eDes!gn

It's not Spongebob; It's Breakfast

2011-01-25T07:54:00.001-05:00

With the highest paid circulation of any printed magazine--6.1 million--Reader's Digest hopes to make a strong entry into the digital domain with its iPad edition, just announced today. The first issue, out in March, will feature automatically-updated online content plus iPad-only content and videos. Reader's Digest joins a growing list of publications that offer content in an all-electronic and predominantly-visual form, signaling a new revolution in the publishing industry whereby content is separated from traditional media.

Explore your Career Choices at America's Career InfoNet

2011-01-24T11:23:00.002-05:00

Explore your career choices at America's Career InfoNet:

Web Graphic Designers

Art Directors

Advertising and Promotions Managers

Reporters and Correspondents

Broadcast News Analysts

ABC's My Generation to Interact with Audience's iPads

2010-09-17T10:10:00.002-05:00

Getting ready for ABC's My Generation? It premieres Thursday, September 23rd. It's not really my generation--you'd have to go back to the Class of 1983. But the first-of-its-kind show makes extensive use of the audience's Apple iPads for enhanced interactivity. Get the free app from the Apple App Store.

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2010-05-05T14:21:00.003-05:00

If you have a computer with a video camera, try out the TomTom Star Wars Game. Use the Force to lift a plasma TV without touching the mouse or the keyboard! This is an excellent example of a Flash-based game website.

iPad Coming Soon to Stores, Only Not for Sale

2010-05-04T22:26:00.001-05:00

The April 21st online issue of Ad Age predicts an important new use for the Apple iPad--as personal shopping assistant for retail stores. According to the article, "in time, the iPad could be used as a virtual sales assistant, allowing sales staff in the dress department to pull up coordinating accessories from the jewelry or shoe department."

Retailers still would have to work out logistical problems, such as how to keep them from walking out the door, but the benefits to retail sales make the iPad attractive to retailers.

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So You Need a Typeface?

2010-04-20T23:31:00.000-05:00

Thanks go to my past MDC student Chelo for sending me this typeface selection chart. Take it with a grain of salt, as there are other choices beside Metro if you don't like Futura. :-)

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USAToday's Video Review of the iPad

2010-04-05T09:17:00.001-05:00

Graphic Design Intern Wanted

2010-03-27T08:41:00.001-05:00

Good morning! I have a paid internship, 20-hours per week position for one of your students. I am looking for an intern with strong writing skills, graphic design, and video production. If any of your students is interested, please send me their resume or portfolio.
Thanks,
Vladimir Díaz
Acting Deputy Director
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Hispanic-Serving Institutions National Program
305-237-8550 www.HSI.USDA.gov

Graphic Design Intern Wanted

2010-03-24T08:03:00.001-05:00

Company
Two Parrot Productions is a video production company specializing in online video marketing. Our principal projects are international assignments with a focus on NGO and humanitarian aid for organizations such as the World Bank. The company has been featured on CNN for its contribution to non-profit organizations around the world.

The Viral Pulse consults, trains and produces video for corporate clients such as Moet Hennessy USA, Hyatt Hotels, LXR Luxury Resorts, Touch Restaurant & Catering, Math Monkey, and MAC.

Primary Functions
You will design and draft creative marketing materials on behalf of our companies and our clients. Projects may include tri-fold brochures, postcards, e-book layouts, photo compositing, 3D logo design and layout for online graphics for our video interface. Ability to create simple Flash animations will win you big brownie points.

Requirements
Impressive Portfolio
Experience with Adobe Flash is a BIG BONUS. Good listener, reliable, creative, sensitive to deadlines, responsive, flexible, and eager to please.

As needed on a per project basis. Looking for a 6-month commitment of about 20 hours/month.

Compensation
Students receive hands on experience with real world clients and projects, and training directly from the managing director. This is an unpaid internship, and Two Parrot will allow you to use any artwork you create as part of your portfolio. In addition, we write damn good letters of reccomendation.

Contact
(Looking to fill position immediately)

Jessica Kizorek
Chief Bad-Ass In Charge
jessica@twoparrot.com
Cell: 630-835-4811

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Web Graphic Design Intern Needed

2010-03-23T14:30:00.001-05:00

My name is Sergio, the Product Manager of Nettingsolutions. We are an interactive marketing agency with offices in Miami, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia.

We are starting a new web/mobile development project, and we are looking to hire a graphic design intern for our Miami office.

The job qualifications are the following:

- Adobe Creative Suite
- HTML
- CSS
- Flash (Nice to have)

Thanks and I look forward to your feedback.

Sergio

Sergio Prieto
Product Manager
1790 Coral Way, Suite 202, Miami, FL 33145
Tel: (305) 285-1380 Ext. 206
Sergio@NettingSolutions.com

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Graphic Designer Paid Internship Opportunity

2010-03-11T14:54:00.000-05:00

LightfootCorp is seeking (2) Student Graphic Designers for a paid Internship Consultant opportunity. Interns must be available for the next 3-6 weeks. We have a souviner journal project for immediate completion for a client. Interns must have a great working knowledge of InDesign and Photoshop and webdesign is a plus. Interns must have thier own laptop/personal computer (although PC and Mac are onsite. - Storage devices will be provided at no cost to the interns). Interns must have own reliable transportation.

This intership opportunity is perfect for the student who has classes in the day and needs a paying part-time real life business project opportunity in the evenings and on weekends. Interviewing for (2) internship positions for this Saturday and Sunday ONLY. Internship starts Monday evening, March 15th. This project is hands on and interns must be able and ready to hit the ground running. Please call to set up and interview appointment with Rochelle Lightfoot Johnson at 786-285-7448.

Internship Position Details:
Title: Graphic Designer Internship Consultant
Start Date: March 15, 2010 for approximately 3 weeks or 65 hours period)
Hours: Part-Time Evenings M-F (6:30 - 10:30 PM) and Weekends (Flexible TBD)
Pay Rate: $9.00 hrly. - Weekly pay.
Environment: Positive - Casual Dress

Things to bring to the interview - InDesign/Graphic Project and Resume. Thank you.

Rochelle Lightfoot Johnson| Chief Operations Officer
LightfootCorp, LLC | North Miami Beach, Florida
786-285-7448 | 786-627-3112 fax
rochelle.lightfootcorp.com

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Visual Lightbox--Two Thumbs-up for Ease of Use

2010-03-02T22:31:00.001-05:00

Ever wanted to create a thumbnail gallery of images, but Dreamweaver's rollover behaviors seem a little played-out? Flash's ActionScript is a little too difficult to write? I recently found Visual Lightbox, a tool for effortlessly building beautiful thumbnail galleries with absolutely no coding! Unlike jQuery Lightbox, which requires you to do some HTML coding, VL couldn't be easier! I re-did my web portfolio using VL and it's beautiful! Take a look and tell me what you think.

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Hot Jobs in a Flash

2010-02-21T12:57:00.001-05:00

I just came across this Miami Herald article from last November, but felt it should be included here. Steve Cucinotta, a 27-year-old web designer who works in Hollywood-based web design firm Sapient, talks about his education and job opportunities in the field. Like I always say, pick a career you will enjoy so it won't feel like work, but rather play.

Cucinotta said, "Everyone here is just very warm and welcoming. And that to me is the biggest thing. It feels like I'm going to hang out with my friends and do work while I'm here. I don't see it as a job. I see it as a place to go and learn."

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Converting your Photoshop Website to HTML/CSS

2010-02-19T21:15:00.001-05:00

Best practices for modern web site design call for small, easily downloadable files. If you're still using Photoshop to build websites using slices, your sites will not be compliant with WCAG 2.0 standards. Designbeep.com offers today 38 tutorials for converting your Photoshop-created website to HTML/CSS.

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Five Reasons to Learn HTML and CSS

2010-02-19T08:09:00.001-05:00

Mike Kus posted an informative blog article yesterday. He gives five good reasons to learn HTML and CSS, and I might add ActionScript 3. Among the benefits: more job opportunities will open up for you.

