This past week I finally finished up and launched a redesign for the Aces Tattoos website. As part of the redesign I reworked the logo (see old logo here), rewrote the entire site, new design, new... well everything's just new.. that sums it up. The site was done using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, a bit of PHP and even some jQuery. This was my first non-flash site in a looong time and even though it wasn't a terrible process, playing browser-roulette definitely made me remember why I love the Flash world so much. In the end though the goals of the project were satisfied I think (a site to showcase the work of the artists, could be maintained by the client using no code [Adobe Contribute] and a design the client was happy with). It did feel good to do another freelance project after a pretty long layoff. And while I don't plan to get back into freelancing a ton, I do see/have a few projects on the horizon and look forward to the creative freedom you just dont get from the 9-5.

If you get a second, stop by Aces Tattoos and check out the artist portfolios, tell them how awesome their site is or get some ink of your own from one of their amazing artists.

I really believe that Inspiration is Zen. What I mean by that is you have to be willing - the level of inspiration something gives depends on your state of mind at the moment. The timing must be right - whats inspiring today, may not be tomorrow and vise versa. It cant always be explained. Inspiration to me is one of those odd things that isn't always easy to put into words. What's inspiring is different for everyone. However I do believe that many people really confuse appreciation with inspiration. Just because you find something cool, does not make it inspiring. In order for something to be inspiring, it should be also motivating. Without motivation its just appreciation not inspiration. Now I dont mean motivating in the "motivational speaker" sense, but it should make you want to do something. Seeing something that makes you go "WOW!" is one thing, seeing something that makes you go "WOW! I wanna do THAT!!!"... is what I think defines inspiration.

I think there are two types or way to get inspired. "Active Inspiration" - where you need to get an idea for a specific project and you actively go looking for a spark or idea to put you on your path. The other type/way is "Passive Inspiration" - where you accidentally get inspired and motivated to want to do something. That's not to say the two ways are mutually exclusive. In fact often times I will actively be looking for that spark, when I stumble across something that sparks a new idea for a different project.

I try and surround myself with opportunities to be inspired at all times. I realize that statement sounds a tad confusing so I'll explain what I mean. While I may not always be "actively" looking for inspiration, I do actively position myself to be passively inspired. Whether its wallpapering my office with imagery that is visually stimulating, setting my Netvibes page to push feeds from places I am routinely inspired by, covering my body in artwork (tattoos), or even just something as simple as having an old car and custom motorcycle in the garage. I find myself inspired by all of that content all the time. The craftsmanship of the car/bike, the lighting/colors/composition of the painting on my wall, the links to artwork Netvibes is feeding me, the ink in my skin that creates such amazing imagery... they are all things that motivate me in different ways to want to be a better artist.

One thing I didnt mention, is that I don't really view websites as inspiration for me anymore. While I am truly in awe of the work many studios like AgencyNet, Big Spaceship, 2Advanced, NorthKindom, etc... put out, I dont guess I find them inspiring anymore because I am too caught up in the technical complexities of the projects too find them truly inspiring. I dont mean that to be a slight on any website or web project, its just that I am too close to that industry to look at any of it objectively anymore. In fact I find myself getting so caught up in the "how'd they do that?" question that often times it can be demotivating, no matter how cool I think it is.

So what do I find truly inspiring? I really find myself drawn to more traditional artwork. Granted my definition of "traditional" may be different that some if not most. To me tattoo art is amazing and truly inspiring. The fact that a true tattoo artist can display their art on a canvas that for all intents and purposes gives you one shot to get it right is something I find very inspiring. I dont want to be a tattoo artist by any means, but what inspires me is that if an amazing artist like Horyoshi III can manage to put such beautiful artwork on skin using a stick... inspires me to be a better artist with all of the tools I have at my disposal.

I'd love to hear what anyone else does for inspiration or any feedback you have on my take on the subject. I'll leave you with links to a few links I get inspired by...

