Play Well With Others

From the Toi Box: Donald Glover

2010-10-27T19:30:00.011-04:00

Yes I sound weird nigga take it as a compliment
Guess who’s in the house representing like a congressman
Anything I put my mind to I accomplish it
From writing scripts with Tina Fey to laying down the hardest shit

“Culdesac” is the third album by Childish Gambino, who is better know as actor / comedian Donald Glover, who unfortunately is not the son of Danny Glover. He is probably most recognizable as his character Troy Barnes on the NBC comedy Community.

Glover is involved in a lot of very good projects. Community is the type of show that if you don’t watch you should stop reading this right now and punch yourself in the face. He was also part of the sketch comedy group Derrick Comedy, which is all over the Youtubes, was a writer on 30 Rock (punch yourself in the face again), and has a stand up special. And oh yeah, did I mention he just turned 27?

You would think with all that going on dude wouldn’t have much free time, but somehow he has been releasing multiple albums worth of music. And in the case of Culdesac, it’s good. I can’t speak for any of his previous work, as laziness has prevented me from listening to it. If you are not lazy, look up the albums Sick Boi and Poindexter, or the mix tapes I Am Just a Rapper and I Am Just a Rapper 2.

The name Childish Gambino came from the infamous Wu Tang name generator, which I find hilarious. Clovis’ Wu name is Sullen Choirboy and mine is Sweaty Butcher. This is probably why neither of us have rap careers. Try your own name here.

The tracks on “Culdesac” are well produced and each has an individual sound. The track “Hero” is anthem like and fun to listen to. “Got This Money” is light with a house inspired beat and R&B inspired chorus. “Put It In My Video” is fast paced, lyrically intricate, and has a massive hook. Honorable mentions go to “Do Ya Like” and “Untouchable”.

Overall the album deals with some real, personal issues. Glover raps about alcohol abuse, insomnia, and racial identity issues. You get the idea that he is a manic black kid running circles around a bunch of white people. It also deals with some lighter issues, like the fact that Glover apparently overpays for everything he owns. Lots of comparisons are being made to Kanye, Lil Wayne, and Drake which imply unoriginality, but I think that Glover has a distinct voice and I found the comparisons complimentary.

Of course the album isn’t perfect. There is a lot of bragging, even for a rap album. You get the impression that Glover is overcompensating for his own perceived weaknesses: not being “hard” enough, not having enough money, or not sleeping with enough bus station skanks. Much of the criticism for the album is based on this, but Glover more than makes up for this with excellent beats and impressive lyricism. After reading some of the critics I got the same feeling I had in school when I was insulted by one of the kids on the short bus, and in “Untouchable” Glover responds to his critics better than I ever could…

And to the critics with reviews that were more than sour
Is it strange having jobs that I can do tomorrow?
You bitches don’t like shit, and it’s kinda sad
I like food, sex, clothes, watching Breaking Bad
I’m something that these cool kids never really had

We've got a Secret....

2010-04-06T21:16:00.000-04:00

There has been something afoot here at Toi and it's been all hush hush.....till now.

We were invited to participate in the gift suite at the annual SXSW Festival in Texas. (which I am told by Clovis is a super big deal since we were one of the few independent clothing companies that was invited to participate.) We sent some of our signature shirts to the festival as well as some of our newer items. It was a big success and allowed us to show the world all about the greatness that is TOI.

Here are some event photos.

<3 rachel

one more photo. Click to embiggen.

Let's go back to New York!

2010-01-14T22:24:00.000-05:00

it may be because i'm a girl but i seriously just had a brain aneurysm over the new season of Project Runway. let's note that this is the first season i've been excited about since the show left bravo and subsequently New York.

for some reason i just couldn't get excited about season six. it could have been that designers of last season were so blase and moving the show to LA...really? i'm supposed to believe that LA fashion week compares to New York fashion week in Bryant Park. yeah..i don't think so. not even a little bit. New York is the only place a show like PR can work mainly because NY is the fashion capital of America. (overreaching?? perhaps.)

but now all is right in the world. Project Runway is back in New York and the designers look like they are going to put forth some amazing work.

<3 rachel

Catching up..

2010-01-11T18:00:00.000-05:00

Well hello there world! Welcome to 2010! Sorry, we're a little late to the party, but here at Toi we just like to do everything on our own schedule.

We have a new minion here at Toi. Rachel will be taking over the blog so that I may better concentrate on my plan to take over the world!! (at least the graphic t-shirt design aspect of it anyway)

So to catch up here's what's been going on....

November
Bears Game with the Rachel

Not exactly a picture of the game, but still a hilarious picture.

Toi's Calender Release Party @ Waldo's
Thanks to everyone came out and supported the Toi. Also, a special thanks to our models and of course our photographer Matt for his amazing photos of the event!

December
Besides enjoying an occasional yuletide favorite of a glass of eggnog and spending more money then I should I did not have anything going on until New Year's. And here is the only photo i can reasonably show you from that night.

That is all for now. Make sure to make Rachel feel welcome to Toi.

As always play well with others
Clovis

Muppet Bohemian Rhapsody

2009-11-25T12:52:00.001-05:00

Nice write up in the Hometown Paper

2009-11-23T09:21:00.000-05:00

Big thanks goes to John Liberty for giving us a nice write up in the Kalamazoo Gazette's Ticket.

Click on the image below to read the article.

Play well.
Clovis

Who's having a party? We're having a party!

2009-11-10T20:40:00.000-05:00

That's right people, it's time to have a good time, relax with some friends, get some really great drink specials and meet the ladies of Toi's 2010 Pin Up Calendar. They'll be signing the calendar from 10:00 to 2:00 and we'll be partying like it's 1999.

So come out to Waldo's Campus Tavern next friday night and let's have a good time.

Play Well
Clovis

Assassin's Creed II - Anyone, anyone?

2009-11-06T11:29:00.000-05:00

So first let me start by saying that the commercials that they are playing on TV right now? The ones where they show your fresh kills' face looking up at you, as the camera slowly pulls away... Those are insanely creepy.

just down right weird.

