designer's inspiration

You're A Designer... Not A Decorator! (CMYK)

2006-02-12T13:31:00.000-08:00

Ever since the advent of the Apple Macintosh Computer in 1984, people from all walks of life have learned to desktop publish. Software programs have gotten easier to use and prices have become much more reasonable for the average consumer. Whether it’s a PC or a MAC, few households live without a computer. More and more people have gained access to the Internet and email recipient lists now far exceed the number of people written into address books. Yes, we are a computer generation. The result is that we’ve seen a tremendous growth in the number of people who are aware of the graphic design industry and students are now applying, in record numbers, to design programs all across the world.

The task at the fingertips of every graphic design student and professional still remains very much the same as it did before the computer became a common tool. We are in the business of graphic design because we are problem solvers that use creative means to achieve visual messaging. We are not in the business to make things look pretty. The goal of the designer is to achieve as much as possible by using as little as possible. Can you be effective in telling a story in 2-color versus 4-color? Can you achieve it in 4 pages or must it take 8? The answers to these and other key questions depend on the goal of each individual project.

Have you ever looked at a page of advertisements only to move right along because nothing caught your eye? Was there too much going on to be able to focus on any one thing? Think for a moment about a layout where you’ve noticed that less really is more…where a precise placement of elements can make the difference between you being interested enough to stop and read and versus you turning the page.

I often hear the terms desktop publishing and graphic design incorrectly interchanged. People can easily produce printed materials with little know how but that doesn’t mean it is good design. Anyone can decorate a page but the real art of being a successful designer is the ability to use the page, manipulate the page and transform the page into a creative design solution.

With each new project and client, you will likely want to explore creative options, experiment with materials and push the limits of your design comfort zone. What you don’t want to do is create clutter. The more you add to a page, the more you run the risk of distracting the viewer from “getting it”. One common mistake I see in young designers is that they often feel the need to put something wherever there is white space. One word of advise is, DON’T! Don’t make elements big just for the sake of them being big. It is much more effective to use the energy of the page to direct the eye and add a visual hierarchy to the information being presented. If you can’t speak about why a particular design element is being used then don’t use it.

Everything on the page should have relevance and should ultimately help to tell a story or send a message more clearly. Provide smart solutions with clear messaging by being a designer…not a decorator!

Mich Gunderman
Books Institute of Photography

a finger and some dirt

2005-09-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

How about a finger and some dirt as new instruments of art? Innovative indeed.
The skill is great. I bet it was done in timely manner too.

Star Dust

2005-07-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

look. so disco. great website.

JONAH

2005-05-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

Another great cartoon, done by the design group ODS is Jonah. Great Biblical theme and amazing soundtrack makes this cartoon very exciting. I can bet that if kids were tough Bible stories from the cartons like that it would never be dreading to go to Sunday schools. Beh-beh-beh... watch the cartoon...)))

Russian Souvenirs.

2005-05-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

One of my first posts was about Russian Matryoshka, one of the most popular souvenirs from Russia. Here's a sweet flashed website about all kinds of Russian souvenirs. Their products are great, located in the most "artistic" city of the world St. Petersburg, and even the website is sweet

Can it get any simpler????

2005-05-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

I found the simplest website. I think I could even say the simplest may be in the whole world. You won't understand the contest it's in Russian. But there are not links there or anything the only link there is it's "e-mail us". The picture that is displayed here is the 2/3 of the main page of the website. That's it. There is no more to it. It made me laugh it's an advertising agency that does anything from any type of design to promotion campaigns. It almost seems ridiculous. But it did get my attention... very creative.

Personal websites

2005-04-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy nicely done flashed personal official websites of singers, bands, artists etc. I would say that's my favorite kind of websites, where I go for entertainment. Here's one that really impressed me. The style and simplicity, yet completeness of the website spoke to me, even though I'm not that big fan of the actual singer. Her name is Kristina Orbakaite; she is a quite big pop singer in Russia. I should give her credit for the stage performance and dance. She has a dance background so her choreography is always excellent.

ODS group

2005-04-28T16:49:00.000-07:00

I can't not mention anything about ODS group -- a great design group located in Ukraine that does Animation , Logos and Corporate Identities Design , Graphic Design, Print Graphics , Illustration Services , Web Design , Flash Games/Presentations, Web Programming , Software Development . One of the funny sections is collages. The website has an English/Russian html/flash versions.

