Idea #10: Touch-enhanced Animation Software

The Problem

I do a lot of corporate animations and they are pretty straightforward a lot of flying across the screen-easy 2D work. I can’t tell you how much I just want to grab the element and move it the way I want it to move, smooth out (reduce) the keys with a drag of my finger, the rotate my fingers to change the easing. Basically, the same tools you already give me, but with my fingers. Ahhh. That’d be nice.

The Solution

Something like the 2D motion sketch panel in After Effects but don’t be so literal with the movement. In fact, I could even tap where I want the keys. Give me control but make it easy. 

This one tool on an iPad would give me the ability to animate 50% or more of what I do on a daily basis.

Dear adobe, at some point in the future I will animate you a GUI of what this should look like you don’t even need to give me credit just steal the idea and make millions that’s what this blog is all about. The reality is until Apple gives us Max Os X on the iPad or touch on the MacBook it ain’t a rush.

Idea #9: Task-based Multi-Application Launching

The Problem

I want to work on my comic book project (or whatever complicated project) on my computer right where I left it yesterday, but I’ve had to work on another project in the interim, so all the apps are closed out. I have to reopen all the apps (Photoshop, Sketchbook, Scrivener, Indesign, sometimes After Effects, sometimes illustrator, not to mention all my base apps of Things, Evernote, Chrome, etc) and then I have to open all the files and navigate through tons of finder windows. Not to mention organize my workspace panels in adobe software, load pallettes, brushes etc. UGH. After 10-15 minutes or more i’m finally able to get going.

Why can’t I just tell my computer “I want to continue drawing on my comic book project right where I left off” 

The Solution

Task-based, project-based application launching, file opening, and workspace arrangement.

Allow me to make the top 10 tasks I perform on my computer like spotlight bookmarks so that I don’t have to launch 5 different applications every time I change gears. In addition, you already have a list of my recently opened files and know what folders they are saved in (aka, what projects they are associated with). Just open it.

Browsers already use this concept

A “folder” of “bookmarks” can be made at the top of your browser that gives the option if you left click to open just one bookmark, or open them all at once. 

Calendars already use smart quick entry

Um why can’t spotlight do this … ? i guess it’s not the 21st century after all

The workspace feature of OS X attempts to make this feature work

the problem with workspace is it’s only plausible if you have 32+gb of RAM if you work on any kind of serious visual production work. I run 16gb on my home computer … no way I can have all those apps and files open with that. Not to mention mac laptops cap out at 16gb even the “pro” versions

Other things I want to tell my computer

Surf pinterest for more ideas for “project name” (it knows what I was researching first time so it could start there, for example)

Catch up on news on the middle east (pull up my favorite news sites and search for the middle east)

What’s happening in the lives of my classmates (pull info from all my classmates fb pages and display it like pinterest)

People with birthdays coming up in the next 6 weeks (pull from fb or calendar)

Purge duplicate photos using XXXXX app

Make a photo book using flickr not apple photos

I’d like to write in my journal and add some recent photos and audio

I’d like to edit that video I recorded on sunday afternoon using Premiere

I’d like to plan my week 

Other features

Give me the ability to tag certain files as “project files” these are the files that usually actively reference dependent files (aka,“assets” in my industry). The name is irrelevant its the ability to create these dependencies I want.

Idea #7: Interactive Timeline for Evernote Atlas

The Problem:

I study a lot of history and want to see how my notes relate to each other in time. Currently I have to create time periods with tags and then filter by tag. This continues to perpetuate the same problem I see in most software: the separation and compartmentalization of data.

The Solution:

Add a timeline to Evernote Atlas with variable scrubbing factors so I can see day/month/year as well as go all the way to 600BC or 1,000,000 BC. 

As I scrub the slider, notes appear and disappear from the atlas. Easy peezy. This shows me with the slide of a bar the relationship my notes have to each other in time and space. The “time” setting could be set to date created, date updated, or the new “point in time” setting for establishing the note at a specific point in time.

Idea #3: Add Duration Times to Mac Calendar

The Problem

when resizing appointments in Mac Calendar, I get frustrated by not being able to tell precise durations. Especially troublesome for events 4+ hours long (ie, my workday)

The Solution

Just add a duration time to the bottom of the box when you start resizing it. Apple magicians get with the program it’s 2015.