Hutton Hotel Identity Designed by Tractorbeam®

Mar 17, 2012 by admin    No Comments    Posted under: Design Firms

Here is a preview of for Hutton Hotel’s stunning identity designed and created by Dallas, Texas based design firm Tractorbeam®, which is not about tractors or anything else, but only about creative designs.

Graphic designers at Tractorbeam® have gone an extra mile to design a good-looking identity for Hutton Hotel, a Nashville boutique hotel which accommodates exclusively to guests of Vanderbilt University and entertainment industry.

What do you think about the above designs? Let us know your thoughts below.

Associated Press gets an Identity Design Lift

Feb 26, 2012 by admin    No Comments    Posted under: Design Firms

Objective Subject is a New York based consultancy that has designed a fresh identity structure for The Associated Press news agency.

The new identity structure combines all of Associated Press services, products and businesses under one brand name. The AP identity is black stencil style logo and underscored by a red line where flexible color scheme refers to diverse services and products.

The AP identity re-branding is being looked at as the first major overhaul in last 30 years after the master brand strategy implemented in the year 2010.

‘The new identity of Associated Press interprets emergent set of digital services and products, and characteristically conveys our responsibility as reliable news source’ says Tom Curley the CEO and President of Associated Press.

As per AP management, the new structure will be pushed through in steps, starting in March with a new AP.org website followed by enhanced image,, archive and video sites.

Top 10 Designer & Creative Resumes

Dec 21, 2011 by admin    1 Comment     Posted under: Graphic Design Tips

People keep on switching jobs, or freelance graphic designers are forced to apply for different projects on a regular basis due to rough financial times.

Is there a way graphic designer can stand out from the pack and take hold of the interest of design firms as they are normally flooded with tons of resume applications? The most attractive way of grabbing an attention would be to design resume samples for job rather than penning it. Well designed and creative resume templates will definitely go a long long way at grabbing the opportunity you are waiting for and get you hired for the profession you have eyed all this while.

An eye catching and creative resume design could at least get you few moments of glimpse from a job recruiter that might become the deciding factor between getting the job you have applied for or not.

Here you can have a look at top 10 designer resumes that will motivate you to create an out of the box resume for your own job application.

1. Francis Homo Resume
   
2. Doni Kristian Dachi Resume
   
3. Branko Resume
   
4. H Sercan Tunali Resume
   
5. Duhkine Resume
6. Jolie Odell Resume
7. Pixelprop Resume
8. Sofiane Yaya Resume
9. Varks Resume
10. Yingzhu Luqiu Resume

Let us know about your thoughts and design tips on the creativity of these graphic designers.

Design of Royal Mail Yearbook 2011 by Magpie Studio

Nov 19, 2011 by admin    No Comments    Posted under: Design Firms

The Royal Mail Yearbook, which features 14 stamp issues of the year 2011 along with their explanations, has been designed by Magpie Studio design firm.

Olympics Gymnastics Stamps, designed by Studio David Hillman

Magpie Studio started designing 2011 yearbook sometime in the year 2010 after presenting a creative pitch. They have previously vacationed with Royal Mail to create presentation packs and design different stamps, or related projects.

Dumbledore stamp from the Magical Realms range, designed by So Design Consultants

According to the Magpie Studio creative director, Ben Christie, ‘The challenge is to get something completely different each year and to also appeal to the collectors.  There’s such a wide range of subject matters so we wanted an approach that adds interest on every page, not just the same idea throughout.’

Me and My Girl stamp from the Musicals range, designed by Webb and Webb

Along with the Royal Wedding supplement, hardback book presentation box includes special issue stamps such as the Thunderbirds range; Olympic and Paralympic stamps; classic locomotives of England; musicals; WWF animals and the Morris & Co range in the package.

Royal Wedding stamps, designed by Atelier Works

Each chapter was designed by different illustrators who were commissioned to create an exclusive imagery with a unique feel and look, illustration typography and style. A different letter was used from every chapter to carve out “Royal Mail” on the cover of 2011 yearbook.

Thomas the Tank Engine stamp, designed by Elmwood

‘Being able to use different typefaces adds uniqueness to each page. Royal Mail staff has got a really good creative eye and really worked with us to make the design work while still giving us free reign’, stated Christie!

