My boss asked me to take on an additional responsibility this week - to manage a new government project, a corporate book for the Public Service Division with a rather intense deadline. All must be designed, printed and delivered by June 16th, in time for a major international convention here in Singapore. My stomach is doing back flips as I'm thinking about it. ACK! Besides that, I've got another issue of lol to rush out with a deadline of June 23. Double ACK! Plus I've got several interviews set up for next week.

Anyone know a good cloning specialist?

Labels: Work

This is the cover of my first magazine - lol or Living Out Loud. This 20-page issue is currently only available at Lasalle - College of the Arts. The next issue due out at the end of June, on the SIM campus.

You can read an interview I did of a Singapore illustrator here. Thanks OIC!

Labels: Projects, Work

Had a client reject all 3 concepts for an annual report design because they were 'too creative'. Can you believe that? Too creative?! He tossed out everything, changed the theme again, and said he wanted something more conventional. This translates to safe, boring and one that his secretary could probably do in Microsoft Word.

Didn't know whether to laugh or cry. And they weren't anything too avant-garde or 'unconventional' either. One involved the use of different textures, one had interesting packaging and one was quite conventional but with a clever title to positively introduce their past year's efforts.

Note: Re-did them, re-presented the new idea and client loved it. Sigh!

Labels: Work

It's my fourth day at the new office. I'm slowly easing into this new position with a project for a coffee table book. I've come up with some good ideas and I think my boss likes them. We'll be exploring them fully next Tuesday when we all sit down to a idea/sketch brainstorm.

But so far, it's good. Nice office with 8 people in an old shophouse very near a working red-light district on the edge of Chinatown. Interesting location! Nothing sleazy about it, and quite different from what you might think. I'll have to get some pixs up online here to show you what I mean. Oh, and no worries, it's quite safe.

I've been faithfully going for yoga classes although I've cut back on a couple this week just so I can settle in here first. I hope to fall into a routine of after work classes with at least one on a weekend. Speaking of which, if anyone is interested, do participate in the Global Mala Project that's happening this Saturday. The website explains it better. On that day, members at my yoga center can sign up to do 108 chants or 108 sun salutations orboth! I've put my name down for the sun salutations. Two hours! If anyone in Singapore is reading this and would like join me, drop me a comment. Participation in the project here is free!

Note: I didn't make it for the sun salutations. I went for Yin the day before, got home late and woke up this morning (Saturday, 22/9) with the sniffles. God, I hope it's not the flu!

Labels: General, Work

About a month ago, I complained of the hellish week I was going through with my boss. Things got a little better, then last week it got worse again.

Well, things came to a head this past Friday. I was retrenched.

I had a funny feeling the whole week. My intuition was never more accurate. Some shitty excuse was given about improving production standards and that someone with greater experience was brought in to do just that. They also admitted that getting me to do the job of 4 people was a mistake. Well, gee! You think? I was creative services, traffic, production and studio manager! There wasn't enough hours in a work day to get what I had to do, done. Request for help went unheeded. And it didn't help my CD had divaesque aspirations.

While I was not surprised when it happened, it left me a bit shaken yet relieved! Shaken cause I had promised myself to stay in this job for at least 2 years (I had just 11 months more to go). Relieved cause I don't have to deal with his tirades anymore.

So now, I'm on the market again. Feels strange this time as I wasn't expecting it. I'm considering running away to my sister in Memphis to spend a month there. That would be a good time to get the paperwork going on a US green card. It's something we've both talked about for yonks but I've never had the time or opportunity to really do anything serious about it.

I'm taking a short break for now, to sort out my options and decide on that visit. I'm still a wee bit shaky but I will be fine come Monday. Then...full steam ahead!

Labels: General, News, Work

I started blogging several times but I was constantly interrupted by work and sleepiness.

I think I survived the hell week from Hell! Our Nokia project wrapped up successfully and was out the door ONE day early. But one other project was going sour faster than pickling cukes!

A supplier of premium gifts that I had contracted to produce some items for a client's product lauch screwed up. The premiums were NOT looking very premium. Now if that wasn't enough for me to worry over and solve, my direct boss who's also our CD aka Creative Diva was stressed to the max by several other projects. He's the total micro manager and was taking it upon himself to micro manage me and this latest hiccup! Which meant yelling and being really, really nasty in a bitchy sort of way. Arrgh!! Like I don't have enough stress!

