Neenah - Eco Paper Calculator

"The Neenah Green Initiative is our commitment to earth and sky and future generations. Green means making it easier and simpler to do the right thing for the environmnet. Whether you need letterhead or an entire identity collection, our fresh, trendsetting papers breathe life into your communications.
So go ahead - order some paper. And do a favor for mother earth."

Casa do Poster - Miguel Luis Betti

"When I started to look for old magazines I was surprised how these magazines and posters were interesting and pretty. The idea to transform this into a business was automatic."
Take a look at these great posters from 1950s and 60s.

WEBBY Profile: 2007 Winner We Make Money Not Art

2007 "Best Blog - Cultural/Personal" Webby winner we make money not art is great example of the power of the blog to reach a specific audience and develop a community around similar interests. Régine Debatty brings her experience as a reporter, documentary film maker and art curator to bear on the site to write about the intersection of art and technology. A distinct creative perspective comes through loud and clear in the photos, design and text, illustrating that what sets award-winning blogs apart is a definitive goal and identity.

Design-Engine - Japanese cell phone design

" The main makers of cell phones in the world are Nokia, Motorola and Samsung. However, the situation in Japan is quite different from other cultures or countries. Most cell phones used in Japan are made by domestic companies such as Sharp and NEC. Since the companies have been making their cell phones only for Japan, they have been uniquely developed in functions and designs beyond what is seen in the United States." Take a look...

A Writing Primer for Designers - HOW Design

by Juliet D'Ambrosio - Juliet uses her writing and editing background to direct creative projects for Delta Air Lines, the International Olympic Committee and Kodak. She's also a regular contributor to HOW and Editorial Director for Iconologic.

"It's a strange paradox: So many designers whose work speaks so fluently in images flee in terror when called upon to communicate with the written word. After all, designers are nothing if not communicators, and communication is most fully realized when image and word unite.

It's time to conquer that fear. One look through any recent annual's credits will confirm that, in this era of shrinking budgets, designers are more frequently called upon to serve double duty—writing everything from taglines to full-blown annual reports. For those who tackle the challenge, it can be highly rewarding, enriching the creative experience and extending the boundaries of expression.

And all it takes is practice. Here a few tried-and-true verbal brainstorming techniques designed to help you find the right words for your next project.

Begin with the words. While it may feel more natural to begin the process by sketching images, starting with the words will help you quickly zero in on the concept—and inspire images in line with the language.

Get to know the territory. Pore over the annuals—they're rich with examples of excellent writing. Read and absorb the winning entries. Take note of the techniques used by those you admire, and get a feel for how the format you're working in—ad, brochure, Web site, whatever—sounds and feels.

Find the key(s). Creative briefs abound with keywords that serve as guideposts to the brainstorming process. Identify and compile a list of those words that evoke an emotion, that seem particularly important to the client or that speak to you.

Create a Mind Map. Take every word on your list and free-associate. What other words does that one bring to mind? What images does it inspire? Are there connections between them? It's also a good idea to get comfortable with a dictionary and thesaurus. Many words have nuances in meaning or unexpected synonyms that can provide fertile ground for ideas.

Get it all out. When it's time to actually sit down and write, it's often best to just let yourself go creatively. Allow yourself to write thoughts as they come, without stopping to second-guess or edit. Don't even use full sentences. It's surprising what can come from these stream-of-consciousness ramblings.

Organize and edit. This is the hard part—sifting through what your subconscious produced in the previous step and whipping it into shape. For long copy, identify one main point or theme and make every sentence support it, ensuring that every thought logically leads your reader to the next. For short copy like headlines, select your top five and refine. Request feedback from someone you trust, and keep an open mind.

Simplify. Be merciless with your red pen. The fewer words, the better."

January 21, 2008

Super Bowl XLII Ad Showdown

Pick your favorite commercials and then vote for the overall winner.

The Art of Photography Show

The Art of Photography Show 2008 is a world-class international exhibition featuring all forms of photographic art -- images shot on film, shot digitally, unaltered shots, alternative process, mixed media, digital manipulations, montages, etc. The Art of Photography Show will be exhibited at the two-level Lyceum Theatre Gallery, a perfect venue for exhibiting a large showcase of awesome photographic art.

The online entry process is very easy, simply filling out a short registration form and then uploading your digital files. Entry deadline is March 1st at 11:59 pm (California Time).

Entry Fee: $25 for the first entry, $10 for each additional entry. There is no limit to the number of entries an artist may enter. Artists who entered work in any previous Art of Photography Show or the Art of Digital Show will receive a $15 discount towards the Art of Photography Show 2008.

Calendar:
March 1, 2008: Deadline for submission of Entries, Registration Form and Entry Fee
March 16, 2008: Announcement of accepted entries
April 11, 2008: Deadline for receipt of framed prints
April 25, 2008: Show opens with the Opening Reception Gala
May 23, 2008: Last day of the Show