Jim Renaud | Blog

Microsoft Courier

2010-03-10T03:22:02+00:00

I am loving the UI experiments for the so far vapor device from Microsoft called Courier. This video makes such a device very drool-worthy as a graphic designer. I know, forget that this is a Microsoft product and that it will probably never be released in this state and this this a demo video, but what if? I’m not so much an Apple fanboy that if the Courier released in the wild was close to their user interaction videos, I would love one. This is why I was so disappointed that Apple’s iPad had no camera. Almost everything I love about the Courier videos below is software driven. A journal app on the iPad would be hot. Evernote, take notice! Supposedly it will drop in Q3/Q4. In Microsoft time, they never really tell you which year!

Cameron’s Colosseo

2010-02-10T17:17:38+00:00

Cameron Moll has been playing with type as architecture and form. I am looking forward to this 16"x24” letterpress poster, available for purchase in March.

All the Way from Michigan Not Mars

2010-02-10T16:58:45+00:00

Buy All the Way from Michigan Not Mars, a DVD/LP from Rosie Thomas. Featuring Sufjan Stevens, Denison Witmer, Damien Jurado and Sheila Saputo

Renaudical Hits of 2009

2010-01-20T14:54:11+00:00

I’m a lover of music and not a critic of music. I don’t discuss the merits of certain bands over another or think of clever ways to rip a band a new one, I just like to express what I like and if you like it then there’s a connection. I can play the critical role and discuss why certain songs are more important or influential, but that posturing becomes exhausting and you become boring like Pitchfork. Do you ever read a Pitchfork record review and wonder if they actually enjoy ANY music at all? I also like to give an artist the benefit of the doubt. The artists are the ones creating stuff while most of us are sitting on our asses. Well, this disclaimer went off on a tangent!

I compiled some of my favorite songs of 2009. All songs are MP3 encoded at 256 kbps (VBR) or better. Each track includes full ID3 tags and grouped and sorted as “Various Artists” and with album artwork, so your iTunes library will look clean and not be littered with one off tracks of unsorted compilations. I hate downloading compilations that don’t take that extra step. It’s like getting a chain email from your Aunt with 700 pages of forwarded email addresses, horrible formatting and stuck with a borderline NSFW and borderline funny joke.

Download Renaudical Hits of 2009 116 Mb - Link will be removed February 1st

Why baseball rips your heart out.

2009-12-08T20:32:30+00:00

Thank you New York Yankees for ruining baseball for me. Detroit’s most loved ~~current~~ athlete is by far Curtis Granderson. He was drafted by the Tigers, was an underdog to even make the majors, became a fan favorite for amazing catches (see below), set a MLB record for hitting 20 home runs, 20 triples, 20 doubles and stealing 20 bases in one year, became an All-Star and won the MLB sportsmen of the year for being a total class act and being one of the most charitable players in the league. A superstar who is very approachable, very well-spoken, well-liked and even knows how to write and blogs!

I understand that the trade may be good for the long-term of the Tigers. The Tigers get 4 prospects with variable degrees of upside potential, but losing a guy that you rooted for from the Minor Leagues to the All-Star game hurts. The 2010 Tiger season is gonna be rough. Not only because we lost 2 All-Star players, but who we lost. Who is going to give the Tigers that energy, spark and the ability to continue to watch even though we may be losing? Curtis Granderson did that for the Tigers with his outstanding catches, his in-the-park home runs, his playing hard and taking time to sign autographs for the kids. He will be missed.

Dieter Rams (legendary designer for Braun) introduces Apple designer, Jonathan Ive

2009-11-23T18:24:21+00:00

from the documentary film Objectified which I saw the premiere of at 2009 SXSW.

Children of the Revolution

2009-10-05T21:48:41+00:00

Marc Bolan with Elton Jon & Ringo Starr.

Sterling will melt your face off

2009-10-02T18:04:37+00:00

My friends Jesse and Veronica’s 3 year old son will electrify and amaze you and then when you are feeling awesome for seeing the best video ever recorded and placed on Vimeo, you’ll be depressed knowing that you will never rock with with this much joy and ferocity ever in your life.

Going pink

2009-10-01T19:06:14+00:00

I thought I’d remind the very few readers of my site that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I don’t have any personal dealings with Breast Cancer and knock on wood, our family hasn’t had to deal with the Big C too often. I’m starting to get to that age where I need to get more physicals and checked for various health issues, and know that early detection for most issues gives you the most options for treatment. This should be a reminder for everyone to get routine checks.

One of my favorite projects I did at TNS was making a TNS t-shirt for a Breast Cancer Walk we sponsored. I created a really fun logo. It didn’t hurt that TNS’ brand was pink! I gotta dig up one of those shirts and post it.

Pain Don’t Hurt

2009-09-15T13:18:43+00:00

I will always remember Patrick Swayze for two beautiful things. First, his Chippendale dancing with the late Chris Farley. May God grant them an opportunity to dance in the heavens. And secondly and more fondly, the video clip above from Road House.