red moose is born

I am back

2008-06-07T19:08:00.002-04:00

hey people, whoever reads this blog, or used to read it.
after a long tumultuous time I have decided to revive this blog. I will keep posting and updating the information. I am still on the pursue of my dream: creating Red Moose Designs. I am going home (to Peru) next week. //
well, I just came back and is end of June. At the moment I have only one client: La Doctora Amor, for who I update her articles and videos on a monthly basis. Theres no much to it, but is a quiet source of extra income. Apart from that I am still working at the New York Stock Exchange, better called NYSE Euronext. it's a pretty interesting experience and a quite important role in the creative services team.

Red Moose is in a hibernation state until I change my freelance/fulltime status... soon news. And also coincides with my most probable partner in this project, my director in Lima Vanessa Sanz; who is also warming a baby in her womb; and her husband my lifetime friend Ernesto, the legal/reality guy. We want to make it international and locally dedicated at the same time.

I keep checking my podcasts and my info blogs. the only way to keep refreshed. With the promise of going to at least 2 design conferences this year. more images to come. Got some interesting stuff back in Peru this time.

working it

2008-01-17T12:11:00.000-05:00

now I am changing freelances, going to different agencies and looking for the best chance to keep developing, and challenge myself, I have the identity manual of the Al Falasi Store almost done, will post soon. And another website I am adding to my portfolio: www.moguya.com, Now I just wanted to show this video of the Entrepreneurial Thoughts Series Podcast:

So please take a look or look for this Podcast series audio, it's pretty good. cheers..
or get the full interview in audio: full presentation

Gorilla icon

2007-11-15T13:08:00.000-05:00

Let's see where it goes, but I got a call from a coworker's cousin, to make an overnight icon. I thought... oh now I will have to stay up all night again to make some cash.... But when I talked to him, he had a pretty clear idea of what he visually wanted as an icon for his CD, (yes, it could be a logo... so I had to find a fair rate). So i sketched while on the phone. I sketched a bit more on the train and printed a cpl of reference pictures. 1 hour total then. Then @ home before my wonderful dinner i scanned and outlined the sketches. I was already tired but there was no chance not to do it. the icon was to be printed on CDs to distribute @ Jay-Z's album release @ the Apollo in my neighborhood - Harlem THE NEXT DAY.
I decided to sleep and wake up early. 6am I was sitting on my computer with my coffee and watching my cat be amused by the early dusk lights and birds with the baptist church-pre jewish temple background.

By 7:30 I was more than done, emailed, printed, PDFed (is that a verb? it should be...) and saved the design on my flashdrive. At lunch met the guy, he was happy, cashed me the $$ (I Love that part!!) and told me he will have more work. So the story repeats itself:
Good contacts -> good work -> happy client - > more reference clients -> more work.... all good.

Hope to keep more of this circle of work, while I catch up with my 3 website clients... and here is the logo/icon:

next week we are going to our first snowboarding trip, and since our freelance through Aquent insurance kicks in in January, we should be careful.. so no double black diamons.. yieehh!!! Picture links to come...

a cpl of projects I finished..

2007-10-21T02:47:00.000-04:00

Quick. Last week I finished 2 very interesting logo - identities projects. So a quick reference to them in my lunch break:

AL FALASI Jewelry Arts - A jewelry store in Dubai, UAE (yes, United Arab Emirates), Pretty cool work, all the identity and possibly their website too. It was through my agent in Dubai Mr. Elie a.k.a. The Godfather. (ok ok, Noelle's godfather...). here it is:

AIG Private Chefs - A chef's project of catering, food service and more. New yorker 5th ave hotel chef's great idea, we will use 3 of these logos to different divisions of his projs. He paid for 2 logos and gave him 1 free... at a logo price, if you know what I mean... Now we'll see what's next. and plese G., keep up with the inv.

NYC taxis logo

2007-10-18T14:08:00.000-04:00

Last week the city on New York has introduced the new logo for the famous NYC yellow cabs. The idea of making the visuals uniform is great. The intention of course is no doubt positive. The result although, is not exactly what I expected. It's not so appealing; it doesn’t capture the “alma” of the NYC-cab. The circled T is a good clear sign; the AXI part is ok too; but the NYC font is … mmm so bulky, rough, without style.
Now, I am a designer, so my opinion although I can support it through some theory, is not the last word, not even Pentagram’s art directors:
NYTimes-NYCtaxis
The final word will be from the regular New Yorker. Because he/she will be the final will be the primary user. So have your say.
I do like the fare sign, pretty simple, straight and clear enough. The checkers are ok, it’s a good idea; they could have been stronger, it’s like not subtle not strong, not here not there.

too much on your plate?

