Thin Air

Design by Committee

ginahamm — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:12:12 +0000

Designers, the next time you’re designing for a committee, consider charging more… Management time and stress increase exponentially, and efficiency and clarity suffer greatly. You have less potential for meeting all the demands, or even getting all the materials you need. The end product bears the scars of being designed by everyone except the designer. I can be a daunting task, and definitely not for those without some project management skills.

I can’t stress to companies enough the importance of managing internal process INTERNALLY, and then hire creatives to carry out your creative/marketing goals based on a unified direction. If you need a leader for a committee, then get one. But don’t expect a creative person to manage your business team from the outside. It’s spontaneous self-combustion.

Here’s a good read from Smashing Magazine on the topic…

Why Design By Committee Should Die

Honda mini memories

ginahamm — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:21:51 +0000

This weekend we stopped at a Honda dealership. What a cool surprise… They have lots of restored mini-bikes on display! My favorite was this Honda QA Mini-trail 50cc that is almost exactly like my first motorcycle (age 5). I nearly rode the tiny wheels off of it!

Ladybug ranch

ginahamm — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 19:50:54 +0000

We took a ride out to Saint Jo TX to absorb some of the spring weather last weekend.
There are several works of art framed by pasture and sky… Most notably, a line of VW Beetles painted like ladybugs.
I think I favor the other pieces a bit more. It’s not Christo or Oldenburg, but it does top off an interesting day in the country, doesn’t it?

iPhone life

ginahamm — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:27:31 +0000

My sweetie got me an iPhone for Christmas…I wonder if he knew what he was getting into. Or what I was. I can’t put this crazy thing down.

The apps are endless and I find more uses every day. Today I figured out how to post to this blog from my iPhone. Yesterday I started doing my grocery list on it. Small stuff, but it is amazing how it effects the way you approach everything.

Now if I could get it to make dinner and workout for me, I’d really be set!

Milk and Cookies

ginahamm — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:21:52 +0000

milk_cookies

Originally uploaded by gina.hamm@sbcglobal.net

Last night Ray asked if I wanted some cookies. I said ‘Yep, if it came with a liiiittle glass of milk too”…

10 Days Until the Rehearsal Dinner

ginahamm — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:32:14 +0000

We’re getting super excited. Raymond has been moving things he doesn’t need and getting ready to move for good. We’ve had 2 wonderful showers, a fantastic luncheon, and a Bridesmaids Luncheon coming up. The Bachelor party is this weekend… Man, it’s been a crazy whirlwind.

But we’re in the final stretch now! Only a few details remain, and a few tasks to go with them. I can’t seem to realize that we’re going on a cruise in a couple of weeks. I keep forgetting that fact for trying to make all the wedding details come together. Hope I remember to pack!

Lunch in Laguna Beach

ginahamm — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:09:41 +0000

lagunabeach

Originally uploaded by gina.hamm@sbcglobal.net

I went to visit a vendor in CA on Monday. Business travel is tough, but Man, it was nice to get to a different environment.

Chris Frank of Worldpack, Inc. made sure I had a good day while visiting their office. We drove down to beautiful Laguna Beach, ate at a seaside restaurant, Las Brisas, and walked around for some local shopping.

I even saw a seriously cool and luxurious 3 lot beach front house for sale. If only I was a multi-millionaire!

Thanks for making the trip extra nice, Chris!

Bridal Overload

ginahamm — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:01:23 +0000

I attended the Dallas Bridal Show at Market Hall yesterday with 5 brave souls. They must love me a lot to endure the anarchy! It was really helpful, and I found 2 or 3 vendors we really need, and many other possibilities.

But admittedly, I was a little overwhelmed. It is not for the faint-of-heart. However, the wedding plans are coming together piece by piece. Thanks Mom, Billie, Susan, Shileen & Judi for being so supportive and such good troopers!

We’ve decided on November 1st, got the church booked and my dress ordered. We’re truckin’ through the guest list and meet with our wedding coordinator this week. And we’re starting “Before you say I do” classes.

Whew. I’m tired just thinkin’ about it! But I am so excited about not only the wedding, but marrying my best friend and my sweetheart.

We’re Engaged!

ginahamm — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:40:50 +0000

my_ring

Originally uploaded by gina.hamm@sbcglobal.net

This was a big weekend for Raymond and I, and let me say, my Fiance is incredible!

We spent most the day together on Saturday. We had lunch, and he surprised me with a visit to the Dallas World Aquarium. Then we had a great steak dinner and headed to our destination. All I knew was that it was somewhere near Las Colinas.

About 8 o’clock, we got on a gondola ride in the canal from the dock of the Omni Mandalay hotel. Complete with chocolate truffles and sparkling apple cider (which I love!), we pushed off from the dock. As our gondolier sang beautiful Italian and German love songs, we drifted under a beautiful sky. We saw a waterfall and birds, and even a message in a bottle, which I gladly saved from a dreadful watery fate!

As the moonlight danced on the water, I began to notice familiar silhouettes on the shore, and Raymond handed me the bottle and said “this is for you”. As I read “Gina, Will you marry me?”, he pulled out the most beautiful ring and asked the question.

My parents and many friends were waiting with cameras and smiles to greet us as we stepped out of the boat. We visited and went for a dessert celebration.

It was by far the most romantic thing ever, and to be able to have loved ones join us was so touching. Thank you Raymond, for a night I will never forget!

The Peaches are Coming!

ginahamm — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:28:01 +0000

0410081757-03

Originally uploaded by gina.hamm@sbcglobal.net

This was taken a week ago, so they’re further along than this now. My peaches seem to come out before most. They’ll be ready at the end of March through the first week of July.

Last year the crop had a mad case of brown rot after all the spring rain. The fruit just mummified on the trees. I bet we only got 10% of the peaches and threw away the rest.

This year’s crop looks a bit light, but hopefully it will at least make this year. Should be interesting to see how they recover from last year.