Flash cartoon

2005-04-26T16:09:00.000-07:00

Very cure Russian flash carton about a little worm who is trying to escape all this bad things that are about to happen to him… But no one can run away from destiny…lol
It’s called “Misery Loves Company or If Anything Can Go Wrong It Will”

Antikiller

2005-04-25T15:25:00.000-07:00

Came across this sweet graphics for credits for a Russian movie through a blog. What made me actually go to the website was the content of the post: "Don't go here. You won't find anything valuable." However, the author of the blog posted it anyways, despite the lack of value. The contradiction made me laugh.

Flash-animated cartoon

2005-04-22T13:37:00.000-07:00

Antimult studio started its existence in April of 2003 when the first cartoon was born on www.antimult.ru . Now Antimuld produces quality flash-animated cartoons with very original, risky, sarcastic story lines. They definitely dont chose anything neutral and safe for their films. Somewhat sketchy This film is called Smoking Kills.
Click here for viewing.

2005-04-20T12:14:00.000-07:00

"Tozhe ludi" (from Rus: people too) is a creative group that does illustrations, logos, packaging. To show what it is exactly what they do Tozhe ludi presented their spring novelty", Its a billboard and memory cards that in the near future will appear in cafes of the city of Moscow. Great way of promoting.

Flash commercial

2005-04-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

Here is a Russian commercial that was done in Flash. I find it very cute. The product is paint and different designs for eastern eggs.
For viewing click here

Klimov design

2005-04-18T20:02:00.000-07:00

Ilya Klimov ("Klimov Design" studio) is a dynamic, modern, fresh, simplistic, but VERY detailed designer. I love how much attention he pays to the details, something importance of which I’ve been learning lately in my design experience. And the funny part is that simpler design is more attention details require. The studio’s specialties are so wide but in each area they are great. They do anything from logoes, layouts for magazines and papers to branding, advertising work, packaging and advertising photography. Of course, creative works was my favorite. Great inspiration for designers.

hand painted russian movie posters

2005-04-17T17:53:00.000-07:00

When you come across heralds of currently showing foreign films
at cinemas around the country that were painstakingly hand-painted - the effect is quite stunning. While these posters are reappraised as art, not everyone thinks the painters are true artists. Nowadays if you are using a hand-painted
poster the public will think it's a cheap movie. That's why in recent years those marquees are increasingly a dying art. Artists who specialize in painting movie posters are finding it increasingly difficult to find work. Distributors have left them behind for slick digitally designed ones. A hand-painted canvas movie banner today costs between $60 and $80 and can be used outside three or four theaters
before the elements take their toll. A computer-designed banner printed on plastic costs up to $200, but can travel to over 20 theaters before it fades.
Here're the pictures of the posters for Men in Black2, 50 First Dates, Kill Bill, Troy, Terminator 3, Taxi 3, Bad Boys 2, SpyKids, Freaky Friday )))
This is Matrix 3

Wooden art

2005-04-15T12:09:00.000-07:00

Here’s a website of a Russian… I guess he can be called artist in non traditional media. He makes everything out of wood. You won’t be able to understand it, but look at the pics… Wooden glasses frames, shoes, cell phone covers, and paper cases… amusing.

Power Flash -- try to compete!

2005-04-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen. Hasn’t it seemed to all of us that we are pretty good at making some sweet flash and then fancying it up? Let’s admit. To kill any kind of self pride, you’re invited to see this. You’ll realize: What you did is a joke, what uncle cmart does – power. Straight from Moscow.

Lullaby

2005-04-02T08:51:00.000-08:00

I love this little Flash Cartoon "Lullaby", done by Inna Volossov. Light, not annoying

What does advertising smell like?

2005-03-24T07:28:00.000-08:00

I came across this banner on a Russian website. For all of you who don’t know Russian, it says “What does advertising smell like?” For esthetic purposes I haven’t displayed it here… Somewhat gross… I find it funny though. To view the banner click here.

Kiwi refregerator... How about that!

2005-03-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

I've talked about Ilnur mansurov and his art, especially car airbrushing, in my previous posts. Today I'm presenting to you a great peace of art. Refrigerator!!! It is definitely a very unique choice. How much fun

2005-03-22T06:20:00.000-08:00

There is no enough of winter in the city of Moscow for a Russian artist Vyacheslav Polunin, who every winter presents a "Snow Show" on the Arbat Street, Moscow. Created from artificial snow, thousands of snowmen take over the city.

