
Is the Rule of Thirds an Ideal Proportion?
The Rule of Thirds is a popular method for composing designs, illustrations and photographs. You can significantly improve your compositions by following the Rule of
The Rule of Thirds is a popular method for composing designs, illustrations and photographs. You can significantly improve your compositions by following the Rule of
Historically, orange had limited use in Western culture. You don’t see it used often in illuminated manuscripts and Renaissance art. The last time orange enjoyed
If you’re a designer or artist trying to wrap your head around what balance is all about, you’re not alone. Balance is sometime obvious, sometimes
Do you feel like you’re stuck in a rut with your pricing? Do you want to charge more per hour or per project, but for
Abstraction is likely one of the most misunderstood techniques in design and fine art. In general, it’s confused with anything that’s non-objective, modern, postmodern, non-traditional,
Is there a difference between depth and volume? And, if so, how are they different? This question was posed during a classroom discussion in my fundamentals
Successful soloism is about 80% mindset and 20% mechanics. I’ve learned from experience that you can get the mechanics right, but still not be thinking
Light and Dark Value is the term used to describe lightness and darkness of color in design and art. Our ability to see anything is
While I think that designers in general should be able to draw well enough to communicate their ideas, (Von Glitska @Vonster tweeted that those who
I want to preface this by saying that as you learn and apply design principles, and gain experience with organizing elements within a design space,
Art and design students focus on developing their portfolios during the final terms of their education. The portfolio is the most important tool when entering
There are two ways color is mixed to make new colors. One is commonly known as admixing. The other is optical mixing, also known as
Light logic is a system of using value pattern to create the illusion of real space and form. It is simply the idea that light interacts
Whenever we create design and art we are composing. Composition is the make up, arrangement or structure of a work, whether it’s music, writing, or
How to create space… specifically, how to create the illusion of volume in 2-dimensional art and design. In this tutorial I present 3 spatial
Is there a difference between pro bono and spec work? If so, what’s the difference? First, let’s compare them. With both, you work for free,
The Gutenberg Principle is a lesser-known design principle that describes the general movement of the eyes when looking at a design in which elements are evenly
[themeone_drop_cap letter=”T” color=”accent-color2″ /]here are, of course, more than 5 ways to create a focal point in an image or design. The big picture idea
Even if you’ve worked with it for years — on screen or on paper — you will always be in a learning mode when it comes to
What do you do about scope creep? Should you avoid it? Should you agree to it? The affect of scope creep — when a scope of work
To begin with, social media is not about selling, but about conversations and providing value. Be knowable, likable and trustworthy. To make the most of
[themeone_drop_cap letter=”SHAPE” color=”accent-color1″ /] is one of the formal elements of 2-dimensional design. By formal we are referring to something that is form-based. Form is
There is a phrase: ex nihilo nihil fit. It roughly translates from the Latin as from nothing, nothing comes. Generally, this is a true statement; you
Color schemes work best when the amounts of the colors used in the design are not equal. A variety of proportions creates more interest, and
On a recent identity project for a client, I had to send two related print pieces to two different printers, one online and the other
People connect with brands the same way they connect with people. Brands cannot be developed and maintained without design. Branding is not design, but it
This is the first in a series of articles I am writing about color theory. If you read to the end, you’ll find an easy
And why does it matter? Design theory involves the fundamentals and principles of creating visual communication and all types of art. It deals with how
One of the huge differences between a salaried worker and a freelancer is that freelancers need to always be looking for work. Freelance work consists
“How do you improve your color vision?” One of my clients asked this question while we were discussing color options for a branded direct mail
Are you more concerned about aesthetics or your bottom line when contracting design services? Designers – good ones – always care about how something looks. This
Like me, you’ve probably received email with a “Think of the forests before you print this.” appeal in the footer. We’re encouraged to go paperless
Start-up businesses and organizations tend to hold themselves back in terms of establishing reputation and solidity by under-budgeting and under-investing in the brand-building graphics and
Whether you’re a business owner, executive or staff member, business cards continue to play a leading role at events, in business and in the marketplace.
I am a full-time graphic designer/illustrator and part-time design educator, so design thinking is a familiar and routine part of my life. In my experience,
During a downhill event at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, a contestant wiped out against the fence because she lost her footing on a turn.
…your process of emerging from school into the (design) profession needs to be as carefully framed and designed as any of your projects.
Non-descript design that lacks distinction will do nothing to add distinction and value to an organization.
Like any design, websites are experienced. Your goal should be to provide the best experience to the largest percentage of people who visit your site.
I admit to being in the minority as a designer and illustrator when I say that I think in terms of black or white and seldom
If you know me well, you know that baseball is my favorite sport, and I often employ baseball analogies to explain concepts to students and
Listening is related to empathy. Empathy is valuing another’s experience, and keeps the designer from creating something that is self-expressive.
Before working with a designer, a client should prepare for that relationship. Often, businesses will request a web site or a logo – a single
A logo is no more a mere graphic than the American flag is simply a piece of fabric.
There ‘s a book in my library titled, 101 Things to Learn in Art School by Kit White. It’s full of truths that every designer
As I prepare to teach my next course in Design History at UCLA Extension, I gave some thought to why designers should study the history of
A bit more philosophical than my previous list, but hopefully more pithy, and not in any particular order: Do not fear the blank sheet of
Modification is a new idea of how a logo functions: a dynamic asset that not only represents an enterprise but also adapts to situations and platforms.