People’s Choice Design Award Winner; Design Matters

Nov 4, 2011 by admin    2 Comments    Posted under: Design Firms, Graphic Design Tips

The People’s Choice Design Award was announced by Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum at its annual gala on Thursday, October 20, 2011. Debbie Millman from Design Observer’s, and the originator of the popular Design Matters was the winner of this promising award.

Debbie Millman was behind over 100 shows on Voice America between years 2008-2009 before moving onto Design Observer in August of 2009 and has produced over 33 design podcast interviews. Ever since Curtis Fox started producing the Design Matters show, interviews have been recorded at the School of Visual Arts studio.

According to me Debbie Millman, Design Matters was unveiled in the month of February of 2005 with a basic concept and a telephone. She thought that it would be an awesome way to find out about design tips and know more about the brilliance of designers all over the world.

Design Observer is an exclusive publisher of the show; Design Matters and all podcasts are available for free on iTunes. The current producer is Curtis Fox of Curtis Fox Productions and show is backed by the School of Visual Arts and Sterling Brands. Technical support is endowed by Rainy Orteca and data research by Jennifer Simon.

Make a Statement With Spotless Graphic Designs; Cristiano Siqueira

Aug 26, 2011 by admin    No Comments    Posted under: Design Firms, Designer Interviews, Graphic Design Tips

We know it’s been a while since we last interviewed a professional graphic designer for you, however, we do think the wait was worth this one. Today we are bringing to you Cristiano Siqueira from Brazil, a graphic design artist  and illustrator who has had the pleasure of associating with brand-names like Microsoft, Nike, Gillette etc etc.

Continue reading below for some amazing design tips and a detailed interview session.

DesigningTips.com – Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from and how did you end up being a freelance graphic designer?

Cristiano Siqueira – I’m an illustrator working from my home office in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I’m 31 years old… Well, it’s really hard to talk about myself; I don’t think I have anything interesting to say about myself!

Okay let’s try this one time: I like football, I like to go out with friends to drink beer and talk useless things, however at times I also talk about some other things, like career, life, Oh and I’m married I don’t have kids, pets, plants, just a small apartment a Wacom tablet and a Mac.

I took some time to realize that I could work as a graphic designer. My educational pattern was a technical course of communication design, based in traditional art, painting, drawing, sculpture and I had some talent in that field. So, I thought I could be a painter or another sort of artist in the future, after further studies, of course. During that time (1996) a “Designer”, for me, was more like an architect or a professional with years and years of experience. Nowadays, people learn Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator and call themselves a “Graphic Designer”. I wish that it was so easy to be one 15 years ago, but it wasn’t. So, with acknowledgment I got in school, the only job I found was of an assistant of another assistant in a small graphic design studio. I got accepted there because I was good in drawing and the employees wanted me to draw few things at the studio, like hand drawn lay-outs, sketches of characters, logotypes, etc.

Once I started at the design studio, daily routines turned out to be quite different than planned. I didn’t make any drawing, as I’d thought and seated in front of a computer with the Adobe Illustrator 7 and asked to redraw scanned logotypes to be applied in books and other stuff. So that’s how I first came in contact with Illustrator. Days and days of redrawing logos made me good with pen tool I think… (Laugh out loud) and that’s how I got promoted to another section, to cut background images from a picture in Adobe Photoshop.

Of course I had problems performing simple tasks, since I didn’t know anything about Photoshop and Illustrator, but I think I have an obsessive (and maybe morbid?) quality for perfection and I took this task as a challenge, studied Photoshop and Illustrator every day, trying to use something more than pen tool. Someone at the design studio suggested me to start colorizing my own hand drawn works in Photoshop and I did it, getting some of the unexpected and out of the world results. With these great outcomes, the directors of the design firm realized that I could do a lot more than cutting off images and that’s how I got to work on my first design project. And this is how, following step by step, with many success and failures, I ended up being a “Graphic Designer”.

Almost 6 years later, after working as a designer for books, CD covers, packaging, etc… I finally started my career as an Illustrator artist. Initially, working for children books and packaging design (with the partners I had from the graphic design jobs), later for magazines and advertisements. The first year as freelance illustrator was really bad, very few projects and that too well underpaid. I had a good experience in graphic design industry however I didn’t know how an illustrator could work like that; the first year was much more of a learning curve.

