writing.mariusz
Warning: Due to server failure, I lost a lot of the data in here and I'm currently in the process of rebuilding the list, so it might be incomplete in places. Check back for updates. Recently, I've been doing a lot of training, consulting and teaching people how to get better at product design. I still believe nothing beats craft and spending enough hours on projects (even side projects) and getting enough feedback from other designers, users and clients to actually get good, but I think this is a good list to expand your knowledge. Since some of these things here are classics (like Bringhurst's “Elements of Typographic Style”), some will be expanded and some are in the constant state of flux (like prototyping tools and front-end stuff), the plan is to expand and maintain this list as I go. Last updated: 19th March 2015 Design process Handling client projects Designing with your clients Design is a job You’re my favorite client Personas Design principles Research Crafting a value proposition
Magisso Cake Server
The simple task of slicing a nice piece of cake and getting it to your plate can be quite difficult sometimes. Finnish art and design student Maria Kivijärvi came up with a solution to this small problem by designing a stainless steel cake server that makes slicing a piece of cake, well, “a piece of cake.” You no longer have to worry about the perfection of your slicing and the piece toppling over as you move it to your plate! The server cuts a uniform slice every time and the squeeze of the handle keeps the cake in the server until you release it.
Design Principles
Bulthaup's painfully beautiful "tool cabinet" for kitchens
I live in a converted sweatshop with two dogs, and it is a lot less cool and lot more rough than you think. One particular sore spot is my "kitchen," a pathetic and cobbled-together assortment of cast-off drawers, cabinets and surfaces mostly made out of other people's garbage. So it's pure torture that my dogwalking route takes me past the Bulthaup showroom two or three times a day. The German high-end kitchen manufacturer produces the stunning B2 kitchen workshop, which I drool over daily. Hit the jump for more shots and info. The essence of that which makes and signifies a kitchen is incorporated in bulthaup b2. Share my pain and learn more about the B2--including the rather bizarre-sounding, artsy "poetical analysis" design methodology behind it--here.
Typographical twins: 20 perfect font pairings
Finding font pairings that set each other off, don't fight the eye for attention, and harmonise without becoming homogenous and dull is tough for graphic designers. The age-old rule goes as follows: concord or contrast, but don't conflict. But with so many professional typefaces and free fonts to choose from, how do you find two that work in harmony? Here we bring you top font pairing tips, followed by 20 examples of perfect font pairings. Get Adobe Creative Cloud Tip 1: Use font superfamilies The easiest way to find perfect font pairings is by using different fonts within the same overarching typeface family. A good superfamily will include serif and a sans serif version of the same typeface: famous examples include Lucida/Lucida Sans and Meta/Meta Sans. Best free fonts for designers Tip 2: Pair contrasting typefaces Contrast, as the name implies, is about finding totally different, but still complementary typefaces that are each fit for their intended application. 01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06.
Silverair Silverware by Pod Design and Media
Would You Use a Bone Folder as a Knife? Do you know what a Bone Folder is? It’s a plastic utensil used for scoring paper, putting folds in it. Originally the Bone Folder was made of real animal bone. Some people still use animal bones for this very purpose. This set is called the “Silverair.” Or, hear me out, maybe we should just use our hands? Hands. Designer: Pod Design and Media
How to Become a Graphic Designer Without Going to School ~ Creative Market Blog
A good design school will absolutely get you on the right track to becoming a talented, qualified professional. However, it's simply not in the cards for everyone. Fortunately, you can still fulfill your dream of becoming a designer without a formal education, as long as you have the drive and dedication to pull it off. Design School: Important or Not? As far as the design industry is concerned, the debate rages on. But then again, your creativity alone will not really get you anywhere if you don’t know the basics of design. Design School Drawbacks The drawback to design school? Meet Karen X. People who frequent YouTube will probably remember Karen Cheng as the girl who taught herself how to dance in just 365 days. But for those in the field of design, Karen Cheng is the former Lead Designer at Exec. “I didn’t have four years and $100,000 to go to design school,” she says. This is exactly what Karen advises to people who want to do the same groundbreaking accomplishments that she had.
Architectural Sketching : 10 Tips to Sketch Like an Architect
BIG Architectssketch In architecture ideas need to be communicated visually and the fastest method and probably the best one too for idea expression is sketching. Yet many new architectural students who are just starting lack the natural ability to create such a sketch. They will need to rely on mentors to explain the basics of sketching which will take time if such mentors are found at all. It is easy to get disheartened when you produce a couple of rubbish sketches, that are out of proportion and look a bit weird. Don’t worry, you must keep at it, and know that it does take a bit of time to find your groove, but when you do it is great to have that confidence in your ability for your course and career. 1. 2. Position your hand at the end of the pencil to gain more control and precision. 3. To make an interesting lively sketch, try to use a variety of lines by shifting from thick to thin lines and from light to dark shades. 4. 5. 6. Do not let smudges ruin your designs. 7. 8. 9.
