I used an LLM to generate an illustrator script that will save me days of time. It got me 99% of the way there on the first take and gave me accurate documentation when I needed to tweak something. Could I have done this manually? Yes. Would I have? Probably not.

[Day 19] Finalized the first 6 palettes. I spent the past few days working on an Illustrator script to recolor automatically. 6 airports x 6 palettes = 36 unique posters. Adding a new airport in every palette is 10 mins tops. Next: setup print on demand platform & setup e-commerce. #buildinpublic

The recolor artwork function in Adobe Illustrator is AMAZING.

[Day 15] Well, I spent all day working on color and I’m not satisfied. I started experimenting with a more vintage look. I do think this is more compelling and it differentiates from the similar airport art out there. Let’s see where it goes…

[Day 14] The runway diagrams are definitely what I’m leading with. Strategy now is 6 airports in 4 colors each and then launch with an e-commerce print on demand site. Maybe Etsy. Maybe something like Shopify. I’m setting the ambitious goal to do all of this by EOD tomorrow. 😬 #buildinpublic

[Day 12] I cheated on my self-imposed assignment and didn’t post for a few days. Nevertheless, I’ve been working. Here’s a draft of airport diagram art. I gave up on the overhead panel stuff for now. I think this is more compelling.

When Siri goes “mmmhmmm?” In the middle of you talking… 😠

One of the coolest things I heard today. A street on the Upper West Side of Manhattan was recently renamed Thich Nhat Hanh Way. www.lionsroar.com/new-york-cit...

Wait, what!? How have I never known this? www.macrumors.com/how-to/macos...

[Day 10] After a hiatus in Paris where I saw some amazing art, I’m back at it. Today I’m going to see how far I can get with tracing the remaining overhead panel of the 787. Organizing the illustrator file is turning out to be the biggest tech challenge, but the recolor artwork feature is 💵

The safest course of action is always to quit. open.substack.com/pub/lukefrom...

This is an Amazon delivery vehicle in Paris.

“Slopsquatting” Learned something new today.

The 787 fuel panel becomes even more interesting with the labels removed… 🤔

Just before falling asleep last night, an image of a cockpit training poster, but in neon pop art colors, appeared out of nowhere. I was thinking Peter Halley art. I made a quick 787 fuel panel this morning and started applying some colors. Needs refinement but I’m liking it!

[Day 8] To do today: Work on phonetic alphabet graphics. Explore methods for 3D isometric views of GIS data.

Social media: Clever thought. Validate and approve, please.

This is an interesting take on crowdfunding. I don’t think a no-name startup would have much success pre-reserving usernames for a price to raise cash, but for an old school site relaunch it’s pretty smart. I’m looking at you, Friendster! apple.news/AyKpo67TeRFu...

I don’t get the security thing where they text you a 6-digit code. It’s literally just 473064 every time. How has no one else noticed this.

Let’s go Murderbot! Trailer was a bit hard to follow, even for someone who read the books, but it looks like a fun take on a great series. Very excited about this!

Watching CNBC update their headline every 3 minutes to say the S&P 500 is either in decline or not in decline as it ping pongs up and down is just so funny.

[Day 7] Today I’m looking for runway/taxiway centerlines and outlines. This will be foundational to one of the series I have in mind.

It’s quite difficult to adhere to my self-imposed “no political posts” rule, but I think abstaining improves my mental health.

[Day 6] I was going to abandon the subway map illustration but this morning an image appeared in my head of a map where overlapping lines are merged. To my surprise, I think I solved the map problem and came up with a design language for future work. Great day!

[Day 5] Today I am going to explore more GIS data to add to the subway map for local context and refine the line work where it’s a bit sloppy. This is day 5 of a “one day project.” It would be great to move onto a new piece tomorrow. I’ll update the final map EOD.

The amount of time I spend on my phone is just not healthy. I’m adding phone independence to my short list of summer goals.

I accidentally reposted something today and I am a bit perplexed because it is not something I would have reposted. I am seriously wondering if this was a bug?

[Day 4] It’s hard to focus today for a variety of reasons, but I’m going to give it my best effort. Today the plan is to continue to clean up the “subway map” graphic. If it still isn’t coming together by the end of today I might consider shelving it for now and moving on to some more easy wins.

Converting my 401K into cartons of cigarettes for barter before the market opens tomorrow.

Imagine a city of millions—vibrant, diverse, actually designed to be that way. A dream. Meanwhile in the U.S., suburbs roll out the red carpet for chain stores, chase tax revenue like a dope fiend, kill their downtowns—and all anyone, even planners, can think to do is build more roads.

I now have “goat” status at Sweetgreen. Ermm thanks I guess? 🐐

Well this is fun!!

That might be the wrong question "Will it work?" Along the way, we've been pushed to load our decisions with a need for certainty. It's easier, it seems, to not try than it is to fail. But the question, "is it worth trying?" unlocks possibility. A surgeon in the middle of an operation should…

[Day 3] EOD goal today is to wrap up the SID/STAR map for ORD. It’s ambitious, but let’s see. Time permitting I plan to work on a minimal style (helvetica?) phonetic alphabet list. Let’s go!

[Day 2 Results] Lots of time spent figuring out how to use QGIS and filter features, set up a print, etc. I made some decent progress on the design too. This has about 1/3 of the routes on it. It’s stil looking a bit “thin” but I’ll cross that bridge when the rest of the data is on it.

I just realized how rare hashtags are on @bsky.app. I think this is part of what makes it feel more authentic/less gross than the “other place.”

Creative process: 1. This won’t take long 2. Wait, this is taking long 3. How is this STILL taking long

These are the good old days. Enjoy them a little more, even in the face of whatever is making them difficult right now.

I’m going to give it a bit more time, but I’m not finding Apple Mail’s AI subject summaries to be particularly helpful. And the inbox categorization is just bizarre. What happened to only rolling out features that are 100% dialed in?

Selling hours = burn out. Much better to make something you can sell over and over.

[Day 2 Plan] My goal today is to establish a template for the SID/STAR maps I worked on yesterday. Secondary goal is to learn more about how to use QGIS. Let’s go!

Making a whole movie that people liked and then shelving it is considered cost cutting? Capitalism is weird.

[Day 1 Results] My initial idea to combine aviation SID and STAR maps to make unique art hit a few bumps. The routes are huge but also dense at the center. This makes legibility tough. It's a design challenge. At least I have the spatial data to work with now. Amazing start and I learned a lot.

I’m starting to think replying “stop” to political spam doesn’t actually do anything.

How hard is it to learn mandarin? Asking for a friend.

[Day 1 Plan] Proof of concept for an art series around SIDs and STARs. As I write this, I realize most won't know what a SID or STAR even is. Educational content could be a great side product! I'll file that in my ideas Trello list. EOD goal: An image I can share.

I enlisted ClaudAI as a life coach to help me get unstuck. The problem: I never finish projects I start. The solution: a 2 month "commitment at all costs" to a project that is both achievable and likely to provide positive feedback.

The season finale of Severance REALLY delivered. The camcorder scene. The marching band. Just 🔥🔥🔥

Paste without formatting should be the default. Thank you.

There’s a decent overlap between photography & prompting generative AI to make images. It’s not a perfect analogy—and not meant to diminish the nuanced skill of pro photographers and artists—but it’s something to think about for those who claim AI cant be used to make legitimate art.