JamesProvost.com

7 Things to Know About the FCC's 700 MHz Auction

James Provost — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:54:00 +0000

1. The 700 MHz band will be vacated by TV broadcasters
2. Broadcasters will switch to Digital Television (DTV)
3. The 700 MHz band will be used to build a new nation-wide wireless network
4. The new network will have more coverage and faster connections
5. The new network will be open to all devices
6. All devices will be open to third party software
7. The new network will be cost you less

Want to know more? Download the PDF:
7 Things to Know About the FCC's 700 MHz Auction

Color Management with Pantone Huey Pro

James Provost — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:05:00 +0000

If you use multiple computers during your day, you know that all monitors are not created equally. A computer monitor uses phosphors or crystals to colourize light as it's transmitted through the screen. Depending on the manufacturer's specifications, gradual deterioration of materials and the type of backlight used, the resulting colour can vary significantly. Add ambient light to the mix and you have entered the dogmatic world of color management.

Pantone, the print industry standard for consistent colour, and X-Rite (formerly GretagMacbeth), the leader in colour measurement, have teamed up to create a simple, powerful and affordable tool to calibrate any type of display.

The Huey Pro suction-cups to your display while easy to use software steps you through the 2-5 minute process. The unit measures 22 colour swatches, creating a custom colour profile for true and neutral output. When the process is complete, the Huey rests in a desktop dock to automatically measure and adjust for changing ambient lighting conditions in the room.

Though this is a professional colour calibration tool, its price and ease of use is making the Pantone Huey Pro popular in the Pro-sumer photography market.

Motor Yacht Cutaway Illustration

James Provost — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:17:00 +0000

Recently completed a cutaway illustration of an 80-foot flybridge megayacht and its cabin.

Technical illustration allows for the communication of a vast amount of visual information. In this case, the entirety of the vessel - inside and out - can be presented in a single image. The quality of design, materials and finishes can be emphasized. At the same time, distracting details such as bilge pumps and thrusters can be diminished or omitted to maintain clarity.

To capture the same amount of information with product photography would require numerous shots from various angles, each diminishing valuable layout space - and more importantly - diminishing the viewer's attention.

Plas-tech Manufacturing & Design Facility

James Provost — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:49:00 +0000

Plas-Tech is a one-stop plastic component design & manufacturing company. They came to me with a problem; their equipment enables them to manufacture virtually anything, but their customers work in very specific industries. Together we developed a package that communicates the breadth of their capabilities, as well as demonstrates specialization in their customers' markets.

See an interactive tour of their facility and target markets in the Motion Graphics Portfolio.

Boston Dynamics BigDog and Canadian Woodworking

James Provost — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:46:00 +0000

Made a couple additions to the site: An illustration of Boston Dynamics robotic mule, BigDog, and a spot illustration for Canadian Woodworking Magazine. Also made some minor layout changes and major backend changes that should improve the efficiency of the site.

Macbook Pro Expanding Battery

James Provost — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 18:12:00 +0000

My four-month-old Apple Macbook Pro has been experiencing short battery life and random shut-downs while on battery power. I called AppleCare and when I flipped my computer over to provide the computer and battery serial numbers, discovered that my battery was the Magically Expanding Kind.

Apple is replacing the battery free of charge, shipping it to my door and covering return shipping of the dud. Isn't it great when a company admits fault (on behalf of their suppliers, no less) and corrects the mistake?

Wired Test 2007

James Provost — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 22:10:00 +0000

Wired Magazine has published their annual review of the best consumer electronics of 2007. From VoIP phones to vacuums, from camcorders to corkscrews. Be the first to kick yourself for buying the best at twice the price and half the specs six months ago!

Featured on Illustrophile

James Provost — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:22:00 +0000

Many thanks to Charlene for featuring my Camry Hybrid Cutaway Illustration and my website on Illustrophile. My work is in good company on her blog.

Canadian Woodworking Magazine

James Provost — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:34:00 +0000

The latest issue of Canadian Woodworking Magazine, illustrated in part by me, will be appearing in finer stores and mailboxes near you in the next couple weeks. The October/November 2007 issue features about 15 spots, illustrating project measurements & assembly and woodworking tools & terminology.

