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A Package In The Mail

My Doane Legal Pads arrived in the post today! Even the cat loves them!

From The Client’s Perspective

A few months ago I was approached by Matthew Cone to do some icons for his brainchild, MacInstruct.com. But instead of designing icons for applications, MacInstruct needed icons for the regular column features run on the site, which was a pretty unusual request.

You can see some of my completed work on the site, but there’s also an interesting article written by Matthew about the icon development process from his perspective.

If you’re an icon artist or a client I think you’ll find the article, as well as MacInstruct.com’s other features to be very insightful.

Announcing Icon Battle! 2007

The Second “Pixelgirl Presents Icon Battle!” has begun. Entries may be submitted until March 31, 2007 and those received so far should begin appearing next week. I’m a guest judge so I won’t be competing but the contest is open to everyone – the rules should be read by all entrants.

What I Did: Doane Paper Icon

This icon depicts a pad of “Doane Paper” – which is a combination of graph and lined paper that is so elegantly functional it’s brilliant.

I won’t gush – you can get more information, buy pre-printed pads or print your own by visiting http://www.doanepaper.com/.

Doane Paper is Copyright ©2007 Doane Paper.

Download (Macintosh): PP-DoanePaperPad.dmg
Download (Windows XP): PP-DoanePaperPadWinXP.zip

What I Did: MenuShade Replacement Icon

In this blog I’ve written about the uncluttered desktop philosphy I use before. The application I use to hide the menu bar is called, plainly enough, “MenuShade“.

There are two problems that I have with MenuShade:
1) It’s always in the dock when it’s running.
2) The icon looks strange next to my other dock icons.

So I threw together a replacement icon using some artwork that I had done for a client but was ultimately rejected. While my icon does not really express the “shade” metaphor in quite the same way as the original I think it looks nice in the dock.

Download (Macintosh): PP-MenuShade.dmg

Copyright © 2006 Gary W. Gehiere. All rights reserved. Please do not redistribute or hot link to the icons and files here.

Announcing MacInstruct.com

Macinstruct, a non-profit educational website for Mac users, is looking for knowledgeable and highly motivated individuals to contribute Mac-related articles on a monthly basis. Qualified individuals will be asked to contribute articles, collaborate with colleagues, and help assume ownership of weekly Macinstruct columns. Expert knowledge of Apple hardware and software products is essential. Professional writing experience and familiarity with Mac websites is preferred.

These positions are volunteer only. No compensation will be offered or provided.

To apply, email volunteer@macinstruct.com, or visit our website: http://www.macinstruct.com/volunteer.php

Macinstruct is an award-winning website dedicated to educating people about Apple hardware and software products. Founded in 1999, and formerly a part of the MacAddict Network, Macinstruct has been recognized by several national publications.

Visit us on January 15, 2007 for our grand reopening.

Productivity: Tiny Alarm

I use Merlin Mann’s uncluttered desktop philosophy to keep myself focused. The method of removing all the desktop decorations and gui furniture works really well if you’re prone to distraction – I highly recommend it, and my productivity has gone way up since implementing it.

The only shortcoming is that I’ve become very used to glancing up to the right hand corner of my screen to check the time so I know when it’s time to stop whatever I’m doing and move on to the next task. Now that the menu bar is gone I forget to check the time until it’s too late!

Solution: Tiny Alarm. This application sits on the menu bar so it takes up very little desktop real estate. Instead of remembering to check the clock I only have to remember to set Tiny Alarm to go off at the time of my chosing. Then I can go back to working in complete obliviousness of time. Tiny Alarm will use whatever alert sound I want to notify me that time is up.

So simple, but so helpful.

Links: DragThing 5.7 Public Beta

The newest DragThing is in public beta and represents a major update to an essential desktop tool. The latest version ads theme support and has several excellent built in themes.

Normally I wouldn’t write about new software releases here but I got a chance to play with the new version in pre-pre-release and I’m pretty excited about it.

What I Did: Pzizz Replacement Icon

I love my pzizz. I love it’s simple, dead easy interface. I love looking down at my iPod before I close my eyes and seeing the blue or orange album art which reassures me of the kind of nap I’m about to enjoy. And I even love it’s ultra-minimal application icon.

There is not an ounce of criticism or “I can do better” in what I’ve done. In fact it’s pure respect for a great product with a honorable purpose that has inspired me to make a pzziz replacement icon. Thanks pzizz, for reminding how great a nap can be.

The pzizz replacement icon is not currently available at PixelPressIcons.com, only from this blog. Cheers!

Download (Macintosh): PP-Pzizz.dmg