But with that said The first Assassin's Creed was phenomenal. Every one here at Toi has played this game at least twice and in some cases three times through. and each time our enjoyment for the game did not waiver.

Which brings us to November 17th and a complete standstill of office work for the next week.

Assassin's Creed II comes out and I think everyone here is chomping at the bit to play it. I personally can't wait to play it. This excitement reminds me of being a kid and getting excited about the new Super Mario or Mega Man game. This game is going to kick so much butt and I can't wait.

Also Speaking of major events in November. Check back next week Tuesday for some major news.

Updated with creepy ads:

Play Well
Clovis

Interview with D*Face

2009-10-27T16:24:00.000-04:00

D*Face, Artist :: Off The Wall from friendswelove.com on Vimeo.

Play well
Clovis

Internet Celebrities

2009-10-23T09:05:00.000-04:00

I've never been to a bodega, all we have here in Michigan is the corner gas station or 7/11.

But this comedy skit from the Internet Celebrities makes me want to hop on a flight to New york and pick up some of the "yellow food group."

Hilarious
Play well
Clovis

They're here!

2009-10-20T16:23:00.000-04:00

After months of photoshoots, editing, and planning our 2010 Toi Pin-up calendar is finally available for pre-order!

View it here

Play well
Clovis

Thoughts?

2009-09-29T09:34:00.000-04:00

Mr. Kim Says - "Lacking Inspiration" from Mr. Kim on Vimeo.

I've been going to mrkimsays.com for years now. For those unaware, it is a blog ran by Rickey Kim, owner of Evil Monito, a guy for all intents and purposes seems to work with some of the most creative individuals that this world has to offer.

Which is why this post troubles me.

Let me start by saying that I completely agree with what Mr. Kim has to say. I think we have taken art in it's laziest direction. That schools of thought that exist in the art world now are just out of pure lack of creativity. This doesn't fall on everyone, but the vast majority have to own up to this, including myself.

We as the creative community have latched onto the idea of art=fame, or rather, very poor art + great marketing = fame.

I also think as one who calls himself a creative individual, how much blame do I place on myself.

And that is what troubles me.

So I post it to you dear reader.
Do you think we have reached the tipping point?
Do you think that because of over saturation, laziness, and all around not giving a crap, we have drained the well?

I don't know, but I do know this makes me want to try harder and really wow, not just make something that is good enough, but really wow.

Play well
Clovis

October is coming

2009-09-28T17:43:00.000-04:00

A few things

• Limited to 150.
• Only available in our online shop
• Drops the end of October - so it will be in the mail and in your eager little hands before the Christmas Holiday.
• That's right what better gift to give than a Toi wallet
• There is no cooler wallet
• That's right I said it - NO COOLER WALLET!

Play Well
Clovis

Weddings

2009-09-20T21:33:00.000-04:00

Congrats To Cassie and Brad.

Play Well
Clovis

We are getting closer!

2009-08-18T13:30:00.000-04:00

The Calendar is done.

So what does that mean? and how long before you can have it in your warm, little hands?

Pre-orders start Monday October 19th, and run for the rest of that month. We're working out some special things for the pre-orders to make the calendar even more of a hot commodity.

I can't tell you how proud I am of the team that worked on this little puppy. It shows through in the photography and the packaging. This is just a wonderful piece, and I can't share in words how happy I am with the finished product.

What else?

Well, October on through the end of the year looks to be a busy time for us here at Toi. Our first cut and sew piece (limited to just 150) is coming along swimmingly and is on schedule for its late October/Early November release.

There's some other things coming along the pipeline as well, but I can't say much more than that.

So as always ...

Play Well
Clovis

Elizabeth Gilbert on creativity

2009-08-04T13:17:00.000-04:00

Elizabeth Gilbert, (Eat, Pray, Love) has a very interesting take on what it means to be a creative, and how to handle it.

Play well
Clovis

this is amazing

2009-07-30T09:13:00.000-04:00

This comes from the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium located in Japan, and it is simply breathtaking.

The main tank, entitled the 'Kuroshio Sea', holds 7,500-cubic meters (1,981,290 gallons) of water and features the world's second largest acrylic glass panel in which measures 8.2 meters by 22.5 meters with a thickness of 60 centimeters.

You can download the wallpaper here

Play well
Clovis

Tuesday Creative Fix

2009-07-07T11:35:00.000-04:00

A little time + a little creativity + friends willing to help friends. = Great video.

Found on Brand Flakes for Breakfast

Play Well
Clovis

Detroit is dying

2009-07-02T12:42:00.000-04:00

Yves Marchand Romain Meffre Photography (Say that five times fast.) has an excellent photo study entitled "The Ruins of Detroit" up on their website right now.

The photography is beautiful, haunting, and ultimately very depressing in that this once great city is slowly decaying right before our very eyes.

Enjoy it here

Play well
Clovis

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

2009-06-25T22:27:00.000-04:00

Summer Lovin'

2009-06-25T11:08:00.000-04:00

Summer is in full swing here in Michigan, making an already hectic schedule almost unbearable.

So far in the month of June I've already attended three weddings (with three more to go through September), I'm working with no less than five clients on websites and such, and still chipping away on the full time day to day job.

So what does that mean for our beloved little company that could, Toi?

Well if you can't tell by the picture above, we're putting a little surprise together for later this year.

Our programmer just began work on putting the pieces of the fat monster© app. together.

And we're planning a special August surprise for those of you that live in the Kalamazoo area.

I have to give a special "and I thank you" to Matt, for picking up on some of the slack with our design clients, And to Rachel for helping keep yours truly sane.

And as a final gift to our readers, here is one more photo of things to come.

Play Well
Clovis

Superflat First Love

2009-06-11T15:40:00.000-04:00

Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton have had an awesome partnership. And in what has to be one of the most interesting branding/artist collaborations ever we get Super Flat Love.