CowParade

2005-03-21T17:00:00.000-08:00

In 1998 artists of Zurich decorated and led cows to their first parade. The experience had such a great success that it was necessary to repeat it. For the last 7 years the CowParade has shaken the imagination of public in 24 different cities, including London, New-York, Tokyo, Stockholm, Vienna and Prague. This year the even will take place in Moscow.
All the artists and designers are welcome to decorate a cow. The cows to be painted are life-sized, plastic and white.
Painted cows will be located on the streets of Moscow in August - October of 2005. The winners will be sent to the Sotheby's auction. All the money will go to charity.
Here's the official international CowParade site.

Searching...

2005-03-18T12:29:00.000-08:00

Searching Ru-net (Russian net) for new recourses I came across a great website www.dirty.ru. (all in Russian) Superior design works perfectly for even greater content. I'm not sure I am able to exactly explain the content, because it's just an intelligent and fascinating hang-out place for Russian public. The website is full of remarkable articles and amusing website links not only from Ru-net.
Here's some of the links that could be used by not Russian community:
Geography games. I had fun with this one.
Their circular life. A GREAT website about... life... Turns on your sound and relax.
Fleacircus. Pay attention, because at first it seems that nothing is going on It's a fun place.
Dave Nitsche and Splut Photo. Conceptual Art Photography. Two very neat places... I highly recommend...

Jacek Yerka. A genius painter from Poland. No comments, just emotions...

Real Estate Company Website

2005-03-16T09:06:00.000-08:00

This is a website of a Russian real estate company. I admire the uniqueness and originality of the website. No flash, nothing fancy but how catchy and distinctive. Here's the English version of the website for your viewing.

St. Petersburg's back yards -- Photography

2005-03-09T13:28:00.000-08:00

Few cities can offer so many stunning attractions and intriguing moods as St. Petersburg - City of the Tsars. Created by Peter the Great in 1 703 to be his "window on Europe", St Petersburg combines its fascinating Russian heritage with a distinctly European outlook. Considered the cultural center of Russia, it has more than 140 museums. I might tell about some of them later.
There are so many very fascinating little facts that can be told about St. Petersburg. Like for example that it's built on mainland and 44 islands. Here you can find the history of the city. That's the city that has captured my heart. That's the most beautiful, amazing and loved by me city. Here you will see many gorgeous views of St. Petersburg. It's astonishing.
However, that's not what I'm going to present today...
I found some pictures of the "back yards" of St. Petersburg. No one likes to display their back yard. However I think it is still beautiful. The photographer is Oleg Kuvaev, creator of a very popular Russian Flash cartoon Masyanya, that is going to be talked about here in a near future. Enjoy!

Some flash... not professional, but a lot of fun!!!

2005-03-07T13:31:00.000-08:00

The soloist of a famous Russian band "Spleen", Alexander Vasiliev, is not only a great musician. Turns out he is an artist too. It's his song named "Handball" and a flash cartoon that Alexander made himself. You won't understand the words of the song unless you speak Russian, but you will be fine as long as you enjoy the music and video.
Click here for viewing

Airbrushing - Russian Style 2

2005-03-05T11:57:00.000-08:00

Here's another work of Ilnur Mansurov. After I published the previous post someone asked me how much could it cost. I wrote Ilnur a letter and he sent me the prices. Here's a short price summary:
Sketching and research: $500
The whole car airbrushed (including bumpers, roof, handles): $8000-12000
One side of a car: $2000-4000
Hood only: $ 1500

Airbrushing -- Russian Style

2005-03-02T21:47:00.001-08:00

Ilnur Mansurov has been professionally airbrushing for 15 years. He started doing cars about 8 years ago. Ilnur says that his desire is to combine the color and design with the cars style. He tries to create on each car some "intelligent uniqueness"
I think the guy is amazing. I will be posting some of his works.
Today's is called "Sharks' milieu."

