According to the blog, it's been near two months since my last entry. By all accounts it has been a busy fall both personally and professionally. The blind leap into the world seems to have been paying off. It hasn't been a particularly stress-free period of time, but I can report that I'm making more money than I ever have before, I feel better than I ever have before, and I've never enjoyed life as much as right now. Since going solo I've had some really great jobs that turned out awesome, some really great jobs that turned out horrible, some really horrible jobs that turned out awesome, and some really horrible jobs that just ended up being really horrible. I'm starting to be able to weed out the last category, and am becoming more comfortable passing on opportunities that don't feel right to me. My process is getting refined, work is getting turned around quicker, and clients are by-and-large happier with the work. I've also had a lot of really great opportunities to collaborate and direct other designers, something that I love doing. Freelance may not be free, but it certainly comes with plenty of freedom. Here's a look at what's been going on since the big move west:

Republican Infographic Debate

While I usually vote on the other side of the aisle, GOOD and I were keeping close tabs on the republican debates held in Orlando, Florida on September 22. Hosted by Google and Fox News, the debates featured user submitted questions, and supplemental data provided by Google. Check out the interactive debate infographic with links to Fox's and Youtube's supplied debate outtakes.

This was written up on the google politics blog here, and on the Data Art Review here.

Artcrank Interbike

Charles from Artcrank reached out to do a poster for their show at Interbike Las Vegas, one of the largest bicycle trade shows in the world. With the help of Dan Souligny at Black Collar Studios, we scrambled to put together an entry. By all accounts, the show and the poster were incredibly well received. At last notice, Artcrank will soon be offering the poster for purchase on the site.

Doctors Without Borders

So often in this industry, our efforts ultimately result in attempting to sell product or push a brand. However there are those rare occasions where you get to work for a cause you truly believe in. In the last few months I've had the opportunity to work with Doctors Without Borders on a number of infographics for them to use across multiple platforms. It's a really great feeling to know your hard work is going to help fight sickness across the world. Honest work for a good cause .

GOOD Issue 25

Speaking of good causes (sorry, I couldn't resist), Dylan Lathrop over at GOOD Magazine reached out for some help with the upcoming issue, #25. I've long been a fan of the work that they do there, and it's been an honor to be able to get my hands on their most beloved piece of output. Working with the edit staff and Dylan proved to be an enriching experience full of really intelligent and hard working people who left egos at the door for the sake of making the best magazine we possibly could. I'm really proud of the effort all the way around, I can't wait for it to hit newsstands. Thanks to Dylan, Ann, Max, Zak, and the rest of the staff for making it an awesome experience. Let's do it again sometime.

I Can't Talk About It

The problem with doing work on as an independent freelance level for major companies is that they always NDA you out the ass. So yeah, I may or may not have done some work for that huge company. And the other one. But if I did, you'll never see it. Well, you might see it, but you won't know I did it. Not that I did. Nobody cares. Sorry for the humble brag.

Charlie

Life is kind of amazing in its ability to adapt and its will to survive. As Dr. Ian Malcolm states in Jurassic Park, "I'm just saying that um, life finds a way". When we first moved into our apartment here, there was a shell of a fig tree left on our balcony. With no leaves and two dwindling branches we named it "Charlie" in a reference to the Charlie Brown christmas tree it resembled. One day while sitting on the deck I poured the remainder of the glass of water into it. The next day a leaf emerged. Five months later, we have a fig. Fucking magnets, how do they work?

Mona Bijou

After suffering through years of Sarah's separation anxiety from her family dog Walter in Minnesota, I finally gave in and we got a puppy. We went to the North Central Los Angeles shelter on a Saturday where we first met Ms. Mona. She's a scraggly ragamuffin puppy who's as much of a mutt as I can possibly imagine. We decided against adopting her since we weren't sure how big she was going to be, and she was a bit of a shedder. After a few days and one particular emotional breakdown on the part of Sarah (she learned that stray dogs often get put down within a matter of days), we went back and got her, having made the decision that we'd love her no matter what she became. Turns out all she needed was some shots, a steady diet, and some love. She's healthy as could be, happy, energetic, and very much a puppy. Her momma's kind of obsessed.

Somehow between the houseplants and Mona, I've been spending a lot of time providing nurturing vibes to small living things. It's been a highly rewarding experience. It's a lot easier to thrive personally when you're surrounded by thriving, living things. They provide some nice mental vacations when you need to step away for a moment. One of the more holistic benefits of working from home I guess.