2007-10-15T11:39:00.000-04:00

it's been a while... somebody told me once a blog is a waste of time... It requires time to think and write.. but waste I hope not, and I don't believe so. I am now working much more time than before. and Although I am happy, it drains my time... A good balance for me is a lot of work, which includes research, reading and webbing (searching on the web for news, tips and designs); sleeping @ least 5 hours a day (VERY important, nonetheless I usually forget this one often); exercise (important too not only to be in shape but to de-stress your mind and body) and maybe most important for your own peace of mind: balance your money. Right now I am running around doing my design work and trying to keep up with all my bills and money I need to send home, but I think I can do it; and I long for a moment that I can just walk and organize the money, and save for when I open my design studio...

But even I dont have time, I have to make time for posting my thoughts and comments on design more often...

Thanks L.

earthquake and other ideas

2007-09-05T17:18:00.000-04:00

I meant to post something right after the earthquake in Ica, Peru on August 15. And time always run me away from doing so. I received so many emails and phone calls from people asking me if my family or friends were OK. it was overwhelming. I never thought so many people will think about you in these situations. THANK YOU.
I got a phone call from a client at midnight that evening; the day after I had about 10 emails on my inbox and a friend called me from Japan. my friends in the US were calling me or texting me. and it's a reflection of what the world did to help the affected ones. Such massive response, that will have to be well administrated by the authorities in Ica. I tried to play the role of Michael Gladwell's CONNECTOR, directing people's intentions to donate and collaborate with the organizations working there. (this is from the book The Tipping Point, which I previously recommended).

I realized that designers are connectors in more than one way. Our creation is attracting people's attention and make them think... to what we are asking them to think. Our role is very important in this mass/fast communications society. and we have to learn how to reach our goals as designers. We also are meant to be connectors among our friends, they call us to know what's going on this weekend, they email us for advice, or if we know somebody who sells/buys/offers something, jobs etc...

And we must act accordingly, without fear but with pride of how important we are...

about this too. some of you know I went to Switzerland in May. apart from ALL the pictures I took, (http://www.radohz.com/mypics/suisse/) (there are like 300+ so check them in parts... Well, I saw this ad, and will explain a little better what I meant before. Made for a church in the Lent period; it's in Italian and please ask me if you don't understand. It is made in a sarcastic tone, but mostly to shock the viewer, to make him/her realize what the society is doing. here it is. And after this I sign off.... good night..

pretending

2007-08-13T16:27:00.000-04:00

I know is off-topic, in a way, but it's something that has been roaming my mind for a while now. And today while having lunch at central park, nurtured by my tamari soy seasoned chicken with quinoua and collard greens, I saw too many people with that label on their bodies.

Good clothes make you feel good; a good, well paid job will do to; a partner who loves you even more. But creating something you are not to make people feel you are, is not good, healthy and in my own opinion, is SAD. Let me explain this to you visually:
(like designers do... we start talking and somehow a paper and pen are in our hands to explain things better)...
Well, I was sitting by the statue at lincoln center corner of the park and among all the people having lunch around me i noticed a guy with sunglasses and an opened shirt, combed gel hair, sitting on the border of the plaza; he was looking everywhere and I guess trying to find somebody to stare at and to "enchant" with his looks... it was funny, but then I realized some people around too were not "fitting in their persons"; I don't know how to describe that, but you feel they are not comfortable with themselves, and pretend to be something else. I soon though about people I know who have some characteristics like that, friends and acquaintances; I even thought about my own behavior in different situations: was I being pretentious or was pretending something I am not depending on the situation? Moreover.... Is it bad? if not always, where is the line?

I know I am a more-than-good designer on the way to be a great designer, I am not the best, but it doesn't bother me, it challenges me. Recently I replaced my old pair of glasses (metal frame, a bit round, artist'-beaten status) with a pair of brown thick frame glasses, like intellectual and designer look I guess.. dont know. But, was I pretending, I feel more comfortable now, they fit ME. so I guess I am not pretending... right?

You can be a good, average, great, outstanding designer; that doesnt mean you cant be the better; be what you are and aim for the next step, just dont pretend what you are not; because if somebody discovers you, it hurts.. and you may not be able to recover to that client/friend/contact to the previous status.

One more thing New York taught me I guess.

