Pornographers. Huzzah for spring!

Here's the track listing from Matador's blog:

1. Jay Reatard Always Wanting More (from 7″ #3, due out June 17)
2. Times New Viking DROP-OUT (from Rip It Off, released January 22)
3. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks Cold Son (from Real Emotional Trash, released March 4)
4. Shearwater Leviathan, Bound (from Rook, due out June 3)
5. Cat Power Metal Heart (from Jukebox, released January 22)
6. Matmos Polychords (from Supreme Balloon, due out May 6)
7. Mission Of Burma That’s How I Escaped My Certain Fate (from Vs.: The Definitive Edition, released today, March 18)
8. Jaguar Love Bats Over The Pacific Ocean (from Take Me To The Sea, due out this summer)
9. The Cave Singers Helen (from Invitation Songs, released last September)
10. Dead Meadow I’m Gone (from Old Growth, released February 5)
11. The New Pornographers All The Things That Go To Make Heaven And Earth (live) (from Live From Soho (iTunes Exclusive), released March 11)
12. Earles & Jensen Bleachy Is Back In Town, Look Out (from Just Farr A Laugh Vols. 1 & 2: The Greatest Prank Phone Calls Ever!, due out April 22)

Job Wouters is a hand drawn master. I am truly jealous of the true skill shown by him drawing over 500 posters in this video.

How True

My good friend/classmate Will Bryant created this super neat/super true design. Look out for a t-shirt made out of this sweet gem sometime in the near future (hopefully!). Not only is he a super illustrator, but he is the only person in the universe that can make a rainbow gradient appealing. Check out his portfolio, and his etsy shop.

Plushie Tutorial

I have admired Evon Lim's plushies for a good while because they are so cute and unique. I was completely delighted to find that she had put up a tutorial for making this little alien critter posted above. Evon's plushies are stitched by hand, very detailed, and super well made. Check out her flickr for more pictures of more plushies. I am super excited to get some felt to make my very own tiny plush (after graduation of course). 

The Best Comic on Comic Sans.

I know this is really old but, I never tire of it.