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How NOT to Design an Awesome Logo

June 13, 2011 8:10 AM | filed in: ,

I recently ran across an unfortunate web article called "How to Design an Awesome Logo" by Gary Simon. In it, Simon suggests that an "awesome" logo design is as easy as: 1. Opening Photoshop (mistake #1) 2. Typing some fonts (ugh) 3. Vector-tracing a raster image (are you kidding?) This attempt at no-talent-no-problem awesome logo design is full of design NO-NOs any legitimate designer will not use. 1. Opening Photoshop First, designers know that true logos are not created in Photoshop, even if they happen to have a photographic element... because they know the difference between vector art and raster...

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Currency Design

June 9, 2011 11:51 AM | filed in:

Once upon a time, when my brother was in town visiting, we went to a used bookstore. He found something he wanted to buy, but when we checked out, the cashier refused to take his $20 bill, saying with a skeptical look, "Uh, that doesn't look real to me." I didn't look at the bill but quickly traded my brother's for a replacement from my wallet because I didn't want anyone to be embarrassed or to think that we were con-artists. Later, as I looked at the bill I was given, I was shocked to find that it was an...

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Do You Know About...

June 3, 2011 7:14 PM | filed in:

...MagCloud? Design magazines for on-demand printing and shipping. ...Spoonflower?Create custom target="_blank" fabric patterns for small production runs....QOOP? Produce singular photo books and other image-based products.Look around, and you'll find a whole lot more service providers catering to the customization and on-demand production of printed material. Do you know what a big deal this is? When I first started in this business, anything "custom" translated to a big price tag. Printers encouraged designers to stick with pre-determined templates and charged premiums for creating projects outside what previously existed. In addition, custom parameters were considered a viable solution only when the production...

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Consistency and Carrying a Theme

August 21, 2010 11:27 AM | filed in: ,

One pillar of effective marketing is consistency. Presenting a business or product in the same way serves two purposes: First, it repeats the image made on the viewer to increase brand recognition; secondly, it provides an impression that the business is established.  How often have you seen a business card that doesn't match the corresponding website... or office signage... or ad content? This is a common problem when a business doesn't establish its image goals upfront, and/or when it grows too quickly and needs to fulfill media requirements without adequate support to do it right. On the other hand, can...

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Create a Method for the Madness

April 13, 2010 7:29 PM | filed in:

One of the hardest parts of managing long-term projects is making sure the elements--which may include copy, images, data acquisition, editing, approval, quality-assurance--come together in a logical and efficient way, especially when others are in charge of generating or claiming responsibility of those elements while your role is assembly and finishing. In some cases, you may produce and approve everything yourself, so your workflow may be naturally simple or haphazard but ultimately under your own control, but most of the time, others will be contributing to your work. At some point, this means you will have to serve as a...

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Beware of Apparel Company Design Jobs

April 9, 2010 2:08 PM | filed in:

My husband, Dan, is an illustrator and designer. He said he's recently noticed that a lot of recent CL ads for creatives are really vague and sloppily composed, and it's rare to receive an actual response (lots of auto-replies and non-responses), so it's hard to tell whether opportunities are real ones. He's also had a lot of bad experiences with apparel companies, even famous ones, who don't think they need to pay for designers' and illustrators' work. (Unfortunately, a small segment of the creative community probably enables the perpetuation of this.) Two weeks ago, he saw this Craigslist post: We are...

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Do It Yourself Publishing

April 1, 2010 6:40 AM | filed in: ,

I recently had a great time working with Chris-Tia Donaldson on a Kindle edition of her book, Thank God I'm Natural: The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair. It features great historical info on black hair, lots of photos, resources for those going natural, and tons of recipes for home-made hair care. Cool! In addition to writing the book, Chris-Tia self-published it. To help other authors, she's put together a Wordpress site called Do It Yourself Publishing, which includes excerpts from her forthcoming "hands-on" manual for every step of self-publishing. I feel lucky to be included in...

