DesignerRoundTable

With some graphic design programs, users are able to trace over photos to create a project with unique effects and to turn those images into vector art. If the image used in the art closely resembles the original photo, there is the potential to run into copyright issues. However, if, for the project, the trace artwork is going to retain similarity to the original photo, using public domain images will help with copyright issues. For the most part, very old images (very must be stressed…how old is very old depends on the country you live in) and government-created images are in the public domain.

Continue reading "To Trace or Not to Trace?" »

Posted by Mitchelle at 02:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the best ways in which to increase the value of your applications and to expand your business opportunities is through personalization. The message delivered to current and future clients by your print materials carries greater impact when that message is personalized. Think of the direct mail pieces or business correspondence your organization has received. Which of these has gotten your attention? The letter addressed "Dear Sir/Madam" on black and white or the full color letter that is specifically addressed to you?

Continue reading "The Power of Personalization" »

Posted by Mitchelle at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Pantone Matching System (PMS) and 4-color process are 2 different systems for generating colors. They are both applied to printing as neither system can be rendered accurately on all the different available monitors. Each system generates colors a different way.

Continue reading "PMS vs. 4-Color Process" »

Posted by Mitchelle at 03:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Vector graphics –electronically coded graphic images so that they are represented in lines rather than fixed bit maps, allowing an image, as on a computer display screen, to be rotated or proportionally scaled.
Using vector graphics has many advantages. The most noticeable is that vector graphics allow you to stretch, shrink or adjust an image in any way, without distorting its display, both on screen and in print. In other words they are resolution independent. Bitmaps are another type of commonly used graphic that use pixels or little squares to make up images. They are mainly used for photographs.

Continue reading " Vector Graphics" »

Posted by Allison at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When a customer contacts a design agency to create a graphic, whether it is a logo or an ad, the question of copyright is often raised. Who holds the copyright to a logo created by a design agency for a client? As the creator of a work, the design agency and its employees will be the first owner of the copyright. Copyright can only be transferred or handed over if the transfer is signed by or on behalf of the assignor and in writing. This is covered under §90 of the 1988 Act.

Continue reading "Copyrights and Design Agencies" »

Posted by Mitchelle at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In today’s world, there are numerous channels to utilize in building your brand. Brand recognition is a key component to growing your business and earning your customers confidence and loyalty. Although interactive marketing has been a rising trend over the past decade, don’t underestimate the value of print advertising.

Continue reading "Strengthen Your Brand with Print Advertising" »

Posted by Allison at 05:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The very first lesson I ever learned in graphic design was not in college, but in my Junior High History class. We were studying political races and our teacher held up some yard signs that sported the names of local candidates running for office. He asked us to evaluate which ones we were more likely to notice while driving down the road. He explained to us that color combinations were key in this study. Not only that but where the signs were to be placed had to be considered. A person has only a few seconds to be able to read these messages, which are usually something simple but important like “VOTE for SMITH” so the designer has to really think about what is eye-catching and what is appropriate.

Continue reading "Choosing Appropriate Colors for Your Design" »

Posted by Allison at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

JPG, also known as JPEG, files are most commonly used for website graphics. These files work great for the Internet because they are tightly compressed to fit on a web page without taking up huge amounts of file space. Sure these files may look great on screen, but what looks good on the screen will usually not look as pretty as printed art (if the least bit pretty at all). If you have ever tried to print an image from the Internet, you know exactly what I am talking about. The reason that JPG files are not good to use for printed applications is that in most cases they are 72 dpi which is not a high enough resolution for a high quality print. In order to get the best print quality possible, all artwork (including JPG files) need to be at least 300 dpi.

Continue reading "What’s Wrong with Using JPG for Artwork?" »

Posted by Cherie at 05:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In our last post we discussed TIFF files and why you should use them when printing commercially. In this post we will be discussing EPS files. EPS stands for Encapsulated PostScript. The EPS file can contain a combination of text and illustration, and is the primary file format for storing vector art.

Vector graphics, discussed in a previous post, are those made through an illustration program, such as Adobe Illustrator, Freehand or Corel Draw. The vectors are lines and curves calculated by the program in real time. Because of this, vector graphics can be scaled up or down to any size. Saving this art as an EPS file ensures that the vector data can be edited in any vector art program. Refer to a previous post entitled Vector Graphics vs. Raster Graphics…There Is A Difference for more information on vector artwork.

