Poison Designs

Design Ish: Get Qwembilized

2010-08-30T03:15:05Z

Before I get into the goodies, those of you who are regulars might notice that a lot of my music and video posts are missing. Fear not! They still exist! I just had to move them to a new secret location. Since Authentic Vision is getting off the ground, I’ve moved all that content over to the new site (via Facebook for now LOL) and this, eventually, will be my design/geek type blog only.

That being said, with the help of the oh so awesome MntlPlx, I just whipped up Leaf Qwembi’s new logo!

What Plx was kind enough to send:

What I ended up with, after a few tweaks:

It’ll look good on white BUT!!!!

Be on the lookout for the LeafDidIt.com metamorphosis, coming soon to a theater near you… -wicked grin-

Music/Design Ish: In a Galaxy Not So Far Away…

2010-08-31T13:06:00Z

There’s this project called Paradoxx. Some of ya’ll might have heard of it. Heh. It’s not due to be released for a while yet BUT I’m kinda impressed on what I’ve managed to accomplish today and I feel like braggin.

We finally managed to do the shoot, and this was what Qwembi and Alabama Blakk picked:

And properly proportioned:

I had a fit of genius and came up with the cover concept (which ya’ll won’t be able to see for a while yet – sorry!) and it involved cutting out a lot of stuff:

I decided to have one more version on hand, just in case:

And, just the other day, during an unrelated incident, I relized just how damn dirty that guitar was!

I decided it should look like this:

If there’s one thing that’s decent about school, it’s that I’m learning new stuff (even if I do have to use software I hate) that’s coming in super handy – like layer masks! I can do sooooooooo much more than I could before – HA!

And if you wanna see what else I’ve got in store for this lovely little thing, you’re just gonna have to stay tuned – double HA!

Geek Ish: Another Rant

2010-06-12T18:22:32Z

Love Adobe products? Think they’re the greatest thing since sliced bread?

I DISAGREE!

Yeah, I said it.

I’m talkin to you, Flash, Photoshop, Premier, et al.

My time in school is givin me more and more reason, too.

So I think I’ve mentioned I had to dump Winblows again. Which means I’ve lost my GRUB and all my Linux goodies until I can get that fixed or reinstalled. Probably reinstalled. I want to do different mounting, need one more partition to be happy.

Meanwhile, I had to focus on getting Winblows right because I have finals next week. And heaven forbid I be able to learn under Ubuntu. That’d be wretched! Anyway, one of the first parts of that process is is backin up my files. Since I’m schmart like that, I know how to find all the program defaults so I don’t have to worry about trivial ish like losing all my mail and RSS feeds so lovingly stored by Thunderbird and all my Firefox settings. Stuff like that. So, before the dump, I went to copy this folder to a my storage drive and was promptly told I needed more room.

…huh? And to give example here, now that I’ve freshly reinstalled Winblows, my roaming folder hasn’t even touched a gig – and most of that is my mail. Keep this in mind now. 900 measly megs!

So I cruise the list, looking to see what all’s there. Nothing unusual, just the programs I needed to have on here, nothing more. So which was the suspect? My first choice, knowing how much I loathe it, was the Adobe folder. Right click, properties…

35 fucking gigs???

I just shook my head, got the one file I really wanted out of roaming, and left the rest to be blown away. I looked through the Winblows default folders (docs, vids, picts, etc) to make sure I hadn’t left something set to default for too long.

Hmmm…

There’s another Adobe folder. Right click, properties…

15 gigs.

-sigh-

Now, again, ’cause I’m schmart, I have my hard drive divided into partitions. A few for Ubuntu, one for Winblows, and one that is a storage drive that both can access. This is where all my ‘I need this handy no matter what’ files go. This is what houses all my video projects while I’m working on them. Once I’m done with a project, it – and all it’s related files (I thought) – gets moved to my external. (That houses all my video files – worked or not – and other various odds and ends.

Looks like not only was that not the case but Adobe has straight been raping my C drive – which is just as big as I need for programs and a big ass page file – nothing more! All said and done, between the program files (which I knew would be big cause their suite is HUGE) and all these hidden and mysterious data files, Adobe had 52 gigs of my system.

Why, oh why, Adobe, do you fuck up so??? First off, if you’re going to cache the video files and stuff, that’s great. I like that you take the time to process it and only do it once. I sat patiently through the conforming process – that often times took at least an hour! – because I, rather mistakenly, thought this information was being saved with the rest of the project!!!

But you go through all the trouble of adding your little two cents to my project file, making two folders with a few files each – and a few other files too! – and can’t put that cache in THOSE folders? Can’t delete whatever you put on my preciously small Winblows installation so it can run like it’s SUPPOSED TO since I’m stuck usin it – AND YOU!?? How ’bout the option to change where you put that shit, huh? That’d even be lovely.

-double sigh-

I just got done unleashing on my classmates by way of a similarly amusing (and ‘milder’) rant and figured I’d make one here, too. Heh. At leat the few of you who made it this far probably know what I’m talkin about where the majority of them will sit there scratchin their heads. LOL

Procrastination at it’s best. I suppose I oughta get on to Stats and stuff ’cause I’ve got a longgg week ahead of me. Heh.

Random Ish: Update it is!

2010-06-09T03:17:07Z

So I just finished working on a CD cover for Qwembi and Kilo’s album, Think Long. Well, it’s still a work in progress but I’d finished for the day.

