The Thumb

Inspiring ideas doesn't come easy, day 4.

2011-04-07T11:51:00.001-07:00

Hello World,

Here is day 4 of inspiring ways to develop creative ideas.

16. Take Hold Of Everyday Objects And Look For Inspiration

Look differently at your mouse or mouse pad. Take you pen cup and empty it out, turn it upside down and look inside. Challenge yourself to discover something new about everyday objects.

17. Play Board Games

Having fun promotes bonding and helps you recapture awe and wonder.

18. Pick Three Brands That Seem Like Opposites

Then spend 20 minutes listing as many similarities between them as you can.

19. Experiment With Different Software

Do you always work in InDesign? Take on a real challenge, open Illustrator for your next project.

20. Create A Critique Group

Find other creative thinkers and get together once a month and share, discuss, and assess favorite work from each person in the group.

Rick Harris

Brickle Thumb

Inspiring ideas doesn't come easy, day 3.

2011-04-06T10:36:00.001-07:00

Hello World,

Here is day 3 of inspiring ways to develop creative ideas.

11. Teach The Future

Find a young group to teach, even if it's not related to design or your primary job, you will practice explaining concepts in a way that's clear and inviting. This will produce a skill to brush up on your client.

12. Create Your Dream Professional Biography

Then work backward to see what you need to do right now to put yourself on the path to making it come true.

13. Find A Mentor

Find someone whose work you admire or who simply excels in a single area where you would like to expand your skills.

14. Buy New Supplies

Update your work area with a new stockpile of basics supplies.

15. Make Creativity Your Habit

Touch bases with a hands on creative project. Work on a rough layout or brush up your sketching skills.

RIck Harris

Brickle Thumb

Inspiring ideas doesn't come easy, day 2.

2011-04-05T09:13:00.001-07:00

Hello world,

Here is day 2 of inspiring ways to develop creative ideas.

6. Take On A Project That's Completely Different From Your Weekly Work

By doing this you will develop a fresh perspective to your regular work.

7. Open A Novel In The Middle And Read The First Three Pages

Then guess the main plot of the book and make predictions about what is going to happen to the main characters.

8. Find A Colleague To Share Goals With

Keep up with each other twice a week concerning your creative aspirations and how you will achieve them. Accountability is key when your goals are not being completed.

9. Change Your Daily Routine

Breaking up your daily routine will introduce new influences into your life. Take the bus to work or turn your TV off and read a book.

10. Search For Inspiration In The Least Likely Places

Take a walk on a nature trail. Go bird watching. Visit your local museum. Shake up your visual intake in order to produce unorthodox ideas.

Rick Harris

Brickle Thumb

Inspiring ideas doesn't come easy.

2011-04-04T12:03:00.003-07:00

Hello World

While reading Steven Johnson's latest book Where Good Ideas Come From, I have been thrown into a chasm of scientific assertions with more concentration on his belief system/world view than the actual question, where do good ideas come from? I agree with Johnson's proclamation that the creation of good ideas have a lot to do with your environment, therefore we will use this entire week to produce 25 inspiring practical and environmental methods to produce ideas. We will give 5 methods a day. Of course the methods will concentrate on professional designers but they can be used for any job in any professional industry.

Have fun, here is day 1.

1. Change The Scenery

When you feel lost or if you encounter the white art board of blankness, pack up your tools and head to the zoo, the park, the corner coffee shop or the nearest body of water. An environmental relocation might be more than enough to shake things up to produce creativity.

2. Question Your Presumption Concerning Your Profession

Does this project have to be structured the same as the last one? Is there flexibility in the client's budget? Is the target audience exactly the same? Can you use a local photographer instead of stock photography. A great book to get is Bob Gill's Forget All The Rules You Ever Learned About Graphic Design. Including The Ones In This Book.

3. Don't Look At The Clock

Stop. Stop. Stop paying attention to how much time its taking you to come up with an idea, solution or initial concept. Work more on flushing out the over all theme of your project. Turn off or disable your clocks and focus on the work, increase the time of your projects deadlines. Would you prefer to have dinner at Mc Donalds or at Flemings? The nutritional value of fast food compared to slow food is better for your health, your taste buds, mind and body. When a designer takes his or her time to develop a great logo for an organization it produces lasting essentials for that organization. The days of rush delivery design are over! We will speak more on this subject at a later date.

4. Ask For Advice Please

There is no such thing as a dumb question. Whether you describe your issue to a peer or your grandfather you are likely to receive a new perspective. An act as simple as putting your problem into words may help you out.

