Nikon D300 camera of the year 2007

The Nikon D300 won camera of the year 2007.

Watch the video review here:
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/4925/camera-of-the-year-video.html

Photoshop gets rebranding

http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/photoshop/family/

Photographs

Some amazing photographs from Terje Sorgjerd:
http://terje.sorgjerd.no

Interesting way of doing a presentation (with a DJ)

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/09/watch-chase-jarvis-entire-nyc.html

Ogilvy, IBM ads

Some of the best in design and advertising work...
http://www.ogilvy.com/portfolio/portfolio.php

Cool, I want one...

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/mp3/8c43/

Bloomberg Terminals & UI makeover

See how three different design companies gave Bloombergs Terminals & User Interface a makeover.

http://www.portfolio.com/interactive-features/2007/06/terminals

The Power of Design

Article published in Business Week about IDEO, a design company improving things through design.

http://www.businessweek.com/pdf/240512BWePrint2.pdf

Fight for Kisses

Very funny...
http://www.ffk-wilkinson.com/

Adobe Video Training

Well worth a look. Amazing what you can do in Photoshop CS3 now... 3D, video etc.
Note: only works in IE browsers.

Adobe video training

Helvetica

Helvetica. The Movie.

Genius

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FMqftVhOuTw&mode=related&search=

No Plan, No Model, No Problem!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5474208006169446665&hl=en

OMG! I actually remember this UI

It seems sad now that people were getting so excited about a computer that was able to "do text", but back then, this was the sh*t.

Funny

Software Designers Use

Adobe Creative Suite
Adobe Fonts
Font Lister
For Video Presentations
3D in Flash

Training / Learning
http://www.adobe.com/resources/elearning/
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/

Events
http://adobemax2007.com/

iPhone features

The much anticipated iPhone. I want one, but there is no network operator in Ireland going to sell it (as of yet). Whichever operator actually sees some sense and does decide to carry it will instantly attract many new customers. I for one will switch networks immediately.



iPhone Features (funny)

Near Future Computer Interfacing

In the near future this kind of technology will be the dominant way of using your computer, replacing the keyboard and mouse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7eGypGOlOc&mode=related&search

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ftJhDBZqss

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEax1mJhJQ0

New ways to force ads into your skull?

So, because we can just download tv shows now (with no ads) or people with digital tv (TiVo etc) can fast forward through the ads, advertisers have to come up with new ways to MAKE you watch the ads. Like placing the ads IN the show your watching:
leveltendesign.com Link

I already can't watch tv anymore because of the constant bombardment of crappy advertising, so if ads are IN the shows content now, what do we do? Stop watching any kind of tv show? even online?

Watch online here: http://tv-links.co.uk/

What Monitor?

I see Apple have decreased the price of their monitors to compete with Dell:
Link >>

And Dell now have a 30" monitor option (to compete with Apple):
Link >>

While HP have some nice new product designs (PCs & Monitors) which I suspect is largely related to HP's increase in sales, even though I can't find pricing or buy online :(
Link >>

And Eizo have some excellent features in their monitor range.
Link >>

Some good priced monitors here >>

But if money is no object, I think it would have to be this
THE BEAST >>

More reviews here >>

Very Funny Posts

http://wombat.eu.org/fun/australia.txt

My Flying Startups PodCast Article

Hi Flying Startups,

I listen to the PodCast and think it’s great, very informative and inspirational. However (bit of a rant now) whilst listening to episode 3 (9/29/06) I noticed some "Web Designer bashing", so I decided to try and enlighten the listeners a little more about the web design industry.

You mentioned excessive costs of website design...
This, like any other industry or service, depends entirely on where you look. Big design agencies usually charge a lot more, as they have large overheads and you are paying for the name and a professional service (not to mention a good few peoples salaries).

You mentioned people should learn to "design" their own website...
Sure, this is a great idea, if they have the time and will to learn how to design and build a website properly. Time they could be spending on promoting their own business and products. It has taken me years to learn what I know now, and the industry is constantly changing.

