This is a project I did for PSFK. They asked me to build large 3-D letters of their logo to exhibit on stage during their conferences. At first I intended to make the letters out of foam to keep size and weight down. However, due to time constraints for technical planning and durability problems, I decided to construct the letters out of wood materials. I had never made something out of wood quite like this before and the process turned out to be a lot more involved than I had originally envisioned it. It was fun to use different technologies along with craftsmanship to make it all happen.

I started out by using a laser cutter to make templates of the letters from digital files. This would save time, plus give a more precise outline to structure the objects from. I left the backs as hollow openings to save material and give the client the ability to weight down the top heavy letters. They had to be durable for shipment from conference to conference so I used a strong, yet light, balsa material for the structuring on the interiors. I then used a thin birch ply for the finished facades, and a finish birch bendy ply for the facing of the curves. Some sanding, priming and painting and they were done just in time for their first public appearance at a NYC tech conference.

I was hired by The Print Center in Philadelphia to assist the artist Ann Hamilton in creating a pin hole camera that captured a 360 degree angle of people reading at a table, from the center of that table outward. Ann had a specific table she wanted to work with (picture 1) which had dimensions and variables that would control the cameras mechanical functionalities. The table would also be the driving influence for the cameras final esthetic design.

To develop a working prototype I would have to use many of the fundamental mechanics of photography we often take for granted when using SLR's, or manufactured cameras. Aperture sizes, depth of field, film plane and exposure times all became important factors in considering options for the best instance to capture the conceptual ideas Ann was going after.

Based on the results that I would produce from my tests, Ann would make decisions to develop the cameras imagery to her liking within the bounds of its mechanical limitations. After establishing the camera's final dimensions and specifications, Tim Lewis, a Philadelphia based wood worker, was hired to construct the camera out of wood.

It was a great experience and privilege to work with Ann on this project, as well as Jacqueline Van Rhyn of The Print Center.

When I worked as the Director of Print Services at The University of the Arts I created a yearly internship program that hired a Junior Graphic Design student going into their senior year to be the designer for the departments marketing campaign over the summer.

Every spring my staff and I would open the job and receive resumes from the junior students of the Graphic Design department. I would hold the job interviews and then select one of the students to be the intern. The goal of this position was educationally based so that not only did the student get paid, but they also got some real life experience in dealing with a client.

In the end the student intern got to walk away with a potential portfolio piece for job applications once out of school. We in Print Services got the privilege of a designer to assist us in marketing our services, as well as have a little fun.

Selfishly, I got to walk away with one of my most cherished creations as one of my more enjoyable accomplishments at the university. It reminded me of being a teacher and I can't say that there weren't times where I couldn't have been more excited seeing their ideas come to life as they worked.

Below is work from the students that were interns under my direction.

2008 - Marie Azcueta, 2009 - Gordon Sexton,
2010 - Charles Wybierela

This is a project I began because the old oil furnace in my house broke. I didn't like the notion of paying someone to reinstall a new furnace, especially when few of the plumbers that quoted the work actually seemed to know current technology, nor could I afford any of their bids. I went without domestic hot water & heat for over six months, approximately April to September, because I decided to install it myself. I wanted one of the best, most energy efficient boilers, and prior to this project I had only done soldering on small half inch fix it repairs for minor plumbing. It was one of the most stressful times of my life. I wanted to give up on several occasions and in the end saved very little money in comparison to the amount of time and emotion that it took from me, however I think the experience was invaluable.

Here are some production shots of camera/lighting setups, crew and some studio shots of Andrew as he recorded in the sound booth for his Nothing Half as Lonesome music video.

Images with a * were taken by Kevin Ritchie

This was a juried exhibition and award process idea of mine while I was the Director of Print Services & Media Resources at the University of the Arts. It entailed the creation of policy, planning, marketing, jurying, partnership with outside organizations, the exhibition, and the award presentation. Six students were selected to show three pieces each that were printed and framed of no cost to the students as a bonus for being selected. There was an arrangement of a 50/50 split(50 student, 50 Gallery) so that the students also had the ability to make money off the sale of their artwork in a real world setting. An additional $1000.00 award was presented to the best of show which was selected by a jury consisting of four of the universities faculty. This is one of my most proud accomplishments while working at the university. I got to take one of my ideas and work with my staff as a team so that we could create something that I believed embodied the very essence in which we were there, which was to support the students.

Special thanks to Trinity Framing for framing the exhibition, and to Paradigm Gallery for having the show. Photos as in order left to right, top to bottom

Thomas Carnwath presenting award, Amanda Stewart accepting award, Amanda and I after award ceremony, Amanda Stewart (Best in show Award), Richard Cardoza, Leah Romero, Philip Bartel, Amanda Hagenbuch, Stephen Shecora.Last four Gallery Images courtesy of Jason Chen.

I worked with my good friends Laila Ahmadi and Peter Surrena to design two customized rug display units for Laila's rug design company, Proper Rugs. The displays were used to showcase her rug design samples in a design conference in NYC. I built them over a 3 day period from MDF, pine & oak dowels, and a little paint and stain.

I had my father down one winter to help me replace windows on my house in Philadelphia with energy efficient ones, as well as install security windows to keep out the animals. Talk about cold, I felt like a penguins asshole during most of the installation. My dad found a new love for dogs after that visit, just ask him.