Cool Advertisement
A Faber Castell advertisement for their artist pens, displays Singapore based art director and designer, Chan Hwee Chong's amazing talent in spiral drawings. Three masterpieces were created for the advertisement - The Mona Lisa, Vincent van Gogh Self Portrait, and The Girl with the Pearl Earring. If these pieces by themselves aren't amazing enough to impress you, watching the actual process to create them is sure to blow your mind!
Would HOW Choose You?
HOW Magazine's Top 10 Websites for Designers for the month of October might inspire the design of your personal website, assure you that you're on the right track, or perhaps persuade you to redesign.
MagaNews
The world of design constantly grows and expands with technological advancements, providing designers with fresh, new and exciting mediums to adapt to. Designing for print, grew into designing for screen, which split into design for animation, web, and mobile devices, and now includes tablets. Quickly gaining popularity among iPad users is 'The Daily', a news app so intricately designed it can't be boxed into one category. Stephanie Orma calls it "a magazine-meets-newspaper-meets-the-most-wow-worthy technology", in her article "Designer Spotlight: The Daily Taps into the Future of Design".
A Great Mind, A Great Loss
Last week the world mourned the loss of Steve Jobs. His contributions to technological advancement and marketing strategies were leading the industries. Since then many have paid tribute to his memory, and continue to do so. 19 year Jonthan Mak created the above design in Job's honor.
Is Your Design Hero a Top Influence?
The Ever-Changing Facebook
Complaints. Status updates are filled with them every time facebook changes. Messages like "Dear Facebook, If It Ain't Broken Don't Fix It!", and "I'm appalled that the free service that I am in no way obligated to use keeps making changes that mildly inconvenience me." pop up on walls everywhere. In his article "Facebook's Eerie Goal: Why Timeline Changes Everything", Harrison Weber explains why the latest Facebook change is more than just a mild inconvenience.
Spicy Brainstorming
Got a group project? Need to get those creative juices flowing? Stefan Mumaw and Wendy Lee Oldfield share some exercises your team can use to jump start everyone's creativity in 11 Ways to Spice Up a Team Brainstorm.
You Can't Learn Talent
"You can't learn talent." "There is no freedom without structure." "Be yourself." These statements, made by designer Josh Berta, are among 10 pertinent bits of advice he gives to design students in his article How Do You Solve a Problem Like Design School?.
Social Media Gone Awry
Just as a hammer can build or destroy, so can the many networking tools of social media. In the article Social media nightmares and how to avoid them, Brad McCarty shares a few social media horror stories that you surely won't want to repeat.
Commemorating the Fall
The fall of the Twin Towers on September 11 is a memory that will remain with many for a long time. To commemorate the event, the design team at Collins has designed a mark that symbolizes this tragic event.
The Beauty of Type
Talent Showcase
We always see the final product, but a designer's process is largely unseen. Those skillful fingers whipping around the keyboard/mouse/tablet making the monitor dance with lines, colors, shapes and text is usually for the designer's eyes only. The Cut&Paste Digital Design Tournament changes all of that, however - it provides a venue for designers to showcase their talent...from start to finish.
Is it time?
Super excited about an upcoming event and want your family and friends to know of it's impending arrival? itsAlmo.st, a beautifully designed countdown timer by Type/Code is a fun way to share your excitement. Just enter your event, the date and the time, start the countdown and share the url.
Entry Level Graphic Designer at Three Stream Web Design
Three Stream Web Design is looking to hire a recent college graduate, or someone who is about to graduate as a Graphic Designer, who has experience with the Adobe Suite (Illustrator and Photoshop mostly), and has worked on designing for the web and print. More details available at http://www.threestream.com/blog/we%E2%80%99re-hiring.
Visual Designer at American Airlines
Description:
We are looking for Visual Designer to join the aa.com User Experience team. As a Visual Designer you will work closely with Business Analyst, UX Leads, Front-End Technologist and Developers. You will be responsible for providing visual design leadership for key components of the aa.com user experience.
