Creating a problem to be solved with graphic design can be challenging. So, where to start? How about some brainstorming?

Q: What is the real problem?
A: I need portfolio pieces.

Q: What sort of pieces would you like to have?
A: Uh… good ones?

Q: Right! Seriously now… What are you wanting to accomplish?
A: I want to develop a portfolio that shows my ability to solve a design problem creatively.

Q: Good, good… What is your design problem?
A: Ah yes, well, about that…

Q: Come on now. Think! Think!
A: How about a guide to unheard uses for the two hot dogs without buns?

Q: Well, I suppose…
A: How about a guide on how to affix a stamp to an envelope?

Q: Umm… I don’t think…
A: Ooh, ooh, I know! A guide on how to boil water!

Q: Oh boy… This is going to be a long year.

Tomorrow is the first day of 2010. By this time next year, I want to feel that I have spent an appropriate amount of time to being creative throughout 2010. My plan is to encourage myself to work on and develop ideas; to create a discipline to be a creative thinker.

My goals: I will post something new everyday. I will post an update to a large project at least once a month. I will release a large summary of the creative projects each quarter. Finally, at this time next year, the finished projects will be displayed in some way.

These goals may evolve as needed throughout the year with the basic goal of discipline being the focus.

Happy New Year everyone! See you tomorrow!

During the last three years, I have created images for use in my vcard and for my Gravatar. This year, I started using the “Neil Icon 2009” across all the services I use online. Since I have not written in my blog for almost a year, I thought it would be fun to post the first three icons. I look forward to creating next year’s icon! I can hardly believe that we only have a few more months to go!

These days it seems that I want to leave no page unturned. I have been aware of some changes that I wanted to make, but I didn’t anticipate everything. So, let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

After ten years of being a full-time employee at Company A, I’m moving to part-time hours to start a new full-time position at Company B. Company A will remain as close to full-time as I can stand between 9am and 3pm on most days, and Company B will be second shift. These hours are ambitious, but I hope to hold on tightly as long as I can. I’d like to see our bankroll build up a bit so we can relax when it is time to do so. Besides, I don’t have much more hair to lose.

After six years of being a student, father and spouse, I can knock something off my list! While being a father and a spouse won’t be changing, this week is the last week of being a student for a while. I’m considering going on to earn a Bachelors degree, but have made no formal plans. I am very burned out from school at the moment, so a break from it is needed. I am excited to finally get this done. This was not easy for me to do given my conditions and a tendency to procrastinate. More changes are coming in this area; stay tuned for details.

After eight years, this blog/journal has changed names from “The Bald Person’s Journal” to simply my name. Right now, I think this may change again, but I haven’t discovered what the name needs to be. I felt the time for previous name had long gone. However, I am still bald, I am a person and this is my journal. So, technically, the name still applies.

Lastly, after eight years of driving a VW New Beetle, and only three years in the latest one, it is time to move on to something different. I’m considering a Smart Fortwo. I really think the New Beetle is too big. ;)