HDN inspiration

It’s the spread-the-cheer time of year!

Did you ever get those “How to draw” books as a kid? I think I asked for a different one every Christmas: How to draw people, How to draw horses, How to draw cartoons. Now at Christmas time I have the fun of making my own sparkly, snow-filled animations for many of our terrific clients. I don’t use a pencil or magic marker anymore. It’s a little more complicated than that but the idea is the same…a simple animated sequence that plays quickly like an old-fashioned flip-book. These days I use Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Flash to make the animations come to life.

Here are a few examples of this year’s creations, spreading cheer to offices everywhere!

http://www.hdnstudio.com/clients/augustconsulting/August%20_bus_holiday.html

 

http://www.hdnstudio.com/clients/THG/THG-holiday_2011_3.html

 

http://www.hdnstudio.com/pmpa/holiday/pmpa_holiday_11.html

 

Left or Right?

Being in a highly political town you may think this blog is about Democrats and Republicans. I gladly assure it is about a left and right of another nature.

Post rotator cuff surgery on my right (and dominant) shoulder, I find myself in new territory as I am tasked with the challenge to do EVERYTHING left handed. While I was terrified of how this would affect my fast-paced work ethic, I found that it has given me a much-needed wake up call.

Life in the right-hand lane is unknown territory for me. I have had to slow down quite a bit because I have to think about every move rather than have it be instinctual. This carries over to other aspects of my life. Just the other day my husband made an observation that I have been pointing out more things on our usual routes around town — might I add these things have been right where I am noticing them for years. I didn't realize I was so fixated on where I needed to be that I was forgetting the fabulous journey. There are many clichés here you all know — I just never thought I was actually living one.

With today's left-lane environment, let's not wait for a surgery to slow us down. Whether you are left or right handed, STOP. Take a minute to appreciate the simple things — such as what is immediately around you, how easy it is to sign your name, or where the first snowflake falls. And if you really want an adventure, try doing something with your opposite hand and notice how your brain awakes! It just may surprise and inspire you.