Sep 3
Learning
If you lived near Mainz, Germany in the 1450s, you may have heard of the machine Johannes Gutenberg was working on. I doubt Gutenberg had an inkling of how profoundly his printing press would effect mankind.
Today we are witnessing a similar phenomenon. Just down the proverbial road, great innovation is taking place. Yet we are so inundated with advancements, I think we tend to miss the advancements that move into our line of sight in a more subtle way.
Inkling (below) is one of the many new ideas born out of the development of the iPad. It proposes a new way of producing and navigating textbooks. I have no idea if it will be one of the ideas that catches on, but it's exciting to watch it sprout.
Which leads me to a point I continually remind myself of--don't miss this opportunity. All of these new technologies, devices, and ideas are new to ALL of us. I, you, we can contribute to their advancement. We have an opportunity, like none of those before us, to change the world for good. Pretty exciting.
Inkling for the iPad...
A press release about another quiet step...
A little perspective...
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Aug 25
Learning
Cabell Harris is a designer who understands the big picture. By that I mean, he understands the intricacies of making real things happen through design. That requires a keen understanding of many disciplines--marketing, development, branding, copywriting, layout, typography, imagery, production, and publicity--and how they interplay.
Need a model for a rock-solid communications designer? This is how it's done.
Harris' company is Work...
Most of the objects on the page are clickable and lead to interesting tidbits such as this...
Here is the Work Photostream on Flickr...
And their blog...
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Aug 9
Learning
I'm guessing most graphic designers have been asked, at one time or another, to design a trade show exhibit--a banner, a "booth," or an entire exhibit space. Crafting a message and design for a large-scale application presents a variety of interesting challenges. Before I show you the state of the art (the next post), here's a brief history of exhibit designs provided by exhibitoronline.com.
The International Business Machines exhibit at the 1925 National Hotel Exposition...
A pitchman from a 1954 exhibit...
PC Expo--1982...
The Trade Show History index...
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Jul 9
Learning
The design universe is expanding beyond my wildest expectations. While you might think the expansion would top out--it seems, instead, to be gaining speed. The exploration of design ideas has captured the collective imagination.
Chris Coyier is capturing snippets of past and present design thinking through QuotesonDesign.com.
A few, random examples:
"I think that the lack of drama in my life has produced a platform for me to be fundamentally adventurous in my thinking." Milton Glaser
"Good ideas turn into good designs fairly quickly. If you catch yourself fiddling too much with colors, borders, and treatments to bring a design together, chances are the problem lies somewhere deeper." Ryan Singer
"The difference between regulated architects and unregulated designer is, unlike buildings, letterheads don't fall down and kill people..." Brian Webb
Quotes on Design...
The curator of Quotes on Design is Chris Coyier, a banjo player (and the creator of...)
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Jul 7
Marketing PR
I was thinking the other day, how important it is that our client doesn't center their entire marketing strategy around their competitor's marketing model. Just because a competitor, for example, does some radio advertising doesn't mean radio advertising makes any sense for our client. The same applies to print materials, a web presence, social marketing, premiums, and everything else in the realm of marketing.
I say that because I think it is easy to lose sight of the fact that every organization is unique. That an organization's particular mix of products, services, expertise, experience, style, location, pricing, and so on, distinguishes if from any other organization on the planet.
Follow the leader marketing and mirror-the-competition tactics ignore that all-important fact. The best marketing approach (we all know) is one that is invented for one specific organization and its unique circumstances. Ideally, it even includes some elements that competitors are not using at all.
Our job as communication designer's is to discover and deliver unique solutions. Sure, there are smart, conventional approaches that work for most of the organizations you apply them to, but we shouldn't recommend and produce materials because that's the way we've always done it. I'm guessing "That's the way we've always done it," has killed as many businesses as any other single reason.
Do you want more clients and more work satisfaction? Use your talents and experience to devise a better approach. Dig into the market, find out what people are doing in other areas and see what might apply. Invent something new! I find clients are almost always open to dealing with the reality of the market and will experiment with you if you are able to make a compelling case for your idea.
A designer who has a wonderful sense of style and the technical expertise to create a compelling layout should maintain a pretty consistent work load. A designer who is an inventor and problem-solver will have to turn clients away.
