Getting Inspired

http://www.brandalmanac.com/
Not only do they have a great website, they do exceptional work...and vice versa. With my mantra this week to focus on the minute details, this is a great company to be inspired by. Branding companies have to pay attention to the details. Details not only the client does, but what they want to convey to to their audience. Details of the concepts and theories behind the branding, details of the visualize that materialize the branding ideas, and the details of creating a cohesive thought of the company by independent brains that can mold their own ideas. so check out the Brand Almanac, great work full of tiny details.

Focus on the Minute

My local AIGA chapter had posted a link to HOW's 29 Things Article. It has a lot of useful information, but what has become my mantra for the week is to for me to focus on the details. Being detail oriented is a skill set of many designers and particularly the best ones. On a busy day it can be hard not to carefully look over little bit before sending a file out for approval...my weakness...not running spell check. For this week I am making a checklist to do before I send out a file:

1. Making sure all the points of the client are addressed
2. Spell check
3. Grammar check
4. Layers are in order
5. PDF has not dropped a layer out
6. Graphic details

Maybe I think of more things to think of in during the week. But I should make a small list to stay as focused on one idea as possible.

Wichita "Home of the Grunge"

In school design was supposed to be clean and gridded. Here in Wichita designers and clients seem to lean toward texture and grunge type. Maybe its the "western" history of the midwest that makes this market want to feel grungy and dusty. Or maybe its that we want the texture to add further depth and natural elements to our advertisements and logos. Or is just the fad that was late to hit us and will eventually fade. It can be fun and fitting for the right client and audience, but it can't just be about local tastes it needs to be more useful than that.

Importance of Drawing

Whether you have the skill to make a realistic portrait or you relate more to stick figures, I find that drawing is a skill that every designer should continue to hone. It is easy to fall into the trap of doing everything on computer, because it ends up there any way right? Well the speed and ease of drawing comes naturally. Even simple drawings of squiggles and boxes can be the quickest way to cycle through a variety of layouts. My new year's resolution of doing something creative everyday can become a challenge on the weekends, all week I make ads and when I am home I begin to vegetate. But the importance of drawing and keeping the creative part of my brain enticed is essential to who I am as a designer and as a person. Drawing stimulates a different part of the brain than using a computer and is faster than what we could achieve on the computer. Drawing also has brain development benefits. Studies have shown improved memory cognition if a person utilizes drawing, and that can help prevent and slow brain deterioration due to Alzheimers.

So get out there and draw. It won't cost you much. Grab a pencil or pen and some already used computer paper, and you are ready to activate your brain cells and get inspired.

Doing GOOD

Recently I have been looking at GOOD.is site. They have an amazing breadth of infographics. This particular one is based on the amount of e-waste which has been and will continue to be our growing problem around the world. Most of the time we just leave products to junk and rust at some junk yard or even in our local dump. I encourage you to look at what digital products you don't use or thinking of getting rid of them and find resources in your area for recycling. Most places have free recycling but even if you have to pay it will be a cheaper price now than the one we and our children will have to reap later.


http://awesome.good.is/transparency/web/1010/digital-dump/flat.html