Carrie Cousins

Layouts / 22 Apr 2019

Single Page Website Design: 10 Tips + Ideas

Long live single page website design! There’s something almost magical about small-scale websites that fit on a single page. They can be graceful, easy to navigate and provide optimal user experiences in a contained space.

While there was a time when we shied away from single page websites, users are embracing them again (thank you, mobile!) and you should, too.

We’re looking at ten tips, ideas, examples, and suggestions to help spark inspiration for your next piece of web design work. It might be just the right time to keep it simple, and embrace a single-page strategy!

Trends / 17 Apr 2019

10 Video Marketing Trends for 2019

Almost every marketing prediction, resource or how-to guide for 2019 includes the same advice: video needs to be part of your strategy. But how should you get started? And what type of video marketing is most important, right now?

From super-short (micro) video clips, to live streaming on social media, to full-production ads and stories, we’re going to look at some of the top video marketing trends for the year and how you can incorporate them into your design and marketing plans.

Let’s dive in, and embrace video as the new marketing channel you need to get right!

Inspiration / 15 Apr 2019

30 Eye-Catching Logo Color Schemes

Color can have a significant impact on logos. It can communicate meaning and help users identify your company or brand. And just like other design trends, what styles and colors are used in logos tend to change over time.

The trend now is toward more streamlined logos without much color (often single color) or the exact opposite – rainbow-style color palettes for brand marks.

Here’s a look at 30 logo color schemes that are sure to catch your attention.

Trends / 10 Apr 2019

Mid-Century Modern Design: An Emerging Trend

Of all the retro design styles that have been trending, mid-century modern design might be one of my favorites. The phrase “mid-century modern” is more than just a staple on home improvement television shows, it’s also a classic art and design style that speaks to an era.

The best thing about mid-century modern design is that it can simplify the complex. It was a popular style in homes and décor, as well as graphic and product design in for decades spanning the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s.

Now it is making a comeback as a graphic and web design trend.

Reviews / 8 Apr 2019

Videvo: Free, High-Quality Visuals for Your Website

Looking to create more engagement or interaction on your website? Video might be the answer.

According to some of the latest data, using video can increase engagement, is a favorite among website visitors and customers, and actually increases overall return on investment. The takeaway? You need to be using video content.

If you aren’t sure where to start, look no further than Videvo. It’s packed with stock videos that you can download and use in projects. Here’s how it works.

Freebies / 8 Apr 2019

10 Best Free Stock Video Sites in 2019

Need video? From moving images for your own website, to b-roll for clients, having a solid place to find quality stock videos is a must. Today, we’re going to help you “stock” your toolkit with ten places to find amazing, free stock video for a variety of projects.

We are giving you basic information about using stock videos from each vendor; make sure to check specific license agreements before using any stock image or video. These can vary quite a bit, and it’s worth making sure that any video use is a good fit for your project license-wise!

Graphics / 3 Apr 2019

What Is Modern Logo Design? 10 Trends + Examples

Modern logo design is a collection of classic and trending elements, all of which combine together to create a brand mark that feels fresh. Today’s modern design is exemplified by sleek lines, simple lettering, color, and highly defined elements.

Here, we’ll look at trends in modern logo design with examples from large companies and smaller brands.

Whether you’re gearing up for a minimal design, love gradients, like hand-drawn imagery, or have a clear need for a responsive logo, we’ll have you covered with these trends and examples.

Reviews / 1 Apr 2019

Freepik: More Than Just Stock Photos

If you are anything like me, design goodies can make your day. And free design goodies can have me doing a little dance around the office for a minute before getting back to work.

Freepik is one of those tools that might get you on your feet. Their website is packed with highly usable design tools and resources.

We’re going to take a look at what Freepik is, what you can find, and how you can use these tools in your design projects.

Business / 1 Apr 2019

What Is a Company Profile? (And How to Write One)

Whether you’re creating content for an established business or a startup, a company profile should be part of your plan. In this post, we’ll discuss what a company profile is, and how to write one.

A company profile can be an effective way to highlight the business to customers or stakeholders. And you’ll quickly find that it is a vital part of business communication.

It’s a way to state what your business stands for, what your goals are, and where you place your focus. As well as featuring all the practical information that anyone might need to know about your company.

Navigation / 27 Mar 2019

10 Modern Website Navigation Tips & Ideas

One of the elements of website design that you don’t always think about first is navigation. (Although you probably should.) How will users move around the design? How will they find elements that aren’t obvious to them?

Website navigation trends have changed a lot; moving away from overwhelming mega menus to lighter more minimal options. And there’s some value to that thought – too many choices can overwhelm users. Provide the information they need in the space they need it to increase engagement. Don’t throw the kitchen sink at them!

Today, we’ll look at a few modern website navigation tips and ideas to help you do just that.

Freebies / 26 Mar 2019

Exclusive Freebie: Trendy Color Palettes

Today, we’re excited to share an exclusive freebie with you, in partnership with our friends at Vexels. It’s a stylish infographic of trendy color palettes, to inspire your next project!

Whether you’re looking a trendy and modern palette, a gradient tone, some pastel perfection, or golden autumnal gradients, it’s got you covered.

Software / 25 Mar 2019

Affinity Photo vs Photoshop: Should You Switch?

Affinity Photo has been receiving rave reviews from designers and photographers alike, looking for a photo editing software solution that’s not crazy-expensive but has in-demand features. But can it replace Photoshop?

While Affinity Photo isn’t super-cheap, you only have to buy the software (and any add-ons you like) just once, making it a somewhat viable option if you don’t like the monthly subscription fees that come with Adobe Photoshop.

Here’s a look at a few of the reasons you might switch from Adobe Photoshop to Affinity Photo (and a few reasons why it might not be the best fit for you!)