pixelspread plus

hasaportfolio: I’m now testing a full featured version of the...

Mon, 28 May 2012 19:37:00 +0000

I’m now testing a full featured version of the hasaportfolio theme. My plan is the make it a paid theme once it’s completed.

The full featured version will work with all post types (finally text and audio that everyone has been asking for). I’m also adding a few more options that you will be able to toggle on and off.

During the testing, I’m opening it up to feedback, so if you have any long standing issues or feature requests, now’s the time to post them.

The new Top of the Rock campaign is now up on the Pentagram...

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:44:00 +0000

The new Top of the Rock campaign is now up on the Pentagram blog. I’m very proud to see this go up around Rockefeller Center, as I’ve been very involved in the design of the campaign. Click through and take a look.

I posted three new NFL logos today: Raiders (as seen above),...

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 01:10:25 +0000

I posted three new NFL logos today: Raiders (as seen above), Saints, and Dolphins

NFLogos (a modern take on NFL team logos) continues with the New...

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 05:32:45 +0000

NFLogos (a modern take on NFL team logos) continues with the New York Jets.

I just started a blog dedicated to modern redesigns of current...

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 21:29:00 +0000

I just started a blog dedicated to modern redesigns of current NFL logo. It’s just a fun project that I’d like to update periodically until I get through all teams and conferences at least once (or twice…). Requests welcome, especially if inspiration is included.

This one is just for fun. I designed a t-shirt for my...

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 19:32:54 +0000

This one is just for fun. I designed a t-shirt for my brother’s relay team named the Lava Tigers. Bonus points if you saw the volcano.

As quick follow up to the Airlines for America post, I also got...

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:17:00 +0000

As quick follow up to the Airlines for America post, I also got my first posters up on the partners wall in the New York Pentagram office (here’s a before shot). A dream come true. I’ll have get a new picture with these posters up.

Poster Design Credit: Michael Gericke, partner-in-charge, and designer; Matt McInerney.

The new identity for Airlines for America has just been...

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:02:00 +0000

The new identity for Airlines for America has just been posted on the Pentagram blog. I’ve been working on this for a while.

Foursquare has adopted the proposed rel=”logo”...

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:20:53 +0000

Foursquare has adopted the proposed rel=”logo” standard. You should too.

Since posting about relogo, a new standard for easy and...

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:02:42 +0000

Since posting about relogo, a new standard for easy and automated logo distribution, I’m noticing it’s gotten a little bit of attention. I think the next step is to build a library of example uses, to show it off a bit.

In order to do that, I’m looking for some sites to use as examples. If you are a webmaster, all you have to do it is upload an SVG file of your logo and add this line to your site:

Replace the ‘yourdomain’ url with a link to your logo of course.

If you’ve started using this on your site, please send me a link on twitter, @mattmc, or reblog this post. I’d love to see examples so I can start using them on relogo.org.

link rel="logo"?

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:48:00 +0000

link rel="logo"?:

rel=”logo” or relogo is an idea I’m proposing that uses existing link tags to serve up-to-date/approved logos. The idea is very simple. You paste a small line of code on your site that links to an SVG of your logo. This logo can then be easily pulled from any other site for promotional or editorial use. It also makes verifying correct logo artwork very easy. Since there is no centralized database hosting all the logos, the verification comes from checking the validity of the domain name hosting the SVG.

At the moment, it is surprisingly difficult to gather logos online. Sites like Brands of the World host vector files for many popular brands, but usually they are amateur recreations of existing artwork. Relogo would make it very easy to know that you’re using the correct artwork.

While I’m sure there are some brands that may not want to make their logo publicly available, I think a large percentage would rather host their own artwork than be represented by poorly drawn replacements or even out-of-date versions.

So how do you use it? Just upload your logo and use this line of code (with your own URL of course):

I’ve also set up a simple API on relogo.org that will pull logo artwork from any site that uses the tag. Just go to: http://relogo.org/api/domain.com and replace domain.com with a web address i.e. http://relogo.org/api/relogo.org

I’m interested in getting feedback on this idea, so if you thoughts, please share.

Hasaportfolio Theme Update

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 02:15:34 +0000

Hasaportfolio Theme Update:

I just posted an update to the hasaportfolio theme. Here’s what’s new:

Added the ability to customize colors for: text, background, thumbnail backgrounds, links, link hovers, and borders
Added lightbox features. Clicking on images in permalink pages now opens a lightbox view of the high res photo.
Photosets are now using native tumblr theme tags so they can support high res images and captions for each photo.
Thumbnails are now showing Captions when you hover over them, as opposed to HTML Safe Photo Alts. This fixes problems with apostrophes and ampersands. Captions have also been added to videos.

