Walking around the city you will see various tributes to this message and moment expressed on t-shirts and with graffiti, digital signage, chalk drawings and memorials. Thanks to Neoscape, I have viewed myself as a member of the Boston design/creative community, which has shown me a lot and brought much to my life. To give back I decided to design a piece that not only shows the Boston Strong message, but also the message I believe stands behind what it means to be Boston Strong.

Accent - Known the world over as the “Boston accent,” we are initiated through our voice as a collective city. Of course we hear the jokes and impersonations that leave Harvard resembling a parking lot, but we still carry a strength to our voice and a sense of pride for our accent.

Teams - It says something special about a city’s love for sports when everyone in town is a “die-hard.” The simple tag of fan does not even suit the passion that most people here have for their teams. We use the sports teams around us to help show that we are in fact Boston Strong. Attending games at the Garden or Fenway these past few weeks you saw celebrations and memorials to our beautiful city, and the scar that was left, helping us love these teams just a little bit more.

People - Travel the world and you will find nobody stronger than those from Boston. Even Steven Colbert showed the strengths of Bostonians that we can laugh and smile at. We have a strong sense of community and fellowship that makes being in Boston something special.

Hearts - Last but not least, these past few weeks have shown what the hearts of many can do for our city. We overcame such a tragedy that has never happened here before; lives were lost, changed and moved by the actions of two men who found us as a target. However, by the collective hearts of our community, those lives that were lost will always be remembered, and the changed lives will be guided along. We were all moved and will continue to be.

Q: We hear you have a degree in architecture. What got you interested in that field and have you always had an eye for design?

I wasn’t always set on pursuing an architecture degree, but throughout high school when deciding what colleges to apply to and which degrees to consider, I kept thinking back to the time when my parents decided to move and build a house. I remember sitting for hours with my mom looking at house plans and drawing over almost all of them making many changes and how much I enjoyed doing that. So I can’t say I’ve always had an eye for design (because my edits as a 6^th grader were usually not feasible) but I have always had a love for it.

Q: What are you most looking forward to while working at Neoscape?

I am most looking forward to exploring this avenue of the architecture world that I have never been a part of before. The work Neoscape produces is one-of-a -kind and something that I was never aware of pre-graduation. I am very excited to further my career as a project coordinator and very thankful to be given this opportunity in such a creative environment.

Q: Where do you turn for architectural design inspiration?

Usually, if I ever need inspiration, I will go for a walk or drive to look at something I have studied before, but in a different perspective. Sometimes I also go someplace completely random to see what I can find. My favorite place to go is Newport, RI; it has a variety traditional and modern architecture along with some breathtaking mansions.

Q:  When you’re not busy designing cool buildings or working as a project coordinator at Neoscape, what do you like to do for fun?

What girl doesn’t like to shop and go to the beach? But on top of those, something that I very much enjoy, but lately haven’t had the time to do, is paint. In high school and college I enjoyed taking extra painting courses and even doing some work at home on the side. My favorite medium is oil-based paint and I am hoping to get back to painting regularly very soon.

Q: Do you have any other favorite activities?

 For the past eight years of my life my fall seasons have been dedicated to playing field hockey, so that would have to be my other favorite activity. Now that I am not playing competitively, I will hopefully find a local league to play in.

Q: Neoscape employees have pretty eclectic tastes when it comes to beer…There’s always something new in the kegerator. On that note, what’s your favorite type of beer?

I can’t say that I have tasted a variety of beers but my favorites would have to be Blue Moon and Shipyard Pumpkinhead.

Q: What would your last meal be?

A caprese salad with chicken Parmesan and a glass of white wine.

Q: What’s on your go-to music playlist?

When I tell you I listen to a variety I am being completely honest (I know it sounds generic). Some of my favorite artists though would have to be Alicia Keys, B.o.B., Michael Jackson, and for those of you who don’t already know, Nicki Minaj is up there too.

