Saturday, August 28, 2010

Not Musically Inclined

It seems increasingly I have noticed to more and more websites using music. This is a fatal error for almost any site. Ones that sell or about musicians it is understandable that they would play music (although I don't think any website should automatically play music it should have to be selected). Music is a lead turn off for me of any website. Most of the time it isn't music I like (a big problem is that there is only a small selection of people that like the same type of music). When I am on my compute I typically am playing my OWN music so the websites contribution just makes noise to drive me nuts.

So if you are looking to enhance your website look for something besides music. Especially photographers seem to be the worst at it. Don't choose music, choose a cool transition effect for displaying your photos. Learn some Java, anything but music.

Remember friends don't let friends put music on their website.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Getting Inpsired

One of my favorite movies is Tim Burton's Nightmare before Christmas. And I am sure like those before me have taken his or her own spin on the idea/motive/lesson behind this movie. For me I see the frustration of being in a creative rut. Doing the same thing day after day and year after year. The inspiration and motivation seem to leave you. Now mine is not a creative rut due to years of producing work, but only months. Being not at school (and with the new semester starting) I am somewhat feeling left behind. Sure I have graduated, but you can never know everything.

Especially in the graphic design field. It would be next to impossible to always be on the cusp of the up and coming and too know and be an expert in all the mediums available to us.

My current goal is get my inspiration back! Time to create like I have never done before. If anyone has points or sites that excite their creativity send me a link. I want to cast a wide net for this one.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Refreshing

Logo re-freshing has been on my mind quite a bit lately since I am working on a project to do just that. There are some definite benefits to refreshing your companies logo, but some disadvantages too.

A new logo always you to modernize and relate to need services or features your company offers, but you may loose the brand recognition that you had already acquired with your current logo. A new logo could relate to your customer demographic better, you may have never had quite the right logo for your needs to begin with, or really want to emphasize a brand beyond just an icon.

I have done some looking around and some things I find to be good in considering a new logo is:

Make is memorable, get the customer to connect with you and your business. A logo does not do as well if it is in no way connected to the types of services you provide, but a logo works better when it has more than one level. Where you can look at it and it makes sense, but where you can get the to know the company better and you can see that the way the colors or type is shows you that they caring and sympathetic, and the counters or negative shape shows you something else that company offers.

Scale: The logo needs to work really small or it needs to be able to be blown up really big (like on a billboard)

Reproduce: You are able to recreate the logo onto many different objects/mediums printed out, stickers, screen printed, and on company apparel.

Consistency: Keep the logo and type treatments regimented so that the identity is easily associated from different pieces from stationary to annual reports to packaging tags it all needs to work as a brand.


I will continue my thoughts in logo refreshments another day. Maybe take an old logo and recreate it in a way that YOU would want to interact with that brand or company.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Turning Japanese




A new craze has hit American stores in time for back-to-school. Iwako Eraser sets are in and are everywhere. I love the graphic nature of the forms. Idk if it is just the girl inside of me that loves things mini, but these mini foods, tools, and more are just adorable. I could not resist taking my part in the hype. I have not even attempted to see if they are good eraser I just love to look at them. A little light-hearted design is the best cure for a gloomy day.