50 brief pointers by Jamie Wiek, complete with explanatory illustrations, succinctly boosters the confidence, and validates the hopes and dreams, of those headed out to 'the real world'.
50 Things Every Graphic Design Student Should Know
50 brief pointers by Jamie Wiek, complete with explanatory illustrations, succinctly boosters the confidence, and validates the hopes and dreams, of those headed out to 'the real world'.
The Best Policy: Honesty
Viktor Hertz of Uppsala, Sweden has designed some laugh-out-loud funny versions of well known logos, portraying them as if honesty, rather than seduction, is the driving force behind the company's brand.
A few interesting posts from AGIA's One Day for Design online forum (April 13)
It was a day of interesting conversation…some giving good insight, some airing grievances, and some just posing thought provoking questions. A few of the day's comments are posted below. Be sure to visit the One Day site to see some of AIGA's highlights of the day.
Mark Comfort Posted on April 13, 2011 at 1:15 pm At the risk of self-aggrandizement (which I detest), I feel a need to give some basis for my opinion in this lively discussion, which I am enjoying immensely. I'm a career creative of over 34 years, during which time I've acted as an TV station Art Director, Agency Creative Director, and Graphic Designer. I've never worked on projects involving nationally known clients with multi-million dollar budgets. Many of the young guns-for-hire that read this might take heart to know that you don't have to work at a huge agency in a major market making a six-figure salary to be successful. Yes, design is fun and it should be. If you're in it for the money, get out NOW! I consider myself extremely fortunate that I get paid for having fun and spending other people's money. --- Now, to add my 2 cents to the matter at hand... What Does the Future of Design Hold? In my idea of an ideal world we would be designing only for services and products that actually contribute tangible worth. I say this having known that I have worked on promotions for products that I knew were absolute junk. As a professional, and in the interest of keeping my job, I set my conscience aside and gave them my best effort. In a perfect world we would be able to look a client square in the eye and say, "If I assist you in marketing your useless product, I make myself culpable for perpetrating a lie and a disservice to whomever is gullible enough to purchase it, not to mention adding fodder to the local landfill. Please remove your garbage product from my sight and don't come back until you have something that will actually make the world and people's lives better." I realize this is an ideal, but it's nice to dream.
Tabitha Posted on April 13, 2011 at 2:15 pm In response to "Art is from the heart, Design is from the head. My version: Design is for others, art for yourself #1D4D" on Twitter, Art is mostly from the heart, but if you don't put your head into it, I don't think it's meaningful. Art is absolutely for yourself, and doesn't need explanation. But I think it is inevitable to think about what you're doing, even if it is more of a feeling. The same goes for design: it is mostly from the head, but if you don't put your heart into it, doesn't it have the potential to be dull? I don't think design should ever be dull. Your head should absolutely be first to be a successful designer, but you should have some heart too. Successful designers have the ability to create work that communicates effectively (work that is for others and makes sense to others) and still displays their personal style. To all designers: are you a designer who doesn't have a heart for design?
Anne Posted on April 13, 2011 at 1:34 pm @SBee It's clear you've had a bad experience with your choice, and a career in design wasn't for you. You may have confused your love of art and entrance into the practice of design, as a way to make a living while creating things. That seemed to be a common misconception when we were in school 25 years ago. But I believe design is a way of living and thinking about the world. It's not an artistic endeavor, but one that thrives on the challenges of creative problem solving. Working as a designer means understanding that it is not about you, but what you can help your clients create. I believe that young designers are far more sophisticated than we were when we were just out of school. They are more media savvy, and visually aware of the world. Design isn't a fine art--it's not subjective or personal. It's a process that creatively solves problems. It requires an inherent understanding of artifacts, visual thinking skills and an ability to articulate ideas. It's a complex set of skills that I believe more and more students are practicing in their design programs, as they are adapting to the way designers work in the professional world. Not everyone gets to produce artwork and call it design. That's not really what design is about. but rather a passion for working with others to creatively solve problems. I'm excited to see what the future will bring to the world of graphic design. I believe designers need to continue to work towards bringing thoughtful discourse and professional identity to the industry. Designers shouldn't have a slash before web developer. They shouldn't be relegated to the last phase of the process. Designers are at the table from the beginning, working in interdisciplinary teams for companies that are producing real change in the world. I've been a designer for over 22 years, and I still enjoy working with new people, learning new things, and meeting challenges of the industry.
