We had a rough week at work like any office that has rough weeks. In today’s morning meeting Justin brought up that we should think positive and try to bring back some good vibes. This afternoon I ran into the Easter Bunny, here’s the e-mail I sent out after our talk:

From: Arthur Ebuen
Date: Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:27:13 -0700
To: All@work
Subject: The Easter Bunny was here with treats

I went outside to grab something from my car and saw the Easter Bunny. I approached him and the conversation went something like this:

Me: What up Easter Bunny?
EB: (Embarrassed) AW SNAP, you can see me?
Me: I’m talking to you aren’t I?
EB: A’ight, don’t gotta be a punk ‘bout it.
Me: What’cha doin’ lookin’ at our building? Our signage ain’t crooked is it?
EB: Nah, I was getting’ ready for Sunday then I felt the “Good Vibe” call from your peeps, and I was like, “Yo, I’m needed up in there.” So I came down to do my thang. I’m here to bring good vibes with chocolate.
Me: Chocolate don’t bring good vibes!
EB: What?
Me: You heard me.
EB: What does then?
Me: Jokes.
EB: Jokes? You must be high!
Me: For real.
EB: For real? Gimme one then.
Me: Aight. Yo mama so fat… She eats Wheat Thicks! (Me with a closed fist over my mouth while pointing with the other hand) OOOHhh, SNAP!
EB: Now that’s just mean, my mom’s a saint… Jerk!
Me: My bad.
EB: I just need to get you guys some chocolate.
Me: So why ain’t you doin’ it then?
EB: Well, no one can see me and I don’t want to freak everyone out with floating chocolate eggs and cookies, that’s not gonna give good vibes.
Me: I can see you.
EB: Yeah, for some reason I’m visible to people over 30 but under 5’5”. Trying to get that fixed.
Me: Now that’s just mean.
EB: See how it feels… YO! I just figured it out. Bring these inside for me and tell them what’s up. Cool?!
Me: Aight, bet.

We fist bumped then (poof) he and his ghettoness disappeared. He said to enjoy the cookies and chocolate eggs in the weird alcovy thingy place.

Arthur

Hey Mikey Show crew,

I enjoy your show so much everyday I feel like I owe you. The best I can offer as a creative in advertising are some possible logos, a tagline for the nation and one of many fun shirt designs to come. I had nothing but fun putting this together and there are no obligations, I just want to share these with you. If you want to use any of them, holler at me and I’ll get you the native design files, all I ask for in return is a shout out and more appearances by Dave Matthews and Jersey Girl. Maybe those two should have a conversation.

Tagline

One of my favorite things to do when copywriting is coming up with taglines. I’m not sure if the M1 Nation needs one but I felt the need to write one. Everyone has one but only good one’s work with that specific “product” and can’t be transferred. Examples: “Wells Fargo, The Next Stage”, “Yellow Pages, Let your fingers do the walking”, “Las Vegas, What happens here stays here.” So with that I came up with “Rise Up” for the M1 Nation. It has a double meaning; one for the fact we do get up in the mornings to listen and the second reinforces the whole group-uprising-rebilish-side of the community. Another thing about copywriting, it either hits or misses, because of that you have to have thick skin and learn. So if you don’t dig it I won’t take any offense

Logos

This first one is my favorite. I can see many options for the “M1 Nation” mark to be on one side of a shirt like dead center on the chest and the “Rise Up” on maybe the sleeve.

The second design is one of my first sketches and like any creative idea it may not be the best but you have to get it on paper to make sure. It still has a place in my heart because of it’s typographical play but I feel the first design does everything I wanted this to do but better.

This last sketch was me trying to force something I saw when I would make a #1 with my hand. The three fingers form an “M” while the pointer finger follows with a “1″. It might fail as a graphic design but it can be a symbol when we gather to see you guys.

Finally, just for shiggles I made this silly shirt idea for this last week’s inside jokes for Sienna. Pretty self-explanitory. Hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoy your show. I don’t have work on Monday but will “Rise Up” to catch it.

Sincerely,
M1 12-7

I don’t know if I’m the only one who noticed this over the years but the kid in the Preview icon has always looked kind of creepy, sinister even. He is either looking up into his own head or has no pupils. He is also rubbing his hands together as though he is going to unveil his latest plot to rule the world.

It’s been years since the Apple released OSX and I have always found this icon unsettling. I’ve recently gotten a newer Mac with Snow Leopard and was pleasantly surprised to see his face has changed, completely. Thanks Apple, maybe the scary dreams of the old kid will stop.

While working on a personal project this weekend, I ran into my old gear. It brought me back to where my love for photography started and how much it’s changed.

Toward the end of 2001 I was living in L.A. and realized I didn’t want to continue my career in animation. I decided I needed to go back to school to explore my creative options. Before venturing off to Boston to get my degree, I bought this Nikon FM2. Although I was majoring in Design, I found myself gravitating toward the photo department and spent a lot of time in the darkrooms.

Looking at my old stuff reminded me of all the hard work and fun that took place in those darkrooms. There is something to be said about the confidence you build in your self when you can shoot with a fully manual camera that only needs a watch battery to help you meter. Even if the battery fails, you don’t need it for the camera to function. As old as this camera gets, I don’t think I can give it up.