Archive for 'Inspiration'
The Museum of Forgotten Art Supplies
Okay, I’ll admit it. I’ve been a designer long enough to remember using Pantone Markers to create marker comps, type gauges for “type specking”, waxers for pasteup, and Photostat cameras instead of Photoshop.
I don’t miss it — cuts from X-acto blades, clogged Rapidographs, exposure to toxic chemicals, etc. But for those with a fondness for the “good old days” or anyone who wants to take a look back at the tools and processes that were once used daily by graphic designers, a visit to The Museum of Forgotten Art Supplies will be amusing and interesting.
Ironically I found a use for my old proportion wheel a few months ago. A problem came up while putting a student art show online at my job. In order to photograph without glare from the camera flash and overhead lights, the artwork was photographed at an angle, causing distortion. I was able to use my ‘ancient’ proportion wheel to determine the artwork’s final size, enabling me to transform the images to their actual proportions with Photoshop.
The Scale of the Universe
The Scale of the Universe created by Cary and Michael Huang
I’m a fan of infographics and love seeing those that are well done.
Scale of the Universe “will take you from the very smallest features postulated by scientists (the strings in string theory) to the very largest (the observable universe.)”
Hit “start” and begin exploring. Using the slider at the bottom of the graphic enables you to zoom through the universe. Clicking on objects in the animation provides more information — often with a sense of humor.
Amazing and humbling. Even more impressive is that this animation was created by 14-year-old Cary Huang with technical help from his twin brother Michael. To learn more about these incredible teens and their work, visit abcnews.go.com or their website.
Pantone Color of the Year for 2012: Tangerine Tango 17-1463
Tangerine Tango 17-1463
Pantone’s “Color of the Year” for 2012 is Tangerine Tango which is described as “Sophisticated, dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenalin rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”
Sometimes I think that fashion and interior designers follow color trends more than graphic and web designers but it will be interesting to see if this color shows up more in print and web designs this year. Happy New Year!
Read more about this year’s color choice at panatone.com.