I'm a game designer

OK, not quite, but close. I've been working for Nike for 3.5 years as a production artist for licensed and promo apparel. When people ask what I do for a living I respond, "I draw jerseys". Among a plethora of other design, production and technical geekery I draw catalog line art of both on-court and retail apparel for teams that are sponsored by Nike. I've had the privilege of working on Team Apparel (think blanks that high schools order), Federation and Club Soccer, and now College Basketball. From time to time our sports marketing guys will come 'round begging for a disc of uniform images to send to EA. I've fired off discs for the FIFA series and I'm assuming they made it to EA because the jerseys look accurate in game. Today was a bit different, though. The sports marketing guys for basketball are on vacation. They fired up their crackberries and hooked me up straight with the artist at EA. I spent the afternoon gathering uniform line art for the coming season and sending it straight to EA for NCAA 08 March Madness. I'm usually not big on sports games, but considering the quarters I pumped into NBA Jam I may just have to give this bball game a go. Maybe I can finagle a free copy...

On another note, my EksBocks 180 is dying. The disc drive won't open. I have to use the manual eject to get it to open. Once it's open it'll close as normal and read just fine. Fortunately my 360 is due back from rehab tomorrow.

Posted by ShakesItUp @ 5:21 am EDT | Permalink | 1 Comments

Nike Cube Rat

When I started working for Nike 3 1/2 years ago cubicle space at the World Headquarters campus in Beaverton, Oregon was at a premium. Due to space constraints the department I was hired by, Licensed/Team Apparel, happened to be housed off-campus in a business park we affectionately called "The Trailer Park". We embraced the situation and had parking lot barbeques every so often and even called our department softball team the Trailer Trash. My cubicle there was somewhat spacious, albeit typical and uninspiring. Because of our location I also felt seperated from the culture and resources available on campus, including cafeterias, convenience shopping, 2 full service sports facilities and an awesome design library.


Nike WHQ

This spring the decision was made to bring all product creation related jobs to campus for better cross communication between categories. I was moved to the oldest building on campus, Mike Schmidt, and conditions improved. I finally had access to the gym and was within walking distance to the cafeteria and employee store. My cubicle, however, was small, interior and at a junction between two major hallways. The foot traffic was disctracting, but the cubicle itself was a marked improvement from my previous location.

Fast forward to last week and the decision was made to move all design operations to the slightly newer Michael Jordan building. I have earned some seniority in our group due to my tech initiatives to improve our workflow. The seniority paid off and I was given preferential treatment when the new cubes were assigned. I rolled in this morning, found my new cube and nearly shat myself.









The pictures were snapped with my iSight camera, so they don't do the place justice. The entire wall to the left of my computer is a window. I'm on the 3rd floor overlooking trees and a pathway leading to the track. I get a little direct sun in the morning, but most of the day it's a nice diffused light through the trees. I'm still setting up and decorating (arranging all my toys), but I'm already quite comfortable in my new space.

I love my job.

Posted by ShakesItUp @ 5:13 pm EDT | Permalink | 7 Comments

Sleep Deprivation...

...is good for the soul. Or so I like to tell myself. In all reality it just makes me kinda sweaty and gives me bad gas.

Here I sit at 5:30 am having not slept in nearly 24 hours. Please excuse the bad grammar and drool as I fall asleep on my keyboard. I've been up all night writing a 10+ page senior thesis on the effect personal computers and image editing software have had on the graphic design industry. I've also been putting the finishing touches on my portfolio that I have to dry run on Thursday and debut to the world on the 23rd. I'm finally graduating with a BS in Graphic Design after 12 years of off-and-on schooling. A lot of people go to school for 12 years. They're called doctors.

It still hasn't fully sunk in that I'm graduating in less than 2 weeks. I've been cranking full-time work/part-time school steady since '03 when I started at the Art Institute of Portland. I haven't known anything but stress and "go go go" for a while and a change of pace is long overdue. It's going to be nice to free up all that time spent doing homework and attending class. I'm looking forward to quality time with Lady and the kids, playing guitar, snowboarding, backpacking, mountain biking, working out, eating right, and a million other things that I haven't had time for and sacrificed for the past few years.

