Happy Holiday

All of us at aNEW designs wish you a safe and happy holiday. We hope you enjoy your time with friends and family over the next few days. Peace to you and yours during this holiday season.

I.D. Magazine Fading Away

I have been a reader and subscriber to I.D. Magazine for many years now and have enjoyed reading more about design and product design from its pages. It was announced last week the I.D. Magazine will cease publication with it's Jan/Feb issue. I.D. Magazine has been published since 1954, when mid century design was know as design of the day. It is sad to see a fine publication such as this go away. It was one of only a few magazines with a variety so wide. So long I.D. - I will miss your pages in the future.

Here's the official press release:

December 15, 2009
To Readers, Advertisers and Friends of I.D. Magazine:

Since 1954, I.D. Magazine has served as one of America's leading critical magazines covering the art, business, and culture of design. Today it is with regret that we announce its closure. The January/February issue of I.D. will be its last; subscribers to I.D. will receive Print magazine for the balance of their subscription.

Ceasing publication of an iconic brand like I.D. is never an easy decision, but there are several forces that have worked against its sustainability. Certainly the downturn in print advertising has contributed to this decision, but other factors include the fragmentation and specialized information needs of I.D.'s core readers (product designers) and the plethora of information resources available to them--some for free (online and B2B) and others that are highly specialized and targeted to specific industries served.

F+W Media will to continue producing the I.D. Annual Design Review, its flagship international product design competition, in an expanded fashion online. This new web initiative will feature not only 2010's winners but will catalog thousands of notable entries from past competitions. Going forward, in addition to the I.D. Annual Design Review, F+W Media's Design Group is comprised of the award-winning HOW and Print brands--magazines, books, events, and competitions serving the information needs of graphic designers in all media.

We thank the entire I.D. community, past and present--staffers, contributors, readers, and advertisers--for their support of the magazine throughout its 55-year history.

Sincerely,

Gary Lynch
Publisher & Editorial Director
F+W Media Design Community

A Mention on How Design Site

How Design Magazine asked for suggestions for a list of Gifts for Designers. I submitted a link for Eva Zeisel's work that was highlighted on the site. To view the link click here.

Fall 09 Portfolio Show

Yesterday evening marked the end of the Fall quarter for graduating Graphic Design majors at the Art Institute of California - Orange County. The students have worked hard over the last quarter finessing their portfolios to be viewed by the public and prospective employers. I wish the grads all the best in their careers as designers. You now have the skills to create and I look forward to hearing great things about you in the future.

Pantone 2010 Color of Year Plus iPhone App.

Pantone has announced this week that it projects that Turquoise Pantone 15-5519 will be the color of the year.

"Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a languorous, effective escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing."

Pantone has also released a nifty iPhone App for working with Pantone colors. You can view how it works in the video below. The current cost is $9.99 but you will never leave home again without your swatchbook.

Typographic Ads

Who does not love a great use of type? Check out this posting over at the GraphicDesign blog of 30 examples of typographic print ads. Some interesting work and concepts are presented. The Australia Post ad is my favorite.

For more great type, don't forget to check out the We Love Typography site daily for inspiration.

People of Walmart

First we had the Sexy People blog, now we can take a look at society not from past old photos but by some of the people visiting Walmart. In the days past, people would try to look good when they went out in public. They would do things like put on shoes, pants, a dress, overall, they wanted to look good, not go out in a robe or their pjs. Now, based upon these photos from the People of Walmart site, we have gone to hell in a handbag.

Oh how I miss Paris where fashion is a staple of life and if you can not afford the high end you at least try the best you can to look good. Enjoy your holiday shopping and your next trip to Walmart, take some photos for this People of Walmart site and don't look for me, I am a snob and would not be caught dead in Walmart.

Holiday Shopping for Designers - Core77

One of the best holiday shopping guides for designers can again be found over at Core77. This year's shopping guide is filled is 77 gifts for under $77 (mostly). The selection ranges from t-shirts and books to items for the home and everyday use. Check it out and find that special and unique gift for the designer on you list. I am digging the t-shirt above myself.

Identify Your Clients

As a designer we face numerous different types of clients on a daily basis. One key to getting the project complete is being able to identify your clients so you know how to work with them. Smashingmagazine.com has a great article that can help with the identification of different styles of clients and how to deal with them. The article cover typical clients from the Nit-Picker to the "I Could Do This Myselfer" to the Control Freak. Read the complete article to help you identify and deal with your clients over at smashingmagazine.com.

Clients From Hell

Stories from hell dealing with the craziness of our profession - this sums up this website dedicated to spreading the word of the madness we all have to encounter from time to time. Check out Clients from Hell, enjoy a good laugh, submit your own story and learn a bit about some of the demands that clients request.