A Lesson in Composition–with LEGOs

June 15, 2010 – 5:14 am

"Holland Tunnel" by Christoph NeimanSo we were just discussing the basic building blocks of great composition. Well, designer and author, Christoph Neiman, seems to have taken those lessons to heart. Literally.

In his new book, Neiman showcases his spot-on impressions of life in NYC, composed with nothing more than a few LEGOs and simple hand-written captions. An award winning illustrator, children’s book writer, and graphic designer, Neiman hatched the idea during one particularly dark and dreary winter in Berlin. He began posting the vignettes on his New York Times blog, where their minimalist yet richly descriptive aesthetic piqued the interest of New York lovers around the world.

Covering everything from the iconic Empire State Building to a routine traffic jam at the Holland Tunnel, Neiman’s creations are a perfect lesson in the power of simple composition. Really, he uses way fewer LEGOs than one would think necessary, and uses them brilliantly.

Without any special effects or wildly complicated arrangements, Neiman manages to create compositions with emotional depth that are incredibly evocative of the Big Apple experience. And the success of the images lies in their adherence to the very basic principles of balance and composition; the elements are reduced to their most simple forms. There’s wonderful contrast between the electric brightness of the LEGOs and the wooden table that serves as their background. And even though many images depict busy scenes, they don’t feel busy–there’s plenty of white space to let the composition breathe, and let us take it all in with a smile.

By All Graphic Design Staff Posted in Best of the Best Designs, Funny and Humor No Comments

The Building Blocks of Great Composition

June 15, 2010 – 4:30 am

No graphic design education is complete without a thorough understanding of composition. It’s the basis for any design, whether you’re working in photography or film or comic book illustration. So how well versed are you in the building blocks of great composition? Take a look at these basic composition principles from the book The Designer’s Graphic Stew to find out.

Forms And Space

So you’ve got a bunch of visual ingredients to work with. Before you go any further, author Timothy Samara advises taking a minute to decipher just exactly what you’re looking at. Reduce each element to the simplest terms possible — the silhouette of a teapot, for example, is really just a radial, enclosed dot. A spoon turned on it’s edge is just a line. This helps determine how each element works when when juxtaposed with other forms.

Positives And Negatives

After identifying the essential forms you have to work with, it’s time to see how they’re going to behave when they’re mixed together. These forms are the positive element, the actual ingredients of your layout. The background is considered the negative, the “white space” or the plate you’re arranging your positive ingredients on. When considering the positive and negative elements of your composition, repeat this mantra often: the more white space, the better.

Creating Tension

This is where the dance between the positive and negative elements and between the forms themselves begins to create a harmonious visual rhythm. Some elements have to oppose each other, while the others have to reflect each other. This tension creates visual relationships that bring the composition together and spell out your visual story.

Of course there are many more aspects of composition to consider. But with these basic building blocks, a designer can start to create an underlying logic that unifies the whole piece. Just beware–the unity of the composition is altered every time you change a single element. It can lead you down the path to beautiful composition–and also down the road of many, many drafts.

By All Graphic Design Staff Posted in Graphic Design 101 3 Comments

3 Ways to Create a Vintage-looking Photo

June 11, 2010 – 7:59 am

We’ve all got super high-resolution cameras that take beautifully clear, crisp shots. And then what do we want to do with them? Give them a warmer, vintage look. Make it seem like the edges are crinkled and the images faded. Some tricks even give the illusion that the camera malfunctioned.

It’s might seem a little nuts to be going to so much work to make a perfect picture less perfect. But these old-school light effects are truly popular right now. Just look at the ads for American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, or Anthropologie.  And the good news is, many of them are pretty simple to accomplish in Photoshop.

Here are 3 great tutorials for three different kinds of vintage-looking effects:

Light Leaks

Light leaks originally occurred when cracks let in bits of light during photo processing. You can recreate the effect in just a few simple steps, giving your photos that blurry, burned-out look around the edges.

Faded Old Photo

This approach toys around with color layers to give your crisp, bright photos a softer, rosy appearance, just like the rows of 60’s era pictures at your grandma’s house.

Vintage Pin-Up

This is the full throttle vintage effect, transforming your images into retro-style posters with a colorized, painterly effect.

If you have fun with those, check out SmashingMagazine’s extensive writeup on achieving vintage and toy camera effects. Or look for more Photoshop tricks.

By All Graphic Design Staff Posted in Adobe Photoshop, Graphic Design Effects, Graphic Design Tutorials 1 Comment

How to turn your internship into a job.

June 10, 2010 – 5:10 pm

Awesome! You’re lucky enough to be among the millions of eager designers who are furthering their graphic design education this summer with an internship. But don’t think of it as just a chance to get a little experience and maybe a couple of after-work happy hours. With the right moves, you could turn your internship into a full time gig.

So here are some tips to impress the boss, make a name for yourself, and work toward the salaried life:

1. Act the part.

Be on time. Be on time. Be on time. This can’t be stressed enough. No one wants to hear your excuses, just get there when you’re supposed to. While you’re at it, show up in office-appropriate attire. You can take cues from other staffers, but it’s important to dress for the job you want, not the one you have.