End of July - networking

2007-07-30T16:23:00.000-04:00

so July is finishing, my clients are thank God cool people who usually become friends and we get to go out in group with my Latino and various friends. It is good I think to keep a network of clients and possible ones around. It is important to go out and meet new people. I have learned, and it was against my being-comfortable nature, that you need to be a sociable person, to engage in conversations and to follow up (VERY IMPORTANT) on people you meet. At least here in the city (=New York City) you can meet interesting people Everywhere, you have no idea where. Example:

The other day I was having tacos with a friend in Chipotle and she goes outside to talk on the phone; a drunk guy comes to my table and sits where she was sitting, his friend tries to pull him "he's drunk, I'm sorry" and the drunk guy starts talking to me, we chat for a bit, nice guy, was there with his and his friend's family, wife, kids, grammas, etc.. big Indian family. after some time my friend comes back and she is surprised, but all cool, we keep talking, then he goes back to his family's tables not before we exchange cards. I emailed him 2 days after, (he was vice-president of a networking company :D) and he emails back, we keep in touch from time to time... the coolest thing!

So it's always good—even more—,necessary, to keep your business cards with you at all times: Keys, wallet, metro card, business cards, cellphone. Necessary. when you go to play soccer, go to grab something to eat or to the restaurant, even more when you go out to a party or barbecue. Always.

Right now I have 2 clients going and 2 more on a "waiting for info list" but is ok. I should always have 2 clients at 1 time, apart from a 9 to 5 job. Which... hopefully will become a full time and have insurance again, and peace of mind, while I adventure myself in more fun and risky projects. as part of my organization process in my office/corner at home, I bought a mesh file cart at the Container Store, and a board. So many things I have on mind to organize and let my business grow tall and not from a small pot that would affect the growth..

Well, and also I Am keeping the colors for the brand on RED, bright green like the post side background, and dark (70%) grey. Now I only need to design the logo... mm.. and the site.. well, I have time.

that's all for now, soon to write more. too many things on my head have to be here. aviento.

its June already - clients in and out

2007-06-21T12:47:00.001-04:00

there are a lot of things going on now. The plants/flower shop dropped their intention to make a website, (the other owner didnt want to spend money). I got a travel agency from Morocco to assign me to redo his website (and shoes discount being the same owner of a shoe store in Manhattan), not for so much but it's an interesting project.

One thing that happened reminded me that is very important to have the habit of keeping your clients updated on what you do, and reminding them that you are alive; is that I sent an email to a lot of newyorkers included friends and a couple of clients. This specific client wanted me to design his website—a catering and food service company—but never got the time to give me all the information. After the email he called me back and wanted a postcard to be printed in less than a week. We talked, he sent me the info and pics, I emailed him the layout and in 2 days and after mm..2 hours of work I got $120. Perfect deal. I even gave him a cheap price for a postcard.

If I had never sent the email I wouldn't have gotten that job. It is important then, to find a way to keep in contact with your clients; even if they are not in your current clients list. For that I printed some bookmarks with my info and a nice design on it. Now I have to get the address of my clients and put them on my address book. and mail them as a reminder.

Few hours ago I talked to a Peruvian guy I met in a friend's party, he has a adventures tourism business in Peru for americans; and wants to talk about designing his website. That is good, I like the topic. and matches the other tourism website for the Moroccan guy. Also it will allow me to publish the guide I did about Hiking in Cusco for a SCAD class in 2002. I'm excited about this. Here is the link to what i did:

hiking in Cusco

London 2012 Olympics Logo

2007-06-05T11:41:00.000-04:00

2 weeks ago the London Olympics Committee released the new logo for the 2008 Olympic Games. i has had a lot of comments. As a designer I wonder where the limit on good design and effective design goes. This logo has generated so many negative opinions throughout the design world. So it is really interesting to share it with the most possible people. There is even a BBC website to design and submit new alternatives to the logo. All this also is because it costed US$ 796.000 and the studio is the same who did the Inspi(red) campaign (www.wolff-olins.com), but something happened in this logo... Or is it me?

progress

2007-05-11T10:07:00.000-04:00

it's been almost a week since I wrote. One client is done, www.newoodinteriors.com, one more making designs and presentations for, another with changes to make on the website. Another more coming: a NY DJ, friend of mine who wants his website now that he is going to Ibiza to play for a couple of months. good luck Eddie!. Let's see what comes to deisgn is site. The one client I gave the proposal is making me wait, will stop by tomorrow to talk in person. Its always important to keep eyes open to get clients, I am keeping record of hours and budgets made for my clients in ACT, seems pretty interesting this software. I will also post this weekend a little ad on the Craigslist and apply for freelance offers, organize my web portfolio now that I have a cpl of webs done. Get more clients and if there are too many, will have designers work for me soon.. let's see...

