Changes in Interactive Media

As this semester comes to a close, I have realized that technology is not the same as it was in January. I know that may sound crazy, but it's true take the Apple, Inc for an example they blogged about the technologies that they were launching later that year. They improved there iphone, ipads, imacs, macbook, etc. They took there software and made it better and more usability friendly.

Technology changes every second, hour and day. I have realized that the more I have blogged each every time I would go look to see what was the newest trend in design, what is the hottest font to use, what new way can I promote myself. I believe the only to stay on top of the new changes is reading the latest blog, researching, watching tutorials, read what people are saying, attend conferences and most importantly blog about what you feel about the new technology changes. Doing all of these should keep up to date with what is new in the technology world. 

As technology changes do not become comfortable with what you know how to do. Take risk in learning how to do something. Take me for example, I am currently building an interactive campus map on North Carolina A&T State University. When first deciding to do the map I had know idea of where to began, so i began researching different types of campus maps and what they used to build them. After that I began,  playing around with different ways to build the map and different ways to style the map. Once I was done coding the map I felt a since of accomplishment, I achieved something that I didn't know to do and I didn't take the easy way out doing it. My point is do not stay in your comfort zone, go outside the box to be the best!

P.S. Thank you Dr. Sturg for making me blog this semester, it really made look at my career and I how want to promote myself as a designer I really do appreciate it.

Reasons Why Designers Blog Part 2

1. Communication Skills

Communication can be done through proposals, email, phone calls, and other sources. Blogging is one great medium to communicate with the outer world making others well acquainted with your creative skills too that will directly help you in freelance business.

2. Online Appearance

What's the point creating amazing designs which no one knows about. Building strong professional network, having connections can lead to referrals and spreading the word around. This is where blogging comes into play. Through blogging you get to meet people all around the world.

3. Another Income Source

If you are a designer that doesn't meant that you can earn only through designing. You can add to your income if you want to by investing your free time and efforts in something productive like blogging.

4. Serves as a Platform

When you are handling some projects for clients you don't get the option to make other people know about your creative talent. This can be well done through one of the most effective blog. Whenever you create a new design, blog about it and let the world know about it.

4. Break the Monotony

No matter how interesting any work is at one point or the other you tend to get monotonous feeling by following the same routine, handling the same kind of projects, using the same tools over and over again for years. Blogging is one interesting trick that definitely works as its your personal space where you can share your ideas, viewpoints, designs, communicate with the outer world and much more.



Source: http://bit.ly/1kHlsCr

5 Reasons Why Designers Should Blog!

For the past couple of days I kept asking myself why should designers blogs? There are multiple reasons that came to my head on why I think designers should blog. Should they blog to get their name out to public, to give their advice, to gain clients, to let to people know there skill set, etc.  Then I thought about what other designers say about designers blogging.

1. Relatively Low Cost

Blogging costs a little money and takes a little time. It is still a relatively low cost to promote your design business-especially when you compare it to paying for advertisements.

2. Builds Authority 

Use your blog to show off your knowledge in your area. To do this, create and share high-quality that is relevant to your specialty.

3. Grows Relationships 

Blogs tend to have communities that grow up around them. These communities consist of regular commentators who interact frequently with the blog's authors and readers.

4. Shows off your skills 

Your skills aren't always evident in your portfolio, which only shows the end result. In your blog, you can connect the dots and tells prospects how you worked behind the scene to make that project a success.

5. Your Unique Voice 

No one approaches the design business quite like you. No matter who you are, you have a unique slant on the industry. With your blog, that uniqueness gets a voice.

Graphic Design Tips for Social Media

This week I read an article on the Huffington Post, stating learning the basics of graphic design will help you create stand-out posts for your social media pages, by spreading the word with engaging blog graphics and generate share content. This articles list five tips that are fundamental to help you create professional looking designs.

Tip #1: Use contrast to help your designs stand out

The best designs stand out. One of the simplest ways to make your design jump off the page is using contrast. Choose colors that contrast well. If you have a light colored background then use a dark font.

Tip #2: Choose your font palette

Does your company have a standard brand font? Choosing a consistent font palette is a fantastic way to ensure consistency and to build familiarity with your customers. Try choosing a heading font subtitle font and body text font. Pick a bold font that stands out for your heading, and simpler subtitle and body fonts.

