July 2007 Archives
I received a new book to review from Chronicle Books the other day and was happy to see that a CD came with it. For some reason, I get more excited about a book when there is an extra little goody attached. This book is by Graham Davis and is called The Designer's Toolkit 500 Grids and Style Sheets. After my excitement about the CD wore off, my mind went to "Oh no, another anyone-can-be-a-designer book" and I was kind of dismayed. I went into the book anyway and here is what I found out.
I have been a lover of words and spelling since I was a little kid. I even tried-out for the Spelling Bee once (the class brain, Scott Borgelt, beat me out - bastard). To this day, interesting and unique words intrigue me and I automatically take a mental time-out to think of how some words are spelled, for my own nerdy pleasure.
In the graphic design world, there are many words that I like - not only for the way they're spelled, but also for the way they sound.
I was reading the August 2007 issue of Psychology Today (yes, I go for therapy in all forms) and came across an interesting article on creativity - mainly that where you live (in the city or country) can affect your level of this important trait. Now, before you start packing, or gloating, please read on.
At this time of year, one of the most American of holidays comes around to celebrate freedom and break ties with old, stodgy ways of doing things. Of course, the holiday is Independence Day, July 4.
I was thinking about the design of the US flag and those from around the world when my mind went to Betsy Ross - the designer and seamstress of the first "stars and stripes". Quite a designer, that Ms. Ross.
