“Designers can create normalcy out of chaos; they can clearly communicate ideas through the organizing and manipulating of words and pictures.” – Jeffery Veen, The Art and Science of Web Design Graphic design solves communication problems by organizing information in an aesthetically pleasing way, and creating visual solutions that will best appeal to the target [...]
With so many online networking tools such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter people are connecting with friends and colleagues in all kinds of different ways. That poses the question, “Are business cards really still necessary, or are they becoming outdated and obsolete?” It used to be that every business card was white card, 3.5 x 2 inches, and included a name, phone number, address and logo. These days business cards are changing. Who says the business card has to be white? Who says the business card has to be 3.5 x 2 inches?
Following postal regulations when designing will ensure that your design arrives at its destination looking its best. Here are some great resources for you to find the info you need on each type of design piece.
KFC Logo Redesign KFC takes a dated graphic and updates it with a modern look. The angled backdrop makes the logo dynamic. Using black in the new logo gives it a bolder feel. The colonel has traded is suit jacket for an apron implying he is ready to serve you – this makes the logo [...]
If you are looking for a way for your business cards to stand out, there are many specialty techniques that can help a business card be unique. If these techniques are used in moderation, along with good design, the results can be stunning.
When beginning a new project, it is essential to gather as much information as possible from the client initially so you will have all of the details to create a well thought out design. In my process of working with clients, I have compiled a creative brief with a list of questions I generally ask:
• What does your company/organization do?
• Please list the top ten products / services you provide
• Does the company have an existing logo or brand? If yes, are their specific elements, logos, colors that need to be incorporated into the website?
Knowing good web design principles will help improve the design and usability of a website. When websites look professional, a customer is much more likely to take the company seriously and view them as professional.
Great logos are able to communicate a message quickly and clearly. It is always fun to look at impressive logos where you just “get it” or see the hidden message. Here is a collection of some logos I enjoy.
Color choice has psychological impacts on the viewer, and each color is associated with a different idea or meaning.When designing, it is important to remember what certain colors might mean in the design and what feelings it will produce in the person seeing it. Choosing proper color pallet is essential in communicating a proper message. It’s not good enough to say “I chose these colors because they look good together.” More importantly, what is the reasoning behind the chosen colors? What feeling will the viewer get when the see your design? Let’s take a look at what some colors mean:
Here are the most common mistakes made in preparing graphic design files for print. If you are the one sending your files to print, make sure your file doesn’t have any of the following problems:
1. Missing Fonts
So many versions of the same typeface exist, and if a printer substitutes a typeface, they can risk causing the text to re-flow or look different than it was intended to look. Always include the exact fonts used in your files. When you create a PDF, embed your fonts. This ensures that even if the person who opens the document does not have the font you used on their computer that they are able to view and print the file correctly. Convert Illustrator eps text to outlines (but save a version without outlined text in case you ever need to amend it.)
Here is a collection of different, creative business that are some of my favorites. I have collected these from a variety of designers. Looking at inspiring design always helps get the creative juices flowing! If you still need more ideas after looking at these, there are links at the bottom for even more ideas.
I was recently asked to review a resume to see how the design could be improved. With so many people reviewing and updating their resumes lately, I thought it would be appropriate to write a blog about how having good design can improve a resume.
Although the content and substance of a resume are most important, it is essential to present the information in the best way possible so that your resume will get noticed and stand out. The best way to do this is to make the resume visually appealing and easy to quickly skim over.
