Yea, it's been a long while since my last post. So far all I had been doing is taking on small projects here and there that pretty well adds up to my making about $300 in February. I hope that I get paid for an outstanding project where the client pretty well sold my skills for a nickel. That's the story of my life. Lately I've been finishing a website that runs on DotNetNuke platform. I've been nurturing it, pruning it customizing whatever module I can to keep the look and feel consistent. I sit on the board of director for this organization, NAAAP Toronto, the local and only Canadian Chapter. The website was launched Friday morning at 3 am. or so. Already a broken link is found, edit for image captions and the other technical directors from NAAAP National and an assistant is already wrestling design might with me about usability and design best practices. Yes, I'm used to butting heads with engineers, programmers and assorted IT and management individual who thinks my training is irrelevant. For individuals who wants to enter the design field, start building a tough skin and get ready to be undermined and under valued.

There are moments like this when I wonder to myself why engineering school doesn't provide a degree in Industrial Design rather, one has to go to trade college like Humber College or *gasp* a snooty design school like OCAD to learn the necessary skill set to become an industrial designer. I can't change how the market feels about creative professionals or even elevate any kind of respect for what we do. Yes we are thought leaders and agents of change as well as sales and marketing mavens that create products and brand experiences to seduce buyers and engage the market to keep the cash flowing in this retail and manufacturing market economy. And now, information market economy. I'm always up for a good fight (intellectually) but I'd rather pick my battles as I see it my job to render interactive productive to attract consumers or a target market. So why do these guys keep arguing with me? Is there no room for dare I say it...whimsy in such a serious business. A bit of wit and humour as one humanizes an interactive narrative (through a web site or a web-base application)