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Internship Opportunity

2010-02-11T23:12:00.001-05:00

We are looking for a graphic/web design student for an internship position in our company: Channel 41, America TeVe. Our TV station is located at Hialeah Gardens, Miami, Florida.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me through e-mail or by phone at (305) 592-4141, ext 405.

Best regards,
Michelle Charosky

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Web Designer Needed

2010-02-05T20:14:00.003-05:00

A full time position is open at Britto Central for a Web Designer to upload pictures and maintain the website on a daily basis.

This would be great for a web designer to begin their career at britto central, and they can also meet Romero Britto in person. Please this is HUGE!!!

Anyone can reach me at my website: http://www.wix.com/avdesign/ALEX-VERNAZA if any questions...

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Maxim, GQ and Esquire Publish Digital Editions

2010-02-05T07:39:00.004-05:00

I expect that when the iPad is available for sale, more books, magazines and newspapers will begin to publish fully-digital editions. Today's Advertising Age ran an article mentioning that Maxim, GQ and Esquire currently have digital editions for the iPhone, but who wants to see beautiful women on a small 3-inch screen?

Still, choices at the moment are rather limited. Nat Ives wrote, "the magazine industry remains some distance from its current dream of fully stocked and popular digital newsstands."

The iPad brings hope for a revitalized publishing industry, focusing on content, unshackled by financial burdens, as well as offering a greener lifestyle.

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The Future of Publishing

2010-02-04T14:34:00.003-05:00

Last week, Apple announced the iPad, a large, beautiful 9.7-inch touch sensitive reader. In case you're not thinking of buying one, read this article appearing in today's Ad Age.

The Apple iPad and similar technologies will be the future of publishing. Printing on paper consumes the earth's resources and strains publishers' economic resources.

Phil Johnson wrote, "The iPad represents Apple's vote of confidence for the future of books, newspapers and magazines. Apple shows every intention of doing for text-based content what it did for music with iTunes."

As printing and publishing undergo an evolution to the next level, we as graphic designers must keep up with this transformative and empowering technology.

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T-Shirt Company Seeks Mac Artists

2010-01-21T10:22:00.001-05:00

A dynamic Miami-based t-shirt company is seeking graphic design interns to come up with fresh & creative ideas for t-shirts for Men's, Women's & Children's tees. We're looking for artists who are proficient in Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator, and MAC user interface.

Interns will be required to do the following:

• Brainstorm for original ideas
• Create art work
• Work under tight deadlines
• Juggle multiple projects simultaneously
• Be a team player
• Follow directions
• Must have a sense of humor and not be easily offended

Screenprint experience a plus.

Must be local-based as job is full-time.

Please submit samples of work along with resume by email as we are not able to see walk-ins.

Send resume and samples of work to Sarahstephenson@bellsouth.net and Lizvarela@bellsouth.net

Thanks,
Liz Varela
TShirt Central
(305) 622-6760 x:112
(305) 622-6763 Fax

2009-12-01T11:07:00.005-05:00

TYPOGRAPHY

Typographic Errors in Media

Thanks to my FIU student Tatiana for sending me this November 15th article from the New York Times spotlighting various anachronistic errors in typography in media.

My favorite is the label of the steam pressure gauge seen in James Cameron's Titanic, which is set in Helvetica, a font that wouldn't have been designed until 45 years later!

2009-10-20T11:04:00.002-05:00

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities for Interactive Marketing Specialists Available

BTG Partners has two openings in Miami and three in Chicago for Interactive Marketing Managers, Strategists and Designers.

2009-10-12T13:55:00.010-05:00

EXTRACURRICULAR ASSIGNMENT

MDC Graphic Design Student Wanted for AXIS Magazine

Want a great portfolio project that will demonstrate you can work in a professional setting? Are you passionate about art, photography, poetry and literature? AXIS Creative Arts Magazine is looking for a talented graphic design student to design Volume 7 of this nationally-recognized, award-winning student publication. Volumes 4 through 6 are linked below.

If you're interested in participating, please contact Elio Arteaga at elio.arteaga@mdc.edu.

2009-09-15T13:41:00.001-05:00

JOB OPPORTUNITY
Mac Artist Needed
Looking for a student who can make minor adjustments on cosmetic labels. The labels were originally designed on a iMac in Adobe Illustrator. I changed it to the PC version but for printing purposes sizes needs to be adjusted for package changes.

1. ADDRESS AND SIZE CHANGES
2. TM SYMBOL NEEDS TO CHANGE TO (R) REGRSTERED SYMBOL.
3. LOGO COLOR NEED TO BE CONVERTED TO CYMK COLOR INSTEAD OF PANTONE COLORS.
4. UPC numbers need to be changed

Christiana Phillip
18495 S. Dixie Hyw, Ste #243
Cutler Bay, FL 33157
1-877-918-SKIN (7546)
http://www.skinprofile.com

2009-08-31T16:08:00.006-05:00

TYPOGRAPHY
Critics Slam Ikea for Catalog Typography
The Associated Press reported Aug. 30th on Ikea's decision to switch their catalog's typography for the first time in 50 years. The Swiss furniture retailer was criticized for their new choice of font, replacing the time-honored Futura with Verdana, a font designed by Microsoft with wide, open letters designed to increase readability on small computer screens. Reactions ranged from, "It's a sad day," to "words can't describe my disgust."

Ikea spokesperson Camilla Meiby said, "Verdana is a simple, cost-effective font that works well in all media." Ikea needed a font that worked well in both digital and print media. Personally, I like Verdana, and I prize its open counters and clear legibility.

2009-08-25T12:05:00.008-05:00

NEWS
Herald Prints Article about SEDT
The Miami Herald ran an August 2nd article, titled "Learning the Business of Entertainment," about Miami Dade College School of Entertainment & Design Technology as part of a series on educational opportunities in South Florida. My photo appears in the article, which can also be read online. Extra special thanks go to my FIU student Kurt for obtaining a copy of the newspaper for me.

2009-08-24T11:14:00.004-05:00

INDUSTRY TRENDS
New Media Revolution
When I started college 25 years ago, the graphics industry was beginning to undergo a revolution fueled by new technology. Pre-1984, the pre-press workforce consisted of specialists—designers, typographers, illustrators, layout artists, paste-up artists, graphic arts photographers, and film assembly technicians. With the advent of the Macintosh Plus computer, Apple LaserWriter printers, Adobe PostScript page description language, and Aldus PageMaker page layout software, the specialists needed to become generalists. One person could now do the work of several, and many job descriptions were eliminated. Graphic designers adapted, and for the past quarter-century, they could be successful with only knowledge of print.

Today, the industry is undergoing a new revolution—this one, not fueled by new technology, but by the economy. When one comes to think of it, print is a 19th century technology. Paper has to be harvested from trees, then milled, printed on, assembled, stored in warehouses, and then shipped on trucks, incurring financial expenses as well as drawing upon the Earth's resources. As we are in a verbally literate society, quickly transitioning to a visually literate one, most people prefer to obtain their news from cable or satellite television networks, or from the Web. Large print shops have closed in the Miami area (and all across the country). Newspapers and magazines have announced layoffs and cutbacks.

But it's not all doom and gloom. There are still many opportunities for graphic designers who know print, Web and video. It’s easy to find creative graphic designers for print. It’s also easy to find good video production technicians. It’s not easy to find a creative person who can apply that creativity equally to print, Web and video. Therefore, the successful graphic designer will be fluent in Photoshop, Illustrator and Quark or InDesign, but also in Dreamweaver, Flash, After Effects and maybe even Final Cut.

Print will never totally go away, just like radio hasn’t been completely replaced by television. However, the current trend in communications technology is toward all-electronic, and predominantly visual media. If you’re entering school now, you’re getting in on the ground floor of this media revolution. If you’ve been around for a few years, it would be of benefit to learn the software and technology that drives electronic media, and embrace the changes that will affect visual communications in the 21st century.

