Filter Foundry - Marcos Furuya

PAD by: Marcos Furuya

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Contact Artist

Volatus GT
Oculos Mormaii
Redesign Celular Samsung D880
Pomo, auxiliar de cozinha
Confy Blocks
Modelos e Ilustraçoes
AET- Fabrica de Pranchas

Profile Overview

A Student of Industrial Design at Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina- UDESC, Brazil.

Passionate by Design, Illustration, Photography and modeling.

Applications: Adobe Photoshop, AutoCAD, Autodesk 3ds Max, SolidWorks, Adobe Illustrator
Creative Fields:3D Modeling, Digital Art, Industrial Design, Illustration

City: Florianopolis	Personal Site:
Location: BRA	Work URL:
Experience: Not defined	Facebook:
Employer: di20 Design e Arquitetura	Twitter:
Title: Undergrad	LinkedIN:
Status: Available	Other:

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COMMUNICATION ARTS

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News - 12/13/2012

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Webpick of the Day - Lark

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

FRÏS Vodka package redesign

<div><a href="http://www.commarts.com/exhibit/fr-iuml-vodka-package.html"><img border="0" hspace="0" src="http://image.commarts.com/images1/1/3/2/5/523144_71_0_NzA4NTgyNTQtMTQ4ODUyMTM0Mg.jpg" vspace="0" /></a></div><p>The Brand Union recently developed a new identity with standout appeal that delivers on the unique positioning, “Freeze Time. Seize Pure Moments.” The creative team worked two- and three-dimensionally to create a bottle that represents the essence of ice: The crystalline shape communicates icy purity and the dark color provides greater contrast to the memorable silhouette. The logo was developed in line with the structure and the end result is a beautifully frozen identity that corresponds with the “FRÏS the Moment” tagline. It’s an elegantly frosted, contemporary design that’s successfully led to a strong reaction from young male consumers.<br />Credits: <a href="http://www.thebrandunion.com">www.thebrandunion.com </a> | <a href="http://frisvodka.com">frisvodka.com </a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.commarts.com/exhibit/fr-iuml-vodka-package.html"><img border="0" src="http://image.commarts.com/images1/1/3/2/5/523146_71_0_LTE2MTYxODUyMTIxMzAzMzE0Njgz.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.commarts.com/exhibit/fr-iuml-vodka-package.html"><img border="0" src="http://image.commarts.com/images1/1/3/2/5/523145_71_0_LTExOTI2OTc3MDktMTYxNTgzNzQ4OA.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.commarts.com/exhibit/fr-iuml-vodka-package.html"><img border="0" src="http://image.commarts.com/images1/1/3/2/5/523143_71_0_NDk0MzQ1NzU3LTE3NDU0MjczNTg.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.commarts.com/~ff/commarts/index?a=YNtA2VN8Tv8:c5joTwjbLh8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/commarts/index?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.commarts.com/~ff/commarts/index?a=YNtA2VN8Tv8:c5joTwjbLh8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/commarts/index?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.commarts.com/~ff/commarts/index?a=YNtA2VN8Tv8:c5joTwjbLh8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/commarts/index?i=YNtA2VN8Tv8:c5joTwjbLh8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/commarts/index/~4/YNtA2VN8Tv8" width="1" />

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Cooperative! Part 3

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Coming Soon: 2013 Typography Annual!

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

News - 12/12/2012

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

VW "Smiles" spot

<div><a href="http://www.commarts.com/exhibit/smiles-spot.html"><img border="0" hspace="0" src="http://image.commarts.com/images1/6/2/2/5/522609_71_0_Mzc1Mjc5NzM1LTE2OTI1NjU1Mjg.jpg" vspace="0" /></a></div><p>Deutsch Inc. recently launched the new “Why VW” social media campaign for Volkswagen of America to capture and share its stories in a whole new way. The campaign officially kicked off with the airing of <a href="http://www.epochfilms.com/directors/usa/everynone/volkswagen-smiles-30" target="_blank">this commercial</a>, a showcase of beautifully simple human moments of joy. In the heartwarming spot people of all ages and nationalities embody the spirit, fun and positivity that have defined the brand and its vehicles for decades.<br />Credits: <a href="http://www.deutschinc.com">www.deutschinc.com </a> | <a href="http://why.vw.com">why.vw.com </a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.commarts.com/exhibit/smiles-spot.html"><img border="0" src="http://image.commarts.com/images1/6/2/2/5/522608_71_0_Mzc1Mjc5MzA0LTY5NzgyMzcxMw.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.commarts.com/exhibit/smiles-spot.html"><img border="0" src="http://image.commarts.com/images1/6/2/2/5/522607_71_0_Mzc1Mjc5MzA0MTU5MTY1OTYzOQ.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.commarts.com/exhibit/smiles-spot.html"><img border="0" src="http://image.commarts.com/images1/6/2/2/5/522606_71_0_Mzc1Mjc5MzA0MTAwNjAwMjc4NA.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.commarts.com/~ff/commarts/index?a=OwMv5kArrnM:Y2wDlLGA26Q:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/commarts/index?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.commarts.com/~ff/commarts/index?a=OwMv5kArrnM:Y2wDlLGA26Q:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/commarts/index?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.commarts.com/~ff/commarts/index?a=OwMv5kArrnM:Y2wDlLGA26Q:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/commarts/index?i=OwMv5kArrnM:Y2wDlLGA26Q:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/commarts/index/~4/OwMv5kArrnM" width="1" />

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Webpick of the Day - BOHAN Advertising

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

News - 12/11/2012

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

Handlebar identity

<div><a href="http://www.commarts.com/exhibit/handlebar-identity.html"><img border="0" hspace="0" src="http://image.commarts.com/images1/6/2/2/5/522604_71_0_NDI3MTQyMjU3Njk1Njk0OTIx.jpg" vspace="0" /></a></div><p>In summer 2012, this bicycle-themed bar opened in Toronto’s famously eccentric Kensington Market. Using a philosophy of adaptation and alteration and an eclectic mix of old and new, local creative agency Open created an identity and an an experience that resonates. The logo uses a simple sans serif font with added custom elements; it’s a playful language of authentic Victorian imagery overlaid with a half-tone pattern to create a modern feel. <br /><br /> Communication pieces reinforce Handlebar’s spirit by referring to the history of bicycle culture of Toronto. From bathroom signage and a direct marketing card (placed in the spokes of bicycles in Toronto’s downtown core) to a special draft lager (The Handlebrew) and the bar’s signature shot (The Tandem, which comes on its very own coaster built for two) it’s an experience uniquely Toronto.<br />Credits: <a href="http://www.openacreativecompany.com">www.openacreativecompany.com </a> | <a href="http://www.thehandlebar.ca">www.thehandlebar.ca </a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.commarts.com/exhibit/handlebar-identity.html"><img border="0" src="http://image.commarts.com/images1/6/2/2/5/522602_71_0_NDI3MTQyMjU3Mzg4OTUwMDU4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.commarts.com/exhibit/handlebar-identity.html"><img border="0" src="http://image.commarts.com/images1/6/2/2/5/522601_71_0_LTM1NzI5MzU5NDgyNTQwODc1Nw.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.commarts.com/exhibit/handlebar-identity.html"><img border="0" src="http://image.commarts.com/images1/6/2/2/5/522603_71_0_NDI3MTQyMjU3LTE3MDc0NDYzMg.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.commarts.com/~ff/commarts/index?a=B_nhRIfhFT0:GKE6QTeiPlo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/commarts/index?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.commarts.com/~ff/commarts/index?a=B_nhRIfhFT0:GKE6QTeiPlo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/commarts/index?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.commarts.com/~ff/commarts/index?a=B_nhRIfhFT0:GKE6QTeiPlo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/commarts/index?i=B_nhRIfhFT0:GKE6QTeiPlo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/commarts/index/~4/B_nhRIfhFT0" width="1" />

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

DIGITAL ARTS

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Interview: Founder of #includedesign campaign to save Britain from a creative education crisis

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Taschen opens shop in The Simpsons to make Springfield hip

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Flickr iOS app redesigned

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

WordPress 3.5 gets a media management makeover

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Parasol Island's boys' choir singing Mad World get a million hits in two weeks

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Adobe releases Photoshop & Illustrator updates, tools for teams to Creative Cloud subscribers & a Dropbox-style app

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

Pictoplasma Berlin 2013 artists revealed

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

UK design industry tells Michael Gove to put design into the EBacc

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

BBEdit 10.5 adds Retina display support & better navigation

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

BBEdit 10.5 adds Retina display support, navigation improvements, and more

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

JUST CREATIVE DESIGN

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Recent Web & Branding Work (Jul-Dec)

<p class="intro">Back in July I posted some of my <a href="http://justcreative.com/2012/07/27/recent-web-design-work/" title="Recent Web Work">recent work</a> for <a href="http://justcreative.com/2012/07/29/comedians-in-cars-getting-coffee/" title="Jerry Seinfeld">Jerry Seinfeld</a>, <a href="http://justcreative.com/2012/07/11/sweetn-low-website/" title="Sweet N Low">Sweet’N Low</a>, <a href="http://justcreative.com/2012/06/01/energy-kitchen/" title="Energy Kitchen">Energy Kitchen</a> and now six months later, I have a few more web & branding projects to share with you. Thanks for looking!</p> <h2>Ruff Club</h2> <p><a href="http://ruffclub.com" title="Ruff Club NYC">Ruff Club</a> is a dog-friendly social club and contemporary pet care hub based in East Village, New York City. I had the pleasure of branding this new business from the ground up, creating their logo, overall look & feel and web site design.</p> <p>The positioning of the brand shies away from the “boutique hotel experience” and instead, true to the East Village, offers a laid-back environment where dogs and humans are treated with dignity and respect but never pampered or infantilized.</p> <p>Ruff Club is built on the idea that people can channel the love and humility their dogs provide, into new relationships and collective community engagement.</p> <p>Ruff Club will be opening their doors very soon. I’ll share more photos once they become available.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignnone"><img alt="Ruff Club Logo" class=" " height="457" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/RUFF-Club-Logo-640x457.jpg" title="Ruff Club Logo" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Ruff Club Logo</p></div> <div> <div class="mceTemp"></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone"><img alt="Ruff Club Logo Reversed" class=" " height="457" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/RUFF-Club-Logo-Dark-640x457.jpg" title="Ruff Club Logo Reversed" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Ruff Club Logo Reversed</p></div> </div> <div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11470"><a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Ruff-Club-Website-Home-Page.jpg"><img alt="Ruff Club Website Home Page" class="size-large wp-image-11470" height="421" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Ruff-Club-Website-Home-Page-640x421.jpg" title="Ruff Club Website Home Page" width="640" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Ruff Club Website Home Page</p></div> </div> <div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11471"><a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Ruff-Club-Website-SubPage.jpg"><img alt="Ruff Club Website FAQ Page" class="size-large wp-image-11471" height="655" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Ruff-Club-Website-SubPage-640x655.jpg" title="Ruff Club Website FAQ Page" width="640" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Ruff Club Website FAQ Page</p></div> </div> <div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11465"><img alt="Ruff Club Letterhead (Logo Stamped On) & Business Card" class="size-large wp-image-11465" height="477" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Ruff-Club-Stationery-640x477.jpg" title="Ruff-Club-Stationery" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Ruff Club Letterhead (The logo & text are stamped on) & Business Card</p></div> </div> <div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11438"><img alt="Ruff Club Pre Launch at the NYC Halloween Dog Parade " class="size-large wp-image-11438" height="480" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Ruff-Club-Launch-640x480.jpg" title="Ruff Club Pre Launch at the NYC Halloween Dog Parade " width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Ruff Club pre launch at the NYC Halloween Dog Parade.</p></div> </div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11439"><img alt="Ruff Club Store" class="size-large wp-image-11439" height="480" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Ruff-Club-Store-640x480.jpg" title="Ruff-Club-Store" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Outside of the Ruff Club store front, providing support for pets effected by Hurricane Sandy.</p></div> <h2>Coffee Shop Restaurant, NYC</h2> <p>When Ammirati (the agency I work at) was asked to rebrand & refresh the iconic <a href="http://thecoffeeshopnyc.com" title="The Coffee Shop NYC">Coffee Shop</a> restaurant in Union Square, our stomachs growled at the opportunity. We designed a sexy new website that visually reflected their 23 opening hours, both for the desktop and mobile.</p> <p>Each of the 23 squares on their home page represents 1 hour of the day and a photo taken within that hour is randomly displayed each time the page is loaded. The website is scalable ensuring that screen sizes are used to their maximum potential. Viewing the menu and ordering online is just one click away too.</p> <p>My role in this project was coming up with the 23 hour grid concept and the overall UX / UI design for the desktop and mobile versions of the site.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11391"><img alt="Coffee Shop Website" class="size-large wp-image-11391" height="468" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Coffee-Shop-Website-640x468.jpg" title="Coffee-Shop-Website" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">The Coffee Shop Website</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11295"><a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Coffee-Shop-Final.jpg"><img alt="Coffee Shop Union Square, NYC" class="size-large wp-image-11295 " height="445" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Coffee-Shop-Final-640x445.jpg" title="Coffee Shop" width="640" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The home page for the 'Coffee Shop' Union Square, NYC</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11296"><a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Coffee-Shop-Menu.jpg"><img alt="Website Menu Page for 'Coffee Shop' Union Square, NYC" class="size-large wp-image-11296" height="445" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Coffee-Shop-Menu-640x445.jpg" title="Coffee-Shop-Menu" width="640" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The menu page for 'Coffee Shop' Union Square, NYC </p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11321"><a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CoffeeShop-Mobile.jpg"><img alt="Coffee Shop NYC Mobile Website" class="size-large wp-image-11321" height="354" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/CoffeeShop-Mobile-640x354.jpg" title="CoffeeShop-Mobile" width="640" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Coffee Shop NYC Mobile Website</p></div> <h2>Au Natural <em>In The Raw</em> Facebook App</h2> <p>The Au Natural <em>In The Raw </em>app allows users to upload their own food photo, censor it, and then share their successful creation. Friends can then click on the shared photo and “reveal” the sweet creation via an interactive slider. Users can then share their own photo, view the Au Natural gallery and gain access to secret <em>In The Raw</em> recipes.</p> <p>My role in this project was the interaction design for both the mobile & desktop versions of the Facebook application; including the overall architecture of the app, the user experience & user interface design. Designed & developed at Ammirati.</p> <p>The mobile version can be seen here (must be viewed on a Mobile device):<br /> <a href="https://www.hotintherawaction.com/mobile/" target="_blank">https://www.hotintherawaction.com/mobile/</a></p> <p>The desktop version can be seen here:<br /> <a href="https://www.hotintherawaction.com/" target="_blank">https://www.hotintherawaction.com/</a></p> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11312"><a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/ITR-Mobile.jpg"><img alt="In The Raw Mobile" class="size-large wp-image-11312" height="457" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/ITR-Mobile-640x457.jpg" title="ITR Mobile" width="640" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">In The Raw Mobile Facebook App</p></div> <p><a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/02-Au-Natural-Facebook.jpg"><img alt="Au Natural Food Porn Gallery Facebook Cover Photo" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11204" height="560" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/02-Au-Natural-Facebook-640x560.jpg" title="02-Au-Natural-Facebook" width="640" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/03-Au-Natural-Home.jpg"><img alt="Au Natural App Home Page" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11205" height="962" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/03-Au-Natural-Home-640x962.jpg" title="03-Au-Natural-Home" width="640" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/04-Au-Natural-Censor.jpg"><img alt="Au Natural: Censor Your Food Photo" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11206" height="856" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/04-Au-Natural-Censor-640x856.jpg" title="04-Au-Natural-Censor" width="640" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/05-Au-Natural-Success.jpg"><img alt="Au Natural Sweet Success - Food Photo Censored" class="size-large wp-image-11207" height="1059" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/05-Au-Natural-Success-640x1059.jpg" title="05-Au-Natural-Success" width="640" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/06-Au-Natural-Slide.jpg"><img alt="Au Natural Food Photo Slider Reveal" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11208" height="1447" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/06-Au-Natural-Slide-640x1447.jpg" title="06-Au-Natural-Slide" width="640" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/09-Au-Natural-Recipe.jpg"><img alt="Au Natural Food Recipe Page" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11210" height="1253" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/09-Au-Natural-Recipe-640x1253.jpg" title="09-Au-Natural-Recipe" width="640" /></a></p> <div> <a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Au-Natural-Mobile.jpg"><img alt="Au Natural In The Raw Mobile App" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11211" height="410" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Au-Natural-Mobile-640x410.jpg" title="Au-Natural-Mobile" width="640" /></a></div> <h2>Vero Water</h2> <p><a href="http://verowater.com" title="Vero Water">Vero Water</a> is the industry leader for the finest still and sparkling water and is based in Miami, USA. I created this logo / brand identity / bottle design back in 2009 however they’ve just had a photo shoot and thought I would share some of the new shots.</p> <div><img alt="Vero Logo" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11091" height="457" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Vero-Logo-640x457.jpg" title="Vero-Logo" width="640" /></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div><img alt="VERO Water Bottles" height="372" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/vero-water-bottles.jpeg" title="VERO Water Bottles" width="600" /></div> <div></div> <div><img alt="VERO Water Bottling System" height="400" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/vero-water-bottling-system.jpeg" title="VERO Water Bottling System" width="600" /></div> <div></div> <div><img alt="VERO Miami" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11093" height="408" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/vero-miami.jpeg" title="vero-miami" width="612" /></div> <div></div> <div><img alt="VERO Restaurant" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11094" height="342" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/vero-restaurant-640x342.jpg" title="vero-restaurant" width="640" /></div> <div></div> <h2>Appex</h2> <p>Another client, <a href="http://appex.no" title="Appex">Appex</a>, that I designed the brand identity for in 2009 has been expanding very fast. Here are some snaps showing their identity in use, from yo-yos, to soccer jerseys, to 8-foot high signage. Great to see it all come alive!</p> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11329"><img alt="Appex Front Desk with Yo-Yos and Balloons" class="size-full wp-image-11329" height="427" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Appex-Front-Desk.jpg" title="Appex-Front-Desk" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Appex Front Desk with Yo-Yos and Balloons</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11330"><img alt="Appex Lobby" class="size-large wp-image-11330" height="427" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Appex-Lobby-640x427.jpg" title="Appex Lobby" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Appex Lobby</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11328"><img alt="Appex Welcome Chair" class="size-full wp-image-11328" height="800" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Appex-Chair.jpg" title="Appex-Chair" width="600" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Appex Welcome Chair</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11332"><img alt="Installing The Appex Signage" class="size-large wp-image-11332" height="427" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Appex-Signage-Installation-640x427.jpg" title="Appex-Signage-Installation" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Installing The Appex Signage</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11333"><img alt="Appex Signage" class="size-large wp-image-11333" height="427" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Appex-Signage-640x427.jpg" title="Appex-Signage" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">8 Foot Appex Signage</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11331"><img alt="Appex Newspaper Ad" class="size-large wp-image-11331" height="480" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Appex-Newspaper-Ad-640x480.jpg" title="Appex-Newspaper-Ad" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Appex Newspaper Ad</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11334"><img alt="Appex Football Team" class="size-large wp-image-11334" height="338" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Appex-Soccer-Team-640x338.jpg" title="Appex-Soccer-Team" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Appex Football Team</p></div> <p>Thoughts and comments are always welcome. Thanks again for looking!</p> <p>As a heads up, the Just Creative blog may be a bit quiet over the December holiday break as I will be traveling. Happy Holidays all!</p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=VDJFQ0wBdDQ:pG9baofuqzo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=VDJFQ0wBdDQ:pG9baofuqzo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=VDJFQ0wBdDQ:pG9baofuqzo:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=VDJFQ0wBdDQ:pG9baofuqzo:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=VDJFQ0wBdDQ:pG9baofuqzo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=VDJFQ0wBdDQ:pG9baofuqzo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=VDJFQ0wBdDQ:pG9baofuqzo:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=VDJFQ0wBdDQ:pG9baofuqzo:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=VDJFQ0wBdDQ:pG9baofuqzo:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=VDJFQ0wBdDQ:pG9baofuqzo:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

