Observations from the life of a graphic designer.
Prior to writing this, I re-read one of my essays from last year, “Calling”, about the circumstances and decisions throughout my life that’ve led to becoming a commercial artist. At that time, I also attempted to clarify what my true interests and talents were, in order to work out what the next step in my […]
I’ve been wanting to describe the overactive, random, free-association multiverse that is my normal state of mind (and that of many other creative types, I’m guessing), but words fail me. Or, rather, there are too many words, and many more images: to sort through and hopefully translate into a comprehendable sentence or any other successful […]
According to the Human Resources Department, my job title is “Graphic Designer 1”. Other designers would probably describe me as “the one who creates and keeps track of all the magazine ads and builds the sailing catalog every year, and is always ready to jump into any of our other projects as well.” The Media […]
There are certain factors that I think have primary value in a design, a layout, a presentation. Some are quantifiable, and others more subjective. (Since my focus is on commercial art and advertising, I have chosen to limit this essay to that arena, rather than exploring the impact and value of fine arts such as […]
In the wake of the recent elections and political scandals, I’ve been thinking about integrity, honor, and values even more than usual. Not only in our personal lives, but in the stance we take in approach to our vocations. I work in the marketing/communications and graphic design field, and it’s a world where straight talk […]
Design ideas can come from the oddest sources. Today I was looking at a glossy red cardboard take-out box and the yellow curry chicken salad inside it, and realized I’d found the perfect color combination for a Victorian-style poster. A muddy sidewalk puddle reflects the signs on buildings above it, and I discover that a […]
Calculated risks are often part of the designer’s decision-making process. We determine whether to try an unproven marketing strategy, or when to use bold imagery and word choices that have a chance of provoking a strong (positive or negative?) response. A few other areas where risk has come into play, in my own experience: Stating […]
Recently, I am feeling so grateful. To the online design community, for all the insights, resources and camaraderie that have made my world so much larger. For the push towards professionalism and higher levels of competence instigated by my peers and those who have achieved far more, giving us inspiration and guidance. To my Love, […]
Today I’m contemplating goals. Charting a course is tricky, when my interests lie all over the map. Sometimes it seems like I’m sailing around in circles. But I’ve arrived at a few conclusions: I want a work environment that allows me to have a higher degree of autonomy and authority. I don’t often get a […]
A designer who hasn’t acquired a sense of balance can end up creating a page layout that’s cluttered up with photos, copy blocks, headlines, logos and icons, different fonts, colors and textures all over the place. And sometimes they end up with awkward blank spaces as well. The eye doesn’t know what to focus on […]