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The San Salvador paper model is nearing berth. Roman Detyna’s complex version has been posted on the Maritime Museum of San Diego‘s website.

Since the museum already has all of the digital files (a hard copy was also mailed out to them), my version should be posted soon, too. I hope.

It’s lights-out for Nava Designs. We’ve upgraded to HTML5 and CSS3, along with a new look. There are still some things to finish, but all-in-all, it’s pretty much done.

Lately, I’ve been turned on to Dropbox, a cloud-based storage service for photos, music, videos, and any other computer file that that you can throw at it.

It’s pretty convenient; I used it the other week when I paid a surprise Mother’s Day visit to my mom. I spent several days there, and I was able to continue working on client work even though I was away from my work computer. Awesome!

Back in 2007, I worked on some mock-up package designs to help pitch an idea to the Disney Parks. I did have to use photos found online, but since I do not remember where I got them, I cannot credit anyone.

Imagine putting together your very own HO scale plastic model of the Mad Tea Party attraction or Sleeping Beauty Castle, complete with surrounding foliage. Sounds pretty sweet, huh? Granted, not everyone enjoys or even has the patience to assemble and paint a plastic model. But, boy, wouldn’t it be neat to start building your own Disneyland or Magic Kingdom right at home? And, that’s only one version of the model kits.

While working on the San Salvador paper model for the Maritime Museum of San Diego, the issue of child safety came up, specifically the use of craft knives (i.e. X-acto). Mulling this around in my head, I remembered that there are new craft knives with ceramic blades. These are supposed to be safer than traditional metal blades. So, I picked up the Slice Precision Cutter. Scotch makes one, too, but there is hardly a tip on it.

I have been given the task of designing a simpler paper model of Rodriguez Cabrillo’s San Salvador, the first European ship to discover San Diego, California, and the West Coast of the United States.

Roman Detyna’s version, pictured here, is very beautiful and nicely detailed. But, it is aimed at more experienced model builders. The Maritime Museum of San Diego wants to reach a broader audience, aiming for 4th-graders and everyone new to paper models.

Both models will be available for free from the museum’s website. My simple version is expected to be completed by mid/late May, and will also be available for download from Nava Designs. If you’re interested in following my model progress, I may post some images on my Twitter feed since the museum has given me free range to post almost whatever I like.

Oh, what big changes! Where do I start? How ’bout the obvious . . .