5. Stop Being So Serious

Take a 4:59 moment. Surf the web, play tic tac toe, jump up and down for no reason, come up with some utterly ridiculous concepts for your current project. You never know what you might come up with. You will certainly have fun.

Or find a beautiful moth outside your door.

Rick Harris

Brickle Thumb

See the full gallery on Posterous

Inspiring ideas doesn't come easy.

2011-04-04T12:03:00.001-07:00

Hello World

Have fun, here is day 1.

1. Change The Scenery

2. Question Your Presumption Concerning Your Profession

3. Don't Look At The Clock

4. Ask For Advice Please

5. Stop Being So Serious

Or find a beautiful moth outside your door.

Rick Harris

Brickle Thumb

See the full gallery on Posterous

See the full gallery on Posterous

Birmingham's Graffiti scene is growing.

2011-03-29T12:11:00.001-07:00

Here is a quick look a Birmingham Alabama's Graffiti scene.

Brickle Thumb
design@bricklethumb.com

New Rules of Branding Online by Inc.com

2011-03-22T11:53:00.001-07:00

It's no longer enough to have a sleek website, social-media presence, and consistent brand aesthetic online. The new rules of branding your business on the Web have a lot less to do with presentation, and a lot more to do with interaction. In order to bring you up to speed, Inc.com has compiled nine of the most innovative and ingenious tips from articles, guides, and interviews in Inc. and Inc.com over the past year.
These are the new rules of branding online.
Click Here to read the article: http://www.inc.com/guides/2011/01/new-rules-of-branding-your-business-online.html
By Christine Lagorio

Brickle Thumb

This young lady is brilliant!

2010-12-07T14:34:00.001-08:00

Photo from http://www.inc.com

Because she seems capable of just about anything

Jessica Mah, 20
inDinero
Mountain View, California

Before graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, at 19, Jessica Mah and a friend, Andy Su, began working on inDinero, a website that helps small businesses to keep track of finances. Mah had already started several small businesses. In June, inDinero entered Graham's Y Combinator mentoring program, and Mah took her product live just one month later. By September, she had closed a $1.2 million angel investment round. Today, inDinero has seven employees and 6,000 customers. "Jessica is a machine," Graham says. "She's going to win at whatever game she plays." Read the full story http://www.inc.com/magazine/20101201/indinero-fixes-money-management.html
—Max Chafkin

Just my thoughts

Rick Harris of

Brickle Thumb Design Works

AT&T's First African American History Calendar for Alabama

2010-12-02T22:20:00.001-08:00

I had the honor of designing the first AT&T African American History Calendar for Alabama. It was a joy and honor to work on a wonderful project that features such essential people throughout History, especially in the state that I call home. There was a lot of behind the scenes research and time that was put into selecting the information and honorees for the calendar, and with that in mind, the design process was just as detailed. The project took over three months to complete with extensive reviews from many board members along the way. In the end, I would say this project has been one of my most favorite pieces.

You can download the calendar here: http://alafricanamerican.com/index.php

Thanks and have a great weekend!

Rick Harris, Jr.

Brickle Thumb Design Works

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Hot Soccer Commercial 2010

2010-06-12T14:03:00.001-07:00

Brickle Thumb Design Works
new soccer commercial 2010

iPhone 4

2010-06-07T21:35:00.001-07:00

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It's here!

2010-06-07T21:31:00.001-07:00

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Its here!

2010-06-07T19:36:00.001-07:00

play="true" loop="false" quality="high" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashVars="config=http://creativity-online.com/xml/config.player.php&p=20319" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer">

It's here.

Today at Apple's WWDC, despite a major network meltdown, Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone4, which boasts a thinner body, video calling feature Facetime, dual cameras, an ultra sharp retina display (326 pixels per inch), multitasking, and a 5megapixel camera.

The phone will be available from June 24, with prices starting at $199 for the 16GB model going to $299 for 32GB version.

Check out all the details on all the features atApple.com.

