Love of Books

I absolutely love books, and as I've said in a previous post, (What I've Learned), I enjoy binding them. In fact, book binding is something that I can actually see myself doing. It combines work with something I'm passionate about. There is one place in particular that looks like an appealing place to work: Anstey Book Binding in Toronto. They produce everything from books and cases, boxes, portfolios, menus and binders, to more specialized stuff like custom paperwork, letterpress, engraving and foil stamping. How amazing does that sound? Being able to create not only books, but works of art, would be extremely satisfying. I know that e-books save trees, space and money, but they simply do not compare to the experience of holding an actual book in your hands. Feeling the weight, the cover, even just the smell, creates an atmosphere that just can't be matched. It's a historic practice that I would love to take part in.

Microsoft Surface Commercial

Video posted by pixelplanet:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7UlE-o8DQQ

Microsoft has launched a new product, a tablet called Surface. It seems like all major electronic companies are developing their own tablets right now, but I think that Microsoft has marketed theirs very well. The commercial features a keyboard that can snap on and off, and a flip out back so you can stand the tablet up. It's clever advertising that can make such small features seem like revolutionary ideas. I think it would be fun to work in an advertising firm, brainstorming creative ways to market stuff, and I'm sure I could even do it well because I'm the kind of person who isn't easily swayed by sales gimmicks, so I would know how to sway tough customers. At the same time, it's hard to imagine myself using my design skills to persuade people to buy stuff that they don't need. Nevertheless, it's an avenue that I should continue to explore because it's such a big part of the design industry.

Clever Ads

Image taken from http://www.123inspiration.com/clever-ads-billboard/

Advertisements are everywhere. You can't escape them. Since there are so many, it's vital that yours be different and eye-catching. A recent ad campaign to promote science in Vancouver, by Science World Museum in collaboration with Rethink Canada, really entertained me. Each one features an interesting and funny fact. The yellow circles where the text is contained grabs the viewers attention, and the interesting facts hold them. I feel like this is a successful campaign because of its entertainment factor. It has a degree of comedy without being immature, crass or forced. Whenever I design something, I think about how I could make it stand out from its competitors. Designs like this inspire me and make me want to keep pushing myself so that one day I'll be able to create eye-catching work that inspires others.

Fold Factory

Images taken from  http://www.foldfactory.com/ideas.php

In the course of my research for various projects, I have stumbled upon another website that I have found helpful and a great resource. http://www.foldfactory.com/ideas.php has a section titled "ideas" where they have posted videos under various categories, with examples of different types of folds. It seems strange to dedicate an entire website to folds, but folding techniques are a major part of the print industry. Everything from greeting cards, brochures, maps and flyers, to folders, magazine inserts and information giveaways use folds. Creative folds can make a good design, a great one. They can be a means of grabbing attention and separating themselves from the competition.

Paper Art by Yulia Brodskaya

Image taken from touchey.com
Visit Yulia's Website: http://www.artyulia.com/

I recently stumbled across the work of Yulia Brodskaya, who creates beautiful works of art out of paper. She also illustrates, but there is something almost magical about her folded paper projects. This ability to take a simple inanimate object and turn it into something new is inspiring. I can't imagine ever being good enough at something like folding paper to get paid for it. I hope that one day I'll have the freedom to pursue my own passions, creating things that I love and make me happy, rather then just producing works for others so that I can get by.

Food Photography Tips

Images are the property of Caitlin McElroy

I recently finished a dessert photography project for a high-end Italian restaurant menu. I had never done food photography before, but was excited to try it. I spent a lot of time looking at photos to see if I could find some with an ambiance that I could replicate to match the tone of my restaurant, then spent more time looking up tips and watching how-to videos. A lot of the recommendations were very similar, so here's a link to a site that was helpful:

http://digital-photography-school.com/food-photography-an-introduction 

These are the tips that the author, Darren Rowse, gives:

1) Lighting: This is probably the most important tip. I took my photos next to a large, North-West facing window on a bright, but overcast day, and used white card stock as a simple reflector to eliminate harsh shadows.
2) Props: Even simple things like a sprig of mint or a sprinkling of cocoa or icing sugar can make all the difference.
3) Be Quick: This is especially true of foods that are likely to melt, wilt or sag. I found whipped cream especially temperamental.
4) Style It: This takes time and planning. Finding other photos to use as inspiration helped me a lot when I was planning how I wanted my food to look, and prepared me for my trip to the store for supplies.

5) Enhance It: Darren Rowse suggests using vegetable oil to make food glisten. My photography teacher has suggested glycerin as an alternative as well.
6) Get Down Low: Taking photos from a bird's eye view works for some foods, but is not how most things should be shot. Darren Rowse suggests shooting down close to plate level (or slightly above it).
7) Macro: I love macro photography, but unfortunately don't have the proper lens to do this. It can be a great way though to really zoom in on the texture and colour of the food that you're shooting.
8) Steam: This is another thing that I haven't tried, but understand the benefits of. Steam can create that 'just out of the oven' look that makes food look fresh and appetizing. In one of the how-to videos that I watched, the photographer blew cigar smoke into a turkey baster, then squeezed it out onto the food when he was ready to start taking pictures.

Persuading the Public

One of the jobs of a graphic designer is persuading the public to buy products, regardless of their value or use. It's a bit underhanded, but a necessary part of the business. There are two products on the market right now that have seen their share of design and marketing magic. Tide laundry pods are one of them. While the idea of a pod for laundry detergent is new, this is a concept that has been around for years, primarily for dish washers. It's a convenience product, nothing more. There is nothing new or revolutionary about it, and yet it is advertised as being quick, easy, versatile and glamorous. It's the same idea with the new Downy unstoppable laundry scent boosters, if not more so. At least the Tide Pods clean clothes, the Downy scent boosters are completely superfluous. They serve no actual purpose, and yet they are marketed as an attractive product. The commercials for both are lighthearted and entertaining, and regardless of the uselessness of the product, I'm able to see the appeal. I can even see myself buying them - for the right price. I don't like the idea of manipulating people into purchasing stuff, but at the same time, product design is a huge part of the industry, and without it, where would a lot of us be?

Images taken from http://www.tide.com/en-CA/product/tide-laundry-detergent-pacs.jspx and http://www.downy.com/en-CA/product-line/scent-booster.jspx

Louise Fili - An Inspiring Designer

The summer before I started in my graphic design program, I was given a project to complete that would be presented at the beginning of the semester. It involved researching designers that I admired. I took a special interest in female designers because they were a rarity in the industry when it was starting up. There was one in particular whose style I loved and work ethic I admired. Louise Fili. Her style is elegant and romantic. She uses a lot of scripts, intricate designs and muted colours.

I admire Louise Fili because she is one of those rare individuals who was able to combinework with pleasure. Her design company, Louise Fili Ltd, has allowed her to pursue her love of type, food and Italy. This gives me hope that maybe one day I'll find a way to earn a living off of my own interests.

Images taken from http://www.louisefili.com/