Life-Long Learner

yearly updated infographic aligned to the grid via

This morning, I read an awesome post from Typecast about using baselines in web design. I was originally introduced to *THE GRID* within the first few weeks of my college career, but only ever really utilized it from a print perspective. Although I think the word 'utilize' might be a big of an understatement when it comes to the grid. Laying out a baseline grid is the beginning, middle and end of every single project that I do. I check, re-check, align and re-space, to the point that I can admit that I am completely neurotic about it. I'm fairly certain that no design ever suffered by being too careful about this simple layout principle.

Needless to say, I was really excited when I came across this article that highlights four simple steps to designing and coding vertical rhythm for web. Rhythm is something that every artist (poets, musicians and visual artists alike) strive towards, so I look forward to truly understanding a new way to apply it to my work. On top of this article teaching an extremely valuable skill, I was happy to come across it so early in the week, since I have made it a personal goal since last April to try to learn a new design skill every week. (A designer's gotta keep up with the industry!)

So, do you think that using a grid doesn't make that much difference in the layout of a page? Think again:

Before    //    After

Have you learned anything new lately? Do you see value in teaching yourself new skills on a daily/weekly/monthly basis?

Grids and guides,

P.S. Fellow Bloggers: Pugly Pixel's guide to organizing fashion/product collages using grids.

About me

Web and Graphic designer. Wife and best friend. Sister. Artist. Lifelong learner. Passionately organized. Unfailingly creative. Determined to travel. Patient, and persevering. Spirited friendships and drinks. Photography, live music, love.


{More soon.}

Friday Finds

the view of the slopes from one of the second floor bedrooms

This week was spent recovering from the awesome ski trip that I went on last weekend with 10 of my close friends. Having the opportunity to get away for the weekend was so refreshing.  As it turned out, it also was not anything that I had expected! The eleven of us rented a 'cabin' at a small-ish ski resort, Peek'n Peak, in western New York state.  Imagine my surprise when we got there to find it fully decked out with 5 bathrooms, 4 bedrooms, 2 fireplaces and a beautiful finished basement. I felt a little silly when I arrived considering that I had advised the group to pack their own toilet paper.  We definitely were not 'roughing it' by any means like I had anticipated.  Some members of our group even spent the day Saturday at the resort spa getting massages and lounging in the indoor/outdoor hot tub.  Not bad!

I, however, spent 6 hours of my Saturday with skis attached to my feet, sliding around the mountain like it was my first day with new legs. Needless to say, on my first break from skiing, I was more than jealous of my friends that were safely stationed at the bottom of the mountain lounging in that hot tub.  It was only my second time skiing, and I felt rather foolish the whole day because the majority of my friends were not beginner-level skiers like I was.  Memories of being stuck in the 'guppy' group during swim lessons at camp when I was young immediately flooded back into my head. Luckily, with more practice, I began to feel more comfortable with the unfamiliar motions, and I was (slowly) able to move around a little better. At the end of the day, it felt good that I at least attempted an activity that I only had done once before. For me, overcoming the fear of not being good at something in front of a group of friends is an accomplishment in itself.  Have you learned how to do something new this winter?  How did it go?

Now, for your entertainment, a collection of my favorite things found on the web this week:

1.  I absolutely love the idea of these "Wedding by the Numbers" wedding invitations from the Minted website. I wish that I would have thought of a way to incorporate that into our wedding!  Minted is my favorite site for invitations, personal stationery and thank you cards.  If you aren't familiar, definitely check it out!
2. I'm sure many of you know about The Pioneer Woman by now, but I just love visiting her site because it makes me feel like I can cook anything!  I found these Pineapple Chicken Quesadillas to be especially appealing.
3. These cropped jeans from The Limited make me so excited for peeptoes and springtime!  On a related note, these peeptoes from JS by Jessica Simpson make me excited for those cropped jeans.  Weird how that works?
4. Love this pink Kate Spade window display, it makes me sooo (x10) excited to travel to NYC this summer. {via}
5. The whimsy of this new font from Fenotype: Pepita Script really appeals to me. I hope to be able to use it on a project in the future. For me, its a little too informal for a wedding invite, but would work great on a bridal/baby shower or party invitation.  Oh, the possibilities!
6. Urban Scartlet's shop makes me want to craft all.day.long.
7. These tiny initial necklaces on ETSY would be a great personalized birthday gift for anyone. Perfectly understated and so stylish.
8. This amazing find for only $50.00 from Ikea is soon going to become my craft table!