Brickle Thumb Design Works

Cookie Cutter Logo Design

2010-04-29T14:09:00.001-07:00

There are hundreds of Design firms to choose from, some firms will design a logo for organizations within hours, others will take weeks or months. The question about cookie cutter firms is not whether this type of firm is a good fit for your organization, the question is which firm will solve your problem and or do the job right. A cookie cutter firm is a design firm that will provide you with a pretty image very quickly, when I say quickly, I mean within 24 hours. This is attractive because of the quick return but it could be devastating to the life of your organization's brand. You can tell which firms are "cookie cutter" firms by immediatley viewing their home page. If they offer to create your brand in 24-48 hours for $50-$300, you can gurantee you are going to get what you paid for! I use to work for a company like this and we created at the least 250 logo concepts per day. Its was like a third world sweat shop. What I'm presenting is a right and wrong way to design. Yes, there is a right and wrong way to design, as with most things in life there are rules, and the application of these rules are essential to the life of a brand. Creativity is totally different than design, creativity has no boundaries but in order for creativity to be productive it has to be structured through design. The Number one reason we buy anything is because it was designed for a detailed reason and or advertised to and for a specific audience. If your designer can not orally define the principles of design correctly, chances are your logo design will be incorrect as well. There are many other variables that apply to the success of design such as your target audience, competitors, industry, etc. But the most important visual factor is well thought through designs that take longer than one day- if we're all being honest with ourselves. The point is that it takes time and effort to develop a successful logo, yet alone an identity or a brand. But don't just take my word for it. Check out this book: Really Good Logos Explained.

Please don't waste you money with cookie cutter logo design firms.

If your going to waste that kind of money and time, Try fishing, its more relaxing

Brickle Thumb Design Works

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Pop-Art Happy Rizzi House Germany

2010-04-14T11:36:00.003-07:00

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See and download the full gallery on posterous

Pop-Art Happy Rizzi House Germany

2010-04-14T11:36:00.001-07:00

Brickle Thumb Design Works
design@bricklethumb.com
www.bricklethumb.com

FREE STARBUCKS COFFEE April 15th!

2010-04-14T11:26:00.001-07:00

Starbucks is giving customers around the world a bold incentive to swap the paper cup for a more eco-friendly option.

On Thursday, April 15

, the company will reward customers who bring a reusable tumbler into participating stores with a complimentary brewed coffee. This effort is just one of the ways Starbucks is collaborating with customers to reduce environmental impacts. The company has offered customers a discount for tumbler use since 1985.

Brickle Thumb Design Works

http://www.shredesign.com/featured/search-engines-web-sites-designers-find-icons-icon-sets

Top 6 search engines for your icon hunt.

2010-04-14T10:12:00.001-07:00

For a stunning graphical user interface designers always need sharp and crisp icons. But sometimes there is not much time for designers to create them from scratch, then where do you find them?. Yes! there are lots of search engines to find the best icons.

Here are the top 6 search engines which can be really helpful for you in your icon hunt.

Brickle Thumb Design Works

Alabama's New Way to Recycle- Branded by Brickle Thumb

2010-04-14T10:02:00.001-07:00

Brickle Thumb LLC. took the vision of John Phillips (president of Eco Rhino) and turned his ideas into a tangible reality. Brickle Thumb took what was merely and idea and hit the drawing board (literally). After hours of brainstorming and developing 200+ names for John Phillips and his team to ponder over...Eco Rhino was born. The sketches were drawn by hand, selected, and developed by our top designer Rickey Harris, Jr. The dream of Entrepreneurship went from one mans head to his hands, and a brand was born!

What is Eco Rhino? View Alabama's New Recycling Company!

http://digg.com/apple/Apple_Banning_Screen_Protectors_in_Retail_Stores

Apple Banning Screen Protectors in Retail Stores?

2010-03-18T17:13:00.001-07:00

iLounge and Macworld are reporting that Apple has banned the sale of film-based screen protectors for its iPhone, iPod, and Mac lines in its retail stores.

In communications with vendors that have been ongoing for "some time now," according to one company, Apple has said that it will remove both film-only solutions from its stores, as well as any case or other accessory that includes film protection as part of its package, such as cases that include film screen protectors. According to sources, the ban will impact all forms of screen film, including completely clear film, anti-glare film, and mirrored film, regardless of whether the purpose of the film is protective, decorative, or both.

The reason for the removal of film-based screen protectors is currently unknown, although speculation centers around the company looking to reduce the perception that such protectors are a necessity because the devices' screens are not sufficiently durable. Another theory involves high return rates for the products due to difficulties with blemishes and air bubbles introduced by users as they attempt to adhere the products to their devices.

Macworld claims that the ban even extends beyond screen protectors to include protectors and cushions designed to adhere to palm rest areas on Apple's notebook computers. Apple has yet to respond to either publication with comment on the reports.

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MY REAL LIFE SUPER HERO!