Design Flavr - Inspiration Blog / Community
Typography and Lettering - Flickr Group
RatRods - Flickr Group
Generator.x - Flickr Group
Shawn Barber - Badass painter/Tattoo Artist
Worth1000 - Photoshop Greatness
Sketch Theatre - Video's / Speed Painting
Mr. Cartoon - Amazing Artist
Queenpin Deluxe - Awesome Pinup artist
... I could go on forever but this is a small taste of the current crop of greatness... until it all changes tomorrow

First, I have to comment on the death threats directed at Kathy Sierra. This gets a big huge WTF??? Granted, I only just recently came across her work when I read "Don't ask employees to be passionate about the company!", which I thought was pure genius, I was an instant fan. What in the hell would possess someone, or drive them to the point of threatening her for what she puts on her blog?? If you don't like what she has to say or don't follow her way of thinking, guess what moron you can close your browser?! navigate somewhere else. The people making these threats are faceless cowards who have no business conversing with society.

Second, on a much lighter note, Aral Balkan has announced the SWX format for Flash Data exchange. Personally I think its great! Not sure if I'll use it, who knows, but I think anything that offers a way for more people to use Flash the better . And while I think Patrick Mineault makes some good points, I have to agree with Aral in that not everyone developing in Flash is ready for remoting and XML parsing (although I will say I wish they all were). The use of Flash is growing in leaps and bounds, which also means a ton of inexperienced people will be building flash apps (dare I say the wrong way?). From my perspective, SWX becomes just another option to separate the content from the presentation, allowing for a more maintainable app. And from where I sit, options are never a bad thing. How valid this option really is, only time can tell. As Aral mentioned, SWX is still in its infancy, lets wait and see if it becomes a drain on society or a boost, before we completely disregard it as a valid solution to a problem.

And last, Adobe announces CS3. I'm not quite sure where to start with this one. I think Adobe has done a tremendous job with the software. The enhancements and new products are truly awe inspiring. Having said that, I have to say I'm really disappointed in the pricing strategy. Maybe I'm way of base here but Adobe doesn't seem to give much any credit to those who own multiples of their products. For example, I own copies of Macromedia Studio 8 Professional, Flex Builder 2, Contribute 3, After Effects 7 and Photoshop CS2. For me to upgrade to the Production Studio Premium costs $1199. However if I had only Flash Basic I could upgrade to Production Studio Premium for the same price. So someone that has spend thousands on software has the same barrier of entry as someone who spent a couple hundred. Doesn't that seem wrong (at lest for the guy who spent thousands)? So what will likely happen for me is I will upgrade to Photoshop CS3 Extended and upgrade to Flash CS3 individually, or possibly upgrade to the Web Premium suite and continue to use AE7, and rather than switch to Sound Booth, Illustrator,and Encore, I'll continue to use my copies of Acid/SoundForge, Corel Draw, and Nero. So much for converting me to all Adobe products, great job Adobe Marketing team I think you all screwed the pooch on this one.

I will show anyone, anywhere how I did anything if they ask, as long as they don't copy what I have done verbatim, and put their own look to it. In the end that's all we have, the look and feel and interaction. The code means nothing. The visitor doesn't care how we did something, only that it works and is usable.When someone steals another's work and passes it of as their own it dilutes the original work in my opinion. It calls into question "who actually did the work?". Makes things seem less original, less innovative and completely disregards the effort the original creator put into the work. What's worse still is that this thievery (in our industry) is done by our peers (and I do use that term loosely). The people stealing our work are aspiring web designers themselves, and often times competing for the same business. Does it make it any less offensive that someone half way around the world steals my work, versus a guy in my home town? Not really... 80% of my clients are outside of my state and over half are outside of my country.

So for the record, I have no problem with giving anyone any piece of code I have created, or instructions on how to pull off a certain effect or design element. But for Gods sake take that knowledge and apply your own twist, a tad of your own effort, a bit of your own creativity and make it your own work and leave my sh*t alone! Thanks for listening to my rant

In addition to loosing your self respect, creativity and drive, you will also end up with a nightmare client. Clients who expect something for nothing are usually the biggest pain in the ass because they don't value your time and ability to begin with; to them you are a "worthless commodity" (to steal a line from the martini shaker). Too many talented artists are lost to the abyss of under pricing. I'm not advocating price gouging or pricing beyond your abilities, but you deserve to get paid what you are worth, and you're worth more than $35 and a six pack.

My $0.02...