I have too much free time to sit and think. I will never be able to deny that with my current job as a front desk officer at a major bank. I can sit there for an entire shift and plot anything I want, in between the actual work. This time causes a lot of projects to be conceived and ideas for them to be considered. Some projects are meant to help launch myself in this crazy graphic/web design world. Others are done because, damn it, I can! Let me tell you about some of them.

Personal Website

Depending on how much you pay attention to Smashing Magazine, you may recognize the current michaelbox theme as one they’ve posted on their website as a freebie. I remember at the time that I really wanted to have a functional website again, but had no original theme ready. Thus, I went with this one for the time being. One of my highest priority projects at the moment is an original theme for myself. This also allows me to work on the entire mockup process that I’ve never fully submerged myself in. I’m forcing myself to learn the process on the worst client possible…myself. While my mockup is still needing plenty of work to really be great, I must admit that I am liking what I have so far. I will likely start asking for peer reviews once I get some more of it done, so I’d appreciate anyone willing to help. The one detail that I am willing to divulge at the moment is that I am definitely breaking away from a common convention of a website. Once it’s complete and implemented, I hope it tops off a very professional website that can show off with pride.

Designer Illustrated

At some point earlier this year, I don’t recall when, I stumbled onto the idea that creative types are always, ALWAYS, creating for others, but rarely get created for, outside of their own personal projects. It was at that point that I felt I could help change that fact. Coupling this with my strong interest in vector art, I came up with what I named the “Designer Illustrated” project. Once these details were fleshed out, I set out to find my first willing subject. I asked around to some of my followers on twitter, and had some people turn me down at the time. However, the wonderful and lovely @gracesmith expressed willingness to participate. I then proceeded to obtain a photo from Grace as well as gather personality information about her to work with. I recently had the illustration at a point that I thought was at a quality to present, but I decided to ask for some feedback first. The feedback given to me showed that it was too busy of a graphic and the central part of it was under-developed. I took the feedback well and decided that it’s best to keep working on it. I know that I want it to be awesome.

Unique Interview

Speaking of @gracesmith, she has also been kind enough to agree to an interview with me. For some reason, I felt that in graphic designers interviews, the questions always seem to be the same, and I wanted to present something new and different. I sent her my questions earlier today. I am presently awaiting her reply and hope to have the interview posted sometime early next week. The questions are a mix of humor and seriousness that I hope will be worth the read.

A very doubtful chicken

Last project that I am willing to leave you with in this post is my second domain. I just can not seem to pinpoint a good use for cynicalchicken.net. One idea that keeps sticking around is a place for me to be a bit uncensored if the need arises. Michaelbox.net is meant to be my professional website and present me in the best possible way. The other idea that I have is to turn it into a multi-author blog where a group of people could all make posts about a set range of topics. Nonetheless, I am open to any ideas that someone may have and will listen to any suggestions for it.

With the projects listed above as well as more left unmentioned, and a 40hr/week job, things can tend to move a bit slow. However, I hope to push these projects far and release them for everyone to see and appreciate.