design
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
design
Orange Is The New Power Color
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
art
The Basics of Visual Balance
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
client relations
How To Go From Being A $25/Hour Freelancer To A $100.00/hour Freelancer
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
design
Create Better Design Through Abstraction
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,
Alvalyn Lundgren
design
Is There A Difference Between Depth and Volume in Two-Dimensional Design?
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
design
5 Limiting Lies Freelancers Should Stop Believing
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
design
Fundamentals of Value Contrast
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
art
The Line Between Doodling and Drawing
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
critique
How Paying Attention Helps You Draw Better
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,
Alvalyn Lundgren
design
Keys to Building a Better Portfolio
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
Optical Color Mixing
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
Introduction to Light Logic
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
Creating Compositions That Communicate
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
design
How To Show 3D Volume in 2D Space Using Spatial Devices
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
design
What’s the Difference Between Pro Bono and Spec Work?
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,
Alvalyn Lundgren
aesthetics
Applying the Gutenberg Principle in Print and Web Design
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
design
5 Ways To Create A Focal Point
[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
Alvalyn Lundgren
art
What Is the Bezold Effect?
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
business
Creative Freelancer Q&A: What Do You Do About Scope Creep?
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
advice
7 Pointers to Rock Your Social Media Marketing
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
aesthetics
Design Fundamentals: Understanding Shape Relationships
[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
Alvalyn Lundgren
Making the Invisible Visible
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
design
Create Better Color Schemes By Using Proportions
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
design
Why Colors Do Not Match
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
branding
How Brands Are Built
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
design
7 Ways We Respond To Color
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
design
What is Design Theory?
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
business
7 Places to Find Freelance Clients Online and Offline
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
design
6 Apps To Help Improve Your Color Vision
“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
Alvalyn Lundgren
Should You Care About Aesthetics?
Are you more concerned about aesthetics or your bottom line when contracting design services? Designers – good ones – always care about how something looks. This
Alvalyn Lundgren
The Sustainability of Paper
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
They’ll Notice
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
Optimizing Your Business Card
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.
Alvalyn Lundgren
The Value of Design is the Thought Behind It
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,
Alvalyn Lundgren
Freedom Through Boundaries
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.
Alvalyn Lundgren
advice
Advice For Emerging Designers
…your process of emerging from school into the (design) profession needs to be as carefully framed and designed as any of your projects.
Alvalyn Lundgren
Positioning and Differentiating Your Business Through Design
Non-descript design that lacks distinction will do nothing to add distinction and value to an organization.
Alvalyn Lundgren
Your Website’s Magnificent 7
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.
Alvalyn Lundgren
A Designer Looks at Gray Areas
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
The Designer and the Relief Pitcher
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
Listening Is A Design Skill
Listening is related to empathy. Empathy is valuing another’s experience, and keeps the designer from creating something that is self-expressive.
Alvalyn Lundgren
Briefly Stated: The Advantages of Getting It In Writing
Before working with a designer, a client should prepare for that relationship. Often, businesses will request a web site or a logo – a single
Alvalyn Lundgren
How We’re Remembered
A logo is no more a mere graphic than the American flag is simply a piece of fabric.
Alvalyn Lundgren
Skills You’re Not Taught In Design School
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
10 Good Reasons To Study Design History
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
More Advice For Design Students
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
Alvalyn Lundgren
Logo as Placeholder: The USA Today Re-Design
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.
Alvalyn Lundgren