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Communications Design Industry Discussion, Inspiration, & Tutorials

Dec 7, 2011

Build a Digital Magazine with Indesign CS5

By On 11:34 In
This is awesome because my formal training ended in the previous version. I ended up buying a decent textbook and walking through tutorials for hours to get a handle on the new CS5 upgrad...
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This Week: Addy Awards Submission

By On 05:03 In
I should've done this when I was a student, but didn't. Now I've got to pay a higher application fee. Anyway, this new job has offered me several opportunities to create--what Bert Smith knows as--elegant graphic design. I'm pretty darn happy and proud of the work I've done during my tenure. My advice: Do you have some design work that makes you particularly proud? Submit it...
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Nov 4, 2011

Retail Rantings and Ramblings

By On 07:13 In
Now I’m completely convinced. The large brand name stores that we know and love are desperately trying to put themselves out of business; in a manner of speaking. I noticed 3 weeks ago when I had to go to the Verizon store to get my phone replaced. The customer service was TERRIBLE and the in-store prices were extortionary. The phone that I originally bought for $100 cost nearly $240 in the store....
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Oct 14, 2011

This Week: Creative Commons

By On 05:52 In
This week I'm finishing up another poster project that will be a highlight of my portfolio! This is actually three lists of funds. The goal is to showcase a couple hundred names and draw the eye. Initially, I created 3 design options: two traditional / bankerish choices then a third more modern list. This third included modern type, and huge blocks of color. I'm working on developing the colors and...
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Sep 27, 2011

This Week: Middle of a Poster Series

By On 14:55 In
Take a look at the "Beginning of a Poster Series" for a snapshot of the progress. And then, I got a bit closer.  Tulle, 3-element palette, and varying photo treatments, PLUS a very cool looking faux-spot varnish when the final is printed.   This project still has a little way to go to completion, but I feel I'm on the right track. ...
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Sep 23, 2011

This Week: Middle of a Poster Series

By On 06:45 In
Take a look at the "Beginning of a Poster Series" for a snapshot of the progress. I went on a site visit to the location of the recognition event, and got a wake-up call. The walls will not frame a vertical orientation well.  Actually those walls could take a vertical , but my design would need to be  much more narrow.  So, here's what the first set have morphed into : The...
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Sep 12, 2011

Portfolios that Inspire!

By On 06:22 In
Simon Fong Not only is he an awesome friend, he’s also an awesome graphic designer.  This is what my portfolio aspires to be when it grows up. Simon’s is an example of an excellent graphic design portfolio, full of great design samples, diverse projects, simplicity of design/layout, and consistent branding! Kudus buddy. Check out some more Portfolios that Inspire...
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Sep 8, 2011

Job Interview: Make a good Impression

By On 07:23 In
Interviews are a fact of life in job hunting. If you want to make a good impression, learn and execute the following: Be Prepared – Don’t walk into an interview without researching the company and job. You should know what the company does, recent or notable press, and basic information about its history. Not knowing the basics is an immediate turn-off for interviewers. Dress well – The...
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Aug 31, 2011

Using Stock?

By On 13:49 In
I'm sick of catching bad stock being used poorly.  I can't deal--it's like adding insult to injury (I'll plan a future rant about cliches). In a recent hunt round the Web I came across a very familiar bit of stock--I think we all know the multi-colored hands reaching into the circle. Well, AARP did some minor tweaking and gave that vector back some of its pride: The stylized human form--that...
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Aug 24, 2011

This Week: Beginning of a Poster Series

By On 13:00 In
This is step 3--after reading a dozen donor stories and balling up terrible sketches. Adding white to a gradient really diminishes the subtlety. Oh well, I'm looking forward to developing this concept into a finished series. -Cheers,  ...
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Aug 11, 2011

PhotoDune: The New Place for Stock

By On 05:47 In
I love Envato!  They just launched PhoteDune Beta, another online resource for stock photography.  Check it out. If you're unfamiliar with Envato they're an international community of designers and developers that provide stock for graphic, game, and Web designers. Plus a couple blogs for networking and general freelance design.The prices on Envato stock designs are relatively cheap and...
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Aug 7, 2011

Because Envato Rocks, That's Why!

By On 18:50 In
 wallpapers.audiojungle.net and called Jungle Desktop Wallpapers – was created to show off the top 21 competition submissions. You can still see and download those wallpapers tod...
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Jul 27, 2011

My Handmade Wish-List

By On 09:07 In
I might be a shop-aholic, so it's taking all my resolve not to buy everything on this list right now.  Thanks Etsy! For my hair: Chamomile Lavender Shampoo Bar For my face: Vanilla Mint Lip Balm For my hands: Sweet P Shea Hand and Body Balm For my neck: Multi-color snake scarf For my feet: LaLa Shoes! For my mod street cred: This gorgeous bag For the kid in me: This harlequin...
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Jul 22, 2011

Entrepreneruial Spirit: Ali Dryer

By On 08:15 In
Okay, I ran into Ali  a couple weeks ago after a huge craft fair in Baltimore.  I love seeing her, and I love her story.  The long and short of it is that she was treated like sh*t at a restaurant job and she did some soul-searching before saying bye-bye to the stress and ill-treatment.  Then she started makin' bags. Today Ali is famous nation-wide for her  beautiful...
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Interview Question: Describe your Experience...