I found a lot of information on internet blogs, different web-forums, and while interacting with experienced design professionals. I found the SIB (Brazilian illustrators association) and while networking with graphic artists on board, I learned more on how the illustration industry worked, with the knowledge about quotations and contracts. The second year was way better, a lot more design projects and much better payments. I also started sharing my work on different design portals like DeviantArt and of course on my own website. Since then, the ball kept rolling and I kept myself working on new projects and upgrading day by day.

DesigningTips.com – Is it necessary to go to design school to learn how to be a good graphic designer or is it enough to “attend the school of hard knocks?”

Cristiano Siqueira – In my opinion, yes! It’s good to study, to become a graphic designer and even after starting out. The designer needs to keep taking lessons because a lot of new things related to design industry keeps coming around and the creative artist needs to stay up-to-date. For basic development, I think it’s essential.

To be a good designer, one needs to know the basics of his work for example; Composition, color theory, typography, illustration, photography, gestalt, semiotics.

According to me, good designer is a professional who is able to manipulate the graphical language to transmit ideas and concepts. You can only be successful at this, if you study design basics and learn from the past experiences of other design professionals and researchers. All of these things can be learned at a good design school.

DesigningTips.com – What are the key elements of a good design?

Cristiano Siqueira – Key basics of a high-quality design are; good and clear communication, the efficient use of graphical elements to support the communication, high technical level of execution and creativity.

DesigningTips.com – Is good graphic design a function of creativity … of sound experience … or both?

Cristiano Siqueira – I think good design is a realistic portrait of a communicative intention. I mean, the design is good when it can translate an idea, concept or message from an image that can be successfully received by targeted audience. To be precise, when people can actually understand what you really want to say!

DesigningTips.com – Is there any real difference between graphic designing (brochure/pamphlet/logo), a room (office space/bedroom) and clothing for a beautiful woman?

Cristiano Siqueira – Sure, each request has its own language, common codes and references. While using the key elements of a good design I just stated above, you need to use the right basics to be efficient in your communication, and the right elements can be found by studying the language of the different uses, however they all are quite relevant or similar works.

DesigningTips.com – How do you work on your graphic design projects? I mean, what design software, applications and design tools do you use the most for your projects?

Cristiano Siqueira – Primarily, I like to draw some simple sketches on a sketchbook which is always lying next to me. This is just to clarify ideas and concepts. I get on to the computer only when I have something more understandable in mind. So I draw more sketches on computer, even by using my Wireless Wacom tablet and Photoshop or Illustrator (for vectors). From start to finish, the process is drawing, painting and getting references to actually draw what I really don’t know to depict. Sometimes these references are photos, and at times are 3D renders. So, basically my tools are: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, wireless Wacom tablet, Poser, and digital camera to take high-quality reference pictures.

DesigningTips.com – Are there ever times when design changes are radical?

Cristiano Siqueira – In my designs you mean? Well, of course… either by client request, or at times by my creative self. My objective is to get a good design work to my client, and in order to get the best results, I can change or modify everything from the start. I think it’s better to change everything while you are working and are in the process rather than at the end.

DesigningTips.com – Can you tell us about your graphic design portfolio and clientele (people you have worked with & for)?

Cristiano Siqueira – Sure, I can tell you everything about my illustration portfolio since this is the field I’m good at… I had the pleasure to work for: Microsoft, Nike, Gillette, BBDO NY, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.

I’ve been working with the major publishers here in Brazil, such as: Globo and Abril, along with companies such as MasterCard Brasil, Azaléia, etc.

You can always get to know more about my design portfolio from my website here.

DesigningTips.com – Any graphic design tips you would like to share with freshers just starting out in the design industry?

Cristiano Siqueira – Just keep studying and taking care of the excellent work. Clients come and go, but your creativity should stay. Try to make a statement with your neat and spotless graphic designs.

Navigation Bars in 3 Different Colors

Aug 3, 2011 by admin    No Comments    Posted under: Design Tutorials, Graphic Design Tips

Today, we are publishing Navigation Bars designed by Rafal Tomal the designer of Copyblogger Media company. These Navigation Bars are available in 3 diverse color schemes: Green, Blue and Black.

