Congratulations!!!!

I've seen/read/lived/learned/enjoyed speakup for these two years. Dont think I could do without it anymore. Its addictive.

Keep on at it all of you speakup crowd!!!

have a cupcake

Bake me one!

with much love I shall, if you find me a baking pan/sheet/container/anything in the BIG pile of boxes you have created

I'll just buy some.

oh... but those are not smothered in TLB by your ever so loving wife! however shall you cope?

Do you two not speak in person anymore?

Happy belated birthday Speak-up!

I'd probably be a lot dumber if it wasn't for you.

Congratulations to all....

Hey, for all those who are on a tight deadline but want to fool around anyway: Make your own Picasso art.It's fun! It wastes precious time!

http://www.mrpicassohead.com/

Congrats. Now it's time for the "terrible twos."

You could wait 'til you get to NYC for your cupcakes. To some here, it's an art.

Do you two not speak in person anymore?

It's quite funny, isn't it?

Congrats, kids. And hey, in November, the cupcake's on me.

Well, it's certainly a month for changes and milestones, isn't it?

I can't believe it's just been two years. So many things have happened w/i those two years in the world. A war, the end of Friends, AIGA in Vancouver, the iPod — and that's just the beginning.

A few authors have come and gone as well (as in they left SU, not die). I miss some immensely, but don't miss others. Many new authors have joined and their impact has been tremendous, I think. We've all helped make this place what it is today, which is a truly great thing.

Some topics never die, and we still rehash them to this day. Accreditation, the semantics of design, the things you need to learn when starting out, bad client stories, etc. Nothing wrong with that, because there's always room for new perspectives.

One topic that I think has dwindled is AIGA-bashing, which I'm thankful for. It still rises occasionally, but not with the same strength that it used to.

I'm curious — for you long time readers (or short time), what is your favorite/most memorable SU thread or exchange?

TAN:

I'm curious — for you long time readers (or short time), what is your favorite/most memorable SU thread or exchange?

What makes Rand so great?

http://www.underconsideration.com/mt-static/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=1495

The most memorable for me was the day I joined.

On Jul.14.2003 at 11:39 PM

Actually found the website searching for material on BASS and RAND. Thank God for Yahoo.

Don't think Speak Up has been the same since my initiation.

I came with Weapons of Mass Destruction, Biological and Chemical Warfare. C4, Granades, Heat Seeking Missiles, Rocket Launchers, Flame Throwers. What the F...!!!!! I'm RAMBRO.

I was Hell Bent on Destroying anything and everybody that Disrespected my DesignFather PAUL RAND.

I couldn't believe what I was reading. Decided to respond I remember writing the post over two days. Finally posted my comments the next night.

TAN responded first, Then Yosemite Sam, Armin, Debbie, and Jonsel.

Debbie was the only author that had my back.

Luv you babe until this day !!!!!!!!

I remember sending the Thread to all my Famous Designer Friends like Jim Cross

Robert W. Taylor, Tom Ruzicka, (others) Can't devulge what they said.

I remember not posting for another six to eight months. Finally began to Chime In on a regular basis.

Sincerely, didn't know anyone had Talent until the first Logo Smack Down. Albeit the online Bios.

What a Difference a Year Make. We've Grown, Fought,Disagreed and Defended one another like any Loving Disfunctional Family.

Favorite Threads. In no particular order.

UPS Says Bye-bye to Rand

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/001403.html#001403

By Armin on Mar.25.2003

Uni-ted

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/001681.html#001681

By darrel on Dec.08.2003

Your First Logo

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/cat_discussion.html

What's Wrong with Speak Up?

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/cat_discussion.html

By rebecca on Jul.02.2003

The Diversity of Design

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/cat_discussion.html

By Tan on Jul.02.2003

Graphic Design now sold on Ebay

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/cat_discussion.html

By debbie millman on Jul.19.2003

Awards? No, Never.

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/cat_discussion.html

By Armin on Sep.16.2002

Logo Sins

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/cat_show_and_tell.html

By Tan on Sep.19.2003\

Logo Smackdown Deux

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/cat_show_and_tell.html

By Armin on Sep.11.2003

Logo Smackdown

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/cat_show_and_tell.html

By darrel on Sep.08.2003

Our Own Worst Clients*

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/cat_branding_and_identity.html

By marian on May.21.2004

Design vs Advertising

http://www.underconsideration.com/mt-static/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=1353

Graphic Design vs Art

http://www.underconsideration.com/mt-static/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=1362

If I Were Famous

http://www.underconsideration.com/mt-static/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=1445

Your Favorite Designer http://www.underconsideration.com/mt-static/mt-comments.cgi?entry_id=1447

The most recent Branding Critiques on United Way and ywca.

Apologies, Jason, Graham, Peter, Mark for not highlighting your Editorials. Didn't want to take up to much space and time.

Big Up's to Damien Newman. A true Gentleman and Scholar. A Class Act and the first author I met on Speak Up. Who also had my back. I miss you more than you'll ever imagine.

Just thinking about dropping you a line last week.

