Cameesa - The Blog

This past Wednesday, Andy and I were very fortunate to be interviewed by Jeff Woelker from The Chicago Tech Report.  This was our first video interview and we actually did not know what to expect.  To tell you the truth, I was a little nervous.  Andy says that I get really goofy when I am put in a serious situation (I guess it’s some sort of defense mechanism, a good one at that.)

Jeff did a great job as an interviewer asking great questions, and keeping things informal (nice work Jeff).  Since we were a little anxious, we stuck to the format of the interview and didn’t branch out to talk about much more.  One thing that we regret was that we failed to mention YOU, and we learned this very quickly.  YOU, our Supporters, our families, and friends……a huge reason why we are still running Cameesa.

So, we want to thank you all for everything that you have done for us.  From responding to forum posts and Buying Tees, to telling your friends about Cameesa and putting stickers on your MacBook laptops.  2008 was the beginning of Cameesa and we look forward to our first full year as Cameesa in 2009.  Thank you.

1. Watch the interview by clicking here, The Chicago Tech Report Cameesa Interview.

2. p.s. WE WISH THAT WE WOULD HAVE SAID THIS AT THE END OF THE VIDEO:

We spend so much time in the Cameesa world interacting with different types of people every day. Every once in a while, we come across a person that is extremely devoted to Cameesa and its success. You can probably find this person in the forums, leaving design comments, and interacting with everyone in the community.

Today, I would like to introduce you to a Cameesa Artist, Daniel Newman, also known as Quakerninja. Daniel is a talented artist that has submitted many great designs to Cameesa, one of which was printed - Aubyn Beth. He has a passion for art and design, and has been a great help in building our Cameesa community. You can check out his blog at Quakerninja.com or support his newest design, Pink Gorilla. Without further adieu, I give you Quakerninja (what does Quakerninja mean anyways?)

Who is Daniel Newman?

I am a 29 year old maker of doodles based in Newberg, Oregon.  I’m just an average Joe that has an ever growing love for drawing. I’m a rather indecisive, and shy guy in person sometimes, maybe. I would say that I am a very visual thinker, so for me I see the world in shades, lines, colors, and shapes. I enjoy nature, the changing of the seasons, classical music, and a good old book. And The Arts of course, all of them.

I studied both the preforming arts, and visual arts in High School and college, with hopes of becoming an actor. Actors don’t work from home that often, so the fine art won out in the end, but I wouldn’t turn down a script should the situation ever present itself. This “Want to do it all” approach is the real driving force behind what I do artistically. I would hate to think of what I might be missing.

How did you get into design, and what do you like most about it?

I could talk for days on this topic. I have been making artistic expressions in one way or another ever since I was a kid. Some of them ended up looking good enough to frame.

Here is a watercolor I did in the 8th grade, I was 13 at the time. It’s one of the oldest examples of art I still have, that’s not in an attic somewhere. For me, what makes a style work is the most interesting part. The technique, what type of lines to use, the values and shades Colors and so on. The bones of the artwork. I would say most of what I have learned by drawing is a result of trying new things and lucky guesses in regards to what goes where on the paper or screen.

I rarely use a pencil sketch, I will go right at it with a pen or stylus. I frequently use reference photos, or in some cases for people drawing, I will use Poser 3d reference models. To answer the question, I only really got into art professionally in the past year or so. I got a Wacom Bamboo Fun Graphics Tablet for my birthday, and never put it down. I am actually holding my stylus as I type these words.

I got into tee shirts be accident really, I was new to digital art and looking for some stuff to use, and came across the Go Media Arsenal Vector packs. I played with that a bit and was looking for a place to show off my new skills and came across Emptees. That lead to a lot of great people and opportunities including being invited to be a beta tester for Cameesa.

Who has inspired you and why, in both life and design?

My mom is also an artist, so she is my biggest fan and inspiration. If I were to list all the people it would reach the moon. I think there is no such thing as bad art, just underdeveloped or untapped potential. It doesn’t take a genius to know what looks good. I think everyone has some hidden artist inside. Or at least a need or want to express something in some way, words drawing songs whatever it is.

What do you enjoy doing on your free time, other than designing?

I know it may sound strange but I really do draw all the time. From when I wake up to when I go to bed.  The first thing I do is get on my computer and open up Adobe Illustrator and just make some squiggles and go from there.  The only other then designing thing I do is the occasional trip to the Oregon Coast with my family, or camping with friends.

Favorites?

Book: The collected works of Edgar Allen Poe. It’s a big book, I’m still working on it.

Movie: Trainspotting. One of the few movies I can watch over and over and enjoy every time.

Song: November Rain. Guns N’ Roses (Ironically also my least listened to song. I don’t want to spoil it you know)

Magazine: Cosmo Those quizzes crack me up.

Band: Aubyn Beth (http://myspace.com/aubynbeth) of course.

(more…)

I want to see the coolest Chicago t-shirt ever on Cameesa.

If you are not an artist but have been in Chicago before (or live in Chicago), go to the Chicago Tee Post  and give us your opinion of Chicago, or let us know what would look cool on a Chicago Tee.

If you are an artist, design a cool Chicago tee and check out the rules on the Chicago Tee Post.

I came across this post at 200 Nipples, and it really struck a chord with me:

http://blog.200nipples.com/2008/12/why-is-effort-uncool/

I see this in myself and in others.  It’s definitely a defense mechanism: if I don’t succeed, then I can say that I wasn’t really trying anyways.  That way I don’t look like a less intelligent/capable/successful person.

But it is BS.  We are trying very hard with Cameesa, and I am most proud of how far we’ve come.

I am going to carry this attitude over into other things in my life.  If I am not trying hard at something, then I shouldn’t be doing it at all.

Choice quote:

“Now is a particularly good time to try most anything, in fact. The sheep are terrified, and resources are cheap.”

Thanks for the inspiration 200 Nips!

I had the chance to watch a little cable television when I was at my parents house over the holiday break.  I normally don’t watch any tv, as we don’t have cable in our house (by choice).

As someone trying to grow a company, I found myself focusing more on the commercials than the content, although it seemed they shared equal screen time.  What really jumped out at me was how generic some of the company tag lines were.

I always thought that company taglines should be a memorable description of what the company does. For example,ours is “Crowdfunding Fashion”.  Sure, the word crowdfunding is a bit esoteric, but we want to latch onto the word and help define it.

Here are some of the least best (one of my favorite phrases from my UPS days):

“Do Stuff”… and yes, that is service marked.

So, is this the intended consumer thought pattern?

“I want to do stuff… with things.  I think I’ll go to Radioshack.”

Something about “You, Happier” feels a bit like Idiocracy to me.  What does the company actually do?  Perhaps Best Buy is so pervasive that everyone knows what they do, but the promise that they are going to make me happier just doesn’t resonate with me.

Those are just two examples, what are your favorite lame company taglines?