2010-03-14T16:27:00.001-07:00

> MY REAL LIFE SUPER HERO!
>
> I would like to introduce everyone to my real life super hero! Now > he doesn't leap tall buildings or fly-oh no...my Super Hero is much > better than that!
>
> He wakes up before the sun, turns to a chapter in the bible and > reads out loud to his sleeping boys and wife. He is the owner of his > own business and through his consistent dedication he has been > blessed to have his children raised at home.
>
> He manages to have business meetings and conference calls and teach > his two year old son to swing for the fences! He is the worlds > fastest diaper changer, never forgetting the powder (with the > cornstarch I must add) and King of the Car Seats!
>
> He has never missed a doctors appointment or a baseball practice. He > cuts his mothers grass on a regular basis. He is a chauffeur to his > wife just so they can spend those rare extra minutes together. He > is his own professor as he teaches himself the new trends of his > industry. He is an excellent student-always reading books and > listening to podcasts as he prepares himself to be a defender of the > Christian Faith.
>
> He is ready to make a bottle at 2 am if you need him, or listen and > give advice when you need it the most!
>
> In case you haven't noticed Rick my Super Hero is you! I look at my > life and realize I could have never made it this far on my own. I > can't do it without you and I am lucky to have you. I am blessed to > have you as my real life Super Hero!
>
> You are a wonderful Father and a beautiful husband. Look in the > mirror-and see what I see! Don't ever doubt yourself or what God has > blessed you with. Everything has a season. Continue with your dreams > and help create that legacy that will continue on with your children!
>
> You have already succeeded in so many ways, and I am right behind > you as you continue through this journey!
>
> Thank you for being my SUPER HERO!!!

Cool Process

2010-02-23T07:39:00.001-08:00

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These guys are the next generation of music

2010-02-22T23:13:00.001-08:00

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"Hope is Fading Fast"

2010-02-01T10:58:00.001-08:00

Freshjive

Pre-releasing on Black Friday is the t shirt design, "Hope is Fading Fast". This is actually the first item releasing without the Freshjive brand name on it. Read the recent post on the World's Got Problems blog regarding how the Obama administration is maintaining continuity with its disgraced predecessor.

Brickle Thumb Design Works
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Nokia PUSH N900 example hacks

2010-01-04T10:06:00.001-08:00

</object>

The N900 is the most powerful device Nokia has ever created, and it’s built with Maemo software – which is completely open source.

What’s great about this is that it means the N900 can be taken apart and rebuilt, or modded into something entirely new – capable of doing things no device has ever done before.

But things like what? Well, that’s exactly what we asked teams of hackers all around the world. In response, we got hundreds of inspiring dreams and visions.

Now we’re down to 5 teams whose visions are becoming a reality. And this site will follow them every step of the way.

Brickle Thumb Design Works

Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience

2009-12-15T23:40:00.001-08:00

Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family.

We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are:

the sanctity of human life
the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
the rights of conscience and religious liberty.

Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

296326 signatures in support

...and growing!
Sign the Declaration »

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PROTEGE IMAGES FLOURISHES CORPORATE WIDE!

2009-12-10T10:02:00.001-08:00

Lynsey Weatherspoon is a native of Birmingham AL. Making her debut as a an entrepreneur in the photography industry she entrusted the creation of her Brand to Brickle Thumb LLC. With Lynsey's mother, Rhonda Weatherspoon, being her first photography teacher, she decided to name her company Protégé Images Photography. It was in dedication to the encouragement that her mom gave throughout the process of making a dream become reality. Brickle Thumb proudly created the Logo for Protege Images, that is now a recognized brand in the wedding industry.

Throughout the past two years Lynsey has managed to learn the basic and advanced techniques of 35mm, medium format, and digital photography. Lynsey's work has been featured in the Birmingham Weekly, The Birmingham Times, and other local venues. Her success has encouraged her again to redevelop her company image and expand from the wedding market to the corporate world. Focusing on photojournalism throughout the United States, she has a passion to relate to each story that she photographs and tell a story for all to see.

She has returned again to Brickle Thumb LLC. to entrust the creation of "Lynsey Weatherspoon Photography." The focus will apply more to the corporate industry as this is where the growth in photography has taken her. Lynsey will continue to take on wedding projects, however, she will be focusing more on applying her talents to larger corporate projects.

Brickle Thumb Design Works
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BRICKLE THUMB REDESIGNING SITE FOR MNP

2009-12-09T09:49:00.001-08:00

Brickle Thumb is excited to be working with Michigan Neighborhood Partnership (MNP) to redesign the layout of their website. MNP has leveraged over eighty million dollars for Detroit neighborhoods through programs and services in collaboration with faith and neighborhood-based partners, consistently demonstrating that true collaboration multiplies the impact of scarce resources and enhances the wealth of services in the community.