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Kindle Formatting Tips: Part 1

March 24, 2010 11:16 AM | filed in: ,

Unfortunately for the publishing industry, there are many options today that make self-publishing a viable alternative to securing a traditional publishing contract. That doesn't mean it's easy or inexpensive: Expect to shell out time and money to find the right combination of solutions to fit your plan. Also know that you won't have the marketing power, reputation, and connections a "real" publisher has--and that, as more people accept self-publishing as a normal mode of publishing, you'll have to be smarter about competing in a sea of similar content. One of the simplest favors you can do for your book is...

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Shout-Out on the Radio!

March 22, 2010 11:08 AM | filed in: , ,

When my client Tuck Self interviewed another of my clients, Nikki Nokes, about her book Maybe It's You, somehow I came up! They called me "amazing" and "a mind reader." Cool. About Tuck: Her show, Claim Your Voice, Own Your Life, features women who live with bold self-expression. Topics are centered around personal growth, alternative health, and spirituality. Check out this radio talk show for women!About Nikki: Maybe It's You is a book of advice (based on research) about how single women can become successful daters--and get "unsingle." She includes videos and blog entries with dating advice for women.Want in...

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Working on a Case Study

March 18, 2010 11:24 AM | filed in:

When I recently redesigned my site, one thing I was sure I wanted to include was case studies. Potential clients who contact me about my services often seem skeptical when I tell them I can do virtually everything in the creative-print-web-media-writing-&c. realm. I think this is because so many dabblers master one type of mechanical task, then try to sell themselves as full-service designers/developers. I am not putting down self-education; on the contrary, when it comes to creative careers, I think college is... er, a questionable use of money. What I mean is: There are some people who will get...

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Custom Lettering Inspiration

March 1, 2010 7:25 PM | filed in: ,

LetterCult.com, a site dedicated to "highlighting artists and designers doing remarkable work with Custom Letters," includes me on their Letter Makers list. Cool-wee. "It's nice just to be nominated," but seeing the variety of high-quality competition serves as fuel to innovate. (For instance, I could stand to broaden my hand lettering work with more modern, rustic, and purposely rudimentary styles. I also should improve precision to compare with some of those surely mad calligraphers!) Working on new hand-lettering samples will be a project for me in the coming weeks, and I'll post some pieces that pass muster, as well as...

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The Importance of Brand, by Mazda

February 23, 2010 11:19 AM | filed in: ,

Automaker Mazda's website has a good article about rebuilding their brand and making it globally consistent. In addition to addressing their own company's efforts, the piece offers solid general information about the importance of branding and what it can mean to your business. Namely, personality and emotional connection with consumers (through the je ne sais quoi of strong branding) distinguishes one competitor from another, even when their products and services are identical. Mazda is a gigantic corporation, but this is a good perspective for individuals and small businesses who otherwise might find themselves awash in a sea of similar providers...

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Cleaning Up to Up Productivity

February 22, 2010 10:42 AM | filed in: , ,

When I sit down to work, I need a clean desktop: The physical desk where I'm sitting should be uncluttered, and the virtual desktop of my computer should be neat and organized. Clutter in all its forms paralyzes me, so when it accumulates, I find that taking a few minutes to purge it makes for faster, easier work. One form of clutter I've been neglecting for months is this website. While I make my living by organizing and presenting web content for others, I always kind of slapped something on this domain as a Band-Aid instead of treating myself like...

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Site Launch: AllAnimalsVets.com

February 6, 2010 10:00 AM | filed in: ,

This Movable Type-based site allows the staff of a busy Calabasas veterinary office to keep their content updated and organized. Dr. Molnar also is a talented photographer, so it features rotating images on the home page and other photos throughout the site. Working with an existing logo, I designed and built the site. Features: - MovableType - Google Analytics - Twitter - Facebook - RSS- Random image javascriptClick the image to visit the website.

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Site Launch: NikkiNokes.com

February 6, 2010 9:53 AM | filed in: ,

This Movable Type-based blogsite allows author Nikki Nokes to easily update and expand her content. Using materials (logo, book design) I created with the author, I designed and built the site. Features: - Movable Type - Google Analytics - Google Voice - YouTube video- BlogTalkRadio- Amazon Associates- CreateSpace- Twitter - FacebookClick the image to visit the site.

