What makes this design distinctive? The colors, the typefaces, and the illustrations certainly are well chosen, but the thing that makes it work for me is the underlying symmetry or balance of its elements. I'm a sucker for symmetry. I am drawn to it in nature, in architecture, and in graphic design. (And forever pursuing it in life.)
http://woodchuck.com (from the Wayback archive)
Once you've seen it, you'll find it easy to recognize Pete McArthur's distinctive style of photographic illustration. His clever concepts grace the pages of many publications and are used to market all types of products and services. How do we get into the action? He licenses stock images and custom work through his Web. (Love the cover.)
My favorite of his illustrations?
http://www.petemcarthur.com/portfolio/index.asp?offset=14
I'm certain you know Second Story, but if you don't I'm excited to be the one to introduce you. It is, in my book, the premiere interactive design studio in the world. Its list of clients testifies to that fact: The Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian Institution, Discovery, National Geographic, PBS, DreamWorks, Kodak, and so on.
Or right to their extensive portfolio of projects:
http://www.secondstory.com/collected.php?SubjectMask=0&PurposeMask=0&FormatMask=0
Here's a handy reference site recommended by a reader. It includes, among other things, a guide to international paper sizes and inches/fractions to inches/decimal conversion tables.
http://home.inter.net/eds/paper/inchmetric.html
For me, the design process requires concentration and quiet. Once I've got an idea though, I enjoy listening to talk while I work. If you appreciate a good story, I guarantee you'll enjoy This American Life. Each week they choose a theme and invite different writers and performers to contribute. If TAL is new to you, I recommend Episode 241 from 7/11 as a fun place to start.
Looking for a source of CD-ROM packaging? Paper coasters? Clear mailing tubes? Tin paint cans? Thomas Register is online (you've probably seen its big green books in the reference section of the library). It catalogs the names and contact information for over one hundred and fifty thousand manufacturers in the United States and Canada.
http://www.thomasregister.com/
Have you seen the collection of Word templates I designed for the printer manufacturer OKI? They are basic but incorporate some of my best thinking on the production of documents such as direct mail letters, simple newsletters, proposals, and so on:
http://my.okidata.com/PP-OKIPAGE14ex.nsf/InsideSolutions?OpenFrameSet
For someone who would rather look at pictures than read, this site kept me busy for a couple of hours. I'm always fascinated to see how well a good illustrator can express a complex idea, stir my emotions, and even get me to chuckle. This site features some of the best.
Or jump to a particular category such as “comic”
Keep your eye on the Web site designs—you’ll discover lots of creative ways to present your portfolio.
Jon Dahlstrom's page reminds me of my freelance days, creating, among other things, storyboards for advertising agencies. If you’re not familiar with the medium, storyboards are the visual expression of a TV-spot or motion picture script. It was valuable experience that helped to teach me how you interpret ideas as images.
Jon Dahlstrom's storyboards...
Lots of sites claim to be creating “community” but Typophile.com looks like the real deal. I count hundreds of type aficionados trading intelligent comments, questions, and answers—and found an excellent collection of type-related articles and interviews. The cover is here:
If you think designing materials for a plumbing valves and fittings manufacturer holds any less potential than working on the Porsche account, take heart. These folks discover and demonstrate the compelling benefits of the products they represent and do it with high-energy and exquisite style.
Marketing is complex. What works for one enterprise does not necessarily translate to another—there are simply too many variables. For that reason, I am skeptical of formula marketing—sets of rules that claim to ensure some level of success. Formulas imply that you can sell anything to anybody, and I just don't believe that's true. That said, I LOVE formulas. A good one can apply to certain clients in certain situations and is worth it's weight in gold. Sean D'Souza, a former Leo Burnette copywriter, offers a formula worth adding to your arsenal—it comes in the form of a 30-page e-book titled “The Brain Audit.” If you decide to spring for a copy ($37 US)—be sure to share your impressions with me. (Check out all the free articles too.)