4 Lessons to Learn from Charles and Ray Eames

<p><em>*This is a guest article contributed by Aniya Wells.</em></p> <p class="intro"><strong>Charles and Ray Eames</strong> were the design power couple of the 20th century. Their Eames Lounge chair for Herman Miller, shown below, is one of the most lusted-after furniture designs in the world, and is only the best known example of their vast output.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11415"><img alt="Eames Lounge Chair" class="size-large wp-image-11415" height="357" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/eames-lounge-chair-640x357.jpg" title="eames-lounge-chair" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Eames Lounge Chair</p></div> <p>For over 35 years, Charles and Ray lived as husband and wife, but also as partners in a design practice that put forth such remarkably varied fruits as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eames_House" title="Eames House">Eames Case Study House</a>, the film <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powers_of_Ten" title="Powers of Ten">Powers of Ten</a>, and the exhibition Mathematica, still on view today at the Boston Museum of Science.</p> <p>Though slogan writing was not one of their advertised areas of expertise, Charles had a particular knack for the pithy, memorable quotation. I have drawn on some of them, published in the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/100-Quotes-By-Charles-Eames/dp/B003CMTHQQ" title="100 Quotes from Charles & Ray Eames">100 Quotes by Charles Eames</a>, in order to suggest a handful of lessons we can learn from the Eames Office:</p> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11413"><img alt="Charles Ray Eames" class="size-full wp-image-11413" height="443" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/charles-ray-eames.jpg" title="charles-ray-eames" width="600" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Ray & Charles Eames</p></div> <h3>1. “The role of the designer is that of a very good, thoughtful host anticipating the needs of his guests.”</h3> <p>This quote from Charles Eames succinctly sums up the couple’s philosophical approach to design, and it explains the charm, detail, and accessibility that characterize so much of their work. The word “guest” is tossed around so much these days as a euphemism for “customer” that it’s easy to lose track of the original meaning of the word.</p> <p>The Eameses, as global travelers and enthusiastic amateur anthropologists (indeed, they saw this as part of their role as designers) learned firsthand the value of hospitality, and the role of a designer in smoothing the way for people to live and work. This means not only making things more functional, though that’s of primary importance. It also means making them more pleasing. As Charles often admonished designers:</p> <div class="superquote"> “Take your pleasures seriously.” </div> <h3>2. The more you do, the more you can do.</h3> <p>Perhaps the greatest secret to the success of the Eameses was that they refused to specialize. By taking commissions and launching new projects of their own for architecture, film, furniture, toys, games, museum exhibits, textiles, magazines, and more, they developed a comprehensive, even universal approach to their work. “We work because it’s a chain reaction, each subject leads to the next,” Charles said. A varied career has a way of cross-fertilizing from one domain to another.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11414"><img alt="The Eames House" class="size-full wp-image-11414" height="480" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/eames-house.jpg" title="eames-house" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">The Eames House. Photo by Thomahalk1.</p></div> <h3>3. “Innovate as a last resort. More horrors are done in the name of innovation than any other.”</h3> <p>Great designers are voracious scavengers. In this age of sampling, mashups, and copyleft activism, we can look back and see that Charles and Ray were far ahead of their time in their collage-like approach to creativity. They disapproved of the cult of originality in their time, and saw that often the best solutions come from the ground up.</p> <div class="superquote"> “Eventually, everything connects – people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se.” </div> <p>This should extend to your interactions with fellow designers. Being competitive is natural, but try to create a space for idea incubation, exchange, and riffing. After all, “Ideas are cheap. Always be passionate about ideas and communicating those ideas and discoveries to others in the things you make.”</p> <h3>4. A partnership is more than the sum of its parts.</h3> <p>While most of us are not married to our professional colleagues (and if we are, we know it certainly presents complications absent from our romantic daydreams), nevertheless this is true of even purely creative relationships. Think about how you can create this type of nonzero economy in your own interactions. When working with a client, don’t impose your own vision from outside, but consider what unique qualities you can draw out from them.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11425"><img alt="La Chaise" class="size-full wp-image-11425" height="480" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/la-chaise.jpg" title="La Chaise" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">La Chaise Lounge Chair</p></div> <p>With all their diverse accomplishments, the greatest example the Eameses left us is their dynamic, symbiotic life together. As Charles put it, “Any time one or more things are consciously put together in a way that they can accomplish something better than they could have accomplished individually, this is an act of design.”</p> <p>For more Eames, this <a href="http://fuckyeahrayandcharleseames.tumblr.com/archive" title="Ray Charles Eames">Tumblr has a nice visual overview</a>. <strong>Do you have a favorite Eames piece?</strong></p> <p>–</p> <p><em>*Aniya Wells is a freelance blogger who primarily writes for <a href="http://www.onlinedegreeprograms.com/" title="Online Degree Programs">www.onlinedegreeprograms.com</a>. She also enjoys investigating trends in other niches, notably technology, traditional higher education, health, and small business. Aniya welcomes reader questions and comments.</em></p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=fMLskbSeW1Y:q3UwEFRP93c:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=fMLskbSeW1Y:q3UwEFRP93c:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=fMLskbSeW1Y:q3UwEFRP93c:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=fMLskbSeW1Y:q3UwEFRP93c:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=fMLskbSeW1Y:q3UwEFRP93c:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=fMLskbSeW1Y:q3UwEFRP93c:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=fMLskbSeW1Y:q3UwEFRP93c:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=fMLskbSeW1Y:q3UwEFRP93c:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=fMLskbSeW1Y:q3UwEFRP93c:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=fMLskbSeW1Y:q3UwEFRP93c:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS

My Fav Tweets From This Week (Nov 2-9)

<p class="intro">Here are a few interesting links that I tweeted this week. <a href="http://twitter.com/justcreative" title="Just Creative on Twitter">Feel free to follow @justcreative for more</a>.</p> <p><img alt="Twitter Bird" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11182" height="400" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/twitter-bird.gif" title="twitter-bird" width="640" /></p> <ul> <li>Pretty solid advice and tips from <a dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/teehanlax">@teehanlax</a>: 10 Years of Teehan + Lax <a dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/9BvpYvZl" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/Py3RRP">http://bit.ly/Py3RRP</a></li> <li>Did you know you can save paths within JPGS? Here’s how. <a dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/B1Vv7jwl" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/PGKs19">http://bit.ly/PGKs19</a></li> <li>Instagram gets profiles, here’s mine – <a dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/fISJZ03O" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/RJOy6L">http://bit.ly/RJOy6L</a></li> <li>A neat little stunt releasing the new Sony Xperia phone – <a dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/bKSThrni" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/WBR2Kq">http://bit.ly/WBR2Kq</a></li> <li>Appex, a client I designed the brand identity for has recently installed a rather massive sign on their building. <a dir="ltr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/appex/7985402043/in/photostream" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/RFh8q4 </a></li> <li>Hurricane Sandy is “likely the most digitally captured event in history”. 1.3 million photos were tagged with <a dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Sandy&src=hash"><s>#</s>Sandy</a>. <a dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/4yUr5UAi" target="_blank" title="http://on.mash.to/Wr8Wzj">http://on.mash.to/Wr8Wzj</a></li> <li>Although Hurricane Sandy was bad, I certainly wouldn’t wanna come across a fire tornado! Damn! <a dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/2E98BpWk" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/YyRmaQ">http://bit.ly/YyRmaQ</a></li> <li>ikonic 150 vector icon set by <a dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/rakeshdesign">@rakeshdesign</a> looks pretty neat <a dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/ovJlzJ2m" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/VXHq6N">http://bit.ly/VXHq6N </a> Free 25 too!</li> <li>A sneak preview of the new <a dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/RuffClubNYC">@ruffclubnyc</a> website that I created the brand identity / website for. <a dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/JF8WYrQX" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/XP6q3L">http://bit.ly/XP6q3L</a></li> <li><a dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/NRL">@NRL</a> Rugby League launches new brand logo <a dir="ltr" href="http://t.co/4t5k2RZk" target="_blank" title="http://bit.ly/Rfz74f">http://bit.ly/Rfz74f </a></li> <li>A Year In Full Colour stop motion video – <a href="http://youtu.be/7Q9XvlMITrQ" title="YouTube">http://youtu.be/7Q9XvlMITrQ</a></li> </ul> <p>Stay tuned for more.</p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=0Oqch38j_uE:L8rCxgMpnyw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=0Oqch38j_uE:L8rCxgMpnyw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=0Oqch38j_uE:L8rCxgMpnyw:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=0Oqch38j_uE:L8rCxgMpnyw:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=0Oqch38j_uE:L8rCxgMpnyw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=0Oqch38j_uE:L8rCxgMpnyw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=0Oqch38j_uE:L8rCxgMpnyw:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=0Oqch38j_uE:L8rCxgMpnyw:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=0Oqch38j_uE:L8rCxgMpnyw:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=0Oqch38j_uE:L8rCxgMpnyw:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

UPDATED: 6 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

7 Ways Designers Can Get Their Foot in the Door

<p><em>This is a collaborative guest article between Jamie Wayne* and I.</em></p> <p class="intro">Whether you’re a graphic <a href="http://justcreative.com/category/design-for-students/" title="Design For Students">design student</a> or a young professional, getting your foot in the door is not as simple as it sounds. Taking the first step requires initiative, patience and some wisdom too.</p> <p>Thankfully, there’s always a way to make it in and this article will provide seven different ways for you to get your foot in the door.</p> <div><img alt="Foot In The Door" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11123" height="426" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/foot-door-640x426.jpg" title="Foot In The Door" width="640" /></div> <h2>1. Network at Conferences & Events</h2> <p><a href="http://jamiewayne.com/2012/02/04/xcviii-why-you-should-start-networking-now-instead-of-later/" target="_blank" title="Why you should start networking now instead of later">Networking</a> at <a href="http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2012/10/25/upcoming-web-design-development-conferences-2012-2013/" target="_blank" title="Design Conferences 2013">design conferences </a>and professional events can be a good way to get meet new people and build a professional stronghold. From conversing with other graphic designers to developers, copywriters, and business owners, exposure from these events can lead to great opportunities. With this said, walking into an event blindfolded may set you up for trouble as first impressions are everything. It’s imperative to keep a few things in mind when making your first impression – be admirable and memorable.</p> <p><strong>Be Admirable</strong></p> <ul> <li>Plan ahead for networking opportunities by <a href="http://www.howdesign.com/design-career/job-search-tips/present-your-portfolio/" title="Portfolio Polish">polishing up your portfolio</a> & <a href="http://www.yourbusinesscardsucks.com/" target="_blank" title="Your Card Sucks">business cards</a>.</li> <li>Be presentable for the occasion. Is it casual or formal?</li> <li>Ask questions and be interested (or act it) in every discussion.</li> <li>Don’t try to oversell your skills or services. Tell don’t sell.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Be Memorable</strong></p> <p>Small talk & <a href="http://justcreative.com/2008/10/02/design-elevator-speeches/" title="Elevator Speeches">elevator pitches</a> are common within these arenas, so listen well, show courtesy and thank those you talk to for their time. Don’t be afraid to smile and lighten up the mood a bit. Offer your business card as you close the conversation and you’ll most likely get the other person’s card in return. Keep the card in case you want to follow up with this person in the near future.</p> <h2>2. Follow Up, Use LinkedIn & Other Social Sites</h2> <p><a href="http://mashable.com/2012/05/23/linkedin-beginners/" target="_blank" title="LinkedIn Beginners">LinkedIn</a> is a great tool for building networks <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8MDihYKZTU" title="How to get clients on LinkedIn">and getting clients</a>, however it’s also a very handy tool to follow up with those you have briefly conversed with. A quick search of their name should yield a number of results. Before you contact them, think of the best way to contact them? Would they prefer an email rather than a LinkedIn connection?</p> <h2>3. Seek a Mentor</h2> <p>Having a mentor is a great way to learn the ropes. You will learn things such as <a href="http://justcreative.com/2009/02/26/how-much-to-charge-for-design-work/" target="_blank">how much to charge for design</a>, <a href="http://justcreative.com/2010/06/24/design-agency-vs-freelance-life/" target="_blank" title="Design agency vs freelancing">the pros and cons of freelancing</a>, <a href="http://justcreative.com/2007/12/27/how-to-boost-your-creativity/" target="_blank" title="Creativity">how to improve your creative process</a>, <a href="http://justcreative.com/2011/11/29/designer-office-set-up/" target="_blank" title="Designer Tools">recommended tools</a>, how to present your work, and much more.</p> <p>It’s important to understand the relationship between a mentor and mentee. Like a relationship between a couple, the mentor/mentee is also a two-way commitment that requires trust and honesty. Help them and they will help you. Ask for advice, seek out new opportunities & if you have to get the coffee, do it with a smile.</p> <div><img alt="Mentor" height="424" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/mentor-640x424.jpg" title="Mentor" width="640" /></div> <h5><strong>How do you find a mentor?</strong></h5> <p><strong></strong> It all depends on the scenario however there are a <a href="http://www.howdesign.com/design-career/mentoring/" title="Find a design mentor">few methods of finding a mentor</a>;</p> <p><strong>In Person</strong></p> <p>Once you’ve connected with someone and got to know them and have established some trust, it wouldn’t hurt to ask if they have the time to show you more of the ropes. Let that person know you’re interested in learning from them and see what they have to say. Be flexible with them, as it’s them doing you a favor.</p> <p><strong>Online</strong></p> <p><strong></strong>If you’re breaking the ice online, take extra care in crafting your approach, as it can be very difficult to convey personality through written communication. Always let them know you appreciate their time. If the person doesn’t have the time available, then it wouldn’t hurt to ask a few questions. At the very least, seldom communication may lead to a slowly growing relationship. Get them on your radar, and keep them there without being a pest.</p> <h2>4. Take Up Pro-Bono Work</h2> <p>Taking up <a href="http://www.davidairey.com/pro-bono-design/" target="_blank" title="Pro Bono Design">pro-bono work</a> will not only help a special cause, but it will build up your portfolio which will help you land more projects & strengthen your credibility in the long term.</p> <div><img alt="Pro Bono Work" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11122" height="496" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/charity-640x496.jpg" title="Charity" width="640" /></div> <p>Before taking on pro bono work consider the following; Is there enough time to make the commitment? Are you financially capable of accepting a pro-bono project? What kinds of organisations would you do pro-bono work for? Make sure you are suited to take on pro-bono work before endorsing a false commitment.</p> <h2>5. Get Your Work or Portfolio Reviewed</h2> <p>Sharing your portfolio with seasoned professionals and asking for a review can help you gain new insights on the execution of your creative ideas. <a href="http://blog.teamtreehouse.com/the-art-of-the-design-critique" target="_blank" title="Constructive Criticism">Constructive criticism</a> is encouraged and you should always aim to take away new ideas and possibilities. Follow the motto; <a href="http://www.nwicreative.org/learn/get-your-portfolio-up-to-snuff/" target="_blank" title="Get your portfolio up to snuff">seek criticism, not praise</a>.</p> <p>Sharing your work will also allow other designers to observe your style, thought process, and results. This will allow others to lend you advice, which may lead into a steady stream of communication.</p> <h2>6. Start a Blog & Guest Author</h2> <p>Don’t overlook the benefits of <a href="http://justcreative.com/2011/04/27/building-a-personal-brand/" target="_blank" title="Starting A Blog">starting a blog</a>. In conjunction with social media sites, a blog can help establish your online presence, as well as be the frontier of your voice and portfolio.</p> <p>While some authors write on their own blog, others will contribute their articles elsewhere as a guest author. Guest authoring is a great way to share your voice with audiences elsewhere and connect with others on an international scale.</p> <div><img alt="Im Possible" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11124" height="423" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/im-possible-640x423.jpg" title="Possible" width="640" /></div> <p>While each one of these ways can help you gain more exposure, utilizing several, if not all, will maximize your chances significantly.</p> <h2>7. Take Action</h2> <p>As a last piece of advice, I want to recite a few words, courtesy of my mentor, <a href="http://www.chasetalon.com/" target="_blank" title="Chase Talon Design">Chase Talon</a>, that inspired me to push myself through the doors.</p> <blockquote><p><em>“There is one thing and one thing alone that leads to success. That is action. Make a decision on what you want and begin moving forward with an unwavering, unrelenting, incessant vigor to see your goal to it’s end. Never letting fear guide you. It’s an illusion. All fear, and negativity are, is a test to prove how bad you want something.”</em></p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.whosay.com/BillMaher/videos/5963" title="Wish It. Want It. Do It.">Wish it, want it, do it</a>.</p> <p><strong>Have you got any other tips on how designers can get their foot in the door?</strong></p> <p>–</p> <p><em>*<a href="http://www.jamiewayne.com/about/" target="_blank" title="Jamie Wayne | Valparaiso Northwest Indiana Graphic Designer">Jamie Wayne</a> is a graphic designer for <a href="http://www.adforcecreative.com/" target="_blank" title="Ad Force Creative">Ad Force Creative</a> in Northwest Indiana, a webmaster & graphic designer for the Center for Innovation through Visualization & Simulation at Purdue University Calumet, and a member & writer of the Northwest Indiana Creative Professionals. Photos from <a href="http://bigstock.com" title="Big Stock">BigStock</a>.</em></p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=D2AsBRt0gGs:ZL4lCnAFyN4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=D2AsBRt0gGs:ZL4lCnAFyN4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=D2AsBRt0gGs:ZL4lCnAFyN4:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=D2AsBRt0gGs:ZL4lCnAFyN4:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=D2AsBRt0gGs:ZL4lCnAFyN4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=D2AsBRt0gGs:ZL4lCnAFyN4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=D2AsBRt0gGs:ZL4lCnAFyN4:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=D2AsBRt0gGs:ZL4lCnAFyN4:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=D2AsBRt0gGs:ZL4lCnAFyN4:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=D2AsBRt0gGs:ZL4lCnAFyN4:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

UPDATED: 6 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

Iceland Adventure Photos

<p class="intro">I recently came back from 1.5 weeks traveling around Iceland, an extremely beautiful country. You can <a href="http://on.fb.me/W95OVX" title="Iceland Photos">view a few snaps on Facebook</a> and read more about the trip below.</p> <p>I went with a company called <a href="https://www.striking.ly/founderexcursionsiceland#0" title="Founders Excursions">Founders Excursions</a> who organized a trip of 14 like-minded entrepreneurs from Iceland and USA, to travel through Iceland doing <a href="http://siadv.is/?page_id=933" title="Adventure Tours">adventurous activities</a> while networking at the same time.</p> <div><a href="http://on.fb.me/W95OVX" title="Iceland Photos"><img alt="Iceland" class="alignnone wp-image-11035" height="424" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Iceland-Photos-39-of-51-640x424.jpg" title="Iceland" width="640" /></a></div> <h3>Highlights of the Trip</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jiRegEs83A0" title="Canyoining Iceland">Canyoning</a> (climbing and swimming up waterfalls, then floating back down)</li> <li>Super jeeping (4×4 driving through the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmannalaugar"><em>Landmannalaugar</em></a> mountains)</li> <li>Enjoying bonfires, beers and Icelandic BBQ</li> <li>Having tea & coffee at the US Embassy</li> <li>Driving through the back country & around the glaciers / volcanoes</li> <li>Viewing the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_%28astronomy%29"><em>Northern Lights</em></a></li> <li>Speed boating & exploring <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestmannaeyjar"><em>Vestmannaeyjar Islands</em></a></li> <li>Swimming at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Lagoon_%28geothermal_spa%29"><em>Blue Lagoon</em></a> (Geothermal spa), one of National Geographic’s Seven Wonders of the World</li> <li>Taking in the glorious<em> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B6kuls%C3%A1rl%C3%B3n">Jökulsárlón</a> </em>(Glacier Lagoon – where the lake’s glaciers go out to sea)</li> <li>Bathing in the natural geo thermal springs while the mountains surrounded us</li> <li>Participating in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifting_stone"><em>steintökin</em></a> (strong man competition). Needless to say, I am no Viking!</li> <li>Having my shoes stolen on the first day at a public pool (Yup!)</li> <li>Enjoying the “Bæjarins beztu pylsur” (best-in-town Icelandic hotdogs). Can’t say much about the <em>Harðfiskur</em> (wind dried fish). Also loved the <em>Skyr</em> (drinkable yogurt).</li> <li>Overall, just enjoying the beautiful, peaceful Icelandic scenery.</li> </ul> <p>If interested in a similar experience get in contact with our awesome guide, Siggi from <a href="http://siadv.is/">South Iceland Adventure</a> or <a href="http://www.mattwilson.tv/" title="Matt Wilson">Matt Wilson</a> from Founders Excursions. I’d highly recommend it!</p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=rQlhH0ax2BY:4LLyquN_hs8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=rQlhH0ax2BY:4LLyquN_hs8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=rQlhH0ax2BY:4LLyquN_hs8:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=rQlhH0ax2BY:4LLyquN_hs8:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=rQlhH0ax2BY:4LLyquN_hs8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=rQlhH0ax2BY:4LLyquN_hs8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=rQlhH0ax2BY:4LLyquN_hs8:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=rQlhH0ax2BY:4LLyquN_hs8:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=rQlhH0ax2BY:4LLyquN_hs8:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=rQlhH0ax2BY:4LLyquN_hs8:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

UPDATED: 7 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Boost Your Computer’s Speed with a Quick SSD Upgrade

