Cameron Moll's Blog, page 93

GaragePay for Mac: PayPal at a Glance

GaragePay for Mac: PayPal at a Glance:

If you're on a Mac, and if you detest logging into your PayPal admin as much as I do, give this a try. I've been testing it out over the past couple weeks, and while it's limited on features, it at least provides a good snapshot of incoming and outgoing payments without the need to log in.

Malware Attack: Update

This site was hacked pretty severely sometime (or multiple times) in the last few weeks. I'm still ridding the server of the affected files, and still finding new ones.

I'm working hard to fix it. Thanks for the patience.

QR Codes on Badges at SXSW

QR Codes on Badges at SXSW:

Although QR codes (also called matrix or 2D codes) have never really taken off here in the U.S., this will be fun to try out at SXSW:

Along with your badge photo, you will have a square bar code to scan. When you meet someone at an event, let them scan your badge with their smart phone, and they will automatically be following you on my.SXSW, where they can message you or access your contact information.

My (revised) video setup: Canon EOS 7D

After just a couple weeks of testing, I gave up on the Canon HG10 w/35mm for shooting HD video. Not only was the quality not stellar, but it's a hack that's cumbersome and really difficult to work with.

Following an enormous amount of deliberation and questioning if so many dollar signs were really worth it, I bit the bullet and sprung for a Canon EOS 7D and some quality lenses. No mistaking, this thing shoots incredible photos and equally impressive 1080p HD video.

I still have plenty to...

Font Aid IV for Haiti: "Coming Together" Font

Font Aid IV for Haiti: "Coming Together" Font:

Veer:

In response to the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the Society of Typographic Aficionados issued a call to action to the typographic and design communities to participate in Font Aid IV. The result was Coming Together, an OpenType font that contains over 400 ampersand glyphs designed by participants from around the world.

The "ampercross" Veer designed to promote the font is fabulous.

The Noteput interactive music table

The Noteput interactive music table:

Engadget:

Finally we get the chance to literally lay a track down…. Employing a simple camera beneath the surface, the table can tell what notes you're placing upon it and play them back—individually when you position them or as a group once you hit the big play button.

This would be a great teaching tool for beginning music students, among other things.

Incase testing-friendly packaging

Incase testing-friendly packaging:

Incase:

Our research showed that consumers were opening packages and test-fitting products before making purchases. In most cases, the packages were not correctly returned to the shelves or were somewhat damaged and unsightly, making it difficult to sell these products. The design solution was to create an outer wrap that was easy to slide on and off, offering full access to the product without damaging the package. The sliding action of the wrap was simple...

Gizmodo: Detailed review of Windows Phone 7

Gizmodo: Detailed review of Windows Phone 7:

Microsoft has literally nothing to lose by completely overhauling Windows Mobile OS—its global market share is paltry, and the UI is nearly unusable for anyone other than the die-hard Windows user. Hence, the unveiling of Windows Phone 7 is impressive news, regardless of whether or not it gains significant market share. It's proof that Microsoft realizes it's lagging far behind in OS innovation and is taking dramatic measures to correct its course.

My video setup: Canon HG10 with 35mm adapter

I've had a penchant for filmmaking ever since I was a little kid. I've never had the right equipment, though. I'm trying to finally change that, while still trying to stay within budget.

The photo above shows the setup I've been piecing together over the last few weeks. I haven't shot anything with it yet, but I'll give it a good run in a couple weeks when I film the Colosseo letterpress poster being printed. We'll see how it goes.

Two years ago this would have been a killer setup--it's...

Michael Bierut on clients

Michael Bierut is such a down-to-earth, practical designer (and speaker) who works hard to do amazing work without the typical stigma associated with graphic designers. This practicality is clearly evident in the video above, a presentation given at CreativeMornings in New York City.
And if you haven't seen Helvetica, you need to see how his commentary really helps the movie shine.

Michael's presentation on clients is one of those "should be required viewing" kind of presentations. It's...