Play Well
Clovis

Bad Client practices in the real world

2009-06-04T15:33:00.000-04:00

If you have ever worked in an ad agency this will make you spit up your dr. pibb.

Play well
Clovis

Maestro Knows

2009-05-17T19:33:00.000-04:00

Maestro Knows - Episode 7 (San Francisco) from Maestro Knows on Vimeo.

You've gotta check his Vimeo page.

Play Well
Clovis

The Magic of Sean Clark

2009-05-13T10:04:00.000-04:00

Received this in an e-mail the other day. Sean Clark, Magician, Psychologist and all around good guy has his website up and running.

The really cool thing is if you watch some of his videos you'll see that he is wearing one of our first Toi shirts.

Check his website here

And if you see him on the streets of Austin, show him some love.

Play well
Clovis

Thursday Music

2009-04-30T14:31:00.000-04:00

Kings Of Leon - New Music - More Music Videos

Great song to help get through the day.

Play Well
Clovis

Kalamazoo X conference recap

2009-04-28T19:24:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was the Kalamazoo X Conference. About 80 professional programmers, consultants, and creatives packed into one of the conference rooms at KVCC to listen to some really insightful presentations on programming, change, social networking, and of course, branding. It was a great time and I give credit to Mike Eaton and the Kalamazoo X team for putting on such a great seminar.

Saduki (Sarah Dutkiewicz) has a wonderful write up about the full days festivities over on her blog Coding Geekette

Stop by and take a gander.

Play well
Clovis

The Process: photo edition

2009-04-26T17:19:00.000-04:00

A few months ago- Toi did a photo shoot for some assorted things, least being some designs for new shirts.

Anywho, over the course of six hours and over three hundred shots later, we came up with some good photos and some great ideas for some future designs.

Plus it doesn't hurt to have good looking models scantily clad in your studio.

Play well
Clovis

Things I want.

2009-04-14T21:21:00.001-04:00

Michel Gondry has a new DVD out highlighting his music video work and interviews. Gondry is a pretty remarkable director and since you can only get this dvd on his website I give you the website.

Click it here

Play well
Clovis

Drongo Plays the Drums

2009-04-08T14:37:00.000-04:00

Cute animation from Electric Eel-fish films

Play well
Clovis

I'm not sure if I'm wierded out or turned on.

2009-03-31T16:57:00.001-04:00

This is a kids show - A KIDS SHOW! This is from the Japanese tv show Seireishojotai - which translates as “Elemental Girls". It's about 5 highschool girls who are actually sexy Eco-super heroes that fight polluters and other environmental villains in I'm guessing, the tiniest outfits known to man.

Crazy.

Original source here

Play well
Clovis

Maestro Knows

2009-03-31T14:14:00.000-04:00

Maestro Knows - Episode 2 (Anthony Hamilton) from Maestro Knows on Vimeo.

Check the rest of the episodes here

Play well
Clovis

Monday music

2009-03-30T15:41:00.000-04:00

Just some good music to help us through a monday.

Play well
Clovis

Food logos through the ages

2009-03-30T13:48:00.000-04:00

A really fun article on some of food companies greatest logo's through the ages.

from: NEATORAMA

Play well
Clovis

Sunday Morning Cartoons

2009-03-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

I was voracious about reading as a child, and I absorbed whatever I could get my grubby little hands on - to the point that I got a turtle in fifth grade and named it Dribble because of Judy Blume.

In sixth grade I picked up my first mythology book, it was a very superficial explanation on Greek Mythology, but from that one book I was hooked. I went through our libraries collection of greek mythology and then tried to read and understand norse, and eventually egyptian. All of them were incredibly important in helping me to form my world view. These were all religions at one time, these were all part of their times collective conscious.

All of this is to say, that when Gargoyles came out, I was amazed at how they mixed medieval lore with Norse mythology and threw in some roman mythology for good measure. It was a wonderful concoction of all these different ideas and beliefs mixed together for yummy goodness.

I was also amazed that Disney took such a chance with this cartoon. I mean think about it, the mouse house is known for making pretty straight forward kiddy fare, and here was such an amazing, deeply serialized, thoughtful cartoon.

If you ever decide to pick the DVD's up get the later seasons - it becomes incredibly interesting after season 2.

Play well
Clovis

Tough Times

2009-03-26T13:46:00.000-04:00

Over at hypebeast right now there is a very interesting article on the state of the industry called streetwear.

Here's an excerpt from Frank Liew of Qubic/Quarters

"I think everybody needs to stop and breathe for a second. Consumers, support your independents. Retailers, stop blaming everything on “the recession”. Don’t be lazy. It doesn’t explain why you should ignore customers who walk in your front door. You know how it works. People moan to me about how it’s all media hype – but I don’t entirely believe that. I think there is a general paradigm shift at the moment kick-started by the economic situation in where people are now waking up and evaluating the way they’ve been spending, regardless of whether or not they’ve been hit in the pocket by the housing crunch or lost an entire stock portfolio. For our industry, I strongly believe the spending is still out there. I see it every day when I view our reports. People who were into it before the crunch are still into it now, I don’t think I’ve met a single person who’s completely given up on buying clothes & footwear just because the GDP has shrunken for the last two consecutive quarters. People still appreciate good product, and good service. It’s still a relatively young crowd, they’re flexible. Remember why you got into this in the first place. The need, the addiction, the want. That’s what your customers still feel, despite what you may think. If you can capture that then you’re set. "

The article gives some inspiration as well as sending a real message that now is the time to step up, be creative, differentiate your brand from the herd, and most importantly be true to your style ignore all the commercial mess, and build your brand to fit you first.

Check the article here

Play well
Clovis

Notte Sento

2009-03-26T13:20:00.000-04:00

Notte Sento (English subtitles) from napdan on Vimeo.

This short was made from over 4500 shots taken with a Canon EOS 30D camera.

from the creator:
A girl misses her train to Milan and is set to wait overnight in Rome until dawn. However, a chance encounter with a guy changes her plans and the night lights of the capital turn into the background to a tender love story. An extraordinary chemistry made of knowing glances and small gestures fills the few instants that separate them both from the sunrise.