<p class="intro">I was recently approached by Samsung to take part in their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SamsungSSD" title="SSD Drivers">SSD Drivers program</a> which would allow me (and a few others) to test out their latest <a href="http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/solid-state-drives" title="SSD">SSD</a> (Solid State Drive) and review it here for you guys. After reading up on SSD drives and their <a href="http://www.samsung.com/us/article/top-ten-benefits-of-ssd" title="Benefits of SSD">benefits</a>, I decided to join the program and the results so far have been awesome.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_11011"><img alt="Samsung SSD Drivers" class="size-large wp-image-11011" height="236" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/samsung-ssd-drivers-640x236.jpg" title="samsung-ssd-drivers" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Samsung SSD Drivers (Yours truly on the far right)</p></div> <h3>What is a SSD?</h3> <p>A solid-state drive is a data storage device that uses solid-state memory to store data. SSDs have the same purpose as traditional mechanical hard drives, but there is one major difference – they’re electronic devices and don’t have any mechanical parts. Unlike HDDs, SSDs don’t store data on spinning platters, but use flash memory instead.</p> <div class="superquote"> In short, this means that a SSD will make your computer considerably faster in a more reliable, silent and energy efficient manner. </div> <h3>Easy Installation</h3> <p>Samsung originally sent me a complimentary <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T3GQ0G/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005T3GQ0G&linkCode=as2&tag=justcrea-20" title="Samsung SSD 256GB">256GB SSD</a> however I decided that I <del>wanted</del> needed a 512GB so I sent the 256GB back to them and instead bought my own <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005T3GPXO/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005T3GPXO&linkCode=as2&tag=justcrea-20" title="Samsung SSD 512GB">512GB SSD</a> to review.</p> <p><img alt="Samsung SSD 512GB" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11015" height="380" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/samsung-ssd-512gb1.jpg" title="Samsung SSD 512GB" width="640" /></p> <p>After receiving the SSD, I watched a video from Samsung on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mihb8YQzDxw" title="How to install SSD for Mac">how to install it on a Mac</a> and after a quick stop at the hardware store for a new screwdriver, I was good to go. I copied 480GB of data from my previous HDD to the new SSD, which took about 7 hours overnight. After that was done, the physical installation / swapping of the drives took just 10 minutes.</p> <h3>Benefits of SSD vs HDD</h3> <p>There are a number of benefits of using a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJMGAdpCLVg" title="SSD vs HDD">SSD vs a HDD</a>, and I personally noticed a huge difference in the speed of my daily routines. Before I get into the differences, let me outline my current <a href="http://justcreative.com/2011/11/29/designer-office-set-up/" title="Hardware">hardware</a> & <a href="http://justcreative.com/2011/12/22/recommended-software-for-designers/" title="Software I use as Designer">software</a> I use as a designer.</p> <p>I use a Macbook Pro 17″ (3.06 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB DDR Ram) attached to a 27″ display and at nearly all times I have these programs open; Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro, InDesign, Mail, Tweetdeck, Chrome, Firefox, as well as Font Explorer, Spotify, TextMate, Bonjour, TextExplorer and Dropbox.</p> <h3>Increased Speed & Productivity</h3> <p>Within the first hour of using the new SSD I could visibly notice the speed difference in nearly every task performed. The most notable differences are listed below.</p> <ul> <li>Faster boot time (Even faster when I cleaned my computer with <a href="http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/11582/onyx" title="Onyx">Onyx</a>)</li> <li>All programs open much faster, especially the Creative Suite. The most notable speed difference is on startup as I have my programs set to auto start.</li> <li>Search is much faster, especially when combined with my productivity bud, <a href="http://www.alfredapp.com/" title="Alfred App">Alfred</a>.</li> <li>Moving between programs is much more responsive, eg. when changing from Photoshop, to Illustrator, to InDesign.</li> <li>Opening files and using Finder is way faster, as well as using program menus.</li> <li>The battery life seemed to last a bit longer too, only about 15-30 minutes but still noticeable.</li> <li>The only downfall I could think of would be the price (the 500GB was $608 after tax). The 256GB or 128GB gets you more bang for your buck, but you do get less space.</li> </ul> <p>Anyway, I’d definitely consider getting an SSD for a much faster & more reliable computer experience.</p> <p><strong>What has your experience been like with SSDs?</strong></p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=8yuPa8WLv6w:O9ytCVh77vI:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=8yuPa8WLv6w:O9ytCVh77vI:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=8yuPa8WLv6w:O9ytCVh77vI:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=8yuPa8WLv6w:O9ytCVh77vI:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=8yuPa8WLv6w:O9ytCVh77vI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=8yuPa8WLv6w:O9ytCVh77vI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=8yuPa8WLv6w:O9ytCVh77vI:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=8yuPa8WLv6w:O9ytCVh77vI:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=8yuPa8WLv6w:O9ytCVh77vI:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=8yuPa8WLv6w:O9ytCVh77vI:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

UPDATED: 7 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

The Art & Secrets of Personal Branding

<p><em>I originally wrote this article for the book, <a href="http://logonest.com" title="LogoNest Vol 2">Logo Nest Volume 2</a>. It has been republished here with permission. Photos are the end of the article.</em><hr class="thin" /></p> <p class="intro"><strong>Personal branding</strong> is by no means a new or light topic, but with the rise of social technologies, personal branding is as accessible as ever, meaning you have so much more opportunity, but also so much more competition.</p> <p>For you to stand out amongst the noise, you must become a valued brand. That brand is ‘You’. Take a closer look at the (st)art of personal branding and see how you can use it to start building your own personal brand. Brand You™.</p> <h2><strong>1. Set Goals, Plan & Define Your Brand</strong></h2> <div><img alt="Step One. Set Goals, Plan & Define Your Brand" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10949" height="400" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/step1.gif" title="Step One. Set Goals, Plan & Define Your Brand" width="640" /></div> <p>Before creating your brand, you must <strong>set specific goals and plan accordingly</strong>. You should take a look at where you are at now and where you want to be in the future.</p> <p>Are you trying to become an authority in your niche? Why? Are you planning to get a new job position or become a stay-at-home freelancer? Are you trying to find more clients and / or increase your prices?</p> <p>Figuring out <em>why and where</em> you want to be in the future will help you decide <em>how</em> to do it.</p> <div class="superquote"> Ultimately, your goal should be to make your planned self-impression equal to how other people perceive you. </div> <p>Re-read that. If you can do this, then you will become a master of your domain.</p> <p>As an example of a ‘successful’ personal brand, <a href="http://www.problogger.net/" title="Darren Rowse">Darren Rowse</a> is the leader in the ‘how to make money blogging’ niche (among others) and although his site is not self-named, his personal brand has grown based how he communicates through his own brand, websites & social channels.</p> <p>After you have figured out your goals, chosen your niche and set out a plan, you need to start creating your brand.</p> <h2><strong>2. Know, Understand & Believe In Your Brand</strong></h2> <div><img alt="Step Two Understand & Believe In Your Brand" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10950" height="400" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/step2.gif" title="Step Two Understand & Believe In Your Brand" width="640" /></div> <p>Your personal brand needs to have a look and feel, as well as a way to communicate, but this goes much further than having a logo & social media accounts. You need to maintain a consistent ‘corporate image’ in all mediums and at all times. See the <a href="http://justcreative.com/2010/04/06/branding-identity-logo-design-explained/" title="Branding Explained">differences between branding & visual identity</a> here.</p> <p>The fundamental idea and core concept behind having this ‘corporate image’ is that everything you do, everything you own and everything you produce, should reflect the values and aims of your personal brand as a whole.</p> <div class="superquote"> It is the consistency of this core idea that makes your brand. It shows others what <em>you</em> stand for, what <em>you</em> believe in and why <em>you</em> exist. </div> <p>As an example, let’s look at the well-known IT company, Apple. Although they are not a personal brand, the branding concept remains the same; they have a consistent ‘corporate image’.</p> <p>Apple projects a humanistic corporate culture and a strong corporate ethic, one, which is characterised by volunteerism, support of good causes & involvement in the community. These values of the business are evident throughout everything they do, from their innovative products and advertising, right through to their customer service. Apple is an emotionally humanist brand that really connects with people – when people buy or use their products or services; they feel part of the brand, like a tribe even. It is this emotional connection that creates their brand – not purely their products and a bite sized logo.</p> <p>If you can apply these same core principles to your own brand then it will be easier for others to see & know what you’re all about.</p> <address>“Remember, it’s not how good you are, it’s how good you want to be.”<br /> <em>-PAUL ARDEN</em></address> <h2><strong>3. Create & Maintain Your Brand</strong></h2> <div><img alt="Step Three - Create and Maintain Your Brand" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10951" height="400" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/step3.gif" title="step3" width="640" /></div> <p>After you have set your goals, outlined your target market & defined how you wish to be perceived, then you can start to form the foundation of your brand. Below are the essential building blocks that will help you do this.</p> <h4><strong>A Unique Visual Identity</strong></h4> <p>One of the easiest ways to differentiate your self from the competition is by having a unique <a href="http://justcreative.com/2012/09/11/branding-tips/" title="10 Must Know Tips for Creating Winning Visual Brand Identities">visual identity</a>. This visual identity should be consistent and reflective of your initial goals, yet flexible enough to work across all areas of your communication. Ensure, at minimum, that you have a business card, letterhead, an up-to-date CV, website and a variety of online social profiles.</p> <h4><strong>Your Own Website, Domain Name & Email Address</strong></h4> <p>Do you know what comes up when people type your name into Google? Hopefully your name and website, but if not, a quick way to climb to the top of search engines is by having your own domain such as JohnSmith.com.</p> <p>On your website, you should have information about you, links to your other websites, your social profiles, as well as a blog and if applicable, a portfolio.</p> <p>You should also set up a personally branded email address such as john@johnsmith.com as this looks much more professional than a free email service such as <a href="mailto:johnsmith@gmail.com">johnsmith@ymail.com</a>.</p> <h4><strong>Social Networks. (Engage & Communicate!)</strong></h4> <p>It’s one thing to have Facebook or Twitter, but actually using it right for your personal brand is another thing. You should remember that everything you do, say and share is reflective of ‘Brand You’, both personally and professionally.</p> <p>Ask yourself, what value are you providing to your friends and followers? Are you engaging and communicating with people, not just sharing what you had for breakfast? Have you filled out your online profiles to their fullest extent? Are you linking to your websites within each profile? What about your <a href="http://justcreative.com/2008/08/10/how-to-get-more-email/" title="How to get more email">email signature</a>?</p> <p>There are many ways to help promote you and your brand, but the simplest way is by making it easy for people to find and communicate with you. When they do, be sure to engage & provide value.</p> <h4><strong>Brand Maintenance, Security & Monitoring</strong></h4> <p>Your brand is your business and your reputation. Why wouldn’t you monitor what people are saying about you?</p> <p>Use <a href="http://www.google.com/alerts">Google Alerts</a>, Twitter Search and the many other tools available to you so you know when you are mentioned somewhere on the web. This allows you to put out fires early, as well as network and thank people who are helping or linking to you.</p> <h3><strong>The Secret To Personal Branding…</strong></h3> <div><img alt="Secret to Personal Branding" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10972" height="400" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/secret-personal-branding.gif" title="Secret to Personal Branding" width="640" /></div> <p>Remember, planning is the foundation of your personal brand and the execution builds the structure of that brand, but ultimately, it comes down to what people say about you, not what you say about yourself, thus the ultimate goal is to make your planned self-impression equal to how other people perceive you.</p> <p>That is the secret to personal branding.</p> <h3><strong>More branding & logo articles:</strong></h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://justcreative.com/2010/04/06/branding-identity-logo-design-explained/" rel="bookmark" title="Branding Explained">Branding, Identity & Logo Design Explained</a></li> <li><a href="http://justcreative.com/2008/04/18/a-comparative-study-of-logo-design-between-the-70s-and-90s/" rel="bookmark" title="Logos 70s 90s">A Comparative Study of Logo Design between the 70s and 90s.</a></li> <li><a href="http://justcreative.com/2012/09/11/branding-tips/" rel="bookmark" title="Branding Tips">10 Must Know Tips for Creating Winning Visual Brand Identities</a></li> <li><a href="http://justcreative.com/2011/08/02/12-ways-your-logo-impacts-social-media-marketing/" rel="bookmark" title="Social Media Logos">12 Ways Your Logo Impacts Social Media Marketing</a></li> <li><a href="http://justcreative.com/2010/11/09/a-look-at-consumer-emotional-attachment-to-brands-and-logos/" rel="bookmark" title="Logos and Emotions">Consumer Emotional Attachment to Brands and Logos</a></li> </ul> <div><img alt="Cover of Logo Nest Vol 2" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10108" height="425" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/00-cover.jpg" title="Cover of Logo Nest Vol 2" width="640" /></div> <div><img alt="Contents" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-10106" height="425" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/02-contents.jpg" title="02-contents" width="640" /></div> <div><img alt="Art of Personal Branding" class="alignnone size-full" height="425" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/01-art-personal-branding.jpg" title="01-art-personal-branding" width="640" /></div> <div><img alt="Art of Personal Branding by Jacob Cass" class="alignnone size-full" height="689" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/art-of-personal-branding-jacob-cass.jpg" title="art-of-personal-branding-jacob-cass" width="640" /></div> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=5GOKdtLthXg:ls_PddWu8B0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=5GOKdtLthXg:ls_PddWu8B0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=5GOKdtLthXg:ls_PddWu8B0:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=5GOKdtLthXg:ls_PddWu8B0:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=5GOKdtLthXg:ls_PddWu8B0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=5GOKdtLthXg:ls_PddWu8B0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=5GOKdtLthXg:ls_PddWu8B0:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=5GOKdtLthXg:ls_PddWu8B0:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=5GOKdtLthXg:ls_PddWu8B0:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=5GOKdtLthXg:ls_PddWu8B0:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

UPDATED: 8 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

10 Must Know Tips for Creating Winning Visual Brand Identities

<p class="intro">On Friday I attended the <a href="http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnewconference" title="Brand New Conference">2012 Brand New Conference</a>, a one day event focusing on the practice of corporate and brand identity. The event went smoothly <a href="http://justcreative.com/2010/11/06/2010-brand-new-conference-summary-quotes/" title="Brand New Conference 2010">again</a> (hat tip to Armin Vit for organizing) and the speakers shared some great tips and stories on a large variety of topics.</p> <p>The most notable talk of the day for me, was by <a href="http://twitter.com/manchipp" title="Simon Manchipp">Simon Manchipp</a>, the CD & co-founder of <a href="http://www.someoneinlondon.com/">Someone</a>. Simon’s talk was built around ten things to consider when creating a new visual brand identity.</p> <p>Below are some of the notes I took from his talk. There are some loose ends, but there are still a number of key takeaways so enjoy.</p> <p><img alt="Tips to consider when branding" height="612" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/branding.jpg" title="Tips to consider when branding" width="612" /></p> <h1>10 things to consider when creating a new visual brand identity</h1> <h3>1. Make it coherent, not consistent.</h3> <p><strong>A new logo is born useless.</strong> The media demands an approach that is instantly useful. Make your new logo useful. <strong>Create landscapes that can change and adapt.</strong> Information can and should fuel the design and pattern.A brand should be adaptive & coherent, not just consistent.</p> <h3>2. Do more than a logo.</h3> <p>The logo is dying so ask yourself <strong>how can you brand without badging?</strong></p> <h3>3. Brand without badging</h3> <p>A rubber stamped logo is not a brand. Remember…</p> <div class="superquote"> “A new logo should be a symbol of change, not a change of symbol.” </div> <h3>4. The big idea is not the big idea.</h3> <p>The big idea is not the big idea, but rather hundreds of ideas that form the brand. These ideas should be multi-channelled & multi-faceted.</p> <h3>5. Own moments</h3> <p>Find ownable moments that can be a spring point for the brand. eg. a color, season, taste, feature, etc.</p> <h3>6. Remove the fear</h3> <p>Branding is all fear & risk is attached to everything, but smart clients are those without the fear.</p> <div class="superquote"> We are hired for our principles, so stick to them. </div> <h3>7. Weird works</h3> <p>Weird shit creates monopolies. Trust the risky weirdo called creativity.</p> <h3>8. Make it people-centric</h3> <p><strong>We are not in design business but in the people business.</strong> Educated clients believe in coherent brand worlds. Winning companies are placing design at the heart of their business.</p> <h3>9. Create assets not costs</h3> <p>Design is often seen as a cost in the boardroom but it needs to be seen as an asset. The reason behind it being seen as a cost is that everyone considers themselves as a designer.</p> <p>“No one trusts creativity because of the dolphin duvet.” (aka everyone is a designer, I chose this dolphin duvet cover for my home). The goal is to show that design is an asset.</p> <h3>10. Chase the opportunity.</h3> <p>Chase the opportunity, not the money. If you are doing interesting work and having fun, enough money will come.</p> <p><strong>Have you got any other branding tips to share?</strong></p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=iDBstlGPQaM:bSX6oaXQznU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=iDBstlGPQaM:bSX6oaXQznU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=iDBstlGPQaM:bSX6oaXQznU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=iDBstlGPQaM:bSX6oaXQznU:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=iDBstlGPQaM:bSX6oaXQznU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=iDBstlGPQaM:bSX6oaXQznU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=iDBstlGPQaM:bSX6oaXQznU:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=iDBstlGPQaM:bSX6oaXQznU:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=iDBstlGPQaM:bSX6oaXQznU:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=iDBstlGPQaM:bSX6oaXQznU:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

UPDATED: 8 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

Future of Web Design 2012 + More Conferences

<p class="intro">I’ve been a media partner for <a href="http://www.futureinsights.com/">Future Insights</a> conferences for a <a href="http://justcreative.com/2011/11/07/future-of-web-design-conference-day-1-review/" title="FOWD 2011">few</a> <a href="http://justcreative.com/2011/11/15/future-of-web-design-conference-day-2-review/" title="FOWD 2012 Day 2">years</a> now and have been to a fair few of their events which are always <em>insightful</em>. This post is just letting you know that there is a web conference in <a href="http://futureofwebdesign.com/new-york-2012/" title="FOWD New York 2012">NYC</a> coming up in October and you can get 10% off. Details are below along with a few other conferences to be aware of.</p> <div><a href="http://futureofwebdesign.com/new-york-2012/" title="Future of Web Design 2012 NYC"><img alt="Future of Web Design NYC 2012" class="border" height="520" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/fowd-nyc.jpg" title="Future of Web Design NYC 2012" width="640" /></a></div> <p><strong>What:</strong> <a href="http://futureofwebdesign.com/new-york-2012/" target="_blank">Future of Web Design</a><strong><br /> When:</strong> Conference days: October 22 & 23. Workshop day: October 24<strong><br /> Where:</strong> <a href="http://www.newworldstages.com/">New World Stages</a> & Lighthouse International Conference Centre<strong><br /> Info:</strong></p> <div> <ul> <li>3 days, 30+ sessions, 4 full-day workshops</li> <li>Top-notch <a href="http://futureofwebdesign.com/new-york-2012/speakers" target="_blank">speakers</a>, including: Chris Coyier, Zoe Gillenwater, Darcy Clarke, Meagan Fisher, Dan Rose, Karen McGrane, Edward Boatman, Lis Hubert, and many more.</li> <li>Talks on CSS3, JQuery Performance, Typography, Icon and symbol design, frontend development, HTML5, responsive web design, UX, wireframing, and more</li> <li>Check out the <a href="http://futureofwebdesign.com/new-york-2012/schedule" target="_blank">full schedule</a> for more details.</li> </ul> <p><strong>10% off for Just Creative readers</strong><em><br /> Just Creative</em> readers are able to grab 10% off 2-Day Conference Passes or Workshop + 2-Day Conference Passes. Simply enter <em>JustCreative</em> on the registration page. Do remember to check out the handy <em><a href="http://futureofwebdesign.com/new-york-2012/downloads/FOWD-NYC-ConvinceYourBoss.pdf" target="_blank">Convince your Boss PDF</a></em> for help getting your approval.</p> <h3>More Conferences</h3> <p><strong><a href="http://uxweek.com/2012/">UX Week</a><br /> When:</strong> August 21-24, 2012<br /> <strong>Where:</strong> San Francisco, CA, USA</p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.aneventapart.com/2012/chicago/">An Event Apart Chicago</a></strong><br /> <strong>When:</strong> August 27-29, 2012<br /> <strong>Where:</strong> Chicago, IL, USA</p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.uxaustralia.com.au/">UX Australia</a><br /> When:</strong> August 28-31, 2012<br /> <strong>Where:</strong> Brisbane, Austalia at Sofitel Brisbane Central<br /> UX Australia also presents <a href="http://www.uxaustralia.com.au/agileux-2012/">Agile UX</a> and <a href="http://www.uxaustralia.com.au/servicedesign-2012/">Service Design 2012</a>.</p> <p><strong><a href="http://2012.dconstruct.org/">dConstruct</a><br /> When:</strong> September 7, 2012<br /> <strong>Where:</strong> Brighton, UK at the Brighton Dome</p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2012/05/25/first-smashing-conference-coming-community-event-web-designers/">Smashing Magazine Conference</a></strong><br /> <strong>When:</strong> September 17-19, 2012<br /> <strong>Where:</strong> Freiburg, Germany</p> <p>Please feel free to share more web conferences if you know of them.</p> </div> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=QNGiDVr0duo:mIJJbvcPbM0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=QNGiDVr0duo:mIJJbvcPbM0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=QNGiDVr0duo:mIJJbvcPbM0:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=QNGiDVr0duo:mIJJbvcPbM0:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=QNGiDVr0duo:mIJJbvcPbM0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=QNGiDVr0duo:mIJJbvcPbM0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=QNGiDVr0duo:mIJJbvcPbM0:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=QNGiDVr0duo:mIJJbvcPbM0:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=QNGiDVr0duo:mIJJbvcPbM0:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=QNGiDVr0duo:mIJJbvcPbM0:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