2009-06-05T14:55:00.005-05:00

VIDEO

Why is the Sky Blue?

Normally, I say thanks to my student for sending me a link, but in this case, my FIU student Sebastian actually produced this video and posted it on YouTube. Thanks, Sebastian!

2009-06-04T15:42:00.000-05:00

JOB OPPORTUNITY
Graphic Artist Wanted
Please pass this employment possibility on to some of our more advanced students in graphics. Steve from Nationwide Printing @ 117th and 120 St. SW is looking for a couple of graphics students to hire. I didn’t get all of the details regarding what the students should know or be capable of producing. It probably would be a good idea for one of you to speak with Steve (305-971-5184) to get those details. It would be great to be able to help any of our students land a job. Thanks for your assistance. Bill

2009-06-01T14:24:00.005-05:00

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Graphic Designers Wanted for Toy Company

The Creative Director at Safari Ltd, a local company dedicated to manufacturing and selling educational toys is looking for a student well versed in graphics for a paid position. This is a great opportunity for a skilled, responsible student.

Can you recommend a few candidates? Mary Larsen is the Creative Director. Her tel. number at work is 305-621-1000 Ext 138. Please let me know if you can help.

Thanks.
Rubén Abruña

ACT Final Cut Pro Level 2
Avid Certified Instructorh Campus
School of Entertainment and Design Technology

2009-03-30T12:16:00.006-05:00

LOGO DESIGN
Two Logos I Admire for their Expressiveness
While watching TV a few nights ago, I saw commercials for TravelAlaska.com and for ShareOurStrength.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating childhood hunger in America. I was impressed by the expressiveness of both logos.

TravelAlaska's logo fortuitously contains three capital A's. The artist replaced the apexes of the A's, already shaped like mountains, with snowcapped peaks. To further express the randomness of the heights of various peaks, the artist changed scale and baseline shift of each letter individually. To create stronger unity with the remaining letters, the artist manipulated the capital K as well as the feet of the outer capital A's to express the Rocky Mountains in Alaska. This logo embodies the Great American Outdoors, while at the same time attracting attention and building interest.

Share Our Strength's logo is truly special. Designed by SS+K, a New York-based strategic communications agency, the logo symbolizes people working together to stamp out the dreadful condition of childhood hunger in America. The positive shape represents an apple core, signifying food, the substance that will eliminate hunger, while the negative shapes are the profile of an adult and a child, the people who will work together to solve this social problem. The more one looks at this logo, the more one is drawn to how well it expresses all aspects of the organization's mission.

2009-03-25T10:33:00.004-05:00

TYPOGRAPHY
Calendar Website Inspires Artists
Thanks go out to my MDC student Danny for sending me this link to the Publikum Calendar website, a non-profit project originated during wartime Serbia in 1993. Its mission is to facilitate meaningful dialogue between artists and to inspire the exchange of ideas between diverse cultures.

2009-03-17T12:21:00.003-05:00

TYPOGRAPHY
Periodic Table of Typefaces and Typography Sites
A big "Thank You" goes out to my MDC student Norberto for sending me these typography-related links: Fantastic Typography Blogs, and 40 Most Inspiring 3D Type Designs.

2009-03-12T14:10:00.007-05:00

TYPOGRAPHY

Incredible Illustrations Created Using Typographic Characters

Special thanks go to my MDC student Rick for sending me these incredible illustrations advertising a Brazilian newspaper. The work was accomplished by using only type characters. In case you're too young to remember who these actors were, I've linked their images to their Wikipedia entries.

2008-11-30T10:07:00.005-05:00

TYPOGRAPHY

Beautiful Type-Only Commercial from Starbucks and Product(RED)

Thanks to my FIU student Aaron for sending this in. In a continued effort to reinforce its commitment to the communities that grow its coffee beans, and to continue being a responsible global company, Starbucks will donate five cents to Product(RED) from Nov. 27 to Jan. 2 with each purchase of a (STARBUCKS)Exclusive coffee drink: Peppermint Mocha Twist, Gingersnap Latte and Espresso Truffle. On the 20th anniversary of World AIDS day on Dec. 1st, Starbucks will donate five cents for every coffee drink sold. To read more, visit this press release at the Starbucks website.

2008-11-20T14:21:00.003-05:00

VIDEO

This Would be Funny, if it Weren't So True...

Thanks go out to my past MDC student Robin for sending me this video, parodying an experience that a graphic designer might have while working with clients.

A professional graphic designer's job is to be a partner and consultant in the ultimate success of the project, which will be of mutual benefit to both the client and the designer. Here, the designer is presented as a lackey, following all the obviously bad suggestions of the graphically-uninformed clients.

Educated graphic designers understand that they are more than just software operators. They are experts in visual communication, understanding how to create clear and attractive messages. To be effective, a graphic designer must guide the client through the creation of the work, explaining why a certain design approach might have been selected, and why certain ideas just won't work. Graphic design should facilitate communication, and is never just decoration.

2008-11-14T17:09:00.003-05:00

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Paul Rand Talks about Graphic Design

Thanks go to my FIU student Andrea for posting this YouTube video in which Paul Rand talks about that career we all love.

2008-11-14T17:01:00.004-05:00

TYPOGRAPHY
25+ Sites That Use Only Typography as a Design Element
Thanks to my FIU student Elizabeth for posting this blog, which lists about 37 sites that use typography as their only design element. See? It can be done. That's why having strong type skills is important.

2008-10-29T09:51:00.004-05:00

GRAPHIC NOVEL

IDW Presents Graphic Biographies McCain and Obama

IDW Publishing has just released on October 8th a pair of graphic novel biographies of John McCain and Barack Obama. Use the link to preview the comics and to find a local comic book shop selling the comics.

2008-10-17T15:09:00.004-05:00

FUNNY STUFF

Eight Steps to Drive a Graphic Designer Crazy

Thanks to my past MDC student Robin for sending me the link to this funny blog article. It's in Spanish, so I'll translate and synopsize the posting below.

1. Send your graphic designer files created in Microsoft Publisher. Where the heck's the kerning and tracking controls in Publisher, anyway?

2. Ask your designer to set your ad in Comic Sans. Yuck!

3. Ask your graphic designer to fill up all that negative space. Go for that BrandsMart look!

4. Send your graphic designer your logo via fax, so that he or she always has to rebuild it.

5. Use subjective descriptors when communicating to your graphic designer: "I want a super-cool design." Very specific, yeah right. ;-)

6. Tell your graphic designer to use your favorite colors: pink, green, brown and silver. Hoo boy!

7. Give your graphic designer the assignment one day before the deadline. We like working under pressure. Not!

8. After the previous seven steps have been performed, be sure to complain to your graphic designer about the ugly design he or she has done! :-P

2008-08-29T09:54:00.001-05:00

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Graphic Designer Intern

We are a small company which dedicated itself to the Aviation business and industry, and we are currently looking for a Graphic Design Intern for a couple of hours a week to work on collateral design.

Requirements:
- Good knowledge of Photoshop and Illustrator
- Knowledge of Adobe Acrobat
- Great creative mind
- Motivated and dynamic
- Some prior experience is preferred

Minimum commitment of 2 months, 1-2 days a week from (10a-6p) is required.

Pleasee contact:
annemariebrander@interflightstudio.com
Hourly: $0

2008-08-29T09:43:00.002-05:00

JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Web Designer and Flash Programmer Needed

Graphic/Web Designer/Developer
The Graphic/Web Designer/Developer’s role is to provide creative web assistance and programming skills in the production of user interfaces, online content and additional components for all online products. Under the direction of the Director of Production, the Graphic/Web Designer/Developer develops dynamic web content using CMS, creates custom graphics for web/print, and provides quality assurance (QA) for all web assets.

Flash Designer/Programmer
The Flash Programmer’s role is to provide creative assistance and programming skills in the production and integration of custom Flash pieces into online content. Under the direction of the Director of Production, the Flash Programmer develops custom graphics/animations, uploads content items to digital asset manager/content management system, and provides quality assurance (QA) for all multimedia developed.