Beautiful

Play well
Clovis

Kalamazoo X Conference

2009-03-24T16:19:00.000-04:00

I'll be speaking at the Kalamazoo X Conference on branding next month! click on the banner above to visit their site.

Play Well
Clovis

Sunday morning cartoons

2009-03-21T23:51:00.000-04:00

Is it wrong that Bluto is my favorite character in Popeye?

Play Well
Clovis

Fat Monster is coming!

2009-03-18T11:29:00.001-04:00

I am really bad at keeping secrets, especially if it is something that is exciting. and today I am very excited!

I just recieved color artwork for our upcoming apple app, fat monster.

There is still a lot of work that needs to be done, and hell who knows if it will be finished before next year. But, seeing this and the other color pages put together for the first time, I'm starting to get a feel for how the game will look and play, and I can't tell you how proud that makes me of the team working on this project.

It's a good day to be TOI.

Play well
Clovis

$100.00 houses

2009-03-18T09:46:00.001-04:00

We have all heard the stories of how Detroit is falling apart. Living and working in Michigan it has always been a Thorn in my side that we do not have a major city, like Chicago or New York to call our own, instead we have a major city with a former very corrupt mayor, and a winless football team.

Well here is a story of a group of people who are taking advantage of the city's fall and are at the beginning stages of rebuilding it into something new and different.

I have to admit this excites me a little, these small steps will hopefully grow into something very big and exciting.

Read the article here

So who watched the Watchmen

2009-03-12T08:43:00.000-04:00

Overall loved the movie - Most of the changes and deletions made sense. My only real beef was the ending, subtle changes can make the world of difference, and unfortunately not always for the best.

By the by this comic is hilarious. Check it out here

Play well
Clovis

What's new with you?

2009-03-11T11:03:00.000-04:00

So what's been going on in the world of TOI?

• New fabric just came in for our limited edition wallets. 150 total, with supremely cool packaging.
• First introductions and meetings on "Fat Monster"
• Finishing up decisions on the line for the rest of the year.
• Welcoming our new PR Person
• Saying goodbye to our intern
• Looking for a new intern

I've been trying to figure out how to share the process of running a small business a little bit better on this blog.

In the last few months I've kind of focused a lot more on our pet projects, movies, girlfriends and cartoons. and less on what goes on behind the scenes of the day to day growth of our little empire that could.

As we move forward there will be continual tweaking in what I think the blog should be, and as that happens I hope to make it more of what I personally envision it to be.

With that said below are two of our shirts coming out towards the end of next month. Hope you likes.

Play well
Clovis

Sunday Morning Cartoons

2009-03-08T14:41:00.000-04:00

Love Pluto.

Play Well
Clovis

this is fantastic

2009-03-07T19:50:00.000-05:00

Saw this on Johnny Cupcakes blog and thought it was really beautiful.

I'm jealous in how creative and simple this really is.

Play well
Clovis

Who Watches the Watchmen?

2009-03-03T10:26:00.000-05:00

I... Can't... Wait...

Let's be honest, a large part of my childhood was spent reading comics, writing comics and illustrating comics, my love for illustration can be traced back to a mighty mouse comic I tore apart and traced when I was about 5 years old. And I can also remember crying when my mom wouldn't let me see the first batman movie.

I have watched every comic to film adaption that has come out, yes even Electra. These comics were my childhood mythology and the movies are that mythology come to life.

And I Can't Wait for the Watchmen.

I've read this book multiple times, I've studied Dave Gibbons artwork, and I have always wanted to sit at the altar that is Alan Moore.

Anyway, Drew McWeeney from HITFIX continues his superb coverage of the Watchmen movie with a set of videos talking to the cast, director and original artist of Watchmen.

Here is Dave Gibbons discussing the surreal feeling seeing his and Moore's child jump off the page and into a big budget movie.

You can find the rest of the interviews here

Play well
Clovis

I know where they can stick their snooty

2009-02-26T16:58:00.000-05:00

First let me say that there is a part in here where they offer the theory that an 80 year old grandmother who dabbles in Illustrator could possibly be a better designer than someone who has spent Four years in college, an internship, and gained years of marketing and design experience.

What? Really? How can they possibly be selling this line.

I understand that they had a bad experience with a design firm, but that does not mean a monkey could do a graphic designers job. It also does not mean that holding open competitions for anyone with Adobe Suite is somehow going to improve our industry. I would argue that in fact it is quite the opposite. That good designers, just like good dentists, or doctors. Is a learned ability. It takes time, practice and a true understanding of the field that one chooses to work in.

And Secondly there is a very big difference between snooty and actually passionate about ones job. I have never been snooty. Maybe an ass, but never snooty.

And finally I would like to say that this article is coming from Forbes Magazine - FORBES Magazine! Come on, they are the pot calling the kettle black.

You can find this article here

Fine I am now off my soapbox

Play Well
Clovis

Big Man Japan

2009-02-26T08:59:00.000-05:00

This preview has crazy cool written all over it - a mix of computer animation and live action, Big Man Japan looks to be a mixture of everything I love - mainly animation and kooky cool old giant monster movies (Who doesn't love a monster detroying a city block?) anyway you can check out the preview here

Play well
Clovis

Sunday Morning Cartoons

2009-02-22T21:44:00.000-05:00

One of the best openings to a cartoon - ever!

Play well
Clovis

Cheese of Nazareth

2009-02-19T11:28:00.000-05:00

I find that more and more I'm writing about interesting stories that happen to come up dealing with Marketing and Design. The reason being is that, along with my duties of being Toi's chief doodler, my other job includes being a graphic designer/marketer/consultant and all around funny guy. So along with the previews of up-coming Toi apparell, pattern designs, Toi musings and the day to day of running a small business, you'll find that I'll focus pretty heavily on marketing and design related topics.

Because truth be told I believe they are all one and the same.

