This Week in Design: July 4, 2014
Beauty, browsers and design clichés. We’re talking about all three this week. And, of course, the World Cup. (We’ve got a little design goodie for that too.) The underlying theme that connects these elements this week is web and digital design. It’s an increasingly important part of the life of every designer, with very few people just working on print anymore.
Every week, we plan to a look at major product releases and upgrades, tools and tricks and even some of the most popular things you are talking about on social media. And we’d love to hear what’s going on in your world as well. Have we missed anything? Drop me a line at carrie@designshack.net.
July 4th, 2014 Posted in This Week in Design
Giveaway: Win Any Template From TemplateMonster
It has been a year since we hosted a giveaway together with TemplateMonster. We noticed that you like getting premium WordPress themes for free, so today we’re back with another giveaway!
Moreover, the new giveaway is even more attractive than the previous one because there will be more winners and this time you can win any template from TemplateMonster! Read on to find out more.
July 2nd, 2014 Posted in Competitions
The Science Behind Color and Emotion
Color resonates with people in different ways. We all have a favorite color or color that we use more during specific periods of life. But the color you use in a design project can say a lot about the work itself. That’s a scientific fact.
The science behind our emotional connections to color is a complicated one. But it is becoming more clear through anecdotal knowledge and scientific experimentation. Here are five hypotheses and a fifth-grade level experiment you can try to help us better design with color and understand its emotional impact.
June 30th, 2014 Posted in Graphics, Inspiration
This Week in Design: June 27, 2014
This week in design an unofficial theme came together by chance – illustration. From hand lettering to an illustration design winner to drawing versus taking photos, creating something with your hands is an important part of the design process. At some point almost every one of us draws something by hand. (Although if you are like me, many of those sketches never leave the safe-haven of your notebook.)
Every week, we plan to a look at major product releases and upgrades, tools and tricks and even some of the most popular things you are talking about on social media. And we’d love to hear what’s going on in your world as well. Have we missed anything? Drop me a line at carrie@designshack.net.
June 27th, 2014 Posted in This Week in Design
Design Dilemma: Screwed by Art School
Oh, my! Another complaint that an art school didn’t truly prepare a student to succeed in the outside world. For the serious student, too young and inexperienced to know what courses will strengthen their career chances and choices, a bad art school is a huge mistake. Today’s dilemma involves one of those people. What can you do when you wake up years after graduating and realize your degree isn’t offering the value you hoped it would?
Join us as we delve into another graduation party Design Dilemma, helping to answer your questions, queries and concerns about the murky world of design.
June 25th, 2014 Posted in Design Dilemma
10 Ways to Use Mapping in Web or App Design
Almost everywhere you look these days, you find a map or location-based nugget of information. Almost every app asks for a location and it is becoming more and more common on desktop websites as well.
But if you have not branched out into the world of mapping or location data, it may seem a little intimidating. How can you effectively use mapping services for your website or app? We’ll take a look at 10 ways you can integrate a map today.
June 23rd, 2014 Posted in Layouts
This Week in Design: June 20, 2014
This was a big week for users of Adobe software, with a new major release. It’s packed with goodies that may take weeks to fully figure out. The only question is how will you use the new tools? (And we have a few bits of inspiration to get you started there, too.)
Every week, we plan to a look at major product releases and upgrades, tools and tricks and even some of the most popular things you are talking about on social media. And we’d love to hear what’s going on in your world as well. Have we missed anything? Drop me a line at carrie@designshack.net.
June 20th, 2014 Posted in This Week in Design
Design for Everyone: Considering Accessibility in Visual Projects
Because design is such a visual concept, we don’t always stop to think about how design can impact users with certain disabilities. From vision to hearing or even touch impairments, how you design a website, brochure or even package can look or work a different way to different people.
And while you can’t design so that every element is perfect in every condition for every user, there are some things you can do and think about to make your design projects more accessible to a larger number of people. Simple techniques such as color choice, texture, shading and sound effects can make a difference to users.
June 19th, 2014 Posted in Accessibility
Design Science: What Is Gestalt Theory?
If you are like me, it’s been a while since you finished you last formal design class. (And some of us never had any formal design classes.) So a refresher in some of the science behind design seems important. What is gestalt theory and do I really need to understand it?
Today, we’ll focus on one of the guiding principles of design. Gestalt theory is something you likely encounter and use almost every day. But do you understand the theory behind your actions? And how can you make even better use of this concept in your design work?
June 18th, 2014 Posted in Inspiration
Inky Deals Giveaway: 11” MacBook Air & Design Resources
We are happy to announce another massive giveaway from Inky Deals that comes with a free pack of premium resources worth $66.
The freebie is sent to the email address you use to enter the contest and is part of the epic bundle. It’s really simple to enter, so read on to find out more!
June 17th, 2014 Posted in Competitions