Category Archives: Design

New site design critique


11 Responses

Hello all,

Aside from persuing the standard activities of any sociable teenager in my evenings and weekends; I’ve been squeezing in a bit of time to work on the concept and designs for the new Redswish blog. I’ll be looking to scale back the irrelevant nonsense (to some extent) and ensure a steady stream of personally crafted, but objective and hopefully inspirational posts on the subjects of web design, digital marketing and life experience etc. Although this isn’t a drastic change from where I’ve slowly been taking the website, it will become clearer, the tone of voice and theme of the new site will hopefully be obvious.

Redswish is however a site built and maintained for you, my loyal readers. So I thought it only justified to provide a sneaky glimpse of the design approach I’m using to construct the new site. However I’ve hit a slight slow patch, that’s right – I’m stuck. And I want your help.

Please take a look and come back to me with the harshest critique you can. I can take it, come on! I want the new site to be as good as it can be, and your feedback will be an important part of achieving that:

Design 1:

Design 1

Design 2:

Design 2

Thanks,

Nathan

Read the full article »

Letting the computer influence design


4 Responses

computer design
In this month’s Computer Arts, a particular quote from an inspiring interview with legendary designer Milton Glaser stood out to me:

“I find a lot of students beginning to resent the computer as too powerful to use without thinking. They now describe it the same way; they say, “Before I start to do anything, I make notes and sketches and draw because otherwise the computer dominates everything I do”.”

Although I believe he’s more likely referring to graphic design as opposed to web interfaces, it’s an important point to consider. Personally I never open Photoshop before scrawling away, pencil on paper. It’s a faster medium on which to lay my ideas and visions as they appear in my mind, without the distractions of colour, typography, design trends and the concern of “How it will work – Flash, AJAX? Scroll right, fade in? Pop-up or slide down?”. It’s just my ideas, the pencil and the paper.

I’ve never been able to draw in the slightest. It’s a flaw I’ve always been ashamaed of. I tell people I’m a designer but can barely draw a cartoon dog. Thus I never used to touch physical drawing tools – I’d hop straight into Fireworks or Photoshop and practically will the design into existence. It took me quite a while, too long really, to realise the ignorant error of this approach. As powerful as computer-based design tools are, they do indeed seem to impose a certain level of conformity, structure and precision that’s simply not natural

On another tangent – does computer design software make us lazy? I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve persuaded designs in my head in Photoshop, but stumbled upon a particular brush set, font or shape that ‘does the job’, and as opposed to persuing the vision in mind, I’ve simply settled for ‘nice’, but second best, because it was handed to me on a plate by the click of a mouse.

As per usual I may sound like I’m exaggerating the issue, but it’s certainly something worth considering. Do you feel that your designs, whether they be website layouts, application interfaces, banners and posters, branding etc. are in anyway influenced not just by experience, design understanding, trends and client briefs; but by the software you use?

Read the full article »

A real web design curriculum


7 Responses

WaSP Interact
There’s constant discussion in our industry about the merits of education vs self-teaching. The general concensus seems to be from those that studied at University and further education that although it was great experience, it seldom had little impact or relevance to their roles within new media and web design.

In such a fast evolving, and still relatively new industry, standard curricula simply can’t keep up. Web designers teaching in educational institutions begin to loose touch with the latest trends and technologies, and by the time a curriculum has been created, amended and passed it’s already well out of date, and often innacurate. This leads to many students and those starting their web design education setting off in the wrong direction because ‘the breadth and depth of our medium can be daunting’.

However, WaSP (The Web Standards Project) have been working collaboratively with designers, developers and standardistas in the industry to craft a concise corriculum that delves into all the aspects of the minefield that is web design. WaSP Interact is a fantastic new community-driven initiative that provides a essential, up-to-date framework of reference materials including books, online reading, podcasts, videos and resources to stimulate and educate. To support this great selection of resources are guides as to how work should be assigned, monitored and tested in a school environment.

In their own words:

“WaSP InterAct is a living, open curriculum based upon web standards and best practices, designed to teach students the skills of the web professional. Adapt and reuse our resources. Contribute your own content and ideas.”

The breadth of the framework covers 6 core topics including Foundations, Front-End Development, Design, User Science, Server-side Development and Professional Practice. Within each of these areas it delves into sub-topics that really pad out almost every aspect, not just of basic web design, but every facet of what’s required to work in this fast-paced, demanding industry. But what really sets is apart is how open it is. Industry experts, ‘veterans’ and anyone with an knowledge to share on the matter can contribute resources, suggest new modules and how to improve and update what’s already there. This will ensure that the curriculum remains up-to-date, fresh, accurate and versatile.

This is a dynamic, real-time curriculum. This is exactly what our industry needs. This is important.

The potential of Interact is not just important to those in education, but to anyone working in web design and development. The resource database will only grow, will only get better. There is something here for everyone. So I strongly suggest you check it out.

Read the full article »

Taking typography seriously


9 Responses

Typography
A typography post has been long overdue on Redswish. And just when I was getting geared up to get stuck into one, Craig Ward published a fine article in this months Creative Review on the shifting role of typography in advertising. I’m afraid if you’re not a subscriber you probably won’t be able to view the full article, so I’d most certainly recommend getting hold of this months issue because it’s one of the finest in months.

Craig’s article looks at how we can adopt great typography to portray our messages without the need for obvious visual hand-holding and the ‘witty juxtaposition of images’ to force an idea or message across very quickly, summing it up well with the final line “A picture may paint a thousand words, but conversely, with a thousand words, who needs pictures?”.

A recent article on Smashing Magazine featured some inspirational floral typography in both print and web that in some cases was breathtaking, and certainly didn’t need any distracting visual accompaniment. The typography really did speak/read for itself!

Typography on the web

It’s not just in print that typography has been pushing forwards. With greater adoption of technologies such as sIFR, cufón and @font-face we’re seeing a wider spectrum of typography usage on the web. Although it’s not always for the best. With this open access to all sorts of available font families the barriers begin to fall and the standards set in place to help ensure accessibility and legibility on screen can be disregarded. That’s before we start considering the legal implications of using anyone’s fonts left right and center!

Read the full article »

Some tips for designers


10 Responses


A couple of great articles I’ve stumbled on recently that focus on the essence of new media design. 10 logo design tips from David Airey which might as well be printed onto stone and regarded as the 10 commandments for all I’m concerned. And a nice post from Tracy Grady that tackles common misconceptions about design and designers – What Graphic Design Isn’t.

Great advice all around!

Oh, and where are my posts you ask? Yeah I know sorrrrrry been reallllly busy but will honestly get some chunky tasty lick your lips content up here soon. Promise.

Read the full article »

fowd09


2 Responses

fowd with Ryan and Joe

Imaginative title.

Yep, I was there last week. Had a great time but decided to write about it on the Flame blog instead of here, sorry loyal readers!

It was great to meet some new people and some familiar faces (although some of them from only a small Twitter avatar), the event itself was good, inspirational fun and the after party topped everything off nicely!

Some other reviews can be found here:

Read the full article »

Your CV sucks


12 Responses


Want to make an impression? That can be hard when you’re applying for work on the other side of the world. Greig Anderson compiled these extremely effective brochures containing his CV, personal information and examples of work and acclaim to send in the hope of getting noticed and bestowed with work when he moved over to Sydney for a year.

As far as I can gather, it worked!

Next time you knock up your CV in Word, really consider whether it will make any difference. The paper bin is only a short distance away. Give potential employers a reason to sit down and indulge you, astound them, show them what you’re really capable of.

More pictures of the Effektive CV/Poster Mailer.

Read the full article »