I worked on some artwork for my friends band New Romantics last month. I wish they would get big already so I can do this more often.

Around this time of year I always find myself heavily reflecting on what happened in the past 12 months. 2010 was what seemed to be the shortest year of my life, which is becoming apparent every year that I get older. It was also a very bittersweet year for me, filled with both overwhelming joy and deep sorrow. While I am glad it is finally over and I look on towards the future. 2010 will be a year I never forget. Here are a couple of reasons why.

1. The birth of my daughter.

My first child, Lucy Marin Hoffman was born at 11:55 am on April 9th. She is the joy of my life. The spark of light in this dark world. Having a child takes a lot of getting used to. Living without sleep is a disorienting experience. I am still adjusting to the life of fatherhood but I think I have a good handle on it, so far at least. Every time I see her face and my mood is immediately transformed to happiness. She came into this world and forever changed mine.

2. The death of a close friend.

Shortly after Lucy was born one of my best friends passed away. His name was Brian and there are so many things I could say about him. What I can tell you is that he could light up a room with his presence, he could make you laugh harder than anyone alive, he could talk anyone into anything, he could quote every movie made in the last 15 years and he could always make you feel at home. He was a great friend and I miss him more and more every day. I wish you all could have know him.

3. Work, Projects and a new direction.

New logo, new branding, new website. 2010 was a busy year. I spent countless nights working to 2-3am on getting tiny little projects off the ground. I loved working on my cards, stamp and printed material the most. To be honest I am glad it is over….well it’s never really over.

4. Austin trip

In November my wife and the little one packed our bags and went over to Austin for my birthday. It was a great trip and I am sure I will be blogging about it soon. I love this picture of me and our friends daughter playing guitar. I can’t tell who is teaching who.

5. Fell in love with music again

There were many good albums released in 2010 it would take a whole other post just to name them all. I found a lost interest of music in 2010 thanks to a couple of friends, blogs, xm and twitter.

6. Loved 2 movies

Scott Pilgrim vs The World & Inception

Highly original. Everything else that came out is pure shit. I hate going to the movies because 99% of the films being show are all flash with no substance. I guess I am more sad about the time I live in. No one wants to be told a great story anymore but Inception and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World are keeping original story telling alive.

8. Concerts

I went to a lot of concerts this year, more specifically a lot of good concerts. Each one has its own story. That is what I love about going to shows. They always carry a separate memory that usually has nothing to do with the music or band. A story of the “night”.

9. Lakers won the double

Game 7 vs the Celtics in LA. Does it get any better.

2010 was a hard year for me. A beautiful year but a hard one. It was a year for adjustment and it made me realize that the party is over. I dont think I will ever forget the the memories and emotions I experienced. While I am sad to see it go I look forward with the purpose to make 2011 even more memorable.

I have been extremely busy with projects latley so I haven’t been able to find the time to update my blog. Luckily I was handed an invite by my friend M. Brady Clark to Dribble. Dribble is a social networking site where designers can post little screenshots of what they are working on. So far It is pretty addicting but we will see if it can stand the test of time. You can take a look at my profile and get a peak of what I have been working on the past couple of months. I will be posting updates of projects and what not once I get through the hectic Christmas season.

Happy Holidays!

It’s been a while since I have posted anything here. For the past couple of months I have been insanely busy and I am finally getting some free time to post. I found this wonderful set of vintage logos on flickr a while ago and for some reason I didn’t think to share it. I love these so much. Words can’t describe so I will just leave it at love. Take a look at 120 pages of lost beauty here

I can’t stop listening to this song. That is all.

A couple of weeks ago I made it out LA to see the XX and I was pretty impressed with their live show. They threw in a couple of additions to their set list that I wish were on the current album. Still, I don’t think they should be headlining just yet . While The XX has had a great year with loads of critical acclaim their show lacked….something. Maybe its because they only have one album that has a run-time of 39 minutes and it’s a pretty mellow 39 minutes at that. The whole show I had this man’s voice in the back of my head. You know in action films when the wunderkind is being trained and there is always a old man saying shit like, “He’s not ready yet” or “It’s too soon, he’s gonna blow it”? In the end the hero always wins so I guess I should shut the fuck up and enjoy the show huh? I snapped a couple of photos while I was there. Enjoy.

Take a look at these graphics from the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. Designs like this would never make it to the modern day Olympics and it is quite sad because I really fancy the simplicity and boldness. I wasn’t born in the 70′s but these take me back. 34 years later their design holds up and looks spectacular. It just goes to show you that something that is well design is timeless, well at least in this case. The logo was designed by Georges Huel and Pierre-Yves Pelletier. I don’t really have any idea who they are but there is a pretty legit read up on how they designed the artwork and some more photographs of printed material. Thanks to AsileOne for putting them on Flickr.

Just a mini playlist of songs that I have been listening to lately. Not necessarily new songs but for some reason or another they have been stuck in my head for the last few weeks. Started it off with Memory Tapes which has one of the catchiest choruses ever made. EVER! Then I sex it up a little with a remix of Sebastien Tellier’s Kilometer. On to one of my favorite tracks from Arcade Fire’s new album Suburbs, which is…..you know what I’m going to save that for another post. Another remix from Manchester based producer Star Slinger and to close it off some Junior Boys.

Why I just give you a play by play of the songs order I do not know. Enjoy

If you’re into comic books and graphic novels at all I must recommend (NAY! Command!) you to pick up some of these books. My wife surprised me one day bringing home a couple of gems. I have been obsessive with all things Ashley Wood so she picked up the first volume of Swallow and the seventh issue of Popbot. If you don’t know who Ashley Wood is, take a gander. He is one of the most talented and diverse artist alive with work ranging from fine art, prints, comic books, graphic novels, toys and writing.

I am also reading Y: The Last Man as well as The Walking Dead which is going to become a TV series on AMC this October. I had a bit of a nerdgasm when I heard they were making The Walking Dead into a series, though I think it would be better suited at HBO or Showtime. I can’t tell you enough how good these graphic novels are. Even if you are not an avid reader of comics the story lines are amazing and are defineatley worth a look. Why do you think all the major studios are now reaching out to comics for movies and TV? Simple, they write good stories….that’s what it’s about right? OH WAIT! It’s about watching flailing blue people fight in the jungle while riding orange pterodactyls, recreating Pocahontas. God I hate you James Cameron.

Anyways, enjoy and don’t be afraid to pick a comic book up. It won’t make you look immature or undignified, I promise. If you are a little worried you can always put on your smoking jacket and retire to the study while you read. They will cancel each other out.