by Annie | Dec 14, 2009 | Adchievements, Typographically Speaking
It’s amazing how the simple ideas stick with us the longest. Many designers use text in interesting ways in their designs. Some use big bold text, others use scripty and flowy text. Even the fourth graders I taught could change fonts, sizes, and colors. However, the designs that we remember most are those in which the text blends seamlessly into the image. Image relies on text, and text relies on...
by Annie | Dec 11, 2009 | Logoland, Typographically Speaking
Anyone can play around with letters, but a great designer arranges, changes, and adds to letters so as to reveal the essence of the message. Here are some straightforward logos that convey meaning in powerful...
by Annie | Dec 9, 2009 | Typographically Speaking
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, using text as image must be worth 1,001. I first learned about the technique of using text as image in college during a book arts class. Prior to that, I hadn’t given typography a second thought, blindly using double-spaced 12-pt. Times New Roman for every paper I’d written. Teachers get cranky otherwise. The subject of the memoir I wrote for my book arts class was my journey through childhood and adolescence as a fat kid. My professor pushed me at every step to consider all design decisions carefully in order to communicate the message of my story as clearly and effectively as possible. While reading through A History of Graphic Design during one long caffeine driven night, I was blown away by the thought that text could be used as image. Since kindergarten, I’d been taught the names and sounds of the letters, how to combine the letters to form words, and how to link words to form sentences. During all that, not once did I stop to consider the shapes of the letters themselves. After all, the alphabet is essentially a gallery of 26 pictures that were eventually assigned to sounds. With that new revelation in mind, I decided to use text as image as the underlying design theme of my book. As I played around with typography, text placement, spacing, and letterforms, I rediscovered the beauty of letters and text, approaching them with the same wonderment and curiosity that I had as a preschooler. Through my study of typography, I learned that effective synthesis of text as image and the...
by Annie | Dec 3, 2009 | Illustration Station
I learned to spell the word silhouette in third grade. It probably coincided with some story in reading class and thus popped up in the weekly spelling list. Since then, I’ve always been drawn to silhouette designs. Simple, elegant, and to the point. An effective silhouette highlights unique features without random clutter, helping the viewer appreciate lines and shapes. The stark image communicates the message clearly so that even simple designs can leave a lasting impression. No need for shading, gradients, or textures; just clean design. How to create an effective silhouette design: 1. An easy way to create a silhouette is to use the pen tool in Illustrator or Photoshop to trace an image or photograph. 2. Choose shapes and figures that are unique and interesting. Keep in mind that you don’t have to use the entire person/object. 3. Make sure the silhouette is easily recognizable, unless you’re going for a Rorschach effect. 4. Less is more. Silhouettes stand out because they’re simple. When in doubt, take it...
by Annie | Nov 30, 2009 | Adchievements, Illustration Station, Logoland, Typographically Speaking
Looking for the perfect gift for the designer in your life? Here are some ideas to help them show off their inner design geek. Gift Idea #1: An invisible T-shirt for the disappearing designer Gift Idea #2: Coffee tastes better in your favorite Pantone mug Gift Idea #3: Foster HTML peace with this “begin love, end hate” cap Gift Idea #4: Make banana the new apple by showing off this tile coaster Gift Idea #5: Use Adobe app pillows to start a designer pillow fight Gift Idea #6: Make every photo on your fridge look Photoshopped Gift Idea #8: When all else fails… Happy shopping, and whatever you buy, make sure it’s well...