**Photo credit: Vassili S.

Soon after our 2011 Holiday film wrapped, Rod MacLeod asked me if there was any way to add the film to an application for Apple’s App Store. I thought it was a great idea to get the film out there but knew Apple would not likely approve such an app. There needs to be a reason for the app to exist on people’s devices for Apple to approve. An app that played a movie and nothing more may not make the cut. Which is why the “My Cat Says Obama” video app is in review limbo.

Back to our story.

The Interactive Group / Experience Reanimators (TIG/ER) at Neoscape needed to think of a way to make a +BOB app useful to the general public beyond as a vehicle for our holiday film. Enter the mullet.

A demo-app for internal use allowed mullets to be applied to photos. Take a photo, select a mullet and save. Quite funny actually, unless you are applying a mullet filter over someone who already has a mullet and then your phone explodes.

We realized that by slightly tweaking the way the mullet application worked we could get something to Apple relatively quickly. A meeting with the 3D department (did you know we do 3D? Interesting – most people think of us an interactive shop) produced over 20 +BOB poses to integrate. Finally some clean and simple graphic design, Facebook integration, usability testing (thanks, Seth) and we were done. Then we added a way to send in your photos. That needed a website. Then we decided to let people rate each photo. More coding.

Over 1,000 downloads and photo submissions later, and we can say that people in warm weather climates like putting a snowman in situations where he will slowly bleed to death. And also, kids really like snowmen.

Learn more about Bob Brr and see other +BOB photos here

Download the free +BOB app here

Please help us welcome Dan Ferraro, a new senior digital artist, to the Boston team! Keep reading to discover what he likes to do in Boston, his favorite beer, and why he’s excited to be at Neoscape, among other fun facts. Welcome to the Neoscape team Dan!

Q: What got you interested in digital art and graphic design? Have you always been creative?

 Simply 3d. This classic gem from the mid-90s not only got me into digital art in its most primitive form, but it also taught me the importance of stellar graphic design.

You can seriously still get this on Amazon if you’re interested.

Q: What do you like the most about being a digital artist?

The easy get for this question would be to say hearing someone ask, “What’s that photograph you’re working on?” Most visual artists probably remember their first time hearing that question. Beyond that, it’s most likely the versatility of the medium. The end product of one 3D model can land on so many different points of the creative spectrum—Technical illustrations, photoreal renderings, non-photoreal renderings, animations, conceptual diagrams, etc. We have an extremely powerful toolset at our disposal when it comes to creative outlets.

Q: What are you most looking forward to while working at Neoscape?

Being in, and learning from, an environment of talent. It’s a unique opportunity to be able to completely surround yourself with creative, driven people. Although this field has been around for a couple decades now, it’s still rare to be immersed with like-minded professionals. 3D artists – especially in an architectural setting – are traditionally digital vagabonds. We freelance, contract, or are generally “that person in the office that knows how to render.” Corralling all of that often-disconnected creativity into one room has enormous potential. I’m definitely looking forward to that.

Q:  When you’re not busy designing really cool things what do you like to do for fun?

 For the past few years it’s been photography. It’s not exactly a huge leap for an arch viz artist to segue into that, but it’s been a welcomed change from staring at a screen all day (and night). Also, a lot of what we do can feel so clean, so polished; it can be humbling to try and produce an image you have in your head when dealing with the constraints of reality.

Q: Speaking of fun, what’s your favorite thing to do in Boston?

Bike! Everyone that lives in this city should. Not so you can be an environmentalist or bike snob – but because the T is pretty horrible and no one can drive here. Of course that’s just my opinion, BUT, it’s also fact.

Q: Neoscape employees have pretty eclectic tastes when it comes to beer…There’s always something new in the kegerator. On that note, what’s your favorite type of beer?

Ahh, tough question. There are so many good ones. Lately I’ve been on a kick of trying all the Pretty Things I can find. Plus they’re local, which is pretty great.

Q: What would your last meal be?

 Probably some sort of all-you-can-eat breakfast bar. I think regardless of why I was having my last meal, I’d want it to have the ability to make me look forward to my impending checkout.

