Costumes, Casinos, and a Cause – “Photo Booth” @ Raising the Stakes for Noble of Indiana

Fundraising events are necessary for any philanthropic/non profit organization.   The more engaging the event, the better.   Last week I was asked to provide my photography skills for Noble of Indiana, and organization that “creates opportunities and provides learning disability services for the developmentally disabled to live meaningful lives in Indiana.”

“Raising the Stakes” is an annual event with a casino feel filled with a variety of staple casino games, and also includes a classy dinner and multiple raffles/auctions.   This year they added a “Photo Booth” where people could let loose and wear a variety of ridiculous costume items.   My job was to snap the photos, of course.

I’ve done the “Photo Booth” at several events around Indianapolis and I am continually surprised at how excited people get to pose for these pictures.   It’s a great addition to any event, raising the energy level and enthusiasm of everyone present.

I’ve provided a link  to the pictures on my Facebook business page below.  Take a quick look…I’m sure you’ll have a couple laughs.  Congrats to Noble of Indiana on a successful event.

“Photo Booth” @ Raising the Stakes for Noble of Indiana

Social Media History via One Giant Infographic

Who wants to simply read something when it can be presented in a much more visual fashion.   I believe we are becoming an increasingly visual culture, relying on the image more than the text to convey a message.   However, I also believe the happy medium between the two forms of communication is the infographic.

To prove my point, take a look at this infographic from Brand Flakes (@brandflakesblog).  It’s a visual representation of the history of our social media world from 1971 to today…yes it goes back that far.  The topic is presented in a way that is visually pleasing while still very informative.

What do you think?

brandflakesforbreakfast: social media history in one giant info-graphic.

Helvetica – Yeah it’s a Movie About a Font

Is it too late to review a movie 5 years after it’s release?   If it is, well I don’t really care.

Last week I wrote about the top typography lessons available only (check it out to refresh your memory).  When I tweeted the story out, I joking asked what my followers’ favorite font was.  Right away my brother tweeted back “Helvetica…oh and by the way there is a documentary about it on Netflix.”

Surprised by his answer I immediate put the movie in my Instant Queue to watch that evening.  Maybe it’s because I’m a bit of a nerd on the subject, but the documentary was astonishing. Never would I thought something as simple as a single font would have such far reaching and profound effect on our culture. Without giving too much away, let me summarize the film in an excerpt from the movie’s website. I highly encourage you to watch the film for yourself.

“Helvetica is a feature-length independent film about typography, graphic design and global visual culture. It looks at the proliferation of one typeface (which celebrated its 50th birthday in 2007) as part of a larger conversation about the way type affects our lives. The film is an exploration of urban spaces in major cities and the type that inhabits them, and a fluid discussion with renowned designers about their work, the creative process, and the choices and aesthetics behind their use of type.”

So check out the movie on Netflix, or if you are too cheap for the $7.99 subscription just click here.    You will not be disappointed.

Enjoy!

Helvetica | Watch Documentary Online Free – Documentary Heaven.

75 Top Typography Tutorials

Usually “top” lists are in the 5, 10, or maybe 20 range…but 75?  That’s rare.

I rely heavily on fonts when creating a piece.  As I continue to learn and grow in this industry, and in working with my various clients, I’ve come to appreciate Typography as one of the most effective design tools at my disposal.

So much messaging can be represented by just a few well crafted/designed words.

I encourage you to look through this list of the “75 Top Typography Tutorials” from Creative Bloq (@CreativeBloq).  I bet you’ll find it as useful as I have.

Enjoy!

75 top typography tutorials | Creative Bloq.

20 Tips to Overcome that Creative Block

A post like this seems appropriate for anyone with a case of the Mondays.   We’ve all been there before, the seemingly impossible task to get the creative juices flowing.

Take a look at these 20 tips and perhaps there’s one listed that may do the trick for you.

How to overcome creative block: 20 brilliant tips | Creative Bloq.

Designing for Print in a Social Media World

Everyone is using social media…it’s a staple for any start up especially.  So much of what I do for clients lives online…Facebook, Twitter, eBlasts, Web banners. Ads….not to mention gB after gB of photos.

Even with all the digital work out there, people still need to print things.  From the conversations I have with clients, a misconception is taking shape…that designing images for print is the same as designing images for the web.

Don’t get me wrong, designing imagery for the web is no simple task.  Dimensions, formats, pixels, file size, images matching across multiple platforms, …it can be a challenge.  But designing for print carries it’s own challenges and risks.  If you aren’t careful you can end up costing you and your client a lot of time and money…not to mention resources.  (You can Ctrl + Z a mistake of a digital design with relative ease….but Ctrl + Z a mistake after a print run of 10,000 pieces is a little tougher)

That’s why I found this write up from Creative Bloq (@CreativeBloq) so helpful…and yes I do mess up from time to time.

“10 questions you should always ask your printer” is a helpful guide to keep even the most experienced designers from making a rookie mistake when working with a print house.

Print media and Social Media aren’t going anywhere, anytime soon.  It’s important as designers that we stay sharp on the fundamentals for both.

10 questions you should always ask your printer | Creative Bloq.

Branding the Presidents: An exercise in political design

A fun exercise I found in political design…which is your favorite? Mines the Kennedy one.  Be sure to look through them all, although the author left out Obama down through H.W. Bush.

Branding the Presidents  http://brandingtheuspresidents.tumblr.com/

Luftbanza Airlines #Photoshop Timelapse

I have photoshop skills…but this guys has mad photoshop skills.  Check out this timelapse of a Photoshop creation by artist Alexander Koshelkov.  He brings together a mosaic of images to create one disturbingly beautiful piece.

Enjoy!
Luftbanza Airlines ( #Photoshop ) – YouTube.

Lineposters: Subway Maps of Cities Around The World

Check out these works of art created by graphic artist Cayla Ferari and engineer John Breznicky.  What started out as a clever way to jazz up the walls of their NY apartment turned into a full fledged entrepreneurial endeavor.

The first version was a minimalist take of the NY subway system.  Today Lineposters.com has versions representing transit systems from all over the world.

Check em out.  I’m tempted to buy a few myself.  If only Indianapolis had a  transit system worth emulating in poster form.  Aw shucks.

Thanks to the Huffington Post for first tweeting this story.  Can I send you the bill for the money I’m going to spend on this art, because of reading you tweet 🙂

Indoor clouds – Weather as Art

It’s cloudy outside, why not blog about the clouds inside?

Photoshop…as many of you know…is my tool of choice.  I therefore can be quite skeptical about the authenticity of a beautiful image, especially if said image looks completely “photoshopped”

My skepticism was in full swing when I saw photos from artist Berndnaut Smilde, depicting nimbus clouds floating in an indoor space.   Surely this had to be the work of a Photoshop master.

How wrong I was.

By controlling temperature and humidity, the Dutch artist plays the role of a sort of gallery god…and the pictures are astounding.  Check out the full article HERE to read more and to see a video of the installation.

Artist Berndnaut Smilde creates indoor clouds – The Style Blog – The Washington Post.