Last Friday I mentioned that I’ll be posting a series of articles that will highlight people I’ve come to know over time on Twitter. Since we talk to them on a daily basis, I figured it would be best to highlight some interesting facts we never really knew about them.
I am pretty fortunate to know these 3 designers. Louis Gubitosi @iBlend, Calvin Lee @mayhemstudios and Chad Engle @chadengle – so I asked them a few questions and here they are, a little more Up Close and personal:
#1 What’s your favorite source of inspiration?
@chadengle : Behance and my RSS feeds. I subscribe to about anything i can find that has to do with typography, design, architecture, photography or anything graphic.
@IBlend: I think what inspires me most is my music. I’m a big fan of some older rap and hip-hop (Jurassic 5, Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Talib Kweli and Mos Def to name a few. I work in New York City and am always surrounded by noise and chaos, so what inspires me second most is nature, and specifically the beach. I moved to the beach last summer (yes it’s a 1hr 10min commute from Liz Claiborne) but I really think it’s a good balance from the “normal” day in the city. I also find different sources of inspiration through the Discovery and History channels, working out and playing PS3 (Madden or Call of Duty) online.
@mayhemstudios : I usually have several sources for inspiration: Combination of looking at great design, twitter links, life, friends and family.
#2 Any favorite toys or gadgets?
@chadengle: Has to be my iPhone. I would’ve said my Macbook Pro but thats more of a utility. I think that the iPhone is an amazing device especially now that 3.0 has a release date. I am amazed to see what the future for this device brings.
@iBlend: My answer here is a little random, but besides giving you the obvious answers like my iPhone, computer or any other electronic gadgets around the house, I have a Homer Simpson Rubik’s Cube. My buddy Jeff left it at my house 3 years ago and I’ve only been able to solve it twice. It’s only really looked like Homer for a couple of hours because as soon as it’s solved, one of your friends is like, “Hey, that looks easy” and scrambles it up again….well, it wasn’t easy for me so BACK OFF! (a little Billy Madison reference)
@mayhemstudios: I don’t really have a favorite toy/gadget right now. That is until I get my new Mac Book Pro/iPhone. Currently, I have to say Twitter, having lot of fun meeting people IRL.
#3 Ever wonder what’s inside those back packs or computer cases? So I asked the guys what’s inside your Bag?
@chadengle: I rarely ever leave home without: Macbook Pro, Cables for it (power, VGA & DVI connectors) Mighty Mouse, Siege Headphones, iPod, iPhone, Action Method pads from behance, Pen, microfiber towel ( to clean the fingerprints off my devices) Axio Bag (have a messenger and a hardshell backpack)
@iBlend: My bag… hmmm? My man purse?… no, don’t have one of those. My laptop bag?… a laptop. My gym bag?… nope, just some smelly clothes.
I’m going to have to answer your question by describing what’s in my metaphorical bag. Well, when I’m not in the office you can find me wearing a backwards Yankee hat and no, it’s not to hide my receding hairline… it’s because it’s cool! Wherever I go, I always bring my iPhone with me (and the charger of course because of the horrible battery life), some business cards, a wallet and a New York Giants bottle opener on the key chain. That’s pretty much it.
@mayhemstudios: My bag of tricks include: great retweetablilty, helping, sharing connecting with people, my brains and being a really nice guy.
What’s next? Good question, in the social media perspective, social media is a shift in how people discover, read and share news, information and content. It’s a fusion of sociology and technology, transforming monologues (one to many) into dialogues (many to many). Social media has become extremely popular because it allows people to connect in the online world to form relationships both personal and business.
Connection is the operative word. Twitter is not just links and words of wisdom, its real people connecting 140 character at a time.
That’s it for this week’s Up Close and Personal – tune in next week for a new edition
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I think this is a very cool idea.. you are right, connection is the key and knowing people on a more personal level will surely guarantee better dialogue. Love it.. Thank you for sharing..
Thanks for the feature! I think its really great to talk like this and talk more about whos behind the screen.
Thanks Arnt for asking me to contribute. It’s was quick and fun. Honor to be in the company of such cool designers.
- Cal
Thanks for putting this great post together Arnt. I feel honored that I was asked to participate along with Calvin and Chad. Hope to read more of these soon! thanks again!
@iBlend