Tip #3: Pick a color scheme

Next step when it comes to design, is to choose your color scheme. Is your brand fun and fresh, or established and trustworthy? Choose colors that reflect this 'brand personality'. Start with 2-3 main colors and build from there. Use these colors consistently.

Tip #4 No naked images

Images are a key part of graphic design. It's actually very simple to get a professional look. The key? Use grids or frames wherever possible. By adding some order to your images, your designs will be looking better in no time at all. This is a simple trick which will give your design a professional edge. There are hundreds of grids to chose from in Canva.

Tip #5 Keep it simple

Lastly, it can be easy to get carried away with so many great images, graphics and fonts to choose from. Simple is always best when it comes to graphic design.  Reducing clutter means you're more likely to get your message across! Make sure you have a reason to use every design element, and keep the number of fonts, colors, shapes and frames to a minimum.

I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THESE IMAGES

Habits of Graphic Designers Part 3

As you may know that being a successful designer isn't hard to do. As long as you deliver a great product or service to your client, you should have no trouble succeeding in the design world! Here are the last few habits that I found that could help set you apart from other designers.

Work Under Pressure

As you may know that being an designer, deadlines are the most important of your career. As a designer you are always going to be under some kind of pressure to get things done. If you want to sit back and do things whenever you get around to it, find another profession. If you like pressure, and a challenge, and you like to solve problems effectively, then become an DESIGNER!!!

More on the DESIGN than the Software

Photoshop and Illustrator don't make you any more of a designer than having a Paula Deen cookware sets makes you a world class chef. Don't lose your head. If you have a great computer, and your software gets the job done, then don't worry about it. On the other hand, if you are using an ancient laptop, and your hardware and software are severely hindering you, then you might need to consider upgrading.

Designers are always striving to Improve

Successful designers are always one step ahead of you. They were doing responsive website design when you were learning HTML and CSS, and they will be on the latest in design when you are learning responsive design. You can always improve. The more you know, the more you're worth. If you have a wide range of skills, and you excel at them, you can charge a lot more, because clients will still save money over hiring a large firm.

Habits of Graphic Designers Part 2

HELLO DESIGNERS!!!

Last week, we talked about habits that sets you apart from other designers? Here are a couple of more habits that can help you set yourself apart from other designers.

Time Management

Be aware of how long something takes! Time Management is one of the hardest things to handle when designing anything. When designing you are not going to cut a project short and hand someone a design that looks like garbage, because you either will not have a job or you will not be in business long. Carefully planning out a project before starting from how are you going to solve the problem at handinstead of just jumping into it and moving things around the page. Start with a hand sketches, and mockups before jumping into Photoshop, Illustrator or on the computer. 

Following Up

Follow ups are the most important part of being an designer! As a designer people love to know that you are hungry and want the work. However, as you are following up please do not hound people because they will think that you have nothing better to do and that their project will make or break you. Look professional not desperate.

Not too much Social Media  

It's good to stay informed with latest news, technology, design, or business. But don't just sit there for hours on end reading article after article or Tweet after Tweet. Social media doesn't make you money unless you are the one sending out the Tweet. Set a time limit on how much you sit down and interact on social media. 45 minutes each day is good! 

Habits of Graphic Designers Part 1

As a designer you may ask yourself sometimes, what sets you apart from other designers? Some may say that your unique style sets you apart and then some may say that it's your design experience that sets you apart from other designers. While this is may not be true in some cases, it's not just your design skills and experiences that will make you more successful than other designers. What sets successful designers from others are their habits?

Multitasking

In the design field,  you will most likely be working on more than one project at a time. You will be expected to keep up with each client request and needs. You will have to figure out how to solve their problem with your designs, and you'll need to do it quickly. 

Organization

Being an organized designer is a must! You need a system for keeping track of everything that you do. From thumbnails, sketches, mockups, and final product. You have to keep each client's records in a certain place, whether you have an online filing system or a physical cabinet for their projects, invoices, releases, and other materials. When organizing you need to figure the best system for you to organize, you can not remember each task in your head. I recommend that  Remember the Milk or Wunderlist  to help you organize your work.

Prioritization

Prioritizing your work is great when you are a designer! You have to be able to determine what tasks are most important and what should be done first. You shouldn't be working on something that is due next week, when you have things that are due at the end of the day. Knock out all main tasks of the day, and then you can work your way down through all of the rest of your tasks in the order of their priority.