Material posted a Dream Job on its website. This is my application.

…

1) Write us a note and tell us why you’re the one. The more you tell us about yourself, the better. We want to know what makes you awesome.
 
This job *might* be perfect for the both of us. Take for instance your opening line:

Everyone talks about Work/Life balance.
But they’ve got it all wrong. Work and life aren’t rivals.
They’re best buds, inseparable partners, and both inherently good.

Now, check out this tweet of mine from May 4, 2011:

I don’t want work-life balance. I want to confuse work and life, in a good way – doing things I love all the time while making a living. http://twitter.com/#!/joshpremuda/status/65871669394284544

Just sayin’.
 
As I look back to posts on my blog, www.joshpremuda.com, it seems that my interests line right up with what you’re after. I’ve called myself a man of leisure for some time now and what I’ve meant by that, is that I’m looking for a way to live life comfortably and to spend all my time enjoying life. I’ve never understood how 8-5 is the norm. I work best from 7 – 11a and 5 – 8p and am less productive from 1 – 4p. So, I’ve done what I can to live this (work) life.
 
Currently, I live with my girlfriend in Indiana. We have a nice life and I don’t (typically) apply for jobs. Seeing the position with Material changes my tune a bit. It’s something I’d drop everything for and move to San Francisco — which, coincidentally, is one of my/our favorite cities.
 
Please consider me for this role. I’ve straddled the line of blogger/thinker/strategist/auditor/creative for a while and I know those skills would be valuable in this role.
 
 
2) Tell us about relevant experience. Link us to your Facebook profile, your blog, whatever. Show us things. (Best formats: PDF, JPG, TXT, RTF, WTF, OMG, JK)
 
Blog/Digital Breadcrumbs: http://www.joshpremuda.com. Check the top row bar for social media profiles, please. Please note that I use my site as a notebook and development experiment lab, so it’s always in a state of experimentation and development.
 
Presentation on a role within an organization I’m suggesting, Emerging Concepts Director: http://www.slideshare.net/currentblend/emerging-concepts-position20110504.
 
Coverage of TurkeyTwitter, a project I developed: http://joshpremuda.com/tag/turkeytwitter-com/.
 
Resume: http://joshpremuda.com/wp-content/uploads/RESUME_Josh_Premuda_%7B20110419%7D.pdf. Also, attached.
 
New tool I’m currently developing that will be a bespoke information filter: http://www.currentblend.com.
 
 
3) Come up with 3-4 ideas for how you’d spread the word about Material.
 
For one, I’m posting my application on my blog and hope that people will see it.
 
Second, I’d design a new briefcase/attache/bag. Current work bags are meant to carry EVERYTHING. We don’t need everything with us at all times, we need to think more. To enjoy what you’re doing (and get things done), you need to look good and have high-quality and functioning products. I envision this bag to be something to take to meetings, toss in a carry-on and handles my essential reading/materials. Maybe a cross between the Carga (size and the felt with leather is kind of hot) http://www.cargabags.com/felt05.php and the Billy Kirk x ACL (aesthetics) http://shop.acontinuouslean.com/products/khaki-acl-bag.
 
Third, let’s re-invent the calendar system. It doesn’t work. We need a calendar/task system in one. I’d like (help) to build a Material app that books tasks in a calendar, and doesn’t just create a list. Further, we are never not busy, so why does our calendar show tons of free time (or pointless meetings). Someone should have to apply for time with me, not just pick anytime that shows as “free”.
 
Also, I’d make a line of branded coffee mugs, pens, shirts, etc that don’t suck. If a company is giving me a free shirt, make it an Alternative Apparel one and make it look sweet. Hell, Material could start a line of private-labeled products that puts a company’s logo on it (in an unobtrusive way) and sell those. Free swag is good, but stylish and functional free swag is awesome.
  
Finally, I’d seek out change agents in organizations to share our message. It sounds hokey, but really thinking of ways to get into organizations to share the story and work to create a culture where work/life balance is lost is where real change can happen. There will need to be a plan, training materials, conference attendance, articles written and other ways to network that will help spread this message.
 
PS, STICKERS!
 
 
4) Imagine you walk into the office supply store of your dreams. What does it look like? What does it sell? Why? (Be specific, give us links.)
 
My ideal office supply store would focus more on culture than supplies. Sure we’d have pens (Lamy, http://svpply.com/item/23331/Lamy_Fountain_Pen__joshua_paul), notebooks (Picadilly as Moleskins are over-priced), chairs (Aeron) and other items, but I’m interested in things that would improve the office experience. The products would all be tested, reviewed and curated. It’s all about details and thought. If no thought is put into the pens an office store stocks, then why should I buy them? My office store has put thought into which pens it stocks because of the ink, ergonomics, colors, etc.
 
One wall would be filled with books (design, fiction, reference, photo, etc) and look like a library, maybe something like this: http://joshpremuda.tumblr.com/post/1167292413
 
One thing often forgotten about in an office is food/drink, so we’d sell premium coffee and tea (and the associated equipment).
 
Other quick-hit items we’d sell: Sonos, Behance Action Planners and Journals, iPhone docks (http://svpply.com/item/336910/Native_Union_Moshi_Moshi_03i__Wireless), candles (scent can help us focus and relax), lighting(http://svpply.com/item/263756/Hanging_Cage_Lamp), computer bags (http://svpply.com/item/51634/CARGA), speakers (http://svpply.com/item/53026/ikyaudio_white_sea_cucumbers_audio AND http://svpply.com/store/joeyroth.com), tables (http://svpply.com/item/62532/Local_59_Durables) … just to name a few. Note: I bookmark items like these in http://www.svpply.com/joshpremuda.
 
I’m also thinking services such as photography, design, developers and consultants could be offered.

I want to be your Entrepreneurial Bad-Ass.

I’ve looked at my iPhone screen more than I care to think about. A nervous habit of mine is to pull out the phone and just check the time (email, twitter, weather, you name it). As I was doing this one day, I thought, “if I put a mantra on the lock screen, maybe it will help me to stay focused.” So I took that thought and ran with it and am now sharing my iPhone Lock Screen Mantra.

To use, pull up this page on your iPhone. Select the above image and hold. Save image upon prompt. Then go to “Settings” > “Wallpaper” and select which screen (Lock or Wallpaper) you want it to be on. I use it as my Lock Screen Wallpaper so that when I turn on my phone I see these keywords to help put me in a good place mentally.

Let me know if you use it. And, if you don’t, what do you use as your iPhone wallpaper?

I’ve mentioned clothes hacking before. This time I’m bringing it up because I did a bit of it myself. As you’ll see it’s small potatoes and most of you will say, “Dude, you only switched the buttons”. And, that’s really all I did, but baby steps. I did add a “hook” slash orange “tag” with spare button (personal branding!!). As well as some navy buttons with green (!!) thread. I like it.

{Please don’t judge my photos…I took them with my iPhone…I know they’re horrible…just wanted some visuals to share}

I threw together a quick little Valentines gift you can give your sweetie this year. It’s nothing special and you could easily make your own, but if it’s quick and easy (and cheap) you’re after, follow these steps.

1. Go to your local bookstore.
2. Buy a book for your loved one. Email me if you want recommendations.
3. Come home.
4. Print this PDF. (It should only print to 2″ x 5″).
5. Cut around the edges.
6. Glue together.

Now you have a bookmark and you look totally thoughtful and sweet. BONUS POINTS if you put some cardboard between the two sides and/or you laminate.

Let’s make Olive Juice the new I Love You! It will be fun! In case you’re wondering, “why olive juice”? Read the Urban Dictionary definitions. Action shots next!

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