Header for color spaces
Design resources, Print design

Talking about color: color spaces

Today, I'm talking about color space. About a month ago I covered some color terms specific to color printing. I'm expanding on that information today and covering a couple other colors spaces. If you’re wondering what RGB means and what it’s good for, I hope to help you out. Also, this is simplified; this is… Continue reading Talking about color: color spaces

Cover design blog post header image with bookasaurus
Books, Print design

February book round-up and critique

I’m doing something a little different for the February book round-up. I thought I’d find a book cover that I liked and then talk about what I think is working for it. I was looking through the online catalog for the Cincinnati Public Library and found this book: As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti. What’s… Continue reading February book round-up and critique

Header image of piles of second-hand books
Books, Print design

No sloppy seconds: designing series, second books and second (and third, etc.) editions

Recently a client asked me about designing the cover for the second edition of her book. She wanted to maintain the look of the first book. “That’s a good idea,” I said. “Oh, good,” she said, tension leaving her voice. “Other designers wanted to change it all together.” The first edition cover was a reasonable… Continue reading No sloppy seconds: designing series, second books and second (and third, etc.) editions

Header image of leaded type
Design resources

Graphic design glossary: printing

I was discussing a brochure with a client once, and talk turned to printing. “We could get this printed two-color,” I said, “Or four-color, but that would be more.” “Oh,” said the client. “I’d like all the colors.” Of course, any print designer knows four-color is “all the colors,” but the jargon was so ingrained… Continue reading Graphic design glossary: printing

Header image for free images article
Design resources

Free images: Five tips for finding great images for free

There are days when you just need a free image. Maybe it’s a pro bono project, maybe the client has no money, or maybe it’s a personal project. Here are five tips for getting and using free images. Use an existing image from a stock image site that offers them for free There are a… Continue reading Free images: Five tips for finding great images for free

Header for great client relationship
Business

Five tips to creating a great client relationship

As a freelancer, creating a great client relationship is essential to creating great work. We all want great clients: a great client trusts the design work that you do, comes back for more, and refers you to other clients. It’s important to start building this relationship from the very beginning, even before you meet any… Continue reading Five tips to creating a great client relationship

Header for what are mood boards blog post
Design process

Mood boards | What is a mood board, and why is it a great design tool

“You made the mood boards,” my client said as I laid them out for my design presentation. “I thought that we’d be making them together. I was searching for magazines.” Fortunately, she wasn’t upset that I’d done all the work, but I realized that I hadn’t been clear on how I work with mood boards.… Continue reading Mood boards | What is a mood board, and why is it a great design tool