Every navigation bar includes the button, hover and active states and is easily customized accordingly. This set of web graphics is freely available for the designer community.

Download: Different Navigation Bars

Top 10 Print Design Tips

Jul 30, 2011 by admin    No Comments    Posted under: Design Firms, Design Tutorials, Graphic Design Tips

Top 10 Print Design Tips; Each of which will turn you into a Top-Notch Graphic Designer

There are countless print designers and art directors working in every part of the United States. They’re all professionals, skilled in their craft, but they don’t necessarily exhibit the same talent or skill level to be a top-notch graphic designer.

If you’re a print design professional, there are things you can do – on every assignment – to separate yourself from the pack … to become an exceptional art director, someone who commands respect and is highly sought after by potential clients.

The “path to greatness” is covered in the following  top 10 print design tips. Here is what you need to do …

• Print Design Tip #1 … Always remember to “bleed” the page you’re working on (that means leave room around the edges of the page to allow for changes, if necessary, by the printer.
• Print Design Tip #2 … Use “overprint” techniques to “create additional colors when budget constraints make it impossible to actually use three, four or more colors. “Overprinting” creates the appearance of additional colors.
• Print Design Tip #3 … Think “outside the paper.” That means that you need to be creative. Example: use oversize type in a headline so that it “runs off the page” and creates visual interest and draws attention to your advertising.
• Print Design Tip #4 … Use “unusual” paper sizes. It’s easy to work with standard paper sizes, but it’s much more creative to create designs with rarely-used paper sizes. Plus, when you do that, you make your work stand out and get noticed.
• Print Design Tip #5 … use interesting type-faces … because the text that appears in your work is every bit as important as the illustrations you use … or the photography. If your work has a specific theme, there will be text that matches that theme graphically.
• Print Design Tip #6 … When it comes to content, the amount of type you use – keep this thought in mind: “less is more.” Effective print graphics utilize lots of white space because it’s visually appealing … makes the text look as if it will be easier to read … and it always draws reader interest.
• Print Design Tip #7 … use grids when developing your page layouts. The grids will help you produce a layout that is effective … easy to look at … and attractive.
• Print Design Tip #8 … the typography you select matters … a lot. Typefaces are part of your print design. So … choose wisely.
• Print Design Tip #9 … Create real impact by “inverting.” That means turn your headlines “inside out” – use reverse type to create a dynamic and compelling look to your print design.
• Print Design Tip #10 … Choose photography carefully. Photos add tremendous impact to print designs. So, here’s sound advice: whether you employ the use of original photography or stock photos, make sure your selections are first-rate, the best you can find. They will dramatically improve your print design.

Follow these simple top 10 print design tips and you will be well on your way to becoming a well-known and always-working print designer … a top-notch professional graphic designer that people want to hire.

Top 10 Home Design Tips

Jul 29, 2011 by admin    1 Comment     Posted under: Design Firms, Design Tutorials, Graphic Design Tips

Top 10 Home Design Tips … That will make your House Beautiful

Most people have very definite ideas about home design and believe they can turn every room in the house or apartment they live in … into an individual showplace.

It’s all about creativity … having an open mind … and preparation. While some folks prefer to spend big money to hire professional interior decorators and design firms, it’s really not necessary if you have a belief in yourself … and your ability to make each room in your home a “thing of beauty.”

