Design Speak

If anyone is still out there...

So, yeah, things are good. Thanks for asking.

For those that may be still reading I have decided to post again. I guess there is something ugly about letting a blog die. So here goes my attempt at bringing it back to life.

We are in the middle of lots of snow here in Maine. Very beautiful.

I am in my third month as a part-time employee at Pica Design I feel I am learning loads and enjoying the interaction and creative energy. Don't, however, ask my new co-workers if they are enjoying the interaction. I am afraid of the varied responses. It is exciting to work with focused and talented people. I hope to be one of those one day.

I am still freelancing as well. Trying to keep the ball rolling and am thankful for the work I have.

I have been enjoying designrelated.com and have been updating my portfolio there. I should have some new work to post before Christmas.

Well, I guess this is a good start.

ttyl.

Arial or Helvetica?

Take this quiz and see how good you are. I got 8 out of 10.

Design I love

If you can get past the flash heavy sites, there is some great work here.

Mattson Creative
20nine
Brains on Fire

SIDE NOTE: Let me just say that I don't mind flash. I think it has been used well in the above cases. It can be hard to view depending on your interent connection though. However, I am appreciating a lot of what I am seeing with some of the return to standards based design. (see Cameron Moll and others)

i want

I stumbled across this a week or two ago. Very cool idea. I love the paintings too. It's cool to see how creativity manifests itself.

Design Ego

I have found my design philosophy subtly changing in the past year. I think it’s a good thing. I am listening to this radio spot (HT: Barry Blog) and have found myself agreeing whole-heartedly with what is being said.

So much of design today is based on, as one caller stated, “Design Ego." "It’s more about what the Designer is doing, not what the message should be.” Michael Bierut further explained this by stating this was a result of a “hunger for self-expression.” (This also may explain the annoying use of comic sans)

I am trying desperately to really zero in on communication in a way that is clever, intuitive and memorable. I think “over designing” is not just a taboo of the unskilled, who are using every photoshop filter there is and every “fancy” font they can find, but also of the skilled. The designer who is really aesthetically good and forgets what his trade is all about. I think we can end up cluttering the world more than we realize.

Take a listen to this radio clip. It will be influential even if your not a designer.

I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on this.

Brand New

For those of you, like me, who appreciate and enjoy branding, you will like this blog. I discovered this today and have already enjoyed browsing its pages.

Shepherd Press Catalog

I have had the privilage of working with Chris Tobias on a recent project for Shepherd Press. Here is the Cover and opening spread.

HA!

I wish it were just a joke.

HT: freelanceswitch

Pica Design

I mentioned in my last post that I was going to share what I have been up to lately.
A cool opportunity has opened up. A couple months ago I discovered a local agency in Belfast, ME. I was impressed with what I saw when I viewed their site. (also excited to see an agency like this in the immediate area)

I requested a meeting with the owner, Rob Dietz, with hopes of some interaction with other designers in the area as well as some freelance work. Our meeting was great and my first impression was backed up when I met Rob and the other members of the Pica Team. There seemed to be some very creative and focused thinkers that I hit it off with right away.

For the past couple of weeks I have been freelancing there on Thursdays. I have enjoyed being back in a team environment and experiencing the kind of energy that it can bring.

Take a look at their site and I am sure I'll be able to post some of what I have done at some point.

Some New Work

Here are two new posters/flyers/ads (they are used as all of those) that I did for Morgan Recreational Supply this month.

I have a new opportunity that has opened up that I wanted to share. I just got back from my brother's wedding so I am rather busy. I'll post again later this week.