Questions about design in general. This tag could fit just about any question on this site, try and find something more specific!
48
votes
6answers
3k views
Why do some logos look.. old? How does design age?
This drives me crazy.
What makes design look old? How subjective is this? Who decides?
Look at this Bell logo:
It's from 1969. And boy, does it look that way. It's simple and minimal, but.. it ...
10
votes
4answers
494 views
How was brand consistency maintained before computers?
The era of computers makes it easy to regulate brand consistency - you can e-mail anyone your branding guidelines in a PDF and it will have all the information they need. However, I still sometimes ...
9
votes
6answers
2k views
What do I do when I quote a price for a design but the client keeps asking for revisions and redesigns?
I'm a freelance graphic designer, so mostly, my pricing and what not is pretty casual and I don't work 24/7 as I have other things to take care of, so when I quote someone, I figure out how long it ...
9
votes
6answers
696 views
What analog tools should every designer have today?
Prior to the proliferation of software, namely Adobe and Aldus, a designer needed an entire toolbox full of things to get a job done.
From t-squares and triangles, to ruling pens, masking tape, photo ...
9
votes
2answers
124 views
How should ascenders and descenders that share the same space be handled?
This is the initial registration page for my client's communication app. ( I covered over the logo - note the white box - for his privacy)
I do not like that the "y" descends and the "h" ascends into ...
7
votes
3answers
565 views
How to make a logo where a letter is made of particles of varying sizes?
How can I make a logo in Adobe Illustrator like the AntiParticle logo below, from http://www.graphicdesigninspiration.net/2012/08/15/70-awesome-logo-designs-for-your-inspiration/?
It is a large ...
6
votes
4answers
711 views
Using stock images for mock ups
When making a design (as a freelancer), how do I handle stock images?
Do you buy the stock image(s)? Or do you find an image via Google or whatever and later replace it with a similar stock image?
...
6
votes
3answers
320 views
Does this poster convey a “Frenchy” look?
In the brainstorming to give a visual identity to the French Language & Usage StackExchange, one of the proposals is to base the design on vintage posters such as this one:
But I am afraid that ...
6
votes
3answers
247 views
How should I add a realistic shadow to this?
I'm working on a mockup of a jQuery slider which can be found here.
Now, I'm not the best graphic designer by any stretch of the imagination, and I can't seem to be able to get a realistic looking ...
6
votes
1answer
86 views
Is there a resource that documents all mobile device screen resolutions in one location?
I could not find a complete guide of this nor did I know who to contact about possibly making a wiki here for it (if it exists or not allowed please remove). I cannot nor want to remember everything ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
What should I do regarding color profile when designing for the web?
I have read this article by Doug Avery where he explains how to disable Color Management in Adobe Photoshop and the follow-up article in response to the uproar of the commenters arguing against it and ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
How to select colours that match each other?
Looking at the colours in this logo, it is clear that the colours match each other.
How is an orange and purple found that matches the same colour scheme?
I suppose the colour in the 'R' is yellow?
...
5
votes
5answers
271 views
How can I show a database graphically?
I would like to provide a non-technical, intuitive visualization of my database for people who are familiar with the underlying data, but not database design. The figure will be included in a journal ...
5
votes
3answers
360 views
Repeat client is suddenly demanding intellectual property rights!
A fairly sizable client whom I've done a few jobs for over the past several years has recently contacted me for a new job. We have never had a contract for any of the work I've done for them (I'm a ...
5
votes
3answers
184 views
What are great examples of the influence that design has?
There is a quote that "bad design never killed anyone," but I know that what we do is less trivial than that.
What designs have you seen cause real change or have a real influence?
Specific context ...
5
votes
3answers
118 views
How can I overcome the impulse to continuously critique (and possibly rework) my designs?
I have been designing for almost 5 years now. I have noticed something very strange in my development lifespan. My appreciation for my works decreases substantially over time. Especially in my UX ...
