I’ve added two new background videos to the Defy Creative store  here. They are part of a new series I’m working on of looping videos containing hand-drawn illustrations that are animated. These videos as always will work with Keynote or MediaShout® presentation software and can be used in other video projects. They are 720p MOV files and are currently 25% off the regular price through the end of the week. You can view a preview of each of them on the store. Head on over and check them out.

written by JM

Earlier this month I became an economic statistic. My full-time gig as a book designer has, for the moment, come to an end. As we all know, fear has caused people to hold on more tightly to their dollars and it is effecting everyone.

Chances are you or someone you know has had the same thing happen to them. I encourage those people to use this time wisely. As you’re on the lookout for new opportunities, take the time to learn something new. I was laid off 10 years ago and naturally didn’t have the perspective I have now. I didn’t make the most of the time between jobs and I regret it. Now I am taking the time to work on projects that I would like to be doing all of the time. In addition I am working on teaching myself new things. Try learning a new application, adding to your toolbox. Most all applications offer 30-day trials to try before you buy.

Try to see the best in your situation and use the opportunity to make yourself more marketable to a prospective employer or client. When you look back on this time, be sure you did the most with it.

written by JM

Be sure to check out the new Defy Creative portfolio page. There are only a few examples so far but I will be adding to in the coming days.

written by JM

Here’s a Newsweek article on the huge success of certain iPhone developers.

There are some examples of individuals who have turned this into a full time job or existing software developers who have managed to parlay desktop success to the iPhone platform. I think this iPhone thing might around a while.

written by JM

In January of this year I wrote a diatribe (not really) about social networks. In retrospect, the title of the post was a misnomer. Instead it was more of an explanation of why I don’t use them much. I stand by those reasons, the biggest of which was the amount of time I feel would be necessary to devote to a Facebook page for instance. My own site needs more attention than I give it sometimes.

Since then, I have begun using Twitter and LinkedIn a bit more. I use Twitterrific (very awesome) on my iPhone to see what those that I follow are up to. I like the brief nature of Twitter and being able to access it on my phone.

I totally understand the value of social networks and have begun to adopt them more and more. Who knows, you may see me on Facebook one day.

written by JM

It’s time for a long overdue addition to the showcase of signs and banners I did for Rockwood Church. This entry is for a collection of banners that visitors see as they approach the church. Each banner shows a portion of the church slogan; Living Faith…Loving Families…Lasting Friendships. There are two sets of three, one set on each side of the entrance.

One of the challenges of meeting in a school is making visitors forget that’s where they are. Signs are a primary tool in creating the proper atmosphere. The goal of these banners is to give an impression of permanence while remaining portable. The payoff of these banners has been realized in being an eye-catching component to the Rockwood Church identity.

written by JM