Kevin Montgomery

I’ve posted photos of events from the last quarter, including:

1. The birth of Tobias Kevin Montgomery
2. Halloween!
3. Christmas!

Enjoy.

http://photoalbum.kemosite.com/

We finally hired a professional photographer for a family portrait. Thanks Katherine on a job well done! Here’s a preview of the pictures she took.

Natural Attraction: 5 Alive!.

Hey, you never know when something like this might come in handy. I know it will for me!

Keep your specs in tip-top shape by following these simple guidelines:

DO:

• Keep your glasses in a case when they are not being worn.
• Clean the lenses regularly using one of the following:

1. Pre-moistened towelettes.
2. Spray cleaner with a microfiber cloth.
3. Spray cleaner with disposable towels.

DO NOT:

• Put glasses loosely in bag or briefcase.
• Place glasses lenses-down on any surface.
• Clean your lenses with any of the following:

1. Clothing, which can be abrasive or hold dust.
2. Glass cleaners, which can damage coatings on non-glass lenses.
3. Alcohol, which can damage coatings with long-term use.
4. Dish soaps, which are often “extra strength” and can slowly disintegrate lens coatings.
5. Tissue or paper products, which can grind dust and paper fibers into lenses.

Yes, I know… I did it again. I took the photos offline. I’m sure it makes me a dispicable human being, deserving of many nasty and unspeakable tortures.

But wait!

In an effort to at least save me from having my arms torn off and and my head beaten with the soggy ends, I’ve started the process of bringing them back.

Montgomery Family Photo Album

Merry Christmas from the Montgomery family!

Download Montgomery Family Christmas Card

In my ongoing process of updating my website, I’ve added an item to my online portfolio. You can check it out here:

http://portfolio.kemosite.com/?cat=10

This was the first real question I remember being asked in my first year of college. It has stuck with me, evolved, and become a core part of my work ethic since then. When you understand what graphic design is, you can then understand what a graphic designer is, make smarter choices when you seek the services of one, and hopefully understand that “good” graphic designers are not necessarily a “dime a dozen”.

Design
I associate the core meaning of design with “plan”, both as a thing and an action—with clear intents, goals, methods, etc.

Graphic(s)
A graphic is a visual image on a surface as a method of communication. It’s important to remember that it’s not limited to brochures and documents—It’s walls, signs, tattoos… Any and all are composed of any number of elements such as images and text.

Graphic Design
Graphic design therefore, is a visual image created in accordance to the plan of what is to be communicated. This need for a plan separates the crossover of art and design to an extent. Graphic design can be an art because the visual form of the design might include considerations of fine art as appropriate. This does not always translate the other way, in that art without a plan for clear communication isn’t necessarily graphic design.

To put it another way: A successful art form can be completely subjective in it’s meaning. Successful design should be clear and objective in it’s communication, and not just a “pretty picture”.

I’m going to start thinking about things to write that are perhaps a little more valuable than my half-baked sounding rants.

After all, I’m a graphic designer! And a dad! Maybe I should be writing about THESE things!

Take this story as an example:

Tonight, we decided to settle in and watch a movie. I let the kids pick. 4YO daughter selected a typical princess-like movie, and 2YO son picks… Cars. The same one we already have, and he had just watched twice just today.

What to do? I go with it.

After bringing the movie(s) to the front desk, I asked the cashier to play along and pretend to scan the movie. *Beep!* he says. “Care for a bag sir?”

“Absolutely!” 2YO has a big grin at this point.

“Enjoy your movie…s”

And that was that.

That’s what kind of dad I am—The kind that quickly and unapologetically dupes his own 2 year old. Suddenly I feel like tracking down some candy.