Typography: Something to see:: 11:38 AM

Good typography is something that is obvious and ignored when it is done well. When it is done poorly, you can’t get past it.

The majority of word processors in this world do not know enough about typography. The word processors adopt some generic settings that infect everything that is typed or printed. The result is so much of the printed materials look the same.

There are many resources out there to help improve the printed word. Here are a couple that I ran across recently. Not the definitive list by any means, and I will take some time to add to the list as time permits.

ilovetypography

Smashing Magazine

Colors for every one!:: 01:29 PM

IMHO, this is the best site for color design. I use this extensively in my media classes. The students can create meaningful color combinations, based on monochromatic, complementary, triads, tetrads, analogous and accented analogous color models.

Color Scheme Designer 3

You can modify the hues, values and saturation of the color schemes, get the hex color codes and even see some sample combinations in a mocked up page.

Finally there is a menu where you can view various color spaces, color challenged perspective and even randomize the palette.

Great tool for digital media as well as traditional design applications.

Visual Logic:: 11:03 AM

Good design needs to have visual logic.
In other words the pieces should deliberately placed to enhance and promote the message. Now how successful I am at achieving that goal depends on your personal interpretation. But that is why design and art is an infinitely interesting human endeavor.
These are samples of work done for a variety of clients.

Go to 99designs, #1 for Logo Design