One thing led to another till I finally had no choice but to speak to a couple of people who could help. Especially after being dragged back to work last Saturday and Sunday. Creative Diva INSISTED I HAD to be there. I spent 8 hours on both days doing absolutely nothing except reading and playing games on Yahoo!

This past week has been better. I'm still stressed out with that premium gift supplier, but now I don't have Creative Diva breathing down my neck every few seconds. He's stopped checking with me on every single detail. I think the powers that be finally got through to him.

I've got several days next week off, and I've opted for working at home today. I'm feeling loads better and raring to go again. Meeting some friends tonight for dinner, drinks and good conversation. It's been an AGE since I had any of that. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Labels: General, Work

It's been an age since I last blogged. Everything has been on 'pause' for the past 2 weeks. This blog, my books, fun stuff...life! No thanks to work. With several key people away in Australia for a photo shoot, I'm the touch point for a bunch of projects and that has been driving me around the bend, over humps and several potholes. Grrr...

I'm so upset cause I missed a Borders books sale; buy 4 books, pay for 3. Any book, not a special ticketed one. And I couldn't make it! Why oh! why did they have it mid-week, not on a Friday or weekend?

I'm just counting down the days till the Ides of March - when all things Nokia end. So bare with me and my sporadic entries till then. Hope everyone is well, I'll come visiting soon.

Labels: General, Work

I haven't updated you on what's been going on with me in the past couple of months. Life has me caught in its current and I've just been swept along, enjoying the sometimes bumpy ride.

Work is crazy. I mean, what can you expect from working in an ad agency with large global and regional clients. Remember last year June and July, when I was grumbling about the 2 near simultaneous campaigns? Well, history repeats itself again. One finishes towards the end of February and the other rolls out one week later. There is a silver lining though; Chinese New Year and the two public holidays on Feb 19 and 20. I'm looking at a 4-day weekend. Sweet respite! For now, it's just deadlines, deadlines and more deadlnes.

On a sad note, something's happened in the last few months that have seen some people I thought were good friends, disappear.

You see, I usually call this group of friends together for movies, parties, dinners, drinks or just to see how everyone is. Then sometime in July last year just as things were getting really crazy at work, I realised that it was always me making the first move, the first call, on MSN or SMS. And I got fed-up. So I stopped. Just to see if any of them would realise it when I went MIA.

Well, it's been 6 months, and not one word from anyone. Other friends were surprised to hear this, and several said that I should get in touch with those few again. I can't. I won't. It's been too long and their utter lack of communication has just proved to me that our friendship has been rather one-sided all this time.

After a missed birthday, Christmas and New Year, it's a sad truth that I've had to wake up to this year. Enough. I'm not going to chase after them and their friendship when it's so obvious they're not interested in mine. After all, it's their loss.

Labels: General, Work

Totally out of the blue, I just heard that we are all going to Sri Lanka next year in February! All 26 of us. Even the freelancers! Oh wow...!

More to follow. This announcement was made at our Christmas party yesterday.

Labels: News, Work

We're still in the midst of a massive office renovation. Everything has been gutted to make way for a more open concept. Oh... and that's our creative studio's mascot. Rat loves to travel and can often be found by following the screams of unsuspecting suits who discover him in some rather unexpected places.

Labels: Work

You've heard it. May have said it. You've probably been there and seen it. Well, I am on that other side and let me tell you, grass is still grass.

Fate must have had enough of my moans and grumbles when I was with Company B, and slipped me an opportunity via email. It looked promising. After 2 months, I left B and signed up with Agency.

It seems I've traded up however I've realised people here will always be just 'colleagues' and never 'friends'. You know what I mean... Those you'll see from 9 to 6, Mondays to Fridays. Conversations are about work and clients. They'll never really get your jokes nor will any organise a steamboat/BBQ night.

I've worked at a total of 9 companies since starting out as a designer in 1991. Ten if you include that period when I was on my own. Yet only 3 of them, including Company B, yielded colleagues who have become some of my 'bestest' friends.

However the tradeoff is I'm learning so much more at this job. So for now, work is just that: work. I'll do what I have to do to get things done. Oh! this job isn't for a Pollyanna. I've to morph into Miranda Priestly by day (minus the designer wear). But after 6pm, I'll call Ian, Bex, Emma or Brenda for drinks and then, chameleon-like, return to my self.

Labels: Work

It's finally over! All the late nights and early mornings, grumblings, stress, lost tempers, late lunches and no dinners as a result of the two campaigns are behind me now. We've got just a couple of things to wrap up but these are minor compared to what's gone before.

