Resources
Working with young designers/interns I find that some have a hard time finding inspiration when starting new projects. Looking around your working environment, magazines and things received in the mail can produce tons of ideas for color and shapes of printed pieces. There are also tons of magazines, print/web publications big books of “The Best of” and “Design ideas” and websites to help get that creativity wheel turning.
Thought that I would list a few of the books, websites and personal resources that have been influential to me over the years.
Personal Favs
David Carson – Trek
Carson: 2nd Sight
Hybrid Imagery – The Fusion of Technology and Design
Impossible Worlds
M.C. Esher – His Life and Complete Graphic Work
Surf Skate & Rock Art of Jim Phillips
Street LogosWebsites
actionscript.org
kirupa.com
flashkit.com
weburbanist.com
photographyworkshop.com
teamphotoshop.com
smashingmagazine.com
usabilitypost.com
noupe.com
gomediazine.com
css-tricks.com
alistapart.com
jquery.com
Books
There are two publishers that I’ve stuck to for years, Peachpit Press and New Riders. Both provide very detailed step by step instructions on certain topics in an easy to read format. If your like me and like to learn things on your own, some of the app books can be hard to follow. Some are written for the seasoned user and can lack the detail on how to perform certain tasks.
Here are a few in my collection. Most were purchased when the app’s were first released, as reference guides. If you cannot afford or get to a class for training, purchase the reference or quick start guides!
Stylin’ CSS – New Riders
CSS Web Site Design – Lynda.com
The Photoshop CS2 Book for Digital Photographers – New Riders
Quark Express – Peachpit Press
MySQL – Peachpit Press
Flash MX – Peachpit Press
InDesign CS – Peachpit Press
Big Books
Big books are large collections of designs submitted by design firms and individuals from around the world. It’s pretty cool to come across a design that you’ve admired and find out who produced it.
The Big Book of Logos – 4 in the series
The Big Book of Design Ideas – 2 in the series
The Best of the Best of Business Card Design
The Big Book of Typographics – 1 and 2 are the same book
Typographics Four
1000 Graphic Elements
Design Pubs
Here are a few of the design publications that offer insight on the business of graphic design, technology and also provide annual design issues similar to the big books.
Print – Illustration, Photography, Design and Advertising annuals
How – Tends to be ad heavy but worth a read
Step – Well designed pub
Create – Also very ad heavy but offers large range of topics
Photoshop User – Everything Photoshop, tuts, products and tips
Adbusters – Different way of looking at advertising
