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In the United States, this is the time of year that the weather begins its slow turn from warm to cool and students return to classrooms. 
 
It is a marked change for many of us -- clients are back from vacation and work begins to slide back into a higher gear. 
 
Design is a joy isn't it? Each year, with each client, we return to a season of learning and renewal. It may not be as secure or predictable as other ways of life but it is those same attributes that can make it such a blessing. 
 
Be well,
Chuck 
 
Have you seen my InDesign Ideabook? 
 
315 template files in 19 different categories -- Everything from brochures, newsletters, and direct mail to packaging, calendars, and books (one CD works with both Mac and PC). Use two or three files and you'll pay for the entire book and disc...
 
For Adobe InDesign... Here  For QuarkXPress... Here 
 
The case for responsive web design

The next generation of websites is being designed in a very different way. Instead of creating different designs for each device (desktop, tablet, mobile) the next generation of websites is being designed as a collection of elements that are automatically rearranged for the device on which they are viewed.

It's referred to as responsive web design and, if web design was chess, responsive web design is three-dimensional chess.
I've found it a little hard to get my head around, but I'm beginning to like the idea. There is room for distinguishing your design from others, but the fact that you're designing a layout that will be recast in three or four different ways offers a new and exciting challenge.

If you're not familiar with the process, here are some links that will get you started.
First, some examples. Got to the actual pages and resize your browser to see how they respond as you shrink the width... Here

The idea seemed to catch fire with this article on A List Apart by Ethan Marcotte... Here 

This is no "flash in the pan." Here, for example, is Google's whole-hearted endorsement... Here 

This presentation piece by John Polacek has some excellent links... Here 

There are many sources offering frameworks and templates that are slowly perfecting the process. One example... Here 

Meet Illustrator Daniel Lee Christofferson
 
I like the diversity of Christofferson's lyrical work.

Example 1... Here 

The story behind the illustration... Here 

Example 2... Here 

The story behind Example 2... Here 

Example 3... Here 

Daniel Lee Christofferson's blog, Beeteeth... Here 

There are lots of powerful design ideas hidden in the wayback
 
A recent post at eighthourday.com pointed to a set of vintage automobile logos and that got me on one of those subject search jags and I thought I'd take a moment to share some of what I found.

These remind me of how important a design statement the automobile once was. I say "was" because I have a hard time differentiating models anymore - in most cases, distinctions are much more subtle these days.
That said, you never know where you'll get inspiration for your next design. Just goes to show: there are lots of powerful design ideas hidden in the wayback.

The article that got me started... Here 
 
If that interests you, CarType.com houses a big collection of modern and vintage examples... Here 

The AutoPuzzles.com forum offers this fascinating collection of images that show automobile and its relationship to Diners and Drive-Ins... Here 

And this collection regarding Motorhomes and Self-Propelled Campers... Here 

Some of the posters and associated ephemera must have been trend-setting... Here 

The Vintage Auto Posters website... Here 

And a huge collection of automotive related signage... Here 
 
May I recommend...

Media Temple... Rock-solid hosting services. Click her for a free trial. Here 
 
Topaz Labs... Killer add-ons for Adobe Photoshop Here 

Lynda.com... A huge library of top-quality, design-oriented tutorials. Click here for a 7-day free trial. Here
 
Microsoft rolls out its first logo makeover in 25 years

Following Mom's instructions, I won't have anything to say at all.

The official release... Here
 
The rollout video... Here 

From the Seattle Times... Here 

The 1987 version... Here 

Interesting: The New York City Street Design Manual

I heard mention of New York City's DOT Street Design Manual in a video clip by Ingrid Fetell, a Human Factors Specialist at IDEO.

It's interesting to see how design thinking of all kinds is permeating society.
About the New York City Street Design Manual... Here 

A low-res version of the (11.1 MB PDF) (The high-resolution version is available from the page above)... Here
 
Ingrid Fetell's blog and book-in-progress, Aesthetics of Joy... Here 

Will you join me on twitter? Here 

Are you a designer? Do you have a profound idea? This is for you.

The Designer Fund is an angel fund for designers. As they explain it, "We're looking for the best entrepreneurial designers in the world who have amazing teams, missions and products that create positive social impact. We're interested in businesses whose success can inherently produce social good in domains like education, energy, environment, food, health, creativity and productivity."
 
Its a new world isn't it? I love the idea that capital is not longer a barrier to entry. With resources like the Designer Fund and Kickstarter, the barrier to entry is now great ideas. If you've got one and have the ability to articulate it, there is no reason you can't play it out.

The bad news is, we have no more excuses.

The Designer Fund... Here 

An article on FastCoDesign.com on the phenomenon of designers founding startups... Here 

An earlier post about Kickstarter... Here
 
From the Ideabook.com Design Store

Tintbook CMYK Process Color Selector: A palette of 25,000 CMYK process colors in print... Here 

Color Harmony Guide: From French designer Dominique Trapp... Here 

Communicating With Color: Based on Leatrice Eiseman's seminars on the psychology of color... Here 

Graphic Design, Referenced: A Visual Guide to Graphic Design: One of my favorite design books... Here 

Expanding the spectrum of design knowledge -- an encouraging sign

This fall marks the launch of the new MFA in Products of Design track at The School of Visual Arts in New York. As I read it, it is a kind of a hybrid reinvention of the conventional industrial design program.

At its core is the idea of exposing students to what Michael Chung, one of the instructors, characterizes as the vast spectrum of knowledge necessary to address the complex design issues of the future.

I'm pointing you to this because I think it's valuable to see how educational institutions are attempting to upgrade their curriculums to address fast-changing professional realities. This, I believe, is a encouraging sign.

MFA in Products of Design... the mission... Here 

There are three curriculum paths: Making, Structures, and Narratives... Here 

One of many video introductions by instructors: Michael Chung on Video Storytelling... Here 

The faculty... Here 

The SVA website... Here 
 
 
About this newsletter

I try to remain as objective as possible about the information I share here. Unless I tell you otherwise, I receive no compensation from the organizations and people mentioned except for occasional product samples. I am an affiliate of Lynda.com and MyFonts.com -- that means, if you purchase something from them, I get a small commission. Comments? Suggestions? Write me at chuckgreen@ideabook.com -- Chuck Green