Tell your client this: Every organization is unique—the sooner we identify your organization's unique advantages, the sooner we can begin telling the world about them.
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Jul 2
Learning
I want to point you to an article that addresses the subject of problem-solving from an unexpected angle. (It is the first in a series on broader philosophical issues but I believe you'll see the connection.) I point you to it because, to me, it speaks to the core set of skills a designer must develop: an ability to delve into unfamiliar areas of interest and to understand them from multiple angles—from the perspective of the market, the client, the prospect, and the customer.
The thrust of this article is this: There are things we know we know. There are things we know we don't know. And there are things we don't know that we don't know. The author got me wondering just how much I don't know--unknowns to me certainly, but also unknowns to everyone. I like it because it gives me a sense that, if I apply myself, I can attain a much higher level of understanding about the subjects I apply myself to.
To that end, Cornell professor David Dunning, the gentleman who originated much of the research referred to said this, "I often urge my student advisees, to find out who the smart professors are, and to get themselves in front of those professors so they can see what smart looks like." That is advice I will take to heart.
Thanks to my friend Ashton Hardy for pointing us to it.
The Anosognosic's Dilemma: Something's Wrong but You'll Never Know What It Is (Part 1)...
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Jun 14
Print Design
I was looking for a simple, comprehensive list of current desktop publishing software and could not find one. Here's mine. If I'm missing something, please comment here and I'll add it.
A note to the purists: Don't freak on me--this is merely a reference list, I'm not making any judgement of quality or suitability for any purpose.
Adobe FrameMaker...
Adobe InDesign...
Adobe PageMaker...
Apple iWork Pages...
Broderbund Print Shop...
Corel Ventura...
InPage...
iStudio Publisher...
Laidout...
Microsoft Office Publisher...
PageFocus Pro...
PageStream...
QuarkXPress...
Ragtime...
Scribus...
Serif PagePlus X4...
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Jun 2
Books
I'm pointing to Mark Boulton's Five Simple Steps publishing venture for two reasons. First, because I suspect you'll find his book, A Practical Guide to Designing for the Web, interesting and useful. And second because I think the the publishing model is worth noting.
I've written for three publishers: Random House, Rockport, and PeachPit—but I have also published my own books through my company Logic Arts. So I am interested to see how other folks re-work the conventional publishing models. Five Simple Steps employs Seth Godin's model of giving away a free online version of the book and charging for a download or hard copy.
I'm interested in other models if you are interested in sharing what you've found.
The online version of A Practical Guide to Designing for the Web...
Or you can download a sample (542KB PDF)...
Or buy a download or hardcopy...
A look behind the scenes. Looks like other titles are in the works...
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May 31
Ideas 101
I got this question from another designer recently: "My client requested a logo design. She filled in my design brief questionnaire, I presented a few concepts, and we went through three rounds of concepts, variations, and tweaking. They were not sure of any of the designs and finally backed off. Though I did get an advance, it did not come close to covering the time I invested in the project. How do you handle this type of situation?"
Whether you charge a few hundred dollars or a few hundred-thousand dollars, the great conundrum of logo design is this: If you can't provide the client with a mark that they are excited about and invested in you haven't done your job. It is that simple.
Designing a logo is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Remember, we're asking the client to build their organization on a framework that we provide—to adopt our ideas, our style, our palette, and to identify themselves with that brand for years, even decades to come. If we ask for that type of commitment from them, it seems entirely reasonable (to me) for them to be excited and energized by what we design.
That type of commitment does not come cheap. You cannot learn what needs to be learned and do what needs to be done in a few hours. I have no idea how many hours my friend budgeted to create the logo, but my advice to him is this: Charge what is necessary to deliver a compelling solution or turn the job down—you owe that to your client and your client owes that to you.
Logo design requires a commitment from both sides to see it through to its end. That means you need to charge enough to do the research necessary to understand the client's industry, their competition, and to clearly understand where they fall within that landscape—enough to create a design that not only speaks to those issues but that aligns with the aesthetic and intellectual sensibilities of the people within the organization who will be living with it. That's a lot of people to satisfy, but that's why logo design is not for the faint of heart.
How do you avoid my friend's problem? By making everything crystal clear up front. Some designers prefer a formal contract, some a letter of agreement, others just a few paragraphs in an e-mail before the job begins—whatever you choose, choose something. If you wait until you are in the heat of the project to address difficulties, you're going to get bruised.
