Contrast and Meaning
If you’re a designer, you work to communicate and convey meaning. So it’s important that you understand the mechanisms by which things and ideas acquire meaning; more than any other factor, your grasp of these fundamentals determines your ability to communicate effectively. Without fundamentals, you will flounder when faced with complex design challenges or constraints. Today, as always, issues of style and popular convention occupy the attention of many, and may distract us from the essentials of our craft. This is especially true for those of us who did not come to web design from a formal design or art education, so I want to take this opportunity to examine what I deem to be the most important fundamental tool for conveying meaning. Before we move on to specifics, though, let’s briefly examine the whole set of fundamentals. The fundamentals#section1 Artistic Vocabulary: The vocabulary of artistry is found largely within the fundamentals of line, form, color, and texture.
Infographic: The Web Design Trends Of 2013
Click image to view entire infographic Click image to view entire infographic Put together by the team at Enfuzed, this is an infographic that entails some of this year’s web design trends. However, this infographic is not merely a list but also explains the rationale for certain design choices. For example, taking a minimalist approach is all about keeping things simple, while a fixed header enables people to navigate through websites easily. What do you think—are some of these trends here to stay? View the rest of the infographic below. [via Enfuzed] Receive interesting stories like this one in your inbox
Top 20 web design trends for 2013 | CSS3
In 2012 we suggested the year would be one of ongoing economic hardship and attempted internet censorship, and guessed web design and development would also be turbulent. Such predictions proved accurate, with the web industry battling censorship, native apps, and fragmented, rapidly evolving technology. 2013 won’t be any quieter. All these things and more are explored in our 20 must-know web design trends for 2013… 01. RWD took hold in 2012, but Flash games developer Iain Lobb reckons it’ll go mainstream in 2013. When doing so, Clearleft founder Andy Budd believes we’ll see an end to retrofitting RWD into existing products: “Instead, RWD will be a key element for a company’s mobile strategy, baked in from the start.” 02. Designer Laura Kalbag thinks 2013 will see “the abandoning of device-specific web design”. 03. However, Lobb notes Flash isn’t quite done: “It still has strongholds: specialist video players, banner-ads, Facebook modules, and games. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10. 11. 12.
Design & Layout Resources - ITS - Carlpedia - Carleton College Wiki
These resources are a collection of tips focusing on design and layout theories for both print and web-based publications. Please note that these principles vary depending upon the publication media, so you'll want to research the area that is appropriate for your publication(s). Design: Print and Web Essentials ADA Standards for Accessible Design This is both an essential tool for any design project and a good example of in-depth design standards Guidelines And Standards Manuals A list of exemplary design standards from different companies. Particularly good examples are ABB and BestBuy. A List Apart This site is essential reading for web design and also has some great tips for general design projects. W3.org The authority on web design standards, this is very in-depth and in the majority of cases a class blog or website will initially constructed as code compliant by your Academic Technologist or the Web Services Team. Design Tools Adobe InDesign CS5: Adobe Photoshop CS5: Reason: Fonts Color
Brand development
Building a world-class brand doesn't happen by chance. It’s a purposeful endeavor that is rooted in the fusion of disciplined, strategic thinking and unencumbered creativity. The result is a brand strategy, story and experience that’s elegantly simple, unexpectedly fresh, and an asset that drives your business ahead. Strategic platform Great brand strategies are grounded in the truth of an organization—its legacy, unique capabilities and opportunities. Brand architecture Coherent brands are built to last. Brand alignment Effective brand alignment turns every colleague into a brand evangelist. Brand Voice™ There's a tone and style that's all your own—your organization's unmistakable character. Naming A name is the gateway to your brand experience—helping to shape people's first impressions, associations and connections to what you do. Visual identity First impressions matter—and a first impression is almost always visual. Messaging strategy Retail environments
99 Graphic Design Resources
Below is a list of 99+ graphic design resources, in English and (and a few other languages), that all designers must know about. It is sorted by category (click to go to category): For more resources you can check out the 101 Places To Get Design Inspiration. Also don’t forget to subscribe for more graphic design resources. 1 Spunk United An excellent magazine with a selection of the worlds best artists providing inspiration, interviews, articles and more. 2 FreeLance Switch (No longer active) The community site of reference for all freelances. 3 Computer Arts The site of the excellent international magazine Computer Arts. 4 David Airey A graphic and logo designer who shares his knowledge on these areas. 5 Behance A site gathering the portfolios of the artists of the whole world, a true inspiration. 6 Pdf Mags References all the PDF mags out there! 7 Graphic Design Forum (no longer running). The most active of the graphic design forums out there. 8 Design Is Kinky 9 Freelance Folder 10 Bittbox
Best Open Source Resources for Web Developers | WebAppers
Design You Trust – Design Blog and Community
Smashing Magazine