And now I can say what we've been working on these past months. Nokia will be launching 2 new Nseries phones - the N92 and N73. All material you'll see - posters, ads, banners, stuff in Nokia stores etc. - came out of my office here in Singapore. The N92 offers you real live mobile TV in the palm of your hand while the N73 is a 3.2 megapixel camera that also happens to be a phone. Both are amazing phones although I'm more partial to the N73 cause of its slimness and that camera feature.

Labels: Work

The team pulled an all-nighter Thursday into Friday, to finish artwork for the ad campaign coming out in August. Got home at about 530am, fell asleep midway through an old episode of The Golden Girls at about 615am, woke up at 10am to get into the office at 11am for the last leg of Phase 1 this evening.

Feel slightly stoned. Just looking forward to sleeping in this weekend and recharging for Phases 2 to 4 next week. These last 3 should not be as crazy as this phase but in advertising, you never can guess the whims of clients.

I just want my life back! Everything - family, friends, dinner dates, movies, shopping(!) - has been on hold for nearly 2 months. I've postponed a doctor's appointment 5 times now. D...if you're reading this, I owe you a massive phone call at the end of July.

Labels: Work

How and what do you classify as an 'excuse'?

Someone asked me to explain why something did not happen and I gave him the explanations, wherefores and hows - all very matter-of-factly. Are those excuses? It's already happened, over with and done. I'm not defending or justifying anything but when part of the reasons include the one asking the question, and he doesn't like what he hears, is he right to say I'm making excuses?! He didn't make his intentions clear, left out some important information, and I'm suppose to read his mind as to what he REALLY wants. What the...!?

Labels: Work

Half a year has gone and it's now July! Do you realise that there is less then six months left to Christmas? Ack!

The past 2 weeks have been crazy and there's 19 days to go before all this craziness ends. That little spot of light in the horizon is what's keeping me going. Can you imagine? Two...2...global campaigns for a telco company in two...2 months. This is not the norm. One of the campaigns suddenly came to life after laying dormant for 4 months. Now both are needed. Both are urgent. Both have the SAME bloody deadline. Grrr... all we could do was shake our heads and wonder what the client was doing during all that time.

Anyway, 29 July is when EVERYTHING goes out the door to the rest of the world. And I can hardly wait! Only then I can start thinking about my holiday in Oz.

Labels: Work

A composite shot of my desk in my little office (click on it for a larger image). I love this room as there's tons of storage space. I'll be moving soon and the next spot won't have half as much storage space as this.

Labels: Work

A lovely 3-day weekend but I'm headed back into the office tomorrow at 11am.

There's another major presentation on Friday and we've got reviews of concepts tomorrow. I'm crossing my fingers that it won't be a whole day affair but my CD (let's call him Max) is such a workaholic that it just may be. Sigh!

I've got a bunch of freelancers joining the creative team this week. It's going to be hectic and crowded for at least a month. Longer, if we 'wow' the client with our ideas and they award us everything in the campaign ie. print, TVCs, online and retail materials.

But on a lighter note...I've just picked up several copywriting jobs. I didn't actively seek them out but an old client contacted me. Woohoo! All this goes towards my "Send Me On A Holiday" fund. However with my current workload, the only time I have to write is on weekends or at night, if I get home early enough. Thankfully I have a VERY understanding client.

Labels: Work

The Agency is in the midst of preparing for the production of TVCs and print ads for model A of a popular mobile phone brand, while preparing for a major creative presentation for model B, due to be released later this year. As creative services, I'm to find, propose and get competitive quotations based our visuals while making sure everything runs like clockwork which also means the availability of freelancers when my CD needs them. Right now I'm flying solo, but if work picks up ie. more clients and more projects, I'll need help to manage traffic (one of the things I least enjoy).

I've been here for 1 month, 1 week and 3 days, and counting down to my confirmation date (June 9). So far, the Agency is proving to be an interesting place. There's a lot to learn here: on-the-job and through an all-round nice CD with tons of industry experience.

Labels: Work

(This is my gripe about a malaise plaguing the creative industry with good news at the end.)

Why oh! why do companies still subject designers, writers and illustrators to spec jobs!?

All that effort and money wasted in stupid competitions where odds are stacked against the design team from the outset. Most times, the company has already decided who they want to work with but company policy dictates that a pitch must be called. Spec jobs don't always go for the cheapest campaign or to the agency with the best idea and media plan.

It's all about company politics and damm good industry PR. Of course an agency with crystal, gold and silver awards, many earned for scam ads from international competitions, are already halfway through that door.