Here are a few examples of such agreements.
The Graphic Artist Guild's Contract Monitor—about reading and writing contracts...
The AIGA's Standard Form of Agreement for Design Services...
Of course you can't beat seeing what a real working document looks like...
You might also be interested in my Design Constitution...
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May 19
Web Design
Pattern Tap is an invention of Matthew Smith at Squared Eye. It is (loosely) similar to other pattern libraries (Yahoo has a notable one) in that it presents the what, how, and why of user interface. The value is, instead of searching through a thousand sites for interesting and innovative UI ideas, you can discover designs someone else has found to be particularly notable.
I think you will find that Matthew Smith know of what he speaks. His company site, Squared Eye, is nice to look at AND easy to use—I have long admired it.
Pattern Tap...
The Pattern Tap Twitter page...
Matthew Smith's Squared Eye...
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Apr 23
Ideas 101
A recent article in the New York Times points to a simple list that is making a rather profound difference in the world of medicine. "...A year after surgical teams at eight hospitals adopted a 19-item checklist, the average patient death rate fell more than 40 percent..."
A list is certainly the most rudimentary type of design structure, but it's easy to forget how important such "first principles" are. The information contained in the checklist at the center of this story is not new or unknown, it is that the way the information is organized and presented makes it accessible in a new and important way.
Stephen Sondheim says that, "Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos." Here is proof of the power of order.
The New York Times article on surgical lists...
The World Health Organization's Surgical Safety Checklist (450KB PDF)....
The World Health Organization's Surgical Safety Checklist page (take a look at the Implementation Manual)...
A wonderful discussion of lists on Edward Tufte's site...
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Feb 10
Basic design
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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Nov 4
Illustration
The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) offers a two-year course of study that centers on the creation and dissemination of comics, graphic novels and other manifestations of the visual narrative. It's curriculum of art, graphic design, and literature reflect the wide array of skills needed to create comics and graphic novels. CCS emphasizes self-publishing and prepares its students to publish, market, and disseminate their work.
The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS)...
Download a free copy of CCS's How To Brochure (3.63MB PDF)...
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Sep 11
Ideas 101
I got a question this week that led me to believe that the writer did not fully embrace that fact. They asked, "Is creating a direct mail piece more effective than using something like Google Adwords?
My answer: I would have no way of knowing unless I knew your marketing DNA--what you're selling, who your prospects are, the options for reaching them, what your offer is, who you're competing against, what the current market conditions are, and so on.
My point is success is circumstantial. You should run in the opposite direct of anyone who offers generic yet "foolproof" advice, formulas, or solutions that do not acknowledge the importance of understanding and addressing the many inherent differences in each situation.
Its the old problem of the client who spends 95 percent of their budget on the phone directory ad space and five percent on the message. Whether you're creating a brochure, a web site, a direct mail piece, a radio spot, or whatever else, you need to understand the brand.
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Sep 4
Marketing PR
We all know that sound research can help us avoid many of the mistakes typically necessary to arrive at good solutions to common graphic design and marketing problems.
One source of such research is the Software Usability Research Laboratory (SURL) at Wichita State University. This group specializes in software/website user interface design, usability testing, and research in human-computer interaction.
I'd like to hear of other sources of graphic design and marketing research--all types. Do you have a source to recommend? A favorite study? A particular statistic that had a significant effect on your work?
SURL...
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Aug 3
Ideas 101
True passion is rare.
Much creative energy and expertise is expended moving value from one hand to the other. That's not a criticism--commerce makes lots of good things possible--I am a card carrying member of the commerce thing. But I can't help but take special notice when I encounter expressions of interest and involvement that appear at least, to have grown out of a pure devotion to its subject.
I see that in a new publication--UPPERCASE magazine (2009). A magazine? Are you kidding?! Who starts a magazine in the year of Twitter? People with passion do--their names are Janine Vangool and Deidre Martin and they've enlisted the help of an eclectic collection of talented contributors--designers, illustrators, photographers, typographers, writers, and others.
The purpose of UPPERCASE is to take a look at the creative process from all angles: profiling creatives, peeking into work environments, pointing to examples of styles and palettes, uncovering interesting ephemera--they even devote a section of the magazine to brief profiles of five or six of their subscribers--an approach that (to me) demonstrates something important about their thinking.