I could talk at length about arguments I've had with other designers and marketers who make it very clear that these are two very seperate professions. But I truly believe that these can and should be one and the same. A designer who doesn't understand the marketing and testing and branding and final execution of their work, and a marketer who isn't paying attention to details and who isn't part of the creative process. Well I believe both are doing a disservice to the client in some way.

Maybe this has something to do with owning a small business and having to be both Designer and Marketer.

Maybe it has something to do with I'm trying to quit coffee and cigarettes and the linked article made me "Mr. Cranky Pants."

Anyway, above is a logo from 50dollarlogo.com and clicking on this link will take you to a story about one man's year long journey into getting a decent logo from this website.

And believe me the logo's are even more horrible than the one above.

Clip art should be outlawed.
Play well
Clovis

Customer Service

2009-02-15T19:46:00.001-05:00

Last night Rachel and I went to dinner at the Italian oven, It was a good dinner, minus the forty five minute wait to be seated and the hour wait for our food to actually be served. But once the food was served it was delicious. What made the dinner fun was that when you are seated, there is a white sheet of paper placed over the table, and crayons given to the guests.

This led to Rachel and I having a little contest to see who could draw us the best.

here's her entry.

And here's mine and yes I know in real life I have no hair, but that is what illustrations are for, embellishing.

So anyway we're taking votes to decide which one is better, I vote for me since I write the blog.

Play Well
Clovis

quick note

2009-02-14T19:41:00.000-05:00

Howdy just a quick note before I head out for our valentines dinner.

The guys at five four do a follow up to the article from the Wall Street Journal I posted earlier in the week, which talked about how brands are faring in this economy - his feedback is just as insightful as the original WSJ post, if not more so.

Take a gander here and see for yourself.

Also the photo above references their blog, since he checks out peoples socks and shoes

Play well
Clovis

Sunday morning cartoons - Valentines day edition

2009-02-14T17:40:00.000-05:00

From the Creator:

- When i was in third grade i got a valentine from the ugliest girl in the class. My friends told me to rip it up otherwise they would tease me by saying i wanted to be her boyfriend. I didnt actualy rip the valentine up, i crumpled it up and "michael jordaned" it into the trash can screaming "Fade Away"! So the girls of the class pressured her into a fight with me in the schoolyard during lunch. I wasn't gonna fight a girl but peer pressure is a mofo. I pushed her down and ran away. I was such a tool when i was little, easily pressured into doing things i knew were dum.
This animation is based on real events, enjoy! -

Happy Valentines day
Play Well
Clovis

Staying above water

2009-02-12T14:30:00.000-05:00

Here is an interesting article from the The Wall Street Journal Which talks about clothing brand, Five Four, and their struggle to make it through these difficult times. A very interesting read.

Found on Hypebeast

This is why your fat

2009-02-10T21:33:00.000-05:00

After looking through this site you may not want to eat for a week. This explains Why America is obese.

I mean seriously who eats a corn dog pizza.

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Clovis

What do using bad visuals mean?

2009-02-10T13:53:00.000-05:00

Image via here

Ghost Bikes are a grass roots campaign to memorialize cyclists killed in New York City's traffic. The image above is from DKNY (A clothing company.) and another link here talks about Macy's (A department store) Valentine and Spring campaigns.
Both use similar images, specifically that of monochromatic bikes being used to promote specific events. The same types of monochromatic bikes sprinkled throughout New York, used by Ghost Bikes, to remind everyone of the loss of life.

So first, let me say that I mostly agree with Darryl Ohrt, from the blog Brandflakes for Breakfast, Any designer has to perform due diligence. Meaning that if you put an image out there for public consumption, that you should understand what the image actually means. Be it from history or pop culture.

But I guess my bigger question is, if you didn’t know about Ghost Bikes. If you had no point of reference to begin with, what would a monochromatic bike say to you? If you look at the display for Macy’s, well no offense to Macy’s, but I find it kind of boring. Looking at the DKNY bikes, it doesn’t really tell me what they are trying to sale me, and I’m not interested in the bike enough to want and try to find out.

Because, to be fair to both companies, I don’t think it is completely invalid to re- appropriate an image, even one with a negative connotation. As long as the team putting it together understands what they are using. My bigger issue is that without knowing about Ghost Bikes, both campaigns still leave me not that interested. And I think that is just as much of a crime here as the use of the inappropriate images.

play well
Clovis

Can't stop the hustle.

2009-02-08T21:52:00.000-05:00

Tonight Kenyatta(Theologic) and I had a fairly in-depth conversation about marketing and how to promote oneself. It was great to catch up with him and to hear about all of the interesting things he's planning to release on the masses in the coming months.

It's good to see Detroit still producing creative individuals, and I can't wait to here the whole album.

Make sure you grab a copy of his album March 21st.

check his myspace hear.

Sunday Morning Cartoons

2009-02-08T00:27:00.000-05:00

In my pursuit to keep childhood memories alive, and to showcase kickass cartoons, I bring you one of the great overlooked 80's imports. The Bionic Six

From the Bionic Six Wikipedia:

The main character, 'Bionic-1', was a machine-enhanced human being using bionic technology, much like The Six Million Dollar Man. On a vacation in the Himalayas, Bionic-1 and his family were testing out some new ski equipment. They were attacked by aliens and during the battle, in which Jack revealed his abilities to his children for the first time, there was an avalanche and the Bennetts were all buried alive under radioactive snow. All, but Jack (whose bionics made him immune to the radioactivity), were thrown into paralytic comas. Unsure how to save them, Bionic-1 brings the family to Professor Sharp's lab. Sharp deduces that giving everyone the bionic treatment would cure them of the radioactivity too. Each family member was given a specific bionic power, and they formed a team named Bionic Six.

... I just remember thinking how cool it would be to be a family of crime fighters.

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Clovis

Tired? Overworked? Pasty?

