the mehallo blog. beta.

Compassion is not just ‘feeling sorry for someone.’

Today, religion is lost.

The need to be ‘right’ is counterproductive.

Great video.

Tags: cool finds, education, thoughts // 5 comments  . . .   

‘Do not use for navigation’

The world is smaller thanks to online communities. Click on the map for larger view/jump.

Note: There’ve been quite a few changes since 2007 (when this map was drawn). Facebook has sort of conquered a big chunk of the land once occupied by MySpace – then Twitter kinda built this huge bridge that one can see from space  . . . .

Found via Web Design Ledger

Tags: cool finds, education, illustration // Comments Off on Smaller world

If you’re having problems coping with unemployment in the US (who isn’t?), here’s some visuals. It’s huge. Bigger than you are. Interactive map here.

Change is about rethinking how we do things. I’ve been changing my whole outlook; what I do with my business – my blog is part of it. And following the status quo, doing the same thing over and over and over isn’t working. This map shows it.

Found via FlowingData

Tags: education, thoughts // 2 comments  . . .   

We’re still talking about ‘change’ right? It was a huge word last year.

Design thinking can change the world.

But design thinking is much more than ‘aesthetics, image and fashion.’ More than just a means to encourage passive consumption – which for a long time has been the basis for our (now shattered) economy.

Talk (above) by Tim Brown of IDEO. Where design should be headed.

Tags: cool finds, design, thoughts // 1 comment  . . .   

Designers do more than just make things look pretty. Designers can play a role in the overall experience of a customer or audience. Often thru small design decisions.

These concepts are shown in this TED video (above) featuring Paul Bennett. And Bauer Bodoni. And a slightly tortured teddy bear.

Tags: cool finds, design, education, thoughts // Comments Off on Design beyond decoration

View from my desk on a sunny day

Just for fun, this is my project list right now:

1. I’m designing a new font family.
2. I’m designing a website for a band.
3. I’m designing CD packaging for a musician.
4. I’m designing an experimental video game.
5. I’m designing brand materials for a web-based magazine.
6. I’m developing a proposal for an educational coloring book.
7. I’m collaborating with a fashion designer on a clothing line.
8. I’m working with a planning group on a design conference.
9. I’m teaching four typography courses and one graphic design history course.
10. I’m getting my masters in education.
11. I’m maintaining a blog and tweeting as need be.

Everything could come crashing down in a heartbeat. It did a couple years ago when a car almost hit me and I broke my drawing arm. But I’m loving everything I’m doing right now.

There will be surprises along the way.

Tags: design // Comments Off on Project list

‘Check my framing. Apply Rule of Thirds  . . .’

Jeremy Davis takes it apart – before and after studies – as to what happens when one swallows the red pill and actually becomes a designer.

Tags: design, education, thoughts // Comments Off on What it’s really like to be a designer  . . . .

Found via Twitter.com/bwargh

Tags: cool finds // Comments Off on Hurr

The Left and the Right in the US – as visualized by David McCandless and Stefanie Posavec. From the upcoming book, The Visual Miscellaneum.

Click on the image for larger view/jump. More stuff from David McCandless here. And check out Stefanie Posavec’s site here.

Tags: cool finds, design, education, illustration // 1 comment  . . .   

If you don’t see the humor, you’re far too busy playing the game.

Tags: design, education, flom, illustration // Comments Off on Thru Merican eyes

Found via Dawn Pedersen; posted at Break

Tags: design // Comments Off on ‘The worst job ever’