Enough with the accolades--at this point you probably think these are relatives of mine--they aren't, I have no connection with them whatsoever. But I can tell you the first thing I did after closing the last page was to go online and subscribe. I figure that when you find a passion you share, you should support it.
UPPERCASE Magazine: Issue 2 preview...
The magazine is just part of the mix, their web includes lots of interesting material...
Their blog...
You can buy the current issue or subscribe here...
Once you've seen it, I'd love to hear your comments below...
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Jul 31
Basic design
Everyone involved with designing web sites and creating illustrations needs to understand copyright and fair use. Even if you think you have a good grasp of the subject, you need to periodically refresh your view because it is ever-changing.
Here is a great, new-to-me source of excellent information by (what I assume are) legal experts.
I also include a link to The Center for Internet and Society (CIS)--a public interest technology law and policy program at Stanford Law School--that "brings together scholars, academics, legislators, students, programmers, security researchers, and scientists to study the interaction of new technologies and the law."
Stanford Copyright & Fair Use website Overview and Resources section...
An interview with Attorney Richard Stim, author of Getting Permission How to License & Clear Copyrighted Materials Online & Off...
The Center for Internet and Society (CIS)...
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Jul 20
Learning
Dick Sheaff is, among other things, is a collector of ephemera [i-fem-er-uh]--materials that were designed to be disposed of after they served their purpose: advertisements, pamphlets, posters, programs, labels, and so on. Sheaff is now sharing some of the best of his collection online. It is wonderful, inspirational stuff--a must see.
Sheaff is also a designer of postage stamps. Search Arago (a resource of the Smithsonian's National Postage Museum) and you will find Sheaff listed as the designer of over 100 stamps.
Sheaff's Gaslight Style Ephemera...
Sheaff's Artistic Printing Ephemera...
Sheaff's front page...
Sheaff's work on Arago, a resource of the Smithsonian's National Postage Museum...
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Jul 17
Learning
I was reading one of Tim Girvin's blog posts this evening (the well-respected calligrapher, writer, and designer) in which he mentions that his mentor was Lloyd J. Reynolds. That made me curious--who was Lloyd Reynolds?
A little detective work turned up this progression: In 1896 William Richard Lethaby (1857-1931) founded the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, England. In 1899 Lethaby encouraged a colleague, Edward Johnston (1872-1944), to start a class on illumination. One of his students was Alfred J. Fairbank (1896-1982) who later referred to himself as a "disciple" of Johnston. Fairbank was Reynolds' (1902-1978) mentor. And, as I explained, Girvin (1953- ) now names Reynolds as his mentor.
Why should you care? Because I think it is a good reminder of the importance of sharing what we know. This simple progression--Lethaby, Johnston, Fairbank, Reynolds, and Girvin--demonstrates a clear, distinct path of ideas and encouragement that was passed from teacher to student. Read their history and look at their work and you will see how profoundly one influenced the next.
About Lethaby...
About Johnston...
About Fairbank...
About Reynolds...
About Girvin...
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Jul 15
Basic design
Historic Stock Market is an international online-market for historical shares, old stocks, bonds, and financial documents. Their collection includes at least 20,000 old stock and bond certificates, many of which include elaborate illustrations, ornate typography, and/or highly complex borders and patterns. This is one place to remember when you need some graphic design inspiration.
Look at the meticulously crafted filigree on this 1920s British certificate...
and this French certificate from the 1890s...
If you're interested in exploring further...
Another excellent source: George H. LaBarre Galleries...
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Jun 19
Learning
Occasionally I find a shortcut for simplifying a process and I kick myself thinking, "Why didn't I take the time to figure this out before?"
If you know Google well, GoogleGuide.com will seem elementary--but if you use Google for nothing more than simple word or phrase searches you will find this information quite useful.
The Google Guide for Experienced Users...
A cheat sheet for making informed searches...
Another easy way to get the most from Google: Advanced Search...
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Jun 1
Learning
If you are interested in technology, you have likely already heard about the three new tools announced in the last week--WolframAlpha, Wave, and Bing. I've included the links to each--each is a very interesting story--but my point is more about the environment in which those technologies are made possible than the technologies themselves.