2009-02-04T12:23:00.000-05:00

This is just proof that anything is possible on the interwebs. A company known as ComputerTan has a website where you can actually tan while sitting at your computer. I reserve my personal thoughts on the subject, but I will say that this is definately and interesting idea and execution. check it out here

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Clovis

Sunday Morning Cartoons

2009-02-02T04:04:00.000-05:00

SPOOON!!!

The process 1/29/09

2009-01-29T11:12:00.000-05:00

Here is a mockup of something coming down the pipeline - the new Toi Wallet will be a limited run, each one hand crafted, to give it just a little more goodness. These are going to be amazing and I can't wait to talk more about it and show some more in depth designs.

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Clovis

Sunday Morning Cartoons

2009-01-25T11:06:00.000-05:00

I love this cartoon.

Here's part 2

Tips of the trade

2009-01-22T11:59:00.000-05:00

Owning a business that primarily operates online has many plusses and a few negatives. One of those major negatives is the conversation with others that you are an amateur, playing at your respective field and are only dabbling in it, not really getting your feet wet.

Ryan Sohmer of "Least I Could Do" fame offers some advice on what it takes to sometimes sit at the adult’s table. Here is an excerpt.

"Rather than spend 4 hours of your day ranting on online forums about why another is so wrong, and you're so very right, ignore it. Every time a flame war breaks out, it accomplishes nothing but make all parties look like children. Keep your head down, focus on your work, let that and your success be what speaks for you.

Don't let your readers dictate what your work will be. Trust yourself, your direction. You may end up with a few less than stellar arcs or strips, but you need to follow through on your vision.

Accept your limitations. If you're not a business person, don't try to be one. There are many business-minded individuals who love to partner with a creative force such as yourself, you just need to find him/her. -

- Forget everything else, forget the drama, the arguments, it's the work that matters."

Now I know that this applies to creating webcomics, but the basic truths apply to anyone trying to create a strong business on this thing called the interwebs. And I can wholeheartedly admit to falling into some of the pitfalls mentioned.

You can read the whole thing at his website Least I could Do give it a good read.

Play well
Clovis

Twitter, it's us Toi can you hear us?

2009-01-11T17:41:00.001-05:00

We've just added twitter to the blog! That is all.

Play well
Clovis

Happy New Year!!!!

2009-01-06T22:15:00.000-05:00

That is my nephew during our families christmas this year - My brother and his wife put together a fabulous christmas morning breakfast and host both families to open presents, joke around and just have a pretty good time. I'm amazed how much work he puts into making his children's christmas as magical as possible. and to watch the kids rip open their gifts and just the amazement and wonderment that they have - it truly becomes a special day.

Anyway what is happening with Toi?

Well part of our new years plan is hinted at in the picture above. some limited edition things are coming down the pipeline and all around just moving forward.

play well
Clovis

Hay Fam

2008-12-15T09:57:00.000-05:00

This is an episode of Jon Phenom's "Hay Fam" show. This one focuses on Josh Madden, older brother to the boys in Good Charlotte. take a gander and be inspired.

Play well
Clovis

Episode 03-Josh Madden-Hay Fam Show from Hay Fam Show on Vimeo.

Spaced

2008-11-15T20:55:00.000-05:00

I know I'm a few years (it came out in 2000) late coming around to this television show. But being a fan of both Simon Pegg and Nick frost and being bored one afternoon - I decided to take a little field trip over to our local Best buy and pick this up.

This show is hilarious. I know sometimes british humor can be sort of hard to swallow, but this show was right up my alley. You can see the beginnings of Shaun of the dead and hot fuzz in these two seasons. If you get a chance pick it up or netflix it, it's worth it.

Play Well
Clovis

November 24th

2008-11-06T15:57:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder, we'll be having our Holiday sale this year, all shirts $15.00 and free shipping on any orders over $30.00. So now would be the perfect time to find your favorite TOI shirt or find a pretty in-expensive christmas gift.

Play Well
Clovis

Wow

2008-11-05T15:56:00.000-05:00

I have fought back every urge to write something political on this blog.
But last night, well let me just say that last night was one of the most awe inspiring, most important, most confident endings to a presidential election that I have had the pleasure to be witness to.

I can't really put into words how much this election meant to me, I don't think I really realized it myself until after the results came in, and I watched everyone on every channel tear up a little.

And today has brought with it renewed hope, with friends and family calling to tell me how excited they are about this new president.

So really this post is just to say that I am proud to be an American.

coming down the pipeline

2008-11-02T21:48:00.000-05:00

For the release of next year's shirts we're looking at having more of an illustrative feel to them. Drawing a lot of inspiration from old children's packaging, movie posters and some french prints thrown in for good flavor. It becomes very interesting to see what you can mix and match to come up with ideas.

Play Well
Clovis

Green light

2008-10-28T22:13:00.000-04:00

John Legend |MTV Music

I love it when a song makes me feels something - I can't tell you how much I love this song - John Legend and Andre 3000 are just having a really good time and it transfers over into the music.

Play well
Clovis

My weekend design partner

2008-10-20T13:49:00.001-04:00

This was my weekend design partner. I did basic production while Delilah directed colour, style and content.

She's quite talented.

Looking over my work on the website ...

Proofing my work.

Campus tour - Kalamazoo

2008-10-14T13:43:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the delay in posting these images from our first college night in Kalamazoo. It was a good crowd and a good time.
Remember our next event is This Thursday Oct. 16th at Pinball Pete's in Lansing MI so if your in the neighborhood stop on by.

The process 10/13/08

2008-10-13T12:58:00.000-04:00

So what do you get when you commit to finishing a major project in less than 24 hours?

answer: (and not in any particular order)
1. Drinking
2. Pizza
3. Good Conversation
4. papercuts
5. glazy eyes
6. more drinking
7. a photoshoot well worth talking about

I want to send a big thanks to Matt for all his hard work this weekend.

Also my thumb makes a cameo in one of the shots. Good Times

Play Well
Clovis

The Process

2008-10-08T20:28:00.000-04:00

I love handmade items. there's something very cool about the imperfections that arise when something is hand crafted - every nook scratch and line means something, which makes it all the more special.