Please submit resume, along with a link to your portfolio to sandrav@fyioc.com.

Thank you.
Sandra Villanueva

2008-08-27T12:31:00.002-05:00

VIDEO
MDC Productions Summer Camp
Over the summer, I participated in a week-long workshop introducing a group of middle-school students to the graphics industry (particularly working with Photoshop). Linked up below, I have a 5-minute video from WPBT in Miami, in which I make a brief appearance. (I can't believe I've gained so much weight over the summer; I've lost a few pounds since then!)

2008-06-30T16:22:00.002-05:00

TYPOGRAPHY
fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too

Thanks go out to my FIU student Mirsad for sending me this interesting item. Read the paragraph below:

Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can. i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it

2008-06-30T16:12:00.003-05:00

JOB OPPORTUNITY
FIU Enterprise Web Services Seeking a Web Designer
Web Designer needed by FIU Enterprise Web Services. Please contact:

Yisandra Delgado
Office Assistant
Enterprise Web Services
Florida International University
Ph: 305-348-7169
Fax: 305-348-0040

2008-06-02T14:08:00.004-05:00

VIDEO
Dove Video Shows Why We Have a Distorted Perception of Beauty

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

Thanks to my FIU student Lina for sending me this video from Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty, which shows how models are retouched in Photoshop to enhance their features. Such retouching reinforces a distorted view of physical ideals.

2008-05-27T08:09:00.002-05:00

STUDENT WORK
"Taking a Stand" Posters by MDC Graphic Design 1 Class
My MDC Graphic Design 1 class was assigned to create a poster for a fictitious television documentary titled, "Taking a Stand," commemorating the civil rights movement in the U.S. Their goal was to integrate typography and graphic shapes. The students created these projects last semester, in the spring. Here's how they did.

2008-05-22T12:43:00.003-05:00

COMPETITION
MTV Casting Call for Entries
MTV is seeking college-age creative geniuses to compete in a series of creative challenges utilizing HP computers. Four teams of four will battle in creating animations, websites, short films, sound mixes and more.

Males and females, ages 18 – 25. We are specifically looking for Latin American and Brazilian kids living in their regions or Latin American and Brazilian kids living/studying in the U.S. Must have experience creating on computers.

Areas of expertise must include one or more of the following:
* Filmmaking * Stop Motion Animation * Website Design * Multi-track Music Mixing * Graphic Design * Video Game Creation.

Must be able to legally enter the United States. Must be available to be in New York City July 18 – August 17. Must speak conversational English, but does NOT need to be perfectly fluent. Must be productive under stress and the pressure of deadlines. Must be personable, and comfortable on camera. Must be a team player. Cannot be an employee of MTVN or HP.

If interested please contact Nicholas at nicholas.box@mtvnmix.com for official application form.

2008-05-21T08:50:00.006-05:00

VIDEO
Radiohead's All I Need Brings to Light Human Exploitation

Thanks to my FIU student Camila for sending me this link to Radiohead's All I Need video as an example of using strong messages in advertising, a topic of class discussion. The Radiohead video presents two parallel stories of a young boy in the West, enjoying a comfortable lifestyle, and a young boy in the East, forced into slave labor. The ending is quite jolting. The director, Steve Rogers, weaves his story using compelling cinematography by John Seale, and shakes viewers out of their complacency by bringing awareness to our own practices that affect human beings overseas.

Radiohead's Thom Yorke in an Apr. 30th MTV press release:

It's an interesting thing, because if you are in the West, it's a luxury to be able to talk about the importance of human rights for everybody, but yet in the East or the poorer countries where slave labor is going on, if you talk to certain companies,...somehow the rights of the workers are secondary to economic growth.

In contrast to Benneton ads, discussed in class, the Radiohead video presents its message purposefully to try to affect change in this important social issue. Benneton has been criticized for presenting strong, sometimes shocking, images solely for the purpose of promoting its clothing brand, oftentimes disregarding the pain and suffering of others.

2008-05-20T07:49:00.007-05:00

EXHIBITIONS
For Inspiration This Semester
Many fascinating exhibitions await gallery hoppers this semester. The following exhibitions are sure to provide inspiration for your own projects. Give them a visit; you'll have a great time and learn something new along the way.
The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood presents Nathan Sawaya: The Art of the Brick. This New York artist presents 30 works consisting entirely of LEGO blocks. The exhibit opens June 7 with a reception June 6th from 6 - 9 pm. The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood is located at 1650 Harrison Street in Hollywood.
Now through June 15th, The Norton Museum of Art features an exhibition of Alexander Calder Jewelry. I'm a big fan of Calder, so it's well worth the drive. The Norton is located at 1451 S. Olive Avenue in West Palm Beach.
The Bass Museum offers an exhibition of Western portraiture, enabling comparisons from seventeenth century Dutch artist Anthony van Dyck to Robert Wilson's innovative twenty-first century video portraits. Splendor in the Bass: The Portraits is open now until October. The Bass Museum is located at 2121 Park Avenue in Miami Beach.
Opening June 28th in the Lowe Art Museum is an exhibition titled Excavating Egypt: Great Discoveries from the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology. Just in time for Indiana Jones, too! The Lowe Art Museum is located in the University of Miami campus in Coral Gables.
The Wolfsonian Museum offers its ongoing exhibition titled Art and Design in the Modern Age. The Wolfsonian is located at 1001 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach.
I would be remiss if I left out our own SEDT Graphic Design Student Exhibition on display in the second floor of the Computer Courtyard of Miami Dade College, North Campus. Featuring over 50 works by MDC graphic design students, the exhibition includes an audio tour in the words and voices of several of the participants. If you go to just one exhibition this semester, make it this one. Miami Dade College is located at 11380 NW 27th Avenue in Miami.

2008-05-19T09:18:00.006-05:00

STUDENT WORK
Brochure Designs by Pub Ed & Design Students
Better late than never, but here are projects by last semester's Publications Editing and Design students at FIU. Their goal was to design an attractive, yet informative brochure, that carries across its message visually. Here's how they did.

2008-05-14T08:46:00.008-05:00

TYPOGRAPHY
The Typographic Stylings of the Barack Obama Campaign
Thanks go out to Angelica, my FIU student, for sending me this link to an Apr. 2nd N.Y. Times blog posting by Steven Heller and Brian Collins on typography and branding in the Barack Obama campaign. Collins praises the campaign's art directors for their consistent application of design across a wide variety of media, and by thousands of volunteers from state to state. Collins also discusses the aesthetic and emotive qualities of the typeface Gotham, as used in the Obama campaign:

It has a blunt, geometric simplicity, which usually makes words feel cold and analytical...but it also feels warm. It’s substantial yet friendly. Up-to-date yet familiar...And Gotham has another quality that makes it succeed: it just looks matter-of-fact.

2008-05-13T16:23:00.008-05:00

TYPOGRAPHY
The Island of San Serriffe
It sure has been a long time since my last posting; you can be sure I've been quite busy with all my classes, but now with the summer lull, I hope to resume regular postings. First off, Jeff, a past student from MDC, sent me the following article for April Fool's Day, from the Museum of Hoaxes.
Publishers of The Guardian, a UK newspaper, often ran special reports, focusing on an obscure country or new technology, designed to attract related advertising. Tired of the parade of little countries no one had ever heard of, Philip Davies conceived the island of San Serriffe, as a hoax for the April 1, 1977 edition of the paper, which ran a seven-page article dedicated to the fictitious island, complete with fake maps, history and advertisements--all built around typographic references. The island is shaped like a semicolon, the capital is Bodoni, and its dictator is General Pica. The hoax proved to be extremely popular and is well-known to this day.
Thanks also to Robin, another past MDC student, who sent me this link to San Serriffe from WikiTravel.

