Show & Tell: Collection

Top left to bottom right:
1) Early draft of Ariel
2) Revised draft of Ariel, complete with breasts, a crown, and holding a flower
3) Is it an alien or a butterfly or an alien butterfly?
4) Sophia and Liliana flying to Grandma's house... who needs a plane?
5) Titled "Disney Minnie"
6) Sophia's family, in order of ascending height: cat Sebastian, dog Ramses, sister Lily, herself, her Mommy (me), and her Daddy.
7) Spider web and two spiders (both spiders have exactly 8 legs each)
8) Sophia is a budding composer, as well
9) Lion (probably Simba)
10) Rudolph leads the other reindeer in pulling Santa's sleigh

I collect the drawings of both of my children, from the time they could first use a crayon. My four-year-old daughter, Sophia, is highly prolific. She can plow through a ream of paper faster than a copy machine at Kinko's! Sophia is now well into in her second 5-inch binder. I only save the best of the best, and it's still a daunting task.

I am continually inspired by her innocence. This quality alone allows her to be free to explore her artistic talent without self editing, for which adults are often guilty.

I love Sophia's perseverance and her ability to watch a show only once and commit the characters to memory. She practices the same thing over and over till she is pleased with the accuracy of her rendering. I enjoy the progression and development of her skills.

Creative CV: tips & tricks

Bob was my inspiration for this entry. He asked for input on his résumé. I posted a comment, then thought about sharing it with all of you. Of course, I added other points of interest to keep in mind, so it isn't Bob's critique verbatim. I realize many people already know this, but you'd be surprised how many don't (for instance, someone who starts grad school immediately after undergrad). So if this post helps even one person (Bob included), it was worth my time to write. If it helps no one, its no worse than any self-indulgent blog I've read.

I've worked as a designer, an art director, a creative director, and an educator. I've seen a lot of CVs (on the hiring end) and I've held a lot of jobs. My creative CV has gotten me many, many interviews (and the job!).

First of all, always use the industry standard for terminology, when you send correspondence and in an interview. In the educational arena, no one calls it a résumé. It's a CV, short for "curriculum vitae." Also, I may be wrong about this (a writer's opinion, please) but if you do not spell résumé with the use of accent marks, it reads as the word resume [ri-zoom], meaning to take back or begin again.

If you are a designer, it is imperative that you actually design your resume. This is your number one marketing tool, and it's your first impression. If it's not a strong one, it will promptly get filed (in the trash). You have only seconds to entice the reader to learn more about you. Presentation is everything.

Use a grid. As with any design project, always consider the underlying structure.

There should be something that separates you from the other 100 or more résumés (no joke) that the potential employer receives. In addition to making a visual impact (and I don't mean kitschy or gimmicky stuff - rather strong design), make it memorable. A unique design on a standard-sized but high-quality sheet, or an unusual shape (other than 8.5x11) is memorable. Just keep in mind that the format should still be easily copied, scanned, and faxed. For example, 7.5x10 or 7.5x11 still fits on a standard-sized copy board. Who said the paper has to be white? Get a hold of some paper samples and choose a beautiful paper color and texture, not just standard laser paper. Remember that any changes that deviate from the "norm" should be smart design decisions. Most times, you'll email a PDF of your CV or apply online initially, but it's always good to have a hard copy of your CV when you go for the interview.

Excellent writing is memorable, and it makes a strong statement about you. As with every assignment you've had in grad school, you should challenge yourself to be creative in the way you present yourself (written voice).

Rethink the wheel. Rewrite those old, boring category names (experience, knowledge, education) using creative words, maybe some powerful verbs? Also rethink how you tell about the job descriptions. Maybe they are not even necessary? Most people skim over that "blah blah blah" section of a CV because there's nothing new there. You discuss all that in an interview, anyway, and often it's mentioned in a cover letter. If you keep the descriptions, have a little fun with creative writing. A professional designer or writer will appreciate good writing with a fun delivery. They will sense your enthusiasm.

List your Web site or blog. Don't have one? Better get one.

Run spell check. If your CV and cover letter is one of over one-hundred a blatant typo is reason enough to exclude you from an interview.

Don't lie. Don't even stretch the truth about who you are, what you know, where you've worked and how long, where you went to school (and whether you graduated), or the extent of your software knowledge. In an interview, be completely truthful about your part in any piece you show. Don't let them assume you did everything from concept to published piece if your only involvement was layout for someone else's idea. And that's not a bad thing. Employers want to know that you work well independently, but also as part of a team.

Lastly, extensive lists of software only prove that you are a skilled technician, but a future employer wants to know that you can think. Don't just tell them where you've worked, where you've gone to school and the software programs you know. Remember, say it or show it. Your CV should SHOW it. Prove to the viewer that you are worthy of an interview.