And whatever you do, don’t come in hung over.

2. Be assertive.

Don’t hide in your cube and play on Facebook all day. Get involved! Ask anyone and everyone if you can pitch in. See if you can sit in on brainstorming sessions or shadow a senior designer for a day. Make it your business to learn the business inside out.

3. Leverage HR.

These are most likely the people that helped bring you on board. So use HR to your advantage; get advice on your resume and portfolio, see if they can get you into company training courses, and generally do what you can to stay on their good side.

4. Make connections.

It’s just good old common sense to try and get involved in the company culture. Make friends, meet mentors, and add to the list of people who can give you good recommendations.

5. Um, just ask!

Sometimes all it takes is a simple question–are there any full time positions available? Make it known that you like the company and would really like to stay.

By All Graphic Design Staff Posted in Design Careers, Design Education, Self Promotion & Marketing No Comments

Tarnished Logos: Can Brands Bounce Back From Scandal?

June 3, 2010 – 8:59 am

BP logoIn the wake of the ongoing oil disaster in the Gulf, petroleum giant BP is taking flak from all sides, including attacks on their logo. As the irony in BP’s “beyond petroleum” tagline becomes painfully obvious, GreenPeace is calling for a re-brand of the bright green and yellow BP logo, which had implied a certain sense of forward, eco-friendly thinking.

So can a company symbol become just too loaded with negative connotations to move forward? What if that same company has invested millions of dollars and several decades in branding? Here are three approaches that tarnished brands have taken in the past:

Unrecoverable. Catholic Church youth logo

Many would agree that it’s a good thing the Archdiocesan Youth Commission logo from 1973 is no longer in use. As described by Steven Heller from the AIGA, this award winning logo from 1973 and its unfortunate design have taken on a whole new meaning in light of the church’s sexual abuse scandals.

Tweaked Just Right.

After Martha Stewart was busted for insider trading, many thought her media empire might take a hit. But post jail-time, Martha’s company image is stronger than ever, thanks in part to a slight softening of her logo. The original hard edged, rectangular logo morphed into a softer, wreath-like circle that retained Martha’s ties to tradition but warmed up the company image considerably.

Over Tweaked.

When GM was facing major financial troubles and a weak lineup of cars, they decided to spend money on their products rather than redoing their logo and brand image. Unfortunately many brands fiddle too much with their logos, even without the pressure of a major PR catastrophe. Case in point–Pepsi reinvents their logo nearly once a decade, while Coca-Cola’s barely-touched logo has become an icon.

Only time will tell what BP’s brand recovery will look like. What do you think they should do?

By All Graphic Design Staff Posted in Corporate Identity Design, Web Design No Comments

School’s Out! So Now What?

June 3, 2010 – 8:47 am

Whether you just graduated or you’re just on summer break, it’s important to make the next few months count. Yes, we’ve heard the job market is terrible. But it doesn’t have to slow you down. Here are a few tips to help put your graphic design education to work, even if you’re not working:

1. Fine tune your resume. And email signature. And business cards.

Spend time packaging yourself as a cohesive brand, with streamlined interview materials. Your resume and cover letter are the first examples of your design prowess that a future employer will see, so show off your graphic design education from the start. Find a few ideas on self promotion here.

2. Polish up your interview skills.

This often gets overlooked, but veteran designer David Airey says a strong interview can make or break you. You have the time, so practice as much as you can.

3. If you aren’t interning, start working.

Have a favorite store or hangout? Offer to do some pro-bono design work for them. You might not get paid, but you can get work for your portfolio and experience as a “freelancer.”

4. Network.

Get tuned into the design scene where you live. Link up with design clubs or professional guilds. Attend design seminars and build a voice in the design community. You can meet potential employers and you might just learn something.

5.  Have an open mind.

If you don’t see your dream job on the horizon, think about different ways to reach your goals. Could learning the business side of things make you more marketable? Would a job at a small design firm offer more opportunity for growth? Is *gasp* going back for more specialized graphic design education an option? Be flexible and get all the experience you can, even if it’s not what you originally planned.

By All Graphic Design Staff Posted in Design Careers, Self Promotion & Marketing No Comments

Designing a Logo - Part II

May 9, 2010 – 10:46 pm

Whether you attended traditional graphic design school or an online degree program, logo design was most definitely covered. Still, it’s different when you get into the real world and have to design a logo that will sell the client’s company.

In the last post we discussed how to get started. Now that you have formulated your graphic design ideas and you know your direction, how do you achieve the perfect look?

Trial and Error

The client wants something that blows them away because this graphic design is going to be on everything. Collateral, a storefront, a website, business cards–the logo is omnipresent. So, explore all of your ideas and be open to whatever might be the favorite.