Continue reading "What Is an EPS File?" »

Posted by Cherie at 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When using a commercial printing company, you will find that they prefer to receive your files in TIFF format. If you are new to printing and computer files, a TIFF stands for” Tagged Image File Format. It is one of the most popular and easiest formats to use when sending files to your commercial printer. TIFFs are raster graphics meaning they are bitmapped graphics. These data structure files represent a generally rectangular grid of pixels, or points of color, viewable via a computer monitor, paper, or other display medium. Raster images are best used for images such as photographs or paint style graphics. This type of file is preferred because it is easy to manipulate and looks great on a high quality printer if the file is at least 300dpi. Refer to a previous post entitled "Vector Graphics vs. Raster Graphics…There Is A Difference" for more information on raster artwork.

Continue reading "Printing TIFF’s – What Are They and Why Are They Preferred?" »

Posted by Cherie at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Yes, it sounds crazy, but it’s true if you’re referring to negative space, also called white space. Both terms I believe aren’t real accurate in describing what it is. The term I will use is open space, because I believe it more accurately describes the meaning those terms are trying to convey. I think that the term negative space implies the wrong thing. Yes, it is negative in the sense that it is space where nothing prints, but it is not negative (bad) to the design, which is how many interpret it. When the term white space is used then I think that many take it literally to mean “white space.” Then they think that because they may be dealing with a colored page that they can’t use “white space.” I feel the term “open space,” will more accurately describe what is meant by both terms. It doesn’t imply a negative meaning or that the space has to be white.

Continue reading "Negative Is Good" »

Posted by Wraine at 02:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When a person makes it clear to me that they don’t know the difference between vector graphics and raster graphics I get frustrated...until I think back to the time when I didn’t know myself. I remember thinking “What in the world do those words mean, and more importantly, are they English?” Well, for all those who are wondering, yes, they are English. I am not here to make you feel bad if you don’t know (but if you are a graphic designer, shame on you for not knowing). I would just like to give you my personal definitions for the two words to maybe help you understand...then next time you are talking to a designer extraordinaire, you can impress them.

Continue reading "Vector Graphics vs. Raster Graphics...There Is A Difference" »

Posted by Cherie at 09:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A while back I received a piece of mail from Veer (www.veer.com - one of the greatest stock photography sites I have come across for ideas. Aside from outstanding photography, they offer illustration, type, as well as video and animation if you like motion...and much, much more.) This piece of mail, that unfolded into an eye - pleasing poster, said something so influential that it remained on my cubicle wall for almost 2 years. I want everyone to know this cold hard fact, this stupendous truth. No, not everyone may agree with me, but if they don’t, they should. This commandment, if you will, of design is simply that you cannot design without type. Face it; without the perfect font, your current project will not be as outstanding as it could be. It will not satisfy you and your client like it should. Every design needs that perfect font that expresses the mood, feeling and style of that piece. If you would like to see this poster and read what they have to say about this topic, you must first register at www.veer.com (you won’t regret it…believe me), and then go to http://www.veer.com/ideas/wallpaper/2005/ and scroll down until you see two color variations of the desktop wallpaper that says “You can’t design without type.*”

Posted by Cherie at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Just the other day I was struck with the sudden realization that virtually every logo I grew up with...yes, every familiar logo near and dear to my heart has drastically transformed into a logo so dissimilar to its original that without the name recognition, the average consumer would pass it by as if it were an off brand. (Okay, maybe not every logo, but may I just say that there has been too many too fast!) It’s as if every major food brand in America simultaneously said “Hey! Our logo has become too accepted! Let’s throw our consumers for a loop and completely change our identity! We need to change it right now! Right now!” So they grabbed the closest in - house designer and said “Whatever you can come up with by 5:00 will have to do.” Some of these unrecognizable logos are great, but others are surprisingly mediocre. I would honestly like to know who designed the mediocre logos. Yes, I would like to know who but would not be interested in knowing how much they were paid to produce this mediocrity now plastered all over creation. I may be getting myself in to trouble, but the logo I have found the most dissatisfaction in is Dr. Pepper (the best soft drink known to man). I actually have a difficult time truly tasting the Dr. Goodness when I am so distracted by the “P” in “Pepper.” In school I was taught that logos should morph slowly so no one can really tell. I guess my professors were wrong.

Posted by Cherie at 09:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In an interview a couple of weeks ago, I asked an important question to the nervous candidate at the end of the table. I asked him “Should graphic design be classic or cutting edge?” I will not share his response with you but I meant it as a trick question. In my opinion, all graphic design (excluding that done merely for art and expression...I am talking about for a client) should be both classic and cutting edge. Though I was actually taught that all design should be classic and not cutting edge, I did not conform to that school of thought. What I am trying to say here is that our designs should be timeless. They should still stand five or ten years from now without being hated. But in addition to that, they should be innovative, eye-catching and current. They need to be up to date with what is out there. This may sound challenging, but I challenge you to try it!

Posted by Cherie at 09:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)