Anyway, so here's the stage for our next stop motion animation. we're pulling a lot of ideas from the "Science of Sleep", which is a great film by Michel Gondry, that builds sets out of cardboard. It is very inspiring and it will be very interesting to see how it all turns out.

Play well
Clovis

stop the presses.

2008-10-04T21:29:00.001-04:00

A big thanks goes out to John Liberty and the Kalamazoo Gazette's Ticket for a very nice article done on Toi's first college night.
Check it out here.

Play well.
Clovis

Creatives

2008-09-24T10:36:00.000-04:00

I remember the first Spike Lee movie I ever watched was Malcom X.

My stepfather had just given me the Alex Hailey book and I tore through it amazed at this true life story, and relating to it in ways that made my fourteen year old mind more militant than it had any right to be. And so when the movie came out I couldn't wait to see what had been transferred to film. I loved the care that Spike lee had given to the film, and it made me a life long convert of his movies.

Anyway there is a very good article on Ain't It Cool News, where moriarty has a conversation with Spike Lee discussing film. Even though the focus of the conversation is based in film I believe the things they discuss are universal for any creative looking to succeed.
Ain't it cool news

Play well
Clovis

www.nalden.net

2008-08-21T21:56:00.000-04:00

Nalden is co-owner of Appletree Records and has a personal website called Nalden.net THAT IS FRIGGIN' INCREDIBLE! I mean seriously it is a beautifully crafted, well planned, incredibly interesting website - It makes the mind wonder. Just take a look at it you'll be blown away by how well this site is designed.

Play Well
Clovis

Something to look at

2008-08-20T10:07:00.000-04:00

just something to take a gander at.

Prep

2008-08-19T12:52:00.000-04:00

We're always in a constant state of prep. Prepping for the next season of shirts, prepping for an event, prepping for world domination. ( The last one is not so much prep, just wishfull thinking.) anyhow one more thing that we are prepping for is the Re-design of our website. We wanted to get rid of some of the clutter, and add some cool little tweaks. One of the cool things about the web and it's ability to adapt to different types of media and platforms - is the idea of what you can do to add to the visual language of your site. That language is limited only by the imagination of its creator and how far you're willing to take your little virtual corner of the world. In the end all that we can hope for is that we're adding something interesting and a little cool to what is essentially an ever changing canvas.

Play well
Clovis

2008-08-19T12:24:00.000-04:00

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone powered by Centennial Wireless.

What did you do this weekend?

2008-07-30T08:53:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to send a big thankyou to our models, photographer and intern for making this past weekend a blast. It's great when a plan comes together.

This is a rough edit of what we spent saturday working on. Check out the fruits of our labor above.

also if you look real close like, you'll see some of our new shirts, some of which won't be available on the site till after our college campus tour.

Play Well
Clovis

Converse Music Collab

2008-07-25T15:16:00.001-04:00

Produced By Pharrell - Santogold, Julian Casablancas, N.E.R.D.

Have you ever met one of those people that just makes you jealous of how creative they are?

Well Pharrell Williams of nerd is one of those people everything he does is insanely creative and yet it all retains his own peronal brand. The video above is from the Converse Music Collaboration featuring Santagold, and Julian Casablanca from the Strokes. Damn Creative video and an equally good song.

Play Well
Clovis

Shawn Barber

2008-07-03T15:09:00.000-04:00

I have been a fan of Shawn Barbers work for a few years now. His work has a really beautiful quality to it, I could only imagine what it would look like close-up.

Anyway for the past few years now he's been working on his Tattoo portraits. and I have to say that everyone of them is amazing.

Well now for those of us that can't afford priceless art, for $65.00 you can own his coffee table book "Forever and Ever" from 9mmbooks

Take a look at his website, and then go and get the book.

Summer lovin'

2008-07-02T10:22:00.000-04:00

Don't forget to visit the Lost at E-minor site daily. If you love art, music, fashion, this site will become your new addiction. also we're privilaged enough to be included in their store, so stop by and show them some love.

Play well
Clovis

Where does the time go?

2008-06-19T08:34:00.001-04:00

I gotta say with summer kicking in full steam, time has become something of a hot commodity - Two events, new TOI apparel and work/real life are making me miss winter just a little bit.

First, just a heads up and something that we'll be talking about some more, is our TOI campus tour, the first being at my good ole' alma mater, Western Michigan University, in September. I'm really excited about it, since it will be a really good time getting to know new broncos, and watching their reaction to the new shirts - speaking of -

I love the classic monsters, Especially the wolfman, since, being a hairy bastard with canine like teeth, he was the one I related to the most, - this also carries into my love of beast from the x-man.

and finally something I'm still working on and trying to get right. the image below started out as a homeless man with the term "F*$#K you pay me" screened in glow ink and has eventually morphed into tattooed lady maybe or maybe not saying the same thing - I'm still working on it and am not sure if I'm getting it right yet. but right now still a pretty good image.

And also a prayer goes out to both Tim Russert and Stan Winstons' families. I love news and right now I'm addicted to MSNBC, Mr. Russert was a major reason for that. and Stan Winston helped to create iconic images - Terminator, Aliens, Iron Man, even the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. His amazing creativity will be missed.

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Clovis

All the girls standing in the line for the bathroom

2008-05-15T12:14:00.000-04:00

Above is the new Nerd video for their song "Everybody Nose" I heard a clip of this song a few weeks ago, and heard the full song this morning. This song is just energy, and beats and everything that makes yummy music.

The video by the by is based on Last Nights Party, a website I would link to but we may have some youngins who read this.

Play well
Clovis

AARGGHHH! real monsters!

2008-05-14T11:42:00.000-04:00

I don't know how many people remember the old Nickelodean cartoon "Aaaarghh! Real Monsters". It was a staple in my apartment at the time (that and Rocko's modern life.)

Anywho Kidrobot has done it again with their new collaboration with Peskimo, BambooZoo. each toy reminds me of those character drawings from the cartoon all those years ago.

I am continually impressed with Paul Budnitz and crew.

