Articles - Page 180 | Design Shack

This Week in Design / 9 May 2014

This Week in Design: May 9, 2014

This week has been busy. From a list of the best new typefaces of the year being released to a new PayPal logo, there has been plenty of news in the design world. Add in a few fun topics as well – the Target Photoshop disaster that just won’t go away — and this week in design has been packed with news and information.

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 [email protected].

Design Dilemma / 8 May 2014

Design Dilemma: The New Designer in Town

This one just came in from Case: 292PLUTO-X (remember, we’re using case numbers instead of names or initials now). He’s a young recent graduate who moved to the big city (Seattle, which is a big tech center) and is confused about doing print vs. digital and wants to know which to pursue (both, of course, but more digital in Seattle) and how can he make connections to find a job.

So, join us as we delve into another Design Dilemma, helping to answer your questions, queries and concerns about the murky world of design

Layouts / 6 May 2014

Horizontal Harmony in Design: Keep It Between the Lines

Horizontal harmony. It’s one of those things that you seem to only notice when it is missing. Horizontal harmony is the relationship between elements across a design. It’s more than lines and rules; it’s also an invisible grid creates a sense of place for design elements.

How can you create horizontal harmony? While some techniques are easier than others, it is not an overwhelming concept. It just takes a little planning. By thinking about things such as a baseline grid, space between lines of text, positioning of elements and the overall aesthetic, horizontal harmony is just part of the design process.

This Week in Design / 2 May 2014

This Week in Design: May 2, 2014

Sometimes a touch of something old reminds you of something new. This week the reminder of a forgotten book helped jog my creative thought process, while a new Wikipedia design concept really caught the attention of designers around the web.

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 [email protected].

Business / 28 Apr 2014

How to Send a Great Email Newsletter on a Budget

It seems like everyone has an email newsletter these days. From design, to maintaining subscribers, to clicking “send,” it can be expensive. But you can send a great newsletter on a budget.

It just requires a little planning. By doing some of the customizations and legwork yourself, you can create a great email marketing list and send a newsletter with a stellar design without handing over big money.

This Week in Design / 25 Apr 2014

This Week in Design: April 25, 2014

Everything is new this week. From a new look for Twitter, a new set of Mother’s Day goodies and digital “paper,” there are plenty of design tools to preview. And if you are anything like me, new tools, trends and gadgets are always something to get excited about.

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 [email protected].

Design Dilemma / 23 Apr 2014

Design Dilemma: Afraid to Start One’s Career

When I receive a message, asking for help with a dilemma, I try to research the person’s background first. If they have an online portfolio, I check their work samples. If they have a LinkedIn profile, I look at their experience. It’s the best way to offer advice that’s not below their experience level, and avoid coming across as insulting.

Unfortunately, sometimes what I find is disappointing and shocking. It’s the same feeling one gets when you find a 1960s Playboy magazine at a flea market and you realize the centerfold is your grandmother.

Typography / 21 Apr 2014

The Complete Guide to Special Characters

Not everything is as easy as ABC or 123. Sometimes your copy might require a character outside of the basic alphabet. That’s where special characters and glyphs come in. (Look around, they are more common than you might think at first.)

Depending on your workflow, inserting a glyph can be as simple as a keystroke or a multi-step process. Much of it depends on the software you are using, typography palette and how the final product will be published. Here, we are going to take a look at special characters, examples of use and tips for success.

This Week in Design / 18 Apr 2014

This Week in Design: April 18, 2014

I am going to confess right now. I am a little obsessed with typography this week. And there’s been plenty happening in the world of type, making it the theme of this week in design.

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 [email protected].

Design Dilemma / 16 Apr 2014

Design Dilemma: Are You the Right Person for the Right Job?

You show a prospective client your portfolio. They like it, hire you and the project starts. You deliver sketches and then, after everything is approved, the finished design.

The client then informs you the solution didn’t meet his/her “vision” and refuses all offers to adjust the work to meet his/her vision. Final payment and further contact from the client never happen.

Graphics / 15 Apr 2014

Paper 101: Quick Start Guide for Print Projects

While most principles and tenets of design are pretty universal, printing is not. For anyone jumping to a different medium (online to print) or even one medium to another, it is vital to know just what you need and will get when working on a print job.

Elements such as paper stock, paper size, coating and fold can significantly impact how a design is put together for a printed project. Here’s a guide to help you get started and better understand the ins and outs of printed projects.

This Week in Design / 11 Apr 2014

This Week in Design: April 11, 2014

What do the Webby Awards, a mix of art and architecture, and a colorization tutorial have in common? They can all be sources of design inspiration. This week we look at some great work, from websites to photos to art, and tools to help you feel more in control of your design life.

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 [email protected].