2008-01-13T11:41:00.000-05:00

GRAFFITI
Graffiti: High Art or Contemporary Urban Folk Practice?
In a Dec. 11th article in AIGA Voice, Steven Grody discusses the merits of grafitti art. He says that while graffiti artists might not use common art terms, they do understand, and obsessively arrange visual weight, in their compositions. In the end, there is really very little difference philosophically between the art inside the gallery and that spray-painted on its exterior walls. Grody writes, "While some would recognize a Matisse, would they also understand the radical aspects of his art?"

2008-01-13T10:32:00.001-05:00

ADVERTISING
Be on the Lookout for E&G Subs Coupons
From the Jan. 10th Creativity Online email newsletter. Minneapolis ad agency Colle+McVoy has designed a guerilla marketing campaign involving stickers attached to phone booths. Curious people who lift the sticker are treated to a free Erbert & Gerbert's Sub sandwich. Very unusual. Do you think it will work?

2007-12-04T14:32:00.001-05:00

GRAPHIC DESIGN TECHNIQUES
Why Drop Shadows Don't (Always) Work.
Graphic design is not decoration; rather it is the facilitation of clear visual communications. Often, your first instinct might be to add a drop shadow to a headline, thinking the design would look too plain without it. The fact is drop shadows rarely improve a headline's appearance.

Consider the design's figure/ground color contrast relationship. Black is the darkest color, and white is the lightest color. The example below (left) already exhibits a strong color contrast between the display type and its background. Adding a gray drop shadow (right) reduces contrast thereby reducing legibility, making the headline harder to read.

That's not to say you should never use drop shadows. Given a low-contrast situation (as in yellow type on a green background), adding a slight shadow might actually improve contrast and legibility.

Which of the black and white examples above do you find easier to read, and which of the color samples below are more legible? See what I mean?

The next time you feel inclined to add a drop shadow onto your display type, consider its effect on the figure/ground color contrast. You might be surprised to discover the design works better without the drop shadow.

2007-10-18T17:46:00.001-05:00

SEQUENTIAL ART
Psycho Shower Scene Controversy
Let's continue our Saul Bass kick for one more posting. The well-known graphic designer famous for the AT&T logo and the opening title sequences of several of Alfred Hitchcock's films (and a lot more--too much to list here!), created the storyboard art for Hitchcock's Psycho shower scene.

Paul Martin Lester writes in Visual Communications: Images with Messages that Hitchcock invited Bass to direct the famous Psycho shower scene (p. 154). Imagine that! The scene that epitomizes the Master of Suspense's sixty-year career; the sequence synonymous with the name "Hitch;" one of the greatest scenes in movie history, directed by someone else--albeit one of the most well-known graphic designers in history. I believed it; after all, graphic design is more than simply putting images on paper. On a deeper level, it involves "visual thinking," translating communications into graphic media. The shower sequence conveys a strong sense of terror and shock, without showing gore, as most of today's movies do.

I recently found this web page created by Dr. Glen Johnson, English professor and Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences at Catholic University of America. Johnson notes that Bass had made the assertion that he directed the famous shower scene after Hitchcock's death. Both actor Janet Leigh and assistant director Hilton Green refute Bass's assertion. A comparison of Bass's storyboards with the completed scene reveals a few differences, indicating Bass did not direct the sequence.

This, of course, takes nothing away from my personal admiration of Bass's work, but the Psycho shower scene could only have been directed by the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock.

2007-10-10T07:47:00.000-05:00

MOTION GRAPHICS
More Movie Title Sequences
Feeling a bit disappointed that the website in the previous posting didn't showcase any movie opening titles by the great Saul Bass, I've linked to some of his opening sequences that I found posted on YouTube, instead. I've included Casino, thanks to Francis's suggestion. And who could forget the work of Maurice Binder, renowned for his opening title sequences of all the pre-Brosnan 007 movies.

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho by Saul Bass
Otto Preminger's Anatomy of a Murder by Saul Bass
Ocean's Eleven by Saul Bass
Martin Scorsese's Casino by Elaine and Saul Bass
Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo by Saul Bass
Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can by Kuntzel Deygas
Dr. No by Maurice Binder

2007-10-03T16:23:00.000-05:00

MOTION GRAPHICS
Forget the Film, Check Out the Titles
Check out this cool website devoted to celebrating the creativity of movie opening titles. Saul Bass should have a lot of great stuff in there.

2007-10-03T15:36:00.000-05:00

STUDENT WORK
Logo Designs for a Construction Company by my MDC Design 2 Class
I'm pleased to present logo designs by my MDC Graphic Design 2 class. Their goal in designing a logo for a construction company was to evoke a 3-D appearance, as buildings are three-dimensional solids, with width, depth and height. Here's how they did:

2007-09-18T15:53:00.000-05:00

EXHIBIT
Goya: The Complete Etchings to be Exhibited at MDC's Freedom Tower
Excitement is mounting as Miami Dade College gets ready to present, for the first time in Florida, the complete etchings by legendary Spanish artist Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes. The exhibition is free and open to the public from Friday, Sep. 21 through Friday, Nov. 9 at Miami Dade College's historic Freedom Tower. Hours of operation will be noon to 7 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Read complete press release, dated Aug. 27th.

2007-09-17T11:57:00.000-05:00

SUSTAINABILITY
Platform Green
AIGA Miami is back in action for 2007-08. Join them at Grass Lounge to kick off the season in consciously green fashion. Go and see the latest and greatest issue of Platform--their charter publication--that puts the focus on environmental and sustainable issues that surround our community. Members receive their free issue, which will be available for sale to non-members.

Listen to Marc Alt, co-chair of AIGA's Center for Sustainable Design, talk about their mission and what designers can do to incorporate green thinking and sustainable practices into their professional lives.

Thursday, September 20, from 7-10 pm
Grass Lounge, 28 NE 40th Street, Miami Design District. 305-573-3355
miami.aiga.org

2007-09-17T10:45:00.000-05:00

TYPOGRAPHY
Typeface Designers Mix Art, Engineering
For all you type geeks out there, this fascinating article appeared on Earthlink.net News September 16th. Jonathan Hoefler and Tobias Frere-Jones, partners at a New York type foundry that bears their names, discuss the finer points of type design including x-heights, swashes, corners and terminals.

2007-09-11T11:13:00.000-05:00

SOCIAL ISSUES
Should Graphic Designers be More Involved in Social Causes?
Bruce Nussbaum comments on the level of social involvement typically (perhaps stereotypically) attributed to graphic designers. His September 10th article appearing in BusinessWeek.com points to the recent nervous response by Miss Teen USA contestant Caitlin Upton to a question about geography posed during the competition. Upton plans to go to Appalachian State University to study graphic design.

Nussbaum generalizes that graphic designers, unlike industrial designers and architects, are not interested in using their design skills to help people in, say, rural Africa or Asian villages. But is he right? Graphic design can be a powerful force in capturing people's attentions and making them aware of important social issues. "With great power comes great responsibility," says the adage about superhero powers. Graphic design can be just as powerful, and graphic designers can be just as heroic when they are involved.

2007-09-10T08:07:00.000-05:00

JOURNAL
Ellen Lupton Discusses Success
In an August 28th journal article appearing on AIGA Voice, Ellen Lupton writes that success means more than just getting a job or earning money (true, those things are important). True success is a deep personal satisfaction in doing what you love--and it's independent from money. It's an interesting article; have a look!

2007-09-03T20:26:00.000-05:00

LOGO DESIGN
LogoDesign.com Reviews Presidential Logos
The blog website LogoDesign.com reviewed campaign banners for the candidates of the 2008 Presidential Elections. Take a look and vote for your favorite.

2007-08-27T15:21:00.000-05:00

EXHIBITIONS
For Inspiration...
Now through October 14th at the MAM: Jan Dibbets Perspective Collection conceptual art. Dibbets explores perceptual phenomena through a series of large-scale photographs containing anamorphic figures. The Miami Art Museum is located in downtown Miami at 101 West Flagler Street. Call 305-375-3000 for info.

