My Work in Editorial Design

I have to admit it. I have no real training when i comes to editorial design. I wish i did because i like it, yet i have been working for this company that publishes custom magazines for car dealers. not bad for a beginer that hasn’t even finished an AS in graphic design to be able to create her own company and get paid at the rates of someone that’s been in the business for over 10 years. Well I’m sure not taking away any of this other person’s business but i am however trying my very best to learn as much as i can. More than the money i think i have an amazing opportunity here, well the money is good too. Who am i kidding here!

Tips for Better Design Briefs (David Airey’s Blog)

10 tips for writing graphic design briefs

1. Realise that any designer you hire is a professional (or should be) and must be treated as such.
2. Understand that designers are not mind readers – that class is still under development.
3. Before coming to a graphic designer, have your business model ready and your plan up to par. No design can save any business that is not well thought out.
4. Number 3 will allow you to fully understand the goal of your business, the ideas you want to convey and who your target market is for any design.
5. Understand your product or service and be able to explain it clearly – this ties in with number 4. It definitely helps the designer if you clarify exactly what (if it’s a logo) the design will be developed for. Knowing this ahead of time can prevent any future misunderstandings, in-effective design or troublesome production.
6. Understand it wont be free. When people post on a design forum and expect a design service for free it is frustrating and (in my opinion) shows how little they think of the process.
7. Communicate with the designer – dont dictate. If you have questions or concerns, voice them, and return the favour of listening.
8. Don’t try to design for the designer – you hired them for their knowledge and talent. Let them utilise that to put your company in the best light possible. Of course the designer should also take your opinions into consideration, especially if it deals with an industry-specific issue. This is still very much communication on both sides.
9. For the designer: Do not assume you know the client industry! Each industry has its own specific requirements, quirks and expectations. LISTEN to the client, their concerns, what they want to play up, what they are truly selling and how they want to present themselves in the market. Ads that are pretty may win awards but they don’t always win marketshare.
10. Set expectations up-front: Both the client and designer need to let the other know what they expect as far as materials, deadlines and communication. Will you be meeting on a regular basis? Phone? Emails? How are you delivering materials? Are you going to be there for press proofs? How far will you follow the completion of the project. Make sure there are no surprises.

Picking Up

Well finally I have decided to do some work for that class I dislike. The HTML. I have to say, it is not so bad when you actually understand. I have to admit I am rather trying hard to finish my projects before my project due date, so well..the don’t look so good, I mean they are ok, they are basic (it is a begginers class after all) but they could look a lot better. At least I think I am finally NOT going to be failing!!!!!whoo hoo!

Book Review - The Elements of Graphic Design

Book Title: The Elements of Graphic Design – Space, Unity, Page Architecture and Type.

Author: Alex W. White

Publisher: Allworth Press 2002

Pages: 149

This is perhaps one of the best books I’ve read on graphic design. It is highly informative and useful and it features an amazing number of good examples that complement the author’s words. It is not just plain theory but it actually tries to explain what works and what doesn’t and why. What I like most, however, is that it combines graphics with plenty of info so that they complement each other, and add to your overall learning experience.

What to  expect:

• Easy to read and understand.
• Useful and relevant information.
• Amazing number of examples

Pentagram

It’s my time! I like the sound of that! Optimism is certainly a wonderful thing. But for as long as it is only optimism, i’m afraid it is also a tool that will lose its wonders rather sooner than later. So eventually, I would find myself lost. With no place to go where I can find what i am looking for, no plan to follow, no motivation to keep hope alive in times of hardship. Optimism is the beginning then, the start of a new era, the motivation that gives direction to my thoughts, excitement to my days, inspiration to my soul. And when the wheels are in motion there will be times, many times perhaps in which my dream could seen further and further away. I’ll certainly need strength for that day. Optimism alone can never survive, it can be forgotten and buried alive. But my firm intention is for the dreams of the heart, they need no fuel and no other place to go, they know always what they are looking for. No matter what happens they burn on their own. It has been the time for many so far, and I just keep wondering when I’ll get my chance. It turns out, however, the time is right now, there will be no waiting, not hesitation. The wheels are in motion, optimism has its work done. So my firm intention from here and on, is to remember the wish of my heart and I love to say its name, is Pentagram.

Now I’m Just Failing

Could it be? For the fist time in history is it possible that I am going to fail a class? I’ve been here before, close, so close i can smell it. But no, I cant fail. I never have. <HTML> I hate it!</HTML>>>>>>>

<<<<HTML>>>>>>

I HATE IT

<<<<<</HTML>>>>>>>>

I thought a basic Internet course would be just that=Basic. Turns out Basic doesn’t always= Easy. This is how i come to find that out! So what I am gonna do? what i do best, wait until the last minute and let the pressure of time run me, drive me, use me to get the job done. Yeah! welcome to the good old times!

What does a PC student look like?

When I think about continuing my education, I cant help but think how much I dislike the idea of going to a conventional college. For some reason it just doesn’t click, some how I just don’t see it happening. Luckily for me there’s portfolio schools, I have to admit my first choice was Miami AD School. It is in Miami, so i thought it would be quite convenient. However, let’s face it, I love Miami, but isn’t it time for a change already? I’d sure love to see other places and experience what living in the United States really feels like, so I figured, ok, let’s look for something else (besides, I was told MAS was not so good for design). That’s when I came across Portfolio Center.