If you are a designer that lives and breaths type, then you shouldn’t miss the documentary “Helvetica.” I’m old enough that I can remember hand-rendering type and being down right anal about letter spacing — two things that have really lost their importance for some of today’s designers, who have known nothing but the computer as a design tool. I see it in my students. They seem to be unaware of the impact of well-spaced type. The movie starts by illustrating how prevalent the typeface Helvetica is in our surroundings.
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Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 04:21
What’s your type? Knowing the correct names for the parts of type characters will help you identify different typefaces, and the more familiar you are with type characteristics, the easier it will be for you to pick a typeface that expresses the idea, feeling and tone of the piece you are designing.
Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 07:41
A client of mine asked me to do an HTML e-mail blast for her, but it had been quite a while since I had worked on one. The software I’d used before didn’t work with my current operating system, so I started looking for a solution. 
After exploring the possibilities, I landed on a winner. Campaign Monitor was simple to use and gives you the ability to rebrand the service.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 - 09:41
One of the strategies that works well for attracting a new client is a very simple one: To get in the door, do a very small job for a client. Even the smallest jobs can show off your talent and capabilities. Just be sure to do you best work. Also, make sure to meet their deadline, because even if it is great, it’s no use to them late. A rule of thumb is to deliver more than you promise, before the date you promised it. This is also a good time to offer up your relationships with other vendors to help them get donated goods. How will you find these opportunities?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 12:43
I love getting free samples from paper companies. I never pass up a chance to go to a paper show, and not just for that free food and drink. They are outstanding resources for inspiration. Unisource is a worldwide paper distributor and happens to have a distribution center in my area so I use them often. You can get paper sample books of all the papers they carry. Just call a paper company, ask them to put you on their mailing list and to invite you to their next paper show. Then make sure you attend. These shows are free.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 06:53
When you are talking about measuring units of information on your computer it can be confusing. The smallest unit of information is called a bit. A bit is based on an on or off switch and is used to represent the digits 0 or 1. In a row of 8 bits there are 256 possible combinations.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 09:20
Get some bang for your buck. Or should I say a big bang for no bucks? Add streaming video to your website at no charge. You don’t need to know HTML or anything about flash. Here’s what you can do: YouTube.com lets anyone upload movies to their website for free. The movie is hosted on their site, but shows up on your site. Doing this avoids some compatibility issues you may run into if you simply link to the movie file on your host such as what format you need for everyone to be able to view it.
Monday, January 19, 2009 - 09:05
Did you ever go to the dentist when you were a kid and get those rings with the moving images on them? Or get that prize with a moving image in a box of Cracker Jacks? Those were lenticulars. As an alleged adult I am still intrigued with them. What are they? Lenticulars are made from two or more images that have been sliced into thin vertical segments and then topped with a clear faceted lens that makes them appear to move as you see them from different angles. There are many effects including 3-D, morph, zoom and motion.
Monday, January 19, 2009 - 09:04
It’s all about relationships. What does that have to do with printing you say? I say, "everything." There are two different facets. The first is the relationship between you and the print rep. The second is between your print representative and other vendors. Let me explain. Love your print rep, and he’ll love you. There is certainly something to be said for loyalty, and that goes both ways. Most seasoned designers work with the same two or three printers all the time.
Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 22:59
Click here to read part 1. When you are first reaching out to potential employers after graduation, it is important that you list all the software you know on your resume. Also, it is imperative that you list your skills and note how those skills will benefit your potential employer. You may be an outstanding leader, but an employer isn't looking for a leader for an entry-level position. You can call on this trait later in your career.
Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 22:57
Welcome to the wild world of advertising. I went to Iowa State University for graphic design. After I graduated I moved to Milwaukee, where I've been working as an art director for the last 20 or so years. I also teach graphic design at the college level. One of the classes I teach deals with preparing your portfolio and interviewing as an entry-level designer. So, even though I may be at a different point in my career than you, I've got a pretty good idea what you are about to face. Let's look at who your target audience is. First of all, target an employer with a job opening.
Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 22:50
Making your piece stand out from the barrage of direct mail people receive can be a challenge.
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What is the PsPrint Blog??
The PsPrint Blog is a resource for graphic designers, freelancers, small business owners and fans of print marketing. You'll find helpful techniques on printing everything there is to print, including business cards, postcards, brochures, stickers, invitations, greeting cards, door hangers, magnets and more. The PsPrint Blog shares creative ways to improve your design and layout skills, and useful tips for marketing your business in any medium. We also like to have a little fun, sharing design inspiration and spotlighting some our favorite customers' printed pieces in our "Hot Off the Press" series.
