Graphic Design Portfolio

12 Design and Business Books I’ve Read & Recommend (Part 1)

Published on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 – 3:39 pm | 30 brilliant comments »

Design Books

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 two here.

How To Think Like A Great Graphic Designer

By Debbie Millman

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This is a book for any designer that wants to get into the heads of the leading industry professionals. An entertaining & thought provoking look on the world of design via the use of interviews. One topic that comes up quite a bit is that of design consumerism.

Product Description:

In a series of illuminating and entertaining conversations, twenty-one of today’s most influential and revered designers discuss, celebrate, and analyze their craft. Adeptly interviewed by brand consultant and talk show host Debbie Millman, these designers reveal their early influences, day-to-day rituals, enthusiasms, aspirations, and failures. For pop-culture enthusiasts as well as long time designers, students and those just starting their careers, this book will prove an invaluable guide to the history, controversies, milestones, and everyday foibles of working, living, and thinking as a graphic designer. How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer includes interviews with:

Milton Glaser, Paula Scher, Peter Saville, Chip Kidd, Stefan Sagmeister, Michael Bierut, Carin Goldberg, Neville Brody, Emily Oberman & Bonnie Siegler, James Victore, John Maeda, Paul Sahre, Jessica Helfand, Seymour Chwast, Lucille Tenazas, Vaughan Oliver, Steff Geissbuhler, Stephen Doyle Abbott Miller, Massimo Vignelli

How To Be A Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul

By Adrian Shaughnessy

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Anyone entering into the field of graphic design, either coming out of school or embarking on a career solo, should read this book. It doesn’t mess with what the best typefaces are, or any software tricks. Instead, it lets you in on how designers think, and how to be successful in your endeavors. A foreword written by Sagmeister himself, along with interviews with other “rock star” designers, make this book simply amazing. ~Ben Waxler

Product Description:

Designers are quick to tell us about their sources of inspiration, but they are much less willing to reveal such critical matters as how to find work, how much they charge, and what to do when a client rejects three weeks of work and refuses to pay the bill.

How to be a graphic designer without losing your soul addresses the concerns of young designers who want to earn a living by doing expressive and meaningful work, and who want to avoid becoming hired drones working on soulless projects.

Written by a designer for designers, it combines practical advice with philosophical guidance to help young professionals embark on their careers. How should designers manage the creative process? What’s the first step in the successful interpretation of a brief? How do you generate ideas when everything just seems blank? How to be a graphic designer offers clear, concise guidance for these questions, along with focused, no-nonsense strategies for setting up, running, and promoting a studio, finding work, and collaborating with clients.

The book also includes inspiring interviews with ten leading designers, including Rudy VanderLans (Emigre), John Warwicker (Tomato), Neville Brody (Research Studios), and Andy Cruz (House Industries). All told, How to be a graphic designer covers just about every aspect of the profession, and stands as an indispensable guide for any young designer.

How To Be A Rockstar Freelancer*

By Cyan & Collis Ta’eed

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This book is for anyone that is wishing to be a great freelancer (not just a designer), either part or full time. It deals with everything from starting your business, finding your first clients, and even expansion. A must read for any freelancer in my opinion… it’s from the guys over at Envato. Ensure you have a notepad handy when you read it as you get many ideas while reading it! *Affiliate

Product Description:

This is a real nuts and bolts guide to building a career as a freelancer online, with subjects ranging from managing your budget and handling multiple clients to diversifying your interests. Written by Collis and Cyan Ta’eed of the FreelanceSwitch blog site, it won’t tell you how to make your millions but its practical, straightforward advice will give you a good start. ~Net Magazine

Graphic Design as a Second Language

By Bob Gill

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This book is aimed mainly at students and teachers of design, and those that wish to improve their design solutions through a better design process. Gill shows us through simple methods, how one can redefine a “problem” to find a superior solution. A very quick and thought provoking read… many illustrations and not many words.

Product Description:

This publication is part of the Handson Graphics series - an exciting and unique collection exploring the work of respected and highly talented international designers. The books in this series are primarily aimed at students and teachers of design. However they also provide an invaluable resource for all those interested in graphic design. The content is international, collectable and accessible to all. Bob Gill’s Graphic Design as a Second Language is a practical and palatable educational resource, aimed at students of graphic design. It provides a comprehensive package of the fundamentals of design, offering an important insight into how to develop original work.

