San Diego Web Design Jen Ruhman

this blog is to test my blog designs for clients

2010-04-20T13:45:00.000-07:00

This blog is my testing blog when i design new templates for blogger.
My real website is http://www.freshjen.com

I love designing themes for blogs, especially wordpress.
Need a new blog design? Hire me and I'll work on your
blog design until you're 110% happy.

Thanks!
JEN

I need dual monitors

2009-01-15T23:21:00.000-08:00

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I print out all my designs and basically line them up in front of my desk at work. This way I can keep track of todays projects and at a glance, my boss can see how awesome my stuff is. He can also easily refer to any of my work at a glance. Its also fun to critique my work standing up looking down at it...just walk on my work you hate right?

It would be better with dual monitors.

Here's the update:
[caption id="attachment_150" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="finally dual power"][/caption]
Yes, my upgrade is here! Yay! Now getting used to the monitors... Photoshop in the main monitor and Fire Fox in the other.
And yes, that is the mouse on the left side because I'm left handed. And yes, I drink the Fiji water because it tastes smooth. Finally, yes, that is twitter in the right monitor and you CAN follow me at: @freshjendizzle Any questions?

[caption id="attachment_30" align="aligncenter" width="479" caption="leave me a comment..."][/caption]

Best twitter backgrounds

2009-01-15T23:20:00.000-08:00

designed by jenruhman.com

Twitter in style. If you're still using the default twitter backgrounds, you're boring.
The beauty of twitter is sharing your personality, so show people who you are!
The best twitter backgrounds are showcased here: Twitter Background Gallery

You can also vote for my twitter background here: Give me 5 stars please

You can follow me on twitter here: http://twitter.com/freshjendizzle

silky smooth face

2008-12-13T23:28:00.001-08:00

silky smooth face
Originally uploaded by j3n619

Photo retouching.
How much photo retouching is too much?
In this photo, the model has less then perfect makeup coverage.
The lighting could be better... and if she got enough sleep last night and wasn't so dehydrated, she'd look fresh for the photoshoot.
Right????
The only time I hate photo retouching is when a company uses it for a skin cream, makeup or anything scientific related to beauty and results. You know what I'm talking about... "before and afters" clearly retouched photos.

On a positive note. I think every woman should have a glam photo. Afterall all the women in todays magazines are!

Typical Halloween for a web designer

2008-11-04T12:08:00.000-08:00

I'm a web/graphic designer, so my Halloween is coordinated pretty creative. This year I had a Retro Video game theme. But most people were still confused what was going on. Geez. Lets check it out.

#1. Video game themed pumpkin
Ok, not only is my awesome pumpkin video game themed for Mortal Kombat, it's their logo. Web designers just love a good logo right? It took an hour to carve, but I think it was well worth it. Fun fact, Mortal Kombat is made by Midway.

#2 Video game themed Costume! -Chun Li
Ok, Check me out, I did this for my geeks everywhere. My costume is Chun Li, who is the first female to be in a video game as a player. Not just some princess to save in a story. HA! I just loved the interface of Street Fighter. As a little girl growing up with video games, I payed close attention to the interfaces and noticed themes/ layout/ color... totally might have been one of the factors getting me into design.
As the night progressed and I passed out candy, some SMARTY pants kids noticed my video game theme. I was happy, but They were like, "Why did you mix CAPCOM with MIDWAY?" told him it was just a video game theme, and good observation.
I was also upset because hardly anyone knew who I was dressed as. People asked me if I was a geisha, just Chinese, or some sort of Sailor Moon Character. "I'm Chun Li, the strongest woman in the world!" Then I kicked them as fast as I could. Maybe.

It was a fun costume and I was happy to unleash the awesomeness for everyone that requested it. I wish I could find another reason to wear it again soon! Maybe I'll be Chun Li again next year! Here's a bonus treat... there is a Chun Li movie in the works called, The Legend of Chun Li. YES! Should be released in 2009. Stay tuned...

Do you visit your online purchases?

2008-08-01T20:41:00.001-07:00

Do you ever make online purchases? I sure do! I love to browse the internet for awesome, unique things that are way too cool to sell in real brick and mortar stores. Like these sweet Baby Phat pink and gold sneakers. I've been scoping out these shoes for a while now on the babyphat.com website. I finally bought these babies online last night! Like I mentioned, you could NEVER find these in any regular store.

