Ariel Hammer

If you start with social, you will likely end up with crap

Take a minute to read Justin Cone’s article “If you start with social, you will likely end up with crap.” Justin elegantly addresses contemporary advertisings most ignored obvious truth– that ideas fabricated for ‘vanity metrics’ and industry awards “…still suck.” 

Last year Amy and I rented a waterproof digital camera (in attempt) to document our day trip at sea in Belize.

This NYT article hit too close to home when I read it back in June.

At the time I wasn’t sure how to digest this perspective with out exploding and abandoning the little life I’ve made for myself here in Chicago. This article confirmed the fear that my “stellar work ethic” may actually just be an elaborate ploy to disguise insecurities and ignore some bigger personal issues. Unfortunately this “elaborate ploy” fails miserably when your career is your “passion,” and your passion is completely subjective. 

Two weeks ago Brian, Jill, Michael and myself ventured to SCAD for a Creative Technology talent search. SCAD had asked us (Leo Burnett) to give a presentation for film and digital media students as a way of giving back to the university that had given me and the company so much. Resistant to presenting and still jaded from my not so graceful transition into the “real world,” I accepted the challenge and followed the advice to “talk about what you know” …or in Leo speak, “the real human truth.”

Truth is, your early 20’s is the most awkward time in your life– and no one talks about it. My solution– a back handed, non inspirational, unwanted pep talk in the form of a medical diagnosis, offering my personal experiences as a case study for PTSD– Post traumatic SCAD disorder. PTSD is a serious disorder effecting SCAD grad’s across all majors. Above are a handful of slides that introduce this passion sucking, emotionally draining  and potentially finically traumatizing (but totally curable) “disease.” The remaining slides (not shown here) guide students and graduates suffering or at risk for PTSD through the healing process. By identifying symptoms early, PTSD sufferers can become successful survivors by kicking ass, and not getting their asses kicked upon graduation. 

Email me to inquire more on PTSD. No one deserves to suffer alone! ..And as the first, and only self diagnosed sufferer, I may be your only resource.  

By taking a risk to speak about my not so pleasant post SCAD realities, I deprived students of a fairy-job-mother spiel, but instead gained an unexpected connection with the audience, and my coworkers. This was a nerve racking task, but well worth it based on the positive feedback from professors and developing impact on students. I hope graduates continue to share their Post Traumatic SCAD Disorder stories, and that my off-beat message ultimately inspired people to work for their passions, see opportunity in challenges and fight fear, the root of all evil. 

Work and design aside– in January my friend Amy Karr and I treated ourselves to a 9 day adventure compliments of William Shatner’s international airfare flash sale! #treatyoself

The Central American sub-tropic oasis, Belize– was hands down one of my favorite destinations. Affordable, friendly, english speaking, and loaded with activities (…and cute boys with accents) Amy and I never hit a dull moment. The perfect antidote to the winter blues and feeling burnt out at work. 

Visiting the land of 2012, in 2012 was an adventure. Central America is rich in ancient history, has brilliant skies with vivid stars, life changing coffee, and beautiful natural terrane. I hope to see the world through this lens again. Here is a glimpse at our trip, I will publish extensive pictures on Flickr soon. 

Some quick trip details….  

The first half of the trip was spent in main land Belize at Midas reasort in San Ignacio. Commuting from our blue cabin, we traveled with Pacs Tours hiking, cave tubing, impromptu rock climbing, swimming and observing archaeological finds through out Belize and Tikal Guatemala. After surviving “the jungle,” we headed to the coast for a blue water beach vacation. Amy and I stayed at Sea Dreams hotel on Caye Caulker, a small car-free island reliant on bikes and golf carts as primary transit. In Caye Caulker we went snorkeling, got spa treatments on the beach, ate fresh seafood, worked on our base tan, tested local Tequilas, gained a new appreciation for Rum and successfully went to the only bar open until 4am every night. 

Michael Miano and Ariel Hammer’s most recent “innovation project” at 35 W.Wacker. 

Floor 15, North West Side–  Photo Op’s encouraged!  

“Design isn’t a job, a career, or a calling. It’s a total lifestyle. We dominate decision making that is about cultural construction and make-up: music, food, bikes, clothing.”

This brief article is humbling and inspiring. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to study at a “fantastic school like SVA, Parsons, SCAD, SAIC, ACD, or another acronym that none of your friends or family will recognize” and land a “sexy glamorous design job that allows me to express my creativity to its fullest potential.” 

Living the dream. 

New phone. New home.  New job. 

(Ironically) I’ve been too busy living to document– until now.

Follow me on Instagram to see the world through my (iphones) cross-processed eyes… and potentially make dumb decisions with my smart phone. 

‘91 / ‘09

You’re spectacular– did you know that? 

For my SCAD IGTM “intro to flash” course we were asked to create a multi level adventure style game. Considering the video games I play(ed) date back to N64 Mario Kart and GameBoy Tetris– and my favorite film does not contain ‘Star’ in the title… this assignment was actually extremely difficult for me to approach conceptually. (and literally because I’m horrible at coding anything thats not a pantone change… half kidding.)

Opposed to fufilling my preconceived idea of an “adventure” game– instead created an interactive exploration of the creative process. Expanding on the belief that creativity is not a ‘eureka moment.’ 

Users navigate their way through six levels collecting written and illustrated clues to complete quotes representing universal steps in any thinking process–idea, strategy, execution, and delivery.

 (the game is not live– but general interface and look shots posted above.) 

Found some old photo’s my friend Chris Kirk and I took a few years back when we lit ping-pong balls on fire.  

hoveringartdirectors:

F R O M  @A R I E L H A M M E R  -  S A V A N N A H ,  G A. 

My 1st exercise from an interactive class last quarter– “Create a linear animation of a looping day to night sequence in flash.” 

The concept is strong. Transition is simple. Illustration adorable, and animation not horrific for a first time flash user. Fun small home work assignment. 

Popeye Al (my grandfather) scanned his negatives from the 60-70’s and sent me a few photo’s of my Dad and Aunt A growing up. 

Its fun to look at my immediate family before my time– the film quality, fashion trends, and getting a small window into my Dad’s world.

pixieandbuck: Chiddy Bang at last years SUMMER618

Stoked for this years 618 to be bigger and better. Cooking up some bad ass stuff for Penns Landing June 18th 2011. 

Saturday’s Shoot with Pixie and Buck 

Stay updated with the latest and greatest on Facebook // tumblr // twitter

Photos by: Chris Parente 

PixieAndBuck.com is live and well– Check it out!

I recently discovered (and have become obsessed with…) the all American, ultimate monster pie-cake, the Cherpumple. After watching Charles Phoenix’s charming video, I needed to find a way to incorporate this quirky dessert into my work immediately.

Using Flash and Illustrator I give users the opportunity to explore and learn about the infamous, triple layered wonder, the Cherpumple. This project for SCAD began as a simple homework exercise and is now growing into a more elaborate Flash project. The goal is to create an interactive application to move through “rooms” using a fixed navigation and “keys” to gain access to sections of the design.

The user gains access to the “rooms” by “blowing out” a birthday candle allowing you to bite right in! The “rooms” are a series of graphic illustrations and typography that visually guide you threw the dense icing, cake, and pie layers. Nom Nom Nom.

I hope to have this touched up and published post finals– keep a look out!

…till then I encourage everyone to take on the Cherpumple challenge and actually bake the thing.