Package Templates

Looking for new templates for your package designs? Check out iStockPack for new templates that are free for use that are uploaded by users.

Happy Leap Day

Every four years we get to experience an bonus and extra day. Happy February 29th. Happy Leap Day.

Get Your Map On

The USGS has a site where you can download historical topographic maps. The maps are in high resolution and cover the United States.

For more than 125 years, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps have accurately portrayed the complex geography of the Nation. The USGS is the largest producer of printed topographic maps, and, prior to 2009, USGS topographic maps were created using traditional cartographic methods and printed using the lithographic printing process.

Because historical maps are stored in a limited number of collections and are not readily available, the USGS National Geospatial Program (NGP) is converting these historical printed topographic quadrangles to an electronic format (GeoPDF). This scanning and processing effort serves the dual purpose of creating a master catalog and digital archive copies of the irreplaceable collection of topographic maps in the USGS Reston Map Library, as well as making the maps available for viewing and download from the USGS Store.

The processing of this invaluable collection is well underway, with more than 141,000 GeoPDF maps of the approximate total 180,000 currently available for download. Over the next months the number of files available, in a variety of published scales, will continue to expand until all of the topographic maps created throughout the Survey's history are once again available to the public.

To search and view, go to this link.

Super "Boring" Bowl Logo

The NFL has decided that it needs a consistent logo for the Super Bowl from now on. To accomplish this task, they are using last years logo and adding an I. The NFL says it will stay this way from now on at this point. Let's hope the NFL takes the boring out of the current long lasting logo and gets back to something super that will represent the game. (See top two logos) Taking a look at some of the past logos shows you just how special a mark can be to represent this iconic event and also keep with the spirit of the NFL. Here is to an exciting game on Sunday that is not representative of the new "boring" shown in the logo.

NPCA Logo Revision

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), an independent, nonpartisan voice working to address major threats facing the National Park System. NPCA was established in 1919. The mission of the NPCA is to protect and enhance America’s National Park System for present and future generations. They have continued to be a strong voice in this cause over the years.

To enhance its voice, the NPCA has revised their logo to better service over a variety of mediums from print to digital media. The redesign was performed by NPCA's Graphic Designer, Annie Riker.

The redesign is elegant and respectful of the long history of the NPCA and their mission. I believe the mark makes a bold statement and projects the strength of this worthy organization.

Annie Riker explains,

"Our previous logo served us well for almost fifty years, but had come to look dated and traditional. My goal was to create something clear, clean, memorable, and, most importantly, readable across all media—from Twitter and Facebook to publications and event invitations.

Our intent was to make the change be an evolution, not a revolution."

You can read a complete article about the design process that Annie Riker took at the newly designed Park Advocate, the NPCA's blog.