Ander Lopez

I'm an User Experience Designer living in
smoggy Southern California.

Posts

  • July 29, 03:19 PM

    How To Make a Daft Punk Helmet in 17 Months

    Killer vid of the helmet building process my buddy Cory sent to me. I just love how the DJing world is a fusion of music tech and design. So collaborative! So cool! Oh, and where can I buy on of those and for how much?

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • July 23, 02:23 PM

    Flash Comes But Once A Year

    I wish I had more projects that utilized Flash sometimes, not really because I love it so much but because it takes so long to get back into thinking how to design, code and organize it. This year I am taking a strict formulaic approach maximizing organization and efficiency (due to ridiculous time restraints) but also hopefully to make the ideation process a little more organic. I will continue to post updates on this as: 1) it will be my entire life the next 2 weeks and 2) for as small of a team we are, I am blessed and amazed to see all that gets pumped out in such a short period (these sketches will become push ads for a live media player that is currently in development). Anyway, here's to sanity gone the next 2 weeks.

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • July 19, 03:08 PM

    The Swell Season, She & Him and The Bird & The Bee at The Hollywood Bowl

    Hollywood was in peak form at the bowl last night with beautiful weather and scenery (I just love the old hollywood feel that the bowl has), wonderful company and fantastic music. First up was The Bird and The Bee. I had the chance to catch them at the Descanso Gardens almost over a year now, and although the Hollywood Bowl is a MUCH bigger venue they did a great job. I think the highlight of their set was when Greg Kirsten ran to the side of the stage and grabbed his daughter (maybe 2 years old) and brought her back to the piano to play the last song. 

    Next up was the classy Zooey Deschanel and the salient singer songwriter (listening to him as I write this) M. Ward. She and Him had an old time authentic sound that is perfect for a summer night in Hollywood. It seemed as though the Hollywood Bowl finally turned on the speakers when they got on. Just a solid sound from this duo. I would see them again just to see M. Ward work that guitar over again. He's the trump of guitar singer songwriters in this day and age and was wonderful to catch them this time around.

    Last up I confess I didn't really buy these tickets to see (although I love the music and their oscar winning movie Once) but they really were the best act of the night. The Swell Season just have this humble power about them; you just feel happy they're up there because they themselves are just so happy to be up there. They played music from they're hit record/movie, some from their new record and covered a couple of Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen (I was thoroughly impressed). Glen Hansard's guitar and guitar playing is rough and completely Irish, and Markita Irglova balances him out perfectly with her piano playing and vocals that are small as a mouse but filled the venue with as full and rich a tone as any frontman (or woman). Like I said, I was thouroughly impressed and would definitely see them again if the opportunity presented itself. 

    A great end to a busy weekend, good to know that there are classy musical acts out there.

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • July 15, 12:28 PM

    The Inspiration Pad (and no, it's not iPad related)

    Designer Marc Thomasset Created a wonderfully tantalizing notebook. May be a little more difficult to take school notes on but I think I'd dare writing client or brainstorming notes in it. 

    Clever and inspiring wish they were for sale!

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • July 09, 12:16 PM

    YEKPARE (monolithic) by Nerdworking

    Absolutely love this installation by Nerdworking a research network to develop unique hardware and software. I just love what people dream up with vision and collaboration. The video's a tad long for internets people (so its not a 2 min video of dancing hamsters) so sit back and just check out the coolness. I really wish I could've experienced this in person.

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • July 02, 12:36 PM

    New Fix Surfaces for iPhone 4 (patents and concept below).

    Well seeing as the iPhone 4 negativity (and now legal recourse) has been becoming hotter and heavier over the last week Apple finally folded and came up with a new fix. What's good about this is that it will be completely affordable and offers an instant fix... And it's fashionable (in Apple fashion of course). I'd definitelly purchase one (if I had an iPhone 4 of course). UPDATE: I did a little more digging and found that Apple actually put out a patent on this OVER A YEAR AGO. So did they know about this BEFORE? If so, man they're smart. I bet they could sell water to a whale or whatever. (I don't know what all the numbers and lines are for but it definitely looks highly technical and legitimate!)

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • July 01, 11:21 AM

    Audrée Lapierre's Milk Carton.

    This self initiated design by designer Audrée Lapierre is just slick. It gives the nutritional facts a helluva lot more interest and significance. Bravo Lapierre, bravo.

    From Lapierre's post:

    The data visualizations say more than a regular nutritional facts label. For example, ingredients are visually linked to their corresponding components (carbohydrate, total fat, proteins, sodium, others). In the case of a bag of chips, you would immediately see that it contains lots of ingredients without nutritive value.

    Check out more of his work here. Oh and he works for a company called ffunction which has a pretty sweet site and work too.

     

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • June 28, 11:21 AM

    Photographer David Alvarado

    There are tons of photographers out there these days but few left like David. David is a photo journalist for the US Army and has captured the most gripping of images there. He was stationed in Afghanistan last year and with the news thats been going on lately, literally captured history. Not only that, but I think he's captured life over there unlike any photographer I've ever seen do. You'll have to click through to see what I mean. He's an old friend and I was able to catch him online this morning and glad he's back stateside. I've always been in love with his work but was pretty amazed to see his latest. Anyway, whats below is just a sampling of this man's amazing work. Go check him out on Flickr and show him some love and respect. He's serving our country capturing the truth, honesty and brutality of this historical conflict we've been in. I'm pretty sure I'll see these images in history books one day.

