10 STEPS to becoming the designer YOU WANT TO BE

TOP 10 STEPS
to becoming the designer 
YOU WANT TO BE


1: GET THE BOOK.
2: GET THE OBSCURE BOOK YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF.
3: CHOOSE A TOPIC THAT FASCINATES YOU AND LEARN IT INSIDE OUT.


Find out more
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2UXsSQ/www.good.is/post/ten-steps-to-becoming-the-designer-you-want-to-be/

This was a really good read. It's motivating for those days you just don't feel like you can learn any more or don't know where to begin.

The Smart Fridge, how cool!

CHECK THIS OUT! SMART FRIDGE!

I am addicted to StumbleUpon.com, you must use it. Lots of useful and useless information that changes daily. Today, this was featured on the Graphic Design section of my page.

So freakin' cool! I hope this really exists some day, though it will probably 

cost a fortune and break in two seconds.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/8bTEnN/www.yankodesign.com/2010/05/28/smart-fridge-is-your-new-recipe-card/

Check out these tutorials

31 awesome 
PHOTOSHOP 
tutorial tips
See how to make this green apple
http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/drawing/create-apple-photoshop/

also create a coffee cup, spray paint, paint brush, pencil and paper, radar, wax stamp, frayed denim, scrap of paper
and much much more here ...
http://www.youthedesigner.com/2011/05/16/31-must-try-photoshop-tutorials-in-creating-photorealistic-objects/

LOGO DESIGN

TIP 2  Engage your Audience

Your logo should not be so literal that the message is spelt out for them. They should be given the opportunity to discover the meaning and intention of your logo themselves. If people are able to discover the 'trick' of your logo within a reasonable amount of time, this will help to create a memorable and entertaining experience between you and your audience.


Too much abstraction will on the other hand work against you. If the logo is too obscure, the message that you are attempting to communicate will be lost, and so will your potential client. Remember, today's consumer culture is accustomed to very intense and stimulating media, and therefore you cannot be too demanding on your audience either.

LOGO DESIGN

TIP 1 Keep it Simple!

A complicated logo will not only make your logo difficult to reproduce and maintain, but you will also fail to engage your audience. You don't have time to recite your entire business plan in an elevator pitch, and the same concept applies to corporate logo design.

Often times, it's better to start over with a new concept or remove distracting elements rather than add them.

Simplicity isn't always an easy thing to achieve, as you don't want your logo to appear too boring or conservative. This is why at the end of the day it's best to leave it to the design professionals!

Tips derived from http://www.logobee.com/feature22.htm

Hey hey hey ... look who it is!

Read more... 

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011104190328

How to Save Trees and Forests - Tree Planting Donations

11 Ways To Save Forests 
Without Planting A Tree


http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/latest/tree-planting-donation-fb#fbIndex12


I know there is much more I could be doing but ...
I try to do my part where ever I can and with what I can afford.  There are some really great tips in this article.