Through Coursera.org and from the University of Michigan, Scott E. Page delivered a 20 section online class about Model Thinking, complete with video lectures, quizzes, suggested readings and a final exam. 


An engaging and eloquently delivered presentation of complex material in an easily digestible form. I'm grateful for Dr. Scott E. Page's enthusiasm and passion for sharing, in addition to the time and effort of him and his team. My appreciation for economics and related fields has drastically increased, having been exposed to such powerful and intriguing model applications.


For more information visit: https://class.coursera.org/modelthinking/class/index.

I have rediscovered the Bureau of Labor Statistics website after reading the source of a CNN.com article. One of the most interesting aspects of their site is the Occupational Outlook Handbook which does just what its name suggests.

If you haven't been there recently, let me tell you a bit about how helpful this site is. You can query its database for a variety of statistical data as collected over the past 40+ years, including salaries per career and the value of a "basket of goods" as tracked over time. I'm particularly interested in its 10-year job outlook per field.

For industrial designers, the full outlook is available here. Although a bit broad like a fortune cookie prediction, they seem to be on the money when they say,

"Employment [for industrial designers] is expected to grow about as fast as average. Keen competition for jobs is expected; those with strong backgrounds in engineering and computer-aided design and extensive business expertise will have the best prospects."

From further reading of their analysis, it seems that my mechanical engineering background and experience in UI design will prove to be helpful. Elsewhere, in an article about "Tomorrow's Jobs" they cite:

"The long-term shift from goods-producing to service-providing employment is expected to continue. Service-providing industries are expected to account for approximately 15.7 million new wage and salary jobs generated over the 2006-2016 period (Chart 4), while goods-producing industries will see overall job loss."

It seems that my shift towards scripting with databases may prove to be a more sustainable direction, in the big picture. Not only is it a "service", but it is a money saving service with direct results ranging from faster product-cycle to less waste through fewer communication errors. The OOH is very positive about database administrators and predicts this field to be in high demand.

What are your thoughts? Do you agree with their analysis?

As a result of the economic situation, I am shifting my talents to freelance scripting and design.

In case you aren't familiar with my most recent Reebok accomplishments, I'll list the top two so that you can better understand the benefits I provided to the collateral group.

First, through the use of InDesign, AppleScript, and FileMaker Pro, I wrote scripts that drastically decreased the catalog build time and effort. Using the FMP database and structured files, the Catalog Automation script is able to build an entire catalog from a template, and leaves only graphical modifications to the designer. Note that these catalogs include massive amounts of data and images, all requiring proper positioning and formatting. I also created a suite of small scripts that exponentially reduced the collateral designer's remaining tasks.

Secondly, I initiated the development of an advanced web-based and fire-wall protected collateral PDF library in order to cut printing costs and increase availability of updated information. Extending beyond the cost savings, this is an extremely beneficial project because the website can be edited effortlessly, and without any coding knowledge. The site is very dynamic thanks to a database as its backbone and PHP as its muscles.

I believe that the success I found at Reebok can be attributed to the leadership of my group, the availability to improve cumbersome processes, and the attitude of the company.

I will truly miss my talented co-workers, from whom I've learned more than words can describe. I look forward with optimism at finding yet another excellent company with the appropriate challenges and benefits.

While I search for another positive working relationship, I will be contracting out my AppleScripting, PHP, and design skills. I am confident that the benefits these skills can bring to processes and products will soon be recognized. Look for graphics illustrating these benefits in the near future. I will also be taking this time to re-evaluate my direction and pursue inventions that had previously been on the back-burner.

To bring you up to speed since the last post, I've been refining the catalog creation process and developing a new web-based location for digital catalogs and their pertinent information.

To facilitate an effective and efficient process of creating catalogs, users needs and habits were considered while planning the database and error trapping with the script. In-depth discussions of perfect response (computer thinking) vs. actual response (human action) resulted in a happy balance of expectations. I'm extending this method of planning while structuring the human processes and data processes necessary for website development. The website will dynamically load database-created php files to display links for pdf downloads and relevant information.

It's really fun to be learning PHP because I see it as an extension of AppleScript. While reading through the manual, much like a novel, I'm comparing the two languages and finding that AppleScript has served as a great bridge into PHP. Where as Applescript is more forgiving and simpler to learn, PHP has more complexities and features.

I signed the paperwork to become an official Reebok employee! Now today being my "first day" was no different from any of the others over the past 7 months. My projects are progressing steadily forward and I am making decisions more independently. I'm very happy with the relationship I have with my "boss" and his "boss" because of our mutual respect and talent. This feels like a great fit for me because of the smallness of my department (here in Canton), and grandness of the company; I can tackle big changes in my department and still have the stability of a strong brand.

On New Years Eve, I signed up for the Half Ironman (70.3) in Providence, RI on July 13th, 2008.

At the same time, this is an incredibly difficult training task to undertake, and it's a manageable one if done right. This is a huge challenge for me because of my problem with swimming long distances. I think that's partly why I choose to do it, too. I've already made huge strokes of progress in learning to be more relaxed while swimming. I look forward to the warmer weather welcoming longer bike rides, and have been substituting some chilly miles on foot in the meantime. I've already inspired another person to join, and look forward to training with many new friends I have yet to meet.

On another note, stay tuned for images of the wedding invite I'm working on for my sister. It's almost ready for the printer!

Wow, it's been a while since the last posting! I'll break it down into quick updates by topic:

ATHLETICS:
Ran the 4 mile Gobble Gobble Gobble in Somerville in 23:56 on Thanksgiving morning. Huge PR!
Considering signing up for a Half Ironman (70.3) in Providence over the summer. Doing the research about training schedules. Advice welcome!

CAREER:
Stationed at Reebok International through Professional Staffing Group.
Completed 5 catalogs within the 3 week deadline so that the January sales meeting will have all necessary collateral.
Applying Applescript skills to automate repetitive and tedious tasks within Reebok's Sports Licensed Division (SLD) headwear department. My goal is to help the designers increase the ratio of time spent designing vs time spent doing layouts or other non-creative tasks. I will be tackling the large task of automating collateral production, and am currently developing the necessary skills while solving several smaller tasks.
Inquire to find out how Mac automation can improve your workflow!

DESIGN:
Semi-final design of wedding invites for my sister (pictured).

SERVICE:
In preparation for their annual coat sale/distribution, I helped the Salvation Army move and sort coats for an afternoon.