UPDATED: 9 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Logo Lounge Vol. 7 Arrives

<p class="intro">Last September, I wrote about how <a href="http://justcreative.com/2011/09/08/6-logos-selected-for-logo-lounge-vol-7/" title="Logo Lounge 7">six of my logos and a case study</a> were to be featured in the next edition of the <a href="http://logolounge.com" title="Logo Lounge">Logo Lounge</a> series, that being Logo Lounge 7. Well, I’ve just recently received the hard cover book in the mail and thought I’d share a few snaps.</p> <p>You can read the <a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC008921.jpg" target="_blank" title="Menu Cover Depot">case study of the logo</a> I created for Menu Cover Depot here in image format (not in text format unfortunately).</p> <p>You can <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1592537278//ref=cm_sw_su_dp?tag=logolounge-20" target="_blank" title="Logo Lounge 7">purchase this book on Amazon</a> for $29.50.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_10733"><img alt="Logo Lounge Book 7 Side View" class="size-full wp-image-10733" height="425" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC00884.jpg" title="Logo Lounge Book 7 " width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Logo Lounge Book 7 Side View</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_10734"><img alt="Logo Lounge Book 7 Front Cover" class="size-full wp-image-10734" height="425" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC00885.jpg" title="Logo Lounge Book 7 Front Cover" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Logo Lounge Book 7 Front Cover</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_10735"><img alt="Levi's Case Study" class="size-full wp-image-10735" height="425" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC00886.jpg" title="DSC00886" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Levi's Case Study</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_10737"><a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC008921.jpg"><img alt="Menu Cover Depot Case Study" class="size-full wp-image-10737 " height="425" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC00892.jpg" title="Menu Cover Depot Case Study" width="640" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Case study of my Menu Cover Depot logo.</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_10738"><img alt="Eton Financial" class="size-full wp-image-10738" height="425" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC00894.jpg" title="DSC00894" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">My featured work: Eton Financial Logo</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_10739"><img alt="My featured work: Radar Logo" class="size-full wp-image-10739" height="425" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC00895.jpg" title="My featured work: Radar Logo" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">My featured work: Radar Logo</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_10740"><img alt="My featured work: Onyx Logo" class="size-full wp-image-10740" height="425" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC00899.jpg" title="My featured work: Onyx Logo" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">My featured work: Onyx Logo</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_10741"><img alt="My featured work: Yoga Tripper Logo" class="size-full wp-image-10741" height="425" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC00900.jpg" title="My featured work: Yoga Tripper Logo" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">My featured work: Yoga Tripper Logo</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_10742"><img alt="My featured work: Japan Tribute Logo" class="size-full wp-image-10742" height="425" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC00902.jpg" title="My featured work: Japan Tribute Logo" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">My featured work: Japan Tribute Logo</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_10744"><img alt="Logo Lounge 7 Back Cover" class="size-full wp-image-10744" height="425" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DSC00906.jpg" title="Logo Lounge 7 Back Cover" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Logo Lounge 7 Back Cover</p></div> <p>This makes a total of 29 logos of mine that have been published in Logo Lounge’s books, as outlined below. Quite humbling!</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://justcreative.com/2011/05/10/logo-lounge-vol-6-book-review/" title="Logo Lounge 6">Logo Lounge Vol. 6</a> (6 logos)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreative.com/2009/08/17/logo-lounge-volume-5-book-review/">LogoLounge Vol. 5</a> (2 logos)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreative.com/2010/09/26/logo-lounges-master-library-book-3/">LogoLounge Master Library – Shapes & Symbols</a> (9 logos)</li> <li>LogoLounge Master Library – Typography and Enclosures (6 logos)</li> </ul> <p>If you’re interested in having your work considered for their next book, you can <a href="https://www.logolounge.com/join.asp">become a member</a> of Logo Lounge ($99) & start uploading your work. I am not affiliated with Logo Lounge… JUST sharing the love. Good luck & thanks for looking.</p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=ZlZuXtDmp18:LiPcB0gvlZU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=ZlZuXtDmp18:LiPcB0gvlZU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=ZlZuXtDmp18:LiPcB0gvlZU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=ZlZuXtDmp18:LiPcB0gvlZU:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=ZlZuXtDmp18:LiPcB0gvlZU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=ZlZuXtDmp18:LiPcB0gvlZU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=ZlZuXtDmp18:LiPcB0gvlZU:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=ZlZuXtDmp18:LiPcB0gvlZU:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=ZlZuXtDmp18:LiPcB0gvlZU:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=ZlZuXtDmp18:LiPcB0gvlZU:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

UPDATED: 9 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

CREATIVE COW

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Debra Kaufman's Early Review of The Hobbit in 48 fps 3D

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

AE Basics 60: Export 6 Media Encoder 2 - Preset Groups

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Workflow Update: iMac, Adobe & the X Factor

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

After Effects: Using & Customising the Dictionary Preset 3

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

After Effects: Using & Customising the Dictionary Preset 2

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

After Effects: Using & Customising the Dictionary Preset 1

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Audio Basics - Understanding Bit Depth

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Audio Basics - Understanding Sample Rate

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

The Hobbit & The Dawn of High Frame Rate Cinema

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

Jacob Rosenberg Directs Waiting for Lightning

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

GIZMODO

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Wink: Instantly Share Your Photos With Friends So They Stop Bugging You

<div style="float: left; padding-right: 10px;">  <div><a class="pp_image" href="http://gizmodo.com/5967645/wink-instantly-share-your-photos-with-friends-so-they-stop-bugging-you" title="Click here to read Wink: Instantly Share Your Photos With Friends So They Stop Bugging You"> <img alt="Click here to read Wink: Instantly Share Your Photos With Friends So They Stop Bugging You" height="120" src="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18820j7rv2do7png/original.png" style="border-color: #B3B3B3; border-width: 0 1px 1px; border-style: none solid solid;" title="Click here to read Wink: Instantly Share Your Photos With Friends So They Stop Bugging You" width="190" /> </a></div> </div> E<em>mail me that photo. Hey don't forget to Facebook those pictures.</em> That kind of nagging you hear over and over from your friends gets annoying. But if you all download <a href="http://winktheapp.com/">Wink</a>, then they no longer have a reason to beg you to post your pics. <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5967645/wink-instantly-share-your-photos-with-friends-so-they-stop-bugging-you" title="Click here to read more about Wink: Instantly Share Your Photos With Friends So They Stop Bugging You">More »</a> <br style="clear: both;" /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://gizmodo.feedsportal.com/c/34976/f/647164/s/2694fa13/mf.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883355872/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/2694fa13/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883355872/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/2694fa13/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/151883355872/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/2694fa13/a2t.img" width="1" /><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~4/R-TTe6slShU" width="1" />

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

You Can Buy Original Art From the Woman Who Ruined That Jesus Portrait

<div style="float: left; padding-right: 10px;">  <div><a class="pp_image" href="http://gizmodo.com/5968317/you-can-buy-original-art-from-the-woman-who-ruined-that-jesus-portrait" title="Click here to read You Can Buy Original Art From the Woman Who Ruined That Jesus Portrait"> <img alt="Click here to read You Can Buy Original Art From the Woman Who Ruined That Jesus Portrait" height="120" src="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/1889bfp7xm2cvjpg/original.jpg" style="border-color: #B3B3B3; border-width: 0 1px 1px; border-style: none solid solid;" title="Click here to read You Can Buy Original Art From the Woman Who Ruined That Jesus Portrait" width="190" /> </a></div> </div> Monkey Jesus lady, you gave us one of our favorite things of 2012: the botched restoration of a 19th century fresco called "Ecce Homo" in an old Spanish church. If you, too, are a fan of the work of Cecilia Gímenez, here's some welcome news: You can buy her <a href="http://www.ebay.es/itm/CUADRO-DE-Cecilia-Gimenez-Restaurado-del-Ecce-Homo-/261141247968?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_186&hash=item3ccd3b37e0%C2%A3ht_886wt_1156#ht_914wt_1068">original art on eBay</a>. <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5968317/you-can-buy-original-art-from-the-woman-who-ruined-that-jesus-portrait" title="Click here to read more about You Can Buy Original Art From the Woman Who Ruined That Jesus Portrait">More »</a> <br style="clear: both;" /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://gizmodo.feedsportal.com/c/34976/f/647164/s/26947e51/mf.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883466786/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26947e51/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883466786/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26947e51/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/151883466786/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26947e51/a2t.img" width="1" /><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~4/pWf_dKOe6qs" width="1" />

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Organize Your Desk With a Boat

<div style="float: left; padding-right: 10px;">  <div><a class="pp_image" href="http://gizmodo.com/5968279/organize-your-desk-with-a-boat" title="Click here to read Organize Your Desk With a Boat"> <img alt="Click here to read Organize Your Desk With a Boat" height="120" src="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18894x4fm2e5njpg/original.jpg" style="border-color: #B3B3B3; border-width: 0 1px 1px; border-style: none solid solid;" title="Click here to read Organize Your Desk With a Boat" width="190" /> </a></div> </div> You should see my desk. It's a goddamn nightmare explosion of pens, business cards, empty coffee cups, and random crap. These modular <a href="http://mocoloco.com/fresh2/2012/12/10/desktructure-by-hector-serrano.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+mocoloco/KGTY+(MoCo+Loco)">Desktructure Organizers</a> would more than do the job of sprucing things up. <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5968279/organize-your-desk-with-a-boat" title="Click here to read more about Organize Your Desk With a Boat">More »</a> <br style="clear: both;" /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://gizmodo.feedsportal.com/c/34976/f/647164/s/269445e9/mf.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883550192/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/269445e9/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883550192/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/269445e9/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/151883550192/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/269445e9/a2t.img" width="1" /><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~4/5v1h-7Kfp-w" width="1" />

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Are There Any Side Effects of Masturbation?

<div style="float: left; padding-right: 10px;">  <div><a class="pp_image" href="http://gizmodo.com/5968314/are-there-any-side-effects-of-masturbation" title="Click here to read Are There Any Side Effects of Masturbation?"> <img alt="Click here to read Are There Any Side Effects of Masturbation?" height="120" src="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/1889bbn7ohuzmjpg/original.jpg" style="border-color: #B3B3B3; border-width: 0 1px 1px; border-style: none solid solid;" title="Click here to read Are There Any Side Effects of Masturbation?" width="190" /> </a></div> </div> The most common "side effects" of masturbation are ejaculation (mostly among men, but sometimes among women); relief of boredom; fun; pleasure; relief of tension; easier time falling asleep; relaxation; and general happiness. No, you are not going to go blind. <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5968314/are-there-any-side-effects-of-masturbation" title="Click here to read more about Are There Any Side Effects of Masturbation?">More »</a> <br style="clear: both;" /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://gizmodo.feedsportal.com/c/34976/f/647164/s/26947707/mf.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883465730/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26947707/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883465730/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26947707/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/151883465730/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26947707/a2t.img" width="1" /><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~4/wwwI9iUMLtc" width="1" />

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

The Most Important Laptops of 2012

<div style="float: left; padding-right: 10px;">  <div><a class="pp_image" href="http://gizmodo.com/5967988/the-most-important-laptops-of-2012/gallery/" title="Click here to read The Most Important Laptops of 2012"> <img alt="Click here to read The Most Important Laptops of 2012" height="120" src="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/1885mha3nmiq1jpg/original.jpg" style="border-color: #B3B3B3; border-width: 0 1px 1px; border-style: none solid solid;" title="Click here to read The Most Important Laptops of 2012" width="190" /> </a></div> </div> 2012 was a big year for laptops. Windows 8 came along with its touch-centric worldview, Intel kept plugging away on its ultrabook crusade, and Apple finally started pumping out Retina MacBooks. Here's our list of the most important machines of the year. <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5967988/the-most-important-laptops-of-2012/gallery/" title="Click here to read more about The Most Important Laptops of 2012">More »</a> <br style="clear: both;" /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://gizmodo.feedsportal.com/c/34976/f/647164/s/26942041/mf.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883374283/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26942041/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883374283/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26942041/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/151883374283/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26942041/a2t.img" width="1" /><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~4/hglil-XHINQ" width="1" />

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Boozy Gifts for Merry Drunkards

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Major Brooklyn Gang Taken Down by Cops on Facebook and Also by Extreme Stupidity

<div style="float: left; padding-right: 10px;">  <div><a class="pp_image" href="http://gizmodo.com/5968234/major-brooklyn-gang-taken-down-by-cops-on-facebook-and-also-by-extreme-stupidity" title="Click here to read Major Brooklyn Gang Taken Down by Cops on Facebook and Also by Extreme Stupidity"> <img alt="Click here to read Major Brooklyn Gang Taken Down by Cops on Facebook and Also by Extreme Stupidity" height="120" src="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/1888st6jpxac4jpg/original.jpg" style="border-color: #B3B3B3; border-width: 0 1px 1px; border-style: none solid solid;" title="Click here to read Major Brooklyn Gang Taken Down by Cops on Facebook and Also by Extreme Stupidity" width="190" /> <span class="play_icon"></span> </a></div> </div>  In the second season of the nerdiest adaptation of <em>The Wire</em> to date, New York City police have <a href="http://bushwickdaily.com/2012/12/cops-took-down-a-major-bushwick-gang-using-social-media/">busted up a violent 41-member gang</a> in Brooklyn using—you guessed it—Facebook and Twitter. Again. <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5968234/major-brooklyn-gang-taken-down-by-cops-on-facebook-and-also-by-extreme-stupidity" title="Click here to read more about Major Brooklyn Gang Taken Down by Cops on Facebook and Also by Extreme Stupidity">More »</a> <br style="clear: both;" /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://gizmodo.feedsportal.com/c/34976/f/647164/s/269438d2/mf.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883548397/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/269438d2/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883548397/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/269438d2/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/151883548397/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/269438d2/a2t.img" width="1" /><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~4/CCdzG1yUlZY" width="1" />

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Samsung Galaxy Camera Review: Android Franken-Camera, You Are Absurd and Almost Wonderful

<div style="float: left; padding-right: 10px;">  <div><a class="pp_image" href="http://gizmodo.com/5967855/samsung-galaxy-camera-review-android-franken+camera-you-are-absurd-and-almost-wonderful" title="Click here to read Samsung Galaxy Camera Review: Android Franken-Camera, You Are Absurd and Almost Wonderful"> <img alt="Click here to read Samsung Galaxy Camera Review: Android Franken-Camera, You Are Absurd and Almost Wonderful" height="120" src="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18885ykkuipgvjpg/original.jpg" style="border-color: #B3B3B3; border-width: 0 1px 1px; border-style: none solid solid;" title="Click here to read Samsung Galaxy Camera Review: Android Franken-Camera, You Are Absurd and Almost Wonderful" width="190" /> <span class="play_icon"></span> </a></div> </div> "Android camera." It doesn't even sound like a real thing. That's why the Samsung Galaxy Camera could easily have been a nonsense concept—two desirable things hurled together in hopes that the result will be a revolutionary hybrid, and not a catastrophe. <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5967855/samsung-galaxy-camera-review-android-franken+camera-you-are-absurd-and-almost-wonderful" title="Click here to read more about Samsung Galaxy Camera Review: Android Franken-Camera, You Are Absurd and Almost Wonderful">More »</a> <br style="clear: both;" /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://gizmodo.feedsportal.com/c/34976/f/647164/s/26940658/mf.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883463625/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26940658/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883463625/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26940658/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/151883463625/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26940658/a2t.img" width="1" /><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~4/QVDBtmMvapY" width="1" />

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

These Deceptive Camouflage Cans Are Your Stoner-Channel Deal of the Day

<div style="float: left; padding-right: 10px;">  <div><a class="pp_image" href="http://gizmodo.com/5968245/these-deceptive-camouflage-cans-are-your-stoner+channel-deal-of-the-day" title="Click here to read These Deceptive Camouflage Cans Are Your Stoner-Channel Deal of the Day"> <img alt="Click here to read These Deceptive Camouflage Cans Are Your Stoner-Channel Deal of the Day" height="120" src="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18891ukqbn5cujpg/original.jpg" style="border-color: #B3B3B3; border-width: 0 1px 1px; border-style: none solid solid;" title="Click here to read These Deceptive Camouflage Cans Are Your Stoner-Channel Deal of the Day" width="190" /> </a></div> </div> Let's be honest: you've got some possessions in your room that would be, let's say, <em>a sticky situation</em> if someone found them. Locking your hideables in a safe just draws more attention and seems a bit like overkill. Pros cut out the center section from a book, but you're a dummy and you don't have a library. The answer? These clever stash cans look like everyday objects, but they're hollow, and you can hide your contraband in them. You've got two options: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Southwest-Specialty-Products-30007C-Barbasol/dp/B000HZ8RN0/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_img_z">one that looks like shaving cream</a>, and one that looks like a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009ZEXJU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0009ZEXJU&linkCode=as2&tag=gmgamzn-20">Dr. Pepper can</a>. At stores that sell—ahem—tie-dye, I've seen these handy stash spots go for $20 or $25. Today from Amazon they're both under $10 with free Prime shipping. To be blunt, that's a pretty good deal. [<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Southwest-Specialty-Products-30007C-Barbasol/dp/B000HZ8RN0/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_img_z">Amazon</a>] <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5968245/these-deceptive-camouflage-cans-are-your-stoner+channel-deal-of-the-day" title="Click here to read more about These Deceptive Camouflage Cans Are Your Stoner-Channel Deal of the Day">More »</a> <br style="clear: both;" /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://gizmodo.feedsportal.com/c/34976/f/647164/s/2693ee79/mf.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883351532/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/2693ee79/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883351532/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/2693ee79/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/151883351532/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/2693ee79/a2t.img" width="1" /><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~4/OAxiMmN6w0c" width="1" />

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

This Polygamist Mouse Can Partner with 9 Devices

<div style="float: left; padding-right: 10px;">  <div><a class="pp_image" href="http://gizmodo.com/5968224/this-polygamist-mouse-can-partner-with-9-devices" title="Click here to read This Polygamist Mouse Can Partner with 9 Devices"> <img alt="Click here to read This Polygamist Mouse Can Partner with 9 Devices" height="120" src="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/1888qboi8w6bsjpg/original.jpg" style="border-color: #B3B3B3; border-width: 0 1px 1px; border-style: none solid solid;" title="Click here to read This Polygamist Mouse Can Partner with 9 Devices" width="190" /> </a></div> </div> Besides a lack of unruly cables, the other big advantage to using wireless accessories like a Bluetooth mouse is that they can be easily swapped between devices. And Elecom is betting that there are enough consumers using nine different devices at once to profit on its new <a href="http://www.elecom.co.jp/news/201212/m-nv1br/index.html">9nove wireless mouse</a>. Good luck with that. <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5968224/this-polygamist-mouse-can-partner-with-9-devices" title="Click here to read more about This Polygamist Mouse Can Partner with 9 Devices">More »</a> <br style="clear: both;" /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://gizmodo.feedsportal.com/c/34976/f/647164/s/26940e86/mf.gif" width="1" /><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883371776/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26940e86/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/151883371776/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26940e86/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/151883371776/u/49/f/647164/c/34976/s/26940e86/a2t.img" width="1" /><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~4/dQpkZggNF3w" width="1" />

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

I LOVE TYPOGRAPHY

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TDC type-design competition 2012