Hi Matt, I just installed your hasaportfolio theme for my tumblr page and was wondering if I could remove your "theme created by matt mcinerney" footer. I will be using my tumblr as a professional blog/portfolio and would like to have a professional look to it.
I hope you can give me the approval!

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 18:10:56 +0000

I appreciate the question, but I really prefer that you keep the credit line on the bottom of the theme. I don’t think it takes away from the professional look of the theme, and I think it’s fair to ask that you keep my link on a theme that I’ve made freely available. The traffic from those links is one of the very few benefits of offering the theme for free.

I know I said I wasn’t going to be updating clipping.us...

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:52:00 +0000

I know I said I wasn’t going to be updating clipping.us anytime soon, but I guess I spoke too soon. This morning I added the ability to create permanent links for any piece of text you’ve stored in a clipping.us url. The video above shows you a quick way that you can use this feature to extend the length of a tweet beyond 140 characters by adding a short link to the end of your tweet. Sorry for the distortion in the video by the way, I screen captured in a non-standard format, but I think it’s still easy enough to follow.

The basic idea of a clipping permalink is that you can generate a permanent link for any piece of text in a current clipping URL. This link can’t be edited or deleted, unlike a standard clipping URL. These urls are stored in the subdomain p.clipping.us. Once a permalink is created, a short url is automatically generated so that you can quickly share it twitter. My initial intention was to just give everyone the option of permanently saving a clipping quickly, but after playing with it, I realized it can easily extend the character count of a tweet with just a simple link.

Clipping.us for Copying Reminders to your Phone

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 19:34:00 +0000

It’s been a little while since I created clipping.us. I don’t update it, because I don’t think it really needs to be updated. It’s a simple web app that I use from time to time and it serves the simple purpose of sharing your clipboard or small bits of text between any device on your network.

Since I haven’t really mentioned it in a while, I thought I’d share one of the ways I find it useful, so that it may get a little more use. This is how I use it for little reminders.

First I pick a unique URL. For the purposes of this, I’m just using clipping.us/reminders, but I actually use something unique to me, since anyone can view or paste anything into any clipping URL at anytime, unless it’s temporarily locked to an IP.

Now that I’m on my clipping page, I hover over the Bookmarklet link on the bottom right. I drag that to my bookmarks bar.

There we go, all set there. Now to set up my iPhone.

I’m going to add the same URL that I’ve created a bookmarklet for as a home screen icon on my iPhone. You can do this by browsing to the URL in Safari and clicking the right facing arrow icon on the bottom bar.

I just tap Add to Home Screen.

Then I name it and click Add. The clipboard icon appears automatically.

There we go, now I’ve got my iPhone all set up.

Let’s say it’s later on in the day and I’m looking for a recipe for dinner. I find the recipe I’m looking for, but I need to go buy the ingredients.

I just highlight the recipe on the page I’m viewing and click the Bookmarklet button in my bookmarks bar.

The boomarklet will automatically copy the highlighted text to my clipping page. I’m ready to head out.

Now in the grocery store, I just pull out my iPhone, tap on my clipping icon.

There’s everything I need, formatted nicely for my iPhone. And no need to write anything down, print anything out, or send an email to myself.

Clipping.us is a simple web app that doesn’t require a username or password. Just pick a URL and use it to share any text you’d like. Clipping is completely open for anyone to view though, so be sure not to share sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers.

If you find this useful or use clipping.us for anything else interesting let me know. Send me a message with the Ask button in the top right.

One Year Out

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 12:02:00 +0000

A great post by Kyle Read about your first year as a designer out of college:

In continuation from the last post -and I don’t mean to get all sentimental here- but it has dawned on me that I really have had an interesting year, both personally and as a designer fresh out of school. (last time I reference my feelings on this blog, I promise.) After collecting some of the things I’ve learned as a design student of the world, I’ve compiled a list of some advice I’d give to graduates leaving SCAD, and really any one leaving any school, pertaining to my first year out. I in no way profess to know everything, but these are the things I believe to be truisms and good advice about my first year.

1. Yup, your professors were right. They weren’t crazy, or idealistic, or obsessed with theory only. Design is a profession learned slowly, and through failure. They knew what they said, and I hope you listened. They were right, for the most part, and by that I mean by no fault of their own, they only missed one small thing: you are your own person, and no matter how much you studied, you are now a designer of the early to mid twenty-first century, and theory and studies can only get you so far. Your professors could only be right up unto 2011. It’s up to you to write history now.

2. Plain and Simple. Don’t stop Hustlin. Whether you’re job searching, freelancing, or working to build your life. Hustle. Hustle harder than you’re ever hustled before. No more grades, just personal satisfaction. From now on, no matter how good you were, school was EASY. It’s now gonna be doubly hard to get anywhere. The only thing to do now is hustle, baby.

