Design Trends
Logo Design Resources
Wow! The title below speaks for itself. I’ve only just begun to go through this list.
Alltop
So what would you say if I could point you to a site that had all the top news and blogs listed for any subject you’re interested in, say Photoshop or maybe design news?
Check it:
Pretty cool huh?!
Artists of Photoshop
If you want to OD on Photoshop inspiration this is the place to do it – Artists of Photoshop. The site features Photoshop artists apparently submitted by viewers and rated by viewers. Each featured artist image is a link to their web site where you can peruse their full portfolio. Be prepared to spend some time if you are a photoshop junkie.
Logo Of The Day
If you frequent graphic design blogs, you no doubt have heard of Jeff Fisher or Jacob Cass. Both award-winning designers with informative and inspirational blogs for the professional graphic designer. Well they’ve done it again with this cool site: Logo Of The Day – Logo Design Inspiration – Daily!. Take a look and maybe you’ll want to add it to your blog roll as I did.
Inspirational Corporate Identity Design
Best of Business Stationary, Letterhead & Business Cards : Inspirational Corporate Identity Design
The link sort of speaks for itself. Lots of inspiration here and thanks to Graphic Design Blog & Graphics News Blog for the compilation.
Avoiding The Cliché
When I file through stock images laden with more handshake photos or world globe images than I can shake a stick at, I groan audibly. Check this post at Just Creative Design with another in his series on over-used graphic elements, in this case cliché stock images used in web design. You’ll probably agree with most of them as I did. Its important to note that cliché is not necessarily bad. In the right circumstance a cliché image may be the best choice. But don’t go there immediately if a little thought will cultivate a better alternative.
If you need to find cool, compelling images for your next web design or corporate brochure think more metaphorically and see where it takes you. Adopting a theme that fits the client’s business activity or identity is a good way to go about that. Below is the cover for a corporate brochure and matching web page I designed for a law firm. We chose the theme of “Focus” due to the firm’s specialization in a particular segment of law. Being able to depart from the gavel and scales of justice sameness was OK by me. If you have to use a more cliché image look for the treatment of that subject that stands out as unique. Better yet take a stock image and put a little time into making it unique with some of your own customizations in Photoshop or Illustrator.
Over-Used Graphic Techniques
Thanks to Jacob Cass over at Just Creative Design for this well thought out post. Top 7 Most Overused Techniques and Elements In Graphic Design. Good choices and a valid point that these techniques are neither bad nor good. I would add to his list the “wet floor reflection”. I personally think hot, popular trends can be used judiciously as long as you endeavor to give them some sort of individuality or twist. Many of these techniques can be employed in a vast number of ways. And if you design for clients as I do, you may get requests for that particularly “hot” look. I look forward to the rest of Jacob’s 6-part series.
Adobe TV
Very impressive site with the promise of lots of useful content. Love the interface too.
From their April 9th press release:
“Adobe TV is the online video source for anyone with wants to see how Adobe tools are being used to create stunning work,” said Bob Donlon, executive producer for Adobe TV. “It brings together experts from Adobe and the creative community to inspire and teach how to get the most from the software that is empowering the delivery of high-impact print, online, video and mobile communications. It’s also the perfect showcase for Adobe’s broadcast video technologies in action.”
Adobe TV
Clean Up On Isle 4
Is the “wet floor” reflection the next “drop shadow” or “emboss” effect? I’m beginning to think so. This effect is so hot and imitated its becoming mundane. Tutorials abound in how to duplicate it both in Illustrator and Photoshop. Don’t get me wrong. Its cool in the right setting, but the look is so imitated that the trend will either blow out like chrome type finally did or become part of our programs. I can see it now. A layer effect in Photoshop that says “add wet reflection”. As I say this there is no doubt a plug in that already does it (if you know of one let me know about it and I’ll post it). Its easy enough to record an action that could add the effect in an instant. It’s most likely headed towards over-use abuse the same way the emboss everything trend was. We see the results of that trend still in our Photoshop and Illustrator menus. Maybe I need to start a new public service campaign: “use popular graphic effects responsibly”. But I doubt anyone would listen. In the mean time, can you hand me that mop over there?