By On 07:41 In
For a recent grad or someone early in their career as a designer, you may need to rely on your internship, in-class, and freelance experience. Don’t think that work you’ve taken your time to complete doesn’t count; it counts! First be very familiar with text and terms used in the posted job description. In a DC job description posted today one requirement for the position is “Familiarity...
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Jul 20, 2011

Interview Question: What are your Strengths?

By On 11:23 In
But there are so many to choose from! Tough…pick 3. The fact is that the interviewer may only ask for one or 2, but you want to have that third one in the chamber, just in case. Select three traits or attributes that are most beneficial for the position/type of work and give examples. This is not the time to list your technical skills. They already have that information on your resume. Instead...
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Interview Question: What are your Weaknesses?

By On 10:48 In
What are your weaknesses? The best advice I’ve gotten regarding this questions is “be honest, and provide strategies to address the weakness”. I’ll need to use myself as an example here. I suck at proofreading copy in my work. I can do it, but –for some reason—I don’t. I once sent a biz card to the printer with a half a phone number!! Unfortunately the client gave me a file with the different names,...
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Jul 14, 2011

This Week: Letterpress-ish Poster

By On 14:16 In
They wanted a foldy brochure, and I gave' em a foldy brochure. They didn't like it. I decided to make it into a poster/single-sheet design; something that will translate easily into a motion infographic--when completed. Here it is:...
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Quoth the Raven: Compfight

By On 13:55 In
This is just a quick note to let you know that if you’re still using Google to search Creative Commons on the Web, there’s a better way. COMPFIGHT.COM Here is photo search engine that allows you to view images with “any license”, “Creative Commons”, and “Commercial” licenses. Use freely, however—if you find images with CCSA licenses—please give proper credit...
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Jul 11, 2011

DIY Paper Dolls

By On 13:57 In
Like you don't have enough to do, right? I got a lovely surprise in the mail this week. A friend took some of my more memorable looks and created a paper doll of me as my birthday card.  Some folks are just so  industrious!! As this is an awesome (economical) idea for a present, I decided to copy it--the easy way!! Vecteezy has some awesome guy and girl AI vector packs; they include hair,...
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Vector Doodles--Just in Time!

By On 13:35 In
Are you designing a piece and don't have the time to idly run your ballpoint across some note paper for the right graphics?  Someone else has done it for you! Spoon Graphics - Shape and Plant Doodles Social Media Icon Doodles X-mas Doodles ARS Grafik - Hand drawn Vector Doodles  HTC Sense - Vector Doodles Vector Pack Duo - Mr. T Doodle +!! These actually came in handy on one of last...
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Jul 8, 2011

What's up with This Social Network?

By On 06:48 In
Really, Facebook??!! I don't want to give you my mobile number in case my "account is compromised". I have a sneaking suspicion that you'll sell it to advertisers. Maybe I'm cynical, but I can't believe that your desire to collect increasing amounts of demographic and geographic information about me is just innocent curiosity on your part. I'm just sayin'. And what the hell is this all a...
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Jul 7, 2011

Letterpress Typefaces

By On 06:45 In
 As any lover of type, I revere the look, feel, and technical aspects of letterpress typography. On a recent project, I scoured the internet for a handful of fonts that fit neatly into my design. I ended up with several excellent options (see below) before getting reacquainted with the work of typographer, Billy Argel. He’s the awesome designer who created Panhead. The Letterpress typeface,...
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Jun 17, 2011

Because I can, I think

By On 10:03 In
I snagged this image from ubpubdesign. Just a friendly reminder from my alma mat...
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Jun 8, 2011

Dope Dingbats!

By On 10:49 In
On a recent biz card project, I got to revisit DaFont.com in search of dingbats.  I needed old skool 80s graphics, and I found what I was looking for—and then some: CKas- Retro cassette tape dingbats by junkohanhero Beatbox- Ghetto blaster dingbats by Mathew Taft DeeJay Supreme – Early 21st century rave style simplified dingbats by Fontalicious...
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Jun 1, 2011

Working and Listening: Matisyahu

By On 13:05 In
Nothing beats a dope beatbox when you're stuck at a de...
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Are You Resume Savvy?

