Good thing designers are curious types, hyper-aware of the visual world around them. The designers I’ve met tend to mine their surroundings and experiences for creative fodder that feeds, consciously or subconsciously, into their work. Keeping an eye on trends—fashion, interior décor, color, type—is one of the ways creative pros can stay abreast of what’s fresh (or what’ll be...
I am among the last generation of copywriters who sat with art directors and designers as they sliced into type galleys to hand-kern letters, adjust word or line spacing, or piece together new words and sentences. “Can we cut seven characters out of this copy block?” they’d ask, and I’d take up the challenge, think of another way to...
In my development years as a graphic designer, I had a mentor named Phil Meggs. Unfortunately, Phil is no longer with us. However, one lesson he instilled in me made an incredible difference in my career. I’d like to share it with you: Never pass up an opportunity to learn from a master. I know, you’ve probably heard that...
Some folks aren’t aware how powerful Firefox is for web development. There are several extensions available to help with our job of designing web sites. Below is a short list to help get you started. • The Web Developer Toolbar: Adds a menu and a toolbar with various web developer tools. • Colorzilla: Advanced Eyedropper, Color picker...
Softbank Mobile is releasing the Sharp 812SH in 20 different colors…the best part, the colors all come from the Pantone Matching System! Talk about Color Coordinating!
When the ideas flow, concepting is fun. When they don’t, I grind away over award books, archives, and stock photo sites producing page after page of tedious, trite, irrelevant, stupid ideas. Yes, I may be laying the groundwork for later brilliance. Or not. That’s why, when the deadline looms, it pays to have a few different approaches to concept...
Design Matters: Packaging is a how-to package design book, (the third in the Design Matters series), slated for release in July 2008. The book was authored and designed by Capsule, a Minneapolis design firm, and published by Rockport Publishers. Capsule and Rockport are currently accepting submissions for publication. Visit site for submission guidelines, as well as book details and...
Alex Wipperfurth, brand marketing consultant and accessory to hijack. Alex Wipperfurth is a San-Francisco-based marketing consultant who traffics in radical ideas. Through his agency Plan B, Wipperfurth has elevated grassroots marketing into something of an artform. Brands as diverse as Napster, Dr Marten’s, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Barbie have all benefited from Wipperfurth’s methodology, which often times flies...
Digital designers take note: Coca-Cola is the latest mega-product to move away from TV and into digital media as the advertising vehicle of choice. Calling upon an ad agency known for their new-media savvy and offbeat style, they’ve launched an ad campaign for their new calorie-free “Coke Zero.” Comprised of email campaigns, web banner ads, and video clips placed...
This week, I’ve been trading e-mails with Peleg Top, a designer in Los Angeles. I first met Peleg ages ago at a HOW Conference, and over the years we’ve become friends. Peleg was telling me that, after pondering the things he really loves to do—cooking, photography, music—he realized that he was spending absolutely zero time on any of them....