Booklet Copy

Heaven is a thick, perfectly square, lightly starched, fastidiously pressed, and meticulously folded napkin. A simple meal becomes a special occasion. A special occasion blossoms into a memorable event. All things are good in heaven, and it begins here.

A cloth napkin is a brilliant accessory to dining. You can play with it, gesture with it, tuck it into your shirt like a bib, rumple it, or dab your eyes with it after a particularly hilarious joke. Most importantly, you can wipe smudges and stray bits of food from your face. Of course it gets dirty, but that’s the point. It’s supposed to get dirty, so that you don’t. The upside is that cloth napkins are easily laundered to use again and again.

There are few alternatives to the aesthetic of a folded napkin. Whether you liken napkin folding to the fine art of Japanese origami or you revel in the postmodern ability to immediately deconstruct it, you will appreciate its impact. Your guests will delight in your attention to detail, and they’ll always remember their funky friend who transformed the dining table into an art gallery.

WATER LILY
Adorn each place setting with this fancy flower fold and transform your table into a beautiful garden. You can also place the flower fold into a stemmed glass for genuine floral appeal.
1. Fold the four corners so that the points meet in the center; press flat. Adjust the napkin carefully so that all the new corners are sharp.
2. Repeat the same process a second time.
3. Holding the center points together, carefully turn the napkin over. Once again, fold the four corners so that the points meet in the center, but do not press flat.
4. Hold the center firmly with two fingers. With the other hand, gently pull out the previous folds from under each corner till the petals are formed. (If you wish to make cup-shaped petals for holding rolls, simply pull the corners up while forming the petals.)

BISHOP’S HAT
A classic fold for any occasion, the Bishop’s Hat is formal and traditional. The proportions are important, so adjustment of the folds may be necessary as you practice the steps.
1. Begin with the corners of the napkin top and bottom in the shape of a diamond. Fold the corner at the top down till it meets the corner nearest you, forming a triangle.
2. Place your finger at the center of the top edge and fold the right corner down to the bottom point nearest you. Repeat with the left corner.
3. Bring the top point down to within 1 inch of the bottom point.
4. Fold the same point up to meet the center of the top edge.
5. Holding the folds in place, flip the napkin over so that the napkin now points up, away from you.
6. Place your left hand, fingers together and palm up, on top of the napkin. Fold the left corner to a little bit past the center point along the bottom edge and hold in place with your thumb.
7. Fold the right corner toward the center and tuck the corner inside the flap of the fold made by the left side.
8. Holding the tucked-in fold together, round it out carefully and place it standing on the plate. The decorative folds should face the diner.
9. Gently pull the front top corners of the napkin down and out a bit, like flower petals.

SWEET HEART
Perfect for Valentine’s Day or a family gathering, but a charming gesture for any occasion. The romantic shape warms your guest’s hearts and leaves a lasting impression. It is important to use a napkin that will hold a crease; thick, heavy napkins are not well suited for this fold.
1. Fold the napkin in half, bringing the top edge down towards you.
2. Fold the bottom edges up, just short of the top.
3. Place a finger at the center of the bottom edge and fold both sides up to meet the middle.
4. Fold each of the four top corners behind (forming triangles) to create the top lobes of the heart.

PRETTY POCKET
Smart design combines silverware and napkin in an attractive, compact package that stacks easily, and guests at a buffet or picnic can help themselves.
1. Fold the napkin up into a rectangle with the folded edge at the bottom.
2. Fold the top layer down to meet the bottom edge.
3. Fold only the top layer half way up from the bottom. Carefully turn the napkin over.
4. Fold the left and right sides of the design till they meet in the center.
5. Tuck one half of the napkin deep into the other half, locking the napkin flat. Turn napkin over and insert cutlery into the pocket.

MODERN STYLE
Unusual geometry and simple lines complete the gestalt of your presentation. The simple shapes beg the question “Why didn’t I think of that?”
1. Begin with the corners of the napkin top and bottom in the shape of a diamond.
2. With a finger at the bottom point, fold both sides in to meet the center line.
3. Repeat the same process a second time.
4. Turn the napkin over, keeping the long point facing you. Bring the bottom point up to meet the top, folding the design in half. Tuck the point into the fold.
5. Carefully turn the napkin over.