By On 06:01 In
from Web Design Dispatch Checked my inbox and was happy to see this post What Recruiters Look for in a Resume  on the SimplyHired Blog. The article breaks down the criteria in a logical fashion. You need to present a resume that outlines your: Work experience/ employment dates Software packages & technology Education Success- If you’ve won awards, increased Web traffic, etc. I...
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May 26, 2011

Create an E-Book with Indesign CS5

By On 15:09 In
EPub will get your e-books easily viewed on smart phones, tablets and various readers--I dont mean a PDF Here's part two: ...
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Illustrator CS5 - Terry's 5 Faves

By On 14:44 In
I think the perspective grid is in my top five too!! Coming soon--to a blog near you--embarrassing practice vectors using perspective drawing to...
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May 24, 2011

Freelance resources

By On 10:20 In
Thinking about going it alone—or at least getting started as a freelance designer?? There are hundreds of resources out there to help you get started.  A favorite of mine is the book “The Business Side of Creativity” by Cameron Foote. This book offers practical advice on getting started, preparing contracts, doing your taxes, and even incorporating yourself. If you’ve never heard of this book,...
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May 19, 2011

Free Adobe Video Tutorials!!

By On 12:00 In
For a great library of online training materials, Lynda.com is an excellent resource. As my year membership has recently expired—and I used it mainly for Adobe products—I’ve decided to give Adobe TV a shot. It’s FREE and you get to learn from the pros while you follow along.  Here's an awesome example- the top 5 Illustrator CS5 Features. Take a loo...
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May 16, 2011

The new drop-down menu

By On 07:00 In
Like many designers in my peer group, I loathe conventional drop-down menus. Where once they provided added functionality and a sneak peek at the site map, many companies overuse the poor things. Often drop down menus make simple navigation complicated. At times I yearn for the day of the landing page. Enter the Mega-Menu: I saw this, www.eatright.org, the updated website of the American Dietetic...
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May 10, 2011

Portfolios That Inspire: Davis Design Partners

By On 06:53 In
This week I've been working on a planned giving campaign--Web ads, print ads, etc-- and I did a search to see what sort of hand and plant images were popular with the non profits. That's when I came across Davis Design Partners.  The design piece pictured is elegant and out-of-the-box! I had to share. ...
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May 6, 2011

Portfolios That Inspire: Cline & Co.

By On 11:38 In
In my frantic search for creative commons I came across a gorgeous design site. The subtle, clean color scheme and the simple navigation reminded me why I love web design. More specifically why I love portfolio design. Here's a sampling of the design that took my breath away. Cline&CO Graphic Design Studio ...
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Apr 29, 2011

Website Redesign: SEA the Truth

By On 16:24 In
Writer and poet, Simone Eva Alexis has more talent in her left eye than I do in my whole being when it comes to the spoken and written word. She amazes me every time I see her. Her site did not, however. We discussed a redesign over a year ago and played phone tag or just drank wine when we should've been talking business. Today we've begun a project that will make her site more accessible and easier...
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Apr 26, 2011

How Many Samples do You Really Need?

By On 10:46 In
Just back from some R’nR in Costa Rica to a new post on ENVATO Notes .  Lasts week's discussion topic was about the state of our work space-- is your desk messy? The short answer is YES, my desk is more messy than not.  A great stopgap measure that  I devised was my sample wall. I post designs that I'm presently in love with on the wall and refer to that as needed. The wall is 6'x4'...
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Apr 15, 2011

Creative Commons Week - You Need These Fonts!

By On 10:28 In
If you're on the lookout for a serious grunge look--before it completely falls out of fashion--take a look at Action of The Time - New The latest update of this ultra-bold, distressed, grunge font shows more cross hatching than the last. It looks like what happens to glass or mirrors after some seriously rough treatment. Note: use sparin...
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Creative Commons Week - You Need These Fonts!

By On 05:57 In
I remember when I first found Bleeding Cowboys back in '07-I'd sought out the font on the urging of designer, Jay Higgert of Bittbox. Needless to say, it was love at first sight. Today, I pay it forward. If you're in the market for an uncomplicated sans serif with a slender stroke, clean lines, that's exceedingly readable at the smallest point size, then Chapenettoer 8 THIN is the typeface for y...
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Apr 14, 2011

Creative Commons Week- Best Vector Halftones

By On 06:21 In
You can achieve halftones many different ways. The effect--properly executed-can really make an illustration or design come to life. Here are a few of the free halftones that I've found and used from around the web. There's also a handy-dandy how-to that I've found invaluable for creating patterns. ThinkDesignBlog.com - 40 clean and grunge AI vectors Cline&Co Graphic Design Studio - color...
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Apr 13, 2011

Creative Commons Week - African Batik

By On 12:49 In
In a recent blog redesign, I came upon a problem of finding the right image to place. I needed an afro-centric, woman-centric graphic and could find nothing suitable. Eventually, I took some existing photography and created an illustration that was suitable. I snapped some pics of different Batik fabrics and have themavailable for download on Flickr.  The set has medium to hi-res images for...
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