Microsoft and Yahoo joint venture

There was a recent article in the New York Times about a joint advertising venture with Microsoft and Yahoo. This is an attempt for Microsoft to become a stronger competitor with the Google. Google has harnessed the power of the Internet in the best way possible and is wildly successful at gaining revenue in advertising. Microsoft and Yahoo are both companies that are second when it comes to innovation. Microsoft has a difficult time comparing to Apple simply because Apple's products are different than anything else offered. Google is obviously a powerhouse and trumps Yahoo in almost every facet of the company. If Microsoft and Yahoo were to join forces, there would be a potential for the companies to become contenders with Apple and Google.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/10/microsoft-and-yahoo-are-said-to-be-in-talks-on-ad-deal/?ref=business

No End In Sight

For someone who is graduating in 5 weeks, this article was disheartening to say the least. There we 663,000 more jobs lost in the month of March, raising the unemployment rate to 8.5%, the highest it has been since 1983. Health care and education are among few industries barely being affected by the downturn. Analysts say that we have not hit the worst point, and should see improvement by the end of the year at the earliest. It may be that staying in school a little longer is not a bad idea since finding a job is so difficult at the time.



http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/04/business/economy/04jobs.html?_r=1&ref=business

Element of Design Project

Elements of Design- LINE
By Christie Coyle
-All but two of these photos were taken by me on or
around UNCG campus.

Here you can see the implied line created
by the buttons on the sweater and the bushes
below.





I think this is a great example because
the lines on the pavement are almost
exactly like the lines on the sweater.
There are two lines close together then
some separation.




Here is another example of vertical lines,
with the back of the chair below and
the lined on the sweater above.







Here is an example of vertical lines
in both the conveyor belt and the blue
shirt.




The Iran poster below has a similar
line scheme to the infamous 3 stripes of
Adidas.



The lines on this purse mimic the lines on a giraffes
coat.





Giraffe Picture
hometown.aol.com/iiisabell/images/giraffes.jpg

It is clear to see the inspiration for this sweater
from the stripes of a zebra. A perfect example of
line in apparel and non apparel instances.



(Zebra photo from blog.drjerm.com/BlogImages/zebras.jpg)

Below, you can see the lines on the
parking space are similar to the horizontal
lines on the blue sweater.






In this example, the sweater in the top
picture looks similar to the staircase in
the second picture.






In these images, you can see how the square
lines of the brick mimic the squares in the plaid
shirt.

Job Loss in America Hit a High Note

A recent article in the New York Times discusses the devastating amount number of jobs lost in the US since the start of the recession. In February alone, there were 615,000 jobs lost. This is the third month in a row that over 600,000 jobs have been lost. Economists say that although the Obama administration predicted a quick fix with the bailout plan, ease will not come until at least next year. As someone who recently lost a job due to the economic failure, I can relate with the stress and anxiety that most of the nation is feeling. I hope that within the next few months jobs begin to open up and the economy can make a slow turn around. If not, life after college will be more difficult than I expected.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/07/business/economy/07jobs.html?_r=1&ref=business

Microsoft's New Retail Endeavor

Despite the retail industry's troubled times, Microsoft has decided to try it's hand at the game. The company plans to open retail stores where it will sell it's products and offer assistance to customers. The store will be much like the Apple retail locations. Microsoft has hired David Porter, a 25-year veteran of Wal-Mart, as the corporate vice president for retail stores. It seems pretty brave of Microsoft to go into this industry at such a time. Circuit City has recently filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and closed over 500 locations. Best Buy also had lower than expected performance over the holiday season. Electronics are not a high priority on most people's lists because of job loss and the failing economy. It is hard to day whether or not this venture will prove successful. I guess time will tell.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/14/technology/companies/14soft.html?_r=1&ref=business

Major Job Cuts for Macy's

Macy's recently announced that they would cut 7,000 jobs as a result of a weak economy and poor performing holiday season. It was one of the worst in decades. This comes after the January 8th announcement that they were closing 11 stores and cutting over 900 jobs. It was effective immediately, and most of the jobs were cut from the central office, showing that the need for savings was drastic. The divisions in San Fransisco, Miami, and Atlanta were closed, all of which were larger operators. Macy's consolidated all of these into one operating headquarter in New York City. This really shows that our economy is in a terrible state, that a company that has been around for decades can fall so hard.

http://www.jsonline.com/business/38813542.html

Jason Wu: A fresh face in the world of fashion design.

For those of you who weren't watching the Inaugural Ball on the night of January 20th, you missed out on the amazing gown worn by Michelle Obama. There is no doubt that you have heard about it by now. The light chiffon dress was designed by Jason Wu, a rather new designer who is not known by many outside of the industry. His designs will certainly be recognized now that such an influential political icon supports his work. Wu studied at Parson's School of Design and has a unique sense of style. His clothing can be described as feminine and classic. The silhouettes are comparable to those of the 1950's. He was featured in the November 2008 issue of Vogue magazine as a competitor for the CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund Award. The garment that was shown was a bright green chiffon knee-length dress with fan-like detailing on the bottom. If I had enough money, I would have found away to get that dress. The dress that Michelle Obama wore for the Inaugural Ball was designed with no charge, but with the pristine honor of being placed in the Smithsonian Museum for all to see. I look forward to seeing what this innovative designer offers the fashion world in the future.

Here is a link to the New York Times article about Wu:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/fashion/25WU.html?ref=fashion