Here are top 10 home design tips to help you achieve the results you want …

• Set Reachable Goals … this should be your very first step – the establishment of goals that are sensible and that you can accomplish. That means you should not be thinking about major renovation, but, instead, purchasing items you can afford that will transform your home.
• Set a Sensible Budget … you’d probably like to spend endlessly to get “the very best” furnishings, art and more to create “your personal palace.” But, if that’s going to cost too much, it’s obviously not realistic. Create a spending plan you can afford … and stick to it.
• Get “Samples” and Bring them home …Visit home design stores and ask for small samples and swatches of fabrics, patterns and colors, even window treatments, rug samples and more so that you can return home with them and judge them more accurately in the room where you want them. It will be easier to determine if a pattern or color is right when you hold it up in the room in your home where you want to use it.
• Use a Design Board … Employed by professional interior designers, it will help you to figure out if all the colors, patterns and fabrics you’ve acquired work well together.
• Sketch a simple floor plan … this is a critically important step because it will help you determine – in advance – if the furniture you want to buy will fit in the room where you want to use it.
• Update or improve your lighting … here’s another important step. If you’re going to “revitalize” the rooms in your home, effective, modern lighting will highlight the design changes you make. So, follow this Home Design Tip – remove your old lamps and replace them with new, stylish lamps and clever overhead lighting.
• Be aware of the square footage available to you … make sure you know the actual size of the room you’re working on before you spend money on furniture. It would be an awful financial loss if the couch you purchased didn’t fit in your living room.
• Use the 60-30-10- rule …this is another great home design tip. The “rule” says that you should use the “dominant” color in any room you’re designing up to 60% in all the furniture and furnishings you add. 30% of the colors you use should be for the secondary color … and the remaining 10% can be “spent” on adding a matching accent color.
• Mix and match with style … this is yet another very sound home design tip. When you mix and match colors and patterns, the result is a relaxed, eclectic “feel”. Does it work? Yes … and that’s why professional designers use the same formula.
• Develop a Specific Point of Interest … it is how to make your room noticeable when people visit. You can, for example, use a large piece of art on a dominant or primary wall … place an over-sized rug in the middle of the room … “build” a conversation pit with a couch and chairs – the choice is yours.

Follow these top 10 home design tips and you’re sure to create an environment that will impress people and become “the talk of the neighborhood.” Best of all, you can do it on a budget.

Graphic Design Tips; They start with your own Creative Instincts

Jul 23, 2011 by admin    No Comments    Posted under: Design Firms, Design Tutorials, Graphic Design Tips

There was a time, not really that long ago, when graphic designers learned their craft (graphic design) in “art school” … honed it slowly in a small ad agency, design firm or design studio … and, after the passage of a year, perhaps two years, blossomed into solid and reliable professionals. In this article, we will be discussing graphic design tips in detail.

Graphic design has always been an integral part of all advertising and marketing. Every company and corporation, large or small, uses graphic design in its printed materials because, when executed effectively graphic design “brings life” to all printed messages.

Older graphic designers who are still actively engaged in their craft learned how to create graphic design “by hand.” Yes … they were – and are – in effect commercial artists. But progress has changed the graphic arts landscape – dramatically.

Young graphic designers may actually have no art skills. That means they probably can’t draw or sketch anything. And yet, they are likely to be successful in their chosen profession. Why …

Today’s graphic designers have been “schooled” in the use of “art software” that allows them to create images … use countless different type faces in different fonts – to develop their very own “commercial masterpieces” … graphic designs that bring words to life … and draw viewer or reader interest.

Interestingly, whether you are an old-timer with actual art skills or a young designer who has learned his/her craft on a modern computer, the graphic design tips you need to know remain essentially the same.

That’s because “good art” — quality commercial art – never changes. So, if you can’t draw a circle, but have a “good eye” for design and layout, you are surely making waves right now … getting noticed … and building a reputation as a quality and capable graphic designer.

Are there are graphic design tips that can help you excel? The answer is yes, but the second part to that answer is that you probably learned all about these graphic design tips when you were being taught to be a graphic designer.

Nevertheless, it’s worth going over a few graphic design tips just as a reminder to you. To begin:

• Graphic Design Tip #1 … graphic design is really commercial art. You need to be able to create a layout that draws interest in your design and the words that accompany that design. One thing you need to know is that all people tend to read from “top right to bottom left.” So … make sure that your most important headline, photo or illustration appears somewhere in the primary position I’ve already mentioned – upper right.
• Graphic Design Tip #2 … always use different type faces – and sizes – as a way to help your readers look at the page and “see” what you want them to see. Avoid “block copy” because copy density is intimidating and hard to read. And … use lots of what space … as much as possible. That makes your graphic design “reader-friendly.”
• Graphic Design Tip #3 … put your creative instincts to work to “wed copy and illustrations or photos so that they work well together … invite viewing … and attract prospects.

Remember: graphic art is not fine art. Your goal is not to become a great artist … it is to become a successful commercial artist … someone who regularly helps his or her employer or client to succeed.

The effective use of photos/illustrations and easy-to-read type-faces will enable you to reach the top of your profession.