Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts

3.13.2012

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.

3.18.2011

Friday Finds

photo by yours truly from June of 2010
This week's Friday Finds are an eclectic collection of things I have stumbled across during brief periods of web-perusing within my busy week. I am excited to say that this week brought the final version of Kaira and Tom's wedding invites, and I hope to be able to share a new post about them at the beginning of next week (with Kaira's permission, of course!)  In addition to that, I am planning on getting some more of my art photographed this weekend to add to my web gallery.  I am anticipating nice, relaxing days in order to catch up on some sleep since I will be out of town next weekend with friends for the Wine on the Lake festival in Erie, PA.  Enjoy the Friday Finds and have a great weekend!

  • The wide open space in the background of this print by maechevrette on ETSY reminds me of an Edward Hopper painting.  Also, the colors in this piece are so great. 
  • I spent more than an hour this week trying to beat my high score on this game over at I Love Typography. Normally, I am not a game person, but a game about fonts? Yes, please!  What is your highest score?
  • Speaking of fonts, this website is helpful because it identifies fonts used in branding within the real world:  Fonts in Use.  Did you know that 15 of the 20 most common brands use Helvetica?
  • This bag on Endless makes me super excited for summer to get here. Do you know about Endless?  You should. 
  • Adorable St. Patrick's Day photo collage on Erin Ever After- one of my new blog faves!  Loving the mini Guinness.  Also on Erin Ever After: sigh.
  • I am such a fan of this springtime post on Scrapblog. Which image is your favorite?  Here's mine.
  • Hubs got the new HTC Thunderbolt yesterday.  Its really awesome.  I mean out-of-control fast, and even more awesome.  I definitely am jealous, and the huge nerd in me definitely recommends that you go buy one, then download this, this, this and this.

fonts and fridays,

2.02.2011

Google Does It Again

A certain someone who shall remain nameless constantly makes fun of me for "drinking the Google kool-aid" and buying into every single one of their products.  How is this possible, you ask?  Well, I use: GMail, Blogger (obviously), Picasa, I'm writing this using Chrome, I have an Android phone, and got GoogleTV for Christmas.  Basically, every portion of my life is integrated into Google somehow.  Good thing they aren't going bankrupt any time soon. Hey Google, if you want to pay me to be a walking billboard for you, I'm totally in.

The latest portion of my life that Google has invaded is my love for art!  Google Art Project was released yesterday and is probably one of the coolest web-based galleries that I have come across in a very long time.  Art Project enables the whole world to view thousands of notable pieces of art from some of the greatest art collections and museums. Not only can you view these paintings from a regular distance, you can zoom in on the 7 gigapixel images(!) to see every last brush stroke and crack in the aged paint.  Then, with the click of a button, you have left the Museum of Modern Art in NYC (MoMA) and are now inside of the Palace of Versailles in France. Google also included their street view technology that enables a virtual stroll through any museum included in the project.   I love this.