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Food Packaging Trends...

February 5, 2010 4:24 PM | filed in: ,

I love visits to the grocery, partially because I love to cook and partially because there's so much cool design to be had. We generally don't keep junk or prepared foods in the house and stick pretty well to a diet of produce and other fresh foods, but that doesn't mean I don't ooh and ahh over the ever-changing eye candy thrown at us by purveyors of garbage-food and convenience products. I've noticed a recent change in junk food package design, wherein enlarged images of the "food" are printed in full color on the front (and I'm not talking about...

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A Few Updates to the Site...

January 25, 2010 7:18 PM | filed in: ,

I made a few updates today to the Logos; Characters; Spots; and Books & Magazines sections.'Tis about time!

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Maybe... It's You!

January 19, 2010 12:30 PM | filed in:

Check out the cuteness that is Maybe... It's You! by Nikki Nokes. I got to work with the author on the design side of this book, and I LOVE the final product. Besides being a stylish accessory, the book is full of advice, anecdotes, and statistics (not to mention some cool interior illustrations) to help the single girl on the go get "unsingle." Congratulations, Nikki!Maybe... It's You! is available as a paperback or Kindle book. Pick one up today, lovely lady lumps. (You can even try before you buy with a free 61-page excerpt at NikkiNokes.com.)

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Devil in the Details...

November 20, 2009 9:57 PM | filed in: ,

I have two site projects 98% done... it's that last 2% that's coming so slowly on both. Why do things work this way? 

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Seriously, I'm a Big Fat Liar

November 10, 2009 1:08 PM | filed in: ,

I said something in my last post--a week ago!--about posting a video entry the next day. Ha. I have the video, thanks to my lovely little HD camcorder that I've had for a few months. Isn't it amazing how technology advances? My previous HD camcorder, purchased in 1999 or 2000, was super low-resolution in comparison, not to mention really clunky! At the time, it was pretty advanced, but now it's blown away by the new one... I went with a top-of-the-line one again, so I can hopefully get a few (okay, a couple?) years out of it before I feel...

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A Good Way to Get Traffic

October 22, 2009 4:07 PM | filed in: , , , ,

So, for probably about a year, I've been seeing people using post images they created with the "Mad Men Yourself" feature at AE.com. Since its inception, the avatar generator has been improved with added features, and some of the most recent images I've seen include new backgrounds and larger sizes. I thought I'd check it out--and I'm not even a Mad Men-watcher. I've never even seen the show, but I have heard from many people that it's a great one.A+E has made a good decision in developing this lightweight app, because it's fun and allows people to easily make something...

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Five Signs a Client May Be Driving Your Project Down the Toilet

October 21, 2009 6:58 AM | filed in: , ,

Designers and other creatives are often stereotyped as lazy slackers with diva attitudes .There's a new commercial (for Intuit's build-your-own-website service) that shows one dissatisfied customer saying, "I hired a designer to build my website... five months ago..." with a been-there-I-can-relate overtone. Strangely, though, it's been my experience that many times, clients have a hard time doing their part to finish the project. I don't know if it's a mental block, laziness, or lack of real need to complete the work (underlying satisfaction/familiarity with the status quo), but it's clear that some clients are driven to complete a project with...

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Considering Spec Work? Do This Exercise

October 16, 2009 10:05 AM | filed in: ,

If you're tempted by the prospect of requesting free work from someone or participating in a spec relationship, take a moment to fill in the blanks of this paragraph and read it back to yourself. _________ is a gifted _________. He/She is good at what he/she does, so skilled at the work it seems effortless. His/her work improves _________, but it comes to him/her so easily. Why should he/she be compensated for this natural or learned talent?Here are some examples. (For best results, mix famous with non-famous and creative with non-creative combinations.)Business owner: Meryl Streep is a gifted actress. She...

