Just Creative Design

Vegemite iSnack2.0

This is breaking news in Australia - we’ve released a new ‘creamier’ version of our much loved Vegemite (a vegetable yeast spread similar to Marmite). No joke it was on the front page of the Sydney Morning Herald website.

Kraft Foods yesterday announced the winning name: Vegemite iSnack 2.0.

West Australian web designer Dean Robbins, 27, beat more than 48,000 entrants to come up with the winning name. Other entries suggested were Ruddymite, Wow Chow and 2ritemite.

“It was all a bit tongue-in-cheek, really. The ‘i’ phenomenon and web 2.0 have been recent revolutions and I thought the new Vegemite name could do the same.”

Simon Talbot from Kraft Foods said: “The name Vegemite iSnack2.0 was chosen based on its personal call to action, relevance to snacking and clear identification of a new and different Vegemite to the original. We believe these three components completely encapsulate the new brand.”

When I first saw it I was like “Oh no, this has got to be a joke” but nope, it’s the real deal. A half smart marketing ploy but I wonder how long this name will last?

Update 29th September:

There may be a legal battle on for the name ‘iSnack’ but not with who you may think.

Update 30th September:

Kraft is considering axeing the name of  iSnack2.0. (Thanks to Cameron for the tip.)

What are your thoughts?

Car Vehicle Wrap Design Process & Tutorial

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of rebranding Luke Arms‘ photography business One Fine Day Photography and as part of the rebrand, came the job of designing his car.

In this article I will guide you through how I designed a “custom car vehicle wrap” along with tips I learned along the way… but before I launch into that, I would like you to meet Caroline, Luke’s new company car.

Read more »

The “Pros” and Cons of Spec Work

In this article I outline the so called “pros” and cons of speculative work and then outline other’s opinions on the debate… If you haven’t already guessed it, I am against spec work. Let me explain - it’s worth the read.

Read more »

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What every designer ought to know about: FSC

According to AGDA (Australian Graphic Design Association) Code of Ethics…

2.1 - A Member shall work in a manner so that as little harm (direct or indirect) as possible is caused to the natural environment.

So it makes me wonder… how many of you actually know what the logo above means? You would most probably have seen it on the back of a brochure or catalogue - well in this article we* hope to shed some light on what the FSC (Forest Steward Council) certification actually means, and how you too can use it to help sustain the world’s forests.

What is the FSC (Forest Steward Council)?

FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established in 1993 to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.

It provides standard setting, trademark assurance and accreditation services for companies and organisations interested in responsible forestry. Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.

How does FSC implement this?

FSC developed “The Chain of Custody Process” which insures trees cut from FSC managed forests will go through the FSC certified process. This rigorous 5 step process ensures that all environmental and social obligations have been followed and have achieved the stamp of approval - the FSC logo (as seen below).

For example, if you receive a postcard with this symbol on it, you will know that it has gone through 5 different FSC certified processes since it was cut down. The chain goes something like this Pulp Manufacturer > Paper Manufacturer > Paper Merchant > (Designer) > Printer > Approval from FSC.

Where does the FSC logo go and what does it mean?

The FSC logo goes on any piece of design that is printed on FSC certified paper and is printed through an FSC certified printer. It is also appears on timber and other items that are FSC certified.

Once you have completed your own design and you have put the FSC logo in its place, you then submit your design to the printer… the printer then needs to submit the piece and all specs to FSC to get the green light to print.

In most cases, underneath the FSC logo it will contain a certification number. This contains the printers ID number, percentage of post consumer waste plus any other recycled information. This information helps verify that the Chain of Custody process has been followed.

What can you do to help support FSC?

Image credit: Bunnyrel

FSC’s mission is to improve the management of the world’s forests. There are many ways you can support:

• as a consumer you can buy FSC certified products
• as a business in the forest products business, you can become FSC certified
• you can promote the FSC by using the FSC logo on your products (you must be authorised to do so - information here)
• everybody interested in the fate of the world’s forests can become an FSC member and actively contribute to the future of the organisation.

Worth mentioning

And just so you know… only 7 percent of the world’s productive forests are FSC certified. This global organisation, active in 79 countries, has an extremely ambitious agenda, a long way to go and must do everything possible to keep itself above reproach.

In saying that, worth mentioning is FSC Watch - an independent website (not associated with FSC) dedicated to encouraging the scrutiny of the FSC’s activities. FSC Watch aims to increase the integrity of the FSC’s forest certification scheme.

Have you ever been involved in an FSC project? Have you got any more information to share? Please let us know in the comments below.

*This article was written in collaboration with Jessica Mahoney.

