DTG News and Else
DT&G: Vol. 14, Number 5, May, 2004 ~ The eZine for Design, Typography, & Graphics   (since 1990)  

May: Creative Beginnings Month

 

May: Creative Beginnings Month

This month's topic is "Creativity" ... Where do all those great ideas come from? Well, your fellow DTG readers have their own ideas about creativity, and we think you'll enjoy sharing the experience with them. Keep reading for all our "Creative" topics this month... then go out there and be creative your self!
      Of course you can see the winners in the Creative Networking Department

Feature: Creative Color & Texture

This month DTG interviews Jon C. Lund, the creative energy behind the Spring Travelsmith catalog series. You'll love the colors and Jon's methods of applying some creative textures. Then we'll visit Jon's studio and share some of his extraordinary illustrations in the style of the golden era of posters. Meet Master Illustrator: Jon C. Lund

The Delicate Art of (Web) Design Critique

How do you constructively critique someone's work without being taken the wrong way? How do you accept criticism without feeling hurt or angry? Here are just a few ideas, gathered from observations and comments from others. Special guest author Makiko Itoh shares her wisdom on the The Delicate Art of Web Design Critique

60 Second Window #167: Creative Jiuces

What do you do when you need an idea and you need it quick? Suffering from the creative doldrums? Grab these tips in just 60 seconds, and ... Get the Creative Juices Flowing

An American Idol Web Site Gone Bad?

The Web Design & Review team visited the web site of an up and coming young vocalist, but what they found was not what they expected. They had to ask: "What if Randy, Paula and Simon to this web site to evaluate an 'American Idol' contestant? What would they say?" This critique says "wonderful voice!" But to the designer they borrowed Donald Trump's famous phrase: "You're FIRED!" Follow along as WDR critiques the web site of... Thomasinamusic.com

Photography: "Water to quench your thirst"

Speaking of creativity: take a few peaceful moments and enjoy the etherial visions of freelance photographer Shin Terada from Yawata-City, Kyoto Japan -- We think you'll enjoy the experience. But please, take your time. Shin says: "A glass of water to quench your thirst..."

Software Solutions with Joyce Evans...

This month, noted author and frequent DTG contributor Joyce Evans puts her review pencil to software solutions for designers:
      First, she needed a quick and easy way to write proposals without crunching her busy schedule. Here are her comments on The Proposal Kit
      Next, Joyce found a super quick and easy way to produce Flash SWF animations with Wildform FX Pro ...

Web Site Critique: Black Hills Explorer Vacation Guide

Another Web site critique this month comes from Suzanne Fyhrie Parrott from OneWay Advertising and Design. Suzanne says "This site is already good..." then shares some tips and hints to make the site even better. Actually it's a good warm-up for next month's "Design Vacation" ... Mount Rushmore's Black Hills Explorer Vacation Guide

Feature Web Sites for Review:

This month, we have several sites specifically requesting help. Please look for those which request help! Take a few minutes won't you, and help out a fellow designer!
* http://www.graphic-design.com/Web/Reviews/org/index.html
* http://www.graphic-design.com/Web/Reviews/edu/index.html ...
Web Reviews

Mail Bag: Tips, and Cool Finds...

The "mail bag" has become one of the most anticipated features of the DTG monthly email newsletter -- so many people list this column as their favorite. So, let's see what's at the Design Center post office....

APOLOGY: Art vs. Not Art

Our sincere apologies go out to everyone who was offended by one of our links last month. There is a thin line between artistic nudes and what many might consider to be adult content. We delivered long and hard over whether or not to post that link; deciding it was art with some notable merit. Unfortunately a number of DTG readers didn't agree -- and told us so via email. We will be more careful in the future. While we do maintain an open door policy on artistic expression, we are also avidly against pornography on the web.

Mail: design for environmental concerns

Mary from Portland Oregon writes:
      Your site looks interesting. I am a struggling publicist and graphic designer (print only) and am looking to focus on doing work only for environmental concerns. Do you think this is a good way to approach working in this field?
      Mary, thanks for writing: yes, since the environmental arena is primarily nonprofit, I'm sure there are many opportunities to put your talents to work. You'll probably have to expect lower fees, and at times no fees for your work; but if you concentrate on high quality design, the high-pay clients will soon come knocking. If you work for free, or low fees, insist on creative freedom. Then design first for the reader, and then for the awards. Getting noticed in design awards programs will not only help spread your environmental message -- it will be seen by the art and creative directors who like to pay for quality! See: UN Volunteers and the Environment

Mail: Book Design in India

Venkatesh from Pondicherry, India writes:
      "Hello, I want to be a Books Designer -- having a 6 years of type setting and prepress experiance -- and having designed 2 weekly magazines in TamilNadu India. Can you share advice on becoming an internatonal designer.?"
      Venkatesh, it looks like you're already on your way. You'll need a web site to show your work, and some careful research on potential clients. I do not know what kinds of opportunities there are in your corner of India, so you may have to do some speculative work. Of your samples, you'll also need to produce a second version in English. Remember language barriers... and thanks for writing!