Q: Now that the last of the Halloween decorations have been packed away, looking back, what was the most creative/unique Halloween costume you’ve ever had?*

 I have to confess that I never really got into Halloween that much growing up. The costume always seemed like a time consuming middleman to my candy hoarding.

*This interview was scheduled to be posted in November but was postponed so that Neoscape could publish a piece regarding Hurricane Sandy.

Without knowing when power would be restored, we had to figure out a way to get back online fast so we could deliver some of our most important projects of the year. Without flinching, ownership made the bold call to move the entire New York office to Boston. Piece of cake, right?

Donning headlamps and scarves, a group of brave employees managed to fumble their way through the New York office, unplugging our precious server with ALL of our data on it, removing workstations from their posts, and loading everything up into four cars to begin the migration to Boston.

(Cue any apocalyptic exodus from New York City in any film you’d like, most likely from a zombie pandemic…)

Long drive short, everyone made it to Boston in one piece and our NY-in-Boston office was up and running in a matter of hours! Beyond the work though, the coolest part of this migration was seeing coworkers meeting for the first time in person, enjoying a beer and really spending time together. The camaraderie was undeniable.

Neoscape was built on the backs of people who simply get things done. And while we all hope we never have to do anything like this again, it is inspiring to know that the attitude of our founders is reflected in our current staff to this day, gittin’ her done to keep the company moving.

Please help us welcome Patrick Redmond, our new business development manager,  to the Boston team! Keep reading to discover his favorite beer, his best advice for networking, and his hidden talent, among other fun facts. Welcome to the Neoscape team Patrick!

Q: We hear you studied management and global entrepreneurship in college. What inspired you to study business in school?

I choose to study business in school mostly due to the influence of my family. My parents owned their own company and when you own your own company the line between home and work is obscured. This meant that often after dinner and some TV, which was usually Star Trek: Next Generation (the best Star Trek), the kids would go to bed and my parents would continue working.

Growing up in this environment and seeing the hard work it takes to be successful in a competitive profession like business drove me to business school.

Q: What are you most looking forward to while working at Neoscape?

At Neoscape I am looking forward to growing my business skills with the help of the amazing sales and marketing team, growing my industry knowledge through the many events I will be attending, and attempt to hatch my creative side.

I know I will only be able to accomplish these goals with hard work and the help of everyone at Neoscape!

Q: Business development means you probably attend a lot of networking events. What’s one good piece of networking advice you can share?

I would not call myself a networking expert but if I were to give someone some advice about networking it would be to be confident and not afraid to approach anyone and everyone. Most people at networking events are there to talk, so go talk to them!

Q:  When you’re not busy drumming up business for Neoscape what do you like to do for fun?

I am an avid sports fan. My dad has had Celtics season tickets for more than ten years and we try to go to every home game. I am also a big reader, mostly of history books. I know what you are thinking, FUN! Recently I finished a book “The Fourth Part of the World” by Toby Lester, which is an exceptional book that chronicles why America is named America and not Columbus or Ericson. Lastly I love traveling, anywhere and anytime!

Q: Speaking of fun, do you have any unique hobbies or hidden talents?

I hate to disappoint but sadly I was not gifted with any hidden talents. I think the closest I can come to a hidden talent is my ability to name where almost every player in the NBA went to college. I am sure that does not excite many people! As for unique hobbies, I don’t really have any. These questions are making me sound very bland!

Q: Neoscape employees have pretty eclectic tastes when it comes to beer…There’s always something new in the kegerator. On that note, what’s your favorite type of beer?

I love that there is beer on tap at Neoscape and whenever I tell family and friends they are all very jealous.

I lived in Belgium for about 5 months a few years back and they are known for their great beers. One beer in particular I enjoyed was Barbar Belgian Honey Ale. If you ever see it I suggest giving it a try!

Q: What would your last meal be?

My last meal would be steak and potatoes, simple and delicious.