Anyways, I was at work thinking about how perfect life would be with them. I was stressed out at work too today, so... to perk up my senses I "visited my shoes." Ya, like they were in prison or something and I couldn't wait for them another day. As the day led on. I get more stressed and "visited" my shoes again. Something to get me excited I guess. I just realized I visited my shoes a countless number of times. Geez.

Have you noticed how most sites have that zoom in feature? I love it. Not only is it the most biggest improvement to shopping online, you don't have to worry about any weird surprises. Like oh wow... there's a freekin cat on the shoe if you zoom up. It would have been a total gamble if I didn't zoom in on those!

Does anyone else visit their stuff? I can't wait to get my cool shoes and rule the world.

google image labeler

2008-04-15T21:35:00.000-07:00

Remember the last time you typed something crazy into the google image search and found it? Well, google is making its search results even better! And the good news is you can help. Its also fun. Go here: http://images.google.com/imagelabeler/

its a fun game and you get points! Google shows you and a partner (randomly teams you up) an image. example: The photo here of Yao Ming. You and your partner see this at the same time and describe the image. I typed in Yao. I can't see what my partner is typing in. I just have to keep typing untill the dummy on the other end matches me. The point is to type the same words as your partner. The more descriptive, the better! And the more points you receive! Its a lot of fun too..
My ONLY complaint would be the quality of the image it shows you. Its all grainy, low res. It sucks when you're naming tiny maps. Geez google.

The best part I think is at the end, you get to see the images again and what your partner chose as descriptions. Then they can see your answers. And maybe learn how to better describe certain images. After all, its all about helping Google, right? The worst part is getting teamed up with a moron who types slow or just is plain DUMB!
In this case I get bored and type in "my partner is lame" (sorry google) haha, my partner gets to see that when they check out my brilliant answers. hehe.

The best geeky part of all, your gmail/ nickname shows up if you get a high score.
I was excited to see myself there for at least a moment. Oh ya baby! That's Miss fresh Jen Dizzle out ranking you sucka! :P hehe. Its pretty fun, if I was one of those less productive people at work...I'd play it more often.

Hot Dog!

2007-12-03T10:05:00.000-08:00

So I was eating some hot dogs and realized someone spent some time not only making them, but blessing them! Whoa now that's tasty! Nothing like a magical element added. Check it out. Now that's good marketing. Now check out kobayashi's abs! There's gotta be a link right?

Googel Cars....have you seen them???

2007-11-04T10:22:00.000-08:00

On my way home from work the other day, I noticed a strange metal tower on top of this guys car. I was surprised to see this car with a google map sticker on the back of it with the little "street view logo" on it. The inner nerd of me was excited. I could see a red light on the top of the car's equipment. Maybe I was recorded along the long stretch of road right? Here's the pic of what the car looks like:
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Pretty lame looking right compared to Microsoft. The Microsoft crew looks crazy advanced compared to google. Maybe microsoft will include this high tech video capture into some of their video games. That would rule! Playing a game like GTA (grand theft auto) and driving in my hood. Ha Ha Ha.
Anyways, what's next for Google?

gmail image icons

2007-10-26T11:44:00.001-07:00

jen
Originally uploaded by j3n619

this is me ...i'm an icon!

Just playing with this fad of profile google images... I need to update my "icon"
haha... that's soo funny. Its sort of weird and cool. I do not like this huge black border around my icon. This needs some stylesheet attention! :)
Anyways, When I saw my professors pic on my gmail pop up... its was sorta weird for some reason. Like, why do I have his picture? He's lookin right at me! He's gmail savvy? I don't know why that was weird. Do you?

xxoo
-Jen

Calibration Appreciation

2007-10-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

Stop! Don't you dare design anything with that un-calibrated monitor!

Why you ask? Well, you have to make sure your expensive monitor is doing its job and displaying true color. You would think it would come already perfect... but check out this test you can look at right now and see...

can you see the graduation of colors? You should see each color in a seperate square.
If not, go here! Calibrate Me!
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I see uncalibrated mistakes often in web design/ graphic design. And I have had a faulty setting myself. You Know what that moment is like... Oh, I printed it but it looks purple here when it's supposed to be blue. Or... Wow! That's supposed to be all black, what's this grey fuzzy outline around my image I "edited."???

