Posts Tagged designers
The Cute Designer Video That Started It All
Posted by Alan G in Fun Stuff, Graphic Design on July 13th, 2009
I make no secret of my admiration for Gridiron Flow, which in my not-so-humble opinion is the best thing to happen to designers since desktop publishing. Here is the very original YouTube video that enticed me into the private beta test program for the product, more than a year ago:
Flow has its own teaser trailer
Posted by Alan G in Graphic Design, News on July 6th, 2009
You have to love a software company that can put out a seriously cool movie-style trailer for their latest product.
I’ve written about Flow, the application that transforms the way we work with creative software. It was a blast testing, suggesting improvements, and watching the program evolve from its original concept to the mature product that it became when it went on sale last week. Even if you don’t work in the graphic arts, I am sure you’ll hear more mention of Flow. It will become as ubiquitous as Photoshop, no question.
For more information about Gridiron Flow, watch the Overview video and browse their website.
Transforming the way you work with creative projects
Posted by Alan G in Graphic Design, Techie Stuff on June 27th, 2009
I’ve mentioned Gridiron Software’s new application, Flow, in a previous post. I’ve been beta testing Flow since the latter part of 2008, and it’s been quite an evolution. Big news is that the first (possibly the only) Release Candidate has just been made available for download at www.gridironsoftware.com. Every once in a long while, a new program comes along that actually merits the term “innovative,” that changes the way we use computers. The first spreadsheet program (VisiCalc, for those whose memories go back that far) was one. Photoshop was another. Flow is in that category.
If you’re not a video editor or graphics professional, don’t assume Flow isn’t for you. Anyone who works with Microsoft Office files, creating documents, writing copy, or putting together PowerPoint presentations could potentially benefit greatly. There are some excellent intro and how-to videos here.
Breaking News: As of June 30, Flow is now shipping.
Design Always Has a Message
Posted by Alan G in Graphic Design on May 8th, 2009
A couple of recent articles on John McWade’s Before&After blog really point up the importance of keeping the audience in mind, as opposed to the designer or the client, and designing for that audience.
A week or so ago, John posted two Craig’s List ads for the same classic Jeep. He asked for comments as to which one his readers felt more likely to sell the car. You can read that post here, along with the many, many comments. Look them over, read the responses, and make up your own mind.
Why We Design
Posted by Alan G in Graphic Design on April 22nd, 2009
John McWade is a designer’s designer, someone who not only does superb work himself, but has been a teacher and inspiration to many, many others in the years since he became the very first user of the very first desktop publishing software: Pagemaker. I frequently recommend his books, “Before and After: Graphics for Business” and “Before and After: Page Design,” to clients and anyone starting out in the design field. He is also the publisher of Before and After Magazine, one of the finest, certainly the most practical periodical in the field.
This recent post on his blog not only sums up why designers do what we do, but puts our work in a different and thoughtful light; one that it is much too easily missed in our well-fed, computer-aided world.
Pepsi’s New Logo
Posted by Alan G in Graphic Design on March 10th, 2009
Pepsico recently revamped their brand identity for the range of Pepsi soft drinks, provoking a minor storm in the design community. The new look has few supporters, some who are indifferent, and a great many detractors. Read the rest of this entry »
Down to a Tee
Posted by Alan G in Fun Stuff, Graphic Design on February 20th, 2009
I came across an odd but fun website that does nothing but sell t-shirts. It’s not the only such site out there, by a long way, but the designs have a quirky sense of humor that’s refreshingly geeky and stays on the right side of good sensibility (for the most part, anyway). I have to admit it appeals to my own quirky, admittedly geeky sense of humor.
Here’s an example:
Another design shows a cow talking to a milk bottle (remember those?) and saying: “Milk, I am you father.” To which the bottle, of course, replies “Nooooo!”
The company is SnorgTees. It’s good for at least a grin any time you feel the need of one.
Point-of-Purchase Display Quick Fix (Plus!)
Posted by Alan G in Graphic Design on February 8th, 2009
Client calls with a problem: a point of purchase display needs to be made ready for print production. The printer has some detailed requirements that the client doesn’t know how to ensure. Of course there’s a tight budget and they need the thing asap, if not sooner. The existing artwork is in a format (PowerPoint) that the printer can’t use.
This is not an unusual scenario. This being a long-standing client, I of course say “Not a problem. Send me the stuff and we’ll get it turned around quickly.”
Where to start? — This seems like a good place.
Posted by Alan G in Graphic Design on October 19th, 2008
I plan to give this blog a mildly split personality. On the one hand, and mainly for non-designers, I want to post examples and tips on good design, hiring and working with a designer, and other things designed to be educational (and to make my life easier!). On the other, I’ll have a category just for the geeky stuff that will possibly be useful to other people like me who have to keep up with all the latest technology while also earning a living designing great stuff for their clients.
Stay tuned!