Godfather chair

2008-05-13T13:51:00.000-04:00

What you're looking at above comes from the Skate Study House, a company out of California who creates high end furniture using Skateboards as their starting element. I love the look of their pieces, (Even if I don't love the price) it is really nice to see how visually creative, these guys are with just a simple skateboard.

Nice to see you old friend

2008-05-12T11:55:00.000-04:00

I know, I know. The point of a blog is to keep up with the day to day happenings of our little corner of the world. And your saying to yourself, Self, once a month is not enough, I need weekly injections from the world of TOI. I feel your pain, and I apologize as life has been hectic and I've neglected my post.

So, what has been going on?

Well we're prepping for our first college night type party. Sept 19th Kalamazoo MI. We're really trying to make it something special and something that people will talk about on Western Michigan's campus for months to come. This is the event to be at if you want to start your college semester off right.

We're working on some simple things to help streamline our process. You wouldn't believe how complicated small things become. And for TOI to be the best TOI it can be, we need to tweak and polish a few things.

Can't wait to introduce our new keychain. they'll come with the shirts, but it is definately one more exstension of our "do it yourself" brand. And kids have flipped out over some of the samples we've been handing out.

And speaking of kids, today was my last day as a JA volunteer, here in coldwater. I can't tell you how cool these kids were. They were excited to hear about TOI and you could see their brains ticking away as we talked about branding and marketing and business in general. It was a lot of fun and hope to be able to do it again next year.

As a special treat for our last day I brought each of them a shirt. I'm hoping to see some of them start their own company in a few years and get out there and be entrepreneurs.

Play well
Clovis

God Save The Panda

2008-04-03T12:42:00.000-04:00

A few things... 1. if you love a well designed site, you owe it to yourself to vist the new Lost at E Minor it is a beautiful site and an incredible re-design of their previous incarnation. 2. how much do you love Jellybeans? Nothing really more than that, I just love jellybeans (but I don't really like them during easter. Easter is for Cadbury and nothing else.)
3. And finally up above is one of our new shirts for the fall/winter 08 season (yeah, I know that it is now just starting to feel like spring, but we never sleep and are always planning.). Click on it to embiggen'.

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Clovis

Russell

2008-03-25T16:42:00.000-04:00

I cannot tell you how much I love these Guerilla's toys from Kidrobot. I mean they are just insanely detailed (They look exactly like the cartoon) and the packaging is top notch. Plus right now they are on sale for only $5.00! I love the concept of the band and I love these toys (And I've been on a guerillas listening spree for the last two days, just playing their songs over and over.)

Play well
Clovis

The Process 2.5

2008-03-10T15:33:00.000-04:00

I used to work at one of the major cereal manufacturers (Think tiger, not pirate) and we would spend HOURS scrutinizing over cereal box art or morning bar photos or if the tiger was correctly positioned with the three elves and the bird. It was mind blowing how detailed we got into something that when kids opened it, would probably be torn to shreds.

But I understood because -

PACKAGING MATTERS!!! - it is the first thing your customer touches, their first impression and reaction. A brands awareness can live and die on simple packaging, that's how important it is. But, here at TOI it takes on one more special meaning, Our packaging is part of our thankyou to you, the customer. When you open the bag from TOI we want you to forget the crappy day that you may be having, we want you to forget your nine to five, and we want you to remember what it felt like to open up the apple jacks and find the prize inside. The little add ins that we package with our clothing is a part of that. We want you to look forward to opening a TOI shirt, we want you to be suprised about what else we have thought of to stuff in that bag. That's why I spend hours scrutinizing over every package that we send from TOI.

The Process 2

2008-03-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

This is what one of our workstations looks like right now. I know it's a mess. But what is coming out of this glorious mess will be friggin' cool - once we finish it.

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Clovis

the Process 1

2008-02-28T12:57:00.000-05:00

This is how every shirt or project starts. I sketch out something, take it into photoshop or illustrator and tweak, add color, re-draw, or shitcan (depending on my mood and if I think it was a stupid Idea 24 hours after drawing it.) This image I've already taken into photoshop and worked on some color samples. I think the rough lines and pencil smudges add to the effect I'm looking for.

Thoughts?

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Clovis

Helloooo Australia

2008-02-14T12:54:00.000-05:00

Australian website Lost At E Minor have just opened their store and in addition to stocking Jeremyville and Ryan Sullivan, TOI Creative has been added as well.

We're really excited about this opportunity to spread the TOI gospel overseas, and look forward to everyone wearing a comfortable TOI T-shirt.

Play well
Clovis

free rice

2008-01-28T14:17:00.000-05:00

Here's a really cool way to help the planet. the UN’s World Food Programme have created FreeRice.com which lets you answer questions about everyday words, which are then turned into rice donations that are shipped around the world. It also lets you take a look at what countries have already ahieved the goal of donating .1% of their national income to help struggling countries. Pretty cool.

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Clovis

photoshoot

2008-01-20T21:41:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who participated in the photo shoot this weekend. Great fun was had by all and I couldn't ask for better friends. Thanks
Play well
Clovis

2008-01-13T15:51:00.000-05:00

I haven't had a chance to watch a full episode of Yo Gabba Gabba yet, (There's no tv in my office) but what I've seen on You Tube and the fantastic toys and clothes that Kid Robot has put together makes me want to find this on dvd and spend a weekend reliving my saturday morning childhood. By the by if anyone know when this is coming out on DVD please let me know.

Play well
Clovis

Family

2008-01-05T22:19:00.000-05:00

These are two of my nieces and nephews (I have six in total) they're two of the cutest kids you'll ever meet. I get caught up a lot of the time (Busier chasing my own tail, and trying to run this small part of the world.) but I love them all deeply. Part of the reason for the formation of TOI was to create something that my family could be proud of, (Or at least tell their friends about.) I don't get a lot of time to spend with them. But look at those cute faces and tell me that you wouldn't want to free up some time to go and see these kids and my family as much as possible.

Play well
Clovis