<p class="intro">The <a href="http://tdc.org">Type Directors Club</a> in New York City has been holding an annual competition for the best in typography (that is, the use of type in graphic design) since the 1950s. In 1997, James Montalbano and Paul Shaw founded TDC2, a second competition that dealt specifically with the design of typefaces. Together, they chaired the first two TDC2 competitions, and they have remained closely involved with it ever since.</p> <p><span id="more-13538"></span></p> <p>As Paul wrote in his chairman’s statement for that first competition, “The genesis for the Type Directors Club Type Design Competition (TDC2) came about from my frustration, shared by the other type designers on the Board of Directors of the TDC, over the number and quality of type designs chosen in the annual competition.” Until then, type designs had been judged alongside books, brochures, annual reports, and packaging. Now they would be judged on their own merits, by judges who understood the design of type.</p> <p>One of the crucial factors in judging the design of a typeface is seeing it in use. For the first TDC type competition, Montalbano and Shaw devised a template that they hoped would show all of the typefaces in comparable situations, at a variety of sizes. As James said in his chairman’s statement, although they had “created a poster that most people liked,” they had also “created submission templates that most people hated.” In later years, designers were free to send in their typeface samples in any form they liked, though the organizers encouraged them to include a complete character set and to show off their work at its best. (When I chaired the type-design competition in 2001, we asked for 11&#8243×17&#8243 or A3 proof sheets, one typeface per sheet, and explained: “Each proof should show the typeface in whatever way seems appropriate for that face; proofs may include, but are not limited to, headlines, short or long passages of text, sample pages/double-page spreads of book or magazine make-up, or multiple-column text.”) But not all type designers, even the best ones, are very good graphic designers; this problem of displaying the typeface at its best for the judging has bedeviled the competition from the beginning.</p> <p>This year’s competition—the fifteenth, if I’m counting right—was chaired by Maxim Zhukov, who chose an all-star jury of well-known names: Matthew Carter, Roger Black, Erik Spiekermann, and Paul Shaw. The number of submissions was slightly down from the year before (173 entries from 27 countries); submissions from outside the United States outnumbered the US entries, but not by as much as they had the year before. (In 1997, that first competition had twice as many submissions – but then, it <em>was</em> the first, and its scope was larger, as it covered the entire decade up to then. Subsequent competitions have covered only single years.)</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/12/TDC12001_Judging_007.jpg" title="TDC12001_Judging_007" /></p> <p>From the outset, the TDC type design competition has encouraged submissions of non-Latin type designs, although it is sometimes a problem making sure that there are judges who are familiar with each script. Many type designers can judge the soundness of character designs in a script that they can’t read, but to evaluate how a text typeface works in practice requires familiarity with the language it’s used for. Even when he wasn’t chairing the competition, Maxim has made heroic efforts over the years to back up the juries with expert advice on unfamiliar writing systems.</p> <p>The judging takes place in New York over a weekend in January. The essentials of a type-design judging are always the same: the judges walk along a series of long tables where the type specimens are laid out side by side, peering down at the designs, sometimes bending close to examine details, other times clustering together to discuss a particular question. The first cut is where the unsuccessful designs get weeded out. In some competitions, the judges choose which ones to eliminate; in others, they indicate which ones they think should stay in for the next round, and the rest are eliminated. TDC2 uses the latter method. Either way, the second round is where it gets interesting: narrowing it down to the truly best designs. This is where the judges start arguing, or at least discussing the merits of particular typefaces and what works and doesn’t work about them. As I recall from the year I chaired the competition, these discussion were the most fascinating; they really brought out the judges’ individual experiences and knowledge, as each wrestled with fundamental questions of how to evaluate quality.</p> <p>This year, the TDC2 jury chose only thirteen typefaces as winners – an unusually low percentage of those that were entered. The general feeling among the judges seemed to be that while there were plenty of good type designs submitted, there weren’t very many that stood out for their excellence. As Paul Shaw said afterward, “During the judging we all agreed that the level of type design has risen so much in recent years that we found ourselves looking for typefaces that had something extra. Just being a very good, very usable typeface was no longer enough to be chosen.” Many of the entries seemed to be good but not great: “We had a difficult time finding typefaces that seemed fresh and exciting.” Or, as Roger Black put it, “As we’ve seen in magazine and web site design, if the bottom is to be raised, the best design has to be more than accurate, clean and professional. It has to hit it out of the park.”</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/12/TDC12001_Judging_014.jpg" title="TDC12001_Judging_014" /></p> <p>This is a constant debate in design competitions: should the winners be limited to those that are spectacular and original, or should they include those that are steady and craftsmanlike but not outstanding? It’s far from obvious which answer is preferable. In every aspect of graphic design, including the design of type, there is work that’s pyrotechnic and in your face, but that lacks real craft in how it’s put together. Then there is work that is solid and reliable, that rises to the best standards of competence, but that doesn’t break out of the box in any way.</p> <p>As Roger Black pointed out, “The problem here is exactly what the AIGA was trying to address [in a recent debate about its own design competitions]: how do you judge design, when all the qualities may not be on the surface? A print advertising competition, a book cover competition, or even a book design competition are easier to judge than, say, a web site, where how it works is as important a part of the design as how it looks. With typefaces, the TDC is relying on the experience of judges to assess these issues. A stylish new stencil font (which was a winner this year), is easier to vote for than a new agate font, which really must be seen in use… And as for web fonts, God spare the judges.”</p> <p>It’s easy to forget that during the judging process, the jury is seeing a whole host of entries all at once, which have to be judged quickly, intuitively, without any time to put them through their paces and see how they work in the real world. (The equivalent in book-design competitions is that the judges don’t have time to sit down and try to read any of the books, which is the ultimate test. It’s always easier, and tempting, to judge by the display typography or the images or the title page.)</p> <p>A counter to this, for the individual submitters, is to produce a specimen showing off their typefaces the way they would most like to see them used. But too many of them don’t do this very well. “Some perfectly good typefaces were probably unfairly rejected,” according to Paul Shaw, “but the fault lay with the submitters more than with the jury. Many submitters do not showcase their typefaces properly.” The designs of the typeface showings need to be “both compelling and appropriate.” Paul said that he had voted for some typefaces that he was already familiar with and thought were excellent, but that the other judges didn’t agree. “Upon reflection, I realized that the showings were a let down. I was able to see beyond that because I had previously seen what the fonts were capable of. This may seem unfair, but it is the same way that fonts are often judged in the marketplace. It is not enough to be a good typeface. It is essential that a typeface show why it is good and what it is good for.”</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/12/TDC12001_Judging_042.jpg" title="TDC12001_Judging_042" /></p> <p>There is another factor, which complicates the matter of showing all the aspects of a digital font: the increasing popularity of advanced OpenType layout features, whether they be something subtle like small caps and alternate styles of numerals or something exuberant like an explosion of ligatures and alternate letter forms. Complex scripts like Arabic or Devanagari complicate the problem because there’s so much to show; similarly, Chinese and Japanese fonts contain so many characters that it would be almost impossible to showcase them all in any meaningful way. As Maxim, this year’s chairman, put it, “Evaluating and judging OpenType entries to design competitions has become more challenging for the jurors than TrueType or Type 1 fonts, partly for the same reason: their glyph sets often transcend the traditional boundaries of text, display, pi, Latin, and other design and script categories used for the submission of entries.” Not only might a single OpenType font include a plethora of alternates and special features, it might also contain what is essentially more than one typeface. Many current type releases, for instance, include Latin, Greek, and Cyrillic versions in one font. (This is what Adobe means when it calls a font “Pro,” although most of us tend to think of this as indicating the presence of small caps, old-style figures, and related typographic niceties of the Latin alphabet.) All of this needs to be displayed gracefully and compellingly in the type specimen, if the designer hopes to have the jury adequately judge his or her work.</p> <p>It’s also possible, as Maxim points out in his chairman’s statement, for one part of a large OpenType font to work better than another. Does the display version work as well as the text? Does the Greek match the quality of the Cyrillic? In past TDC competitions, sometimes the judges have decided to give an award to just one part of a type family, even though the whole family was submitted as one entry.</p> <p>Paul Shaw sums up the perennial problem of judging a design competition: “I am looking for excellence more than innovation, but innovation always gets one’s attention.” But let’s give Roger Black the last word:</p> <p>“When the TDC judges went over to a Pratt Institute building that weekend to look at the type design submissions, we saw a variety of designs, representing a wide range of styles from informal cursives to fresh takes on classic Romans. Nothing knocked us dead. But there were no howlers, either. We agreed that the bottom has been raised a great deal. There is better type design education (at Reading, RISD, and now Cooper), and better training of junior designers at dozens of foundries (following the example of David Berlow and the Font Bureau). This is encouraging, but we were left wistful and unsatisfied.”</p> <p class="footnote">Video of TDC Salon: The Judges Night 2012. A panel discussion with Roger Black, Matthew Carter, Paul Shaw and Erik Spiekermann. Moderated by Maxim Zhukov.</p> <p></p> <p class="footnote"><a href="http://johndberry.com">John Berry</a> usually describes himself as an editor & typographer — reflecting his care for both the meaning of words and how they are presented. He is president of ATypI (Association Typographique Internationale) and the former editor and publisher of U&lc (Upper & lower case). He writes, speaks, and consults extensively on typography, and he has won numerous awards for his book designs. He has written and edited several books, including Language culture type: international type design in the age of Unicode (ATypI/Graphis, 2002), Contemporary newspaper design: shaping the news in the digital age (Mark Batty Publisher, 2004), and U&lc: influencing design & typography (Batty, 2005). He has been a program manager on the Fonts team at Microsoft, where he established improved typographic standards for Windows and other Microsoft products. He lives in Seattle with the writer Eileen Gunn.</p> <p><br /><br /> <a class="noborder" href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250"><img src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/idlewild-light-fonts.png" /></a> <br /> Sponsored by <a href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250">H&FJ</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/2012/12/09/tdc-type-design-competition-2012/">TDC type-design competition 2012</a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=yeLuwPI0LuA:ZVN2bvQtX4g:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=yeLuwPI0LuA:ZVN2bvQtX4g:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=yeLuwPI0LuA:ZVN2bvQtX4g:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=yeLuwPI0LuA:ZVN2bvQtX4g:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=yeLuwPI0LuA:ZVN2bvQtX4g:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=yeLuwPI0LuA:ZVN2bvQtX4g:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=yeLuwPI0LuA:ZVN2bvQtX4g:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=yeLuwPI0LuA:ZVN2bvQtX4g:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=yeLuwPI0LuA:ZVN2bvQtX4g:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=yeLuwPI0LuA:ZVN2bvQtX4g:TzevzKxY174"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=TzevzKxY174" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ILoveTypography/~4/yeLuwPI0LuA" width="1" />

UPDATED: 5 MONTHS, 2 WEEKS

The Voice of all the Gods

<p>Today I’ve released two limited edition prints along with some originals. The prints are based on words penned by William Shakespeare and Dylan Thomas.</p> <p><em>‘The Voice of all the Gods’</em> is a quote from Shakespeare’s ‘Loves Labours Lost.’ The first time I read the passage in which this phrase occurs I couldn’t get it out of my head for weeks. The words are extraordinarily rich, and I wanted my visual interpretation to reflect this. The main source of inspiration for the letterforms comes from the 18th century, but I’ve tried to rework or re-imagine them in the spirit of our time. Above all, I wanted my interpretation of Shakespeare’s words to capture their shimmering beauty and harmony.</p> <p><span id="more-13549"></span><br /> <a href="http://seblester.co.uk"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13558" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/11/VoiceOfAllTheGods_4_LR.jpg" title="VoiceOfAllTheGods_4_LR" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: lemonde-sans, sans-serif; font-size: .9em;">‘The Voice of all the Gods’<br /> Signed edition of 100, 594 X 420 mm.<br /> Metallic Gold ink on black Plike art paper.</p> <p>Dylan Thomas’s <em>‘Do not go gentle into that good night’</em> is one of the most powerful and compelling poems I know. I have always found the words incredibly moving. Dramatic, fiery, beautiful and poignant — I wanted my interpretation to capture that. I developed a modern, sharpened italic style which I felt suited the tone of the piece, with what might be described as sharpened flourishes carefully integrated into the design. The forms are based on my cursive italic calligraphy which you can see demonstrated in the video below. I tried to do something unconventional and progressive with this piece. I wanted all the forms to be extremely graceful but also have a tension about them in keeping with the words. I wanted to evoke flames, lightning, and stars blazing in a night sky.</p> <p><a href="http://seblester.co.uk"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13565" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/11/DoNot_Detail2_LR.jpg" title="DoNot_Detail2_LR" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: lemonde-sans, sans-serif; font-size: .9em;">‘Do Not Go Gentle’<br /> Signed edition of 200, 594 X 420 mm.<br /> Gold foil blocked on Midnight blue Plike art paper.<br /> © The Trustees for the Copyright of Dylan Thomas</p> <p>I have also released several original pieces of art today. Here are two of them, the rest are on my website.</p> <p><a href="http://seblester.co.uk"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13570" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/11/Arse_Bollocks_sebLester.jpg" title="Arse_Bollocks_sebLester" /></a></p> <p>I designed bespoke Roman monumental capital letters. I then commissioned a very talented and respected letter carver to carve rude words into the finest Welsh slate using them.</p> <p><a href="http://seblester.co.uk"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13569" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/11/Bollocks_Slate1_LR.jpg" title="Bollocks_Slate1_LR" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: lemonde-sans, sans-serif; font-size: .9em;">‘Slate 1’<br /> Bespoke Roman monumental capitals carved in Welsh slate.<br /> 50cm X 12.5cm X 7.5cm. Signed by the artist.<br /> One of a series of three.</p> <p><a href="http://seblester.co.uk"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13566" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/11/Slate_2_LR.jpg" title="Slate_2_LR" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: lemonde-sans, sans-serif; font-size: .9em;">‘Slate 2’<br /> Bespoke Roman monumental capitals carved in Welsh slate.<br /> 25cm X 12.5cm X 7.5cm. Signed by the artist. <br /> One of a series of three.</p> <p>It has become apparent to me that doing calligraphy makes you a better type designer, and doing type design makes you a better calligrapher. That was a beautiful revelation to me and one that I hope I will continue to benefit from.</p> <p></p> <p class="footnote"><a href="http://seblester.co.uk">Seb Lester</a> is a designer and artist whose clients include Apple, Nike, Intel, Absolut Vodka, Levi’s & The New York Times. You can find him on <a href="https://twitter.com/seblester">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seb-Lester/143768095661303">Facebook</a>.</p> <p><br /><br /> <a class="noborder" href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250"><img src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/idlewild-light-fonts.png" /></a> <br /> Sponsored by <a href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250">H&FJ</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/2012/11/01/new-prints-from-seb-leste/">The Voice of all the Gods</a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=CNQE-Ih7y5s:vhX0SwLP_eo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=CNQE-Ih7y5s:vhX0SwLP_eo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=CNQE-Ih7y5s:vhX0SwLP_eo:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=CNQE-Ih7y5s:vhX0SwLP_eo:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=CNQE-Ih7y5s:vhX0SwLP_eo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=CNQE-Ih7y5s:vhX0SwLP_eo:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=CNQE-Ih7y5s:vhX0SwLP_eo:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=CNQE-Ih7y5s:vhX0SwLP_eo:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=CNQE-Ih7y5s:vhX0SwLP_eo:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=CNQE-Ih7y5s:vhX0SwLP_eo:TzevzKxY174"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=TzevzKxY174" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ILoveTypography/~4/CNQE-Ih7y5s" width="1" />

UPDATED: 6 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS

Hipster Hummingbirds

<p class="byline">The week in type</p> <p>Let’s start with some fantastic news: Issue #2 of <a href="http://codexmag.com/" title="codex journal of typography">Codex magazine</a> is now available for pre-order. What’s more, you can now purchase a subscription. The second issue is rather special — A new Editor in Chief (Paul Shaw), a complete redesign (Linda Florio), more pages, more of the very, very best content. Spread the word.<br /> <span id="more-13222"></span><br /> <a href="http://codexmag.com"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13533" height="288" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/codex-ilt.png" title="codex-ilt" width="500" /></a></p> <h3>Inspiration</h3> <p>More <a href="http://vimeo.com/13124405">Luca Barcellona</a> in action in Firenze:</p> <p></p> <p>Erik Spiekermann talks about Type on Screens at <a href="http://www.creativemornings.com">Creative Mornings</a> Berlin:</p> <p></p> <p>I posted this Ampersand Balloon project by <a href="http://www.conoranddavid.com/project/ampersand-poster/">Conor & David</a> months ago. Have just discovered the making of video:</p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://uppercasemagazine.com/beautifulbitmaps">Beautiful Bitmaps</a>, a project from Uppercase mag. Here are a couple of my favorites:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://uppercasemagazine.com/beautifulbitmaps"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13458" height="311" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/beautiful-bitmaps.jpg" title="beautiful-bitmaps" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Each letter of the alphabet is available as a print from the <a href="http://uppercasemagazine.com/beautifulbitmaps">Uppercase</a> store.</p> <p>Great idea from Tim Brown: <a href="http://nicewebtype.com/notes/2012/10/05/type-set-match/">Type Set Match</a> hosted on Dribbble.</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://nicewebtype.com/notes/2012/10/05/type-set-match/"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13523" height="188" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/type-set-match.jpg" title="type-set-match" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://50watts.com/20-Swedish-Posters-for-1930s-Hollywood">Twenty Swedish Posters</a> for 1930s Hollywood:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://50watts.com/20-Swedish-Posters-for-1930s-Hollywood"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13522" height="715" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/01-Eric-Rohman-poster-for-Sky-Hawk-1929.jpg" title="01-Eric-Rohman--poster-for-Sky-Hawk-1929" width="500" /></a></p> <p>HT: @<a href="http://twitter.com/tealtan">tealtan</a></p> <h3>Books</h3> <p>I’ve ordered mine, and can’t wait to get my hands on it. <a href="https://www.uniteditions.com/shop/herb-lubalin" title="Herb Lubalin">Herb Lubalin</a> from Unit Editions:</p> <p><a href="https://www.uniteditions.com/shop/herb-lubalin"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13326" height="252" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/HL_banner_3_page-header-500x252.jpg" title="Herb Lubalin" width="500" /></a></p> <blockquote><p>This meticulously researched book offers a complete career overview of Herb Lubalin, beginning with his early days as one of the original Mad Men in the New York advertising world of the 50s and 60s, and continuing into the years of his greatest achievements as one of the world’s most influential typographers and graphic designers.</p></blockquote> <h3>Process</h3> <p>An interesting short read on a logo(type) <a href="http://www.typejockeys.com/blog/Cleaning-Up">redesign</a> by Typejockeys:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.typejockeys.com/blog/Cleaning-Up"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13330" height="274" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/Saubermacher-logo-old-new-500x274.gif" title="Saubermacher logo old and new" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The <a href="http://klim.co.nz/blog/airnz/">Air New Zealand Logotype</a> Design Process from Kris Sowersby:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://klim.co.nz/blog/airnz/"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13333" height="300" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/AirNZ-Sketches-Composite-500x300.jpg" title="AirNZ Sketches Composite" width="500" /></a></p> <h3>New fonts</h3> <p><a href="http://www.fountaintype.com/typefaces/taca" title="Taca fonts from fountain type">Taca</a> designed by Rúben Dias, and released through Fountain Type — a kind of Jean Claude Van Damme meets Eurostile:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.fountaintype.com/typefaces/taca"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13469" height="832" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/Taca_spec.png" title="Taca fonts" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The really lovely <a href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/laura-worthington/hummingbird/">Hummingbird</a> from Laura Worthington. Replete with a bucket-load of contextual alternates:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/laura-worthington/hummingbird/"><img alt="" class="noborder" height="491" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/hummingbird.png" title="hummingbird font" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.fountaintype.com/typefaces/gira-sans" title="Gira Sans fonts">Gira Sans</a> by Rui Abreu of Fountain Type:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.fountaintype.com/typefaces/gira-sans"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13337" height="766" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/GiraSans.png" title="Gira Sans fonts" width="500" /></a></p> <p>And a lovely promo <a href="http://vimeo.com/48936929" title="Gira sans fonts promotional video">video</a>:</p> <p></p> <p>Another script from the maestro Ale Paul. <a href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/sudtipos/hipster-script-pro/" title="hipster script font">Hipster Script</a>:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/sudtipos/hipster-script-pro/"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13319" height="500" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/ILTdiscount-500x500.jpg" title="Hipster Script Pro font from Ale Paul of Sudtipos" width="500" /></a></p> <p>New from Typotheque, <a href="http://www.typotheque.com/blog/beauty_and_ugliness" title="karloff fonts">Karloff</a>:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.typotheque.com/blog/beauty_and_ugliness"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13452" height="800" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/karloff-fonts.png" title="karloff-fonts" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Read more about the design process and inspiration in <a href="http://ilovetypography.com/2012/09/25/beauty-and-ugliness-in-type-font-design/" title="beauty and ugliness in font design">Beauty & Ugliness in Type Design</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>A large family from Adobe, <a href="http://sourceforge.net/projects/sourcesans.adobe/">Source Sans Pro</a>. And free to download, including the source files (open source):</p> <p><a href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/cultivated-mind/luella/">Luela</a> from Cindy Kinash is fun. Combine it with Luela Frames for Etsy-esque feel:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/cultivated-mind/luella/"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13462" height="250" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/luella-500x250.jpg" title="luella fonts" width="500" /></a></p> <p>From Font Bureau, <a href="http://www.fontbureau.com/ReadingEdge/">The Reading Edge</a>™ Series of fonts for small sizes on screens:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.fontbureau.com/ReadingEdge/"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13322" height="386" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/Screen-Shot-2012-09-13-at-6.53.52-PM-500x386.png" title="reading edge series of fonts for small sizes on screens" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The site itself is testament to what can be achieved typographically on screen. Great stuff.</p> <p>A fun way for kids or adults to learn Korean:</p> <p> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/25892113">Korable Block</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5164213">Allied Operations</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <h3>Type-related book marks</h3> <p><a href="https://github.com/daneden/Baseline.js">Baseline.js</a>, a jQuery plugin for fixing vertical baselines.<br /> <a href="http://observatory.designobserver.com/michaelbierut/feature/the-typeface-of-truth/35428/" title="The Typeface of Truth">The Typeface of Truth</a>.<br /> <a href="http://www.kerning.it">Kerning</a> — the Italian typography conference.<br /> <a href="http://fontsinuse.com/uses/2181/paris-vs-new-york-a-tally-of-two-cities">Paris vs New York</a> — Fonts in Use.<br /> <a href="http://blog.typekit.com/2012/09/24/introducing-adobe-edge-web-fonts/">Abobe Edge Webfonts</a>.<br /> <a href="http://webfonts.info/using-font-face-resolution-independent-graphics">Using @font-face for resolution independent graphics</a>.<br /> <a href="http://craigmod.com/satellite/publishing_startups/">Publishing startups and great fuzziness</a>.</p> <h3>Finally</h3> <p>Don’t forget to order your copy of <a href="http://codexmag.com">Codex journal of typography</a>! You’ll love it.</p> <p><br /><br /> <a class="noborder" href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250"><img src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/idlewild-light-fonts.png" /></a> <br /> Sponsored by <a href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250">H&FJ</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/2012/10/16/hipster-hummingbird-type-font-news-ilt/">Hipster Hummingbirds</a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=CnED0fPdQo4:bNl3mFQrRRs:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=CnED0fPdQo4:bNl3mFQrRRs:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=CnED0fPdQo4:bNl3mFQrRRs:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=CnED0fPdQo4:bNl3mFQrRRs:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=CnED0fPdQo4:bNl3mFQrRRs:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=CnED0fPdQo4:bNl3mFQrRRs:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=CnED0fPdQo4:bNl3mFQrRRs:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=CnED0fPdQo4:bNl3mFQrRRs:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=CnED0fPdQo4:bNl3mFQrRRs:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=CnED0fPdQo4:bNl3mFQrRRs:TzevzKxY174"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=TzevzKxY174" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ILoveTypography/~4/CnED0fPdQo4" width="1" />

