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  • October 1

    I’m a Closet Fashionista

    … well, not really, but you’d think so after seeing the first application to come out of Tomorrowpants — WhatUWearin’.

    WhatUWearin’ is one of the best designed facebook apps I have ever seen…

    Sarah Cooley

    WhatUWearin’ finally went live last night after about 9 months of sweat, tears and lots of merlot.

    WhatUWearin’ is an application that let’s you share your looks and styles with your friends on Facebook.

    Aaron Gotwalt is the brains behind the application, and it’s been a pleasure working with him. I’m really looking forward to seeing what comes out of this relationship.

    0 Comments; Filed under Projects

  • October 1

    Working With Teams That “Get It”

    Over the past 8 months I’ve had the distinct privilege of working with the super talented team over at CrowdFusion, and the honor of designing the first website to take full potential of their publishing platform — Obsessable.com, which launched last Wednesday.

    CrowdFusion is just one of those companies that “Get it”. They understand the potential of the web, and have the expertise and experience to make things happen. It’s been a pleasure working with this team, and I’ve definitely learned a lot.

    Take a look at Obsessable.com and see it in action.

    Also jump over to Brian’s blog to get a recap of news about the launch.

    0 Comments; Filed under Projects

  • July 23

    Be Meaningful. Be Trustworthy. Be Well Designed.

    One of my biggest issues with developing for facebook is that there are so many applications out there that dilute the platforms underlying value by using unethical practices.

    Today, Facebook to a HUGE step towards correcting that. They completely redesigned their developer website to be more focused on their guiding principles.

    Great social applications are meaningful as they offer users value, trustworthy when they respect users, and well-designed when they are usable and built to scale.

    These changes, coupled with the new Facebook Connect are going to start driving some major changes in the Facebook Application arena.

    It will be interesting to see what happens from here.

    0 Comments; Filed under Projects

  • July 17

    Enjoy life. Try longboarding.

    I used to skateboard. I used to skateboard a lot. About 7 years ago, skateboarding disappeared from my physical vocabulary — Last week, it was resurrected.

    Loaded Dervish
    FIGURE 1 The Loaded Dervish Longboard

    After wanting to for a while, I finally decided it was time to purchase a longboard.

    For those of you who aren’t hip to the lingo, a longboard (FIGURE 1) is a skateboard with a longer and sometimes wider shape. It is most commonly used for either downhill racing or transportation. I don’t have a death wish, so downhill racing is out — transportation wins.

    I’ve been using it to get around in the city and am absolutely falling in love with the freedom and flow. It really is a great way to escape and get some good exercise.

    The point of this post isn’t really to sell you on longboarding, but to inspire you to get out and do something that you love. Stop talking about taking dance lessons, and just do it. Stop saying your going to start kayaking, and buy a kayake. Go out and enjoy life.

    4 Comments; Filed under Inspiration, Life

  • July 13

    To the future.

    It is with joy and privilege that I announce my partnership with Aaron Gotwalt.

    To infinity, and beyond!Buzz Lightyear

    We will be launching Tomorrowpants this fall with an amazing roster of new projects.

    Tomorrowpants develops social media experiences that create brand enthusiasm. We believe in the future. We are realists with an optimistic bent. In our professional lives this translates into a belief that social media has a point and develops genuine value, and we’re out to prove it. Not just with crazy ideas. Actual rock-solid execution that communicates integrity in every detail. We build user experiences that are honest and true to who we are, and to who you are.

    When Aaron described his vision to me, I couldn’t help but get excited for what is to come out of this partnership.

    We will be open for new projects starting september 1st. Thanks for all of the incredible encouragement we’ve received so far. I’m looking forward to this next step in my professional life.

    I’ll keep you all posted as things continue to develop.

    1 Comment; Filed under Uncategorized

  • July 2

    A Culture of Cooperation

    Even as our economy seems to be going down the tubes, social media is booming. Work is overflowing out of large agencies, but ego continues to dam it up. How can we open the floodgates? I propose a culture of cooperation.

    If you want to be incrementally better: Be competitive. If you want to be exponentially better: Be cooperative.

    Get to know the others around you. We all know how quality suffers under stress so don’t hesitate to pass work along when your volume is high. Don’t think of the other companies as competitors, think of them as assets. Ask for help when you need it, and give help when you can.

    It’s a game of give and take, but if we work together, great things can be accomplished.

    1 Comment; Filed under Business

  • June 24

    Taking the next steps

    As a culture that is constantly moving, it’s good to step back and take a hard look at what you’ve accomplished.

    “Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.”

    Over the past year I have been working to develop my own “personal brand” — trying to figure out exactly what it is that I do, what it is that I want to do, and how others perceive those things. With this comes a constant struggle of doing what pays the bills and doing the projects that you truly believe in.  I’m finally to the place where those two are starting to convene.

    A new venture that has come about is really the culmination of this feeling. I will be sharing more as time passes, but being able to relate to the people who really have hope in the future, and helping to take the next steps in realizing it is an amazing thing.

    I have been truly blessed in the past, I love what I’m doing now, and I believe in the future. Thanks to all who have helped.

     

    0 Comments; Filed under Life

  • June 15

    My First Father’s Day

    He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. — Clarence Budington Kelland

    Today is my first father’s day. Jess & Elijah made me a great coffee mug that I’ll be using every morning. They are the best family a man could ever ask for.

    I also want to thank my father today because he is truly a man of patience, integrity, and honor. He was never really a person of many words, but the way he lived his life has inspired me.

    Thanks Dad.

    2 Comments; Filed under Family, Life

  • June 10

    Pay it forward.

    Today I was pleasantly surprised and humbled by a blog post from one of our industries most innovative talents, Allan Branch. It isn’t always about you… it’s about those around you.

    I encourage you to follow his example and write a post today about two (or more) people who have been an inspiration to you.

    Mark Priestap and Nate Ritter are two people who have definitely been an inspiration in design & life.

    Mark Priestap

    monk development
    FIGURE 1 MonkDev.com

    Mark’s super clean design & his passion for the Lord have definitely made an impact on me. He has an eye for color that is incredibly unique. Just take a look at what he did for Monk Development (FIGURE 1).

    You can see that Mark is passionate about what he does, and has been an inspiration to many. Thanks Mark!.

    Nate Ritter

    Nate is one of those guys that goes out there and gets it done. Our goals are very similar and seeing him accomplish some of them has been a real encouragement.

    “He told me, ‘Just pay it forward.’ Three big favors for three other people. That’s it.” — Pay It Forward

    1 Comment; Filed under Inspiration, Life

  • June 6

    Find a need. Fill it.

    As most of you know I’m exploring the interesting [read: scary] world of PPC Affiliate Marketing. I’m finding out that a lot of affiliate marketers are in need of some serious design help. Why not be the one to do it?

    LPVault
    FIGURE 1 (LP)Vault - Premium Landing Page Design

    This is nothing new by any means, but it’s more-or-less an experiment in putting ideas into action.

    I introduce you to (LP)Vault. (LP)Vault is a cost-effective landing page solution for affiliate marketers. It will provide targeted templates and custom design.

    This site will also feed work into another project I’m working on that will help to support the local freelance community. More to come on that later.

    Give your idea’s some wings. The investment is always worth it, whether you find success or not.

    0 Comments; Filed under Goals, Projects

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Copyright © 2008, Kyle Sollenberger