PEACOCK TAIL
Casual or formal, this uncomplicated design provide a fanciful display. Placed beside the plate, it creates an abstract but refined arrangement.
1. Fold the napkin up into a rectangle with the folded edge at the bottom.
2. Fold the right edge to meet the left edge, forming a square.
3. Grasp the top layer of the bottom left corner, pulling it gently and directly to the right, till it forms a large triangle pointing upward. Make small adjustments as necessary, so that edges line up exactly.
4. Turn the napkin over. Grasp the top layer of the bottom right corner, pulling it gently to meet the bottom left corner. This will form a large triangle. Make small adjustments as necessary, so that edges line up exactly.
5. Bring the bottom left corner of the triangle to meet the bottom right corner. You should now have four folded triangles stacked atop one another.
6. Hold the folds together at the top point. To fan the layers grasp the top three triangles and move them a bit to the left. Repeat with the remaining triangles, spacing them evenly. Place the napkin on the plate with the folds pointing up to resemble a bird’s tail.

SEA SHELL
Soft folds combine to form a splendid sea shell. This dainty design beckons a familiar and friendly setting for your special dinner party.
1. Fold the napkin into quarters. Place in a diamond shape with the closed corner points up.
2. Starting at the bottom point, grasp the first layer and bring it up to meet the top point.
3. Bring the second layer of the bottom point up to within 1 inch of the top point. Repeat with remaining two layers, so that each edge shows and the layers are evenly spaced.
4. Flip the napkin over; the point should now be facing down.
5. Place a finger at the center of the top edge and fold left and right corners down to meet the middle and create a point at the top.
6. Pinch the folds together at the top and bottom and fluff them slightly before placing the napkin on a plate.

Practice makes perfect.
Before folding a design using a crisply starched and pressed napkin, it’s best to “iron out the wrinkles” in your technique to avoid extra creases. Use the enclosed napkin to practice, practice, practice till your folds are perfect.

Once you’ve mastered the fold, add your own personal touch; choose the napkin pattern and color you feel best suits each design. When choosing napkins, consider heavy linen or cotton napkins. They starch to a firm, crisp surface ideal for folding. Collect various patterns and colors that compliment your décor and personal style. Complicated folds require larger napkins, a minimum of 18–20 inches. The napkins must measure as perfect squares, and the fabric must
be cut straight on the weave to ensure that the cloth will not pull out of shape easily. High quality napkins will yield great results.

For best results, napkins should be washed, treated with starch, and ironed while damp. Intricate folds require traditional starch to yield a sufficiently crisp finish. When ironing, gently pull the napkins as needed to ensure that they are perfectly square. Unless otherwise specified, always begin with the wrong side (back side of napkin) facing up.

You’re well on your way to the perfect dining experience. Welcome to the pearly gates of Heaven. Enjoy.

Part 3: Reliving

"Hey Daddy-O. It's me. Jannie Annie. I'm here now."

I held his hand and spoke gently into his ear. The ventilator prevented any verbal response, but he responded with his eyes. Try as he might, he could not open them to see me. I knew he could hear me. "It's okay, Dad. I know you can't talk. Just listen. I want to tell you how much I love you."

God answered my prayers. This was my opportunity for closure. I stayed with him for hours, holding his hand the whole time as I reminisced.

"Wow, I bought a really great card shuffler for you on Sunday night. I was going to give it to you for Christmas, along with a cribbage board that would be easier to see the pegs, and a new deck of cards. You know, your deck is missing a Jack. I keep wondering how all of those games might have been different if we'd had it. I was looking forward to our next cribbage tournament. I think I'll buy the stuff, anyway. I want to teach Hugh how to play. I'll miss playing with you, but I'll always think of you when I play that game. I'll also think of you any time I play Yahtzee. Those were good times, too."

"I remember when Jill and I were real young, about Sophia's age. You'd be working at the drafting table in the basement, and we would come sit on the steps in front of you. You always took the time to stop working and make funny faces for us. We would double over in hysterical laughter. Our cheeks and guts ached from overuse of muscles. I remember you could wiggle your ears. I never mastered that, but I know I inherited your funny faces gene. I make silly faces for my kids all the time. They love it. And I always tell them that I got those funny faces from Grandpa."

"I recall walking to church together on Sunday mornings, sometimes just the two of us. I remember those walks well. We walked together and we talked about religion or whatever else that had me curious. We walked together to be with God. This time you'll make the walk alone, but I'm here with you, holding your hand just as you did mine. You'll always be with me. Go ahead, Dad. Walk with God. Be at peace. And I'll walk again with you one day. Good bye for now. I love you, Dad."

I shared the story of our walks with God when I delivered his eulogy. My brother and my niece also spoke, and a recurring theme arose. Dad's gifts were purposeful. A good man with good intentions, he led by example. I learned a lot from him about being ethical and moral. I'm not near the Christian he was, but I strive to be more like him every day that I live.