Advertising

2005-03-01T19:10:00.000-08:00

http://eng.artstyle.ru/
Searching net for new design ides a couple of days ago, I came across a number of sites created by Russian Advertising and Marketing company called ArtStyle Group. The spectrum of their services is extremely wide: marketing research, brand development, advertising campaigns, development and production of advertising carriers of any kind, PR actions organization and conducting and everything that it involves. The company works with a large number of different industries. Its amazing how the websites that they create reflect the specifics of the particular industry, how different they are.
Here’re just some examples of their websites. Some of them have English versions, others don’t, but graphics don’t need translations…))) It’s a universal language.

- Gosti iz buduschego (Visitors from the Future), musical band (Entertainment Industry and internet companies)
- Hotel “Russija” (travel industry)
- Comandor, business aviation company (travel industry)
- Dalmond, a big trading company (trade and production)
- Chupa-Chups ©, Russian version (trade and production)
- MuzTV (mass media)
- European Center for Modern Languages (Education)

Russian Souvenirs.

2005-03-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

Russian Samovar

2005-02-28T09:39:00.000-08:00

The dictionary defines samovar as “a metal urn with a spigot, used to boil water for tea and traditionally having a chimney and heated by coals.” But for a Russian person samovar it’s so much more. Because of strong tradition of tea-drinking, samovar has traditionally been a symbol of hearth, coziness, comfort and prosperity. Being a remarkable decoration of Russian homes, samovar became very fast one of the most distinctive forms of decorative art.

Samovars are made in many different ways: plain, painted, in shapes of animals and many others. You can find a lot of painting and photography(I love this photograph) of samovar by many Russian artists. There are hotels and restaurants, bakeries, even an Internet Consulting Agency, a Collection of Online Theological Books, and an Award Page(not sure for what achievements) called “Samovar”. Truly an art form!!! ))

Should a designer be able to draw? Russian point of view

2005-02-27T21:00:00.000-08:00

Knowing me someone could say: “Obviously, you think that should. Since you can draw, you think everyone should.”

Well, not exactly. A designer doesn’t need to be able to do anything, but to be a good designer.
The only thing is that design is a very highly tailored thing and for majority of designers to be “only a designer” is not enough.
In big companies, where're many people and a lot of work, it is possible for one to design only. A designer doesn’t have to be able to draw - they have illustrators, as well as coders and programmers, and they know how to do their job faster and better.

Unfortunately, “just a designer”, if he is not doing anything else besides designing, seldom is satisfied with his job. A good designer doesn’t have to be able to draw, but he should be a creative person who studies works of others, trends, styles, different useful things about colors, fonts, and has plenty of ideas. A person like that usually grows out of “just design” and wants something more serious, interesting and many-sided.
However, even in this case a designer doesn’t have to become an illustrator. He might become an art-director; get interested in ad graphics, advertising, flash, computer languages, 3D, audio, video, etc. and be very successful.
Than why does a design major requires drawing??? Because there is a level of ability to draw that everyone on the planet sooner or later can learn. Obviously, best part of quality educational institutions think it’s never bad idea for a designer to learn elementary drawing skills. That is why majority of people that have a design degree can draw. At least, these people never ask themselves if a designer should be able to draw.

Design by Vladimir Shestopalov

2005-02-24T18:30:00.000-08:00

Here’s a really cool Russian designer Vladimir Shestopalov. He is from Moscow, Russia.

It’s an English version of the website. Check it out

PS I played with his introductory page like for 10 minutes before I looked at the rest of the content.

Russian Matryoshka... Russian???

2005-02-23T17:00:00.000-08:00

Throughout its time history that can be traced back to the times of Kievska Rus’, Russia intersected with numerous nations and cultures and lived under different regimes. While preserving its uniqueness, Russia adopted some elements that greatly enriched and shaped the culture. Some commonly accepted world-known Russian components were adopted not long ago, while others, truly Russians, remain unknown. Every now and then I will reveal such secrets. Here’s one of them…

The well known Russian nested doll, named “Matryoshka” is the number one souvenir foreign individuals try to acquire when in Russia or hosting Russian visitors. Matryoshka is considered as “Russian” as you can get. However, the history reports that Matryoshka came around only in the 90s of the XIX century, when a woodturner Vasilii Zvyozdochkin made a doll copying the concept from a Buddhist monk figure brought from Japan.

Welcome!

2005-02-22T05:36:00.000-08:00

Hey!
Let's celebrate the birth of a new blog! You will see here everything that is considered artsy: life art, graphic design, photography, ads, etc. What's the catch?? It will be straight from Russia and some other post USSR countries.