And for those who did their best and failed? Well, they drag themselves back to funky cubicles and offices, shrug off this loss and move on to the next pitch. By the way, did you know some agencies hire teams of people who do nothing but spec work?

Do I sound mad? You bet I do. (Read a really good analogy of what spec work is like here.) You see, I've had more than my fair share of pitches and spec work. I've seen really good ideas sweated out by super talented people, fail to win. Sure, the only cost to an agency are the number of man-days wasted on that one pitch. What many fail to see are the 2 to 3 weeks of back-breaking work, long days and late nights, not to mention the total absence of any kind of life till after the pitch.

The bosses at my new place absolutely refuse to do any pitches or spec work. Alleluia! We have enough to do without wasting time on work that may not happen. I personally think spec work should be banned, and companies who do insist on pursuing it, should be fined and blacklisted. So you can imagine my glee when I stumbled across NO!SPEC. It was formed by "a group of designers from all over the globe [who've] banded together, fueled by passion and a lot of caffeine, to bring NO!SPEC to the public."

Finally someone is taking a stand. Now if only we can make people accept that specs and pitches do not benefit anyone, least of all the company who's in need of good creative ideas to market their products and services.

Labels: General, Work

I got a Raspberry Tea Frappe instead.

First day at work went well. It was VERY quiet with nearly half of the staff in a mega client meeting that lasted nearly 5 hours. Ack!

I was briefed on a job, went about calling for several film production houses to attend a creative briefing on Monday, and updating my vendor list while contacting several with details of my current whereabouts. Spent some time getting acquainted with Lotus Notes which I last used about 6 years ago.

Lunch was a quiet affair - I headed to Starbucks as I promised myself and did some window shopping after.

Altogether an uneventful first day.

First impression of the new team? The #1 boss is super approachable; the 2 full-time designers are quiet guys while client servicing seem like a bunch of really nice girls. I know all this is subject to change. For now, I'm satisfied and quite happy.

Labels: Work

Day after tomorrow that is. I'll finally be able to communicate face to face with another human besides my parents, after being in a bubble for the past 12 days. And I'm soooo looking forward to it.

I'm looking forward to going to lunch with new colleagues and making new friends, checking out my new office space, sending my first email from work, getting to know new clients and their very specific requirements and most of all, picking up a Hazelnut Latte Grande at the Starbucks just across the road at lunch.

Labels: Work

Yesterday was my last day. I've officially been released from all employment and other company obligations. Can you see the big grin on my face?

Now to enjoy my break.

Labels: Work

To my last day at my present company. I've got much to look forward to but for the next couple of days, it's going to be tough. I have a tons of things to handover, stuff to label and record, and general tidying up of studio area in preparation of the next guy to sit in my seat. On top of all that, I hate saying goodbye. I've enjoyed being part of a great team. I've learned a lot, made some good friends but it's time to move on.

Labels: Work

Yup...it's been THAT bad. For the past two weeks, I've been floundering outside my comfort zone, helping a sick colleague in a project that had "Screwed Up!" emblazoned on it.

It was a last minute product promotion that the client dumped on us ONE week before its intended launch. ONE WEEK! These things usually take at least a month to plan and coordinate but we had ONE FREAKING WEEK. And with a key colleague out of the picture for the entire time, the whole bloody campaign fell on the shoulders of me and another. We struggled along as best we could, both of us out of our element as neither of us have EVER done event management or planning. Our job scopes are vastly different too. We checked and double checked everything with each other. A third colleague was involved but he didn't do much in giving us support. And that's another issue...

Things came to a head on Thursday with both of us having a mini breakdown in the office. The stress we were experiencing was like NOTHING I've EVER experienced as a designer, copywriter or even in my latest capacity in creative services. I think several ulcers popped and I probably grew several new ones too, no thanks to THE MOST difficult client EVER! If it wasn't for the timely intervention of our two bosses, I think we'd both have gone running out of the office screaming. I kid you not.

The promotion is now well underway at a number of supermarkets throughout Singapore. There have been several hiccups but so far it's been ok. Not a resounding success but ok. What can you expect when you give such a short notice for a project of this size!? I just know that the client is going to use all those minor problems to get discounts on her quotes from the agency.

There's definitely going to be a post-mortem after this whole exercise. My first reaction is that this project should NEVER have been taken on in the first place. What started out as something creative with event management thrown in became pure logistics hell. And we should have charged the client the sun, moon and stars for all the crap we got.

For now, I'm just glad it's over.