Kudos to Mike Del Rizzo's lead illustrations, which look great.

New Instructional Illustration and Style Pricing Guide

James Provost — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:30:00 +0000

Added a set of instructional illustrations done for Downtown Toyota to the Illustration Portfolio. These illustrations were part of a guide to orient new and returning customers to their newly renovated facilities.

Also new to the site is a Style Pricing Guide to help prospective clients match an appropriate style to their budget.

I've added a link to a friend, colleague, and amazing portrait illustrator Paul Leli. Watch out for his work in Spin and Rolling Stone.

Carousel #21

James Provost — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 01:47:00 +0000

The latest issue of hybrid-lit/arts magazine Carousel is out now, including a two-page vignette from my graphic novel, Jonas (in progress). Look for it in finer bookstores.

Camry Hybrid and Carbon Footprint Calculator

James Provost — Thu, 24 May 2007 00:13:00 +0000

Just added some new work to my illustration and motion graphics portfolios. Good things are happening.

HEADlines

James Provost — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 01:37:00 +0000

Just under twenty-four hours to the opening of the collective illustration exhibition, HEADlines. A silent hum of anxiety fills the studio. We may not sleep tonight.

Meanwhile, I've received word that a two page excerpt of my graphic-novel-in-progress, Jonas will debut in the upcoming issue #21 of Carousel Magazine. Look for it in finer bookstores.

Camry Hybrid Lineart

James Provost — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 06:50:00 +0000

Almost done the lineart. I'll probably start painting the body tomorrow. Four weeks, it's going to be a challenge.

More Motion Graphics

James Provost — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 00:22:00 +0000

A couple more motion graphics projects added to that section. The first for Scientific Illustration 3 last year showing the anatomy of a Purging Buckthorn tree down to cellular level, the second a presentation introduction for Global Stainless.

New Technical Illustration and Motion Graphics

James Provost — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 23:55:00 +0000

Some additions to my illustration and new motion graphics portfolios. I've taken down the comics section because I have very little time to dedicate to it. Look for it going back up sometime in May.

Architectural Illustration

James Provost — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 16:24:00 +0000

Added two architectural illustrations from last semester to the Illustration Portfolio. I'll get some graphic design and motion graphics up this week.

Uma Tobias eats heroes for breakfast

James Provost — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 16:25:00 +0000

Uma Tobias does not have heroes; Uma Tobias has rivals. My latest piece for Altered Ego on the topic heroes is an iconoclasic look at the design idols Uma Tobias has to contend with on the world stage; Daniel Libeskind, Zaha Hadid & Rem Koolhaas. I drew a parallel to J.D. Salinger's character Holden Caulfield (who first appeared in a short story Slight Rebellion off Madison) representing her conceit & hypocrisy.

Bridging Celebrity + Architecture

James Provost — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 20:10:00 +0000

My first piece in a series about the life and work of architect Uma Tobias, principal of the firm TOBIAS in Dubai. I'm happy with the piece, I just wish I pushed the colour variety further.

Architectural Sketchbook

James Provost — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 05:29:00 +0000

Pages from my on-going architectural sketchbook. Some newer and some older. Flipping though Tessar's Vitamin P, I'm really feeling inspired to work on conceptual architecture as a fine art exercise.

First Week Back

James Provost — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 23:46:00 +0000

It's good to be back. It's been a slow start, though; a lecture in place of Altered Ego, the same lecture for Tech Studies and an instructor no-show for History of Film.

Fortunately, Claire brought in Who Killed the Electric Car to finish Tech Studies. I'd meant to see it, but never did. It made me angry, like a good documentary should, and gave me that last push to replace my GM Visa for an Amnesty International Visa. AI fights for basic human rights & prisoners of conscience. GM builds Hummers.

Anyway, hopefully a GM exec doesn't come by with sacks of cash looking to hire an eager young technical illustrator. Toyota is more than welcome, though...