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The Problem with Spec Work... Again, for Those Who Didn't Hear

October 16, 2009 7:59 AM | filed in: , , ,

What is "spec work" and why is it bad? "Spec" stands for "speculative." Spec work is "work done prior to engagement with a client in anticipation of [possibly] being paid," according to AIGA. (Boiled down: Spec is knowingly working without a guarantee of compensation.) Spec work can be disguised as: • Pro bono/volunteer work - This is work usually performed for not-for-profit or struggling organizations. Companies tout the good feelings associated with voluntarism.• Contests - People submit their designs to a judging panel on the chance of winning a (usually small) prize. Even large companies pull this one. We've all...

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Three Movies with Really Nice Palettes

October 15, 2009 9:18 PM | filed in: , , ,

Some movies are visually memorable because the director uses a limited palette (or applies a filter to mute colors). Here are three favorites: Swept Away: Yes, everyone knows what a crapfest this movie was, but no one can confidently deny the beauty of the cinematography. And when it comes to the palette... Look! Even when they were in a lifeboat drifting toward a vacant island, the male star happened to be wearing some navy blue. Palette: tan, brown, gold, cream, navy blue, blackSky Captain & the World of Tomorrow: This was a so-so movie, but the overall look was remarkable...

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10 Great Logos (and an Exercise for Yours)

October 13, 2009 8:23 PM | filed in: ,

What makes a great logo? It's hard to say, since there's such variety to successful logos. Nike's swoop is recognized worldwide, but it doesn't exactly represent the name--and the glut of logos that have used a nondescript "swoosh" since are fodder for mockery among designers. Some companies use an icon most of the time, and others exclusively stick with unadorned text. (Either can be striking.) Still others include emblems or detailed illustrations... so it's fair to say that there is no magic "formula" for a successful logo design. However, you can judge logos for some common traps--weak typefaces, too much...

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Crazy Bad Photoshop

October 10, 2009 1:03 PM | filed in: , ,

I just saw the new issue of In Style at the grocery: It immediately looked weird to me, but I asked Dan, and he didn't see the strangeness of the image. So I quickly roughed in what SHOULD show for comparison: Someone hacked off half of poor Drew's body! Help.

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How Long Should We Archive Things?

October 10, 2009 11:53 AM | filed in: ,

I am currently working on a project that uses tons of huge images... the raw source files alone take up about 40GB of hard drive space. I plan to purge the files immediately after finishing the project, which is out of line with my usual practice: Generally, I keep everything--all versions of drafts, all source files, correspondence--and keep it forever. This latest job got me thinking: How long should a designer (or any project manager) keep things, and should extended archiving be a (billable) service to clients?It's not exactly easy to keep everything. For instance, even years after being finished...

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Open Letter to GD USA Editor Gordon Kaye

August 5, 2009 5:04 AM | filed in: ,

Dear Mr. Kaye, The most recent issue of GD USA (Graphic Design USA) has me once again wringing my hands in distress. The tweet I posted after my read encapsulates my irritation with your magazine and other publications that perpetuate the design awards industry: "Why is every issue of GD USA an 'awards' issue? The design awards industry is such a scam, payola so you can say you're 'award-winning.'"The mediocre articles--generally written with little expertise or research (judging from the content)--I can take. The fluffy anecdotes, bullet-ridden "tips" passages, and extra leading to fill a page I can take. The inundation...

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What I'm working on...

July 4, 2009 12:09 PM | filed in: ,

You'd think with so little going on with my site that I'd take time to let you know what exactly I'm working on. Well... In addition to the usual ongoing load of web projects, I've been working on my new portfolio site. I'd hoped to publish it July 1, but client work comes before self work, and I also have changed my mind a couple of times about how to do my own site. While I usually have little hindrance to developing something for someone else, I have a hard time figuring out what I want to do with my...

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Interesting development

May 30, 2009 11:47 PM | filed in:

Hint: April on the radio. Weekly. More information will be posted in the coming days.

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Three Sites I Designed and Built...

May 27, 2009 10:23 PM | filed in:

...are featured in this YouTube video promo by platform expert Suzanne Falter-Barns. Can you guess which are "mine?" 