Labels: Work

The whole event was a great success!! We had about 600 people turn up for what was a rousing, fun-filled night. After several weeks of stress, frayed nerves and near sleepless nights, I was determined to have fun. So much fun that I barely remember making it home at about 1130pm (the time was on the taxi receipt). I spent most of today in bed, flushing my system out with gallons of water. Oh except for one frantic 6am phone call to Xin about my missing mobile phone. Sorry, luv - didn't realise the time till you came on line.

So now, Virilar is launched in Singapore. It's a purely herbal supplement, non-prescription version of Viagra but a lot safer without any of the latter's harmful side-effects. Not sure if it will be making its way to Malaysia, but our office there will handle its launch and they have promised to bus us all in for that.

But on Friday night...client was happy, guests were happy and more importantly, the bosses were happy with the whole shebang. And that was thanks to the monstrous efforts of Diora, a newbie to the company, who put the whole show together.

Normal work, I hope, resumes on Monday.

Labels: Work

- Product Launch: I'm so tired of the chasing, the deadlines and the stress that's happening for the launch this Friday. Unlike our usual ad or design work, the stress here has gone up several notches cause we're handling the ENTIRE event ourselves to save our client a bomb that an event company would charge. That are so many things I need confirmed including checks for the night and for tomorrow's installation of our ambient media but the damm client has not given us the long-promised check! I'm fighting a state of near panic, thinking of all the monies I need by this Friday. Ack! I just felt 2 ulcers pop!

- Baptism: I am officially a godmother. Not the magical fairy kind, but a true blue one, nonetheless. My godson is Daniel, son of Danny and Karen who is my godsis (mom is her godmom). Even if I can't wave a wand for him, I will spoil him, so there.

- Milestone: I'm reaching a personal milestone at the end of August. Don't want to jinx it by saying what it is...that usually happens when I blurt stuff out too early...but will keep you posted.

- Copywriting: Did a 4th!!! rewrite of some 8 pages yesterday, a public holiday that I was hoping would see me curled up with The Historian. But no, my client tracked me down and requested the changes. The hoops you jump through to earn vacation dollars...*sigh*.

- Holiday: I think I'm going to resort to the dart and a world map, and let fate decide cause I can't!! Ees sent me to Trip Advisor to help me figure out the details. I thought it would give me all the information at a glance, you know, plan the whole trip. But it only gave me a headache. I still have to figure what and where I want to go, do and see. Oh, for a personal concierge to do this for me!

Labels: Work

When I walk into a retail store to buy something, I don't hassle the poor salesperson to give me a substantial discount. Or worse, try to get the product for free. I also don't tell the store owner or buyer what he should be selling and how, nor would I dream of standing there criticising everything.

Then why may I ask, do clients persist in that annoying behaviour when dealing with their creative partners? People who they engaged specifically for their talent in design, copy or client servicing to market their product or service to the public. Then try a underhanded tactic by refusing to pay for new ad concepts, insisting it's part of a ridiculously low monthly retainer that was originally meant to cover generic ads...not a brand new product ad campaign. I'd like to see their reaction if a customer were to buy Brand A for $100 but insist on having Brand B for $400 delivered instead. It's just simply not done.

In any other profession, doctors, lawyers, electricians...their services are rendered and paid for with nary a quibble. Well, almost. Yet creative agencies perpetually face idiotic clients who try to play art director or copywriter, who get their secretary or some measly peon to comment on visuals (like they would know the marketing strategy behind it!), try to cut costs (most times to the detriment of their ads) then conveniently forget to pay when the bills are due.

I'd love to be able to tell them off one day, something like "Then go do the ad yourself! Or better still get your secretary to write it!" But there are the few, a mere handful who exist, who understand the fruits they could enjoy when in a true partnership with the agency. These are the ones who let the creative process roll, encouraging and sometimes reigning in the more exhuberant ideas for the overall good of their product or service. These few, almost dream clients make the whole process worthwhile and make me feel proud to be among such creative individuals.

Labels: General, Work

A client's product launch I mentioned earlier will be held here - The Forbidden City. It's an upmarket bar and restaurant dripping in a decadent Chinoserie theme complete with opium beds, silk cushions, lounging mats and those famously huge replica terracota soldiers, all gathered here at Clarke Quay. I was there to get measurements and even during the day, it looks glamorous! I can't wait to see it on the night of 12 August. Oh, and the product in question? It's a non-prescription, all herbal supplement targeted at men. And it's a lot safer than Viagra too!