Explained In English: Copyright, Patents, Trademarks & Registered Designs

This is a guest article by Samuel Jesse McCown, the man behind the new and outstanding blog, Gráfica Real.

Recently I was involved in a project with a team of industrial designers, graphics designers and myself in which we collectively had to design a product and branding package for a fictional social entrepreneurial company which required many types of intellectual property including a trademark, a copyright, and a patent.

I was always aware of IP although the lines were a little blurred when it came to the finer details and variations between the different options available. It is important to know the rights you have or may be infringing when working on a project so I have put together a brief run through of the main areas of IP you may be required to be knowledgeable in, when working as a designer.

Trademark

A trademark can be a letter, number, word, phrase, sounds, smell, slogan, logo, picture, aspect of packaging or any combination of these.

Trademarks are used to distinguish goods and services of one trade from those of another. You don’t have to register your trade mark to use it however registration is advisable because it can be an expensive and time consuming exercise to take action under common law.

A registered trade mark gives you exclusive legal rights to use, license or sell it within your country (laws vary within countries) for the goods and services for which it is registered.

Example: Cadbury Schweppes have a trademark on their specific purple colour.

Registered Design

Registered Design refers to the configuration, pattern, or ornamentation which when applied to a product gives the product a unique appearance. You can register a design but it must be new and distinctive.

Example: The Coca Cola bottle, even without any text or branding was recently registered in Japan being the first of its kind.

Copyright

Design copyright protects the original expression of ideas not the ideas themselves. It is free and automatically safeguards your original works of arts and literature, music, film, sound, recording, broadcast, computer programs from copying and other uses.

In Australia, copyright protection is provided under the Copyright Act 1958 and is administered by the office of the Attorney General. It gives exclusive rights to license others in regard to copyrighting the work, performing it in public, broadcasting etc.

You may also be interested in Copyright Issues in Logo Design & Typography.

Example: The specific character, and material relating to Batman is protected under copyright.

Patent

A patent is a right granted for any device, substance, method, process which is new inventive and useful. Patents are legally enforceable and gives the owner the exclusive right to commercially exploit the invention for the life of the patent. The innovation patent is a protection option which is designed to protect inventions that are not sufficiently inventive.

Example: The Ipod range is protected under a patent.

Source: Professor Scott Whiteside - Swinburne University

Have you got any more copyright, patent or trademark knowledge? Please share with us in the comments below.

30 Sweet Handpicked Designer Tshirts

I’ve posted about great designer tshirts twice before on JCD and due the popularity of the posts here is another installment of awesome designer tshirts. All of these shirts come in men and women’s sizes and are on sale from $19 at DesignByHumans by affiliate. Their quality & service is great - in fact, I own already own 8 shirts from them. Read more »

12 Design and Business Books I’ve Read & Recommend (Part 2)

In this two part series I outline some great design and business related books that I have read & highly recommend. I give a short insight of each book, along with suggestions on who it may be for and the official product description.

Find part one here.

The 4-Hour Workweek

by Tim Ferris

This book written by the well known Tim Ferris was an insightful read on how one can outsource ones life to live a 4 hour work week. Although I am still working longer than 4 hours a week there are many principles in this book that I still use today which allow me to have more time to travel & spend with family and friends. This book will certainly change your philosophy of working life. My utmost highest recommendation of reading.

Product description:

Whether you are an overworked employee or an entrepreneur trapped in your own business, this book is the compass for a new and revolutionary world. Join Tim Ferriss as he teaches you:

• How to outsource your life to overseas virtual assistants for $5 per hour and do whatever you want
• How blue-chip escape artists travel the world without quitting their jobs
• How to eliminate 50% of your work in 48 hours using the principles of a forgotten Italian economist
• How to trade a long-haul career for short work bursts and freuent “mini-retirements”
• What the crucial difference is between absolute and relative income
• How to train your boss to value performance over presence, or kill your job (or company) if it’s beyond repair
• What automated cash-flow “muses” are and how to create one in 2 to 4 weeks
• How to cultivate selective ignorance—and create time—with a low-information diet
• What the management secrets of Remote Control CEOs are
• How to get free housing worldwide and airfare at 50–80% off
• How to fill the void and create a meaningful life after removing work and the office

Non-Designers Type Book

by Robin Williams

This book is a must read for anyone starting out with design or anyone that has to deal with type on a regular or irregular basis - even if you are not a designer. The book teaches you the basics of typography in simple, easy to understand terms with examples on the way.

Product description:

This latest addition to Robin Williams’ Non-Designers line of books not only defines the principles governing type but explains the logic behind them so readers can understand and see what looks best and why. Armed with this knowledge, and putting into practice the secrets Robin reveals for making type readable and artistic, readers can then go on to create beautiful, sophisticated, professional-looking pages on their computers for output as hard copy or for use on Web pages.