UPDATED: 7 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Beauty and Ugliness in Type design

<p class="intro"><a href="http://www.typotheque.com/authors/peter_bilak" title="Peter Bi?ak">Peter Bi?ak</a> on the process of designing his newly released <a href="http://www.typotheque.com/blog/beauty_and_ugliness" title="Karloff fonts">Karloff</a> typeface, demonstrating just how closely related beauty and ugliness are. Karloff explores the idea of irreconcilable differences — how two extremes could be combined into a coherent whole.</p> <p><span id="more-13370"></span></p> <p>In 2010 I was invited to a design conference in Copenhagen to speak on the subject of conceptual type. The organisers were interested in examples of typefaces whose principal design feature was not related to aesthetic considerations or legibility, but rather some underlying non-typographical idea. In my address I argued that there is no such thing as conceptual type, since type design is a discipline defined by its ability to execute an outcome; the process that transforms the pure idea into a functional font is a critical part of the discipline. Having rejected the topic of the conference, I nevertheless went on to speculate on what a true example of a <a href="http://www.typotheque.com/articles/conceptual_type">conceptual typeface</a> might be like.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13374" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/Karloff-sketch1080.jpg" title="Karloff-sketch1080" /></p> <p>At the time I was also interested in the idea of irreconcilable differences and how two extremes could be combined into a coherent whole. As an example, I looked for the most beautiful typeface in the history of typography — as well as the ugliest one — and for a way to meld them.</p> <p class="no-indent"><strong>The Beauty</strong><br />While any choice representing beauty is bound to be very personal and subjective, many agree that the high-contrast typefaces created by Giambattista Bodoni and the Didot clan are some of the most beautiful in existence.</p> <p>Bodoni was one of the most widely-admired printers of his time and considered amongst the finest in the history of the craft. Thomas Curson Hansard wrote in 1825 that Bodoni’s types had “that beautiful and perfect appearance, which we find it difficult and highly expensive to equal.”<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/ILoveTypography?format=xml#_ftn1" id="_ftnref1" name="_ftnref1">¹</a> In his <i>Manuale Tipografico</i> of 1818, Bodoni laid down the four principles of type design “from which all beauty would seem to proceed”, namely: regularity, clarity, good taste, and charm.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13426" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/Manuale-Tipografico1.jpg" title="Manuale Tipografico, Bodoni" /></p> <p>His close competitors in France were the Didots. Not only did François-Ambroise Didot invent many of the machines used in printing, but his foundry endeavoured to render the types more beautifully than his rivals Baskerville and (later) Bodoni. Some considered Didot’s works the most beautiful types that had ever been used in France (up to that period),<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/ILoveTypography?format=xml#_ftn2" id="_ftnref2" name="_ftnref2">²</a> though others found them delicate but lifeless.<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/ILoveTypography?format=xml#_ftn3" id="_ftnref3" name="_ftnref3">³</a></p> <p><img alt="Didot, Impremirie Nationale, 36pt" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13407" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/IN-didot-36pt.jpg" title="Didot, Impremirie Nationale, 36pt" /></p> <p class="no-indent"><strong>The Ugliness</strong><br />I have to admit that dealing with ugliness was a lot more interesting than revisiting the beauty contests of the classicist printers. The search for ugliness triggers a certain primal, voyeuristic curiosity, and from the designer’s perspective there is simply a lot more space to explore. Capturing beauty has always been considered the primary responsibility of the traditional artist, and even now it is rare to find examples of skilled and deliberate ugliness in type design, (although examples of inexperience and naïveté abound).</p> <p>The eccentric ‘Italian’ from the middle of the Industrial Revolution was a clear choice. This reversed-contrast typeface was designed to deliberately attract readers’ attention by defying their expectations. Strokes that were thick in classical models were thin, and vice versa — a dirty trick to create freakish letterforms that stood out in the increasingly saturated world of commercial messages.</p> <p><img alt="Five-Line Pica Italian" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13413" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/5-line-pica-italian.jpg" title="Five-Line Pica Italian" /></p> <p class="no-indent">No other style in the history of typography has provoked such negative reactions as the Italian. It was first presented in Caslon & Catherwood’s 1821 type specimen, and as early as 1825, in his <i>Typographia</i> Thomas Hansard called the type a “typographic monstrosity”. Nicolete Gray called it “a crude expression of the idea of perversity”<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/ILoveTypography?format=xml#_ftn4" id="_ftnref4" name="_ftnref4">?</a>, while others labeled it as “degenerate”.<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/ILoveTypography?format=xml#_ftn5" id="_ftnref5" name="_ftnref5">?</a></p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13429" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/FourLinePica.jpg" title="FourLinePica" /></p> <p>The goal of my project was to show just how closely related beauty and ugliness are. Donald Knuth, an American computer scientist with a special interest in typography identified over 60 visual parameters that control the appearance of a typeface. I was interested in designing typeface variations that shared most of these parameters, yet included both the ugliest and most beautiful letterforms.</p> <p><a href="http://www.typotheque.com/fonts/karloff_positive">Karloff</a>, the result of this project, connects the high contrast Modern type of Bodoni and Didot with the monstrous Italians. The difference between the attractive and repulsive forms lies in a single design parameter, the contrast between the thick and the thin.</p> <div class="img-caption-overlay"> <a class="noborder" href="http://www.typotheque.com/fonts/karloff_positive"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13415" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/Positive.png" title="Karloff Positive" /></a> <div class="caption-overlay">Karloff Positive</div> </div> <div class="img-caption-overlay"> <a class="noborder" href="http://www.typotheque.com/fonts/karloff_positive"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13417" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/PositiveItalic-new.png" title="Karloff Positive Italic" /></a> <div class="caption-overlay">Karloff Positive Italic</div> </div> <div class="img-caption-overlay"> <a class="noborder" href="http://www.typotheque.com/fonts/karloff_negative"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13419" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/Karloff-Negative-Bold.png" title="Karloff Negative Bold" /></a> <div class="caption-overlay">Karloff Negative Bold</div> </div> <div class="img-caption-overlay"> <a class="noborder" href="http://www.typotheque.com/fonts/karloff_negative"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13420" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/Karloff-Negative-Bold-Italic.png" title="Karloff Negative Bold Italic" /></a> <div class="caption-overlay">Karloff Negative Bold Italic</div> </div> <p>I asked Pieter van Rosmalen for help, and both of us worked on both versions. While at the beginning I looked at the Didot from Imprimerie Nationale as a reference, Pieter departed from this model and made the project more personal. We worked on both models at the same time, trying to be very strict about mathematically reversing the contrast between two weights. The advantage of working on both versions together was that we could adjust both of them to achieve the best forms, rather than creating one as an afterthought of the other.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13422" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/AAA.png" title="AAA" /></p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13423" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/BeautyUgliness_orange.png" title="BeautyUgliness_orange" /></p> <p>Towards the end of the project, I worked with Nikola Djurek, our frequent collaborator, who helped with interpolation and fine-tuning of the fonts. Having designed two diametrically opposite versions, we undertook a genetic experiment with the offspring of the beauty and the beast, interpolation of the two extremes, which produced a surprisingly neutral low contrast version. Karloff Neutral required only minimal intervention, because the master weights from which it was interpolated were well defined.</p> <p class="no-indent"><strong>About the name</strong><br />Karloff was the artistic name of the British actor William Henry Pratt. He chose this pseudonym to prevent embarrassment to his dignified family, who considered him the black sheep of the family. Although he played mainly sinister characters, in real life, Karloff was known as a very kind gentleman who gave generously, especially to children’s charities.</p> <p class="no-indent"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13424" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/boris_karloff.jpg" title="boris karloff" /></p> <p class="footnote no-indent"><em>Thanks to Paul Shaw, James Clough, and David Shields.</em></p> <p class="footnote no-indent"><a id="_ftn1" name="_ftn1">1.</a> Hansard, Thomas C. <i>Typographia: an Historical Sketch of the Origin and Progress of the Art of Printing</i>, 1825.<br /> <a id="_ftn2" name="_ftn2">2.</a> <i>Encyclopædia Americana</i>, 1832.<br /> <a id="_ftn3" name="_ftn3">3.</a> Updike, Daniel B. <i>Printing Types: Their History, Forms, and Use</i>, 2001.<br /> <a id="_ftn5" name="_ftn4">4.</a> Gray, Nicolete. <i>Nineteenth Century Ornamented Typefaces</i>, 1938<br /> <a id="_ftn5" name="_ftn5">5.</a> Benson, John H and Carey, Arthur J. <i>The Elements of Lettering</i>, 1940</p> <p><br /><br /> <a class="noborder" href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250"><img src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/idlewild-light-fonts.png" /></a> <br /> Sponsored by <a href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250">H&FJ</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/2012/09/25/beauty-and-ugliness-in-type-font-design/">Beauty and Ugliness in Type design</a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=Oeh9NVfwBLY:JhyOWNg7qT8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=Oeh9NVfwBLY:JhyOWNg7qT8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=Oeh9NVfwBLY:JhyOWNg7qT8:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=Oeh9NVfwBLY:JhyOWNg7qT8:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=Oeh9NVfwBLY:JhyOWNg7qT8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=Oeh9NVfwBLY:JhyOWNg7qT8:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=Oeh9NVfwBLY:JhyOWNg7qT8:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=Oeh9NVfwBLY:JhyOWNg7qT8:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=Oeh9NVfwBLY:JhyOWNg7qT8:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=Oeh9NVfwBLY:JhyOWNg7qT8:TzevzKxY174"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=TzevzKxY174" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ILoveTypography/~4/Oeh9NVfwBLY" width="1" />

UPDATED: 8 MONTHS

The Complete Engraver

<p class="byline">A review by James Puckett</p> <p>When it comes to the Gilded Age, the canon of design history teaches of broadside posters and the Kelmscott press. Wood type and artistic printing have attracted a following and are fighting their way in. Further outside the canon lies a neglected facet of design woven into society, personal lives and business — engraved stationery. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616890673/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1616890673&linkCode=as2&tag=japanagocom-20"><em>The Complete Engraver</em></a> introduces engraving as a subject worthy of the canon, and is an approachable, interesting, and compelling read.<br /> <span id="more-13345"></span><br /> Designer, teacher, and historian Nancy Sharon Collins is a leader in the preservation and revival of engraved stationery. She collects engraved ephemera, restores vintage presses, and designs stationery that has drawn praise from the likes of <em>Martha Stewart</em> and <em>Vogue</em>. Collins is erudite, formerly of the elite New York design establishment, and now works in New Orleans. She is eminently qualified to tackle the challenge of broadening our view of design history.</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616890673/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1616890673&linkCode=as2&tag=japanagocom-20"><img alt="The Complete Engraver cover image" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13353" height="700" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/CompleteEngraver_cover_41.jpg" title="The Complete Engraver cover image" width="500" /></a></p> <h3>Writing</h3> <p>Like letterpress and lettering, engraving is attracting renewed interest from artists and designers who want to express themselves via analog processes. Collins writes for them, and for those who aspire to be them, persuading readers to engage with a tradition that is not dead, but merely in slumber. </p> <p>Collins reminds us that engraving is an integral part of the bigger picture of printing and design history. She makes this case by weaving an elaborate history from threads about paper, department stores, and postal mail. These connections are critical to bringing engraving into the canon of design history rather than treating it as an aside. </p> <p>Of course Collins explores the intersection of type design and engraving. Around the turn of the twentieth century type designers blatantly lifted designs from the work of engravers. Engravers later used popular typefaces in modern business stationery. We see stark evidence of this mutual expropriation in a specimen of engraved lettering styles that includes Franklin Gothic Extended, Helvetica, and Eurostile’s predecessor, <a href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/urw/microgramma/">Microgramma</a>.</p> <p>What makes engraving an especially compelling aspect of design history is the personal significance of engraved stationery. Stationery was inextricably linked to Gilded Age high-society, with young people demanding impeccable calling cards that spoke to their status. Personal monograms were common among the upper classes. Mourning required special stationery that changed to express the stages of grief.</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616890673/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1616890673&linkCode=as2&tag=japanagocom-20"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13358" height="405" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/SteelDie.jpg" title="Steel Die" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Collins does not limit herself to engraving’s past. <em>The Complete Engraver</em> introduces engraving and printing techniques. Logo designers will find her examination of monograms and ciphers relevant. And Collins makes a case for reviving the calling card as a sort of business card without static contact details. The practice of serious letter writing is explained and advocated, although it may be a lost cause in this age of poor penmanship.</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616890673/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1616890673&linkCode=as2&tag=japanagocom-20"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13359" height="511" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/steel_Die.jpg" title="steel Die" width="500" /></a> </p> <h3>Format</h3> <p>Designers Paul Wagner and Elena Schlenker created an appropriate vehicle for this content and subject. Formal script juxtaposed with all-caps sans type has never looked so good in a book. Similar to Marian Bantjes’ digestibly small <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580932967/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1580932967&linkCode=as2&tag=japanagocom-20">I Wonder</a></em>, Collins’s <em>The Complete Engraver</em> is an octavo that one can sit down and read comfortably. Books this size are welcome in design, a field overrun with bloated, oversized tomes best suited to <a href="http://www.subtraction.com/2012/09/12/are-design-books-meant-to-be-read">winning awards and collecting dust</a>.</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.fonts.com/browse/promotions/the-complete-engraver"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13355" height="731" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/09/jmc-engraver.png" title="jmc engraver" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Two companion fonts, both revivals of engraving alphabets, were created by Steve Matteson and Terrance Weinzierl of Monotype. A short study of their process is presented as an appendix. Both fonts can be <a href="http://www.fonts.com/browse/promotions/the-complete-engraver" title="free fonts">downloaded for free</a> from fonts.com.</p> <h3>Conclusion</h3> <p>Covering so much in 216 richly illustrated pages makes <em>The Complete Engraver</em> more of a complete introduction than a comprehensive encyclopedia. But The Complete Engraver is a grand introduction that should ignite further explorations of engraving. Collins herself will no doubt follow with years more writing and speaking. And young designers with a passion for elegance will find plenty of historical inspiration and justification for their work. <em>The Complete Engraver</em> succeeds as a welcome addition to the canon of design history.</p> <p class="footnote"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616890673/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1616890673&linkCode=as2&tag=japanagocom-20">The Complete Engraver: A Guide to Monograms, Crests, Ciphers, Seals, and the Etiquette and History of Social Stationery</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=japanagocom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1616890673" style="border: none !important; padding: 0; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br /> ISBN: 978-1-61689-067-4<br /> <a href="http://www.nancysharoncollinsstationer.com/">Nancy Sharon Collins</a><br /> Foreword by Ellen Lupton</p> <p class="footnote">James studied graphic design at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, DC. He developed a love of typography at the Corcoran and wrote a thesis about the development of versatile typefaces as branding devices. After graduating with honors James decided to pursue type design full-time. In 2009 he started <a href="http://www.dunwichtype.com/">Dunwich Type Founders</a> in New York City.</p><</p> <p><br /><br /> <a class="noborder" href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250"><img src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/idlewild-light-fonts.png" /></a> <br /> Sponsored by <a href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250">H&FJ</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/2012/09/24/free-fonts-and-book-review-the-complete-engraver/">The Complete Engraver</a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=tF-Pm7Rxxbg:ZPXuwZkh6Yc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=tF-Pm7Rxxbg:ZPXuwZkh6Yc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=tF-Pm7Rxxbg:ZPXuwZkh6Yc:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=tF-Pm7Rxxbg:ZPXuwZkh6Yc:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=tF-Pm7Rxxbg:ZPXuwZkh6Yc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=tF-Pm7Rxxbg:ZPXuwZkh6Yc:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=tF-Pm7Rxxbg:ZPXuwZkh6Yc:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=tF-Pm7Rxxbg:ZPXuwZkh6Yc:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=tF-Pm7Rxxbg:ZPXuwZkh6Yc:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=tF-Pm7Rxxbg:ZPXuwZkh6Yc:TzevzKxY174"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=TzevzKxY174" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ILoveTypography/~4/tF-Pm7Rxxbg" width="1" />

