Archive for Advice

Drawing is Fundamental !

October 8, 2011 Matt Drummond Advice, Design

Just received my new Sketchbook and Pencil Set today !

Sketchbook-and-Pencil-Set

Sketchbook and Pencil Set

It’s important as Designers that we draw regularly and daily if possible. Drawing is the root of good, well thought out Design and Animation and will help out tremendously when going through the pre-production stages of a project.

I received this Sketchbook and Pencil set from Amazon today. It’s been awhile since I drew on a consistent daily basis and I believe that I can take my creativity to the next level, once I begin to do so again. I’ll definitely be sure to keep everyone here posted on anything cool that I come up with… I’m excited!

-MD

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Reverse Mouse Scroll Dir. (OS X Lion)

July 21, 2011 Matt Drummond Advice, Tech
Mac OS X Lion

Mac OS X Lion

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m sure many of you are having this issue early on. After doing some research, I found out that the Reverse Mouse Scroll Direction was not a default function as I said it might be in my previous post.

Here’s how you change it:

  1. Simply go to Preferences
  2. Select Mouse Preferences
  3. Then Un-Check the box at the top right of the window.

That’s all it takes and then you’re back up and running like before.

OS X Lion Mouse Preference

OS X Lion Mouse Preference

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Protect Your Workstation

July 14, 2011 Matt Drummond Advice, Tech

Last week my home was burglarized during the day while I was away. The losers made away with my television, an Xbox 360 along with a couple of games, 2 pairs of sunglasses and a ring. It’s apparent that they were in and out within minutes. To my satisfaction, they did leave behind the most valuable of all my possessions… the workstation. The first response to this was, “At least they didn’t take my computer… too many wires I guess“. Maybe I got “lucky” this time.

Matt Drummond's Workstation

Workstation

As a result of these recent events, I’ve decided to protect my investment from any future mishaps that may occur. I’ve purchased renter’s insurance from State Farm for $15 dollars a month. This covers all of my possessions regardless of theft, flooding or fire for up to $35,000 dollars after a $500.00 deductible. Not bad!

I’m also taking out a $10,000 dollar policy geared specifically toward the workstation itself. There is no deductible. If something happens to it, I get $10,000. This policy runs about $9 per month.

My advice is this: Get Renters or Home Insurance. We’ve all worked long and hard to build our home workstations. Protect your investment. Also, get a nice fireproof safe to protect paperwork and jewelry… you could also throw a couple of external hard drives in there while your at it.

**UPDATE 7/17/11 » Read more..

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Need Stock Images ?

July 13, 2011 Matt Drummond Advice, Design, Photography

Well you might want to check out this free, but fantastic site that has saved my ass on many occasions.

I was first introduced to stock.xchng while still in school. I needed a couple of photos for a 4 minute piece I was putting together. A teacher suggested this site and I’ve been using it ever since…

Stock.XCHNG Stock Photos

Stock.XCHNG

 

Now, don’t get me wrong, the images on this site are decent, and will get you by, but If you truly want better quality photos this site gives you 10 additional images to choose from, from istockphoto.com that you can then of course purchase.

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What $50 Will Get You

June 27, 2011 Matt Drummond Advice, Design, Humor

Not much!

From time to time I get offered money at ridiculously low prices to do “Make it Hot” work from prospective clients. These individuals obviously do not understand the value of custom design work.

Not too long ago, I was offered $50 to design a logo for a guy’s company. A company where by the way DVDs are sold at 20 dollars a pop online. Basically, he wanted me to upgrade his brand. But wait!! Wouldn’t this also boost his sales and revenue? Of course it would. Consumers take seriously companies with professional branding. It sorta goes back to the old saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. Yet judging is exactly what consumers do… whether they are aware of it or not.

Here was his proposal to me: » Read more..

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Poolside in Kissimmee

June 6, 2011 Matt Drummond Advice, Photography

The importance of environment change for the Creative Professional

As Designers, it’s important to change your creative environment from time to time. I had the great pleasure of getting away this weekend to Kissimmee, FL, where I worked on some sketches and my tan at the same time. There’s something special about a location change that does something for the creative flow.

poolsideMy advice to you my fellow designers is this: Take a weekend trip somewhere. Get out and away from your day to day studio and you’ll find some new inspiration for your workflow. Travel is great for the creative mind!

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