It's not rocket surgery. Advances such as these are the result of the rapid expansion of knowledge made possible by the World Wide Web--historically speaking, a newborn that was just delivered moments ago. It stands to reason that as more people have access to knowledge, there will be more innovation. My point is: it seems we have begun to move in fast-forward.
What does this mean to graphic designers? I suspect that if you are talented at the craft and/or art of communicating ideas you are about to become very popular and quite valuable. Why? Because I believe that a talent for successfully instigating, facilitating, and improving communication is going to be in high demand. That the ability to break through the clutter and to identify and promote worth will be highly prized.
Stand by.
WolframAlpha: A computational knowledge engine...
Bing: Microsoft's "decision engine"...
Wave: Google's new model for communication and collaboration...
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May 27
Learning
Density Design began as a part of a Master Degree Course in Communication Design at Politecnico di Milano in Italy. As they explain it, "Using complexity as a keyword to understand reality, combining it with a continuous research for information aesthetics and representation, DensityDesign explores the emergent relationships among communication design, information visualization and complex systems."
To me it is yet another example of the fast-forward progression of design discovery.
An example of a Density Design visualization--specifically, The Federlegno-Arredo System - Federlegno Environmental Report 2008...
A quick way to review much of the work--DensityDesign's photostream on Flickr...
DensityDesign's site...
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Apr 22
Learning
What strikes me about this collection of interviews is not only how different the disciplines of illustration, communication design, and fine art are (they are all represented here), but how differently each person sees himself and his craft. (I particularly like what Michael Lebowitz has to say about the fundamental changes we are in the midst of.)
Passion is the genesis of genius...
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Apr 20
Learning
I don't know where or when it began, but there is a terrible misconception lurking out there that creativity has something to do with youth. While younger people might seem to be more creative (perhaps because they are less encumbered by established rules)--I can't imagine any thinking person would actually try to claim that ground.
If you need proof, you have only to examine the 65-year career of one of the world's most talented and prolific designers--Milton Glaser. Now in his 80th year he seems (to me) every bit as bold and interesting as he did during his days at Pushpin Studios in the 1950s and 60s. He was an innovator then and he is an innovator now.
What gets me on this rant is when I talk to a designer--sometimes as young as 40 or 50--who seems to think their creativity is somehow used up. Ridiculous. To me, what they have misplaced is their appreciation of the craft--the privilege of participating in the exploration of new ideas and projects--and the joy of helping others to communicate them.
Whether you're designing a brochure for an industrial manufacturer or a web site for a leading edge start up, it is entirely up to you whether your work is drudgery or grace.
A sampling of Glaser's work...
Some of his iconic posters...
As Glaser explains it, "The possibility for learning never disappears..."
I laughed out loud when I found a press release dated April 21, 2009 extolling Glaser's his latest project--he remains "on the case..."
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Feb 16
Learning
This morning the AIGA pointed me to another in a long line of high-profile copyright infringement cases, this time, regarding the infringement of a photograph used to illustrate the now famous Obama campaign poster.
If you don't know what "fair use" means and what your responsibilities are when it comes to copyright, you need to learn. As the saying goes, ignorance is no defense. It can cost you—big time—hundreds of thousands of dollars and your reputation.
The new twist is this: As I understand it, Shepard Fairey is actually defending his right to appropriate the image.
Here is a good resource page from Harvard's Law School..
And here is the current case I am referring to...
Here is Shepard Fairey's web site...
In the Ideabook Design Store: Becoming a Graphic Designer
Feb 9
Learning
John McWade is one heck of a design detective. He arrives at the scene, assesses the situation, studies the details, and unravels his theory about how the deed was done. Here is his latest—a clear, studied look at the new Pepsi logo.
Does Pepsi's new logo work?...
An earlier post where he asked for other opinions...
In the Ideabook Design Store: Before & After: Page Design...
Jan 28
Learning
I have tried all types of systems for taking notes, recording research, and brainstorming ideas--and I always revert to paper and pencil.
So I was happy to see this great post by a designer's designer, Pentagram heavyweight Michael Bierut.
Michael Bierut in 26 Years, 85 Notebooks...
More about his process...
Bierut's medalist profile on the AIGA's site...
In the Ideabook Design Store: The Color Harmony Guide...