There are many areas to designing and building a website (here are just three)…
1. Professional Design:
This affects how your company is portrayed and perceived by visitors. Bad design makes your company or product look cheap/bad. Good design will be the difference between making a sale or not. If your site looks like it was made using Word in an hour or two, you WILL lose many sales. Professional design makes your company look professional, experienced and trustworthy, which equals many more sales.

2. Graphical User Interface:
This affects the ease of use or how easy it is to navigate your site. Bad GUI design can make a site unusable and visitors WILL leave within seconds. It is proven that visitors typically visit a site for one thing - information. If this is not easily accessible immediately, visitors leave the site and go to a competitor’s site (usually within 5-10 seconds).

3. Search Engine Optimisation (so the site actually gets visitors):
This is a huge area in itself. There are thousands of search engines, and many different ways to make your site rate higher in the rankings. The only way to do this properly takes time as this is constantly changing too. That’s one of the things you are paying a web designer for, their experience. So you don’t have to spend hours, weeks, months or years learning all of this stuff.

Some people seem to think design is something just anyone can do, with no experience!
Whist design IS a personal thing (everyone has their own idea of what good design is), there are certain things that need to be taken into consideration when building a website. It’s not just design. It’s also programming, usability, colour theory, download speed, search engine ranking, keywords, features and functionality, competitor ratings etc. This is something that also takes years of learning through your own mistakes (or at least has taken me) and cannot be just thrown together in a day or two.
Whilst it is true, that almost anyone can learn the BASICS of how to “design” and build a simple website in a relatively short time (usually days), chances are it will not be designed and built to the optimal ability you want your company, product or service to portray. In most cases it will be very basic compared to what it could potentially be, and usually breaks many design rules that adversely affect the loading times, usability and many other issues that only a designer of many years experience will be looking for and know how to avoid.

Whereas design rules are flexible, they do exist for a reason. They help guide you to what is more usable, professional looking, and help your site get better results in both marketing efforts and search engines. This takes experience.


If I may offer some simple advice on the Flying Startups site.
The first, and major thing that affects download speed, and most importantly the users computer (processor) speed, is the large background image (see screenshot image attached). This makes the site virtually un-scrollable without almost freezing the users CPU (computer processor). I would remove the large background and use a smaller background image in one specific location, like this example: www.selfthought.com
This will help the site use a LOT less processing power and make the site much quicker to use and load.

As I said before, I am a big fan of the PodCast show. I just wanted to clarify the role of web designers a bit more, as they are not all overcharging cowboys looking for a quick buck. Some of us want to build lasting relationships through keeping the customers happy, getting return business and more customers through word of mouth, and creating win-win situations for both parties.

I hope this is of some help to your listeners, even if only helping you to save time or to have a better understanding of the design industry in general, and website issues involved in website design.


So who am I to be telling you about all this stuff?
I am a designer with 17 years experience in print and web design & development. You can see some examples of my past work here: www.KTdesigner.com

PS. I wouldn’t try to fix my own car, do my own plumbing, fix my own teeth, or build my own house. All of which can cost varying amounts (sometimes expensive) but usually pricing is not questioned in these industries.

So why is it, some people continue to question the value of quality design work. It’s not just sitting at a computer pressing a few buttons (as I’ve heard it described before) but something that takes years to perfect. It’s constantly changing and there’s always more to learn. I pay other people to do things I can’t do. Design is just another service and should be recognised for what it is, a specialist subject that takes years to develop.

Thank you for reading.
KTdesigner.

Time 2007 Style & Design 100

Interesting and I concure with most choices.
www.time.com/time/specials/2007/style_design

Intersting article on design

Click here for link to "are designers the enemy of design"...

Places I've been to, so far, in this life...

So you want to be a Designer!

My Background

KTdesigner.com was set up as a portfolio site by Irish designer Karl Thompson, in 2004. The purpose of the company is Web Design, Graphic Design, Multimedia, Identity Design (logos) and Consultation - what’s the best way to design/develop a particular project.

