Yesterday I traveled down to DC with my boss to do a creative workshop with a new client. Since I’m now working with more corporate clients than I have in the past, I’ve noticed a few things (although not all these apply strictly to the corporate environment):
– Windows Vista takes a very, very, very long time to boot up on my boss’s ultra portable Dell laptop
– Windows Vista takes a very, very, very long time to shut down on said laptop as well
– I have not yet seen an elegant solution to the issue of plugging in electronic equipment in conference rooms – EVER
– Acela Express trains are enjoyable to ride and preferred to flying
– I can get much more work done on Acela trains

Fumes from the Combustion Chamber might be less frequent here since I’ve started my role as an associate creative director at Roundarch. I’m now working with executive creative director Rie Norregaard and the multi-talented Victor Brunetti on building out a great creative department here in our New York office.
When I do produce fumes, you will see a healthy amount related to data visualization, as this is going to be an area of focus in my new role.
Oh and we’re looking for talented junior and mid level interactive designers. Talent trumps experience and technical skills for this role. If you know how to design, we’ll bring up to speed on tech chops.
If you’re interested in joining a great team, hit me up at: mike.mulvey@gmail.com

BBC News: GTA game smashes UK sales records

The title sold a record 609,000 copies on its first day of release, generating an estimated £24.4m ($48.5m).
The previous record holder was GTA: San Andreas, which sold 501,000 copies in 24 hours in October 2004.

and:

The game currently has an average review score of 98.7%, according to Gamerankings.com, which amalgamates reviews from all publications.
UK-based games website Eurogamer called it “game of the year” and handed it a 10 out of 10 review score.

See kids? Fake crime does pay.

For about two years, I’ve had to deal with sharp pains in my legs and feet. This wasn’t muscle pain, it felt more like it was coming from my nerves.
About 2 months ago, I decided to go to the doctor to this condition diagnosed. My doctor told me it was RLS – restless leg syndrome. RLS is sort of a distant ‘cousin’ of Parkinson’s (but in no way debilitating, more of an annoyance). He prescribed me a drug called Requip. I started taking Requip and it helped alleviate the pain. One of the side effects is that is makes you drowsy, so I would only take it before bed.
Then, two weeks ago, I decided it was time to get back in shape so I began running around the Reservoir in Central Park after work. Like any good exercise regime, I’m always sure to include a solid amount of stretching before, during and after my workouts.
Since I’ve started running again, I’ve stopped taking Requip and I’ve noticed the pain in my legs and feet have almost completely disappeared.
I’m not saying this is the solution to anyone dealing with RLS (or RLS symptoms), I’m just saying that drugs are only one of many solutions to health ailments.

Ax Men, Ice Road Truckers, Deadliest Catch, Dirty Jobs.
Being in a post-industrial society in the United States, it’s interesting how working class jobs have become a novelty, something we find entertaining enough to create television shows about.

WindowShade X – It’s not that the ‘genie’ minimize effect isn’t effective in OS X, it’s just not my style. Call me old-fashioned, but I still like the window shade ‘snap’ of the old OS 9. I’ve been using WindowShade X for years now.
Paths of Resistance in the East Village – As someone who’s fascinated with the history of New York in general including the Beat Generation and also lived in the East Village for almost 5 years, I could relate to a lot of the points made in this article. Its sad to see landmarks get replaced by premium condos and banks.
Here’s the accompanying video, Art and Unrest in the East Village


Matchbook Museum – amazing little gems (found via Monoscope)

Our CEO at Schematic, Trevor Kaufman, just sent out an email this morning announcing that Schematic was acquired by WWP.
All in all it sounds like a win-win. Obviously being part of a publicly-traded company brings with it some responsibilities, like meeting financial expectations every year, but how is that a bad thing? We just have to focus on continuing to produce amazing work (that’s why we were acquired in the first place).
Some of you out there who work at creative/ad/interactive agencies might not even know you’re owned by WWP as well. Here’s all the companies under the WWP umbrella. Ogilvy, Addison, Y&R, Grey Worldwide, JWT, Landor… the list goes on. Damn.

I’m heading back to school this fall.
Starting next week I’ll be teaching the Motion Design course with Brenda McManus at Rutgers University – Newark campus.
I’m excited because it focuses on storyboarding and concepting as well as execution within Adobe Flash. Learning an application is important, but its the conceptual skills that will get you jobs in the creative field.
Brick City, here I come.

Microsoft Officially Launches Silverlight

Microsoft has also announced that a number of content providers will be providing Silverlight enabled content online, including Entertainment Tonight, HSN and World Wrestling Entertainment.

What this TechCrunch article doesn’t mention is that Microsoft has paid these companies, or has paid for the deveopment of some of these video players. I know this because the company I work for, Schematic, is in the process of developing some RIAs using Silverlight.
The second thing I’d like to point out is that so far, as of today, I have yet to see any ‘rich internet applications’ built with the Silverlight technology. I have seen a bunch of mediocre video players.
Silverlight is going to try to go head to head with Adobe Flash. If you’d like to see what real rich applications look like on the web, go browse through the featured sites on theFWA.
See the official Silverlight website

I have a word to all you staffing and recruiting agencies out there. I’m going to say this once and that’s it, so listen:
When you sit down to interview me, do not ask me if I have any friends looking for work. Don’t talk to me about how much commission I get per person I find for you.
The focus of my interview is me. I am looking for work, not my friends. Make me feel special (even though I might not be). Stroke my ego for the 15 minutes I’m talking with you. I’m not just a number went I sit down with you, I am your golden ticket. I am your moneymaker.
I promise you, that if you do indeed find me work, I will refer people to you, otherwise, why would I send anyone your way?
Who am I talking about? TTS Personnel, Inc., Gainor, Update Graphics, Artisan Talent, Aquent, Janou Pakter, Randstad … all you clowns, learn some manners.

Starting March 5th, 2007 I will be an art director at the New York office of Schematic.
I’ll miss the crew at Deep Focus and wish them luck with the move to the new office space in Manhattan. I expect to see much more great rich media and microsites from them!

I’m still trying to find out what the deal is with job recruiters, some of them prove to be fairly helpful, but some of them act like circus monkies.
I was contacted this week by a recruiter here in New York that had a job opportunity. I assumed from listening to the voicemail message that I was chosen because it had fit my profile.

Continue…

the eye
Originally uploaded by combustionchamber.

Salary Scout – gives you good perspective on what other people are making and where. You need to register to see the salaries.
Krop – Creative and Technical Jobs (found via NewsToday).