Responsibilities:
• Contributing to a culture of innovation and teamwork
• Pushing the boundaries of what's possible to create better experiences for our users
• Leading visual design throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial explorations through final design deliverables such as screen layouts, user interface elements, and prototypes
• Translating usability and field research findings into design improvements
• Communicating design strategy and rationale to key stakeholders
• Collaborating with other aa.com Publishing teams to develop cross-product solutions
• Documentation of aa.com visual design standards
• Producing and delivering final assets
Qualifications:
• Strong visual design skills and an attention to detail down to the pixel
• Bachelor's in Graphic Design, Digital Media Design or related field
• At least 3 years experience as a key member of a UI team through the product development cycle of several successfully launched web, mobile and/or software applications (as opposed to layout and decorative design)
• Have portfolio examples of consumer-facing work
• Understand the design implications of fundamental Web technologies (HTML / Ajax / etc)
• Photoshop, Illustrator, and other design tools experience
• Some HTML/CSS skills are preferred
• Copywriting skills are a definite bonus
• Flash experience is a plus
• Strong communication skills
• Proven ability to work with cross functional team
We are looking for Visual Designer to join the aa.com User Experience team. As a Visual Designer you will work closely with Business Analyst, UX Leads, Front-End Technologist and Developers. You will be responsible for providing visual design leadership for key components of the aa.com user experience.
Responsibilities:
• Contributing to a culture of innovation and teamwork
• Pushing the boundaries of what's possible to create better experiences for our users
• Leading visual design throughout the entire product lifecycle, from initial explorations through final design deliverables such as screen layouts, user interface elements, and prototypes
• Translating usability and field research findings into design improvements
• Communicating design strategy and rationale to key stakeholders
• Collaborating with other aa.com Publishing teams to develop cross-product solutions
• Documentation of aa.com visual design standards
• Producing and delivering final assets
Qualifications:
• Strong visual design skills and an attention to detail down to the pixel
• Bachelor's in Graphic Design, Digital Media Design or related field
• At least 3 years experience as a key member of a UI team through the product development cycle of several successfully launched web, mobile and/or software applications (as opposed to layout and decorative design)
• Have portfolio examples of consumer-facing work
• Understand the design implications of fundamental Web technologies (HTML / Ajax / etc)
• Photoshop, Illustrator, and other design tools experience
• Some HTML/CSS skills are preferred
• Copywriting skills are a definite bonus
• Flash experience is a plus
• Strong communication skills
• Proven ability to work with cross functional team
Digital Communications Specialist at Nasher Sculpture Center
Position Summary:
The Digital Communications Specialist will be responsible for the technical fulfillment of the Nasher digital content to meet with organization’s digital communications objectives. This employee position will report directly to the Director of External Affairs and will work closely with communication colleagues and information technology as well as content contributors throughout the organization.
Duties and Responsibilities:
· Maintain web-based initiatives at the Nasher Sculpture Center such as the main website, e-newsletters, blogs, micro sites and hosting services
· Maintain content management systems
· Work closely with representatives from other departments as technical support to maintain up-to-date and fresh website content
· Build pages for new initiatives
· Use Photoshop to resize images for upload to the site
· Monitor website status and coordinate with hosting service
· Regularly assess and report on analytics, trends and statistics
· Work with main website vendor as directed or needed
· Assist Social Media Coordinator with social media platforms
· Research and implement new email marketing software and ensure robust data capture
· Guides search engine optimization strategy on all web properties
· Assist Graphic Designer and Marketing Manager in the technical support of dynamic graphics for web banners and splash pages, special promos for social media platforms and video
· Monitor and maintain lobby display screens, upload new content as needed and troubleshoot software issues
· Other responsibilities as assigned by Director of External Affairs
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education/Experience:
· Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
· 2+ years of experience in website marketing in a corporate or non-profit environment
· Experience with FTP, content management systems, email marketing software, Dreamweaver, Drupal, Photoshop, Acrobat and MS Office Suite
· Excel in a demanding and constantly changing environment
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills
· Bilingual Spanish speaking a plus
Submit Materials to: jmagnuson@nashersculpturecenter.org
The Digital Communications Specialist will be responsible for the technical fulfillment of the Nasher digital content to meet with organization’s digital communications objectives. This employee position will report directly to the Director of External Affairs and will work closely with communication colleagues and information technology as well as content contributors throughout the organization.
