After watching this Everything is a remix about the iPhone I was blown away. I definitely learned some things that I did not know before. This will show you how much influence the iPhone has and etc.
Blog
Interview with Louise Fili
I really am in love with the playfulness in Louise Fili’s work. The lettering, branding, packaging design and even her studio looks amazing.
Promises Network
Promises Network is an organization that is for the support of the legalization of Gay Marriage. Throughout the project the goal was to not have overall completed design significantly for the Gay community.
1. Sketches
After doing a good amount of research I began sketching out ideas to capture the overall idea for the branding that would not just be strictly for the gay community. I first came across the idea for using a pink triangle in the design. But after learning more about the history and felt as if its history was not very positive.
Narrowing it down
After deciding the use of symbolism would be very powerful and the best idea to continue forward with. Because the symbol I use has a wide range of meanings and also the history behind it is more positive then the pink triangle. Deciding upon the placement of the symbol with the typography was very important. Because I wanted to create a cohesiveness in the remembrance of the symbol with the typography.
After deciding upon which logo is the strongest structure wise to move forward with. Also creating a Facebook cover photo,Google Plus cover photo and other social media profile branding.
You can see more of my Portfolio here
Business Card Etiquette for Designers
This may be a problem that you are having with when to give your business card to a potential friend,client whomever. The thing you want to remember from the beginning is not to force them to take your card. Honestly who wants to give someone a card that is utterly cheap quality and as if they went to FedEx office and paid very little for them. Which will in turn lead them to throwing your card away or who knows what they’ll do with it.
You want to really ask the person about themselves and what it is they do. Then when the conversation is going smoothly you let them know about your profession. If they do ask then that is even better and if they do not ask let them know what it is that you do. Because its so easy for us designers to not let people know about ourselves.
After you have been talking with someone about your professions and or whatever your talking about ask them if they have a business card. If they do not ask for yours say this “I have a business card as well if it is ok to give to you”. Because you do not want to force anyone to take your business card. Always asking to make sure it is ok helps reinforce that you care about them.
Some tips to remember
- Be interested in what they do
- Always keep at least 5 business cards with you
- Do not force someone to take your business card
- Have a good quality business card
- Let your business card show who you are (meaning in terms of design/etc)
- Actually follow up with them and keep in contact
- The more business cards you give out the more your wasting them (Be strategic)
- Focus on building relationships
- Do not be afraid to change your business card design
These are simple tips that I have been using after learning over time. Which has been a been a great help and continues to be. Business cards are not dead and if you are a designer without a business card I for one applaud you for doing so.
What are some business card ethics that you follow?
Maciej Cegłowski, Pinboard – XOXO Festival (2013)
Very very interesting speech about Thoreau and many other things. I definitely recommend giving this a watch.
How to Research for a design project
When you are designing for a client or taking photographs this should be done. There is really no reason why you should immediately pick up a pencil and start sketching or pick up a camera and start taking photos. The vast amounts of information that we have available is unbelievable. The process I take when starting a project is well let me show you the steps I take.
- I find out what type of industry it is
- I research the current businesses,people in the industry
- I then research the history of the industry
- Look at what others have done in the industry
- Find current trends from the past and see if they are being used currently
The importance of doing research before sketching shows that you are actually investing yourself into the project. As well as showing you want to make the project as best as possible. Which should always be a goal for anyone whom is a designer,developer or whatever profession your in. So remember you can never do enough research.
My experience with listening to albums before you die
The amount of music that I have been listening to has been amazing. When you are listening to music that came out before you were born it puts you in a different mindset. The rhythm and tempos are unbelievably great. Also I learned that the music puts you in a good mood.
Not saying that music from today would not be able to do the same. Simply saying everything that I have listened to I have enjoyed. Even the album that was a bit hard to listen to because I had previously been listening to another Jazz album on the list and make the transition was a bit difficult.
A few of my favorites have been Elvis, Little Richard, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane to name a few. If you are in need of finding new music to listen to while designing or whenever definitely check out albums from the list.
It is officially My Birthday and 26 things I’ve learned that actually matter
Birthday today and I am turning the big 26 and I know I have still quite a ways to go but I’ll definitely get there soon. Oh yeah don’t let me forget the 26 things I’ve learned that actually matter.
- Do not depend on anyone but yourself
- Self respect and self confidence can take you a long way
- Treat everyone like your friend no matter what
- Be willing to let the losers fade away
- Be willing to go the extra mile
- Do a little more each day and do it better
- Constantly push yourself to not be average
- Learning is a lifelong Journey
- Reading helps increase your thought process and vocabulary
- You need to have more then one skill
- Let things happen naturally
- Stop trying to control everything
- Make the odds in your favor
- Do not make excuses
- Nobody has to believe in your dreams but you
- Put your blood, sweat, tears, mind body and soul into whatever you do
- Passion only helps if you are willing to get up early or after work and grind
- Its ok to know a lot of people but whom you know says a lot
- Whats easy to do is also easy not to do
- Take care of yourself
- Use past experiences to help you in the present
- Having ton’s of clothes and shoes does not matter in the long run
- Give away what you don’t need
- There is plenty of money available
- You have to know what is going on everywhere
- Break the cycle in your family by doing something no one else is doing and keep going until it happens
Calligraphy Vs Hand-Lettering
I recently finished a complete sketchbook and I decided that. Since before I was somewhat playing around with calligraphy and not really taking it seriously at all. My thoughts were yeah this is pretty cool and that is about as far as I got with pursuing calligraphy.
Then I learned about hand lettering and really became amazed by the whole thought of drawing letters by hand and etc. Really knowing that when you sit and watch something take form how amazing it can be. One of the reasons I became so interested in hand-lettering is my fascination with typography. Typography ranging from graffiti to sign painters.
Calligraphy is definitely something that I’m going to continue doing. Because you may think calligraphy? that its so hard too do. When honestly all it requires is for you to relax, have patience and practice practice practice. The kit that I am using currently is Calligraphy The Easy Way (Complete Kit)
If your interested I recommend picking this up if you want something simple and not super expensive that will give you a good foundation of calligraphy. I also continually update my instagram with calligraphy projects that I have completed. Now If I can just get a better grasp on flourishes to not feel as if I ruined a project. Below is a video showing me working on a quote.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Managing Your Time Better
Recently I have began to learn that as a freelance designer managing time is such a very important thing to do. Because before I would not have a set schedule of when I would start and stop designing. Also taking on too much work too do. As designer we think oh that magazine is not going to take long to do or designing the logo will only take a few hours.
Well for some that may be the possibility and you have clients that absolutely love everything you do. Then you will have clients that do not love everything you do. You also may end up working extremely long hours and lose track of time. Being able to discipline yourself in regards to time management is vital.
Here’s what I did to start managing my time better
- Have a set schedule
- Start off first doing whats the hardest thing
- Set a designated number of hours I am going to work
- One of the most important things dress as if you are going to work
When you dress as if you are going to work it will put you in a different mindset. I learned this from listening to the Seanwes podcast. Doing the simple things will help make a major difference. The most important thing is paying attention to productivity. If you are busy that’s good but what are you busy doing?
jostendooley.com 