    David's Flickr - again

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • June 10, 11:38 AM

    She Makes It An Artform

    Birthdays and Christmases are always good with presents but when you have a friend like Jonna it's like a fricken' experience. I always love getting gifts from her because her wrapping is always so awesome. Not to mention she has a stinking killer type that I've vowed to help her turn into a font. Check her site out too.

     

    And Yeah Meatball is a nickname... Don't wear it out.

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • June 07, 12:38 PM

    Daily Read: Psalm 147:2

    I'm taking a bible exposition class at California Baptist University right now and am amazed at just the beauty and factuality of the scriptures. One thing that is crazy to read in our time is verse 2. We were talking about prophecy last week in my class and the teacher pointed out 3 things about the Jewish nation that they had the TEMPLE, the LAND, and the LAW. The TEMPLE was destroyed (as Jesus promised) in AD 70 after Jerusalem fell to Rome, and then Israel ceased to be a nation and lost the LAND in which God promised them, scattered and conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1516. Then they almost lost the LAW in WW2 but then we know what happened there... 

    • So being the only thing which God had granted them left - they clung to the Law.
    • Then in 1948 - they became a nation once again
    • And since we know scripture is the Truth we know the temple will be built once again some time soon (My teacher said, if you hear on the news that they found the ACTUAL site of the temple a mere 5 miles away he wouldnt be surprised)...

    SO CRAZY to read King David WAY back then (ca. 1000-961 BC Actually) say "The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem and bringing the exiles back to Israel" and we see it happening 3000 years later - BEFORE OUR VERY OWN EYES.

    Woah.

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • April 29, 02:48 PM

    Corvo, by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance (via @Sight_Unseen)

    In all my years of creativity and academics, I never bothered taking any "hands-on" classes which now as I look back bum me out. Seeing masterpieces like this makes me really want to pursue a hobby that pulls me away from the computer as much as possible. Glad they included an awesome video showing all the work that goes into making a chair like this too. Much respect to this artist and his work! Hope I get to do something like this one day.

    Corvo Chair by Bernhardt Design from Sight Unseen on Vimeo.

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • April 28, 03:22 AM

    Late Night Design Inspiration

    Tonight I decided to devote some time to myself and get some new personal design concepts up on the screen. I have been so bust working on client work that my own personal design and possibly even the right side of my brain has been suffering a loss. So tonight I thought I'd be inspirational but useful. It was nice to reflect, but I really feel like I got some productive work out of it. My site has been suffering so hopefully this was the night I've been needing for a while to get those creative juices flowing again in my direction. Snapped this pic of my watch that was reflecting some junk on my desk.

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • February 12, 01:36 PM

    Great Icon Resource - http://www.iconfinder.net

    I stumbled upon this a while ago, they keep making awesome improvements to the resource. It's my number one resource for icon inspiration/search.

    Keep on keepin' on.

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • February 05, 01:27 PM

    Nature Blooms, It's Majestic.

    Another visually stimulating film by Phillip Bloom : Skywalker Ranch on the Canon 7dMkII and 5d. Found this on Your-Majesty's twitter which is a great look in and of itself. Their brand is genius, great employee promotion track.

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • January 27, 12:14 PM

    Ennio Morricone Remixes

    Wonderful Remixes of Ennio Morricone's legendary compositions. It's like the best of both worlds. Point your speakers here today and chill to some awesome grooves

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • January 14, 03:47 PM

    Rethinking the Design Process (Via @nickf)

    Pecha Kucha Vancouver Vol. 7 from Dorian Taylor on Vimeo.

    My money on why the development of graphic design (and subsequently web design) didn't take this approach back in the day was because most graphic design flourished from advertising and in my opinion where the clash of form and function are center stage.  But now that problem solving is again the focal point of most design (and of course UX) projects research has again become paramount. Would love to do a little more studying into the history and split of design and problem solving.

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • January 12, 12:16 AM

    Of All Things Diesel, A Watch is Best

    I have been in and out of Diesel's style over the years, from the onset of the shoes that were different and cool to the jeans and shirts that went from "oh how stylish I am" to gay to douche-bag's with no shirts apparently are the only one's that wear these. Ah yes I've seen all the stages, but the tried and true product that Diesel has knocked out of the park time and time again are their timepieces. Always slick, always technical (well some) they never cease to bring a smile to my face. This one I want oh so badly... oh so so badly. I could settle for this one also... Whoa.

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • January 04, 05:22 PM

    Google's office Part N

    I feel like these are posted all the time but this one caught my eye. I love the boat in the brainstorming room. What a creative seat, and it looks stinkin' comfortable. Found at Fubiz

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • December 21, 10:16 PM

    Explosions In The Sky.

    First Breath After Coma by Explosions In The Sky  
    Download now or listen on posterous
    01 First Breath After Coma.mp3 (18008 KB)

    Heard this song on Pandora today and I had to buy the album. The band is called Explosions In The Sky and I will be definitely be looking into them more, however looks like their site hasn't been updated since 2006. So here's to hoping they're still around.

    Oh and Merry Christmas everyone. Just in case.

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

  • December 18, 12:36 PM

    Yale Peabody by Paul Octavious

    I was perusin' the internets today and found this gem of a photographer. His name is Paul Octavious. He is awesome. I think I'll buy a shot or two from his cool e-commerce setup Just A Few Prints.



    I also love his other collection entitled The Book Collection

    Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Recent tracks