Duties and Responsibilities:
· Maintain web-based initiatives at the Nasher Sculpture Center such as the main website, e-newsletters, blogs, micro sites and hosting services
· Maintain content management systems
· Work closely with representatives from other departments as technical support to maintain up-to-date and fresh website content
· Build pages for new initiatives
· Use Photoshop to resize images for upload to the site
· Monitor website status and coordinate with hosting service
· Regularly assess and report on analytics, trends and statistics
· Work with main website vendor as directed or needed
· Assist Social Media Coordinator with social media platforms
· Research and implement new email marketing software and ensure robust data capture
· Guides search engine optimization strategy on all web properties
· Assist Graphic Designer and Marketing Manager in the technical support of dynamic graphics for web banners and splash pages, special promos for social media platforms and video
· Monitor and maintain lobby display screens, upload new content as needed and troubleshoot software issues
· Other responsibilities as assigned by Director of External Affairs
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education/Experience:
· Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
· 2+ years of experience in website marketing in a corporate or non-profit environment
· Experience with FTP, content management systems, email marketing software, Dreamweaver, Drupal, Photoshop, Acrobat and MS Office Suite
· Excel in a demanding and constantly changing environment
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills
· Bilingual Spanish speaking a plus
Submit Materials to: jmagnuson@nashersculpturecenter.org
News Graphic Artist at CW
The CW station in Dallas-Ft. Worth has an immediate opening for a news graphic artist. We’ll give you the toys; you give us the bells and whistles. Our newscasts are graphic intensive and rely on the innovation and imagination of our artists and producers. Our only rule is there are no rules. You will be free to push the limits. A knack for working well with others in a high-pressure, under-staffed environment will make you successful here. If this sounds like the job for you, and you have Photoshop and After Effects experience, email a link to your news reel and your resume to Openings@the33news.com. You can also snail mail same to News Director, KDAF-TV, 8001 John Carpenter Freeway, Dallas, TX 75247. EOE
Flux Student Design Competition
This is the sixth annual Flux, brought to you by AIGA Blue Ridge. Submitted work will be selected by a panel of accomplished designers: Wes McWhorter, Brian Singer and Dawn Zidonis. The selected entries will be displayed in Frederick, MD. Prizes will be awarded for best in show and for each category. For more information or to register, visit FluxDesignCompetition.org.
Entry Deadline: Friday, October 7, 2011, 11:59pm EST
Entry Fee: $5 per entry
Entry Fee: $5 per entry
The Necessity of Eccentricity
What stimulates your creative juices? Is it music?…a nature walk?…a glass of wine?…or perhaps something onlookers would consider a tad strange? If it's the latter, then you're not alone. Coach and trainer for professional artists, Mark McGuinness, explains the necessity of eccentricity in creative people in his article, "Why Creative People Need to be Eccentric".
Tune-up, Trim and Tone.
Author, designer, and inspirational guru, Sam Harrison, just finished up the last week of The Creative Marathon, but you can still participate in training and get those creative muscles in peak condition for those summer internships.
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!
Are We Headed in One Visual Direction?
Brand strategist and practitioner, Jamey Boiter, shares his views on the similar direction American retail brands appear to be headed in his post, American Retail Brands Are All Starting to Look the Same.
Join the Conversation
Want to make a valuable contribution to the future of design? Join the real time conversation between designers, at onedayfordesign.org on April 13 and let your voice be heard.
Created Equal
Photographer, Mark Laita created a stunning series of portraiture diptychs that portray differences among American subcultures. He says, "At the heart of this collection of diptychs is my desire to remind us that we were all equal, until our environment, circumstances, or fate mold and weathered us into whom we have become." The staunch poses, and 'costumes' of the subjects speaks to whom they portray themselves to be, but looking beyond the outer decoration, and into their direct and serious gazes it becomes evident that the outer decoration is all about their formed difference, beyond that, they are all human.
