 Greetings
Thank you for subscribing. Next time someone implies that what we do is inconsequential, print out and give them a copy of Design: The importance of making information accessible (below). 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..."
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I recently created this Facebook page in the hope you will have the opportunity to meet some of the many talented folks I communicate with through these newsletters. And, better yet, that they will have the opportunity to meet you. Calling it a "fan" page is a misnomer, if anyone is a "fan" here, it's me. Here > http://www.facebook.com/ideabookfb
How to distinguish good typeface design from poor typeface design
One way is to focus on the quality of the kerning.
Kerning, as Robert Bringhurst defines it, is the act of "altering the
space between selected pairs of letters". Though it is not widely
discussed, it is a critical part of typeface design.
Kerning is both artistic and mathematical. The difference in spacing,
for example, between an "O" and an "M" is different than the spacing
between an "r" and a "w". Most typefaces employ independent definitions
for each pairing to upper case to upper case letters, upper case to
lower case, upper case to punctuation, lower case to lower case, and so
on. It is not unusual, in fact, for a single font to have well over 2000
kerning pairs.
But here, let an expert explain. Igino Marini offers an auto-spacing
and auto kerning service to type designers. That may sound like a yawn
to those who are not fanatics about type, but for those of us who are,
it is fascinating stuff.
Here > Igino Marini's iKern...
Sleight of hand is the technique used by magicians to manipulate cards and coins. This is a wonderful example of how a designer and writer can use words and a design framework in an unexpected way. Thanks to Diane CookTench for pointing us to it.
Meet illustrator John Hendrix
When I look a John Hendrix's illustrations I get a sense I am close
to seeing his thoughts. Where some illustrators package ideas-Hendrix
seems to shout them out loud.
Recent Tweets http://www.twitter.com/ideabook
Instant communication, complete media integration, effortless access to the knowledge of the ages. ...Now what? The branding of Adobe Creative Suite 5 http://ow.ly/1yW1GFREE version (regular) of an interesting new font--Brandon Grotesque (just add it to the cart) http://ow.ly/1ysIVI like these illustrations by Eleftheria Alexandri--rather unusual http://ow.ly/1vOTcSneak peek: Using InDesign to create a digital magazine for the iPad http://ow.ly/1u9r5
Design: The importance of making information accessible
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.
From the Ideabook.com Design Store
Graphic design and problem solving
This is a great reminder of the problem solving aspect of design. It
got me thinking about the many techniques we use to solve problems and
how important it is to our work as graphic designers and marketers. My
curiosity led me to an excellent page on the subject by Robert A.
Harris, Ph.D.
Thanks to my friend Cathleen Rittereiser for pointing us to this.
The flexible logo
I first read about the OKRA identity on Fontshop's Unzipped blog--they referred to it as
"flexible design". As you'll see, OKRA landscape architects is an
agency specialized in making plans and designs for public space in city
areas and city related areas. It is a service that lends itself to this
idea of creating multiple versions of a logo to fit the purposes for
which they are used. It reminded me of another very successful execution
of the concept for Tate.
It is certainly an idea worth considering when you tackle your next
design project.
Design Tools speaks my language
Graphic design is a quirky business. You can explain what you do to
relatives and friends, but no matter how hard you try, only about 10
percent seem to get it. The say, "Yeah, ____ is a graphic designer.
We're, uh, real proud...real proud."
So when I meet someone who speaks my language I appreciate it. Jeff
Gamet and Jay Nelson do a podcast hosted by CreativePro called Design
Tools Weekly--they speak my language. It's nice to sit down once a week
and hear a discussion about the hardware, software, and the general
state of our business. I recommend it highly.
About the briefing I try to remain as objective as possible about the information I share here. Unless otherwise stated, I receive no compensation from the organizations and people mentioned except for occasional product samples. Comments? Suggestions? Write me at [email protected] Chuck Green |
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