Chuck Green's Design Likes
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Occasionally I see work that rejuvenates me -- that reminds me of how much fun it is to be a designer. Kelli Anderson's web (last post below) offered one such experience.

Be well, Chuck
 
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 How utility becomes a design style

I like the way the Francesco Franchi the Art Director of IL, Intelligence in Lifestyle magazine uses illustrations, information graphics, symbols and so on, to create, not only a unique visual style, but a rather interesting infrastructure for presenting ideas.

Here > The magazine is filled with inform...

Here > I like the way the designer fits all of the cover information into one module...

Here > A collection of the designer's work...

Here > Francesco Franchi's Twitter feed...

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One innovative typeface for writing and drawing

Pardon my French (my translation is not perfect), but I believe this is a typeface developed for use by the village of Montreuil (you'll see a sample of a sign among the string of images). I point you to it for two reasons. First, because I like the way it looks, and second, because I like the thinking behind it.

It is an amorphous face that is intended to be used for both creating words and images--as its designer, Julien Priez, puts it, "to write the word "bicycle" or to draw the bicycle." You can also use ligatures to build and extend individual characters.

Here > The typeface: Le Montreuil...

Here > Video of the typeface in use...

Here > An example of Priez's calligraphy...

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Creative Inspirations: A must see collection of designer profiles

As I've said (ad nauseum), I believe Lynda.com is the most useful, economical source of computer software training there is. What I haven't alerted you to is their Creative Inspirations series - a collection of one hour (roughly) documentaries featuring creative individuals and their firms.

This month, they rolled-out a new take on their existing story approach - an explanation of which you will find below (the second link from the bottom).

But before you dive in, be sure to take a look at the current collection. Though viewing most of the footage requires a subscription, the underlined links are available for free. That way you will quickly figure out that $25 for a month of access to Lynda's huge collection of work is a true bargain.

(I love the Workspace clips (most of which are free) - it's always fun to see the spaces other designers have created for themselves.)

Here > The current lineup of interviews...

Here > A fully accessible episode: Creative Inspirations: New Deal Studios, Visual Effects...

Here > About the new approach...

Here > The Lynda.com story...

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Recent Tweets from http://twitter.com/ideabook

Who's winning the Adobe/Apple iPad magazine battle? First take... http://ht.ly/39EgW

Here comes the next generation publishing platform http://ht.ly/39EdT

One's ability to design is not dictated by age http://www.facebook.com/ideabookfb

Wonderful use of the Font Bureau's Productus typeface--for good cause http://ht.ly/38pQX

Marketing fundamentals: When you don't investment in your customers, they don't invest in you... http://www.facebook.com/ideabookfb

Jay Nelson's review of Adobe InDesign CS5 http://ht.ly/33cym

Magazine makeover: Better Homes and Gardens http://ht.ly/32G3v


Interested in ePublishing?

I heard about this ePublishing Workflow Webinar from Pariah Burke--a colleague from the InDesign world and a fellow graphic design fanatic. It looked interesting to me so I thought I'd mention it (I have no association with the program and I am not being compensated for the plug). If you sign up, use the discount code "4ChucksFriends" and they'll give you a $30 discount. If you decide to participate, I'd love to hear your impressions...

http://epubworkflow.eventbrite.com/kreatable.com


A fascinating look at the letterpress printing process

Gestalten TV just added a wonderful short film featuring Ben Levitz and Studio On Fire. Equal portions of prepress, production, and passion.

Here > "Deeply Impressed"...

Here > An earlier post about Studio On Fire...

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Meet illustrator Yehrin Tong

Watch how Yehrin Tong uses her talents to construct elaborate, "eye-boggling" patterns and visual puzzles with meaning. As her site explains, "Simple and minimal rarely come into her vocabulary."

Here > Example 1...

Here > Example 2...

Here > Example 3...

Here > The main entrance...

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This is why I want to be a designer

If you play your cards right, the design profession can buy you a lifetime of discovery and a platform for making worthwhile contributions to others. To do it well, you've got to love learning, experimentation, and craft.

Kelli Anderson's web and work demonstrates a passion for all three. Her web site incorporates lots of interesting interface ideas and project examples.

Here > Use the Google Maps-like interface at the top left to move around and zoom in and out of the home page...

Here > Check out the timeline and the drag bar. (You can also click and zoom in the header and scroll the calendar/ruler)...

Here > I like the attention to detail, for example, you can click through project manually, but the slideshow cuts in if you don't...

Here > This is imaginative: click the image and watch...

Here > I really like the "hankermap" idea...

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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