Presentation Time

With most design presentations, we suggest bringing a maximum of 3 ideas to put in front of the client. Logos are a bit different. Sure, you’ve been given some direction but you could return to the client with anything! For this reason, be prepared!

  • Make sure you like it. If you don’t like it, the chances are you won’t be able to sell it to them.
  • Let them sit with the sketch before you explain it. Don’t jump right into the story behind your graphic design.
  • Show different looks. If you found a font you love and it’s what you use in every design , the client may not understand the nuances of your font choice.  Be bold and adventurous with the logos!

If you find that your stuck, take a look at some of our favorites here!

By All Graphic Design Staff Posted in Best of Logo Design, Best of the Best Designs, Corporate Identity Design, Design Education, Uncategorized 1 Comment

Designing a Logo: Part I

May 9, 2010 – 10:17 pm

The outfit you decide to wear on your first day of graphic design school tells your classmates a lot about you.  It’s the first thing they see.  It represents you.

In the same sense, a logo tells a prospective client about a company, and it may be the only thing this client sees when flipping through the phone book or website.  So, whether an outfit or a logo, how do you choose the look that best represents the brand?

Logo Types

There are three types of logos:

  • Font-based logos display the company’s name in a manner that best illustrates the vibe of the company. Think IBM, Prada, or Burger King.
  • The second type is one that indicates what a company literally does.  The NBA and MLB employ this type of logo, and people immediately know what these organizations do.
  • The last category is the abstract logo.  Nike and Apple are probably the most notable examples of this form. This logo is an illustration that singlehandedly represents the company.

How to Choose a Logo

Before you dive into sketches, take some notes. What does the company do? What image best describes and sells their services? Put yourself in the shoes of the potential customer.  Say the company is a spa–what kind of logo appeals to a spa customer?

  1. Check out competitor logos. What is popular? What do you like and why?
  2. Consider the company’s name. Is there anything interesting in the letters?
  3. What colors do you want to use? Remember that the more colors you use, the pricier the print job.

Once you’ve done some preliminary research, let your imagination and creativity loose. You can also click here for more logo inspiration.

By All Graphic Design Staff Posted in Best of Logo Design, Best of Promotional Design, Colors and Design, Design Education, Graphic Design, Logo Design Tutorials, Uncategorized 1 Comment

Keeping Your Cool as a Graphic Designer - Part II

April 29, 2010 – 7:35 pm

In the last post, we started to look at managing the more difficult moments as a graphic designer.  Let’s continue this professional therapy and consider how to work with a difficult client.

The Client/Professional

Before you roll your eyes in recognition of this persona, trust us, you have probably had your moment.  This client comes into the project convinced that he or she knows just what look is needed, how to achieve it, how long it should take, and what it should cost.  Your best option is to start a dialogue.

Lead the Discussion

After the client has outlined her or his expectations, and explained what she or he thinks is best, gently lead the conversation:

  • “From what you’ve told me, it seems that we could do this….”
  • “Your direction has led me to some of these ideas…”
  • “In my experience, it often seems that this is a good idea, but in the end it’s not the solution. Let me show you some examples.”

If the client is pushy about her idea over yours, don’t be afraid to stand your ground:

  • “I understand your perspective, and I’d like to try it in one of our schemes, but let’s take a look at something different in the other design for a comparison.”
  • “From my perspective, that’s not the best way to approach this design problem–let me walk you through my ideas.”

You may be bursting at the seams to explain your online degree program or extensive graphic design education. But, hold back for now. Let the client in on your experience and talent by showing them.

Never be a pushover, but don’t let your pride push them out the door either.

By All Graphic Design Staff Posted in Design Careers, Design Education, Design Project Management, Graphic Design, Graphic Design 101, Self Promotion & Marketing No Comments

Keeping Your Cool as a Graphic Designer: Part I

April 29, 2010 – 5:57 pm

Sure, you get to do what you love as a graphic designer. Yes, you get to be creative for a living and exercise those artistic talents. But, this does not mean that you are free from sticky moments. Deadlines, last-minute changes, absurd requests, and demanding clients are all a part of the job for a graphic designer.

Before you throw your Mac from your loft-turned-office window, take a deep breath and let’s consider how to handle these “situations.”

Tight Deadlines

A client wants to know what the “timeline” is when they approach you about a job.  The first step in managing their expectations and your workload is to give a thoughtful and honest estimate.

Consider the client:

  • How long does the client have to make comments on a draft?
  • How many redesigns are you going to allow?

Consider other similar jobs and how long they took to complete:

  • How many vendors, such as printers or copywriters, need to be involved?

Consider your workload:

  • If you are bogged down with multiple time-sensitive projects, those have to be factors in the timeline for a new one. You don’t want to make one client happy at the sacrifice of another.

Once you are confident with proposing a realistic timeline, it’s time for your creative brief or proposal. Hopefully, they taught you this in college or your online degree program. Never enter a project without the client’s signature on this document. It details deliverables, expectations, and most importantly, the timeline!

By All Graphic Design Staff Posted in Design Careers, Design Education, Design Project Management No Comments