ART DESIGN: September 2010

Sarah Bledsoe by Akiss Paraskevopoulos (NSFW)

Pantone S/S 2011 colour trends

Though we've already taken a glimpse at the spring 2011 color trends that will help to shape your2011 fashion choices, today we revisit the topic with Pantone's take on the season and its colours.

pantone spring 2011

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You know that if Rankin is behind the lens, the results are bound to both sexy and iconic. His latest subject is Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, with designs by Thomas Wylde designer Paula Thomas... and of course, being Rankin, you can expect a bit of nudity as well.

You can pre-order the book from Amazon UK or Amazon US.

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Billykirk bicycle frame bag

Now that I have finally acquired my ultimate spring accessory, a classic bicycle (more on that later), the hunt naturally begins for accessories... for the accessory. Nutty sounding, I know, but the life of a fashioniser seems to necessitate having everything perfect, right down to the final detail. So for the bicycle in concern that means finding the correct luggage in which to carry my daily goods; the iPad from which I often write musings such as this isn't going to carry itself, after all. Enter the Billykirk bicycle frame bag.

Billykirk bicycle frame bag

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Kimono and heels

Somehow we've managed to get through the past 6 years without once featuring a kimono. That almost changes now. Yes, the feature piece looks akin to a kimono but is, in actuality, a cape. So, on a technicality, another year may pass with a kimono gracing Fashionising.com.

The same can't be said of the side braid however.

kimono

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Solar-paneled Diamond Tower proposed as next jewel for NY skyline

New York is the city of skyscrapers, and the newest proposal fits as a jewel in that crown. Inspired by the chemical structure of a diamond, the complex structure embodies sustainable features which transform it into a low-energy building. Towering 300 meters high above the New York skyline, the steel lattice structure features habitable cells that allow daylight in abundance. This combined with solar faade and wind turbines located in the top panels generate enough renewable energy to make for a sustainable design.

Other than that, 20 percent of the lattice has been proposed to remain unoccupied to make space for a variety of recreational activities.

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Polish cavalry inspires a kinetic energy powered concept rally car

Deriving inspiration from winged Polish cavalry soldiers named Hussars, designer Klaud Wasiak has devised a concept vehicle that generates enough energy to power itself while on the go. Specially designed for car rally racing, the Hussar Dakar concept features a series of spike shaped wings that produce kinetic energy during movement. The energy generated is delivered to various car components during a race. The aerodynamic design also helps break the air when all the wings are rotated in and upright thereby increasing speed.

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7 Innovative Ways for Graphic Designers to earn MORE!

Did you know that graphic designers can earn more doing what they do best? No guys, I'm not talking about doing other jobs or side businesses. I'm referring to the fact that graphic designers can earn more while working in the field of graphic design. Since graphic designers are a specialized lot, they need to understand how to get the maximum out of their expertise. While it is still a question of debate that graphic designers are value and paid, there are some creative ways that graphic designers can employ and earn more than what they are earning right now.

Here are 7 innovative ways through which you can rake maximum benefits out of your graphic designing careers:

1. Add more value to your work:

The concept of adding value is extremely helpful for graphic designers. Value addition is the price that your clients are willing to pay more than your standard price. Suppose you charge $200 for a logo design, you can increase the value of your work by adding more quality or speed and charge $200 for the same project. The most important part of adding value to your work is to differentiate your style and methodology so that your clients are willing to pay you more than before. There are many clients that value quality over money.

2. Maintain a healthy network of designer friends:

Social media for graphic designers has been more or a blessing and has allowed them to interconnect with the graphic design field. Popular social media sites like twitter and facebook help designers build a healthy network of designer friends from all spheres of the world. For example, if you a logo designer, a web designer friend of yours could refer his clients to you for a logo. Similarly, you could refer your clients for a website to your developer friend.

3. Keep long-term relationships with client:

On many occasions graphic designers underestimate the benefits of a stable and long-term relationship with their clients. They just focus of the relationship till the end of a single project. There is a concept of retaining your potential clients. Instead of trying to earn more by finding clients, graphic designers should develop a long-term relationship with their existing clients so as to retain them for future endeavors.

4. Provide extra services:

Although this can be called adding value to your design services, but I would like to call it supplementary services. For examplegraphic designers can entice their clients by offering them multiple services at the cost of one, or a bundle package like get a website design and obtain a complimentary logo free of cost. Not only will this attract more clients, but will also act as an incentive for retaining existing clients as well.

5. Segment your clients:

Another mistake that many graphic designers make is that they keep a static fee for all clients. That is they charge each customer on the same basis. Instead of keeping universal charges, designers must learn to segment their clients. Opt on charging more from big clients like multinationals and less from small business owners. This type of technique is known as market segmentation, dividing your clients into niches. To get an idea of how high can multinationals be charged, refer to my 'famous rebranding cost' post. On the other hand, keeping charges less for lower segments will earn more clients who have tight budgets.

6. Be a Jack of all trades:

Although the saying is "Jack of all trades, master of none", I believe in the 'Master of one, Jack of all" philosophy. Being a master at your area of expertise will earn you more, but having command over all aspects of the business will earn you more prospects. For example, if you are a web designer, don't stick to being just that. Learn other concepts of the graphic design field and develop into a versatile designer. Keep knowledge about logo designing, brochure designing and other aspects of graphic designing as well. This will earn you more clients and projects.

7. Spread your knowledge and expertise:

So you're a professional graphic designer? Share your knowledge and expertise by writing articles related to your areas of interest and specialization. Not only will this rake additional money, it will add credentials to your graphic design portfolio. Moreover, spreading knowledge broadens you horizons and you get to learn more and harness you skills more. If believe that you have the ability to teach others, you can also opt on delivering lectures on graphic designing which is a well paid work as well.

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28 Creative Graphic Designer Business Cards – An inspiring collection!

A graphic designer's talent is gauged by the graphic designing he does for his own identity. The works that he creates for his own personal use are a basis for determining his creative skills and competence. Graphic designers business cards, logos and web design all exemplify how inventive and resourceful a designer actually is. They bear testimonial to the creative instincts possessed by a graphic designer.

Although the advent of social media has made business meetings for graphic designers an online ordeal, the need for face-to-face acquaintance with clients is essential in building a strong and prosperous relationship. A business card is a useful promotional tool for graphic designers to spread their identity. The more creative the business card, the better your impression on the clients. Since your first impression is the last impression, it is imperative that you effectively exhibit your creativity through your business card.

Following is a collection of 28 creative and inspiring business cards of various graphic designers.