PagePlane.com

The fun in functional print design

2010-03-10T21:19:36Z

On its list of beliefs, the folks at Knock Knock point out that, "Despite the rise of the screen, much that is interesting and innovative can be done with printed matter..."

I wholeheartedly agree. I heart my computer, my iPhone, my HDTV, and so on--but I also love paper. Knock Knock has made a business of designing useful, often humorous pages.

For example, the Pack This! pad...

For business...

And Sticky Cubes...

The Knock Knock philosophy...

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THE big list of public domain image sources

2010-03-08T19:56:45Z

As every graphic designer knows, you are not free to simply add an illustration or photograph to a brochure or web site without first knowing who owns it and what rights they have to it. Some images are copyrighted—which means the owner dictates how it can be used. Others are copyright-free or their copyrights have expired (generally referred to as being in the public domain)—which means (in most cases) you are free to use it without permission.

The good news is there are millions of public domain images available for use&mdashthe bad news is it isn't always easy to distinguish what is protected and what isn't.

All that said, I have compiled a few pages that point to the issues and one that will get you started finding what you're looking for.

Public domain image resources"/>

This recent article by John Mark Ockerbloom of the University of Pennsylvania Libraries—Shedding light on images in the public domain—offers a good introduction...

Peter B. Hirtle of Cornell University provides a useful overview of the current laws: Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States...

With that information in mind, you should be sufficiently armed to wander around Wikipedia's "wild west" of public domain image resources—there's lots of opportunity there but travel the territory with caution. (Just because it's listed doesn't mean it's safe to use.)...

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The future of graphic design is in the provision of access

2010-03-05T14:58:43Z

Anyone who thinks graphic design is merely about style doesn't understand consumption. You can bake a pretty cake, but the true test of its quality is in the eating.

To me, the future of graphic design is clearly in the development of intelligent user interface. On paper or the screen, the most highly prized skill will be a designer's ability to recast information in ways that make it most interesting and useful.

The recently redesigned blog of designer Simon Collison is a good example of that type of user-centric thinking. He generously gives as an in depth insight into his inspiration, ideas, processes, and type and design choices.

Mr. Simon Collison...

An indepth look at the site design...

Watch for the details. For example, the treatment of footnotes...

In February of 2010 Collison left the firm he cofounded—Erskine Design...

Collison's Twitter page...

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Get an amazing return on a three dollar investment

2010-03-03T15:29:01Z

If I hear one more commercial about investing in gold I think my head will explode. I know you don't look here for financial advice but I'm going to give you some anyway—here it is:

If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, buy the new This American Life App.

For three bucks you get on-demand, FREE access to every episode of this intelligent, funny, heartbreaking, beautiful, bizarre radio program, ever produced—literally hundreds of hours of listening. Is it possible you are not yet familiar with This American Life—wow, are you in for a treat.

Three dollars. What the heck are you going to do with gold anyway—eat it?

This American Life--the app...

Ira Glass, the show's longtime host, on Wikipedia...

Interested in the dynamics of producing this unique form of media? See Ira Glass's Manifesto...

The This Amercian Life web...

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Mechanical drawings by Headcase Design

2010-03-01T18:34:13Z

I really like these blueprint-like illustrations created by Paul Kepple and Scotty Reifsnyder at Headcase Design. You may have seen them in books published by, among others, Quirk Books.

Example 1...

Example 2...

Example 3...

Headcase front door...

The weird world of Quirk Books...

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If you like cool stuff

2010-02-26T16:46:59Z

Occasionally I contribute a review over at Kevin Kelly's Cool Tools--just a little something to add to his wonderful list of tools, machines, books, software, gadgets, websites, maps, and ideas housed there. I think of it as a kind of "Consumer Reports" for interesting stuff.

I've pointed you to it before but I wrote a review that they posted today--which gives me cause to point you to it again.

Me and my chair--okay, not a spellbinding subject...

Cool Tools is now being edited by Elon Schoenholz...

Spend the afternoon...