organization 2

2007-04-27T16:45:00.000-04:00

about this organization topic. I decided to move my desk/office from my bedroom to my living room, which be smaller, but for the amount of time I spend on TV.. is worth it. And also I can bring clients if necessary, and not worrying if they sit on my bed.. this weekend task... a big one will be. Here is the floor plan.

organization

2007-04-27T16:10:00.000-04:00

I found out that when this monster will grow I could be consumed by the files, papers, information, etc that it will generate. I asked my friend Johana to help me out on that; we even talked on me having her as an intern, not yet I think. But soon I will need one. We realized that I have to start creating a system that can grow easily. Although at the beginning I started creating excel files and reports, utilizing my knowledge on this non-designer-oriented software, and it was ok, but for my budgets, written proposals, clients' time and meetings, it wasnt enough. There are 2 programs that I will try: ACT! and Maximizer 9. Let's see how they go. Both of them synchronize with Outlook mail, contacts and calendar, so that's a big help. Both are compatible with my cellphone that is a Motorola i930, with pocket windows, So I keep my calendar and contact info with me wherever I go. And also thanks to technology I can send emails since I already configured POP3 on it. Apart from the fact that I can radio (is that a verb??) my family and friends back in Peru for free.

I will let you guys know how it goes, and remember, wherever you go, bring your business cards with you, talk about your work to people you think can become clients, and LISTEN to them, so you can find their needs, then you can offer your help and solutions...

There is this very useful book called The E-Myth, and site (www.e-myth.com), that really helps you on lose that fear of creating your own company. Also, as designers I think we should be inspired, although sometimes our work becomes not so inspiring, you can't let down the inspiration fire that you have inside. Sketch, play around, collect information/images. Another great source is the podcast The Accidental Creative with its site (www.accidentalcreative.com). There are more, everywhere, is a matter to look, not to pay for a magazine all the time.

Now I have to make a proposal for a plants store I went to get some plants the other day, I talked to the co-owner and he needed a website, I needed clients.. so tomorrow will have that done and hopefully we'll do business. of course everything started with me asking if they had a site or they needed some design... just ask.. the worst that can happen is a "sorry, no thanks" for answer. Oh, like it happened to the massages place I use to go, to my friend Tony the owner. I asked him if he needed a website, (because if you think, in NYC right after work, somebody is tired and need a massage, will go online before leaving work to find a massage place near their job; and they will go where they find it). He said NO, he doesnt think he needed one.... he actually said he doesnt want to pay for one. He will rather give me $10 referral for every hour somebody I send requests. If he cant see the benefits of that, it's ok. Keep trying, keep meeting people... ok that will be another posting. that's all for now.

"y al comienzo eran tinieblas..."

2007-04-25T23:27:00.000-04:00

"In the beginning there was darkness"

this blog is to record the process in the creation of my own design studio. All started with a dream, like everything in life. With an idea, and like most of good things in life started hard, sweat and tears. Not everything in life is right there for you to pick up, you gotta find it, research for it, and if not, create it if necessary. Anyway we are artists. right? we create... and in the beginning there was darkness...

I don't know yet if I am going to call the studio RED MOOSE, I like the name, the site is taken already, and not used of course.. www.redmoose.com or similar names... it's under construction... although I already have the motto, the characteristics of the studio (will post next time). I will share my ideas, obstacles, ups and downs, so you, or me, or the net, will have an idea how these things called design studios work. Of course is not the same for a dark skinned foreigner, but it will be an advantage in this NYC. Although my personality is not the typical go-getter person, always talkative and ready to open up to strangers, I will document how being true to my own personality I can obtain what I want, and create my own path, conquering my dreams and sharing the experience.

I will try to write in English all the time, sometimes depending on the situation will post in Spanish... but NEVER (never say never) in Spanglish. That broken indecisive dialect with tons of grammar errors, more than my English, spoken and hopefully never written in the New York Citee.. or in Spanish: NUEVA YOL...

Come with me to this new experience, maybe in 2 years I will still be writing but from the office of the design studio with 20 something employers, with view to Central Park or to the Hudson. We'll see how far this goes... wish me luck!

see you next time.