The Idea vs The Execution

Good ideas never seem to be in short supply. Granted, bad ideas are every bit as prevalent – however, almost anyone can hit on a good idea of some sort in their professional lifetime. Great ideas are rare. Great ideas can change fortunes, alter futures and make history. The execution of ideas, whether it be in business or in life, is also key to success. Having a reputation of excellent execution can make careers and build businesses. In marketing and advertising, both are integral to a complete and effective campaign. They each require large amounts of attention and commitment to detail and often one is overlooked for want of the other. So, for arguments sake, we shall pit them head to head in a which-is-more-important battle-royale! – See more at: Learned Marketing

5 Minute History of Type

A paper-letter animation about the history of fonts and typography. 291 Paper Letters. 2,454 Photographs. 140 hours of work. Created by Ben Barrett-Forrest

Jessica Hische – From Berlin With Love

In a recent two-day Gestalten workshop, participants worked closely with Jessica Hische (a letterer, illustrator, and crazy cat lady known for her silly side projects and occasional foul mouth, as she jokingly describes herself) to develop a full vector alphabet and learn about drawing type in a short amount of time. Hische has been named a Forbes Magazine “30 under 30” in art and design as well as an ADC Young Gun and one of Print Magazine’s “New Visual Artists”. Gestalten.tv took the chance of a very brief break during the workshop to let Jessica talk us through some of the pros and cons of the letters B/E/R/L/I/N.

Saul Bass Google Doodle

The Google homepage today features a cartoon homage to a range of famous films, including “Spartacus,” “West Side Story,” “Man With the Golden Arm,” and the immortal Hitchcock thriller “Vertigo.” What do all those movies have in common? They all feature the work of the pioneering designer and artist Saul Bass, who did for the opening credit montage what Rodin (another recent Google doodle honoree) did for sculpture.

For more information on Saul Bass check out

http://www.aiga.org/medalist-saulbass/

FREE BRANDING STANDARDS: TEMPLATE

Ever wonder what to include in a brand? Download this free template and use it with your personal brand or freelance clients.

http://timothycd.com/branding-standards-template/

Branding…

When you are working with a client on branding their new business, what questions would you ask them?

Listen to Petrula.

‘Eye Rolling is not a Design Skill’

It’s not that there is a dearth of designer advice out there, it’s that most of it is – and there’s no nice way of putting this – touchy-feely rubbish.Which is why we were so pleased to come across the thorough notes that Luke Wroblewski, co-founder and CEO of Input Factory, took earlier this month at “An Event Apart” in Seattle. In particular, his notes from designer Mike Monteiro’s clever, no-nonsense talk, “What Clients Don’t Know (and Why It’s Your Fault).”

What really got us: In just a few words, Monteiro tears down many of the woe-is-me gripes designers have about their clients by demonstrating that most are rooted in our own feelings of inadequacy, and the expectation that everyone should be as well versed in design as ourselves. Below are some brilliant quotes from that talk:

• “Don’t make people feel small because you know more than them. We hate this when we encounter it in the service industry. Design is a service industry.”

• “You can’t put the onus of doing your job on the person who hired you to do it. Especially when they are paying you.”

• “[Request for proposals] use checkboxes instead of relationships to determine which firms to hire. This isn’t a great process but clients do it because hiring designers is hard and confusing. An RFP is a client’s attempt to add structure and manage a process they don’t understand.”

• “But they never ask me! If you insist on acting like a disenfranchised creative, that’s how you will be treated. Go to meetings and add value. Stop waiting for an invitation to do your job. Assert yourself. Make a case for how your contribution will help make a great product.”

And our absolute favorite: “Eye rolling is not a design skill.” Bravo.

Tickets are now available for the 100 Show Gala!

Celebrate design at the AIGA 100 Show Design Gala & Benefit

The Salt Lake City chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design, is pleased to announce the 2013 AIGA 100 Show Gala & Benefit. The 100 Show, this region’s most prestigious juried competition, honors and showcases the year’s best design, advertising and digital media.

Of the 100 pieces selected, only 10 are awarded the coveted Copper Ingot, one of the most sought-after communication awards in the Intermountain West. Three Student Copper Ingot awards will also be given for the exemplary work created in the student category.

While supporting fellow designers, help support the Salt Lake Chapter of AIGA by participating in our silent auction. Work from professional artists, both locally and nationally, in the form of paintings, mixed media, photography, digital art, sculpture, jewelry and much more will be a part of the silent auction. If you would like to submit any items for the silent auction, email kassie@saltlakecity.aiga.org.

Purchase your tickets now to celebrate and support the design profession!

Tickets Prices:

$30 :: AIGA Student Members
$35 :: AIGA Members
$45 :: General Public
($10 Extra at the Door)

No charge for AIGA Trustees and Design Leaders

Buy your Tickets here!

https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=61931&

Advanced Type and Layout Poster Inspiration

3 color – including metallic Silver