In my Twitter feed this morning from Morguefile was this list of 35 Best Inspirational Websites For Logo Design. Check it out!
19 April 10
8 February 10
“What Matters Now”
Seth Grodin’s “What Matters Now” acts as a Jerry McGuire-style manifesto destined to change the way we think, as humans or designers. It’s been around for a couple months now, but one of my co-workers sent me a link to a particular page that sorta struck me. I’ve included my favorite quote from it above which in response to what I believe is something I’d like to say to folks who play it safe. Download the full version and read for yourself or check out his blog.
26 January 10
Repower America Wall
This is a bit on the old side, but I love the design of this website. Repower America takes dynamic submissions and puts them all in one place. It’s a great way to show a lot of dynamic information at the same time.
25 January 10
“Objectified”
I am watching the follow-up by director Gary Hustwit. Objectified like Helvetica gives me much to think about, especially about my own life as a designer.
My favorite quote by designer Karim Rashid is paraphrased thusly:
Out of the million chairs that have been designed in the world, how could there be an uncomfortable chair?
If you haven’t seen it catch it on Netflix or on PBS.
21 January 10
19 January 10
10 bcard ideas from Inc.com
One of my co-workers shared with me a few creative business card ideas. Getting a client to buy off on one is another story. Check them out anyway and keep trying.
5 November 09
Who ARE these people?
The above caption would read:
We have been friends for years, ever since our college years! Sell us your beer!
Um, no. I just looked up “multi-ethnic group” in iStockphoto and this is one of 32,000 images that come up. So I see the point David Meerman Scott has on his site (thanks to a Tweet from Gary Slack) about using stock photography.
As a creative, I totally agree. But you might ask yourself: I don’t have the money — so I am going to shoot people? What am I supposed to do with a limited budget? It’s a good question and definitely one that deserves thought. Once upon a time I needed to find an image for a newspaper article. Specifically, a cluttered closet. There was exactly one image I found that was perfect and the cost to license it from Getty was $30,000 for a 250k circulation. $30,000. (That’s a well-equipped Mazdaspeed3 for those counting.)
We got it done for less than $1,500 thanks to Howard Ash and it was an image the client owned outright and clear. And you can guarantee no one else was using that image. So, here are some options:
- Find a photographer to do the work. Sometimes if you’re willing to make some sacrifices, photographers will meet you half way.
- You can save money (sometimes some grief) using your employees as talent, especially if it fits the concept.
- Post something in Craigslist for models. It is a hassle, but if you’re organized, it can work well.
The keys are organization, flexibility and determining how long you’ll need the images. But don’t let cost be the only factor. Remember: Your brand is on the line.
And for those of you wanting to know more about some really inexpensive, highly talented photogs, let me know and I will let you know.
Keeping warm, carrying on in Wicker Park
I have been seeing adaptations of the “Keep calm and carry on” posters all over the city. According to Wikipedia, these were never produced. Instead their resurgence has been as recent as 10 years ago.
It seems a fitting mantra for me as a Buddhist and for everyone these increasingly unpredictable times. I admire its message but also the timelessness of the design and the typography. A quick search on the Interwebs reveals that P22′s Underground Pro is the closest font. Gorgeous.
If this is all too serious, check out this site instead.