Designers’ biggest problems come from confusing work and passion. I am one of the worst offenders: Not billing for time worked; Writing-off massive parts…
Join Scoop.it for Free
Share ideas that matter on the social web and experience
the benefits of curating the world's best content.
I don't have a Facebook, a Twitter or a LinkedIn account
Already have an account: Login
News, Inspiration and Resources for graphic & web designers.
Curated by
Mark Strozier
 Your new post is loading...
No comment yet.
Sign up to comment
Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
We love cheatsheets as one can refer to them and make quick amendments to better our skills. Since many loved our last compilation of cheatsheet for designers, we’ve decided to compile another set of cheatsheets, this time for photographers.
Mark Strozier's insight:
Once a renowned photographer told me: "...you're not a *photographer* [at least] until you've mastered shooting in Manual mode." With that said, this article is the most comprehensive guide I've found that explains every aspect of photography-- in particular Manual mode. The infographics make complex ideas, like understanding terms like depth-of-field or white balance, easy to get your head around. This article stops just short taking great photographs for you. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
French artist Bernard Pras works almost entirely within the realm of assemblage and anamorposis, a visual illusion where a distorted projection—often made from paint or a collection or objects—must be viewed from a specific vantage point to reconstitute the intended image.
Mark Strozier's insight:
Inspiration! There's a short video on the page that shows how the artist put this together. 
Charlotte V Nash's curator insight,
April 23, 1:03 PM
Bernard Pras is a master of illusion and projection. When I looked at this portrait I was blown away. 
laura meals's curator insight,
May 7, 8:19 AM
muy interesante ! manejo del espacio y objetos en la tridimencionalidad Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Time is one of the most important elements of life that we have or, better said, don’t have enough of. That means that any tool that has the function of reducing your workload should be considered a blessing.
Mark Strozier's insight:
This is one of the better finds I've seen in a long time. Freepik.com gives you access to 1.4 million free stock art/photo as well as free vector and Photoshop files. It's hard to beat free. It's also hard to determine if there are any usage limitations per image. I'm not a lawyer [but I play one on the Internet], however the images do seem to be free of charge. 
hot's comment,
April 9, 5:21 AM
http://sigithermawan12.blogspot.com/2013/04/iconia-pc-tablet-dengan-windows-8.html | Iconia PC Tablet dengan Windows 8
Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Setting up a new business on social networks takes much more than filling in a form. Lots of the most important aspects are easily overlooked when creating a new business profile or page. Maintaining consistency across the web with your brand’s voice and visual elements is critical for brand recognition. You’ll also need to pay attention to who will run your accounts, and how they’ll do so.
Mark Strozier's insight:
Treehouse.com always delivers well thought out, and very timely posts. I needed this list earlier this morning. 
Monica S Mcfeeters's curator insight,
April 15, 3:35 PM
Planning before you settle on the attitude and design of your social media sites is wise. This article helps you think it through. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Follow these pro tips and create your best ever logo design. Paul Wyatt reveals everything you need to know to improve your designs.
Mark Strozier's insight:
This is a great, comprehensive list of things to consider when designing a logo. I wonder how much of this translates into branding methods.
Monica S Mcfeeters's curator insight,
April 15, 3:41 PM
Here are some ideas from professional logo designers on how to but the most effective logo together. 
art smith's curator insight,
April 18, 8:50 AM
More thoughts and comments on logo design at www.theARTofHYPE.com/ramblings.php ; Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
We explain both the fundamentals and the finer points of kerning. Follow our pro advice and you'll soon be on your way to achieving typographic perfection.
Mark Strozier's insight:
add your insight...
Jane Sleeth's comment,
April 12, 12:30 PM
Check out the guidelines published by RGD Ontario called "AccessAbility; A practical Handbook on Accessible Graphic Design" to ensure your graphic arts reaches ALL customers and clients. JE Sleeth OPC Inc
Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Advertise here with BSA
Mark Strozier's insight:
add your insight...
Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
There are many cloud storage services out there, one of which is Google Drive. 
María Dolores Díaz Noguera's curator insight,
March 4, 2:12 PM
Nosotros vamos a trabajar con esta herramienta. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
If you are a web developer then you might be aware of Cascading Style Sheets or CSS. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Welcome to day 2 of freebie week on Designrfix. Today we have assembled a stunning collection of some of the most creative Photoshop PSD files from around the Web. 
Javier Díaz González's curator insight,
February 12, 4:46 AM
Unos PSD muy interesantes, y gratuitos. Interfaces tipo playes, twitter, etiquetas, sellos, chapas... 
Toresa Slater's curator insight,
February 15, 6:33 AM
Some really cool web elements, templates and text effects in this mix...give it a look. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
We explain the concepts and terminology of web typography, including how it differs from print typography, in words you can understand.
Jane Sleeth's comment,
April 12, 12:31 PM
#OPCergo recommends using RGD Ontario Guidelines for accessibile design Font kerning: 10 expert tips http://sco.lt/7aGXXl
Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Mark Strozier's insight:
This post was like I was reading a mirror. I've started changing habits burned into my routine over the past 20+ years (and most of my life), Habits like, multi-tasking, working through lunch, checking email before I get out of bed, checking email the last thing I do before I go to bed. I'm still working on saying no. That may be the hardest thing. Trying to acommodate everyone is how I was brought up. I've had it in the back of my mind that if I say no, it's an automatic fail. Self awareness may be the best way for me to break this habit. 
Sheree Martin's curator insight,
February 8, 8:52 PM
Balance, adequate rest and recreation and taking one thing at a time are among the fundamental principles of a happy life. 
Daphne Consigliere's curator insight,
February 9, 9:41 AM
Go dark, with no fear. Turn off you phone. Try it for a week, the world will not fall appart and you will still have a job. And you will have a life.