Jarrett Heather's 'Labor of Love'
500-1000 hours for a 3.5 min clip! A little mix of Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere and Toon Boom Animate and a whole lot of love helped Jarrett Heather produce this absolutely stunning piece of kinetic typography, Shop Vac (). Sit back, relax, and enjoy!
cmdshift3
It's cool stuff week, and what could be cooler than a rockin' desktop? Check out the cool desktops of other creative minds and upload yours!
Cool Stuff for Designers
Who doesn't like cool stuff? - especially if it's well designed. Designs based on design are even cooler than cool, and while these Photoshop salt and pepper shakers aren't real, these other cool little numbers by Veer are, and they're totally hot!
Fabulous Facebook
We all know Facebook has become a huge sensation since its launch in 2004. Just how much of a sensation? This infographic video by Alex Trimple visualizes how Facebook has "transformed itself from a diversion into the central hub around which we organize our social lives." - Cliff Kuang
A Penny for your Thoughts
Graphic design student, Luke Langhus, created a redesign of JCPenny's logo that has sparked much conversation in the design world. The controversy lies not with the execution of the design, but with the company's christening of it as a "bold new logo". How about A Penny for your Thoughts? on quipsologies.
So Many Alphabets, So Little Time
Just when you thought you had your typeface recognition down, Steven Heller of The Daily Heller reminds us of the dying art of visual and auditory alphabetical communication in his article, Dits and Dahs.How Cool Would It Be If He Were Your Son?
King of Infographics, Nicolas Felton, well known for his annual Feltron Reports, honored his Father's life in his 2010 Annual Report. Using various artifacts, 4,348 to be exact, Felton worked his design magic to create a stunningly beautiful and fascinating homage.
Seed Drawings
Not drawings of seeds, but drawings produced as a result of thousands of people's small contributions to a larger artwork. This project, initiated by Brooklyn artist, Clement Valla, visualizes the unstructured nature of the content on the Internet.
Lovers of Type, This One's for You
Hearts and flowers and candy and TYPE! This love day we're celebrating typography lovers with a type video that will make your heart skip a beat.
The Best Part of the Super Bowl
OK, maybe it's not the best part, but it certainly is the topic of most conversations after the Super Bowl dust settles - the commercials. If you missed it and you felt left out at the water cooler today, you can catch up on the Super Bowl Ads archives - up to 14 years in the past if you feel so inclined.
Internet Trivia
If you're an avid web surfer then this one's for you…20 things that happened on the Internet in 2010: a puzzle. Enjoy!
Timbre A-Z
Watch the short animation series of Japanese artist Mirai Mizue on Vimeo. The artist plans to upload one new animation every day for 26 days. As of today he's on Timbre L, and they're quite captivating.
Making Healthy Food Options Appealing
The article "What Should Food Look Like?" by Alexandra Lange, explores the role package design can play in persuading the public to make healthier choices.
Phonography
We are very rarely without our cell phones, which usually means we're very rarely without the ability to digitally capture any random moment at any time. Josh Higgins, graphic designer and silkscreen artist, organized a phone-based photography exhibit to display the phone-photos of some well-known creative individuals. The article "Phonography: Phone-Based Photography Exhibition Features Renowned Creatives" gives a sneak peak of some of the images in the exhibit.
Do You "Drink the Kool-aid"?
Whether you're driving down the highway, flipping through a magazine, or vegging out in front of the TV, you will be faced with someone trying to sell you something. Often, they do a fantastic job of convincing you to use their product. Take the wedding day Men's Wearhouse commerical for example. They targeted the innate desire we have be attractive and appealing to our partners, and presented it with a pleasant twist at the end, making the ad, and therefore the company, appealing. But sometimes advertisers are so obvious in their strategy that they don't quite hit the mark. "Things Real People Say About Advertising" takes a sarcastic look at some of the tactics advertisers use to encourage you to "drink the kool-aid".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)