Can AI Design?
Artificial intelligence is neither intelligent nor creative. My experience with AI has revealed it to be like an eager high-school intern. It delivers something that is really trying to look good or sound smart—but without expertise or finesse. AI tools can only recombine existing content. GPT—generative pretrained transformer—is a more accurate acronym than AI. ChatGPT […]
Do Drugs Enhance Creativity?
On the second day of class in my first semester teaching Graphic Design, one of my students asked this question: Do drugs enhance creativity? Many creative people experiment with drugs because their nature is to be curious. Some great works of art are known to be inspired by substance induced trips. But my answer was—and […]
Quote: “All things are created twice,” says Stephen R. Covey
“There’s a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation to all things. “Take the construction of a home, for example. You create it in every detail before you ever hammer the first nail into place. . . . “Then you reduce it to blueprint and develop construction plans. . . . “You […]
Proximity
The proximity principle: elements that are close spatially are perceived to belong together. Use this to your advantage. Things that are close together will appear to be grouped. This is why you should not space out everything on your page equally. Create groups of meaning. Your audience will have a much easier time comprehending information […]
Outlines, drop shadows, and gradients, oh my!
What makes a good logo? In my opinion, simplicity, appropriateness, and uniqueness. I drive around town and see many poorly designed logos. Some are too complex, some don’t reflect the business appropriately, and some are clichés.
Basic Color
“Color adds tremendous meaning to communication as it vitalizes the visual message, delivering an instantaneous impression.” —Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color Green is the color of nature itself. It is nurturing and secure. Deep greens are lush and prestigious. Light green is minty and refreshing.
Design Principles: Texture
A subtle and often overlooked design principle is texture. Derived from the Latin word meaning “to weave,” texture arises from interwoven or layered parts.
How to Spend More Time in Flow
Book Review: Finding Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi I’m intrigued by the idea of flow. I’m certain that I chose graphic design as a career because getting lost in my work brings me into the flow state. When I was a child, my father called me a macher, which is German for “maker.” I am still […]
Design Principles: Rhythm
Rhythm establishes consistency in your design. Repeating elements operate like the bass line in a good tune. Rhythm can create movement through a multi-page publication and help your viewer navigate.
Design Principles: Balance
You know how important balance is in life. Balance is also a fundamental design principle.