Monday, January 02, 2012

If you were to look at the music on my iPhone, you’d find that a good chunk of it isnt even considered music.  I’ve been a fan of podcasts (and podcasting) ever since it hit the scene.  I’ve found it to be a great way to learn about topics that interest me or to get acquainted with new ideas and I can listen to them no matter what else I may be doing.  If you’re looking to bolster your design knowledge or just want to soak up some great talk about the topic, here’s a list of design-focused podcasts you should subscribe to.

1. The Web Ahead - A relatIvely new show, I’ve enjoyed what the host, Jen Simmons brings to the table.  The guest list has been an impressive variety of design professionals.
2. The Boagworld Podcast - I’ve enjoyed Paul Boag’s show for quite some time.  He covers topic that are central to the business of web design and uncovers some areas that may be forgotten from time to time.
3. The Big Web Show - Jeffrey Zeldman and his guests cover the gamut of design topics in a fun yet informative way.
4. Media Artist Secrets - This podcast by Franklin McMahon may be one of the first design podcasts that I subscribed to.  Usually focusing on one topic an episode, the show length is manageable and can be the perfect fit for your morning commute.
5. TEDTalks - This is a series of podcassts created from the amazing TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) events that take place throughout the year.  Rather than focusing on how-to’s and techniques, these “episodes” focus on concepts, ideas, problems, and ultimately solutions that apply to all walks of life.

I hope you’ll find that these selections are not only informative, but are a pleasure to listen to!

Posted on 01/02/12 at 08:45 AM by Tim - Categories: Design Tools Tutorials Inspiration Podcast Tags:

Share

Sunday, January 01, 2012

I found a few great and inspiring typography examples to help any designer get the new year rolling in a creative direction.

A, B, C…

Bubbly 2(0)

3 minutes

Concert poster

Cola

Steal

Symbols

Save the Date

Posted on 01/01/12 at 08:51 AM by Tim - Categories: Design Inspiration Tags: Graphic Design, Inspiration, Poster Design, Creativity, Typography

Share

Saturday, December 31, 2011

As we bid farewell to another year and look forward to the one coming up, what’s in store for you?  What are your plans and what are your goals?

Here’s a short list of what I have planned.

• A year of new projects, new ventures, and new experiences.
• Letting ideas grow and allowing them to fail.
• Finding what works, realizing what doesn’t and moving forward.
• Streamlining both concepts and self, cutting the fat both figuratively and literally.
• Creating more content and building tools that can be shared with the communities that I believe in.
• Help connect people that share the same passion(s).
• Picking up the “pen” and writing more.  This was sorely lacking this year.
• Using the tools that I have and creating new types of content.
• Acting on items with more speed and worrying less.
• Banishing excuses. They accomplish nothing and only hold us back.

Now it’s your turn! What do you have planned for the new year?

Posted on 12/31/11 at 08:00 AM by Tim - Categories: Design Inspiration Personal Tags: Plans, New Year

Share

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

If you want to focus on mobile app and mobile web design in 2012, here are a few sketching assistants I’ve created to help as you head into the new year.  With your iPad or other tablet device, you can choose from an assortment of 10 Mobile UI design and sketching templates to assist you in your design process.  These work well with many drawing apps and I’ve included a set that is created specifically for Penultimate.  You’ll find both portrait and landscape layouts with and without grids.  There are also two and three-up configurations with optional lines for notes (single & two-up).  This first round of templates was based off of the iPhone, but I am working on other visual styles as well.

What styles are included?

1. Large phone (portrait)
2. Large phone with grid overlay (portrait)
3. Small phone (portrait)
4. Small phone with grid overlay (portrait)
5. Small phone two-up (portrait)
6. Small phone with notes (portrait)
7. Small phone two-up with notes (landscape)
8. Small phone two-up with grid (landscape)
9. Small phone three-up (landscape)
10. Small phone three-up with grid (landscape)

Special New Year 2012 pricing: all template packs reduced to $.99 (ends 1/31/12)!

10 Mobile UI Sketch Templates for iPad (.png) - $.99 (Reg: $1.99)
10 Mobile UI Sketch Templates for iPad (.ppr Penultimate) - $.99 (Reg: $1.99)
20 Mobile UI Sketch Templates for iPad (.png & .ppr Penultimate) - $.99 (Reg: $2.99)

Posted on 12/28/11 at 12:40 AM by Tim - Categories: Design Tools User Interface Workflow Mobile Tags: iPad, Design, User interface, Penultimate, Sketching, App design, Layout

Share

Monday, December 26, 2011

So you got an iPad for the holidays but you aren’t quite sure where to start with it?  Here are a few great resources that can help you get the most out of your new iDevice.

Podcasts & Video Tutorials

• iPad Today
• We Have Communicators
• iPad Guided Tours
• iPad Tips & Tricks
• The iPad Show

General iOS Tips and Info

• TUAW
• MacWorld
• iLounge

Posted on 12/26/11 at 10:15 AM by Tim - Categories: Apple Tags: iPad

Share