WE HAVE MOVED

We have moved. Please come visit us at our new location. Thank you.

NEW BLOG LAYOUT IS COMPLETE

My new blog layout is “complete”…when I say “complete” I mean: I finished the design and have posted it live: http://capitalgeedesign.com/blog/ …BUT I now need your feedback. Is it better? Worst? Should I stick with the old version? Switch  to the new? Keep both? Which do you like better? Why? Please comment and let me know.

-Garrett Gee

My “Insiration Board” and “Project Playlists”

When beginning a design project, I use what I call an “Inspiration Board”. Each project has its own style…personality…flavor…purpose. The reason for putting this Inspiration Board together is to help set the tone as I begin and work through the project til completion. Inspiration Boards can include images, colors, words, phrases, objects, and even music. Often, when first discussing a project with a client, I will have them explain to me how they envision it. From their description, I will then put together an Inspiration Board. Also, I will ask them to add to the Inspiration Board themselves. This usually means searching the web or magazines for images, website, or colors that represent their goal/vision.

Yesterday, I began redesigning the layout and template for this blog. I like this layout, but it is not completely “my style”. First thing I did was put together a “Project Playlist” for me to listen to while I worked. Second, I put together a “Inspiration Board”. The results were…well…”my style”. I’ll switch my blog to the new template as soon as I’m finished. In the meantime, to give you a little taste, here are 3 songs off my “Project Playlist”: Pata Pata , Somebody to Love , You and I

Enjoy.

New Feature added to Capital Gee Design Website

I just updated my online portfolio with some new work. With it, I added a new feature to the Capital Gee Design website: A new button which allows visitors to view the full image of my work displayed in my online portfolio. I’ve only added this feature to a few images to begin. Depending on the feedback I receive from you all, I will either add the feature to all other images, or remove it all together. Please check it out and let me know what you think: <new button>

Happy Valentines Day

This is my beautiful wife Jessica. She’s everything wonderful about life. For Valentines Day I’d like to give her this love song > Pretty Flowers

Isn’t It Nice When Things Just Work?

My favorite part about this is that all the pieces are parts from the car. Enjoy.

100 Free Business Cards!

Custom Business Cards are some of my favorite things to design. It’s a special challenge to fit someone’s personality, message, and first impression all onto one memorable card. The image above was my first personal business card. To be honest, I was more than surprised how much success stemmed from this simple card. After all, it’s just a card.

The truth is, you never know when you are going to meet that certain special contact (clients, employers, partners, etc.). But when you do, it is important to be ready.

While attending conventions, conferences, and other events I have noticed somewhat of an unspoken process/test:

Person1 asks for a business card (this is where the test begins).

At that moment, person2 has two options: 1) give their custom designed business card and make the right impression from the beginning. 2) reply “I’m sorry I don’t have a card”…test failed.

What would your perfect business card look like? What would make it special and specific to you? What would it tell about you?..that you are organized?…a model?…eco friendly?

It was under 1 month ago when I launched the Capital Gee Design Facebook Fanpage.  Already we are about the reach over 500 fans! To express my gratitude for such great support, I am giving away 100 Free Business Cards. If you are the lucky winner, I will work together with you to discuss your perfect custom business cards. I will then design, print, and ship them to your doorstep…FREE!. Simply follow these 3 easy steps to win: (click on image to enlarge)

The Creativity Book

…my kind of book…Enjoy. I sure did…

Now go create.

BYU Consensus All-American Wall Wrap

I love the “CREATION” aspect of design: To take an idea/vision, and bring it to life. Especially when my “canvas space” is an entire wall.

The Student Athlete Building on Brigham Young University campus had a wall needing to be replaced. They showed me the wall I would be working on, and explained what changes needed to be made. I actually really like the “Classic BYU” image they already had, but they wanted something “up to date”. Besides their few specific changes, BYU granted me total design freedom. In this blog entry I will share with you my personal process from VISION to CREATION. Your feedback is very welcome. Enjoy.

Original Wall

Requested Changes

First Draft

Second Draft

Third Draft

FINAL DRAFT

...from computer screen...

...to the wall...

by Garrett Gee

DJ Earworm comes to Utah

Last Wednesday night at 10:30 pm I received an email from my buddies at blurb notifying me of a 3 day designers conference going on at Grand America Hotel. The Altitude Design Summit would be attended by graphic designers, interior designers, industrial designers, musicians, photographers, fashion designers, and the bloggers that blog about them. I had to be there.

Without knowing how I would travel there, or how I would pay the $400 entry fee, I packed up extra clothes, a nice tie of course, 1,000 business cards, set them by the door, and went to bed. Long intense story, short: The networking conference began the next day at 6:30 pm and I arrived via carpool/hitch hike/Utah Trax  in front of the Grand America Hotel by 6:25 pm.

The conference included networking events, a social dinner/dance, classes, speakers, great food, and top designers/bloggers from all across the nation. The whole event was inspirational and I could write about it all day. But one of my favorite speakers was Friday’s Keynote speaker during lunch: DJ Earworm.

“DJ Earworm“ (aka Jordan Roseman) is a San Francisco-based mashup artist. He has become most famous for his yearly “United State of Pop” mashups where he combines the top 22-25 Billboard songs into 1 crazy-exciting mashup. And by “famous” I mean FAMOUS. He was December 2010’s most watched video on youtube with over 9 million views!

He began his speech by explaining the origin of “mashups”, that before there were ever full 100% original compositions, there were mashups. In Europe, clans would have their trademark tune, instrument, or sound. When they would meet with other clans from other lands, they would play their tunes together. It was later that people began creating full original compositions.

My favorite thing about DJ Earworm was how much he loved his own work. He would get so excited to show us samples of his work and even though he put on video to go with his songs, the audience couldn’t help but watch him as he rocked out to his own music.

It was a pleasure to go up and meet him afterwards. Great guy. He gave away 4 signed CDs and I was lucky enough to walk away with one of them. I support DJ Earworm. Enjoy:

DJ EARWORM CD signed