Experts answer: what makes websites great
How many times have you bookmarked a beautifully crafted website? Not because the visual design was great, not because the interface was amazing, but because there was something special about it — everything worked. Great web design work is definitely a result of great skill, expertise and experience. You can read a lot of great …
5 tips on how to prepare a design presentation
You lost. The work was on brief, you spent hours getting it ready and the client generally loved it. So what happened? All things being equal, I’d say someone else had a better presentation. Your work was good but the way you tried selling it wasn’t. The client simply went for something more convincing, tangible …
How to keep your design files neat and tidy
I’m an organizational freak. Organizational freaks like to keep things in order, so they’re easier to understand, sort through and manage. This includes small stuff, like grid-based furniture layout and more important decisions like color-coding spices. You’ll know more about how we think if you visit this website. But if you think being too organized …
10 habits to help you master graphic design
Traditionally, we tend to think the only way to learn more is either through practice or theory. We do more, or we study more, and that’s about it. While this is essentially true, it’s worth noting that there is much more to learning than theory and practice. It’s the habits we create, day in and day out, …
8 simple ways to build your freelance business in 2013
For me, December is the time of year for reflection and thinking things through. Am I heading in the right direction? How do I get closer to my goals? Is there a way for me to get better at what I do? But just as I start discovering the answers, another pile of bills comes through …
10 Photoshop tips for a more productive workflow
I admit it — there really is no alternative to what Photoshop can do. That being said, it’s an exceptionally large and complex program with lots of options and moving parts. It takes a tremendous amount of time and effort to learn the basic tools that help turn your ideas to reality, not to mention …
Logo design process: how professionals do it
Apple. McDonalds. Twitter. Coca Cola. Nike. What makes those symbols so special and iconic? Is it their beauty or the colors? Maybe it’s because they explain what the company does…or maybe not? While these things are considered during a logo design project, none of them are particularly important. Some great logos are beautiful and some …
How to understand and handle typical client feedback
“We love it! Don’t change a thing!” When was the last time you heard that? If you’re like me, you probably don’t remember. No matter how good of a designer you are, clients always have a thing to say about your work and it’s not always pretty. Knowing how to handle different types of feedback …
9 reasons clients don’t want to work with you (and what to do about it)
Aren’t you happy with how your bank is treating you? I’m sure their excellent customer service is making you jump for joy. Unless you’re drowning in millions and living in Switzerland, this story is probably the complete opposite of what you’re really experiencing. Banks are notorious for having bad customer service and most of them …
8 common mistakes when working with color and how to fix them
The Color Purple. Such a great story and a fantastic movie. Unfortunately, as designers, we don’t have the luxury of talking about colors figuratively. Our world is mostly RGB, CMYK or hexadecimal, with regular trips to HSB. It might not sound fun but it’s a serious business. Working with color is an essential part of …