Each short chapter explores a different type secret including use of evocative typography, tailoring typeface to project, working with spacing, punctuation marks, special characters, fonts, justification, and much more. It is written in the lively, engaging style that has made Williams one of the most popular computer authors today. And it uses numerous examples to illustrate the subtle details that make the difference between good and sophisticated use of type. The non-platform specific, non-software specific approach to the book makes this a must-have for any designer’s bookshelf - from type novices to more experienced graphic designers and typesetters.

Logo

by Michael Evamy

Although not technically a book that you can read (I think there is about 12 pages of text) it is an awesome showcase of the best logo designs, shown in black and white. A must for anyone that has to design logos or is interested in logo design.

Product description:

The logo bible - this book provides graphic designers with an indispensable reference source for contemporary logo design. More than 1300 logos are grouped according to their focal form, symbol and graphic associations into 75 categories such as crosses, stars, crowns, animals, people, handwritten, illustrative type, etc.

To emphasize the visual form of the logos, they are shown predominantly in black and white. Highlighted logos are shown in colour. Logos are also indexed alphabetically by name of company/designer and by industrial sector, making it easy to piece together a picture of the state of the identity art in any clients marketplace.

The Unlimited Freelancer*

by Mason Hipp & James Chartrand

The Unlimited Freelancer was a book that I reviewed here on Just Creative Design a few months back and it has had some great reviews since! The Unlimited Freelancer is a book teaching you how to enjoy more free time by doing what you love every day - it’s very to the point. This book is for freelancers who have been at it for a while and have some knowledge of the business of design.

Use the affiliate code “JCDReaders” to get 20% off - the first 10 buyers get the discount. Click here to read more / purchase the book .

Product description:

Overcome freelance limits and unleash your true business potential.

There are ways to overcome almost every difficulty that comes with freelancing, tactics that experienced freelancers and small business owners have been using for years.

In this book, we’ll teach you exactly how to implement them — and exactly how to take the next steps in growing your business.

Here are some things you’ll learn:

• How to completely avoid the typical freelance feast or famine cycle

• How to handle more clients, make more money, and work less

• How to grow and expand your business, or stay small and agile

• How to work with others to get more clients and improve your services

• How to build valuable assets that bring in money over the long-term

• And lots more…

Photoshop CS4 Quicksteps

by Carole Matthews, Gary David Bouton

The first and best design book I’ve ever owned. Back then it was only Photoshop CS (not CS4) however it was so easy to understand that it really helped me get a headstart on how to use the basics of Photoshop. A great book for those just starting out with design.

Product description:

Your full-color, fast reference to Photoshop CS4

In this thoroughly revised guide, full-color screenshots and brief instructions show you how to use the latest version of Photoshop quickly and easily. Learn how to edit and retouch photos, work with the drawing and painting tools, add text, use layers, create special effects, and prepare art for print or the Web.

Photoshop CS4 QuickSteps covers the latest photography-related tools and techniques, including RAW file formats, Bridge, special effects, and more. Screenshots with callouts show and explain exactly what you’ll see on your computer screen while you’re doing a task, and color-coded tabs make it easy to find just the information you need.

Computer Arts Magazine

Ok technically this isn’t a book but I thought I would add it here as this magazine is simply awesome… I’ve been subscribed to CA for over a year and a half now and it is by far my favourite magazine. Great articles, inspiration and tutorials!

And if you leave a comment on this post I will send out the latest issue (April 2009) plastic wrapped to you free of charge to one lucky person! I will contact the winner via email at the end of this week.

Product description:

Computer Arts is the one-stop shop for professional advice on creating digital art and illustrations.

Computer Arts, the world’s best-selling magazine for digital artists and designers, boasts a strong line-up of tutorials every issue, covering everything from manipulating photographs with Photoshop to creating amazing vector illustrations with Illustrator. You’ll also find tonnes of tips and tricks for web design, typography, 3D, animation, motion graphics and multimedia. It’s the one-stop shop for professional advice.

Each month, the magazine also reviews the latest hardware and software releases, gives creative tips and technical advice, and interviews the leading lights in the global design world.

Other recommended design books (by @Vonni)

• Grid Systems - Josef Muller Brockman
• Logo, Font, & Lettering Bible - Leslie Cabarga (check these logo book recommendations)
• Getting it Printed - Kenly & Beach
• Elements of Typographic Style - Robert Bringhurst
• Becoming a Graphic Designer - Heller & Fernandes
• Typographic Matchmaking - Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès

Do you have any recommended graphic design books?