Jan 12
Learning
Arts & Letters Daily is a ready source of stories, reviews, essays, and commentaries—one more interesting pond to fish for ideas and inspiration.
Arts & Letters Daily...
In the Ideabook Design Store: FontHead Typefaces...
Jan 5
Learning
David C. Baker poses that (in most cases) a designer's primary motivations are control and influence. Here is a two-page snippet that could save you a lifetime of flailing around, attempting to align your purpose with your profession.
How hard can this be, you ask? (1MB PDF)...
In the Ideabook Design Store: Before & After: Graphics For Business...
Oct 1
Learning
These examples from the portfolio of Portuguese designer Goncalo Cabral reminded me of the how important it is to fully understand the context in which our designs will be used. It is not only is it important to grasp the literal environment in which the material will be used, it is also important to understand the underlying potential such as the pervasive mindset (if there is one) of the people who will be applying the design on a day-to-day basis. Or the current state of design in, in this case, the airline industry.
I don't pretend to know how deeply Mr. Cabal dug into the context on these projects, but I'm guessing it was well below the surface.
Goncalo Cabral—design in context...
An experimental postage stamp collection—a project where context is down right critical...
In the Ideabook Design Store: Moleskine Notebooks...
Sep 24
Learning
Language is critical to design—what we do not show must be said. And there are many readers in the audience who will simply write us off if our messages include errors in grammar, spelling, and the misuse of words and phrases.
Are you a sufferer? Here is a great little document that "fleshes out" some of the phrases that some "couldn't care less about" but that others are "champing at the bit" to have used properly.
BTW, the solution to this problem is to have all copy edited and proofread by an expert. I use John Fakorede—an expert writer and designer whom I recommend without reservation (see the link below).
A good starter list of misused words and phrases from justsell.com...
BTW justsell.com has some other excellent sales performance resources for writers and designers...
You can contact one of my favorite proofreaders and editors, John Fakorede, through Studio Anino here...
In the Ideabook Design Store: Getting It Printed...
Sep 22
Learning
My son Jeff Green, a design student at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), recently introduced me to the work of Hugh Dubberly. I should know of him, he is a well respected designer and teacher who worked for Apple Computer in the 80s and 90s where he contributed in no small part to its innovative approach to product development. These days he is the principal of The Dubberly Design Office (DDO), a firm that specializes in interface design, usability testing, brand development, and so on.
What caught my eye when visiting his site was the selection of "concept maps." As they put it, "We create concept maps, a type of model, to explore and learn about complex information spaces. By showing everything—the forest and the trees—in a single view, concept maps help people create mental models and clarify thoughts."
I'm just getting started with it. I'd love to hear you thoughts about the model. (Click "Comments" below.) Thanks Jeff!
A Model of Innovation PDF (44KB)...
A guide to the map...
More concept maps...
New in the Ideabook Design Store: Creative Advertising...
Sep 8
Learning
Yeoh Guan Hong has a great talent for seeing. Take a moment, first, to read a few posts on his blog and then to watch how his simple, gentle insights influence his work. To me, it is a good reminder of how much of what we see day-to-day is reflected in the design we produce. I can't help but think that developing my abilities to explain what I see and record what I think will sharpen my design skills.
Yeoh Guan Hong's blog...
And his portfolio...
In the Ideabook Design Store: Templates for InDesign, QuarkXpress, or PageMaker...
Aug 18
Learning
Spend fifteen minutes skimming this article from Computer Arts and I guarantee you will come away with at least one significant insight on the design process--probably three or four. To me, there is nothing more valuable than stepping back from the wall and watching another climber navigate the same challenge.
50 ways to become a better designer...
In the Ideabook Design Store: Art Parts Clip Art...
Aug 13
Learning
Ree Drummond is a mother, wife, photographer, designer, and writer--a real Renaissance woman. She is also part pioneer. If you have not heard her story or enjoyed her clear, smart insights on photography and Photoshop (and those of her contributors), you're in for a treat.
The photography and Photoshop area of The Pioneer Woman...
The cover...
In the Ideabook Design Store: FontHead Typefaces...
Aug 8
Learning
I came across another valuable resource today (a new collection of images from the National Archives on Flickr) and couldn't help but pause to reflect on the exciting potential of our world. It was around this time 100 years ago that the first stable aircraft flights and radio broadcasts were taking place. It would be another twenty years before rudimentary television and roughly forty before the first practical computers. Simple infections took people's lives and average life expectancy in the United States was under 50.
