Now that we've gotten the APOCALYPSE out of the way maybe we can all look to the future and stop fighting, and shooting each other. ...Right? ...Anyone??
Friday, December 21, 2012
Still Here
Now that we've gotten the APOCALYPSE out of the way maybe we can all look to the future and stop fighting, and shooting each other. ...Right? ...Anyone??
Friday, September 28, 2012
Why criticize when you can PLUS?
As a general practice I try to always be constructive in my critiques. No one likes to be criticized without an idea of how to improve.
In that spirit, a colleague of mine shared an interesting article with me regarding a practice called "Plussing." An obvious enough concept, but incredibly difficult to get groups of people to embrace and practice. It's interesting to hear how very large studios that are in the business of creativity embrace this concept, and use it to facilitate clear communication and avenues for individual and team growth.
Here is an excerpt from the article:
At Pixar, the animators have developed a technique that helps keep the fighting productive and intellectual. They call it "plussing." As people criticize the work under review, that criticism must always contain a new idea or a suggestion for strengthening the original idea – it must contain a "plus." Without plussing, their morning crit sessions can get pretty negative and emotionally draining. With plussing, the same meetings are imbued with a positive tone and a direct connection between criticism and newer or better ideas for their work. The meetings still feel like a fight, but they feel like the healthy, respectful fights that keep couples, creative teams, and ideas growing and changing for the better.
The article concludes with the following thought which I agree with.
It's a pretty simple system, and "plussing" works well for everyone involved. When you're criticizing an idea and not providing an alternative solution, or a means to strengthen the original idea, you're not really helping the situation. With "plussing," everyone on the team is forced to contribute to the argument, and make the idea better.
Just trying to keep it real!
In that spirit, a colleague of mine shared an interesting article with me regarding a practice called "Plussing." An obvious enough concept, but incredibly difficult to get groups of people to embrace and practice. It's interesting to hear how very large studios that are in the business of creativity embrace this concept, and use it to facilitate clear communication and avenues for individual and team growth.
Here is an excerpt from the article:
At Pixar, the animators have developed a technique that helps keep the fighting productive and intellectual. They call it "plussing." As people criticize the work under review, that criticism must always contain a new idea or a suggestion for strengthening the original idea – it must contain a "plus." Without plussing, their morning crit sessions can get pretty negative and emotionally draining. With plussing, the same meetings are imbued with a positive tone and a direct connection between criticism and newer or better ideas for their work. The meetings still feel like a fight, but they feel like the healthy, respectful fights that keep couples, creative teams, and ideas growing and changing for the better.
The article concludes with the following thought which I agree with.
It's a pretty simple system, and "plussing" works well for everyone involved. When you're criticizing an idea and not providing an alternative solution, or a means to strengthen the original idea, you're not really helping the situation. With "plussing," everyone on the team is forced to contribute to the argument, and make the idea better.
Just trying to keep it real!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
X-COM Hits E3 in the Face!
X-COM: Enemy Unknown is showing really well at E3. I'm super excited for our team, and this project. It's definitely been a labor of love, and for it to be so well received is amazing.
Check out all the E3 awards!!!
Check out all the E3 awards!!!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
XCOM is Announced!
This is the game I am currently working on. Check out the February 2012 GameInformer cover.
Watch for all sorts of awesome "XCOM Enemy Unknown" related updates HERE.
Stay Tuned!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
More from Barsoom
Work has been keeping me super busy, but I had to make a post to share my excitement. Tiny hail stones are falling on my roof top and the holiday cold is creeping closer. Still something warms my spirits. What is it you ask? A huge love of Edgar Rice Burroughs books, and my knowledge that soon I will be transported to the Martian worlds I have lived with for so long in my minds eye. Here is the recently released official trailer for the upcoming science fiction film "John Carter."
Enjoy a look at the film's poster. It has a fun illustrative look that I love and is an obvious homage to the works of Gino d' Achille and Frank Frazetta. I don't care much for the font, but the image seems to have hit a balance between old and new aesthetic sensibilities.
See you at the movies March 9th!
Enjoy a look at the film's poster. It has a fun illustrative look that I love and is an obvious homage to the works of Gino d' Achille and Frank Frazetta. I don't care much for the font, but the image seems to have hit a balance between old and new aesthetic sensibilities.
See you at the movies March 9th!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Remember to Live
I recently read an interesting question posed to the Dalai Lama.
He was asked "What surprises you most?"
“Man, because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived.”
Definitely worth a contemplation or two.
Happy Meditating :)
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