I don't even know what that title means. Moreover, I don't even really think "AHiL" is much of a fascinating word. Sometimes, I even think that it's extended form (AllHopeisLost) is a silly name for design branding. But then, self-mockery does have its pluses. For example, it's so ridiculous that I bear no qualms replacing equally ridiculous words like "Jedi" with it.

That's not to say I don't have immense respect for the meanings behind such words. Only, I impress, they are pretty ridiculous to the ear. As it stands though, I've been very much into ridiculous sounding words for quite some time. Since I started writing the book I'm diligently trying to tie up, ridiculous words have found quite an importance in my life. I have only but one person to thank for such things. One Mr. Jeffrey Kacirk.

This marvelous man took on the daunting and elaborate job of weeding through our global history for the hunt of colloquial phonics that have by now long lost their place in our English. He's published several books on said topics, but my favorite of them all is "The Word Museum". It's a small book, but startlingly fun. Even more, the writer touts to have been inspired for the words in this book by the amazing Dodgson / Carrol poem "The Jabberwocky".

Sadly, neither "AHiL" nor "Jedi" placed in any of the terms. but this only leads me to believe that this is because both terms are still in use today, which only reinforces my suspicions that I'm in the know. Somewhere. By someone. You, I assume, if you're reading this. As for the "Jedi", while it's doubtful i could surpass the realms of this word and it's respective definition, I do believe I can cause a resurgence of another word that is inevitably cooler and more ridiculous sounding.

...I just have to think of it.

But when I do, I shall succeed in my plots to overcome the list of ridiculous word with the "AHiL" branding sitting on the top of the list.

So while this blog serves the purpose of extruding my dry humor and wry interest in ridiculous things upon you, it too is signaling to you that I've returned from my artistic sabbatical (if I'm worthy to use such terms) and am ready to continue to bring you excellent, not at all ridiculous design-art.

That said: Hello, world. Please keep your trousers fastened tightly and let us see just exactly how far we can go without being belted. Yes? Yes!
-AHiL

Where the hell am I? See Rox's blog for the quick details.

VSConcepts, I'll be sending you a note on your comission. Check your inbox.

For the rest of you waiting on your commission work, I'll be back soon and hitting the next person in line. If you need your CSS decked out, send me private message and we'll work out the details as soon as I'm back.

Love you guys and have fun!!

I've been having a ton of fun since I opened my account here. The site is so fresh... it feels like it just came out of the oven yesterday. How can that not be an attractive quality? On the other hand, it does mean some of the ingredients to our new bread might well not be mixed exactly right.

That comes with the territory, though. I'm expecting the few bugs that will definitely come along as the site progresses. However, I'm also looking forward to maintaining a strong bond with the community here. Mostly because I think the look of the site better encompasses what I would like a potential client to see when they follow a link to my portfolio. I want them to see my work here at Artician first... and then go see my work elsewhere.

Touching on that other site for a minute: the chances are high that I'll never truly leave the place, it began too many things for me and bears sentimental value. I expect to be in both places regularly. But it's really pivotal for an artist / writer /designer, I think, to have your work in as many safe places as you possibly can. Your work needs to be seen, and limiting yourself to one particular place is not of benefit to you, or your work.

A couple of helpful things for you guys who are new here, regarding the CSS page structure:

I know coming from just coding a journal to doing a whole page seems just a bit overwhelming. So i've found a few things for you guys to use and/or mod until you get comfy with making your own page as you see fit.

1. artician offers brilliant default skins:
Simply click the "customization" link at the top of your page to quickly apply the divine work.


2. There are a handful of cutomized skins available in the Skin gallery already:
Just click browse, and then Skins / Theme > Artician Skins.

3. A helpful little link to ease the migration of your CSS in .XML format.
It's actually a really easy and quick way to import the custom skins, or to build and apply your own. Check it out: How do I import the skin?
(thanks to chaoskaizer for the link! )

Hope that helps you guys!

I'll be working steadily on getting some templates of my own in the gallery, but it's going to take me a bit to get used to the coding. Please be patient!!!

I'm really glad you guys are all here, and I'm looking forward to getting caught up with those of you I've been missing for so long. ;)
Catch you soon.

-AHiL

I've recently been invited to artician by a good friend on deviantART who is well aware of my being more than nonplussed with the happenings of that community. Being engaged to a former core staff member there, as well as having been a Wallpaper Gallery Moderator for the site, I have more than enough inside knowledge to support my feelings about that site. Even so, the overall mood there seems to be declining... and it might well be that artician is exactly what we need.

I have to say, having only done some minor looking at the site here, I'm very excited to see what artician has to offer, and what its future benefits might be for myself and my work. The portfolios look amazing, as does the over all interface of the site! It's easy to navigate and has all of it's quadrants clearly defined at a simple glance. Hail to the designers!!
As well, I can hardly wait to get to skinning my page. The templates offered are absolutely beautiful, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't slap an AHiL GUI all over it, lmao.

It's probable that I'll be a little more choosy as to what exactly I upload here, in order to keep a more professional look to my portfolio.

And that's that for my inaugural blog. Stay tuned for more from me later.

-AHiL