Daphne Consigliere's comment,
February 12, 4:20 PM
Also, we can say yes, but it will be ready for X date, which is when we will have the time for it. There are only 2 anwers to that: ok, we will wait, or the business will pass to someone else. Both are ok.
Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
|
Scoop.it!
A selection of 378 free and paid-for apps, tools and resources are grouped into handy ‘toolboxes’ across the six disciplines, helping you with everything from sending invoices to sharing sketches on the move to selling your work in an online store.
Mark Strozier's insight:
Damn You Art School (DYAS) is a fun and really useful new online resource to help creative professionals improve productivity and creativity. 
Rita Taylor's curator insight,
May 15, 11:02 AM
Currently helping me with the asthetics of scrapbooking/designing my own music book
~R Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Sometimes the key to standing out can be having something different. With all of the business card options out there, it’s difficult to decide what will work best for you. So, what route to take?
Mark Strozier's insight:
More great examples of work from great designers. When the subject of well crafted business cards comes up that scene in American Psycho always comes to mind.
art smith's comment,
May 2, 8:51 AM
absolutely, jmbr. it's the first impression a lot of people have of your business... and the one they tend to keep around the longest.
Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
With the constant evolution and popularity of mobile devices, designing web sites responsively is essential. Unlike designing for a static or fixed web sit
Mark Strozier's insight:
I think this is a good idea. 
Tim Mannino's curator insight,
May 4, 4:03 PM
Sketching is an important part of any planning process. Go analog or go home.. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Mark Strozier's insight:
This is a good how-to post on producing infographics, but the examples used are off-the-chain useful. I've looked through the article and have bookmarked at least ten articles I'm going to follow up on. 
iDesign's curator insight,
March 27, 9:57 AM
The messages selection of colour may give about your logo
Monica S Mcfeeters's curator insight,
April 15, 3:38 PM
This shows some very good tips for designing your own infographs. 
thebestwebsites's curator insight,
May 4, 9:39 AM
Great graphic -- including the colour therapy/energy/emotion ... will keep this in mind for future web desing work
Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and MacBook Pro are retine-ready Apple devices which are most popular nowadays.
Mark Strozier's insight:
Most of these are well designed, well thought out Responsive & Retina-Ready Wordpress templates. 
Alexandra Gebhardt's curator insight,
March 6, 10:34 PM
Is your wordpress site responsive & retina ready?
Tim Mannino's curator insight,
May 4, 4:05 PM
I don't normally use Wordpress... but when I do, I'd check out some of these HQ responsive themes. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Pantone has released its Fall 2013 color report, featuring a comprehensive overview of designers' use of color in their upcoming collections.
Mark Strozier's insight:
Pantone releases their fall 2013 colors and instantly I start designing a line of fall websites. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Annnual report design doesn't have to be drab and boring. Here are 10 awe-inspiring examples of designers who've taken the format and let their imaginations run wild.
Mark Strozier's insight:
add your insight...
Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
The call to action is one of the most important aspects of all marketing strategies. This is what turns leads to conversions and sales at the end of the day. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Rebecca Shaw shows you how to make and repeat directional shapes to build a swirling pattern using the Pattern Creation mode in Illustrator CS6 Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
How often do we ask ourselves if we need to rethink our pricing strategy? Believe it or not, your pricing strategy is a huge part of your overall branding and can influence how the world, and your clients, perceive your value, professionalism, and talent.
Mark Strozier's insight:
A guy cuts my grass and charges me $50. I gladly pay him because he's doing me a service I choose not to do. It takes him 15 minutes. Easy math... He makes $200/hour. A guy washes my car and charges me $35. I gladly pay him because he's doing me a service I choose not to do. It takes him 20 minutes. Easy math... He makes $105/hour. Considering hourly service rates with this perspective, most marketing, design firms, designers, programmers, IT specialists and freelancers are a bargain. 
Dhyan Rakesh's comment,
February 13, 1:40 PM
Now, consider my (or your) own hour rate (let's say: $200) and the time I'd spend to cut the grass (45min; suppose I have all equipment necessary); it comes to a 'personal cost' of $200 x 3/4 = $150. Well, if I can pay any amount below this, I'd be better off hiring someone else :-)
Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Published in Website Management
Mark Strozier's insight:
This article gives good insight into basics you really need to know before you decide to build or re-build your website. Content management systems have greatly simplified site managment, however there are things you need to know how to do to make the most of your investment. Whatever you do, don't just set it and forget it. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Give your clients a lovely warm feeling inside – and keep them coming back – with these bridge-building tips
Mark Strozier's insight:
Often I get so involved with the work at hand and concentrating on online marketing that I forget that offline marketing is best. 
R.G. Riles's curator insight,
February 10, 6:08 PM
We really dig the visuals provided by Joe Todd Stanton. This is a common sense piece on regular business interactions. If you're B2B, it makes sense to brush up on these once in a while and make sure you're not taking shortcuts or skippng any of these keys to success. One thing we would like to see added to this list is an additional, automated customer survey and referral portion - reducing that awkward groveling for a referral, and also allowing honest customer feedback, which dictates whether to offer an apology and promise to do better next time, or to simply ask for a brief positive statement right then and there, along with a referral, if the survey results are terrific (which they should be if you're doing the job right!). 
Lynne Pion Conférencière Auteure's curator insight,
February 12, 3:43 PM
Découverte via Janie Lalande adjointe virtuelle. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
|
He tooks the words right out of my head.
Even after reading Design is a Job* by Mike Monteiro, I still get caught in the same mental conversations and cycles Eric talks about.
* I highly recommend reading Design is a Job if you're a knowledge-based professional. It applies to most all service fields where you have to use your head..