Today, less than one hundred years later, a child with access to the World Wide Web can tap much of the cumulative knowledge of mankind. Can you imagine where such awareness could lead?
The 100-year-old web page...
Imagine the potential of children who grow up with access to records of the past such as the Library of Congress' Prints & Photographs archive...
And access to graduate level university teaching...
And to much of the great literature of the age...
In the Ideabook Design Store: Getting It Printed...
Jun 23
Learning
I think one of the great joys of my life has been the slow, steady revelation that there is so much yet to learn. It feeds a sense of potential that (to me) is exhilarating. I am regularly (seemingly more than ever) running into people and ideas I had not yet encountered.
Here is another: an insightful, interesting how-to book titled Getting Real. It is the business, design, programming, and marketing philosophies of 37signals—a developer of web-based software used by over one million people. It is rare that folks are willing to share what truly makes them successful. I suggest you read it before they change their minds.
Here's books's home page...
And here's a free online version...
New in the Ideabook Design Store: Creative Advertising...
May 26
Learning
Grant Barrett's Double-Tongued Dictionary is a wonderfully rich source of slang, jargon, and new words. His purpose is to “log words which show at least some sort of acceptance before their status as 'new' words is recognized.” I particularly like the sense of story so many of these terms and expressions conjure.
Grant Barrett's The Double-Tongued Dictionary...
Barrett also co-hosts A Way with Words with Martha Barnette...
In the Ideabook Design Store: FontHead Typefaces...
Apr 23
Learning
I have two very talented sons in design school—in the last few years their education has been the catalyst of many interesting conversations. As they unfold the intricacies of the business of communications design and ask questions, I must think through and articulate theories and practices I have long taken for granted.
This month on ideabook.com I want to share one of the more controversial issues with you—regarding the concept of self-expression. Even if you don't think this is something you would normally take the time to read, please take a few minutes to read it through and to share your thoughts about it with me.
Commercial graphic design is not self-expression...
In the Ideabook Design Store: Brenner Pricing Tables...
Mar 28
Learning
If you are a friend of this page, you know I don't spend a lot of time waxing philosophical. But a recent experience brought this to mind and, if you will indulge me this once, I'd like to share it with you.
Victor Kryston, Dill Cole, and The Eucalyptus Tree Studio...
In the Ideabook Design Store: Getting It Printed...
Feb 15
Learning
Elif Ayiter is a graphic designer, artist, and design instructor, living and working in Istanbul, Turkey. Her site offers a labyrinth of first class instructional material. One section, The History of Visual Communications, she explains, is loosely based on Phil Meggs' much acclaimed A History of Graphic Design. (I attended Virginia Commonwealth University in the Communication Arts Department when Meggs was teaching there.) Not only is the information worth seeing, her many forms of presentation are equally as interesting.
The History of Visual Communications...
There is much to see on Ayiter's site...
A little about Meggs who passed away in 2002...
In the Ideabook Design Store: Before & After: Page Design...
Feb 13
Learning
This site (for a planned community in Florida) is a lesson in movement. Watch the flips, slides, drawers, reveals, rotations, and so on. You could argue that it is motion for the sake of motion but I think viewing it in whole, it is successful vehicle for establishing a unique identity.
Lake Nona and Nonalogy...
In the Ideabook Design Store: The Desktop Publisher's Idea Book...
Jan 25
Learning
I just got a birth announcement that I am eager to share. Will Sherwood, principle of The Sherwood Group, has kicked off a blog in the last few days titled “Success Secrets of the Graphic Design Superstars.” If that doesn't get your attention (got mine), the list of designers he interviews will. Interviews with Petrula Vrontikis, Luba Lukova, and Andrea Cutler are posted now and upcoming are interviews with others such as Milton Glaser, Ivan Chermayeff, Bill Cahan, Noreen Morioka, Dave Mason, Rick Valicenti, Mike Salisbury, Woody Pirtle, Stan Richards, Chip Kidd, Kim Baer, Mirko Ilic, Jennifer Morla, Margo Chase, Steve Wedeen, and so on.
What is so enticing to me is that the questions are being posed by a designer who knows what he's talking about. We're going to get a different type of information than we would from someone who is simply an interested interviewer. Don't miss it.
