2 useful design resources

Creative Guy today has links to two useful articles for (especially) print designers.

1. At Real World Illustrator— about the importance of resolution in Illustrator. When using vector based programmes like Illustrator and FreeHand, resolution isn't always an issue, but if you are using some of the effects available in these programmes, for example, drop shadow, the programme rasterizes the image in order to create that effect. If you haven't set an adequate resolution (apparently the default in Illustrator is 72dpi) then the result can be bitmappy and fuzzy. The article outlines ways to set resolution in Illustrator, depending on effects and output required. I for one have bookmarked it.

2. At CreativePro.com there is a brief article about the importance of paper grain, implications, especially for folding, and how to use this knowledge to improve your design.

No relation

Cool name, but. . .
Check out their programme here:
www.deluxe.co.nz

I took it

Web design survey at A List Apart.

Bizarre airline food

On a Good Friday flight from Wellington to Auckland, we were served "Easter Bunny Donuts"!

But never fear, animal lovers — most were unharmed in the eating process (give or take the odd ear or tail).

Drooger!

Was looking forward to attending the "Designers Speak" session at the New Dowse next Wednesday. It is organised by the Designers' Institute of New Zealand and will be feature Dutch designer Dutch designer Gert Jan Leusink talking about the "Inspiration behind Droog Design and its international success."

It's a great opportunity, particularly as most of the DINZ events are held in Auckland. DINZ events in Wellington are few and far between. But unfortunately, I have a prior engagement so will miss it. I'm going to see the Droog exhibition at the Dowse tomorrow, though. So that's some compensation.

PS. I think the new Dowse colours & graphic image are v cool.

It worked for me

Sign outside Caffiend in Petone today. It's nearly as good as Eva Dixon's "All you can eat for as much as it costs."



& cool outfit inside.

Back in the real world

Back from an arduous time in the Deep South.

Saved by the Vodem. It is great to be online anywhere you like and makes it easy to keep in touch with clients while on the road.

Contrary to popular belief, the weather was great down there, except for a torrential downpour on the last day. It's a beautiful part of the country though, and it was great to go out to Oreti Beach again, and to Riverton (even in the wet).

Going Down (South)

I'll be on the road from tomorrow. Down to the Deep South on Family Business. I'll be taking my macbook, and (hopefully) a vodem modem so I can be online while away.



(All this assumes 3G coverage has reached Invercargill (just joking — I've checked the Vodafone map).)

Logo trends

Check out the logo design trends for 2006 over at the Logo Lounge.

You can also see if/how times and ideas change by comparing the trends with those from 2003–2005 there.

Power dressing

Escape from Cubicle Nation talks about what you wear when you work from home.

They are promoting "Doing Business in Your Bathrobe Day" and running a competition where you send in a pic of you working in your bathrobe.

I don't think so!

One of the things I hated about working from home was that you didn't have to get dressed! Suburban neurosis, here I come.

I'm so pleased to be back in my own little office in Petone, sharing a space with the two Jims.

Anyway Happy New Year. great to be back.