Blog &bull Graphic Design
What is the cost of compromising on good design?
December 3, 2008
Image by tanakawho
Let’s face it, there are times when designers and their clients don’t see eye to eye over a project. When all else fails a designer may comply with client requests which are at odds with their own professional judgment, simply to make the client happy. But is this an ideal solution in the […]
Steps to choosing a successful colour scheme
November 25, 2008
Image by woodleywonderworks
Choosing the right colour scheme takes a combination of research, design know-how and inspiration. Whether you’re creating a website or a print publication with lots of white space, your choice of colours is an critical element to the overall design. It’s important to do this early in a design project, in order not […]
Fundamentals of good design: Colour schemes
November 19, 2008
The importance of colour in design can never be overstated. Colour choices influence mood, emotion and tone; a carefully chosen colour scheme can clearly express a specific design style.
When I begin work on a new design project, I usually work at length on creating a good colour scheme. I will be going into more detail […]
How to adapt during an economic downturn
October 28, 2008
Image by Foxtongue
We live in interesting times. The worldwide financial downturns have led to a great deal of uncertainty for small business owners and independent contractors (freelancers), including designers. On the plus side, small operators are in a better position than their larger counterparts to adapt to changes in business conditions, even drastic ones.
In recent […]
Less is More: Top Designers’ websites
October 14, 2008
Designers wanting to advance their careers are sometimes advised to concentrate on creating a personal brand. With this in mind, I decided to look at how some renowned graphic designers present themselves and their work online.
Most of the designers shown here have personal websites to showcase their portfolio. There are a few sites representing studios […]
Design checklist: What clients should provide their designer
October 8, 2008
Image by kennymatic
Preparation is key to successful management of any project, and design projects are no different. The more preparation that both client and designer do right at the start, the more smoothly the work will go.
I find checklists can be very useful, so I’ve prepared a checklist of things that clients should provide their […]
Design blogs making an impact
September 15, 2008
Image by Mr. Kris
Recently I wrote a post about making a bigger impact with your design skills, which provides lots of ideas and avenues for designers to work with charities and non-profit organisations.
Since then I’ve been on the lookout for designers and bloggers who have come up with their own great ideas to generate awareness […]
10 great articles on website inspiration
September 9, 2008
When I put together the resources for my series on Irresistible Websites, I looked through hundreds of sites, CSS Galleries, designers’ portfolios and blog articles for ideas. This was a whole lot easier than it may sound, because great web design is one of my passions. It was also very gratifying to see all of […]
Making a bigger impact with your design skills
July 28, 2008
Image by ElektraCute
Recently I featured an interview with James West, the designer behind Fifty Designers’ Current Favourite Typefaces which raised money for UNICEF’s appeal for Burma. James’ idea resonated with a notion I’ve had for a little while now, to investigate what avenues exist for designers to use their skills for the greater good. I’ve […]
Interview: Fifty Designers’ Current Favourite Typefaces
July 22, 2008
James West is a UK designer who earlier this year produced the booklet Fifty Designers’ Current Favourite Typefaces to raise money for people left homeless and starving in Burma in the wake of a devastating cyclone. Fifty of the world’s biggest names in graphic design agreed to take part. To James’ complete surprise, the booklets […]