Losing My Virginity: Autobiography

By Sir Richard Branson

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This book is for any entrepreneur that wants a look into one of the world’s most successful businessmen. Richard really lets it all go in this book, revealing his philosophy on business, branding and life. A great read for those that seek motivation in life and for those that want to see how he managed to succeed - it reads like a novel so it is a good book for the bedside table.

Product Description:

Losing My Virginity is the ultimate tale of personal and business survival from a man who combines the business prowess of Bill Gates and the promotional instincts of P. T. Barnum.

Logo Design Workbook: A Hands-On Guide

By Noreen Morioka, Terry Stone & Sean Adams

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This is a must read for anyone that has to deal with logo designs on a regular or irregular basis. The book has many examples and case studies that help you become a better logo designer which is achieved by answering the question of “what makes a logo design work”. A very procise, easy to read and well laid out book.

Product Description:

Logo Design Workbook focuses on creating powerful logo designs and answers the question, “What makes a logo work?”

In the first half of this book, authors Sean Adams and Noreen Morioka walk readers step-by-step through the entire logo-development process. Topics include developing a concept that communicates the right message and is appropriate for both the client and the market; defining how the client’s long-term goals might affect the look and needs of the mark; choosing colors and typefaces; avoiding common mistakes; and deciphering why some logos are successful whereas others are not.

The second half of the book comprises in-depth case studies on logos designed for various industries. Each case study explores the design brief, the relationship with the client, the time frame, and the results.

Other Design Books:

What design / business books have you read & recommend?

30 comments thus far »
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The Ultimate List of The Best Logo Design Resources

Published on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 – 12:00 am | 142 brilliant comments »

Logo Design Resources

Below are the best logo design resources you will find on the web. Period.

You can click on the links below to quickly go to that section.

You can find graphic design resources here.

Logo Design Inspiration & Galleries

Below you will find galleries of logo designs for logo design inspiration.

Logo Design Articles

Below you will find some great logo design articles.

Logo Design Interviews & Discussions

Below you will find some great logo discussions & interviews on the subject of logo design.

Logo Design Tips

Below you will find some great logo design tips to help you become a better logo designer.

Logo Design Blogs

Below you will find the best logo design blogs on the internet.

Logo Design Trends

Want to keep up with the latest logo design trends? Look no further.

Logo Design Showcases

Below you will find some logo design collections showcased on one page.

Logo Design Tutorials

Below you will find some great Illustrator tutorials which will help you get more familiar with vectors.

Logo Design Books

Below you will find some links to recommended logo design books + reviews.

Logo Designers

Below you will find some links to some professional logo designers.

Logo Design Awards

Below you will find links to some logo design awards that you can win for recognition & promotion.

History Of Logo Design

Below you will find some great links to read up on the history of logo design.

Logo Design Resources

Below you will find some further logo design resources.

Just For Fun

Below are some lighter logo design resources for fun.

Free Logo Design Downloads

For those times when you need a well-known vector logo .eps file, in a hurry.

Fonts For Logos

Typography is a key factor of many logos so here are some great resources to help you out in that area.

Working With Style Guides

Style guides are guidelines to use when using a logo… below are some articles to help you out in that area.

Large Design / Branding Agencies

Below are some of the heavy weight larger design & branding studios.

Logo Design Feedback

Feedback is a vital part of the logo design process, and the forums listed below can offer fresh perspectives on your design projects… the community will be happy to help you out!

I hope this list can serve as a one stop shop for all of your logo design needs. If there is a site that you recommend or one that I have missed, please let me know and I will consider it for addition.
142 comments thus far »
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The Best Time Of The Day To Do Things As A Designer

Published on Saturday, July 26, 2008 – 1:43 pm | 43 brilliant comments »

Productivity

This article will go through the best time of the day to do things in relation to your mental state of mind which in turn will make you more productive as a designer. I present to you… productivity tips for designers.

Please note, these are not hard and set times because as you can imagine, everyone has different life styles, schedules and working times.

