Ripoff or Sign of the Times?

So I realize it has been quite some time since I last posted anything, my apologies. My website and school have been monopolizing my life as of lately. But, on that note, my website is about halfway done and I hope to have it up and running soon. Now, onto today's topic at hand.

I walked into Wal-Mart today in search of new PEZ. I can always count on them for their reliable selection of new stock and am rarely disappointed. Today was no different, they had a large selection of new ones, but I couldn't help but be disappointed. I noticed that they have changed their packaging into a smaller more compact version. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for new package design but I can't tell if I'm feeling this. The new version is about one third of the size and comes with one less candy pack. Now while the packaging itself doesn't bother me that much, it does bother me that it costs the same price as the larger versions that come with three candy packs. I can't help but feel a little cheated. Then again that seems to be the way of the world these days. Portions go down while prices go way up. Ripoff or sign of the times?

Since we're already on the topic, I thought I'd put up a little preview of what I am currently working on. I'm doing a series of Christmas dispensers for my advertising illustration class. Here he is, in all his glory, Santa Claus.

Two Halves Make a Hole

It's kind of weird to think about. When you're 21, you should be the one moving out, not your father. A month ago, he was offered a job in good old Huntsville, Alabama, smack dab in the middle of the heartland of the South. Last week, after much debating, he packed up all his belongings and left. It wasn't a bitter goodbye, but it didn't make it any easier. I guess this is how parents feel when their kids leave home to start a new life. You do your best to raise them right, and the next minute, they're gone. Half of me realizes that this is just a part of life and the other half still feels like something is missing. In the end, you can't help but feel a little lost.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about other things that have been lost. A long time ago, before the golden age of computers, before the plethora of free font websites and even Photoshop, when someone wanted text they had to draw it and paint it themselves. Billboards, signs, advertisements, you name it, all done by hand. Over the years hand done lettering has become a lost art form and it's definitely a shame. It has inspired me to rekindle my love of typography by doing it the old fashion way.

Watercolor and Ink on Watercolor paper