MNP's current website will remain active until Brickle Thumb launches the final redesign in February 2010. Stay tuned to see creativity in action!

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PieLab is transitioning from pop-up experimental pie shop to permanent downtown eatery in Greensboro, AL.

2009-11-10T00:57:00.001-08:00

PieLab, an initiative of Project M, is focused on community development and engagement in Hale County, AL.

PieLab is a welcoming community space on Greensboro’s Main Street that provides delicious pie and coffee, as well as retail and hospitality job training for local youth through the YouthBuild Program. More than simply a pie shop, PieLab operates as a community design center focusing on community development projects and small business incubation in Greensboro and the surrounding five counties.

Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009 Grand Opening Celebration!

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http://www.huliq.com/8059/88194/larry-langford-birmingham-mayor-convicted-felon

Larry Langford Birmingham Mayor is Convicted Felon

2009-10-29T10:17:00.001-07:00

Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford was found guilty and convicted of multiple counts of bribery in a federal corruption trial in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday. Now a convicted felon, Langford immediately ceases to be mayor due to Alabama law.

Larry Langford, 61, now the former mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, was investigated by the SEC on corruption charges in 2007. In 2008 a lawsuit was filed against Langford for illegally accepting $156,000 in cash and benefits.

On December 1, 2008, Larry Langford was arrested by the FBI on a 101-count indictment alleging conspiracy, bribery, fraud, money laundering, and filing false tax returns in connection with a long-running bribery scheme.

French court convicts Scientology

2009-10-28T18:07:00.001-07:00

http://digg.com/world_news/Scientology_Trial_Could_Ban_the_Church_in_France

A French court has convicted the Church of Scientology of fraud, but stopped short of banning the group from operating in France.

Two branches of the group's operations and several of its leaders in France have been fined.

The case came after complaints from two women, one of whom said she was manipulated into paying more than 20,000 euros (£18,100) in the 1990s.

Unlike the US, France has always refused to recognise Scientology as a religion, arguing that it is a purely commercial operation designed to make as much money as it can at the expense of often vulnerable victims, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby reports from Paris.

http://digg.com/political_opinion/The_Left_Wing_vs_Right_Wing_World_INFOGRAPHIC

The Left Wing vs Right Wing World (INFOGRAPHIC)

2009-10-21T09:01:00.001-07:00

Of course, the political spectrum is not quite so polarised. Actually, it’s more of a diamond shape, apparently. But this is how it’s mostly presented via the media – left wing vs. right wing, liberal vs. conservative, Labour vs Tory. And perhaps in our minds too…

http://digg.com/apple/Apple_s_Magic_Mouse_yes_it_still_has_one_button

Apple's Magic Mouse: one button, multitouch gestures, Bluetooth, four-month battery life

2009-10-20T16:01:00.001-07:00

The Magic Mouse has arrived. Hate buttons or moving parts? So does Apple, and nothing exemplifies the company's march towards a buttonless future more than this "two button" laser mouse, which has one button and no scroll wheel -- just a multitouch surface (a hard acrylic) across the top. With the Magic Mouse you're able to do familiar gestures from the Mac trackpad playbook such as two-finger swipes, but you can also do single-finger horizontal and vertical scrolling. The wireless device boasts a four-month battery life, and will be available today for $69.

http://digg.com/tech_news/Verizon_s_anti_iPhone_gets_its_first_commercial_Droid_Does

Verizon's anti-iPhone gets its first commercial: Droid Does

2009-10-18T18:45:00.001-07:00

We knew Verizon Wireless would soon be throwing caution to the wind in an effort to sway uncommitted smartphone buyers towards Big Red, and it looks like the November-bound Motorola Droid will be VZW's anti-iPhone. It reels off a number of things that the iPhone can't do, and then abruptly goes into full-on tease mode by flashing glimpses of a robot-controlled future and a tagline that simply states: "Droid Does." We're told that the phone will boast Android 2.0 and a 5 megapixel camera. At this point, we'd say the gloves are definitely off -- AT&T, have anything to say for yourself, or is the iPhone doing just fine on its own?

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http://digg.com/tech_news/Verizon_s_anti_iPhone_gets_its_first_commercial_Droid_Does

DROID DOES LA BRICKLE THUMB

2009-10-18T18:33:00.001-07:00

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