Success Secrets of the Graphic Design Superstars...
Will's design credentials...
Jan 9
Learning
Rouxbe.com is a site that will teach you some of the finer points of cooking. It uses video tutorials to walk you through each step of a recipe showing you specifics about details such as the consistency of chopping necessary and so on. I think it is a particularly strong instructional model—simple to use and easy to navigate.
Rouxbe.com...
Oct 29
Learning
There is no better place to get a sense of the Japanese design aesthetic than PingMag —an online design magazine based in Tokyo. They say, “Defining the term design as broadly as we can, PingMag writes about ideas and inspiration coming from both world class designers, and from the little store on the corner.”
PingMag.com...
Sep 26
Learning
I am always interested in knowing what other designers and marketers are reading and thinking. It helps me to stay on course in my effort to add to the ever-growing fabric of ideas. At this writing I am interested, not in your current favorites but, in the dog-eared books you return to time after time.
What do you think? Click here to take the survey...
Aug 29
Learning
Do you know a print buyer? Some are independent, most work for large agencies or businesses. They make their living policing the theme park between client and printer. They submit jobs for bids, negotiate prices, schedule jobs, troubleshoot technical issues, scrutinize quality, and keep everyone on track and in the know.
Most print buyers are high functioning folks. In addition to keeping up on rapid technological changes, the best buyers have superior management and people skills. If you don't know one, allow me to introduce you to one of the best: Margie Dana. She publishes a weekly column that reveals some “inside baseball” on the print buyer world. If you ever buy printing, you will find her insights valuable.
A sample article on Common File Problems...
Her article archive...
Dana's Boston Print Buyers web...
In the Ideabook Design Store: Brenner Pricing Tables...
Aug 27
Learning
Reading Steven Heller's resume makes you wonder if he ever sleeps. Thirty-plus years as an art director at the New York Times, author, co-author, and/or editor of over 100 books, teacher, artist, reviewer, large animal veterinarian (made that last one up). Seriously though, Heller's site is a depository or wonderful insights, interviews, and writings by a designer who has done it all (or at least a lot of it).
Heller’s resume...
Podcasts of Steven Heller’s lectures from the School of Visual Arts...
In the Ideabook Design Store: Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines...
Aug 13
Learning
I suspect that one reason, perhaps the main reason, you are here is because you are interested in seeing what other people are doing. One significant part of being a designer is keeping track of where your audience is heading. Design*sponge is one interesting spot for following trends. Brooklyn-based writer Grace Bonney uses it to focus home and product design but I think lots of what she covers is applicable to our universe.
Grace Bonney's design*sponge...
In the Ideabook Design Store: Searching for just the right InDesign template?
May 2
Learning
I just looked over the most recent issue of @issue:. It is a 40-page, brochure-quality journal published by the Corporate Design Foundation, sponsored by Sappi Fine Papers, and designed by Pentagram under the direction of Kit Hinrichs. As they describe it: "Through real-life case studies and tangible examples, @issue: examines design from a business point of view, and provides useful information on how companies can make design an integral part of their overall business strategy."
@issue: Journal...
Apply for a free subscription...
Mar 23
Learning
Ever wish you could be a fly on the wall when emerging technologies are pitched to venture capitalists and corporate developers? You can. DEMO marries great ideas with the folks who can make them happen. Their site is interesting on two levels: to see how the pitches are made and how complex concepts are communicated—and to get a taste of technology in the works.
DEMO.com...
Jan 24
Learning
They call this conference the “essential hands-on instructional gathering where top art directors, designers, illustrators, and photographers come together to learn about the hottest creativity tools and techniques using Adobe products as well as the latest technology from Apple Computer.” Past instructors include some Adobe heavyweights—Russell Preston Brown, Adobe's Senior Creative Director, Julieanne Kost, Digital Imaging Evangelist, and Adam Pratt, Application Engineer.
The ADIM Conference...
Oct 25
Learning
I'm a big fan of lynda.com and its $25 per month tutorial subscription service. Who wouldn't be—you get access to hundreds of high quality, self-paced QuickTime program tutorials for learning the basic to advanced features and workflows of programs such as Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and InDesign. AND over 150 hours of material is available free to try.
www.lynda.com
