Greetings Thank you for subscribing. There is good news designers: The number of those with heightened appreciation of
design far exceeds the number of those who master producing it.
You can literally see our profession change week to week. I hope, in some small way, these links contribute to your excitement about the evolution of design.
Recent Tweets
MyFonts interview with Laura Worthington
http://ht.ly/2vhfK Think the future of design is bleak? You're missing its growing importance. Best Buy names Chief Design Officer
http://ht.ly/2u0oP Lots of interesting UI details on the msnbc.com makeover. Like how color tints bleed into top of text area
http://ht.ly/2sRhC NEW: 88 of the world's best illustrators
http://www.jumpola.com/#illus (see Practice > Illustrators)
The class of 2014: No need for a wristwatch... A must read for marketers and designers: the Mindset List
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The history of trade show exhibit design
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.
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The International Business Machines exhibit at the 1925 National Hotel Exposition...Here >
A pitchman from a 1954 exhibit...Here >
PC Expo--1982...Here >
The Trade Show History index...Comment
From the Ideabook.com Design Store
The graphic designer's greatest challenge: no barriersIn twenty-five years we've gone from clunky slide projectors to graceful walls of high resolution LED video blocks. Twenty years ago the limitations of media (I believe) made our job as designers far easier.
I show you this new technology because it is yet another barrier removed. With each barrier removed, the creative focus sharpens another click. You'll need a more creative strategy, a better idea, and an innovative style to distinguish your client from their competition.
The future of graphic design is, at once, challenging, exciting, and unpredictable.
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An introduction to Microtiles...Here >
The manufacturer even provides a system for calculating the number of tiles you need for a particular design...Comment
Tradigital thinking in graphic design
The term "tradigital" art refers to art that is created by combining traditional and digital media. Jim Leggitt's presentation (below) shows you how he employs conventional drawing techniques to produce textured, warm, and visually interesting architectural drawings using digital renderings from, in the case of this class, the SketchUp 3D program.
I show this to you because it provides two important reminders for the graphic designer. First, is that we should continually try to find ways to humanize our work. The more we use digital tools, the more we need to sketch and visualize and brainstorm. The world is not a perfect place and making everything pixel-perfect is not believable.
And second, as a practical matter, it is often preferable to present a client with a sketch-like idea versus a nailed-down solution. A sketch allows you the freedom to refine the solution as you get into the detail of it.
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Jim Leggitt on Traditional Imaging...Here >
Tradigital imaging allows you to turn a finished image into a work in progress...Here >
About Jim Leggitt...Comment
The arch in graphic design
The arch is a beautiful thing. To me, the symmetry of it projects a sense of strength and grace. Watch how Jesse Bennett-Chamberlain uses arches in his latest design for Steinway.
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The arch on the home page is mirrored throughout. I like how it projects the logo as the center of interest...Here >
Another effective use of an arch...Here >
One more...Here >
BTW, love his 404 error page...Here >
The arch in architecture...Comment 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 chuckgreen@ideabook.com
Chuck Green