5
votes
1answer
108 views
How to beautifully incorporate tables in texts/documents
From time to time I have to write a small report and usually I end up having to present data in a table. Everytime I end up thinking that a table is an ugly looking rectangular box I wish I could ...
5
votes
1answer
63 views
What design and art concepts were art students/professionals discussing in the 70s?
I'm wondering: If you were [conditional, I'm not asking for people who were actually there] an art (or printing, or advertisement, I'm not sure what the title would have been back then) student or ...
4
votes
5answers
460 views
How can I get more efficient at designing tables for web in Photoshop?
It takes me too much time (IMO) to design tables in Photoshop. I need to move rows, columns and stuff easily. I'd like to be able to get through this faster.
I've tried InDesign and Illustrator and ...
4
votes
2answers
228 views
Branding a company that has no public identity
Ok, that title might seem a little strange, but I will try to explain. And I will say, I do know this is more of a discussion type question, and not a technical question. Hopefully I wont get ...
4
votes
3answers
214 views
Is there a font face in which all glyphs are identical?
As strange as it seems, I am looking for a font in which all characters look exactly the same.
The goal is to obfuscate the text of passwords generated on http://enlargeyourpassword.com to the casual ...
4
votes
5answers
178 views
Why is there so much emphasis on the text of a logo and not the catchyness of the logo itself?
Ok, so I have been looking at a lot of logos recently, all done by graphic designers. And in the majority of them, the only thing they have is a name or some "basic" text. I thought the idea behind a ...
4
votes
2answers
149 views
Which is a better design pricing model?
I'm curious which pricing model other feel best fits freelance design, in what situations, and why.
I am not seeking dollar values.
There are a few basic pricing models a freelancer can use:
...
4
votes
3answers
160 views
Practices for making visual ideas into real designs
As far as I can see, creating graphic design goes through two main steps.
Coming with up an idea.
Turning the idea into a real design.
I find that I am stuck in the first step.
I am new to ...
4
votes
1answer
90 views
What should I consider when purchasing a new laptop and accessories for design?
I've been thinking about getting a laptop that is somehow 'optimized' or focused in design. I know it will never compare to a desktop, but I usually find myself having to work while travelling and ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
Is pixelmator a viable alternative for photoshop?
I've always been a photoshop user, i know the ins and outs and know my way around all the tools i need for my webdesign work. But now i'm faced with a dilemma, for my new job i haven't got the budget ...
4
votes
1answer
54 views
Suggestion for a book on graphic trends and their evolution
I have been researching about graphic design trends and its evolution. Can someone please suggest a particular book or website about this subject?
4
votes
1answer
57 views
How can graphic design help improve internal communications?
From a personal point of view, I'm convinced you have to enjoy going to the place you work in. Improving your day to day experience feels revolutionary enough for me.
I also think design and ...
4
votes
1answer
93 views
What does “PDF-compatible glyph names” mean?
In Fontographer 5, when I want to generate font files, it asks me do I want to "Keep glyph names as they are" or make glyph names "PDF-compatible".
What does the "PDF-compatible glyph name" mean ...
4
votes
3answers
75 views
Transitioning Between Background Colors
One problem that frequently stumps me while working on sites is how to transition between two differing background colors elegantly. For instance, the top portion of a site I'm working on has a gray ...
3
votes
6answers
604 views
Improved splash screen design
The splash screen at the moment for my application is far from catching, but I'm no graphic designer and apart from the fact it looks bland and boring, I can't really work out what I need to do in ...
3
votes
5answers
334 views
How do I create a button with two shadows in the bottom?
I am not much of a designer. I want to know how I can create Wix like buttons in Photoshop.
They offer many kinds of buttons, but I want the one with a shadow on both sides of its bottom. Any help ...
3
votes
4answers
215 views
How can I convey complexity of source code without showing code?
I just created a big web application, and I need a way to present it. I want to allow people to visualize the amount and complexity of code I coded ("wow this is a giant bunch of code" and "wow this ...