UPDATED: 8 MONTHS

Condensed Typeface Design Program

<p class="intro">The <a href="http://coopertype.org/condensed">Condensed Typeface Design Program</a> at the Cooper Union is a five-week-long studio course that at first glance, simply teaches the basics and traditions of typeface design. In reality, it was an amazing and intense summer spent with passionate people immersed in the world of type. During the 12-hour days (with breaks!) we studied type history, calligraphy, different drawing techniques, and learned the process of designing and digitizing a font. Most of the program time was spent on a final project in which each of us created an industry-standard OpenType font.</p> <div id="theDeck-1"></div> <p><span id="more-13231"></span></p> <p class="no-indent">This year we were split into two groups, each taught by renowned typeface designers. Group 1 was with Just van Rossum and Hannes Famira; group 2 with <a href="http://typofonderie.com/about/foundry-team/">Jean François Porchez</a> and <a href="http://www.stephaneelbaz.com">Stéphane Elbaz</a>. <a href="http://stonetypefoundry.com/aboutsumnerstone.html">Sumner Stone</a> was on hand with his expertise and knowledge of design history, as were other visiting designers and lecturers who rounded off the course. As a student it was incredibly enriching to be around these luminaries, and the diversity of our peers only enhanced the experience. The 29 students represented 16 different countries; most being graphic designers, and all sharing a passion for typography. Some of us came with the intention of becoming typeface designers, while others wanted to better understand type to become better designers. Experience levels were across the board: some had never drawn letters before, while others had published multi-weight typefaces.</p> <div class="img-caption-overlay"><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/"><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/08/cooper-type-condensed.jpg" title="cooper-type-condensed" /></a> <div class="caption-overlay">Left: Critique session with Erik Van Blokland.<br />Right: Class with Just Van Rossum.</div> </div> <p class="no-indent"><strong>The Final Project</strong><br />At our final presentations on the last day, we each introduced our completed typeface and talked about the journey we took to get there. Despite everyone beginning the course the same way, we all were pleasantly surprised to see the variety of work. Projects ranged from revivals based on tombstone lettering, to traditional Baskerville-inspired faces, to beautifully ornate display type, to text families with 7 weights geared towards publications. Some had created a bold version to accompany their font, while others created a sans accompaniment. Knowing how much time and effort we put into our work, each and every one of us was proud of the results.</p> <div class="img-caption-overlay"><a href="http://ilovetypography.com"><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/08/condensed-type-design-sample1.png" title="condensed-type-design-sample" /></a> <div class="caption-overlay">Just five of the many typefaces. Clockwise from top left: Barapa by Etienne Aubert Bonn; Moriarty by Kevin Paolozzi; Cancellarecta by Lara Captan; Cumulus by Laura Coombs; Robin by Sian Binder.</div> </div> <p class="no-indent"><strong>How We Got There</strong><br />Before we started on our final font design, the instructors put us through the following course of exercises aimed at teaching us the ins and outs of letterforms, their traditions and history, the rules of construction (and how to modify them), and how to critique our works in progress.</p> <p class="no-indent"><strong>Calligraphy</strong><br />During the first days we did not touch a computer, but instead kicked things off with an introduction to calligraphy. We began with the broad-nib pen, focusing on correct construction of the letterforms, a process that helped us understand the proportions of each letter and why they look the way they do. Group 1 also worked on italics and how they differ from roman shapes, while Group 2 worked on Carolingian and Renaissance models before moving on to tracing the letters, then modifying the outlines and creating new forms.</p> <div class="img-caption-overlay"><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/"><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/08/calligraphy.jpg" title="calligraphy" /></a> <div class="caption-overlay">Left: Chalk Calligraphy.<br />Right: Chavelli’s Calligraphy.</div> </div> <p class="no-indent"><strong>Understanding Serifs</strong><br /><br /> Using selected letters to base our alphabet on, we worked on refining them by hand (again, based on broad-nib pen strokes) and adding serifs. After focusing on medium contrast forms, we moved on to low contrast then high contrast forms which taught us the relationship between serifs and letter strokes.</p> <p class="no-indent"><strong>Sketching & Exploring</strong><br /><br /> When it came time to consider our final project, some people had ideas for the direction they wanted to go in, but others were open to ideas and were encouraged to sketch and seek inspiration for their final project (or use TypeCooker!). For some that meant looking at found letters and developing a full font based on those forms; and for others it meant applying a strict set of rules and a concept to drawing new letters. There were a variety of approaches and sources of inspiration.</p> <div class="img-caption-overlay"><a href="http://ilovetypography.com"><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/08/draw-trace.jpg" title="draw-trace" /></a> <div class="caption-overlay">Left: Ron’s Carolingian Calligraphy.<br />Right: Ron’s tracing.</div> </div> <p>We were taught to approach a typeface design by first experimenting, drawing by hand, searching for the right forms, and only then, when the design is cohesive and consistent, go to the computer. Instructors showed us Gerrit Noordzij’s approach to sketching letters, a method more efficient than drawing outlines first, as the focus is more on form and contrast from the outset.</p> <p class="no-indent"><strong>Digitizing</strong><br /><br /> After a quick FontLab tutorial we were expected to dive straight in, scan our precise sketches and move to drawing bezier curves instead of pencil lines. We had wonderful TA’s to help and answer questions, they themselves having gone through the same learning process as they were students in the <a href="http://coopertype.org/extended/" title="typeface font design education">Extended Type@Cooper program</a>. The fonts were all digitized and perfected using the program of our choice. We learned how to use <a href="http://www.fontlab.com" title="fontlab font editor">Fontlab</a>, but <a href="http://doc.robofont.com" title="robofont font editor">RoboFont</a> and <a href="http://glyphsapp.com" title="Glyphs app font editor software">Glyphs</a> were other options too.</p> <div class="img-caption-overlay"><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/" name="SumChez"><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/08/fontlab-stone-porchez.jpg" title="fontlab-stone-porchez" /></a> <div class="caption-overlay">Left: Ron’s proofs & comments.<br />Right: Sumner Stone & Jean François Porchez. (best caption wins a copy of <a href="http://ilovetypography.com/2012/08/05/inside-paragraphs-book-review-cyrus-highsmith/" title="Inside paragraphs by cyrus highsmith">Inside Paragraphs</a> — seriously.)</div> </div> <p class="no-indent"><strong>Critiques & Lectures</strong><br /><br /> Our daily studio sessions were supplemented with guest critiques and lectures. The first night featured a type design panel moderated by <a href="http://elupton.com">Ellen Lupton</a>; <a href="http://coopertype.org/faculty/allanhaley">Allan Haley</a> and <a href="http://www.letterror.com">Erik van Blokland</a> lectured in later weeks, along with Valerie Lester, who spoke in depth about Bodoni (the person, not the typeface) and really brought him to life. There were also intimate group critique sessions with Erik in week four, as he evaluated the progress of our typefaces and gave us tips on spacing. <a href="http://occupant.org">Cyrus Highsmith</a> critiqued our work in the final week as our typefaces were coming together for the final presentation.</p> <div class="img-caption-overlay"><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/"><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/08/19_Hannes-plus-wall.jpg" title="19_Hannes-plus-wall" /></a> <div class="caption-overlay">Left: Class with Hannes Famira.<br />Right: Zeynep’s Wall.</div> </div> <p class="no-indent"><strong>Library Visits & Type History Talks</strong><br /><br /> Every Friday gave us a little break from studio time with field trips to rare books libraries. Sumner Stone shared his invaluable knowledge of typographic history from the Gutenberg Bible through to the present in our visits to the New York Public Library, Columbia University’s Butler Library, as well as the Grolier Club. During the week, 45 minutes were dedicated to learning about the evolution of letters all the way back from cuneiform, further bolstering our type education.</p> <p class="no-indent"><strong>Conclusion</strong><br /><br /> All in all the program was fantastic. We won’t lie and say it was easy, as it required a huge amount of focus and dedication. Sleep and socializing took second place as we devoted our attention to perfecting curves and tweaking serifs. Most of us would come home from 12-hour days of class only to spend a few more hours working on our typefaces. We did the same on weekends. It was a fun experience though, and at the final presentation, the fruits of our hard labor were clear and most certainly worth it.</p> <p>The energy and dynamic of the people involved (students as well as instructors) was really inspiring, and we were all incredibly sad to see the course come to a close. While five weeks is not enough time to learn everything about type design, this course makes the most of that time and does a great job of jumpstarting things. Anyone looking to enhance their graphic design knowledge or get into the world of typeface design would definitely benefit from this course. The program is now in its second year and is still evolving, so we guess it will only get even better.</p> <p class="intro no-indent" style="margin-top: 3em;">Special Thanks<br /><br /> We’d like to thank Cara Di Edwardo, the coordinator of the program; our teachers Just van Rossum, Hannes Famira, Jean François Porchez, Stéphane Elbaz and Sumner Stone; and all the great students that we got to meet and work with during the program.<br />Text & images by <a href="http://kishkoosh.com/">Ron Gilad</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/chavellitsui">Chavelli Tsui</a>.</p> <p><br /><br /> <a class="noborder" href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250"><img src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/idlewild-light-fonts.png" /></a> <br /> Sponsored by <a href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250">H&FJ</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/2012/08/24/condensed-typeface-design-program/">Condensed Typeface Design Program</a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=B63tLx0T19Y:O_eUNgaXMJg:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=B63tLx0T19Y:O_eUNgaXMJg:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=B63tLx0T19Y:O_eUNgaXMJg:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=B63tLx0T19Y:O_eUNgaXMJg:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=B63tLx0T19Y:O_eUNgaXMJg:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=B63tLx0T19Y:O_eUNgaXMJg:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=B63tLx0T19Y:O_eUNgaXMJg:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=B63tLx0T19Y:O_eUNgaXMJg:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=B63tLx0T19Y:O_eUNgaXMJg:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=B63tLx0T19Y:O_eUNgaXMJg:TzevzKxY174"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=TzevzKxY174" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ILoveTypography/~4/B63tLx0T19Y" width="1" />

UPDATED: 9 MONTHS

Space: The Initial Frontier

<p class="byline">Book review — Inside Paragraphs</p> <p>I have long admired <a href="http://www.fontbureau.com/people/CyrusHighsmith/" title="cyrus highsmith biography font bureau">Cyrus Highsmith</a>, both for his type design (Benton Sans, Prensa, Zócalo, & many besides) and his wonderfully unique style of illustration and lettering. In his debut book, <em><a href="http://insideparagraphs.com">Inside Paragraphs: typographic fundamentals</a></em>, he brings both of these talents to bear on a single topic, the paragraph. The book might alternatively have been titled ‘Space: the initial frontier’ for its principal focus is what goes on inside — not a book, not a page, but — a single paragraph of text — and as what goes on inside is mostly space, white space, or negative space, it is the ideal starting point for an introduction to the craft of setting type, to typography.<br /> <span id="more-13189"></span><br /> <a class="noborder" href="http://insideparagraphs.com"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13195" height="375" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/08/12_13-500x375.jpg" title="Inside paragraphs cyrus highsmith" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Usually I dislike books that are wider than they are tall. I find them uncomfortable to hold for extended periods of reading. However, <em>Inside Paragraphs</em> works despite its backwards proportions: it is light and perfect bound, happily folding back on itself for single-handed reading.</p> <p>The typography is simple and precise: Ibis Text plus Scout (both by Highsmith), generous margins, white space aplenty, beautiful and practical illustrations. The writing is informal, incisive, and fluid; the tone never condescending. <em>Inside Paragraphs</em> is a TARDIS of a book, its 100 pages peppered with gems like,</p> <blockquote><p>‘Setting type can be thought of as a collaboration between the typographer and the typeface.’</p></blockquote> <p>phrases like ‘hierarchy of white space’, plus practical advice about everything from optimal and optimum parameters for H&J, and why all-caps settings require more space.</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://insideparagraphs.com"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13196" height="375" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/08/18_19-500x375.jpg" title="inside paragraphs by cyrus highsmith" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Too often introductory texts fail the reader by trying to cover too many topics superficially — like a whistle-stop tour of some great city, where you’ll be sure to see all the sites, but learn little of any substance about them. Highsmith might easily have expanded each section by tens of pages, but the book is all the better for its brevity and his abstemiousness.</p> <p>To write more about this book would demand spoiler alerts, so I will wrap it up here in, appropriately enough, a single paragraph:</p> <p><em>Inside Paragraphs</em> should be required reading for everyone who studies typography and graphic design. It will also be of interest to anyone else wondering why typography matters. It costs about three Venti Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mochas ($15). Buy it.</p> <p><br /><br /> <a class="noborder" href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250"><img src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/idlewild-light-fonts.png" /></a> <br /> Sponsored by <a href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250">H&FJ</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/2012/08/05/inside-paragraphs-book-review-cyrus-highsmith/">Space: The Initial Frontier</a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=i1OqLSMC1X4:_NjhYGt7XxM:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=i1OqLSMC1X4:_NjhYGt7XxM:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=i1OqLSMC1X4:_NjhYGt7XxM:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=i1OqLSMC1X4:_NjhYGt7XxM:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=i1OqLSMC1X4:_NjhYGt7XxM:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=i1OqLSMC1X4:_NjhYGt7XxM:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=i1OqLSMC1X4:_NjhYGt7XxM:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=i1OqLSMC1X4:_NjhYGt7XxM:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=i1OqLSMC1X4:_NjhYGt7XxM:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=i1OqLSMC1X4:_NjhYGt7XxM:TzevzKxY174"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=TzevzKxY174" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ILoveTypography/~4/i1OqLSMC1X4" width="1" />

UPDATED: 9 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS

The Week in Type

<p class="byline">Closing your eyes to see, covering your ears to hear</p> <p>It has been a while since my last roundup, so buckle up. For those interested, I recently moved 4322.8 km (2686.06 miles) from my home in Japan to my new home in Vietnam. After nine wonderful years in Japan, it was time to move on. The other day I read an interview with my friend and too-infrequent chess partner, <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2012/7/24/3177332/ia-oliver-reichenstein-writer-interview-good-design-is-invisible">Oliver Reichenstein</a>, who pretty much describes my own feelings on reaching Japan.<br /> <span id="more-12952"></span></p> <blockquote><p>Arriving in Japan without any knowledge of the language, I lived in a world without words, where, almost like a baby, I had to learn everything from scratch. I think the experience of being illiterate and then slowly growing back into society has made me a better designer. When you can’t read or write and you need to interpret everything you encounter by deciphering visual clues, you begin to understand how things and people function behind the words…it was a magnificent training in basic interface phenomenology.</p></blockquote> <p>I felt the very same way coming to Japan, and feel the same kind of naive wonder as an ‘illiterate’ newcomer to Vietnam. That’s quite enough about me; let’s move on to more important matters:</p> <p>Rather than wear your heart on your sleeve, why not wear some of <a href="http://tattly.com/">these</a> — wherever:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://tattly.com/collections/all/typographic"><img alt="" class="noborder" height="257" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/tattly-typographic-lettering.png" title="tattly-typographic-lettering" width="500" /></a></p> <p>See all of the <a href="http://tattly.com/collections/all/typographic">‘typographic’ Tattly.</a></p> <p>An enormous and beautiful collection of <a href="http://www.markerstage.at/fensterzeichen/index.html">Viennese Façades</a>:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.markerstage.at/fensterzeichen/index.html"><img alt="" class="padb" height="345" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/vienese-storefronts.jpg" title="vienese-storefronts" width="481" /></a></p> <p>Via @<a href="http://twitter.com/swissmiss">swissmiss</a></p> <h3>New fonts</h3> <p><a href="http://www.typonine.com/fonts/font-library/thema/" title="Thema fonts">Thema</a> from Typonine, the beautiful un-stenciled version of <a href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/typonine/ty-stencil/" title="Typonine Stencil fonts">Typonine Stencil</a>. I can see these two teaming up particularly well for editorial design.</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.typonine.com/fonts/font-library/thema/"><img alt="" class="noborder" height="500" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/thema-specimen.png" title="thema fonts specimen" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.typography.com/fonts/font_overview.php?productLineID=100043" title="idlewild fonts">Idlewild</a>, a new all-caps sans from H&FJ:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.typography.com/fonts/font_overview.php?productLineID=100043"><img alt="" class="noborder" height="500" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/idlewild1.png" title="idlewild fonts from h and fj" width="500" /></a></p> <p>TypeManufactur’s wonderful revival of Georg Salden’s <a href="http://www.typemanufactur.com/eng/index.html" title="daphne fonts">Daphne</a> typeface of the same name:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.typemanufactur.com/eng/index.html"><img alt="" class="noborder" height="253" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/daphne-fonts.jpg" title="daphne-fonts" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.typemanufactur.com/eng/index.html"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13155" height="200" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/Daphne.gif" title="Daphne" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Replete with numerous alternate glyphs and calligraphic swashes. Related: An interview with Georg Salden over at <a href="http://www.typeradio.org/loudblog/index.php?cat=Salden,Georg">Typeradio</a>.</p> <p>Following up on the huge success of <a href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/hvdfonts/pluto/" title="pluto font family">Pluto</a>, <a href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/hvdfonts/pluto-sans/" title="pluto sans fonts">Pluto Sans</a>:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/hvdfonts/pluto-sans/"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13136" height="209" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/pluto-sans1.png" title="pluto-sans fonts" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://commercialtype.com/typefaces/atlas/grotesk" title="atlas grotesk fonts from commercial type">Atlas Grotesk</a> by Kai Bernau, Susana Carvalho, and Christian Schwartz of Commercial Type:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://commercialtype.com/typefaces/atlas/grotesk"><img alt="" class="noborder" height="554" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/atlas-grotesk-fonts1.png" title="atlas-grotesk-fonts" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The delicious <a href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/filmotype/zephyr/" title="filmotype zephyr fonts from ale paul">Filmotype Zephyr</a> from Ale Paul:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/filmotype/zephyr/"><img alt="" class="noborder" height="234" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/Screen-Shot-2012-07-28-at-5.56.23-PM-500x234.png" title="Screen Shot 2012-07-28 at 5.56.23 PM" width="500" /></a></p> <h3>Inspired</h3> <p>Really enjoyed Stephen Coles’s <a href="https://vimeo.com/42992621">Chromeography talk</a> for Creative Mornings:</p> <p> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/42992621">Creative Morning Berlin #10: Stephen Coles</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/berlincm">CreativeMornings/Berlin</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p>And be sure to visit <a href="http://chromeography.com">chromeography.com</a></p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://chromeography.com"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13133" height="370" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/Screen-Shot-2012-07-28-at-5.27.26-PM-500x370.png" title="chromeography.com" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Celebrating <a href="http://new.pentagram.com/2012/05/the-forty-story/" title="40 years of Pentagram">40 years of Pentagram</a>. Beautifully done:</p> <p> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/42562659">The Forty Story</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3163512">Pentagram</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p>Support <a href="http://www.uppercasemagazine.com/typewriter/">Uppercase</a> Magazine’s crowd-funded homage to the typewriter, <a href="http://www.uppercasemagazine.com/typewriter/">The Typewriter: a Graphic History of the Beloved Machine.</a></p> <p></p> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/43023483">Spirograph</a>, the animated typeface:</p> <p> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/43023483">Spirograph Promo</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/animography">Animography</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <p>More about the project at <a href="http://www.animography.net/">animography.net</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.erikmarinovich.com">Erik Marinovich</a>’s work is brilliant:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.erikmarinovich.com"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13128" height="370" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/Screen-Shot-2012-07-28-at-5.11.55-PM-500x370.png" title="erik marinovich letterer and designer" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Nice use of Kris Sowersby’s <a href="http://klim.co.nz/blog/leaf-on-bold-street/">Karbon Slab Stencil</a> for bar and tea shop, Leaf on Bold St.</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://klim.co.nz/blog/leaf-on-bold-street/"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13124" height="309" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/Karbon-Slab-Stencil-Leaf-03.jpg" title="Karbon-Slab-Stencil-Leaf" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Still some of Seb Lester’s <a href="http://www.keepcalmgallery.com/new/slbedblue.htm">So Much To Do</a> prints available:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.keepcalmgallery.com/new/slbedblue.htm"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13148" height="336" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/so-much-to-do.jpg" title="so-much-to-do" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Thoroughly enjoying Nina Stössinger’s <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninastoessinger/sets/72157629933739982/with/7286487070/">type sketches</a> — a number of them based on <a href="http://typecooker.com/">TypeCooker</a> recipes:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninastoessinger/sets/72157629933739982/with/7286487070/"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13141" height="358" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/nina-type-sketches.jpg" title="nina-type-sketches" width="500" /></a></p> <h3>Type sites</h3> <p>The brilliant resource that is <a href="http://fontsinuse.com/">Fonts in Use</a> is now open to the public. Now anyone can now add to the archives. What are you waiting for you?</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://fontsinuse.com/"><img alt="" height="295" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/Screen-Shot-2012-07-26-at-3.33.09-PM-500x295.png" title="new fonts in use" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Lovely redesigned portfolio site of <a href="http://www.jblt.co/v2/">Jean-Baptiste Levée</a>:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.jblt.co/v2/"><img alt="" class="noborder" height="326" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/Screen-Shot-2012-07-25-at-3.51.41-PM-500x326.png" title="JBL" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.gridsetapp.com">Gridset</a> app is looking very good. Be sure to sign up for the beta.</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.gridsetapp.com"><img alt="" height="370" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/Screen-Shot-2012-07-28-at-4.16.37-PM-500x370.png" title="gridset app" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Some good work from the <a href="http://typemedia2012.com">Type & Media</a> Masters students, class of 2012:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://typemedia2012.com"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13126" height="370" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/Screen-Shot-2012-07-28-at-5.09.11-PM-500x370.png" title="type and media 2012" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Experiment with and combine over 23,000 web fonts with the <a href="http://beta.typecastapp.com">Typecast</a> app.</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://beta.typecastapp.com"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13168" height="381" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/Screen-Shot-2012-07-29-at-12.42.30-PM-500x381.png" title="typecast app" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Frank Blokland’s <a href="http://www.lettermodel.org">blog</a> accompanying his PhD research at Leiden University. <em>Harmonics, Patterns, and Dynamics in Formal Typographic Representations of the Latin Script</em>:</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.lettermodel.org"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-13180" height="381" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/Screen-Shot-2012-07-29-at-2.04.59-PM-500x381.png" title="Screen Shot 2012-07-29 at 2.04.59 PM" width="500" /></a></p> <h3>Type books</h3> <p>I have high hopes for this book, and have ordered two: <a href="http://insideparagraphs.com/">Inside Paragraphs: Typographic Fundamentals</a>, a new title from Cyrus Highsmith.</p> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://insideparagraphs.com/"><img alt="" height="375" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/22_23-500x375.jpg" title="Inside Paragraphs by Cyrus Highsmith" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Perhaps it could become <em>the</em> typography primer. Read <a href="http://imprint.printmag.com/paul-shaw/inside-cyrus-highsmiths-new-book-a-typographic-classic-in-the-making/" title="paul shaw’s review of inside paragraphs book by cyrus highsmith">Paul Shaw’s review</a> over at Print Mag.</p> <blockquote><p>In roughly 100 spreads, Highsmith explains the fundamentals of typography by focusing exclusively on one thing: white space. — Paul Shaw</p></blockquote> <p>A new book from a brand new publisher: Lazy Dog offers Luca Barcellona’s <em><a href="http://lazydog.eu">Take Your Pleasure Seriously</a></em> for pre-order. Books ships in October.</p> <p><a href="http://lazydog.eu"><img alt="" height="365" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/luca-barcellona-book.jpg" title="luca-barcellona-book" width="500" /></a></p> <p>And it looks as though <a href="http://codexmag.com">Codex magazine</a> had a small part to play:</p> <blockquote><p>I had been following Luca Barcellona for a couple of years, ever since I’d discovered him, almost by chance, online; I was struck by his hand and its expressive, determined naturalness.<br /> Each new work fascinated me more and more. And then, late in the spring of 2011, I bought the first issue of Codex, a new American [sic] typography magazine that featured an interview with him as well as a piece of his on the cover. When his interviewer asked if he’d ever thought about publishing a book of his work he replied that, to date, he hadn’t received any good offers…<br /> That’s when lightening struck, and I realized that was the road I had to take.</p></blockquote> <p><a class="noborder" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592537669/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=japanagocom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1592537669">Stop, Think, Go, Do: How Typography and Graphic Design Influence Behavior</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=japanagocom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1592537669" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Steven Heller and Mirko Ili?:</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592537669/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=japanagocom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1592537669"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13113" height="503" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/typography-and-graphic-design.jpg" title="typography-and-graphic-design" width="500" /></a></p> <h3>Bookmarks</h3> <ul style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;"> <li>New and <a href="http://blog.typekit.com/2012/07/19/new-improved-embed-code/">improved embedding code</a> for Typekit.</li> <li>An <a href="https://www.fontfont.com/news/interview-with-nick-shinn" title="interview with nick shinn">interview</a> with Nick Shinn.</li> <li>A new design podcast from Matt McInerney (Pentagram) and friends: <a href="http://onthegrid.co">On the Grid</a>. Also available on <a href="">iTunes</a>.</li> <li><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/nadine-chahine/cern-comic-sans-a-time-and-a-place-for-ty_b_1650339.html" title="Nadine Chahine typography">A Time and a Place for Typography?</a></li> <li><a href="http://opentype.info/blog/2012/06/27/logo-font-indesign/">Generating a logo font</a> in InDesign.</li> <li><a href="http://www.vanseodesign.com/web-design/responsive-typography/">How To Maintain Readable Type</a> In Responsive Design.</li> <li>Monotype Imaging: <a href="http://monotypeimaging.com/ProductsServices/TypeEnhancementsAndroid.aspx">Type Enhancements for Android.</a></li> <li>Ministry of Type: <a href="http://ministryoftype.co.uk/words/article/typographic_rhythm/">Typographic Rhythm.</a></li> <li>A new <a href="http://blog.fontdeck.com/post/23601339698/body-text-tester">body text tester</a> from Fontdeck.</li> <li>Event: two-day <a href="http://www.typographichub.org/diary/entry/industry-and-genius-in-the-printing-trade/">printing history conference</a>, 4-5 September 2012.</li> <li>Benefits of <a href="http://blog.webink.com/benefits-of-using-import-and-tags-for-web-fonts/">using @import and tags for web fonts.</a></li> <li>An interview with type designer, <a href="http://www.camcreative.net/2012/05/31/qa-with-jeremy-tankard-talking-typefaces-follow-up/">Jeremy Tankard</a>.</li> <li>How to Explain <a href="http://www.commarts.com/Columns.aspx?pub=5566&pageid=1595">Why Typography Matters.</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.roughtype.com/?p=1615">Reading with Oprah.</a></li> <li>H&FJ: <a href="http://www.typography.com/ask/showBlog.php?kwID=142&blogID=25">Books as furniture.</a></li> <li>Kindle: <a href="http://dailyexhaust.com/2012/06/improved-reading-experience-no.html">Improved reading experience?</a> No.</li> <li>Trent Walton: <a href="http://trentwalton.com/2012/06/19/fluid-type/">Fluid Type.</a></li> <li>Typedia: <a href="http://typedia.com/blog/post/type-news-tall-bold-slugger-set-vivid/" title="typedia type news">Tall Bold Slugger Set Vivid.</a></li> </ul> <p>Issue #2 of <a href="http://codexmag.com">Codex magazine</a> is coming next month (August). We have settled on a twice a year publishing schedule. Issue #3 will be available in March 2013.</p> <p><a href="http://codexmag.com"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-13119" height="647" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/codex-magazine-issue-2.png" title="codex-magazine-issue-2" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Sign up to the infrequent <a href="http://codexmag.com">newsletter</a> to learn more.</p> <p>ILT will be five years old come August 8. How shall we celebrate? Any favorite or memorable moments?</p> <p>Hope you enjoyed this edition of <em><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/category/the-week-in-type/" title="typography and font news from i love typography">the week in type</a></em>. Have a stupendously great weekend.</p> <p><br /><br /> <a class="noborder" href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250"><img src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/idlewild-light-fonts.png" /></a> <br /> Sponsored by <a href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250">H&FJ</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/2012/07/29/the-week-in-type/">The Week in Type</a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=c8yoV5JcGx0:GX-socir2Mo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=c8yoV5JcGx0:GX-socir2Mo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=c8yoV5JcGx0:GX-socir2Mo:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=c8yoV5JcGx0:GX-socir2Mo:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=c8yoV5JcGx0:GX-socir2Mo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=c8yoV5JcGx0:GX-socir2Mo:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=c8yoV5JcGx0:GX-socir2Mo:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=c8yoV5JcGx0:GX-socir2Mo:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=c8yoV5JcGx0:GX-socir2Mo:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=c8yoV5JcGx0:GX-socir2Mo:TzevzKxY174"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=TzevzKxY174" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ILoveTypography/~4/c8yoV5JcGx0" width="1" />

