March 2006 Archives
I know many of you seek reliable, high-quality stock photos, so I'd like to direct you to a place on the graphics.com network where you can snag freebies.
Dynamic Graphics magazine offers its subscribers two free high-resolution stock photos in each issue. The current issue, however, offers seven. You can download them at http://www.dynamicgraphics.com/downloads and keep checking back for more. One-time registration is required.
All images are subject to Jupiterimages' terms and conditions.
Enjoy!
About a month ago, word circulated across the Net of an online video that parodied iPod packaging as if it were redesigned by Microsoft. The video showed each phase of the redesign until the formerly clean and minimalistic box became a six-sided poster board for every gaudy attention-grabbing "design" trick in the book.
To say the least, it gave some designers a good laugh and more reason to mock Microsoft's design sense. It turns out, however, the joke's on us. The iPod Observer confirmed Tuesday that the creators of the video were in fact Microsoft!
Professional Surf Art surfboard artist Robb Havassy of Orange County, Calif. has filed a lawsuit against Hollister Co. and parent company Abercrombie & Fitch Co. for the unauthorized use of the artist's work in the retailer's in-store branding and marketing displays. According to Havassy, the clothier had a deal with a local manufacturer to create forged replicas of Havassy's surfboards. While Havassy was impressed with the forgeries, his "'credibility as an authentic surf artist goes down the tubes if someone sees me in bed with a Midwest apparel company and its marketing.'"
To land a hands-on creative job, you must have an outstanding portfolio that demonstrates the quality of your thinking as well as your form-giving abilities. Most designers need two versions—a physical one that can be carried around and a website.
Paul Chin shows how small firms can develop an effective brand identity with a combination of technology, creativity, and innovative design.
DesignObserver's William Drenttel points to a Wichita State University study on the association between personlaity traits and uses and fonts.
With all the makes, models, and features available, it's not easy deciding which digital camera to purchase. Eric Grevstad, JupiterWeb's executive editor for personal technology, has written a cut-to-the-chase 2006 digital camera buyers guide for Dynamic Graphics. But before heading over there, check out my short interview with Norman Koren, photographer, image quality specialist, and creator of Imatest—software for measuring lens sharpness and image quality in digital cameras, digitized film images, scanners, and printers.
Koren provides simple explanations of how sensor size and pixels determine image quality; provides general recommendations for designers; and offers some insight on where the digital camera industry is heading.