8am - Face Your Fears Time

This is the quietest time for suicide so this is a good time to face your fears - Know that you have a deadline due at 1pm, know that you have 10 other projects to complete, know that your house needs cleaning, bills need paying and know that there is no end to it. Just make sure you know all this by 11 at night as this is suicide o clock.

9am to 10am - Work Time

Time to tackle your work here, these are the most productive hours (for the majority). Even Darren Rowse thinks so.

10am/11am - Chill Out Time

This is the time that most heart attacks occur so it would be good to chill out or have a break at this time. Coffee or morning tea break anyone?

12pm - Sex & Uncluttered Mind Time (If that can go together?)

If you fancy someone in your office or classroom, now is the time to go in for the kill. As James Sniechowski, author of the The New Intimacy explains: “People are more receptive to advances then, because their minds aren’t cluttered with what they have to do that day or what they have to do when they get home.”

Pretty much this is a great time to get your creative juices going as you have an uncluttered mind. You may also want to check out How To Boost Your Creativity.

Nap

1pm - Nap Time

The best time to have a power nap is at around 1pm when your body temperature naturally dips. An ideal power nap should last for 15 to 20 minutes.

2pm - No One Can Touch Me Time (FIG JAM)

This is the time that we have the highest pain threshold so it is a good time to ask for a promotion or get that dental filling you were meant to have last month but ‘accidentally’ missed.

3pm/4pm - Strength and Mood Time

Hand and eye coordination is at its peak and mood levels are high during this period so this would be a good time to have a break. Maybe go for a short jog or for the lazy… maybe some Photoshop Tennis.

This is also the time that people are most awake and alert so how about you do that one last proof now before sending your job to the printer. 4pm is also known to be the time in which you are least creative.

5pm - Happy Hour Time

We all know what 5pm means but did you know that your liver metabolises alcohol most efficiently at this time of the afternoon? After work drinks never sounded so good.

8.30pm - Sweet Sweet Food Time

Despite what many people think, eating late will not necessarily make you fat says Nigel Denby of the British Dietetic Association. “A calorie is a calorie whenever you eat it.” Dig in.

10.30pm - Sleep Time

A warm shower helps to make people fall asleep as body temperature needs to fall in order to help us sleep… I don’t think I have ever met a designer who does go to bed at 10.30… 10pm is also known to be the time in which you are most creative.

This article was originally written for Meryls 8th birthday bash celebration.

Have you got any more productivity tips? What is the best time of the day for you to design?

43 comments thus far »
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6 Photoshop Tips and Tricks That You Probably Don’t Know About

Published on Thursday, June 26, 2008 – 10:00 pm | 45 brilliant comments »

photoshop-tips-and-tricks

Here are 6 Adobe Photoshop tips and tricks that you probably don’t know about (I bet you don’t know at least one). This post comes after hearing the reactions from some of my fellow students in class when they found out about some of the options available that they never knew about.

NB: This post is for Photoshop beginners.

1. Refining a selection

After you make a selection in Photoshop you can easily edit the selection using refine edge in the top toolbar. You must try this out, it is very useful!

Photoshop Tips 4

2. Hidden Options Behind Arrows

I am amazed by how many people do not know about these tiny little arrows that hold so many more options! These tiny arrows are pretty much on every tool bar across the whole Adobe Suite. I assure these arrows will open you up to a whole new world.

Photoshop Tips

3. Blending Options

If you right click on a layer in the layers toolbar, and then click blending options this will bring you to a whole vast array of effects that will keep you busy for hours. Use these options very sparingly.

Photoshop Tips 2

4. Resist The Urge to use the filter gallery, especially the lens flare.

Not so much of a ‘tip’ but more ‘helpful advice’… but yes you heard me, do not use the filter gallery (unless you know how to well or for a effect that you need). Design is not filter effects and it never will be. Also please resist adding lens flare to your work, as well as rainbow gradients, embossed type and drop shadow unless you know how to use it well. You may want to check out 15 Signs Your a Bad Graphic Designer. NB. Rules can be broken.