UPDATED: 9 MONTHS, 4 WEEKS

An Interview with Stéphane Elbaz

<p class="intro">Stéphane Elbaz is graphic and type designer working in New York and Paris. In 2009 he was awarded the Certificate of Excellence in Type Design from the Type Directors Club of New York for his type family <a href="http://typofonderie.com/fonts/geneo-family/">Geneo</a>, recently published by Typofonderie. He is the first typeface designer from outside the foundry to be published by Typofonderie.</p> <div id="theDeck-1"></div> <p><span id="more-13013"></span></p> <h3>How do you define yourself?</h3> <p>I am a designer. I intend to solve problems with aesthetic solutions, but at the same time develop a personal expression. It’s this gap that I find interesting.</p> <p>My taste for letters appeared really early in my life, during my teenage years. At that time it wasn’t properly an interest in type, but certainly a taste for letters as plastic shapes. Going to the Arts Décoratifs school in Paris led me to discover classic typography. How could one not to be nostalgic when contemplating those school years? It’s very important for me because of how much I learned during these years. Classes with <a href="http://www.rudi-meyer.com/">Rudi Meyer</a> and Jean François Porchez gave me the context and the latitude to look at the subject with a more experimental way of thinking.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/StephaneElbazInterview_Stephane_and_JeanFrancois_BW1.jpg" title="Stephane Elbaz and Jean Francois" /></p> <p>It was during the type design courses lead by Jean François Porchez that I was involved in the creation of the <a href="http://porchez.com/ateliertypo/155">Caffeine</a> and <a href="http://porchez.com/ateliertypo/119/CookerBlacksemaine8finale">Cooker Black</a> typefaces. This was clearly an important starting point for me; I don’t know if I would have been brave enough to involve myself in rigorous typographic projects without this first step. Thus letters for me became the dominant element of my graphic design. Type design is a discipline that requires a taste for abstraction plus a systematic mind — two things that fit well with my professional mindset.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/StephaneElbazInterview_caffeine_cookerblack.jpg" title="StephaneElbazInterview_caffeine_cookerblack" /></p> <h3>You do both web design and type design, which is pretty rare. How does this affect how you work?</h3> <p>Concerning my web design skills, it’s a question I should ask of my colleagues. I don’t know if working with headlines devoid of kerning, or the inability to set a nicely ragged left paragraph is more difficult for me to live with than it is for others. I do, however, have good reasons to be optimistic. Things are evolving more quickly and always improving. The future will bring with it more and more screens and resolutions, and it is important that the typographic quality on these devices improves accordingly.</p> <p>I think what has occurred on the Internet for some years is a perfect illustration of the importance of typography in graphic design. The capacity to use a large font palette, in comparison to the three or four standards that were used for dynamic texts, changes everything, and permits designers to express different identities.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/4fb2767e47d321.14862674.png" title="Geneo fonts" /></p> <p>Beyond the technical constraints of various screens, I don’t think there is any fundamental difference between the content presented on a screen or on paper — in much the same way as I don’t think that twitter or text messages radically changes our language. After all, it’s the graphic designer that has to choose the typefaces appropriate to the subject, and deal with technical constraints with a broader focus than just the screen or the piece of paper.</p> <h3>Why did you leave France to live and work in New York? From there, what can you say about type design in the United States and in France?</h3> <p>I like the charm of tiny cities. Seriously though, the United States is a big country and therefore has a great diversity of expression. There is certainly a tone in American graphic design that is quite different; the references are not exactly the same as in France. It seems, for instance, that the idea of tradition and the images associated with it are not the same in Paris and New York. The shapes and the imaginative world of tradition are an important foundation upon which type designers work, thus there are going to be differences in the type aesthetic.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/Screen-Shot-2012-07-14-at-3.37.59-PM.png" title="Geneo Bold New York" /></p> <h3>What is the genesis of your typeface, Geneo?</h3> <p>Geneo was a personal project that I began without thinking of a context or a specific use. I was attracted to slab serifs and began drawing a really thin weight, a little like a typewriter character, but with some kind of Renaissance spirit. I think that I was trying to find an anachronistic mix that actually worked. I was also fond of the brush-made flourish shapes of the Art Nouveau period, and I was particularly inspired by them. All of these elements combined could feel a bit heavy, but my idea was to make a contemporary character where the shapes had to be synthetic while at the same time retaining some flesh, some of the organic.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/StephaneElbazInterview_ensad2004_01.jpg" title="StephaneElbazInterview_ensad2004_01" /></p> <p>Geneo won the <a href="http://tdc.org/">TDC</a> prize back in 2009, and today it is distributed by Typofonderie, although it’s not exactly the same typeface. Its original identity remains intact, but it had to evolve to conform with the foundry’s standards. This meant a lot of work, but I benefitted from the guidance and exceptional eye of Jean François Porchez. We worked together on both the design of each particular glyph’s details as well as the weight scale of the entire family. Time was also spent designing dingbats and alternative glyphs.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/07/Screen-Shot-2012-07-14-at-3.49.36-PM.png" title="Geneo Thin" /></p> <p>I believe that this new typeface family permits a great diversity of uses. The lighter weights used in headlines can convey both a delicatessen or a piece of literature. The intermediate weights can be used to set body text in an academic journal or in the logo of a new social network. We imagine the heavier weights being used on posters or in editorial design. The family as a whole can also be used in works needing a complex typographic hierarchy. Also, I think that in the context of a rational and minimal text layout, Geneo can add a connotative dimension, a level of contrast. For me, an even more exciting prospect is to see my typeface appear in ways that I couldn’t have envisaged. It’s from other graphic designers’ creations that I am waiting to see new and interesting interpretations.</p> <h3>Can you share something about the new typefaces you are working on?</h3> <p style="margin-bottom: 1.5em;">I have a few things in progress, which I think is often the case with type designers; having several typeface ideas in the back of their minds. What determines if a typeface will one day be completed and released or not is the relevancy of its shapes and its identity. Some others will never be finished because they are shaky in their concept or just not original. I currently have a sans-serif project that I would like to finish. Unfortunately, it’s a category that already appears saturated and therefore is particularly challenging, but nonetheless stimulating.</p> <p class="intro no-indent">Interview by <a href="https://twitter.com/jjjlllnnn">Jérémy Landes-Nones.</a><br /><br /> Graphic and type designer Stephane Elbaz holds degrees in Visual Communication (2003) and Interactive Research (2004) from the <a href="http://www.ensad.fr/">École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs.</a> In 2009 he was awarded the Certificate of Excellence in Type Design from the Type Directors Club of New York for his type family Geneo (published by Typofonderie). He works in New York and Paris.</p> <p><br /><br /> <a class="noborder" href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250"><img src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/idlewild-light-fonts.png" /></a> <br /> Sponsored by <a href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250">H&FJ</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/2012/07/17/interview-with-font-designer-stephane-elbaz/">An Interview with Stéphane Elbaz</a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=QNAIhoEdG8o:l84A2uutjnM:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=QNAIhoEdG8o:l84A2uutjnM:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=QNAIhoEdG8o:l84A2uutjnM:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=QNAIhoEdG8o:l84A2uutjnM:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=QNAIhoEdG8o:l84A2uutjnM:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=QNAIhoEdG8o:l84A2uutjnM:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=QNAIhoEdG8o:l84A2uutjnM:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=QNAIhoEdG8o:l84A2uutjnM:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=QNAIhoEdG8o:l84A2uutjnM:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=QNAIhoEdG8o:l84A2uutjnM:TzevzKxY174"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=TzevzKxY174" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ILoveTypography/~4/QNAIhoEdG8o" width="1" />

UPDATED: 10 MONTHS, 1 WEEK

Krul & the untold history of the ‘Amsterdamse Krulletter’

<div id="theDeck-1"></div> <p>In a way, my research into the ‘Amsterdamse Krulletter’ (Amsterdam’s Curly Letter) began eight years ago as I was walking down the streets of what is possibly the city’s most beautiful district, the Jordaan. As every local knows, this area hosts quite a few of the old, traditional pubs that the locals call ‘bruin cafés’ (brown cafés). In urban environments, type designers are always looking at letters, and especially at hand-painted ones. It didn’t take me very long to notice that many of the pubs in the area had their windows painted in a very interesting and beautifully executed script. Later I discovered they had been painted throughout other parts of Amsterdam too, notably also in the De Pijp area.</p> <p><span id="more-12957"></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/05/image-01.jpg" title="image-01" /></p> <p>Upon closer inspection of the letters painted on the windows and wooden panels, it was obvious that the style was very consistent. Leaving aside the natural variations you would expect from work done by hand, each letter had a defined design that had been strictly followed every time. Interestingly, this mysterious script was unknown to me. I could tell it had influences from seventeenth-century Dutch penmanship, but it also differed in many ways from the handwriting that Jan van den Velde, Felix van Sambix, and Cornelis Boissens — among others — had published in their writing manuals.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/05/image-02.jpg" title="image-02" /></p> <p>I started asking Dutch colleagues about this pub lettering tradition, but no one had much information about its authors or origins. It is true that almost without exception every ‘connoisseur’ of good lettering who took a look at them immediately expressed admiration, but the specialized press and Dutch design authors had never seriously taken this tradition into consideration. <a href="http://www.pietschreuders.com/">Piet Schreuders</a>’s groundbreaking essay ‘Lay in - Lay out’, first published in 1977, had dedicated two separate chapters to two of the most representative and original of Amsterdams’s vernacular letters: the ‘Bruggenletter’ and the almost extinct ‘Spiegelglas’ letter. However, there is not a single mention in the book of pub lettering, which at that time would have been omnipresent.</p> <p>In a more recent example, the 2008 photography book ‘<a href="http://www.mimoa.eu/blog/?p=416">Amsterdam in letters</a>’ by Marteen Helle, features numerous examples of fine Amsterdam lettering, but, again, the ‘Krulletter’ is absent.</p> <p>It was only in 1983 that the trade magazine, ‘Grafisch Nederland’ published an issue including an article entitled ‘Kijk! Letters!’ (Look! Letters!), with pictures of several pub facades bearing the style along with an interview with Leo Beukeboom, one of the two people responsible for painting it. Nevertheless, the article focused more on the most general and everyday aspects of Mr. Beukeboom’s work, and it failed to delve any deeper into the origins of his most celebrated letters and what may have influenced them.</p> <p>The fact that such gorgeous and original letters have largely been ignored in a country with such a rich type- and letter-making tradition reminds me of the plot of Edgar Allan Poe’s famous story “The Purloined Letter”. In the story, an important document cannot be found because it is lying in plain sight. Sometimes things can become invisible to us because of their very familiarity.</p> <p>I have mentioned the name of Leo Beukeboom. This talented and prolific sign painter, responsible for many of the best ‘Krulletter’ that still can be found in Amsterdam and neighbouring cities, began painting them in 1967 when he was hired by the Heineken Brewery to be its in-house letter painter and to provide services to the pubs sponsored by the firm. But the history of the style goes back further than that. It was created by the sign painter Jan Willem Visser (Amsterdam, 1911-1987) who from the early 50s to 1968 worked for the Amstel Brewery (the company was sold to Heineken that same year, almost at the same time as Leo Beukeboom began painting the style for Heineken).</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/06/image-04.jpg" title="image-04" /></a></p> <p>Jan Willem Visser was the son of Johannes Visser, another letter painter, and he was very gifted and highly respected by his colleagues, but his story has never been properly told. He learned the trade from his father, and in 1941 he opened his own workshop in Da Costakade street. At its peak it was one of the biggest in Amsterdam, with 24 employees.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/06/image-05.jpg" title="image-05" /></p> <p>Numerous images kept in the Amsterdam Photographic Archives show that by the early 50s Mr. Visser had already painted the ‘Krulletter’ in many bars in a manner almost identical to the one that still can be found today.</p> <p>For a long time I wondered what exactly had influenced him. His capital letters were undoubtedly inspired by one particular plate published in the second volume of “Spieghel der Schrijfkonste” (1605), Jan van den Velde’s most important work, but some of the details of the lowercase letters were too original to have come from that source, and were unlike anything published in the works of the famous calligrapher.<br /> Thanks to a visit to his daughter, Annick Visser, who kindly allowed me to inspect her father’s belongings and documents, I was able to solve this little palaeographic mystery. Jan Willem Visser owned a book published in 1885 entitled ‘Letters en hare grondvormen naar de beste bronnen bewerkt voor schilders, steenhouwers, graveurs en voor het onderwijs aan Ambachts en Kunstnijverheidsteekenscholen’ by the engraver P. van Looy Jr. The book was a catalogue of different alphabets ‘from the best sources’, designed to serve as a guide for craftsmen in the rendering of letters. This volume featured three plates that had undoubtedly served as models for Visser’s pub lettering. In hand-written captions, the book’s author P. van Looy Jr. gives credit for the images, indicating that these models were taken from J. Heuvelman’s work.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/05/image-06.jpg" title="image-06" /></p> <p>Johannes Heuvelman was a Dutch writing master from Haarlem, and his only known published book is: ‘Stichtich ABC tot Nut der Jeucht geschreven’ from 1659. A comparison of the script models of J. Heuvelman, P. van Looy Jr., and J. W. Visser is particularly interesting. Although each of them could have made an exact copy of his predecessor’s lettering, none of them chose to do so. Each of them introduced variations and diverse influences that made their versions richer and more remarkable. Realizing this fact had important consequences for the development of my revival. I had worked for a long time on a model that was an attempt to reproduce the Kruletter design as accurately as possible. I was very concerned that Amsterdam might be about to lose one of the most distinctive and beautiful elements of its graphic identity. Many of the window displays with the painted letters had been lost forever due to renovations of bars or changes in ownership, and there are no letter painters left in the area with the skills to paint the style properly.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/06/image-07.png" title="image-07" /></p> <p>But at the end of 2011 I suddenly came to the conclusion that I was on the wrong track. These letters had been painted to meet needs different from those that my letters would serve. The letters’ finishing required the use of a fine-pointed brush, and their contrast had been planned to work in really big sizes. I was seeking something with a wider range of possible uses, and the letters as they were written were of limited use in the contemporary graphic industry.</p> <p>Even more, I felt just as Visser had, that instead of simply creating an accurate copy, as a designer my role should be to offer my own interpretation, changing things I considered undesirable or incorrect while enshrining the attributes in new letters of my own. In this way I would be preserving the tradition and making my discreet contribution.</p> <p>Therefore I redrew my version and made ‘<a href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/jazzfonts/krul/">Krul</a>’ more ‘typographic’: a disconnected script, a bit more ‘rationalistic’ and less sloped. Some problematic characters were altered or downgraded to the category of ‘alternates’, while new letter shapes which were not present in Visser’s model but were part of the Dutch formal penmanship tradition were included. The style owes both its name and much of the appreciation it has earned from Amsterdam’s people to the abundance and exuberance of its plentiful swashes. Naturally, ‘Krul’ includes many of these typographic decorative elements like different swashy ascenders, ending forms, numerous fleurons and ornaments.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/06/image-08.png" title="image-08" /><br /> <img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/06/image-09.png" title="image-09" /><br /> <img alt="" src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/06/image-10.png" title="image-10" /></p> <p>For the moment it is too early to tell what the fate of this attempt to revive a endangered fine lettering tradition will be, but there is something I know for sure: I have done all I possibly could to recover a forgotten chapter of Amsterdam’s popular culture and to give its protagonist the credit he deserves.</p> <p class="no-indent"><a href="http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/jazzfonts/krul/" title="Krul fonts">Krul</a> fonts on MyFonts.</p> <div style="width: 100%; margin-top: 3em; background-color: #25120d;"> <p class="intro" style="background-color: #25120d;">Author: <a href="http://www.re-type.com/">Ramiro Espinoza</a>.<br />Acknowledgements:<br /> I would like to thank the following people and institutions for helping me in different parts of my research: Tom Croiset van Uchelen, James Mosley, Mathieu Lommen, Annick Visser, Leo Beukeboom, Library of the University of Amsterdam, & Noord-Holland Archives.</p> </div> <p><br /><br /> <a class="noborder" href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250"><img src="http://cdn.ilovetypography.com/img/2012/10/idlewild-light-fonts.png" /></a> <br /> Sponsored by <a href="http://www.typography.com/index.php?affiliateID=250">H&FJ</a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://ilovetypography.com/2012/06/18/krul-the-untold-historyof-the-amsterdamse-krulletter/">Krul & the untold history <br />of the ‘Amsterdamse Krulletter’</a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=nW5oXhmbqGs:TbG7HAjxXUQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=nW5oXhmbqGs:TbG7HAjxXUQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=nW5oXhmbqGs:TbG7HAjxXUQ:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=nW5oXhmbqGs:TbG7HAjxXUQ:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=nW5oXhmbqGs:TbG7HAjxXUQ:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=nW5oXhmbqGs:TbG7HAjxXUQ:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=nW5oXhmbqGs:TbG7HAjxXUQ:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=nW5oXhmbqGs:TbG7HAjxXUQ:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?i=nW5oXhmbqGs:TbG7HAjxXUQ:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?a=nW5oXhmbqGs:TbG7HAjxXUQ:TzevzKxY174"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ILoveTypography?d=TzevzKxY174" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ILoveTypography/~4/nW5oXhmbqGs" width="1" />

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