Design is...

type, info-graphics, problem-solving, thinking, circles, triangles, squares, emotion, colour, form, structure, details, deadlines, caffeine, mounting, printing, stressing, struggling, procrastinating, making things look nice, communication, differentiation, remembering, making a difference, making a mark, personal branding...whatever you want it to be.

I recently came across an online poster competition where designers had to define what graphic design is. It's really awesome to see how the meaning of design changes from person to person - for you this, for others that.

Here are a few of the poster designs:

For more posters click here.

Packaging

Do you see yourself wanting to buy something because of the way its packaged? I do.

I don't think I've realized how much of a package noob I've become. I love me some packaging. Package design has evolved since the days of the cardboard box. Our love for type, colour, and form spice things up and give the overall design pazazz.

Here is a showcase dedicated to fine [food ]packaging:




Enjoy!

Ruined iPhone

What do you get when you cross a phone with an iPod?
An a sleek, innovative, tech-savvy gadget the iPhone.

Ever since I can remember I've longed for an iPhone. It's no ordinary phone. It's a smart phone that doubles as a camera and a portable media player a la iPod. In addition to visual voicemail and text messaging it includes services such as e-mail, web browsing, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

When it [the first generation one] launched June 29th, 2007 in the US I was disappointed to find out that it wouldn't make its way down here. Almost a year later on June 9th, 2008 at 2008 WWDC my prayers were answered and it was announced that the iPhone 3G [a second generation faster iPhone] would launch in Canada July 11th, 2008.

So what's my point?
What do you get when you cross two big corporations?
A really big mess.

Apple's iPhone will finally see the light of day in Canada in 3 days and from the looks of it over 45,000 people are saying no to the iPhone. Why? Because of its cellular provider Rogers. I'm a long-time Apple and Rogers' enthusiast. I own a fair share of products from Apple including my Mac and shuffle and am signed up to quite a few services from Roger's including cable, and wireless internet.

I don't understand. If our dollars are on par why can't the pricing for our cellular service be? The plans are outrageous. Roger's has to think of something fast. I really don't want to re-consider my decision to buy an iPhone.

A Tie Thing

Ever since I can remember I've always had a thing for neckties. Weird? I know. But its true.

The most expressive article in a mans wardrobe, a necktie is one of the few items through which a man can revleal his personality. A fine looking tie is a statement of confidence, style and maturity.

The suit makes the man. The tie [design wise with its different compositions, colours, and patterns] gives it that oompf.

Fun with Brands

Brands. They're all around us. Every nook. Every corner. North. South. East. West. There is no escaping them. We encounter them every second, minute, hour. From the computer we use, to the clothes we were, the food we eat, and the transportation we take. Everything is branded. We too our brands ourselves. Though we are aware of this [to an extent] we really don't pay attention to how brands affect our daily lives.

Recently I came across:

(click for full view)

I thought this information design graphic was a really neat way to map out the amount of brands we come across on a specific day [from the time we awake to the time we fall asleep] . Like a journal this visual timeline portrait gives individuals a better understanding of themselves by showing how much impact brands have on their lives.

This is something I look forward to trying. I'm hope you do too.

You Thought We Wouldn't Notice

Oh my god. Where have you seen that before? Do you see yourself asking that question when you come across certain things?

So which came first? The left one or the right one? Okay, okay I'll tell you. The right one (2006) and than the left one (2008.)

Awhile ago I came across this: http://youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com/

An online blog 'You thought we wouldn't notice' is a website dedicated at pointing out those things that give you that feeling of "haven’t I seen that somewhere before?”

Check it out for yourselves. You'll be glad you did.

How I Communicate

How do I communicate?
E-mail. MSN. Facebook. Text Messaging. Emotion?

After stumbling across the notion that emotion is considered a form of communication in my psychology gned I've come to the conclusion that after all those tech savvy ways to communicate I have a tendency to communicate more through my emotions.

[Our] emotions enable us to communicate [our] feelings, intentions, and needs more effectively than just words. Basic emotions such as happiness, sadness, and disgust make it more likely that others will respond to us.

How do you communicate?