'Tis the season to be jolly

Festive forklift. "I do it every year," says operator.

You're doin' it wrong!

The Ten Worst Tech Ads For Women (at Jezebel)

Ladies, did you know you can do more than email and shop on computers? Been looking for that on-the-move bra-size converter? If you've been laboring under the delusion that gadgets are just for boys, then here's some great news!

Read more (and weep laydeez).

Rant

What is it with sigwriters? Are they all born without any idea about design or typography (or colour, for that matter?) Do they train at all, or do they just buy a machine & decide to be a signwriter in the manner of those who think they are designers because they can use InDesign, or (God help me), Microsoft Publisher?

Viewing signwriting sites is causing me to lose will to live. Only one so far with any design merit. Will choose them for price to produce signs.

My Hero(ine)

Vivienne Westwood at London Fashion Week



"As sprightly as a sixth former, the high priestess of punk showed she has lost none of her irreverence, even at the ripe old age of 68." London Telegraph

Vivienne Westwood Red Label SS11 catwalk show

International Freelancers Day

Am signing up for the International Freelancers Day online conference (September 24 and 25).

Some cool speakers. Two of my faves: Pamela Slim and Michael Huggins (from For Graphic Designers Only (FGDO)).

Create Your Own QR Codes

"A QR Code is a matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code), readable by QR scanners, mobiles phones with camera, and smartphones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on white background. The information encoded can be text, URL or other data.

Common in Japan, where it was created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994, the QR code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. QR is the initialism of Quick Response, as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed. "(from Wikipedia)

Plus they look cool!

Here's mine

Generate yours here

Then download a QR reader from the itunes app store to read it.

Buying design

Mule Design has some great tips on buying design.

See me if you want to buy some after reading!

Cool space available

We have a space available for creative or geeky type. Close to Cuba St and Courtenay Place.

Surrounded by cafes!!! and 5 mins to Moore Wilsons. To share with three other (V cool) creative companies in a spacious and light space.

More info here

Secret Women's (Ad) Business

Check this out at Jezebel

"The Best Mad Men Infomercial Pitches

We asked you to create a Mad Men-style ad for popular infomercial products, and the response was highly impressive."

Very impressive — and convincing — and scary . . .

Logo trends 2010

Check out 2010 logo design trends at Logolounge.com.

The new Telecom looks like a 'spore'.

"Microbial hitchhikers with all the tact of a sticker or cockle burr, these logos are a scaled-back version of a radiant star, and they typically start to take on three-dimensional qualities. They tend to be suspended in space or give the appearance of an underwater mine placidly floating in wait. (In fact, any of these logos could be a perfect candidate for animation.) Despite such dire comparisons, these logos still maintain an attractive, mathematical and mysterious quality that allows them to work well."

True confessions from print designers

The Graphics.com Newsletter always contains heaps of good info & tips.

Here's a good one from the latest newsletter: "Top Mistakes Designers Make When Sending to Printers — True confessions from print designers".

Worth a read if you send stuff to printers (and who doesn't)?

I think feedback from printers if something's not right with a file is a GOOD thing. We all have blonde moments!

Sad news and hard news

Hard News reports: "Paul Reynolds, internet developer, commentator and catalyst, died suddenly yesterday morning. He would have understood and approved of the way the sad news spread – via Twitter, Facebook and old-fashioned email".

I heard the news via Twitter last night. A terrible shock. My thoughts are with Helen.

HTML5 vs Flash

A succinct summary of the perceived roles of each at Smashing Magazine. "HTML5 And Flash: Why It’s Not A War, And Why Flash Won’t Die"

CS5

I wants it.

Upgrade, Shmupgrade

Off to the Adobe Roadshow today to hear all about CS5. Crikey, doesn't seem long since I got CS4!

Moving

Well moved, actually. To The Space at 1 Wakefield Street.

Infographics

How to choose a typeface and other cool examples of presenting information graphically at Design Reviver.

"How a web design goes straight to hell"

Lis reminds us of the joys of webdesign with this gem from the oatmeal.com.

We all know someone who has a "nephew that can do web pages".

Back on the case

Well after a rark-up by Lis, back on the job with Blogdini.

Some useful hints here about what NOT to do when using stock photography (from Design Shack).

For example: where possible, DIY.

New Zealand pavilion at the 2009 Venice Biennale a success

Creative New Zealand reports: "New Zealand’s participation at the art world’s most prestigious contemporary art exhibition – the Venice Biennale – was a critical and popular success with an unprecedented number of visitors passing through the 2009 exhibitions."
More

Happy New Year

New Year's resolution. Keep Blogdini posted!