3. You will. This is a fact. Push through. PUSH THROUGH. I’ve seen it in everyone, me included. It may happen the day after graduation, or on day 364, and it may be for a minute, or a month, but you will, and it’s ok. Stay happy.

4. Ok, this is very similar to number 2…. however, this pertains especially to your professional life. If you don’t have a job yet, see number 2, if you do, your job is not done, it’s literally just beginning. There will be hardships along the way. School preps you great for talking to other people about your profession, and knowing your theory and honing your skills, but it does NOT teach you how to deal with a professional environment. It’s one of those things that can only be learned through experience, and every one is different. Small firm, Big company, freelance, no matter, everyone will have bosses, clients, and coworkers. These relationships can be rocky at first, but keep at it, and get creative on how to survive.

5. I think this is mostly for SCAD students, but DAMN those things were awesome. But no more… So use your free time wisely! It’s up to you!

6. This may be the most important one up here. Your friends are your new lifeline. Your new support group. Your new family. Your new social life, business partners, possible enemies, and possible opportunities. Keep the friends you made, and now make more. If you think you’re being annoying by trying to keep in touch, you’re not. Your friends are your life. They’re your most valuable asset now. (side note, writing a letter is an instant day-maker. I suggest writing letters to ALL of your facebook friends. Do it.)

7. So, in addition to friends… use ALL of the resources available to you. You’ve heard it a million times. It’s true. Milk this world for all it’s willing to give you! There really are so many new recources out there. There are no more campus computer labs, student discounts, instant and easily accessible groups of people and clubs, awesome school libraries or professors for free. BUT, there are still the public libraries, the internet, groupon, old people (my favorite), and countless others. USE THEM.

8. Bawwwww. Yup, it’s true. F#@% money, you’re a graduate of an institution that revered the pursuit of artistic and personal perfection, no reason that should change just because they gave you a piece of paper and a handshake. There’s always more money out there, but do what makes you happy, do what you love. Even if it’s not your day job, find a way to be happy with your free time. It doesn’t stop now, it only begins. (I believe my favorite acronym for SCAD -Sleep Comes After Death- is now even more applicable.) You can do it, this life is yours. Go get it. And if you want a friend to get it with, call me. really. @kyleread.

There’s much more I could say, but I feel I’ve already been long winded. See you out there grads.

Celebrating 100 Years at the New York Public Library I worked on...

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 02:53:07 +0000

Celebrating 100 Years at the New York Public Library

I worked on this exhibition for about a year. It’s now up at the New York Public Library until December 31st. Find more information at the Pentagram blog.

Your hasaportfolio theme is amazing. Love it! I was just wondering if it would be possible to have more post type options. Like the text post option? Would that work?

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 18:31:08 +0000

I’ve gotten this question quite a bit. I’ve specifically designed hasaportfolio to work with just photos and videos to keep the appearance of a clean visual portfolio. You’re welcome to modify the theme to include text posts, but I have no plans of adding this functionality into the theme.

what are some of your themes i really like the robo turner.

Sat, 21 May 2011 02:19:59 +0000

The most recent tumblr theme I’ve designed is a portfolio theme called hasaportfolio. You can find it at http://hasaportfolio.com. I plan to work on more soon as well. Follow my blog to find out when they’re available.

Can you do me a favor? :))) Please Can you make me a Tumblr Layouts? :)))

Sat, 21 May 2011 02:17:59 +0000

I do design custom tumblr themes when I have time for new freelance projects. If you’re interested, you can get in touch with me for a price quote.

Because Studio. Graphic Design.

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:54:50 +0000

Because Studio is the freelance graphic design practice of Loz Ives. A ton of great work.

The Forgotten Interrobang

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 17:52:55 +0000

National Punctuation Day Reignites Interrobang Passion

Lawrence Weiner

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:36:24 +0000

I don’t necessarily agree with him, but I find this short film very interesting. It is funny that Hillman Curtis uses Helvetica for the credits though.

typeSQL

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:36:24 +0000

Typeface connection visualization tool

twistori

Mon, 12 May 2008 02:09:41 +0000

Beautifully simple wefeelfine-inspired twiter app.

H&FJ on The Ampersand

Sun, 11 May 2008 17:17:47 +0000

I'd been hoping Jonathan Hoefler would write this one...

The Ampersand

Fri, 02 May 2008 14:57:25 +0000

"When creating a new typeface, a designer can inject the most artistic flair into the ampersand character."

Type City Gallery

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:00:11 +0000

Explore the streets of Type City.

Thirty Tables of Contents

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:08:08 +0000

A collection of well designed Table of Contents pages from Design Observer.

The Rather Difficult Font Game

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:58:05 +0000

How well do you know your fonts?