April is awesome! This month has been filled with more Triangle explorations and some inspiration. As it wraps up, I'll just take this time to share some cool things happening.
  I found out about a three-day conference hosted by NCSU's chapter of AIAS, a student-run organization dedicated to all things architecture. While there, I met a number of students, the Chief Planning & Development Officer and Planning Director for Raleigh ( Mr. Mitchell Silver), toured many firms/campus sites, and listened to interesting lectures. The [SWAG] goodie bags we received at registration had silicone USB drive bracelets, restaurant certificates, a tee shirt and a bunch of information about the conference/Raleigh/NCSU/etc; I KNOW - HOW COOL! It was a great conference and it helped me realize that I enjoy being in educational settings. Some pictures are in the gallery below, but find more here.

  That same week, I attended Durm-based rap artist The Real Laww's (TRL) concert in Raleigh at Tir Na Nog.  It felt good to be in a new environment and I had a lot of fun. The dance that goes to his newest song was the inspiration for completing my first animated project in Adobe Flash CS6. Check it below (click gif to enlarge)!

  As excited as I've been about designing lately, I often wonder if I'm going about it right. Should I be taking classes or pursuing my Masters in Art & Design? While battling these thoughts, I spend my free time designing posters and art work with hopes of landing my first winning design via Creative Allies. My work there has been featured for the third time in a row in their Editors' Picks Galleries [1 2 3]. Yay! I get excited with each notification until I find out that I am not the contest winner. Maybe I will be luckier next time, I think.. Right? Wrong.
  Although I hold mixed feelings about these contests, there are many professional designers that are totally against this practice. I understand because I don't believe amateur designers or any designer should bid their hard work and receive little or no pay. The short video below summarizes the issues with this practice, known as spec work, and leaves me to think that this month will mark another turning point in how I handle my art and design work. What are your thoughts? Is spec work so bad?