Lady has been a goddess and a huge support throughout my schooling. Thank you isn't enough to express what she's done for me. Tell her she's awesome when you see her on XBL.

On a side note, we need a second car so I'm going to look at this one tomorrow. I'll drop cash if it's in as good condition as it seems. I love older VW's and I miss my '92 Jetta. It'll be nice having a sporty car again and have a break from the Denim Blue Mica minivan.

Posted by ShakesItUp @ 8:57 am EDT | Permalink | 7 Comments

Fragrant Flatulence

If you are a connoisseur of fine onions, as I am, you'll be well aware of the Walla Walla Sweet Onion and it's fine flavor. I look forward every year to harvest season for these scrumptuous treats. From onion rings to a fine burger garnish, they bring flavor and sweetness to any edible that can be made with onion. One of my personal favorites is Nalley Walla Walla Onion Chili.



I'm sure we're all aware of the negative side-effects of eating chili. The Walla Walla Sweet Onion, however, sweetens the prize and almost gives it an elegant, pleasant aroma.



Posted by ShakesItUp @ 1:55 pm EDT | Permalink | 1 Comments

I'm an insensitive jerk

So I come out of the stall and a guy in a wheelchair rolls up and shoots a sarcastic, "Try to be a little more sensitive next time." What did I do that was so horrible this handicapped individual would consider me an insensitive person? Let's take a journey:

As many of you know, I'm finishing up a bachelor's degree in graphic design by taking evening classes at the Art Institute of Portland. I usually get off of work around 5pm, hit the train, grab some food and barely make class at 6:00. This particular evening I was running a little late for Advanced Illustration and the only food place that is directly on my way to school is Baja-Not-So-Fresh. I knew we were having peer review in class, so I'd be able to munch quietly in the back without any problems. So I grab some chips and guacamole and slide into my seat around 6:05. The teacher was late so I was home free.
I sit quietly in the back, giving feedback on fellow student's illustration work and munching happily on my chips n guac. Round about 7:30 we take our first break of the evening (class runs until 9:45) and at this point I'm starting to feel a little tickle in gut. By the end of break I've got the sweats, you know when everything on your body is sweating, even places you didn't know had sweat glands. That's my first clue that something is horribly wrong and I know at some point in the evening I will have to take care of exorcising the demons currently posessing my innards. But I try to be a champ and head back to class.
Not 10 minutes in to class el Baja Diablo tries to take control and I make a b-line for the one restroom on the entire floor. I bust through the door like SWAT at Mike James' house on a porn raid and look for the nearest stall to perform my Exorcism. The first two are taken, leaving the handicap stall as my only option. Not wanting to call janitorial to clean up a mess I happily accept my new accomodations and even secretly appreciate the handles installed next to the commode. I settle in, open my mouth and begin praying loudly to the porcelain gods to excorise the Guacamole of Doom and send it back to the sewers from whence it came.
In the meantime the other 2 stalls had finished their business (or been scared off by mine) and vacated the bathroom. Keep in mind I mentioned my exhortation for relief was extremely LOUD. No doubt other people could hear and knew what was happening as one kind gentleman asked if I was OK and offered his deepest sympathies.

Around 5 minutes into my little seance and I hear an obviously annoyed voice ask, "Are you going to be long?"

"I hope not," is my reply, followed by more prayer and supplication

He angrily responds "Why did you have to choose the handicap stall when the other 2 are open, a**hole?" at which point I realize this man might possibly be handicap and need the stall I'm in. I reply as politely as I can between vomiting "The other 2 were taken when I came in." I finish as best I can, clean up and exit the stall. Sure enough, there is a pissed off hesher in a wheelchair who shoots me a menacing glance. Being a nice guy I try to apologize to which he responds. "What the f*** were you thinking? Try to be a little more sensitive next time."

It took every ounce of energy left in my body not to grab him by the mullet and puke all over his ball-point-pen-band-logo emblazzoned jean jacket.

Posted by ShakesItUp @ 6:32 pm EDT | Permalink | 7 Comments