Jun 30
June 2006
As its head “cultivator,” Dave Shea describes the css Zen Garden as a collection of pages that demonstrate what can be accomplished visually through CSS-based design (Cascading Style Sheets). The folks who submit designs also include the actual style sheet used to create their pages. The designs and code are an excellent source of inspiration and information. An example.
http://csszengarden.com/?cssfile=154/154.css
The official list of designs.
http://www.mezzoblue.com/zengarden/alldesigns/official/
The Zen Garden cover page.
http://www.csszengarden.com/
Jun 28
June 2006
I like to listen to talk when I am doing the grunt-work side of what I do. Sound Portraits is a worthy way to use your ears, brain, and heart. It is dedicated to telling stories that “bring neglected American voices to a national audience.”
http://www.soundportraits.org
Jun 26
June 2006
Need some inspiration? The AIGA, THE professional association for communication design, offers the AIGA Design Archives: a record of its annual juried selections of design excellence and the work of designers it honors.
http://designarchives.aiga.org/
Jun 23
June 2006
If you are reading this (and I'm writing it), neither of us is attending TED this week in Monterey, California (we'll just have to ride it out). TED, an acronym for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, is an invitation only, four-day conference that presents an impressive roster of speakers including some of the most renowned creatives, innovators, entertainers, and provocateurs on the planet—everyone from Bill Gates to Billy Graham. Looks interesting. To get a taste, go...
http://ted.com/about/introduction/flash_page.cfm
Then select “Highlights.”
Jun 21
June 2006
Joshua Davis is a New York based artist, designer, and technologist producing both public and private work for companies, collectors, and institutions. This site offers some great examples of his fascinating illustrations.
http://www.once-upon-a-forest.com/
Jun 19
June 2006
Tony Spaeth, the expert behind identityworks.com, demonstrates how to use identity as a tool in marketing and managing. His clients are big brands such as Caterpillar, Dow Jones, J.P. Morgan, and Sony Corporation—but his thinking works at all levels.
http://www.identityworks.com/
Be sure to see his excellent flow chart on identity design...
http://www.identityworks.com/tools/CI process charts.gif
And his links to guidelines and standards manuals...
http://www.identityworks.com/tools/guidelines_and_standards_manuals.htm
Jun 16
June 2006
Color me crazy, but for some reason, I love the OM Records logo (don't have a clue about the music but I'm nutty about the logo). I came across it on the designer's site (Capacitor Design Network)—it takes some doing to get to it, but I think it's worth the trip:
http://www.capacitornetwork.com/CDN2002_c.html (then click > Work > OM Records)
And here it is in use:
http://www.om-records.com
Jun 14
June 2006
How does a graphic designer become an overnight Web legend? Try insanity.
http://www.zefrank.com/
And an article about how it happened
http://www.zefrank.com/smallpress/timeoutspread.jpg
Jun 12
June 2006
How do you get attention? Do something different with the same space everyone else is using.
http://www.n-gage.com/worms/wwp.htmlh
Jun 9
June 2006
I want you to see how this designer draws you into his Web using an illustrated street scene (following the intro). Very effective both visually and functionally.
http://www.pedestriandesign.com/
Jun 7
June 2006
Great illustrations show, at a glance, something that is difficult to say. Check out this striking use of color and image.
http://www.rkdinc.com/remedy99_Web/reaching.htm
Jun 5
June 2006
A truly great photographer has two talents—an extraordinary ability to capture and interpret the moment and the discipline and foresight to get to, and be in the places where the moments happen. Frans Lanting, obviously, is a great photographer.
http://www.lanting.com/index.shtml
Jun 2
June 2006
BusinessWeek labeled management/marketing maven Tom Peters “business’ best friend and worst nightmare.” He thinks through the obvious like no one else I know.
hhttp://www.tompeters.com
Need to rewire your thinking on the businesses you work for? Take a look at this free booklet (1.3MB)...
http://www.tompeters.com/pdfs/Tomato101804.pdf