Have Gum Will Travel

Seems like I just got going with the iPhone development, but I already feel I need to set it aside for a bit and refocus on some other projects. Mainly, I feel like I’m spreading myself too thin and not actually finishing some projects I’ve been thinking about for a long time.  I have also been quite busy lately, mostly with having fun, and occasionally with work. I will be starting a fulltime job next week, which I plan on putting my full attention on.

So what this means is I’m going to take a TEMPORARY break from the iPhone development stuff, and try to actually finish at least one other project. I’m hoping it will not be a long break though, maybe just a month or two. We’ll see.

So what is this other project? Well, it’s a card game…hehe. Yep, an old fashion analog card game. I’ve had it on the brain for over a year now, and wrote a proposal along with rules and gameplay, but I need to actually create a working version, and then play test it. Perhaps I’ll start posting more about it. First I need to assess where I’m at with it and then make a schedule though. I think it would be fun and motivating to make most about each milestone as I successfully or not so successfully reach them.

More later.

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I continue to progress along the path to becoming an iPhone developer. I recently received my copy of “Beginning iPhone 4 Development”, which I’m sure will be a big help in continuing my education. Frankly, I had already been going through a downloaded copy (see illegally downloaded) of the previous addition, which was already proving to be very helpful, as I waited for my printed copy to be mailed. I have not yet started my actual app, but I’m feeling like I’ll soon have the tools to do so.

Another development has been the discovery of the Corona SDK, which is basically a framework and api for making iphone and android games with the same code base. The think I really like about this sdk is that it is heavily based on ActionScript 2, which I already am very familiar with from my Flash development. On top of all that it is actually free to try, and only $200 for a year subscription if you want to publish apps with it. As soon as I start building games, I’ll definitely be checking it out more closely.

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I’ve thrown my hat in and have started trying to wrap my noggin around iphone app development. I figured since I have not used this blog to document anything else in my life, I might as well dedicate it to capturing the development of my first iPhone app.

So with that said, my first planned app with be a grocery list. Why a grocery list? Well, it seems like a pretty basic app, and I figure I can actually use it. There are already a truck load of them in the app store, so I don’t plan on really making any money on it, but I’m hoping it can be a stepping stone learning wise. I’m also hoping to integrate a voice-to-list feature, which I don’t believe any other iPhone grocery list has, and there are a lot of them.

If all goes well with this first app I have plans for another app that would combine a grocery list and game. I know, weird, but it could be interesting. I won’t go into that any further for the time being though.

To summarize my iphone/xcode development experience so far let just say it’s been like being thrown in the deep end of the pool. There are so many concepts and specifics to learn that I dont think my brain can hold it all. To combat that I’m really just trying to get through the very basics right now.

I’ve spent the last several days reading a LOT of apple coding guides for objective-c and the ios sdk. I already have one book on iphone gaming, but I’m not making a game yet, so I ordered another book called beginning iphone 4 development from amazon. The good news is I am slowly making progress and beginning to understand how things work, the bad news is, it’s a lot to pick up and harder than I thought. It’s only been a few days, so hopefully within a months time I’ll have really made some headway into actually building the first app (I’m optimistic).

I’m not sure when my next update will be. Probably when I start to actually code the grocery list. Or maybe I’ll post a design doc for it. I find it helps a whole bunch if you know exactly how an application is going to function before you start coding it.

Au revoir!

Tagged as 'programming' by 'Ichabodcole'
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I wrote the below in an attempt to describe what I actually want in a job. Now I just have to find the job…

I’m a talented and experienced designer originally from the midwest and recently relocated from LA to Portland.
I’m currently looking for a full-time or contract position where I would work with an amazing group of people on a variety of consistently fresh and challenging projects.
I like working in a team oriented environment where ideas bounce around like beach balls, and people mentor each other like kung-fu masters. I want management that is organized, down to earth, does not micromanage, and respects design and designers. I’ll work to exhaustion to finish a project, as long as I know that emergencies happen unexpectedly not consistently.
I’m an extremely hard worker, who is drama free, has a great sense of humor and loves games, toys, art and good stories.

Here is what I would like from your company:
A job where I work on a variety of projects with different design goals employing loads of art and technology.
A group of close-knit people that care about delivering the best design and experiences ever, yet know that people are more important than work.
A fun environment that inspires creativity, and cultivates experimentation, while encouraging workers to socialize.
A company that is successful, yet not obsessed with the bottom line or constant expansion.
To be adequately compensated, and feel ownership in both the projects I work on and company I work with.
Management that is part of the team, understands the importance of design, and has respect for designers and the creative process.
I also wouldn’t complain if you have a ping-pong table 😉

Here is what you’ll get in return:
An extremely dedicated worker, who is drama free, always willing to help, and ambitious while not motivated by money.
A talented designer and artist, who is competitive in the healthiest sense, enjoys mastering new skills and technologies, and mentoring co-workers.
A creative problem solver, who can develop concepts, define problems, and clearly communicate ideas both internally and with clients.
A hands on team member who can take the reigns as well as direction.
A witty, polite, sincere, and perceptive person, who enjoys people and work.

Things I’m good at:
Concept Development
Problem Solving
Project Research
Making Really Cool Shit

Things I’m currently interested in:
Motion Graphics & 3D
UI Design & Interaction Design
Touch Based Interface Design (iPhone, iPad, Android, etc.)
Flash & Papervision 3D
Augmented Reality
Game Design
Standards Based Web Design, HTML5, and Javascript Frameworks (jQuery, Prototype, etc)
Product, Toy and Furniture Design

Sincerely,
Cole Reed

http://auralgrey.com

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Well there isn’t a lot to say about this. Basically a few days ago I ate an entire box of mini eclairs over the course of about 2 hours. This is not the first time, and I highly doubt the last. They are delicious. More pics of this adventure in the gallery

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Well, if your reading this you’re probably aware that I have a new blog. I have not had one in quite awhile and I figure it’s about time. I don’t plan on updating it everyday, but hopefully at least once a week. In fact, let me take a stand here and promise to at least make a regular post every tuesday (I like tuesday ok). I find it easier to work with a schedule anyway.

I’m going to try to use this site to document the progress of a lot of little projects I currently have in the works or on a todo list somewhere. Stuff websites, games, apps, crafts, furniture, etc. So check for updates, comment on my posts, and nudge me if I get lazy.

I also plan on changing up the layout as often as I can, both to become more familiar with wordpress template design, and also just to see what kind of crazy layouts I can come up with.

-fin-

p.s. Let me know if the site works ok for ya. So far I’ve tested it in Safari, Firefox, and Chrome on a Mac. NO IE.

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