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The elements of a superior-quality web design

2010-02-24T15:05:11Z

You don't necessarily have to agree with all of what Liam McKay defines as "quality" to see the value in his post on the subject. In addition to ideas on type and spacing, he points out examples of excellent graphics craftsmanship--an important aspect of web design that I haven't seen discussed often enough.

How to Spot Quality within Web Design: Examples & Tips...

An interview with Liam MaKay...

MaKay's Twitter page...

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Meet information architect Nik Schulz

2010-02-23T03:58:02Z

I really like Nik's wonderful information-rich illustrations. Work from his studio, L-Dopa Design + Illustration, has appeared in an impressive lineup of publications including Popular Science, Make, and Wired.

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6,079 weird and wonderful images (and counting)...

2010-02-19T20:12:22Z

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and deer drinking beer. BibliOdyssey is... whatever you want it to be.

Het Feest van Koning Beer (The Feast of King Beer)--A deer drinking beer ...

A collection of Nuclear Reactor Wall Charts...

A Vicotorian era infographic depicting human history from the time of creation. (Click on the "Original" to see all the wonderful detail)...

Zoomorphic calligraphy...

An interview with BibliOdyssey curator, Paul K...

Paul's Twitter page...

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Web design in 2010 (and beyond)

2010-02-17T14:53:13Z

You really need to see this. Bronwyn van der Merwe, the Head of Design and User Experience at the BBC just posted an article explaining a system-wide redesign they have been working on. I recommend you read it because I think it demonstrates how sophisticated web design has become and because I think (if you are into web design) that you'll find smart thinking to incorporate into your own work. I certainly did.

The article: A new global visual language for the BBC's digital services...

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How to design an icon

2010-02-16T04:22:17Z

Here is some great insight into icon design from someone who knows a fair amount about it. Before starting his sole proprietorship, Felix Sockwell was the Design Director and co-founder of the Ogilvy, The Brand Integration Group—not bad credentials. As you will see, he has an amazing talent for condensing ideas into icons and illustrations. Be sure to see his portfolio, it is wide and deep.

Sockwell's show and tell about the development of icons for Real Simple magazine ...

Another project for The International Herald Tribune...

Sockwell's portfolio...

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A little kick in the brain

2010-02-13T03:55:30Z

Eric Baker started out spending 30 minutes each morning finding and sending odd and interesting images to a friend online—a good idea soon draws a crowd. If you need an occasional creative nudge, check out Eric Baker's Today, it just may do the trick.

Baker's first post from October 2008—Today on designobserver.com...

A recent example...

The archive...

Baker is one of the principals at The O Group. Their portfolio...

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Meet Fred Showker and the Design & Publishing Center

2010-02-10T17:01:49Z

What I like so much about Fred Showker is that he sees the graphic design industry from more than one angle--he's is a working designer, an experienced teacher and presenter, a bit of a technoid, and the creative mind behind one of the top marketing and design resources on the Web--the Graphic Design & Publishing Center.

Not only does he stay curious about what's next, he has amassed a huge archive of insightful articles and tutorials on design, photography, typography, marketing, and the business of graphic design.

He recently did a major reorganization and re-launch of the site so, if you haven't already, I urge you to take a look.

The Design & Publishing Center...

Example 1: Visual Proofreading: 10 Rules...

Example 2: Designing Spaces...

Example 3: Throw Your Press Release in the Trash...

Fred's bio...

I've been a subscriber to his newsletter, DT&G NEWS, for years...

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Picturing the past 10 years

2010-02-08T20:13:35Z

In December The New York Times published this diagram under the Opinion banner. Nice organizational idea.

Phillip Niemeyer's Picturing the Past 10 Years...

Phillip Niemeyer and Dana McClure head the Double Triple art and design studio...

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Meet YouWorkForThem.com: a new (to me) source of fonts, vectors, images, and brushes

2010-02-05T16:23:49Z

YouWorkForThem.com is a shop founded by two talented designers--Michael Paul Young and Michael Cina. Their eclectic collection is certainly worth adding to your list of resources.

Example 1: Stock Images > Oils & Ink...

Example 2: Stock Vectors > Flowers...

Example 3: Fonts > Blou...

Web of founder Michael Paul Young...

Web of founder Michael Cina...

YouWorkForThem.com...

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