Last week, I experienced Nike’s new SPARQ Sensory Performance innovations in action. I have no doubt in my mind that this new approach to vision training in conjunction with all other aspects of physical training will give an edge to the athletes who utilize these advancements. What’s most interesting is that vision training can be used by athletes of all levels to increase focus, reaction times & anticipation in any sport. I could rattle off a list of athletes off the top of my head that could use vision training immediately: Ahem… Josh Hamilton… Ahem…

SPARQ Sensory Performance is a system of technologies, products and programs designed to assess, analyze and improve an athlete’s visual and sensory performance. It’s another step in Nike’s nearly 40-year legacy of delivering game-changing innovations to help athletes perform at their peak.

“Sensory training is at the cornerstone of how we can build better athletes,” said Paul Winsper, SPARQ Performance Director. “With SSP we’re able to integrate both sensory and physical training together. This performance philosophy has resonated with some of the top athletes, teams and clubs throughout the world.”

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Seven days ago, if somebody would have said to me, “Joe Paterno will be fired within the week because of a sex scandal,” I would have told them to hop back on their unicorn and beam themselves up. Well, unicorns don’t exist and “Joe Pa” is toast.

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Calling all sports fans! Please take a moment to check out this new website, The Sportsfan Journal; written by 2 of my good friends, Ed Maisonet III & Kenny Masenda. I’ve know these 2 cats for a few years now, and I believe their form of journalism is a refreshing take on sports. I find myself reading their articles more than I do from the mainstream sports media on the bigger websites. Take a look for yourself here.

Thank you Steve Jobs for your vision. Thanks for creating the tools by which I make a living. I’m not saying that I couldn’t be a graphic designer without Apple, but many of your creations are the tools of my trade. These tools are luxuries which have allowed me to efficiently execute my concepts, which gives me time to spend with my friends and family; to live life. These tools have knocked down countless barriers for all creatives in my industry. For that, I couldn’t be more appreciative. I’m not about to go back to setting lead type by hand… Rest in Peace knowing you truly changed the world.

Congrats to Noah Young of Atlanta, GA for winning our Enduro MMXII “Conquest” Bike Giveaway! We definitely feel the love from everyone who participated in the contest and we want to thank everyone involved. We shipped Enduro MMXII tees to our supporters all over the country. Thank you so much!

Noah, we’ll be in touch to arrange for the bike to be delivered! #FistBump

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One of my favorite bartenders in Atlanta, Evan Hawkins, was crowned the National Champion of the 2011 United States Bartenders Guild Drinks & Ink Competition presented by Tuaca. This not-so-usual take on a bartender competition combined the intersecting cultures of bartenders and tattoos with bartenders being judged on their Tuaca bold shot recipe and the overall craftsmanship of their tattoo.

Hawkins captured his first national bartender competition by beating out eight other finalists from the around the country to win a Tuaca photo spread in this month’s Inked Magazine.

“I’ve competed in several bartender competitions and Drinks & Ink was one of the most different and fun ones I’ve ever experienced,” said Hawkins. “I’m proud to have been recognized for both my Pura Vida body art and Tuaca bold shot and am stoked up to be featured in Inked.”

Hawkins won his first national bartender competition with his Pura Vida bold shot recipe and a tattoo featuring a sugar skull with the words “Pura Vida” under it. Pura Vida means pure life in Spanish and the skull is a candy given out on the “day of dead” ceremony in Mexico. For Hawkins, it means to celebrate your life and live the best you can before the end comes.

Tattoo by Danielle Distefano of Only You Tattoo. Evan’s baseball cap by We Are the Process.

photo by Joe Martinez

During last week’s Team USA showcase at Radio City Music Hall, I asked Coach K, “Which is sweeter: Winning your 1st NCAA College Basketball Championship or winning a Gold Medal at the Olympics?”

His response was, “It’s nice to have a lot of sweet drinks!”

What a joker! It’s nice that he’s humble enough to play off the question in such a humorous way. By spending a few minutes in his presence, you can tell that he loves coaching and really enjoys teaching groups of young men to be successful on and off the court.

Coach K and Team USA are currently preparing for the 2010 FIBA World Basketball Championship in Turkey. Starting August 28th. If anyone wants to get together to watch the USA games, holler!

Here’s another sneak peek into what we have been working on lately. This is a fake news paper that we put together for the rebranding of Epidemik Coalition. If you have been to our other site lately, ECDESIGNCO.com, you might have noticed that it’s under construction. Check back in 2 weeks and see what we have been up to. Promise you won’t be disappointed.

…but it’s awesome to see the Atlanta Hawks in the #1 spot! They have 3 home games this coming week. Who wants to check out a game or two?

Sweet stickers Hank! photo by Roger Wong

Congrats to Portfolio Center‘s, Hank Richardson, for being the recipient of The Art Director’s Club‘s Grandmaster Award. Hank is an amazing teacher and mentor to anyone looking to have a career in design. However, I’m not really grasping what the term “grandmaster” really means here. Maybe it means Hank gets black tees and John Lennon spectacles for life?

Seriously though, (I think I can speak for most people who have gone through the Portfolio Center curriculum), Hank has been one of the most influential figures in my life. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life until I randomly met Hank one day. After talking with him for several hours, I decided to take a risk, leave my job, and go to school at Portfolio Center.

Over the next few years, I was frequently subjected to his unorthodox teaching style which included 6am classes, weekend classes, marathon 12 hour classes, and the destruction of countless sketchbooks. I learned a tremendous amount from him on how to work hard, work smart, develop concepts, talk to clients, draft logos, work with type, and most importantly, believe in my abilities. He even invited me to return to Portfolio Center to teach a class of my own. I’m now teaching the class that I always wanted to take while I was at PC, Music Industry/Album Cover Design, and I’m having a blast doing so.

The above photo of Hank and I was taken by a classmate, Roger Wong, a few years ago when I was working with a live client on wine bottle designs while I was still a student. I have Hank to thank for setting up that experience, guiding me through the initial stages of the project, and letting me fly on my own. That bro totally changed my life!