Layout Inspiration

[danakay]

Do any of you have particular design sample sources that serve as inspiration for you? I'm looking for ideas to jump start my creativity and bring my thinking outside the box on a new project, a very large market report.

Thanks in advance.

Dana

[ElyseC]

The first idea that springs to mind is to get hold of Commincation Arts magazine's back issues, particularly the design annuals. They sell back issues at their online store.

[danakay]

Originally Posted by ElyseC

The first idea that springs to mind is to get hold of Commincation Arts magazine's back issues, particularly the design annuals. They sell back issues at their online store.

Thanks, Elyse! Good idea. I checked online and the library in the next town up has a subscription. I was going to check some book stores for sample compilations, too.

On a personal note, I noticed you live in Iowa. I grew up in Sioux Falls, SD. `% ~)

[ElyseC]

Originally Posted by danakay

Thanks, Elyse! Good idea. I checked online and the library in the next town up has a subscription. I was going to check some book stores for sample compilations, too.

Good idea to check the libraries! That's one magazine I wouldn't expect public libraries to carry, because I see it as appealing to a small segment of the population.

On a personal note, I noticed you live in Iowa. I grew up in Sioux Falls, SD. `% ~)

I'll turn and wave to the northwest on your behalf. :-)

[terrie]

Also check for Print magazine - http://www.printmag.com/

Print has a bookstore--not sure if it's available online but they do annual compilation books for different design areas--business cards, brochures, etc...might be worth checking out...

Terrie

[ElyseC]

Originally Posted by terrie

Also check for Print magazine

Oh yes! Another excellent suggestion.

[danakay]

Originally Posted by terrie

Also check for Print magazine - http://www.printmag.com/

Print has a bookstore--not sure if it's available online but they do annual compilation books for different design areas--business cards, brochures, etc...might be worth checking out...

Terrie

Thanks for that suggestion, Terrie. I've also looked at many many web sites, but everyone seems to show just the cover. This one is pretty helpful though http://www.portfolios.com/search/detailed_search.html

[ktinkel]

Originally Posted by danakay

Do any of you have particular design sample sources that serve as inspiration for you? I'm looking for ideas to jump start my creativity and bring my thinking outside the box on a new project, a very large market report.

Take a look at John McWade’s Before & After: How to design cool stuff. (There are sample articles on the web site.)

Each issue focuses on a design approach or technique, but still covers a lot of creative ground by discussing all the ancillary issues that come up when working a certain way. The latest issue (just arrived) is ostensibly on covers (but could as easily be said to be about brochures, posters, ads, or other types of work).

It covers the use of repeated motifs (circles, dingbats, rules, etc.), using tight crops to get a high-impact image in a small space, interesting folds (including one of my old favorites: three panels with two peek-a-boo edges that can serve as tabs), extracting multiple images from a single photo, corporate logo standards, using soft-edged images with text, and more.

The back-cover editorial this time is on the interesting notion that we cannot make something up — that design “is the look of the world we live in.” It uses the example of the Kerry/Edwards and Bush/Cheney logos from last fall’s election (the designs for which were actually discussed in the New York Times editorial pages at the time).

This elegant, small publication is more stimulating than many much larger magazines (or annuals), which tend to let you see what others have done a year or so ago rather than push us to new things. I appreciate its high visual (and design) quality, and always drop whatever I am doing to read B&A as soon as it arrives.

You can subscribe to a PDF-only version for $18/year, or both print and PDF for $48 (6 issues/year).

[danakay]

Originally Posted by ktinkel

Take a look at John McWade’s Before & After: How to design cool stuff. (There are sample articles on the web site.) . . . You can subscribe to a PDF-only version for $18/year, or both print and PDF for $48 (6 issues/year).

Great resource, Kathleen! Thanks!

I'm getting so much out of this forum. Working solo in my own office gets very isolating. I feel so much more connected as a result of being part of this community. (I have Jeff Cheney to thank for the introduction.)

Dana

[ktinkel]

Originally Posted by danakay

Great resource, Kathleen! Thanks!

I'm getting so much out of this forum. Working solo in my own office gets very isolating. I feel so much more connected as a result of being part of this community. (I have Jeff Cheney to thank for the introduction.)

Dana

Good old Jeff. (Where is he, I wonder? Have to go flog him, get him to show up once in a while.)

Glad you find it helpful. Most of us feel that way too! :-)