Things I find at work

2007-10-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

You know how I work at a jewelry store right? Well, I stumbled upon a crazy ring today that I think is very interesting. Like Liberachi interesing.

So here is this ring! Its amazing! I think Liberachi would dig it. Can't you just picture him sporting this?
Well, I hope you enjoyed that.

Look at his picture below. I think this ring is missing. What do you think? He has on a lot of rings already. How does he function like that? Maybe its because he's a fashion diva. He's a wild guy! More on this guy here: Wkikpedia/Liberachi

web 2.0 logo fun

2007-10-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

Remember web 2.0?
There is a neat site the generates web 2.0 text logos.
I had too much fun with it.

Want the link?

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here's the secret link! http://h-master.net/web2.0/index.php

2007-10-09T17:04:00.001-07:00

here is some text want more?
+/-

im guessing this is the hidden text... i'm just playing with some blog mods.

Awesome jewelry design!

2007-09-30T14:55:00.001-07:00

I'm soo excited about some jewelry at work! Check them out! Of course that's my arm with them all stacked. (Whoa my arm looks weird there) They are the coolest! Why? Hello, look at those facets! How fun and cute and elegant. Simple yet awesome! You can never have too many bracelets.

One of my top recommendations if you happen to pop by the store. You have to get one!

This weekend, I brought my mom to South Sun to check out where I work and the awesome unique jewelry this store beholds. There was a yard sale happening outside and my mom found a bunch of things she just loved! And who doesn't love a great deal on jewelry?

It was pretty funny there because My mom loved soo many of the pretty beads but had no clue how to make a bracelet or necklace. I just don't think she has the time or patience to do it. So I got her a bunch of already made necklaces. Ya, good times at South Sun. aka: www.southsunproducts.com

Ya, And I might be a "jewelry girl" now after these bracelets.

Comic Sans

2007-09-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

I like my fonts normal and readable.
Some people like them stylized and busy.

I remember a font from back in the day, everyone used it on like AIM, and cute emails, it was everywhere! Comic sans! It lives on and its out of control.

What's even sadder is that business sometimes are seen using this font as a letterhead! Uhhh it screams unprofessional and its a cry for help.

What's wrong with it you ask? Its retarded. Its too funky and just hard to look at.
Please don't use it. There's a site that actually jocks it. If you want to see it in all its hideous glory click this: http://www.microsoft.com/typography/css/gallery/spec2.htm
What's even more depressing? Look at the link this garbage came from. Aww, Microsoft, you were silly, what were you thinking?

Tangent: Ya, I used to love Microsoft and Internet explorer. I mean, it was way cooler and smarter to use back in the day then Netscape or AOL browsers. Thank God for Firefox. Right?

Back to Comic sans. What kind of name is that? More like Ironic Sans, or toxic sans. I can think of some better ones ;)

O fonts or typefaces if you will. You want your reader to obtain information as easy as possible. Not notice the font first. There are exceptions when you're making something weird. ha.

Just pick up a magazine or something and look at the type. Do it. Notice little things.

O i love typography.

Design

2007-09-22T22:30:00.001-07:00

Ya.... I got bored of the blogger templates on here.
Had to make my own real quick.
What do you think about that?

You can say I'm really into CSS!

My typical day at work

2007-09-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

Hi,
blogspot is awesome. Why am I here?
Just to share ideas and keep track of things. Also entertainment for you.

Lets get down to business. I used to have a wordpress blog directly on my site.
www.jenruhman.com As cool as it sounds, that does not help me in SEO.

This is a different site that links to my site, which is always a good thing.
Reciprocal links rule. Always remember that.

Ok, back to my typical day.
I start my mornings at 7:00am,
I'm at work by 8:30 in my chair getting my computer booted etc.
Checking my gmail.... reading my horoscope, the headlines a bit. Skim, skim,
wake up.

My job....
Its pretty awesome here!
Its the largest jewelry store in the nation!
How cool is that first of all?

I get to take photos of gorgeous jewelry,
edit the photos, put them on the wholesale site.
Its pretty fun actually.
I see soo much jewelry, especially beads.
I could run laps around isles and isles of beads all day.

what you may not know about Jen..

2007-05-24T19:28:00.000-07:00

come on does anyone really read this stuff??? hahaha!