Welcome, design-related sports fans -- you small but vocal contingent -- to a first round match-up in the Layer Tennis 2009 playoffs. Today’s players are Aaron Draplin and Sam Potts. There’s not much left to say about Potts and Draplin at this point, but since I’m not being paid to not say anything, here are the particulars.
Aaron Anfernee Stuart Dempsey de la Salle Draplin III[1] found his way into the playoffs courtesy of an epic match with Chris Glass that ended in a tie, which, Jim, correct me if I'm wrong or using too many commas here, is the first time that's happened, ever, in Layer Tennis. [According to a renowned online encyclopedia, "a tie is like kissing your sister". Just sayin'.] To keep warm food on the table, Draplin runs his own design concern from Oregon. Portland most likely. Luckily for this commentator, he recently produced a poster that shows every little bit of works he's done, give or take, since 1993, so I don't need to tell you much more about that. My God, it's full of logos.
Sam Potts[2], a freelance designer from Brooklyn and Layer Tennis rookie, advanced to the playoffs via a victory over seasoned competitor Armin Vit. Professionally, Potts has worked on projects like the look of the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co., the books by famous minor television personality John Hodgman, the IFC Center logo, and much more. He's also on the board for AIGA NY and teaches at both the School of Visual Arts and The Cooper Union. Potts' college degree (in comparative literature) has little to do with his chosen profession, a fact that warms the heart of this physics major. What's really fantastic about Potts' devotion to the graphic arts is the vast sums of money he left on the table walking away from the comp. lit. field. Literally tens of dollars.
The two contestants didn't respond to my repeated and increasingly passive aggressive and then overtly aggressive requests for an interview (this is untrue; I am lazy and sent no such queries) so I can only guess at their respective mental states as this first round playoff match stares them down: they are frightened. Which is good for us, right? Cornered animals, lashing out in fear and in Photoshop, should provide for some excellent tennis. Potts won the coin toss and will be going first today. So follow along with the match and Twitter your observations...just include #lyt in the message and I'll use your comments in my commentary as we go along. Allez computers!
[1] Full disclosure: I met Aaron in person once, long ago. We chatted for several minutes and may have shook hands more than once. He was a pleasant fellow, full of both vim and vigor.
[2] Full disclosure: I went to college with a Becca Potts. No relation.
Jason Kottke is the proprietor of kottke.org, a required stop on just about anybody's bus tour of the internet.
Tickets | Archive | Blog | The Crowd | HQ
Naz and Sam Peeling Back the Layers on last Friday's amazing photographic and musical live Layer Tennis Match. No Tennis this week by the way, we'll be back live on the 19th
Layer 10 is up. And that's a wrap! Big thanks to Sam, Naz, Mark, and all the fans. No voting this week, but be sure to sign up for Season Tickets and be the first to get match info and learn how to play in our qualifying matches. Layer Tennis is taking a week off, we'll see you back here on March 19th for our fourth exhibition match.
The coin-flip and Match Preview are up for today's live Photographic Exhibition Match. We're almost set to go. Tweet your comments and include #lyt and then follow the chatter on our Crowd Page. And if you don't have 'em already, sign up for Free Season Tickets for news, contests and maybe even a chance for you to take the court this season.
Mark Simonson shares his insider's view of Friday's typographic battle, including a nifty chart of all the glyphs created during the match.
Subscribe to the LT RSS feed.
Time and money savings tips with the Adobe® Creative Suite® 4
Did you know that with Adobe Creative Suite 4 Web Premium, you can preview and test Web content twice as quickly in Dreamweaver?
Check out this and hundreds of other must-have features and benefits. Download your free trial version of Adobe Creative Suite 4 software.
© 1999-2010 Coudal Partners, Inc. All Rights Reserved | Privacy | | Clients | 
CP RSS Feed