3
votes
3answers
277 views
Is there any learning service like Pluralsight but for design?
"Meet Pluralsight. We are a group of serious developers. We are also committed to creating the best training available. This mix of training for developers, by developers is what rings true to our ...
3
votes
3answers
192 views
What to avoid when using negative shapes / text for logos expected to be placed on a glass door
I'm not a designer (as is probably obvious from the vague question), but I'm being asked to design the signage that will go on the front of our offices. Our logo is deliberately simple, blocky white ...
3
votes
6answers
253 views
What computer hardware matters to a graphic designer?
I've had my MacBook Pro since 2007 and I'm starting to think about what the next system might look like. I'm not made of money, but if upgrading a component helps to make me a more efficient worker ...
3
votes
1answer
68 views
How can I use design to teach history to 8th graders?
I want to use graphic design and website design to teach history to 8th graders, so kids can express what they have learned about history and use their knowledge to teach others. I also want to use ...
3
votes
1answer
114 views
Keep minium distance of 1px when resizing logo
I am currently doing some work for one of my sites, for which among other things I am designing a logo. The logo partly consists of a few squares, which are aligned directly next to each other and ...
3
votes
2answers
244 views
Who is in charge of creating fake logos and products for movies/games, and what are good examples of them?
Who is responsible for creating such products? Are they usually done by the props team? Or are there companies that specialise in them?
Here are a couple of examples. It's usually easier to find ...
3
votes
1answer
149 views
Creating a font for a new language
Suppose somebody develops a new language, with totally new characters.
And a font for the same has to be created.
How does one do that?
3
votes
2answers
381 views
Indesign and syntax highlighting
I have a poster which I have made, it is basically lots of java code and looks like a wall of text.
I want to add syntax highlighting to this so that the code is more readable. I know that I can ...
3
votes
0answers
57 views
Completing or offering a dying art form
I ask these questions to know what some would do when faced with an art form you have experience with but it is being replaced by better technology. I shall use two examples:
Bending neon is a great ...
2
votes
2answers
324 views
How to not make my website have a “1990's” look
I recently launched a comics website, www.hittingtreeswithsticks.com, which I created from scratch. I created my own design because I wanted to keep it unique, and used no templates.
Unfortunately, ...
2
votes
2answers
266 views
Common mistakes that we make while designing for web & how to avoid them
What are some common mistakes to avoid while designing? I know color, text and images play a major part in designing, but there are so many other things that we need to take care of! I don't know ...
2
votes
4answers
511 views
What is the GUI style called that is commonly used in sci-fi media?
What do you call the style, trend or design commonly used by bodies mentioned in the title? I always see these designs in sci-fi movies and dashboards used by FBI or CIA. Do you know any toolkit using ...
2
votes
3answers
396 views
How do I combine bold, italic and regular versions of a typeface so they are grouped together in application font selection menus?
In Fontographer 5, I have made more versions of the same typeface (regular, italic and bold), but they are separate files.
How can I make them be one unified file and that when writing in a program ...
2
votes
3answers
18k views
Is there a standard size(width) for email newsletter design or something like a christmas e-card?
I have to design this e-mail newsletters.
Some with just simple holiday cards and some more complex with offers and other stuff(images, text content etc. etc...)
I am wondering if there is a safe ...
2
votes
2answers
102 views
What are some basic guidelines to make a website look nice?
I'm building a website for a client. I look at it and it just doesn't look cool. It gets the job done, which all of the websites I've built get the job done. But I don't think I've ever built anything ...
2
votes
2answers
79 views
What type of information should a logo display, or what makes a great logo?
For example, for a tech company, should one be able to look at a logo and immediately see 'tech company', or whatever niche that company may provide\service? Also, is the color scheme important as ...
2
votes
1answer
112 views
Grunge effect for vinyl
As the title says what is the best way to take an existing sans serif font, such as Helvetica, and add a grunge effect to the text for die cut vinyl? I know it can be done manually but that tends to ...