Starting November 30th at the Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art: Inspired by China, a collection of contemporary furniture inspired by 18th-century Chinese designs. Visit the Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art at One East Las Olas Boulevard. Call 954-525-5500 for info.

At the MOCA from September 7th through November 11th: pop culture meets seductive romanticism in Karen Kilimnik. A seemingly random collection of objects and images are placed within a theatrical setting. The Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami is located at 770 NE 125th Street. Call 305-893-6211 for info.

Craig Kucia: many sundays were spent talking of rockets, a series of wildly colorful paintings that are both enigmatic and whimsical, is on display starting September 14th at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood,
1650 Harrison Street. Call 954-921-3274 for info.

The following exhibitions are ongoing, so take your time. Austrian Art: The Golden Age of Emperor Franz Joseph in on exhibit at the Bass Museum in a period room in the style of mid-nineteenth century Austria. The Bass Museum is located in Miami Beach at 2121 Park Avenue (between 21st and 22nd Streets). Call 305-673-7530 for info.

One of my personal favorites: Art and Design in the Modern Age, a collection of nearly 300 works from 1885 to 1945 is on view at the Wolfsonian, located in Miami Beach, at 1001 Washington Avenue, at the corner of 10th Street and Washington Avenue. Call 305-531-1001 for info.

Enjoy the various gallery exhibits available this semester for your entertainment, edification and inspiration.

2007-06-01T09:27:00.000-05:00

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Communications 'Professionals' a Disgrace to Our Language
A very humorous and informative article about communication professionals mangling the English language. Keep in mind that as communicators, our job is to do so clearly, so enjoy this article by Eric Webber, posted May 25th on the Advertising Age website.

2007-05-31T15:37:00.000-05:00

JOB OPPORTUNITY
Graphic Designer Needed
Hours: 9:30-6
Salary: negotiable
Proficiency in Corel Draw and/or Photoshop Needed

Address: 12059 S.W. 117th Ave (right next to Tex Mex)
Phone Number: 305-971-5184
Contact: Steven Selman or Lazaro Lazo

2007-05-29T12:32:00.000-05:00

ADVERTISING
Global Warming is Coming!
DraftFCB/Toronto's new billboard campaign for the World Wildlife Fund creatively conveys its message by employing a cast shadow that expresses rising water as the sun travels across the sky. The article, appearing in the May 24th issue of AdCritic.com's Print and Design email newsletter, states the billboard campaign will be up in Toronto through June, after which the billboard will no longer be situated in the sun's path.

Sign up for AdCritic.com's free Print and Design newsletter by clicking this link: adcritic.com/design/signup/

2007-05-22T07:22:00.000-05:00

SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS
Design Can Change
Design Can Change is a cool website/initiative about being a little "greener" in our careers... designers, artists, printers, suppliers... We all can help just by taking the environmental impact into consideration when we set to create or to produce printed materials, besides just remembering to turn off the lights whenever we're not using a room or reusing printed paper or the other side for sketches... ; )

Check it out here:
http://www.designcanchange.org/

2007-05-17T14:45:00.001-05:00

JOB OPPORTUNITY
PR Specialist Wanted
Schwartz Media Strategies is offering college juniors and seniors the opportunity to gain invaluable experience in Public Relations that will ultimately help shape their future career track. Our internship program focuses on three core areas of PR: media relations, client service and account administration. The program includes training in special event planning, research and strategic campaign development for growing and established clients in real estate, professional services, retail and non-profit industries.

Candidates should be highly motivated and bring solid writing and organizational skills. While we're offering a paid position, candidates should be more interested in gaining experience and expertise.

We are looking for someone who could work at least 24 hours per week. Interns will be considered for a future position with the firm. We will also work with those students who are looking to fulfill college credits.

Interested candidates should contact Yanet Sanchez at Yanet@Schwartz-Media.com, or call (305) 442-4914. The firm is located at 7210 SW 57th Avenue in South Miami , near the Shops at Sunset Place.

2007-05-16T11:48:00.000-05:00

JOB OPPORTUNITY
Graphic Designer Wanted
Job Description:
The candidate will be responsible for downloading images from the websites
or CD’s. Then scaling, cropping, and/or silhouetting images to predetermined
sizes and creating thumbnails for all products. He/she will be updating
pricelist with current data from supplied list or creating new list from
catalogs and other marketing materials. Once all images and list are ready,
the files are tested and then uploaded to the live site. This person will be
responsible for the accuracy and aesthetics of the information and images.
Other job functions may be necessary.

Qualifications:
Requires excellent attention to detail
Basic to intermediate Photoshop skills
Basic to intermediate HTML skills
Basic to intermediate MS Excel skills
Accurate typing and data entry skills
Ability to make informative decisions
Work independently

Hours:
8-5 Full Time (Benefits: Medical, dental, vacation, sick days)
Part-time available (will work with school schedule)

Salary:
$12-15/h commensurate with experience

Contact:
Frank Picard
Tel: 786-497-2088
5000 SW 75 Ave, Suite 112, Miami, FL 33178
Send resumes to email: careers@fanshack.com
Fax resumes to: 305-668-9050

2007-05-16T11:45:00.001-05:00

JOB OPPORTUNITY
Graphic Designer Wanted
Shark Signs is looking for a Graphic Designer to create designs for business cards, flyers, postcards, etc. and to operate a large-format full-color printer and a cutting plotter. For more details Call GUSTAVO cell: 754-368-0305.
Thank you for you help.

SHARK SIGNS
4900 NW 15th St. #4496
Margate, FL

2007-05-16T11:43:00.003-05:00

JOB OPPORTUNITY
AccurStaffing: Store Designer wanted for a worldwide leader in the luxury industry.
The Store Design Manager’s primary mission is to ensure that POS are adequate to Brand’s environmental requirements and in-line with furniture codes. With Brand visibility as a key objective, the Store Design Manager supervises all technical aspects of designing, production and implementation of the company fixture in official distributor POS. In coordination with the Store Image Manager and the Store Network Manager, the Store Design Manager also ensures that merchandising and display elements are correctly implemented and maintained in each Design concept

*Provides design and drawing services to sales team for personalization projects (Espaces renovation and implementation).
*Provides conceptualization guidelines and technical expertise to sales teams with non-personalization projects (renovation of POS, opening of new POS)
*Proposes to central store design department alternative design options in line with local requirements.
*Oversees sampling and quotation of all regional suppliers for fixtures.
*Manages annual purchasing contracts in conjunction with expenditure budgets defined by sales department.
*Monitors annual expenses for local productions and developments to keep in line with communication budget.
*Conducts quality control surveys and usability analysis for prototypes and installed fixtures.
*Supervises installation of each project in coordination with fixture supplier and POS owner.
*Audits store design in markets to ensure proper Brand visibility, and scouts for improvement opportunities. Assesses presentation of competing Brand.
*Collaborates locally with Brand Image Manager for the technical development and production of image and merchandising tools.
*Collaborates with sales and communication for set-up of special launch events on markets.

Required experience:
Prior experience in industrial / Interior design. Project management background a definite plus.

Technical skills / abilities:
Strong IT literacy with full proficiency in AutoCad and/or similar C.A.D. programs (2D and 3D), sketching abilities, site survey experience.

Edouard Thoumyre

job@accur-staffing.com

2007-05-16T11:40:00.001-05:00

JOB OPPORTUNITY
Videographer Wanted
Accord Productions is offering a paid internship for $75.00 to video-tape soccer games. For more information, please contact below:

ACCORD PRODUCTIONS - DADE
2140 South Dixie Highway • Suite 301 • Miami, Florida 33133
305-856-1245 • mail@accordvideo.com

2007-05-16T11:38:00.000-05:00

JOB OPPORTUNITY
Graphic Designers Wanted
Join the NewsGroup! Miami MetroNews, a free, bi-weekly community newspaper, is looking for talented free-lance graphic designers skilled in layout, design and production.

