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brand design principles Illustration Inkscape portfolio references requests

Just Ask (Just Task)

Just ask (Just Task) by John LeMasney via lemasney.com
Just Ask (Just Task)

So this came out of a recent discussion with one of my oldest friends, Roch. He’s a great artist, and one of my lifelong inspirations. This sketch celebrates just one example of why I love him as a friend and mentor. He told me a few years back about an art project in which the focus was on a single phrase that could be taken in more then one way, but could also potentially be seen as a way of life.

As I understand it, Roch’s idea, “Just (t)ask”, is a play on words that indicates that as long as the thing you’re asking for is just (reasonable, not hurtful, helpful, etc.) I’m more than willing to consider helping you to do it. Just ask, just say the words, help me to understand that you want to do this thing, and let’s do it. Together.

Much love, Roch, and thanks for the inspiration for all the time I’ve known you.

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brand consulting curriculum vitae design principles Illustration Inkscape insights portfolio professional activities professional experience research interests teaching teaching experience technology

Everything is amazing and no one is happy – Louis C.K. cc-by lemasney

Everything is amazing, and no one is happy. Louis C.K. cc-by lemasney
Everything is amazing, and no one is happy. Louis C.K. cc-by lemasney

Louis C.K. says it best. You could also say that everything is happy, and no one is amazing. Or nothing is amazing, and noone os happy, or everything is okay, and so is everyone. However, for those of us in America, on the coasts, with ubiquitous technology and bandwidth, endless 3g networks, clean water, plenty of food, GPS, cars, bikes, jobs, and so on, everything is amazing. Despite those things, I know more people than not that aren’t any more happy despite those things. It’s a little reminder that either we need to be more appreciative of what we have, or that we need to put down all that stuff, run from it, and not look back. I prefer to appreciate those things, and I like to think I’m very happy. 🙂

If you like this design, please consider looking at my Graphic Design Portfolio, Presentations Portfolio, or upcoming Public Workshops or Classes. Let’s do something great together!

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portfolio requests

You’re the gasoline to my molotov cocktail; you’re the detonator to my c4. You complete me. cc-by lemasney

You're the gasoline to my molotov cocktail; you're the detonator to my c4. You complete me. cc-by lemasney
You’re the gasoline to my molotov cocktail; you’re the detonator to my c4. You complete me. cc-by lemasney

This came out of a conversation with a very good friend about relationships and how some people really work together in couples in such a way that they increase in energy and explosive potential when they’re near each other. I personally prefer a calming relationship with others — I seek out people who are happy, productive, and encouraging, but I know a few people who seek out the explosive, the challenging, on purpose. In a way, I think of my relationship with you, the audience for 365sketches, as having explosive potential. With each feedback loop, each connection, each suggestion, I get blown up into a new way of thinking, and detonations of new ideas. Thanks!

You’re the gasoline to my molotov cocktail; you’re the detonator to my c4. You complete me. cc-by lemasney

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portfolio requests

179 of 365 is an #infographic in #Inkscape #design #typography

UK Dogs at Christmas
UK Dogs at Christmas Infographic

This is in response to Janie Hermann introducing Michael Porter to my work when he was looking for an infographic, which I appreciated. However, Michael noted rightly that this project did not have any examples of infographics which is a very specific way of presenting data graphically, usually to represent statistics, simplify concepts, or illustrate a key point. I’ve done more than a few in my work, but this project didn’t have any, so I made this to show how fun, wacky and effective Inkscape can be for this kind of work. Those lucky dogs.

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portfolio

175 of 365 is a definition of #illustration in #inkscape

What is illustration?
What is illustration?

This is a definition of Illustration from Wikipedia that I generally agree with, and this is a sketch that I feel is an actual illustration in respect of the definition. The wave of each line and the lines themselves are graphic elements that represent the flexibility of the definition. I did this in response to a recent definition of illustration at this site that I felt was far too restrictive and was also… disrespectful to other creative endeavors. The article raises interesting questions and claims, but in a far too biased way in my opinion. I wonder what she thinks of the classification of this design as an illustration.

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professional activities professional experience research interests teaching experience

NYLA Smart: Practically Designed

SVG Logo of Inkscape
Image via Wikipedia

Presentations and Training Sessions:

Event: NYLA SMART

Date: Monday, June 14th, 2010

Venue: RRRC, Fairport, NY

“Class Description:

During this workshop on the basics of visual design best practices, we’ll examine examples and counter-examples of great design, the basics of layout, simplified color theory, rules for fonts and legibility, images and photographs, designing stamps vs. pages vs. slideshows vs. billboards, copyright and creative commons, and free and open source design tools (photo manipulation, illustration, layout, catalogs, and quick editors).

By the end of the program, you will:

* Find and evaluate web-based resources for great design
* Choose the best colors, layouts, fonts, and graphics for other design projects
* Respect copyrighted work by finding imagery and other materials that are freely and legally available
* Become inspired about your design projects
* Move beyond Word and Publisher to more sophisticated design tools”

Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/121kHFLhNGrP85vKdR5ti1tRFVzMbwRmboBRuzRLFg7A/edit?usp=sharing