My work can be seen at www.KTdesigner.com

The type of work I undertake is:

• Website design & development
• Graphic design - magazines, brochures, stationary etc.
• Logos
• Illustration
• Multimedia
• Presentations
• Digital photography
• I cover almost all design related fields

Job Specification

What is your job title?
Multidisciplinary Designer, or Graphic Designer, or Senior Web Designer, or Uber Overlord Designer (you choose, it’s only a title, it’s the work that counts.)

What are your duties, responsibilities etc.?
Designing websites, logos, brochures, illustrations etc. for clients, “the full package”.
Dealing directly with clients and informing them of the best way to proceed with a project based on time and cost restrictions, search engine optimisation, competitors sites features and desired end-product usability and features.

What qualifications do you require to gain a similar position to yours?

1. Be creative.
2. Gain as much software and computer knowledge as you can (this is a continuous process as computers and software are always changing).
3. Look at what other designers are doing (buy studying design books, looking at design sites, learning from other designers and they’re styles).
4. Have the “will” to do it. Experience in any area takes years, and its not always fun. Learn from your mistakes.

Would it be useful to study other courses, and if so which ones?

Yes, anything and everything that relates in any way to design. I studied, Classical Animation, Art, Design, Computer Hardware, Networks, Multimedia, Computer Operating Systems, Digital Photography, Colour Theory, German, French, Spanish, Polish languages (but not to the point of being fluent) etc. The more you know, the more you will understand. Even if you studied say, car mechanics as a hobby, some day you may have to do a flash illustration of a car engine and its working components, and it would sure help a lot if you knew what you were looking at. All knowledge will help at some time or another, and not just in a job.

Would it be useful to gain a variety of work experiences?

Yes and no. Yes if it relates in some ways to what you want to do. Working in a betting shop or on the factory floor is not really going to help you become a better designer (although any work looks better than none to prospective employers). But it would be much better if you could find experience in something relative and creative. In my first real design related job I started off building signs, which was not very creative, but it was a first step towards becoming a designer with experience in many different types of work, and if you don’t like it after a few weeks, move on to something else (I hated working in Pizzerias etc).

What would you look for in an employee, and how important is it out of 100%?

Natural talent
15% - talent can be learned with enthusiasm, but it does help if you already have talent (a shorter learning curve).

Experience
50% - Unfortunately someone with no experience has too much to learn, and there’s never enough time to teach someone everything before they start a job. However, if they have already been learning by doing at home, or on courses it all helps. Learn from your mistakes on your own sites or projects before making mistakes on clients work (when possible).

Punctuality
75% - Very important, someone who is always late, just doesn’t seem to care enough.
And excuses wear thin quickly.

Good attitude
95% - Nobody likes to work with someone who always makes excuses and complain about other staff. An old saying goes - A bad worker blames his/her tools.

Willingness to learn
100% - This is VERY important. Nobody is born with the knowledge they need to do any job, and someone who has spent the time to learn as much as they can, on their own time (and will continue to learn) has a much better chance than someone who just thinks of it as a 9 to 5 job, and forgets about it once they are out the door.

Conclusion

Find out what it is that you want to do (I assume you want to be a designer, that’s why your reading this). For most of us, that comes through finding out what it is that we don’t want to do. The only constant is change.

Set goals and time frames.
If you want to be a designer, or successful artist or whatever, set a goal that within one year (or however long you feel is believable) you will have learned this new skill, or met this person, or built this type of portfolio for a gallery exhibition, and then after you have learned this, you will move on and learn whatever other skill is next. Take it one step at a time, don’t just look at the top of the stairs and think “I want to be at the top now, but it’s impossible”.

Work at it constantly.
There is no easy way (unless you’re the boss’s son “joke”). Look at it like a sculpture carved from rock, one chip at a time. If you have the right attitude and will power, you will get the experience for the job you want to do. And yes it may take years, and you may meet some hideous clients along the way (hopefully only about 1%), but this will pass like water under a bridge and eventually you will reach your ultimate goal or being a great designer.

Hope this helps, thank you.

KTdesigner.

Fun stuff

Found this on another blog. (In the words of Homer) It's funny cause it's true...