Miami/Broward MetroNews, with a readership of 40,000 targets the African-American and Caribbean communities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

For more information, call Jodi Porter at 954-558-3004 or 305-758-8271... Fax 954-499-1903. Email your work samples and interest to news@metronewsgroup.com

You can work from home! Willing to work with designers through email correspondence and discussion.

2007-04-24T12:32:00.000-05:00

ADVERTISING
V-me Launches with a Creative Campaign
V-me, a Spanish-language network that debuted in March, owes its amazing visual design style to New York's CA Square Design Studio. In an interview appearing in the April 19th issue of AdCritic.com's Print and Design email newsletter, John Begert, V-me's chief marketing and branding officer said, "the brand had to express quality, warmth and positive energy in a modern way that would resonate with our viewers, while avoiding the stereotypes of traditional Hispanic marketing."

V-me, pronounced in Spanish, sounds like "veme" or "see me." The network is a partnership with PBS, and produces programming in four main areas: kids, lifestyle, current affairs and movies. For more information, visit v-me.tv.

Sign up for AdCritic.com's free Print and Design newsletter by clicking this link: adcritic.com/design/signup/

2007-02-16T16:15:00.000-05:00

AWARD/STUDENT WORK
Laura Bagietto Recognized for Poster Design at the 2007 Festival of the Arts Opening Ceremony

Laura Baglietto, a graphic design student at Miami Dade College North Campus, was recognized for her poster design, which was selected to promote the 2007 Festival of the Arts, on Wednesday February 14th. For her work, she received a $100 service grant and was recognized during the opening ceremony before a gathering of MDC North Campus students, faculty, staff and visitors. Congratulations, Laura!

The posters came from my Graphic Design 2 class last semester; the students’ goal was to represent the various disciplines presented at the Arts Festival (visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, media arts and philosophy) in a consistent, unified design. Here’s how they did:

2007-02-07T12:15:00.000-05:00

EXPOSITION
Free Expo Passes to the Graphics of the Americas Convention
Show & Conference March 2-4, 2007 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Fl. USA

To register for free Expo passes, go to www.graphicsoftheamericas.com. Click on the starburst labeled "register now!" Click on "free expo pass" registration. Choose the Printing Association of Florida as the exhibitor/publication who invited you and enter the VIP Pass code, which is EX7.

The PAF is planning a career awareness presentation on Friday, 3/2. Students are welcome to attend. Even if you don't attend the presentation, please stop by the PAF booth (Booth # 1430) and either fill out an employment application (provided in the booth) or drop off a resume so that they can be included in the PAF Resume Bank for FL printers.

2007-01-18T16:51:00.000-05:00

TECHNOLOGY
Apple Unveils Apple TV
The iTunes Music Store offers about 3.5 million songs for 99 cents each, more than 200 TV shows for $1.99, tens of thousands of free podcasts, and now Disney and Paramount movies from $9.99 to $14.99. It'd sure be a shame to have to watch them on a small 3.5 video iPod screen or even your slightly larger computer screen. So in last week's MacWorld Conference, Apple unveiled Apple TV, a wireless device that syncs your iTunes library to your widescreen TV, enabling you to play iTunes movies and TV shows, music, podcasts--even an iPhoto slideshow of images. The device sells for $299 on Apple's website.

2007-01-14T22:47:00.000-05:00

ADVERTISING
Bus Ads in New Zealand Match Up for Unusual Campaign
Draft New Zealand, an ad agency in Auckland, is running an unusual campaign promoting New Zealand's premier dating website NZDating.com. This story appeared in the October 19th issue of AdCritic.com's Print and Design email newsletter. Creative Director Chris Hunter says "[The two busses] run on a tight loop circuit, so they're quite often together. I can’t be exact about the figure, but it's certainly often enough to make it worthwhile. Most locals will see both buses within a short space of time, so they'll get the message even if they don’t see the buses side by side." And even if they see only a somewhat confusing half-message, "it adds to 'talkability' and word of mouth," he believes.

Sign up for AdCritic.com's free Print and Design newsletter by clicking this link: adcritic.com/design/signup/

2007-01-14T22:03:00.000-05:00

TECHNOLOGY
Apple Launches a New Revolution in Mobile Phone Technology
On January 9th, Apple introduced iPhone, combining three products — a revolutionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls, and a breakthrough Internet communications device with desktop-class email, web browsing, searching, and maps — into one small and lightweight handheld device. iPhone also introduces an entirely new user interface based on a large multi-touch display and pioneering new software.

iPhone is a widescreen iPod with touch controls for playing music, audiobooks, videos, TV shows, and movies — on a 3.5-inch widescreen display.

iPhone is a revolutionary new mobile phone that allows you to make a call by simply pointing your finger at a name or number in your address book, a favorites list, or a call log.

iPhone features a rich HTML email client and Safari — the most advanced web browser ever on a portable device — which automatically syncs bookmarks from your PC or Mac. Safari also includes built-in Google and Yahoo! search.

iPhone will be available in the US in June 2007 in a 4GB model for $499 (US) and an 8GB model for $599 (US). Cingular, the largest wireless carrier in the U.S., will be Apple’s exclusive U.S. carrier partner for Apple’s revolutionary iPhone.

2006-12-11T15:38:00.000-05:00

GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDENTS
Barry University Graphic Design Students to Design Christmas Card
In a first time event, students from ART 445-01, “Advertising Design & Production,” had the opportunity to participate in designing this year’s Barry University Christmas card. Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, PhD visited the class yesterday to recognize the students and announce which design had been chosen.

Although the holiday card goes out every year, this is the first year students have had the opportunity to design it.

“Sister Linda approached Steve Althouse after noticing the student graphic design work being utilized around the campus,” said associate professor of Graphic Arts, Tom Rockwell.

All 15 students in the class participated in the assignment, which asked students to draw on a word or image of “Peace.” The students, most of whom are graphic design majors, approached the job individually – beginning with ideas in their sketchbooks and then transferring these to computer designs.

Sister Linda chose Adriana Rullan’s design, an image that features a dove and a message reading, “Peace & Joy.”

2006-11-13T19:48:00.000-05:00

LOGO DESIGN
Guess The Logo Game
Think you can tell Amazon, YouTube, IMDB, Yahoo, Google, Netflix and other well-known Internet logos from some pretty cheap imitations? Try this fun game and see!

2006-11-13T14:21:00.000-05:00

JOB HUNTING
"Speaks English and Spinach"
That little typo, slippery and sly, that makes its way past your proofreading, could cost you your next job opportunity. A New York Daily News article, dated today, describes the importance of error-free resumes and cover letters. Although true of any profession, the fields of graphic design, web design, marketing, advertising, journalism and public relations, require employees with exacting skills in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Before posting that next resume, get a friend to help you proofread it.

A third of the hiring execs in a new survey said the most common mistakes they see on job seekers' résumés and cover letters are typos or grammar errors. For many of them, those tiny mistakes are big red flags that disqualify you instantly.

2006-11-06T14:17:00.000-05:00

SOFTWARE
Quark 7, More User-Friendly
My, but the times they are a'changin'. Quark, Inc., once indifferent, and even hostile, to its customers, is now a kinder, gentler company. Quark's engineers have built more user-friendly features into its new version 7, as reported on October 13th in the Australian news Web site, The Courier Mail. Among other features, Quark 7 makes activating and deactivating licenses easier, in case the customer needs to move the software to a different machine, or wishes to run older versions of Quark on the same machine. This change of attitude is no doubt due to the increasing popularity of Quark's rival, Adobe InDesign, and forces Quark to try to recapture some of its lost market. I'm a big fan of QuarkXPress--I've used it for over 15 years. But read the previous postings below to see how I feel about the company, Quark, Inc. They've come a long way in recent times, but it's hard to forget the past.

Read More About It:
"Six Months is a Good Life Span for a Logo, Right?" March 22, 2006.
"Quark's New Look..." September 12, 2005.