This has been the cause for the whirlwind in the past week and over the next 2 weeks. There's a lot of hand-holding with the company as it's brand new to the market, and of course, the miles of red-tape to clear with the HSA (Health Sciences Authority) for approval with the name and copy. Not to mention the umpteen deadlines to meet for things like photography which have so far, been a headache to coordinate. Things get approved at the last minute then there is a mad scramble to get things done. Arrgh!

But you know what? It's been a load of fun too.

Oh...Finally finished Harry Potter book 6 and was in shock at the end with the death of certain character. I don't dare post more in case a couple of friends who haven't even started reading the book (Sheila, Xin and Ees...will you guys hop to it!!!) kill me.

Labels: Work

Work is just that today...work. But it's been a nice, 'no surprises' day and I'm not complaining.

Am in the midst of several copywriting jobs that have sprung up from the woodwork. All of a sudden there is brochure to write, a leaflet to plan and a website to edit. Woohoo I say! But I'd so love to spend this week just vegging out in front of the TV. But alas...a holiday is on my list of 'must haves' this year and all this copywriting is really helping in my 'Send me to Italy' fund. I have a couple of other back-up countries if Italy proves too expensive like New Zealand and the US. As a last resort which could be heavenly, Bali. Stay tuned.

Labels: Work

In case you've been wondering, I've not fallen off this planet. I've spent the last 4 days with the rest of the other division heads, heads of departments and upper management at an annual company regional meet in Malaysia. Four days of meetings, leadership training, discussions, games and fun with the folk from Singapore and Malaysia.

And what an intense 4 days it has been!! It was nice to see the people from the Malaysian office especially those that rarely come down to Singapore. And what made it even better was meeting the rest of the Malaysian crew on Friday night when the entire KL office came to join us for a BBQ lamb feast. It was unanimously agreed that the KL bunch are mad, wild people who really know how to party.

That night saw a couple of impromptu waterpolo matches. It started off with those who stayed behind drinking getting thrown into the very warm pool FULLY CLOTHED!! There was shouts, screams and lots of giggles (esp from yours truly who was happily buzzing on Absolut!!). One of the Spore managers gamely stripped down to this black briefs. The second game saw only 2 Singapore members left, me and the CD for another division. We were the only girls too, in a pool swimming with testosterone. I have to say that B was in top-form against the boys who sometimes played rough. The madness and mayhem didn't end till around 130am when we trooped back soaking wet to our rooms.

As tired as I am today, I have to admit that the last 4 days did a great job of educating us on the company's goals and introducing us to a very different culture...one that I'm whole-heartedly embracing. I can now say that I have a bigger picture of where we are and where we are heading, where we want to be. All the petty in-office soaps are just that - petty. I'm determined now to get my team moving in this new direction. I liked what I saw of the KL office...their close bond. I want that for my team too. While not everyone will buy into the goals, and there will be some exits, I hope to see a difference before the end of this year.

Labels: Work

Called in 'sick' today, but I'm not. Woke up this morning with a super stiff neck that prevents me turning left or right without a shooting pain on the opposite side. So I'm home with my neck propped on pillows, plastered with metholatum plasters and popping muscle relaxants. Fun, fun!

I just had an interesting phone call: it went something like this:

A: "Hi...are you coming in today?"

Me: "No, I'm not."

A: "Oh... So you're not coming in today." etc

About 4 minutes later, another phone call, same person:

A: "Hi. So you're not coming in today?"

Me: "No...I said I'm not coming in today."

A: (defensive tone) "Look, I was only asking..." etc.

Good grief!

Labels: Work

Suits who have no idea of the production process involved in a print job but demand for something that makes no sense in this technological age, make me scream!!

It dawned on me this morning...why am I providing progressives to a suit who demanded it for a client she insists wants it? Do they even know how to read progressive proofs? Will it even be shown to the client in the first place? Or is it just to say, "Hey we did progressives for you. Aren't we grand?"

Progressives are 4 color printed proofs of a job that show the individual color plates of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. Designers USED to use this to determine which color plate should be adjusted to improve color, or to check where something went missing. But these days, nearly everyone in the industy is using digital prints.

The proofs are pretty damm accurate too. But what makes this a smarter choice, is that any adjustment to color is made directly on the computer, on the actual file before a single printed proof is generated, before it even hits the press! Bypassing the need to do a set of films, then setting up the machine to print the 4 color progressives.

And the best part, digital proofs are faster to do too. But try telling the suit that. Arrrghhh! Her tunnel vision doesn't extend further than her nose!

Labels: Work