Q: If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

I would travel to Portugal. I went to Lisbon once about four years ago but for too short of a trip. The mix of rich history, relaxed lifestyle, underrated food, and amazing people made me want to go back but for a longer stay next time!

48 hours had to be enough time to mentally prepare myself. Nonetheless, I was jittery and hesitant. You would have thought I was being forced into running this race. My main fear was that I would come in last place. As I kept looking over last year’s race times, double checking that I could beat them, I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn’t going to let anybody down. My co-workers kept telling me that it was going to be fine, and that we would have a great time.

When our team arrived at the island, freezing from our ferry trip, we scoped out the scene and our competitors. We stood around, some of us nervous, others relaxed, as we stretched and compared thoughts on who we thought would win. I was still out-of-my-mind nervous. Was it too late to back out? Talking to the team, I tried to get them to give me inspirational quotes as well as much needed advice. And then, it was time to race.

The course started out with a short but steep hill. After running on a treadmill the past three months, this was not a welcome sight. After the hill came a loop around a field and…wouldn’t you know it, back to the same hill. I found this cruel, but was glad when I came to the top. However, my relief was short-lived and I was out of breath. I had started out too quickly, as my running app, RunKeeper, alerted me (a 9 -minute mile place, when my usual was around a 13-minute mile). It was time to take a break. I slowed down to a walk and waited for my breath to come back.

The scenery on Thompson Island was beautiful, and I wish I could have taken pictures. The paths were flanked by amazing scenery: the ocean, incredible flora, the Boston skyline…breathtaking. Yet my mind was stuck on the fact that I had over a mile to go, and I was gasping for air. I hadn’t seen anyone from Neoscape since the race had begun. It was time to pick up the pace.

Struggling over the last half mile of the race, I kept my mind on the fact that only two months ago, I would have never thought I could even run a mile. Now, not only had I just run my first race, but I had another race to run in November. As I pushed myself up the last hill (I hoped), I caught site of the Neoscape team waiting for me. As they cheered, I crossed the finish line at 30:20, about 2 minutes quicker than I had hoped. I felt so incredibly proud of myself and completely supported by my team. Now I can understand why races are so addicting.

*Photo credit: Emily H*

Over the past two years our New York office has been growing in really good ways.  We’ve managed to convince some exceedingly talented folks to work for us down here and wanted to take a moment to introduce the team.  Hope you have as much fun watching it as we did making it!

Picture this: It’s Saturday evening and you’re waiting to catch the train. A group of tourists gathers in the station, eager to line up and get on with their trip. Everyone is finally lined up when the last person in line sneezes and—much to your shock—falls over, starting a chain reaction until the entire line has collapsed like a set of dominoes. The station goes silent in disbelief and before you even know how to react, the group is gone and never to be seen again.

I was one of those “tourists,” cell phone in one hand, suitcase in the other who collapsed as part of a set of human dominoes in a busy train station. The buildup before a stunt like this is exhilarating. After a trial run in a remote location, your group spends an hour quietly blending into its train station surroundings, knowing that everyone around you is completely unsuspecting. Excitement builds as everyone lines up and there is a sudden rush as you find yourself in a heap on the floor. There’s no time for embarrassment because as quickly as you fell, you’re already up and out the door in an “angry rage.” Even still, you’re not alone since 50 other people were in the line with you.

For a flash mob to be successful it often must happen quickly and seem as though nothing is out of the ordinary. This means the actual start-to-finish time for the spectacle itself can be very fast and leaves you little chance to see the public’s reaction. For times like this it’s helpful to have people planted with hidden cameras to catch the things you miss. In the case of this specific stunt we had several people with hidden cameras filming as the entire event unfolded.

Without question it is a unique experience to participate in a flash mob. As much as I would love to be an unsuspecting bystander when a flash mob erupts, knowing what I know and having done it before, I’d much rather be a participant than a bystander. It’s not always months of planning, singing and dancing that make an hilarious spectacle. Sometimes it’s just a few props, a busy train station, a group of people, and a single sneeze.