Nov
06
My awesome day job recently launched two new company websites. Although I didn’t do any of the coding myself. Thank goodness…heavy CSS and CMS integration, I designed the website look and feel. My goal was to bring a clean yet somewhat aggressive look to a larger corporation. I wanted a clean look that would stay fresh for a while. Although I did all the visual design, this website couldn’t have been possible with the hard work of my fellow employees and the developers. A great team effort. I was honored to provide the visage to the two company product websites.
gardnerdenverproducts.com l championpneumatic.com
Nov
06
Inevitably when I tell someone what I do for a living, 9 people out of 10 will nod in approval and mention how their son/daughter/nephew/brother/fiance’s dog dabbles in graphic design on the side. Now I don’t want to shatter their acquaintance’s hopes and dreams…but…no…actually…they probably don’t design at all. Design makes a difference. There are all kinds of professional design programs available to the general public these days. This can be a good and bad thing. I encourage anyone to play around and experiment with their creativity. I love to see that. HOWEVER, the ability to open a program and start making something that looks “cool” doesn’t designate someone as a graphic designer. Design isn’t about the programs, design is about so much more than any program can give you. Design (good design) is about the correlation between typography and object, positive and negative space, scale in correlation to proportion, dynamic objects vs. static objects. Design is a philosophy, an art, a trade, a way of thinking.
Design is speaking through words, design is engaging a viewer, all while never sacrificing the message. Design is communication. Design is NOT heavy drop shadows, bevel and embossing, crazy creative decorative fonts. Good design is transparent, not gaudy. Good design is well though out and carefully executed. Good design will cost more then it costs you to have your nephew make you a website in your basement.
There are few things in life more important than first impressions. Your image should reflect the professionalism you strive for everyday. If you live in a small town, don’t settle for an image that will reflect your location in a small town. When it comes to your profession, your image speaks volumes to potential clientele.
Design is a battle against an ugly unorganized world, this gun is for hire.