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Site Launch: Gutterfresh.com

May 27, 2009 10:19 PM | filed in:

I have been working a LOT lately, but most of my web projects are not live yet (or are being held for official release for various reasons). Here's one I was actually able to launch tonight:

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Star Magazine: Lowering the Bar for 35 Years

May 13, 2009 9:06 PM | filed in:

I have a confession: When I go on vacation, I usually pick up a Star. It's the perfect thing to shut off my intellect and begin to relax... Maybe it's the dearth of real news and reciprocal abundance of useless trivia (as my friend Halie mentioned in her stand-up routine, "Victoria Beckham's waist is 23 inches, the same circumference as a soccer ball!"), but I suspect it's more likely the stupid photos of celebrities--and the horrendous retouching and effects--that really gets me having fun. For someone who truly understands how to use Photoshop, it's easy (and fun!) to spot...

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You Like This. Don't You?

May 9, 2009 9:36 AM | filed in: ,

Really, I can't believe Ace of Cakes is still on. Chef Duff of Charm City Cakes is hardly interesting, but most importantly, the cakes for which they're supposedly renowned SUCK! I marvel at how people are so dazzled... it goes to show you that most people just need to be told they're going to like something to decide that they do like it. Maybe people in Baltimore have no standards when it comes to cake.Here are some issues: - The designs are not very good. The team is given themes and requests most creative cake-makers would die to work on...

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Previews from the Latest Portrait Party

May 3, 2009 3:01 PM | filed in:

This week, I had a little get-together to watch HBO's Grey Gardens. To make it more fun, I plied my friends with wine and pesto potatoes and made them pose for me in headwraps like little Edie. Here's a preview of some photos I took that night. Maybe I'll soon have enough time to actually look through and process the images.

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Design Biz: wedding invitation

March 14, 2009 2:12 PM | filed in: ,

My cousin is getting married in September, and Dan and I are doing the invitations. This is more fun than the usual boring "we cordially request" invite: Their wedding has a tropical theme and will be held at a Hawaiian restaurant, so they wanted something sunny, island-y, and Sailor Jerry tattoo-inspired. We showed them the first set of comps yesterday, and they are totally on board for what we have planned. I have to keep the stuff under wraps for now, but I can't wait to share the finished product... they are so cute and cool! Here's a label from...

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Design Biz: Limited-edition Louboutin shoes

March 6, 2009 9:41 PM | filed in:

While we all are being inundated with dreary news of a supposedly failing economy (and consequently retreating to a life of at-home entertainment and bargain-shopping), it's refreshing to see an injection of pure luxury items to celebrate craftsmanship in decorative arts. Christian Louboutin designed three styles of a shoe inspired by Marie Antoinette, producing 36 pairs that, despite their $6,300 price tags, are selling. (Had I an extra, unneeded seven grand laying around, I'd be all over the yellow ones, which would look hot with a skinny jean.) It seems that, whatever the status of the stock market or...

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Me on LetterCult...

October 29, 2008 10:36 PM | filed in: , ,

Someone added me to featured "Letter Makers" on LetterCult.com, a site devoted to custom-lettering. Nice!

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Publications I Recently Designed

March 18, 2008 9:49 PM | filed in:

These are available in print and/or Kindle at Amazon.com. (What's Kindle, you ask?) OCHO #12 OCHO #13 OCHO #14 OCHO #15 OCHO #16 MiPOesias American Cuban Issue Then there are these over at Lulu. Not So Fast Robespierre by Geoffrey Gatza* American Flamingo by Suzanne Frischkorn Don't Shoot! I'm Just the Avon Lady! by Birdie Jaworski* MiPOesias December 2007 Issue *cover illustrations by Daniel Grant That's on top of some other work. Oh, and "regular" work. I need to update my portfolio soon.

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Where're All the Pictures and Stuff?

January 3, 2008 8:40 PM | filed in: ,

If you've visited my site before, you're probably wondering WTF is going on. Where is the art and other info?I've decided to re-tool the site and haven't yet quite figured out what to do. (I don't have much difficulty when doing creative work for others, but I have a really hard time designing for myself.) Most likely, all design, illustration, and photography portfolio pieces will move to aprilcartergrant.com, and this site will be used for writing and fun stuff.If you have any suggestions for this site or the other, let me know. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy some...

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