Happy Birthday P22

Congratulations, you made it!
      We received the announcement from our good friend and colleague Carima El-Behairy, CEO of P22 and applaud their passion to keep up with the rapid shifts in trends as well as for the demands for new technologies in the world of typography. P22's Richard Kegler says: "There's a lot of type history to draw on, so there's never really a case of 'What's left to do?' because there's so much that can still be done."
      Agreed! Keep up the great work! Bravo, P22 and happy 10th anniversary.

Mail: What is Customer Loyalty?

This should be of interest to all those in marketing, public relations and advertising design. Chris Clegg writes with this tip to new research about customer loyalty. A Portland Research Group study of 800 interviews of US consumers who contacted a company with a question or problem; says: consumers are much less likely to buy a company's products if they have a poor experience when calling that company for help. See: Interesting Report

Mail: "Good" Spyware...

RT DeMarco has written with this link to a potentially important new service for parents...
      James Doyle, President of Internet Crimes Inc., says: "...parents should take advantage of monitoring tools at home. The Internet is just like the real world. There are bad neighborhoods and good neighborhoods. Parents need to know what can happen and that bad people are coming into their homes."
      The link leads us to "WatchRight" where an application is available allowing parents to monitor the behavior of their children while on the Internet. Folks, internet crime is the fastest growing crime in America -- and children are the fastest growing victim pool! Parents should visit: Watchright.com

Bad Spyware: Are You At Risk?

Many of you know that I've been an avid supporter and activist in the computer user group community for the past 20 years. Recent member and non-member inquiries about spyware and adware has brought this issue to my attention. It has also gotten the attention of the Federal Trade Commission. Read their testimony given to the Senate Subcommittee last week...

Then read my three-page white paper titled: "Spyware? Are you at risk?"

The only good spammer is a canned spammer

Hoorah for the U.S. Federal government who have nabbed four people and two spam operations that have clogged the Internet with millions of deceptive messages and bogus weight-loss products.
      See: Spammers Get Canned

Anti-Spammer gets the Porche ???

Hey... you laughed earlier this year when we reported on AOL's sweepstakes to give away a $47,000 dollar Porsche Boxster S Cabriolet... well, on Friday Charles Chase, a 73 year old Veteran from Northern Virginia is now driving that Boxster! Just rewards for the spammer? You bet... the Porsche was formerly the property of the spammer, confiscated by AOL following their legal victory. (Applause!) Here's a picture, and here's the story in USA Today!

Pet Art in Photoshop

Sabrina Norton from Tennessee specializes in animal art, especially portraits of your best friends. She has 5 years of experience, and can do just about anything with a mouse when it comes to Photoshop! Visit the "pet" studios at http://www.petpictures.org The Photoshop 911 blog is rolling on. Here are just a few of the questions and problems fielded by ... Photoshop 911

Clip Art for Kids?

Dr. Mary Ann Bell writes:
      "I would like to ask for help updating my school/library web pages that use images, photographs, etc. created by students rather than purchased clipart or graphics from the Internet. If anyone knows of a collection of original student clip art, I would like to add it to my collection of links. I will post a link and... Thanks in advance for sharing! Get in touch at SHSU.edu

May Jumpstation

Several new areas have opened in the Jumpstation... there is an interesting collection of free (and usable) web site templates. (Created in Dreamweaver, unfortunately) And a very nice collection of full screen backgrounds done in Photoshop
      Since there hasn't been any new fonts loaded since January, all month long, the Publishers' Warehouse will be loading new fonts. And, since June is just around the corner -- and Designer Vacations -- the Publishers' Warehouse will be operating from the beach. Be careful, don't get sand in your mouse! So, for this month you'll want to use: slash beach slash

Getting Ready for June & "Design Vacation"

I wish to thank everyone for participating in this month's issue, the more creative input we get, the more benefits everyone will get out of it!
     During June and July, many people head out on vacation. However, many will 'take along' a little bit of the office or work to catch up on. So, in June our topic will be "DESIGN VACATION" where we'll all share ideas for
* Recommend books for designers on vacation?
* Recommend places for a "Design Vacation"
* Designers: how do you take care of clients when you're on vacation?
* Designers: Favorite "Vacation" designs you've done
* Well designed Vacation, travel or destination publications

So share your suggestions, and perhaps you'll win some of our great prizes!

Happy MAY, and ... don't forget Mother's day. Perhaps you should call her right now.

Thanks for reading... go forth and be creative

Fred Showker
Editor / Publisher, DT&G Magazine

Parting words: on the subject of CREATIVITY...

"What would life be ifwe had no courage
to attempt anything different?"
      Vincent Van Gogh

Participate in your Design Center

Lots of fun and information for all... don't forget, any community is only as good as the participation of its members. We invite your tips, tricks, comments, suggestions and camaraderie.
HOW TO ADVERTISE When you advertise, your small contribution to the Design Center helps us continue the mission... and get's you lots and lots of traffic and visitors to your web site!