Veda Posted on April 13, 2011 at 12:04 pm As a recent masters graduate in graphic design, I am curious to know how to break into the huge design industry? I have been applying to places but seems like most of the places require a minimum of 3 to 5 years experience or they would just offer an internship. Would professionals please comment on how to go about finding opportunities for recent graduates? Thanks
Tina Posted on April 13, 2011 at 12:49 pm @ Veda — I came out of design school with the same type of challenges. I'd recommend not turning down internships, because they are valuable in many ways. They get you working in a real design environment, they get you exposure to people who you'll want to network with, and they give you experience. My path to a job went (1) Freelance work from friends & people I already knew (2) internship @ a socially conscious company — after 2 weeks they offered me a contract position because of how much effort I put in, and though it hasn't been easy, I am still here 2 years later, working full-time as an in-house designer. My best advice is be very focused, be persistent, and don't pass up on opportunities that aren't perfect. What are you passionate about? Those are the people you will probably enjoy designing for the most.
Meghan Posted on April 13, 2011 at 8:59 am I would just like to start off by adding to the bad type list. In addition to Comic Sans, I hereby add Papyrus, and Bleeding Cowboys. I work in a music store, and I still see designs with these fonts, or just variations, and it almost kills me every time. I am a design student with a degree in Graphic Design and am working on my Web Design degree at the moment. I went this route because I wanted to make my designs interactive. Not to mention, I am not using so many materials. As designers, I believe we need to be more conscious of our environment; it is deteriorating as we speak. I read in "Citizen Design" that Graphic Designers contribute to about 80% of waste in landfills due to package design and things that people do not want to keep. I want to see more designers use less materials.
Jessica Rios-Almanza Posted on April 13, 2011 at 12:21 am Design is transcendence. Ideas gone tactile. Process into noun. It is the dance between possibility and beauty; a transfer of one thought to another to another. Growth. I'm on board with the awareness that we are no longer just creators of pretty things such as type and composition, rather-we are blooming exponents of thinkers. I'd also like to know how and where others are utilizing their design skills as thinkers. I am interested in learning about alternative design teams.
Today is the Day
Don't forget to participate in AIGA's One Day for Design - a 24 hour, live, online conversation about the future of design - TODAY! Moderators include: Alex Bogusky, Doug Bowman, Liz Danzico, Debbie Millman, Erik Spiekermann, Armin Vit, Alissa Walker and Katherine Walker.
Device Resolution Aid
When designing for the screen there are so many device resolutions and screen sizes to take into account. Is it a hand-held mobile device, a 15' desk-top monitor, or a high-definition tv screen? Managing devices, screens, aspect ratios and bit depths can push the border-line sane right over the edge. Punchcut has graciously shared their toolset for managing screen resolutions - for free!
It's Not Science Fiction
As long as your cell phone is on, your service provider is collecting data from your cell phone that can pinpoint your location and any communication you may have made wherever…whenever - helpful if you're ever abducted, but not so much if you want to 'fall off the grid'. ZIET ONLINE was presented with 6 months of phone data for German politician Malte Spitz, which they used to create an animated, interactive infographic that shows Spitz's movements and phone communications over that time period. According to information gathered for the March 30, 2011 Infographic of the Day by fastcodesign.com "the major American cellphone providers declined to explain what exactly they collect and what they used it for."
Are You An Artist?
Austin Kleon shares his opinion on what it means to be an artist in his captivating blog post, "How to Steal Like An Artist (and 9 other things nobody told me)". It's a poignant and fun read!
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