I ran into Michael McDonough’s Top Ten Things They Never Taught Me in Design School at The Design Observer.

Michael’s notes are funny…but very real. He goes into detail to describe each point. My favorites are the following…

1. Talent is one-third of the success equation.
4. Don’t over-think a problem.
9. It all comes down to output.

Any person related with the Graphic Design industry should give it a read.

On a trip to London in January 2005 I met with a couple of guys from Preloaded who were talking about this cool, UK-invented web application called Audioscrobbler. The Audioscrobbler system is a database that tracks listening habits and calculates relationships and recommendations based on the music people listen to.

The technology has since been implemented to the social networking site Last.fm. The site matches you up with peers that have similar musical interests and other features such as a kick-ass personalized radio. I like to see what I’ve listened to after a years time and when friends ask me what I’ve been listening too, I can tell them my recent preference in audio pleasures.

The Chopping Block spends their day growing oranges and picking oranges than working on Graphic Design.

The song on their site seems to be accurate. Although the Chopping Block has been a leader in the Web Design industry since 1996, they have been too busy working for big-wig clients to update their site for over two years.

The Block built its identity by reinventing their online image frequently. This conveyed a fresh and innovative approach that ultimately attracted some huge brands such as MoMa, National Geographic, Mtv and Simon & Schuster. Some of the best web work has been for bands such as Phish and They Might be Giants.

The current ChoppingBlock.com has had the “New Themed Site Coming Soon” notice up for so long, the anticipation might outweigh the actual product when the firm’s site finally launches.

I know that it is the ongoing challenge for designers to set aside time for self-promotion. Some firms are happy with keeping the same site for almost a decade. At Stafford.Tisdale, I am constantly trying to find ways to escape the day-to-day to conceptualize my own brand but, obviously, when they are paying, clients get priority. However, innovating for oneself helps sharpen the skills, strengthens the compositional eye, and adds a bit of confidence; all of which ultimately benefits the clientele.

So…check back often. A new StaffordTisdale.com is coming soon.

Download the They Might Be Giants song written for the Chopping Block: “Oranges & Graphic Design”