Yea, I miss Damien and Eric Larsen. Both are great writers and good people.

You know what I also miss? For a while there, we use to have a post every Friday that was lighter and fluffy. Stuff like show us your desk, show us your pets, send us your favorite quicktime link, etc. It was a good way to start the weekend.

Nowadays, everything seems to be more serious all the time. People are too intense.

Patrick typed:

Congrats. Now it's time for the "terrible twos."

Speaking parentally, the 'twos' were no where near as terrible as the 'threes'. However, regardless of any previous or future behaviour experienced here, a thorough clap of the the mittens is deserved for this fine venue.

Onward Speak Up! Onward!

> Do you two not speak in person anymore?

Sometimes it's just easier to blog each other…

> For a while there, we use to have a post every Friday that was lighter and fluffy.

We'll bring some back for Fall.

I also remember Maven's first ever post. I think Tan, Damien and I were totally baffled about it, it was on a thread by Damien and he got all uppity. We had to remove one or two of his comments, and we rarely do that. Good times.

TAN:

Forgot about Eric Larsen. Big Up's Bro. Where ever

you are.

Looking at Armin's and Byrony's Coffee Table. I'm thinking about having an Editorial. Show us your Coffee Table or Design Library.

SHOW OFF'S. Don't think I don't know; that's the Signed Copy of Glaser's Book. May as well show the Signature.(laughs)

I remember those Friday Editorials although I wasn't Chiming in.

I think we need to initiate that once again. After

four days of Intense Mortal Combat.

Forgot to mention. Even Graham through in some puunches.

Well, a very happy birthday to Speak-Up. The site that has changed the way I look at design, how I design and what I design. You've inspired me to open my mind and voice and share ideas and experiences. You've educated me more in the past few months (I'm still a relative rookie here) then much anything else the past years.

I've enjoyed reading and learning from everyone, aruging with some and just feeling more a part of something bigger than just myself behind the computer screen.

>I also remember Maven's first ever post. I think Tan, Damien and I were totally baffled about it, it was on a thread by Damien and he got all uppity.

Hahaha...I almost forgot about that Armin.

Maven, don't take this the wrong way, but your first post was SO different, SO intense (all caps, and a bazillion exclamation points) that we didn't know what to make of you. Damien was all incensed and wanted to remove your comments, but all of us were afraid you'd stalk him down and kill him or something. Please don't take it personal, but you never know who's posting on these blogs, and who has an ax to grind with who.

But we know better now...and we've all come to know and love the Maven and your writings. Good times indeed...hahaha...

Before the Post I'd never heard of a BLOG.

Of course I was internet savy. Never went into chat rooms or posted in discussions.

Other than Brandchannel.com A completely different animal.

Of course, I was aware of every story ever told about Rand.

I was very much like the Female Internet Newbie on the Comcast or Verizon Commercal. That ask the mailman

if he has any Email for her.

That's essentially where I was at with online Blogs. My exposure to Design Dialog were essentially magazines. I know a lot of Designers. We never had these conversations. Speaking of the Dirty Linen.

I posted on Abstract Dynamics website next.

Essentially, the same material.

After taking a hiatus approximnately four to six months and reading the Editorials and not posting.

I learned these are an extroadinary bunch of kids.

Opinionated, definitely with something valid to say.

You don't know how happy I was to finally have a forum to discuss Design, exchange knowledge. Share common interest with like minded people.

Most of the people I went to school with are Brain Dead. Could never have a conversation with them. They don't know a PICA from an Agate Line.

Yeah, I'm happy to be hear. When I'm away. I'm up late at night reading the Editorials. Even when I don't post.

I'm reading and learning.

Some reassurances, your personal email to me last year.

David Weinberger told me. "Maven, you put TEN Designer(s) in a room to discuss a project. And none of them will agree on anything".

David told me. "You'll get TEN different answers on how to Analyze and Strategize a Project".

He's absolutely correct.

While we can Agree to Respectfully Disagree.

I'm home Man. Without Speak Up. I don't know what I'd be doing.

Other Favorites Speak Up Editorials.

The secret power of the Blue Square

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/001780.html#001780

By David Weinberger on Jan.22.2004

High Point, having Dialog with Michael Bierut, When I commented on JCPenny's Identity and Unimark International headed by my Hero Massimo Vignelli.

Who Made the Marks?

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/001715.html#001715

By steve heller on Jan.09.2004

Taking Credit

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/001710.html#001710

By steve heller on Jan.05.2004

High Point; Finally meeting Design Greatest Historian Steve Heller.

My First interaction with The One and only

Kenneth Fitzgerald.

How ’bout them Awards?

http://www.underconsideration.com/speakup/archives/001653.html#001653

By Armin on Nov.10.2003

A wealth of Great online Friends. Names to numerous to mention. For fear I'll leave someone out.

Will take this time to mention Brady and Felix have always had my back.

Happy 2nd Birthday to All !!!!!

you never know who's posting on these blogs, and who has an ax to grind with who.

MWA-ha-ha-ha. MWA-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.

I had to wait until my twenty-fifth birthday to discover Speak Up.