30 Apr 2010
By Marnie B (@marnieb)
Since Adobe announced Creative Suite 5, I’ve had many conversations with other designers regarding whether or not an upgrade from CS4 to CS5 is worth the big bucks. If you’re anything like me, you upgraded to CS4 after years of using a very old version (no, I won’t tell you just how old), and aren’t keen to fork out anymore dosh so soon. Oh, you’ve already upgraded? Right, just me then.
Still, curious if the upgrade is worth it, I’ve finally downloaded the CS5 demo and had a play with some of the new stuff. Let’s take a look at three of the new features I think are most worthy of a mention.
26 Feb 2010
By Jon Bergan (@jonbergan)
As I was crawling over the many blog sites that I read on a regular basis, I came across an article by Jacob Cass titled Fake Logo Designs and it got me thinking about the same issues us web designers face on a regular basis. That is, the use of website templates in a professional business environment and whether this is actually fair on the client.
Okay, so website templates have their place and if you’re a small business owner and you go online and buy one for twenty bucks, you’re not really out of pocket. You can add your logo and set up a website for next to nothing if you’re willing to invest some time and patience. But if you approach an established design firm and they’re charging you hundreds or thousands of dollars for a website, would you expect to have your design completed using a template? It’s amazing but take note that this actually does happen!
25 Feb 2010
By Marnie B (@marnieb)
When it comes to logo design, I’m a big advocate for simple designs. I don’t believe that elaborate designs with swishes and swirls and huge illustrations are anywhere near as effective as a logo that has is simple and carefully designed. Think: Nokia, Google, Citroen, FedEx, Disney, Coca-Cola.
Logos such as these are successful because they are simple enough to be memorable. Simplicity is the key to a winning logo. Unnecessary flamboyance appears ’showy’ and can have a negative impact on your image. Again, think of the big names. Their logos have an air of confidence about them – they didn’t go over the top to get their brand noticed. These logos are extremely simple, yet command power and respect.
When it comes to logos, you just know the K.I.S.S. is best followed when one of the world’s most recognisable logos is nothing but a simple swoosh.
17 Feb 2010
By Marnie B (@marnieb)
Following an old Website of the Week post which featured Edgepoint Church’s website, I stumbled upon an awesome site called Fresh Church Sites. Similar to the many CSS galleries around, it is a gallery of some of the best church websites around.
It got me thinking about how far church websites have come. The sites featured on Fresh Church Sites are a far cry from the dreary and not so interesting sites of many churches, such as The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Presbyterian Church in America and Bush Church Aid Australia.
Of course I’m not blaming churches for having bad looking websites. Many design their own or outsource the work to very cheap freelancers, which is no wonder considering their income relies heavily on donations. But, we’re talking about design here.