2006-10-06T13:03:00.000-05:00

STUDENT WORK
Logo Designs for the BAS in Public Safety Program by my MDC Design 2 Class
This semester's GRA 1113C--Graphic Design 2 course will involve experiential projects in a real-world collaborative scenario with students from MAR1011--Principles of Marketing and COP1822--Web Page Design and Programming under the primary leadership of the Chair of the School of Public Safety Management's Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Program. Such experiential learning will provide Graphic Design 2 students with invaluable real-world interaction with an actual client, while at the same time creating valuable promotional materials for Miami Dade College BAS in Public Safety Management Program. Their first project is a logo design for the BAS program. Here's how they did:

2006-10-04T16:26:00.000-05:00

BUSINESS
Running a Design Business in your SOHO
The field of graphic design enables talented artists easy entry. With the small investment of a computer, scanner and printer as well as graphics software, it's possible to run a successful graphic design business from your studio or home office (SOHO).

Students, take advantage of special pricing offered by software manufacturers such as Academic Superstore, Diskovery and JourneyEd. For training, Miami Dade College offers classes in graphic design and many popular graphics software applications. For training beyond the classroom, or if you're a self-learner, visit the graphic design books section of Barnes & Nobles or Borders; have a coffee while you're there. Two helpful books to look for:

Your Perfect Home-Based Studio offers several case studies from freelance professionals working out of their SOHOs. The Graphic Artist Guild Handbook is a long-running book on what to charge clients and how to avoid getting taken advantage of. In an October 18th, 2005 article for WebProNews.com, Katrina Rauch reported on how to build a successful graphic design business, including how to minimize expenses by using email extensively and holding client meetings at coffee shops.

2006-10-04T12:37:00.000-05:00

GRAPHIC DESIGN
North Carolina Design Firm's Posters Spotlight Women's Achievements
Flywheel Designs, a Graphic Design Firm in Durham, NC, completed a series of 25 large-format posters for NC Mutual Life Insurance Company. As reported today in an article appearing in Carolina Newswire, the posters highlight contributions women have made to the company over the last century. Visit Flywheel's website where you'll be treated to the firm's creative online portfolio.

2006-09-20T10:47:00.000-05:00

PACKAGE DESIGN
The Ugly Barcode Gets a Makeover
A new graphic design firm in Tokyo, Japan called Design Barcode is creating innovative designs for barcodes used on product packages. According to a Cannes Lions Live 2006 Titanium Lions Competition web page, Design Barcode has created some 200 different barcode designs, which are showcased in their new book, also called Design Barcode, and one of its designs has already hit the Japanese marketplace. Check out their video while you're there.

Students, barcodes are not design elements. Don't feel compelled to insert one into your portfolio project. However, if you must, please take a hint from Design Barcode's creative barcode treatments.

2006-09-04T19:09:00.000-05:00

VIDEOS
Hillman Curtis Videos of Famous Graphic Designers
Check Out Hillman Curtis's short documentaries on Milton Glaser, Paula Scher, Stefan Sagmaister, David Carson, James Victore and Pentagram.

2006-09-01T10:54:00.000-05:00

MULTIMEDIA
Kissimmee Utility Authority Honored for Multimedia Annual Report
In a September 1st press release, PRWeb announced Graphic Design: USA Magazine awarded Kissimmee Utility Authority a 2006 American Graphic Design Award of Excellence for its multimedia annual report. The presentation features a '50s-vernacular film reel spotlighting the Florida utility's 104 years of service.

2006-09-01T07:33:00.000-05:00

SEQUENTIAL ART
The Birth of Superman
Here's the original June 1938 Action Comics No. 1 introducing Superman to the world for the very first time! A collector scanned and uploaded all the pages of this rare and valuable item for our edification and enjoyment! It's not exactly in mint condition, though, but very enjoyable nonetheless.

Superman didn't exactly fly in this strip, he could only run fast and jump far. The verbal interchange with Lois is enjoyable and reminiscent of Chris Reeves' performance in Superman The Movie--a real treat!

Surprisingly, comics were 64 pages long in those days--and only two of those pages were ads! The ad on the back cover is familiar to me as it was still being published in the '70s when I was a kid.

2006-08-31T09:34:00.000-05:00

JOB OPPORTUNITY
Graphic Designer Wanted
Sign-A-Rama in Kendall needs a graphic designer to perform design work on the computer, clean up logos, etc. The position is full-time, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday thru Friday, but times are flexible. If interested, please contact Paul Klugerman by calling 305-595-2000. Sign-A-Rama is located in 12542 N. Kendall Drive.

2006-08-30T11:16:00.000-05:00

EXHIBITIONS
For Inspiration...
Now through September 17th, the Miami Art Museum is hosting an exhibition called Big Juicy Paintings (and more): Selections From the Permanent Collection featuring large-scale works belonging to the museum's permanent collection.

The Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art is exhibiting Matthew Schreiber: Platonic Solids featuring a laser-light pair of inverted pyramids. Remember the ending of The DaVinci Code? This exhibition is on now through October 16th.

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in North Miami will exhibit Elusive Signs: Bruce Nauman Works With Light starting October 13 up to January 7, 2007. Nauman explores twists and turns of perception, logic and meaning via neon signs and fluorescent light installations.

The Wolfsonian will host Modernism in American Silver: 20th-Century Design. The exhibition will spotlight over 200 works of modernist silver designs from 1925 to 2000. The exhibition will open from November 10th through March 25th.

2006-08-29T21:56:00.000-05:00

TYPOGRAPHY
Helvetica turns 50, and to Celebrate...

Swiss type designer Max Miedinger created Helvetica in 1956 for the Haas Typefoundry. Fifty years later, it has become one of the most popular typefaces of all time. To celebrate Helvetica's silver anniversary, film director Gary Hustwit has produced a documentary on the popular font, simply titled Helvetica. Typographica reported on August 6th that the film will spotlight some of the biggest names in typographic design today: Erik Spiekermann, Matthew Carter, Michael Bierut, Hermann Zapf, Stefan Sagmeister, Jonathan Hoefler, and Tobias Frere-Jones, among others.

2006-08-23T13:09:00.000-05:00

SCULPTURE
Edouard Martinet Sculpts Animals from Scrap Metal
View Edouard Martinet's incredible sculptures of birds, insects, frogs and fish crafted from found objects fixed without welding.

2006-08-05T09:14:00.000-05:00

STUDENT WORK
DVD Interface/Visual Essay by Advanced Illustrator Class
I assigned my MDC Advanced Illustrator class to illustrate six panels of a DVD interface. The goal was to practice Illustrator's Effects, Appearances and Transparencies, but also to capture various scenes from their chosen movie--a beginning, middle and end, highlighting characters, props, locations and events. Here's how they did:

2006-07-05T20:14:00.000-05:00

SCULPTURE
Sculpture in Vatican Museum Courtyard Seems Out of Place

Such an unusual place to find so modern a work of art! The 13-foot bronze kinetic sculpture created in 1990 by Arnaldo Pomodoro, titled Sfera con Sfera (Sphere Within Sphere) seems too modern and technological for its setting, the Vatican Museum. Considering the Vatican's religious traditions emphasizing spirituality and the human condition, what could they be trying to say by displaying it?

The work, which freely rotates on its axis, is a statement that the world we live on and the celestial sphere above it are divine constructions. The minute details express the perfection of the universe's inner workings from the large scale down to the microscopic scale. The rough, jagged edges expressing breakage allude to a catastrophist prophecy detailed in Revelation 21: "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away."

In the birthplace of the Renaissance, surrounded by the works of Michaelangelo and others, a modernist sculpture such as this one seems an unusual choice. Perhaps whereas more traditional works represent the past, a modernist aesthetic is well-suited to represent a future event such as the apocalypse.

Pomodoro's work expresses creationism, catastrophism, and prophecy--all within a modernist design, and helps to reinforce the Church's teachings of the nature of the universe. Perhaps its selection and exhibition are not so unusual after all.