I’m recuperating (or trying to) from having to dump Windows. Silly me forgot to make sure my GRUB would be safe so I’m missing lots of important information. And reinstalling EVERYTHING. Adobe’s bunked. Both Photoshop and Premier are givin me issues so something’s messed up somewhere and I have to figure that out too. Have I mentioned how much I hate Windows lately?

Figured that out while I was trying to chop up some H.O.B.S. Movement footage.

-sigh-

Sorry, Wess! Serious delay but it’s comin!

In other news, I’ve got a few new associates coming into the picture very quickly. As soon as I can get some time, I’ll be making proper introductions! -grin-

There are also a few website designs in the works. REALLY can’t wait to have those done! LOL

And since I can’t do much else right now and I really don’t feel light fighting computer issues, I’m gonna do the one thing I can do. Plant my rear on Facebook, listen to music, and stir up more mischief! If you haven’t done it yet, you really oughta check out and ‘like’ the Authentic Vision page. I’m making that home away from home and if you’re a fan, you’ll get to see a lot of stuff before anybody else. Leaks abound over there! Not to mention the provoking thoughts and music!

Funnies: God Texts the 10 Commandments

2010-05-28T20:31:33Z

Yes, yes, I know I’m goin to hell. See ya there!

Here ya go:

M, pls rite on tabs & giv 2 ppl.

1. no1 b4 me. srsly.

2. dnt wrshp pix/idols

3. no omg’s

4. no wrk on w/end (sat 4 now; sun l8r)

5. pos ok – ur m&d r cool

6. dnt kill ppl

7. :-X only w/ m8

8. dnt steal

9. dnt lie re: bf

10. dnt ogle ur bf’s m8. or ox. or dnkey. myob.

Design Ish: Hot Off the Press…

2010-05-26T03:20:51Z

Mine n Qwembi’s new logo!

What IS This ‘Authentic Vision,’ Anyway?

2010-08-18T20:09:43Z

To answer that question, it is my way of seeing things and – not to toot my own horn here but! – my way isn’t half bad if you have an open mind. Luckily for me, I strive to surround myself with the people who understand, whether they know it or not, what I ‘do’ and why. And – most importantly – how.

Authentic Vision is basically the end (or, perhaps a brand new beginning!) result of what I’ve been working my way toward for the last year and a half – an accomplishment I can say I am proud to have reached well before its time. The journey to present day has full of challenges, sadness, and pain but it has also brought about a lot of growth and development, love, and friendship. It’s even morphed into something more than I’d ever dreamt possible.

I, after stepping out of my hermit shell that one fateful night at Down Below, have (re)blossomed into what you all see and adore – are sparked or piqued by. I promise, you could all ask members of my family and they would tell you!

I, after years of thinking that I was a nutball for my beliefs, have fallen into company with great people who get it and give me purpose. Purpose is important – as are discipline and intent. There will be a lot more on that soon.

I, after spending years of listening to old school R&B (my first love was Roberta Flack – had her on VINYL! – thanks to my dad) and falling off the mainstream hiphop wagon in about 1993, am surrounding myself with people who know (and make!) good music.

First and foremost, Authentic Vision will be me spotlighting – however possible – said music. I suppose you could say it’s a bona fide record label and I’m willing to work with whoever I can (musicians, labels, corporate sponsors, and like-minded artists alike) – whoever I believe is worthy – however I can, to make sure they are heard.

Eventually, Authentic Vision will encompass pursuits related to a book I’ve been told I should write. It’s likely that I’ll share some of that journey (that whole ‘purpose, intent, and discipline’ thing) with my new crew as well so be sure to stay tuned for that!

Meanwhile, here’s a call to everyone – if you need any of the following:

Website design (Specializing in WordPress)

Web maintenance (Posting to said website, updating social media, calendars, etc.)

Web hosting and domain registration (Yes, I can do that too!)

Graphic design (Web, CD, whatever!)

Live-action photography (I do not stage model shoots!)

Video production (I own and can aim a camera – and hooray for HD! I can even edit. But don’t ask about the editing turnaround until I can either devote myself to this full time or hire a minion or three! )

Or…

Beats or rhymes

Performers (live band or CD)

Studios

Venues

Promotion

Planning

Publishing and/or distribution (Authentic Vision is registered with ASCAP and will soon be working with CDBaby and ReverbNation.)

Production

Mentoring and development

A label

Or anything else music related!

Hit me up – no matter what part of the globe! Seriously. If I can’t do something, I know someone who can. Or someone who knows someone. I have friends in high places!

Design/Music Ish: Super Sneaky Sneak Peek

2010-05-13T05:43:49Z

If you’ve actually been paying attention, you may have gotten wind of two new and very hot developments:

1. There is about to be a monumental hip-hop movement in Tallahassee!

2. Alabama Blakk’s album, Street Preachin’, is just about ready for press – with a release date coming up in the very near future – and I had the honor of designing the cover!

(Click for a larger view, as always!)

Ya’ll are even lucky enough to get another sneak peek:

Consider this one Discerning Ears approved, keep an eye on this cat, and tell your friends!

Funnies

2010-04-24T16:31:37Z

Doonesbury!

I saw this the other day and started listing off people in my head…

Simply amazing how many! LMAO

Geek Ish: Sexy Code Snippet

2010-03-21T17:45:25Z

Okay, sometimes I really wish my creative talents were a bit more expansive! I just saw this and had to share:

Check out the rest of Exey’s pictures on Flickr!