Design Review

The design review went better than I expected. The lead designer was pleased with my offerings, though she did have a few suggestions. I have started the requested changes, and will get to see prototypes of all designs before long.

Design Improvements

I am finishing up my initial designs for review next week. I feel they are all decent, though probably not amazing designs. I feel I may not have spent enough time on each, but just getting back into it, I am happy. I can imagine each one being used in multiple products, so I am hopeful that at least one will make it to production eventually.

Google Docs solution

I have not been designing the last two days, instead I have been implementing a couple solutions for the new printer. The RIP software was installed on a standard dell desktop without any MS Office software. I need to create a log for tracking everything ran through the printer as well as documenting anything I learn about it. Google docs was the perfect solution. I created a basic document for all my notes about the printer and a second document for basic procedures. I then created a form and spreadsheet to act as my "Printer Line Log". This allows me to easily input any print job I do, and also can be continued once the project is handed over to the Rhodes State students all for no added cost!

Half days suck

Only working half days really messes up any creative flow I seem to get going. Just when I feel I am making progress, it's time to shut everything down for the day and head to class.

Design again

Now that we can agree what our production is capable of, I am getting back to design. I had never considered using architecture for inspiration, but I am impressed with the direction it has led me in.

Meetings - Got to love them

I have spent the last two days in meetings discussing possible customer desires vs production capabilities. I understand that it is a necessary topic, but I did not get to work on design at all.

It's comming back to me

I only work half days on Mondays (9 hours the rest of the week), so I didn't have much time yesterday to do a whole lot. Today I am making progress on my first designs. I am doing all the designs in gray-scale at this time. It allows me to imagine the end product being available using any tinted topcoat we have. Besides that, I am no good at deciphering today's hot color trends. I feel I have made real progress in developing the basic concepts, and am even remembering some of the tricks I had figured out over the years regarding patterns, swatches, and path finder uses. I hope to have some basic images to share soon.

Continuing Design

I previously worked in an art department, and feel I was pretty good. I was confident in my ability, and new the software and expectations well. That was almost four years ago. I feel like I am starting completely from scratch.

I took my basic design ideas from yesterday and started trying to flesh them out. I could barely remember any keyboard commands. granted I am now working with Adobe CS3 when I am used to Adobe CS, but things have not changed that much. I have just lost my touch. I seem to forget all the little tricks that used to save me so much time. Hopefully it will all come back to me soon.

First Design

I have been handed several printouts of unique buildings with distinct architectural elements and asked to create multiple designs inspired by these that will showcase our printing and coating abilities.

I probably spent two hours going through the images trying to understand what the architect was trying to showcase. I selected several images that I think I can recreate the feel of. I started by creating a template in illustrator that will allow me to put three samples on a common sized aluminum panel. We can shear the finished parts if need be.

I then began sketching out on paper what my interpretation is. I always like to use pencil and paper in the beginning stages. It is less restrictive, and more organic.

New Begining

Once again I am attempting to start a blog. This is for school purposes, so maybe I'll stick with it. The goal is to discuss my current position at work as it relates to an internship. Because I am working in RD&D I will not be able to post all information due to it's proprietary nature, but I will discuss everything I can.

For a brief overview, I am working on a digital printing-direct to substrate system. The printer I am using was purchased with accompanying RIP software. It was installed and then handed to me to see what I can do with it. I must learn all I can about the hardware, software and file formatting on my own. The object being to possibly use this equipment for rapid prototyping and/or small order order production. I will eventually be instructing another group on how to use this, and then handing over the equipment.

The second part of my job is with the "Finish Development Group". I will be creating original designs to help promote our company within developing markets such as automotive interiors and consumer electronics. I will also be working with design samples from existing customers.

These two responsibilities can possibly overlap into creating original designs and then determining the best printing process and actually producing samples.

Hopefully my future posts will be a little shorter and a bit more interesting.