Photoshop Tips 3

5. Layer Blending Modes

Once you master the blending modes in Photoshop you can pretty much ‘own’ photoshop. Open up the layers palette, select a layer and click the downwards arrow where it says Normal. Try experimenting with different blending modes on different layers, put layers above or below other layers, change the opacity and so fourth and you will be amazed!

Photoshop Tips 5

6. The best tip of all…

Practice. You can do this by doing tutorials or watching videos or experimenting on your own. Practice, practice, practice!

In my own personal experience I have found that if I find a design piece or style that I really like, I search the net and magazines for tutorials on how to recreate that effect and try to adapt it to my own personal project and style… I find this a great way to learn. Also if you ever need help, check out Adobes Help function in the programs and also write questions on forums (or blogs)… people will be more than happy to help you out!

How many of these did you know about?

45 comments thus far »
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The Best Graphic Design Articles from 34 Top Design Blogs as Chosen By The Authors Themselves

Published on Monday, April 21, 2008 – 10:27 pm | 72 brilliant comments »

Best Graphic Design Articles

I went around to the top graphic design blogs on the net and asked their authors to choose their best or most popular graphic design article that they have ever written and here are the results. I present to you…The Best Ever Graphic Design Articles as chosen by the authors themselves.

They are in no particular order but I have organised them into categories.

  • Graphic Design
  • Web Design
  • Picture Based Posts
  • Tutorials
  • Other
  • Thought Provoking Articles

Graphic Design

Colour

Logos

Web Design

Logos

Logos

Picture Based Posts

Logos

Tutorials

Logos

Other

Logos

Thought Provoking Articles

Logos

Best Graphic Design Blogs

Here is the list of all the graphic design blogs who partipated. Thank You!

I know there are many many more great blogs out there so please leave a comment with a link to the best blog article you have ever written - it doesn’t have to be related to design.

72 comments thus far »
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The best mouse for Designers and Web Addicts

Published on Thursday, March 13, 2008 – 7:54 pm | 52 brilliant comments »

Logitech MX Revolution

So you want to know what is the best mouse for designers and/or web addicts? Well on the weekend I bought the Logitech MX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse, something that has been on my wish list for a few months and I believe it is the best mouse for designers and/or web addicts…

The best feature that differs this mouse from any other is the ergonomics and how it fits into your hand - it fits pretty much like a glove, its so perfect! It’s the perfect weight and is super comfortable, perfect for a graphic designer or web addict who never leaves the computer.

SpeedThe next best thing would have to be the scroll wheel which glides through pages depending on how fast or hard you flick the wheel - this is so so so cool, I repeat, so cool. A great demo of this function and on the whole mouse can be found on this 2 min video.

The next best feature of the mouse would be the buttons on the side of the mouse (see pic at top) which allows you to scroll through your applications with your fingers instead of using Alt+Tab. There is also another handy search button on the top of the mouse which means you can search documents or the net with just a click! Really useful!

It also comes with a stand to recharge the batteries on :)

The only downfall of this beauty is the price tag and it is for right handers only. It is currently averaging AUD $90 on eBay or USD $50 or you can get it from the official Logitech website for USD $99.For the full overview check out the official Logitech website.

You may also be interested in what other things graphic designers would like - ie. for a birthday or Christmas.

What type of mouse (or tablet) do you use?

52 comments thus far »
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DON’T MISS: The Best Graphic Design Articles from February 2008

Published on Friday, February 29, 2008 – 5:53 pm | 16 brilliant comments »

February

Here is a monthly round up of the best graphic design articles from around the blogosphere this February. The articles are sorted into the categories; freelancing, graphic design, web design and various.

You can check out January’s Best Articles if you missed it last month. You could also check out the best March graphic design articles.

Freelancing

Environmentally Friendly Graphics

Graphic Design

What Is Graphic Design?

Portfolio

Graphic Design Resources

Web Design

Header Graphics

Various

  • How To Set Up A SideBlog
    I have wanted to get onto this, this is a tutorial on how to make a mini blog for your main blog so you can post smaller articles. Not so much a graphic design article but useful to blogging designers.

Viviens Social Media Project project has now been extended for one more month! Learn more about social media and its benefits in this massive project.

Hope you enjoyed the list. Is there any others that you really enjoyed this month?

16 comments thus far »
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