Went to the Sac State 2011 Spring Show. It was much better than last years. Much much better! Sorry 2010 but like my typography teacher would say “these cats; they have something interesting going on here”. However, I was hoping to see more handmade designs. I saw a lot of good designs but the handmade element was missing or what was once handmade had been digitized and spit out to something no longer organic. But over all it was a good show.

Makes me think about how much handmade work is lacking in my designs.

I can’t remember who told me… graphic design doesn’t happen on the computer? or was it step away from the computer? I guess what I’m trying to say is to not rely on the computer so much when designing. Its just a tool to help with the process and it definitely shouldn’t be the first tool one reaches for when solving a design problem.

FUCK YEAH!!! I found a really kick ass letterpress shop. I’m gonna make some business cards and get my future specs die cut!! ( i found a diecut place too! woot woot!)

-letterpress card

-die cut letterpress specs with letterpress packaging

It will be good enough to be entered into a design annual!

on the backburner
-nick’s site-wordpress-bandpage-Rastafarian design
-short version resume w/infographic layout
-biz card for freelance- southpaw: a design studio
-southpaw site

The internet has made design global. We can now stay updated to the design scene in Austin, Texas or even London, England. It just takes a bit of searching and maneuvering but its all out there.

Its amazing! I never knew that Salt Lake City had such a robust design scene. Same goes with all the other flat midewesterny cities. Now I’m finding them to be a great source of inspiration.

This global design community has made it so we can all vibe of each others work and get better as designers. With that being said, I still see crappy work. I see it from competition and my coleagues. I know I have a lot of work to do and my portfolio is not even the best example of my talent. My best work is still waiting to be made but there should be no reason I dont have a kick ass portfolio. My portfolio was good 6 months ago. Good enough for the state atleast but now. I need to make it even better.

To see how ones level of design has improved one has to stay active with freelance work and pro bono projects.

Sacramento has a small design community. Not even a AIGA chapter. Its not my job to start one but come on Reno and Tahoe are already ahead of us. What I need to find is a restaurant or coffee shop that is interested in a redesign. Note* New website needs to offer freelance availability.

I can not stress this enough!! Set deadlines!!! DEADLINES!!!

Exacto knives are ok but I’ve found that scalpel blades work really well for me. On my days that I have production I usually go through 3-4 four exacto blades and that’s me being really conservative; only switching them out when the tips start tearing the paper.

With scalpel blades i only have to worry about the blade getting dull instead of breaking. Also scalpel blades can also be sharpened so they tend to last much longer. i cut all types of different weights of paper and the scalpel blade cuts through them all as long as i maintain its sharpness.

I don’t ever want to be that designer that shows you their portfolio and no matter what project you see all the work looks the same. the same process the same technique the same approach. hell even the same photography style and color pallet. i want my design portfolio to tell a story. to show progress and evolve.

This is Kondolar from Cadson Demak of Thailand!