Monday, September 21, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
13 or 15 (?) Signs you're a bad Graphic Designer
This is a very controversial topic....and I'd like to share my POV's as well .^^
1. Helvetica
No comment really. I hardly use this typeface since everybody else uses it so often.
2. Straight Quotes and Wrong quotes
Aside from the straight quotes looking "Typewriter-ish", I don't really mind using straight quotes as long as it matches with the font typeface and depending where you're using it as well. But, I'd have to agree that the ones in green look much better for that kind of typeface. It doesn't mean that if you use the "Straight Quotes", you are amateurish or "Old-fashioned", imo.
3. Quotations NOT Hung
Do you NOT hang your quotation marks?
OK. Just hang it please??
4. Double Returns
"Return" are for MAC users. So, it's either double Return or Double Enter.
Hitting the double enter twice leaves a gap between the paragraphs. So much that it doesn't quite fit nicely into the space provided. It's rather more useful to use a single-line spacing than to have to hit the enter/return button twice every now and then.
5. Two spaces after punctuation
Hahahahahahaha! This is a no-brainer. Yes, I agree.
6. Using boxes behind text
At this point, I'd have to say that it depends on the execution. Although the image above shows a really ugly way of putting it, there are still some good designs out there that make use of "Boxes Behind Text" - With a few added transparency options and a couple more blending styles, I'd say this sign doesn't necessarily point out a bad flaw....It really depends on how it is executed.
ex.
Take this website for example. It makes use of the "Box Behind Text" all over the images. With a transparency and taking parts of the image in makes a good effect on how to emphasize the text.
So, It really depends on how this is executed. I could give more examples but I guess I've already made my point with this one.
7. Centered Layouts
What? IMO, the first phrase isn't really wrong. Let me say it again, It depends on how this is executed. It is not wrong to use a centered layout like the first one in red color...and it is not a "Bad Practice" IMO. Although, I agree that most of the time, aligning the text on the left side could prove effective. It's just some designs, depending on what kind or style of design, could make use of the centered layout format.
8. Borders
Borders can be really useful at times when you want to isolate certain types of information or images. Just don't OVERUSE them.
9. Indents
A half-inch indent looks really bad. According to the author, this was made for the "Typewriter - Days". I agree, that sometimes a double spacebar looks much better than the default indent features of some softwares.
10. Hyphens for bullets
• (Alt + 014741) That's a bullet for you.
11. Embossing and Drop-shadowed type
Ok. This example makes really bad use of the embossing and drop-shadow feature. It really depends on how the designer uses these blending options. And, I think a really good designer knows when and how to make use of this feature. I'd have to agree with the author about rainbow gradients and comic sans. But emboss and drop-shadow? You've got to be kidding me. If you're a web designer or a graphic designer for a software company, you have to know what I'm talking about. These 2 features are used in every-day life in making button designs, logos, title headers, animated flash banners, and etc.
ex.
What? Hey, Those aren't so bad. I don't think that using emboss and/or drop-shadow is wrong or ugly. It's just depends on how it ia used. I think the images in my example make good use of emboss, drop-shadow, or both.
12. Font type size 12
The font size default in most softwares is 12, and this was made for many reasons. I can't say that going with a lower font size for your paragraphs is always the good way and the more effective way. If you're going for functionality, it isn't so bad to use a size 12 font. Especially if you're targetting an older market. Using font size 12, I'd say, doesn't really make you a bad OR amateurish designer contrary to what the author thinks.
13. Underline
"Never use the underline feature, it is a law. Only for hyper links on the web is this allowed. Underlining was a way for typewriters back in the day to Italicize text because they couldn’t set italics. Underlining and italicizing text at the same time is the most redundant thing you can do in life but rules can be broken
"
...I agree ^^
14. ALL CAPS
Use it when you're trying to shout at a chat conversation.
ex.
George: Hello
Old Person: WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!
@_@...okay bad example. hahahahaha.
15. Bad Gramma and Spellin
Did you use spell check? Tha or the? Whuat or what? WTF. >_< size="1">*Scrolls up to find some grammatical errors and wrong spellings @_@ omg, I must suck at this.
Got this from Just Creative Design
1. Helvetica
No comment really. I hardly use this typeface since everybody else uses it so often.
2. Straight Quotes and Wrong quotes
Aside from the straight quotes looking "Typewriter-ish", I don't really mind using straight quotes as long as it matches with the font typeface and depending where you're using it as well. But, I'd have to agree that the ones in green look much better for that kind of typeface. It doesn't mean that if you use the "Straight Quotes", you are amateurish or "Old-fashioned", imo.
3. Quotations NOT Hung
Do you NOT hang your quotation marks?
OK. Just hang it please??
4. Double Returns
"Return" are for MAC users. So, it's either double Return or Double Enter.
Hitting the double enter twice leaves a gap between the paragraphs. So much that it doesn't quite fit nicely into the space provided. It's rather more useful to use a single-line spacing than to have to hit the enter/return button twice every now and then.
5. Two spaces after punctuation
Hahahahahahaha! This is a no-brainer. Yes, I agree.
6. Using boxes behind text
At this point, I'd have to say that it depends on the execution. Although the image above shows a really ugly way of putting it, there are still some good designs out there that make use of "Boxes Behind Text" - With a few added transparency options and a couple more blending styles, I'd say this sign doesn't necessarily point out a bad flaw....It really depends on how it is executed.
ex.
Take this website for example. It makes use of the "Box Behind Text" all over the images. With a transparency and taking parts of the image in makes a good effect on how to emphasize the text.
So, It really depends on how this is executed. I could give more examples but I guess I've already made my point with this one.
7. Centered Layouts
What? IMO, the first phrase isn't really wrong. Let me say it again, It depends on how this is executed. It is not wrong to use a centered layout like the first one in red color...and it is not a "Bad Practice" IMO. Although, I agree that most of the time, aligning the text on the left side could prove effective. It's just some designs, depending on what kind or style of design, could make use of the centered layout format.
8. Borders
Borders can be really useful at times when you want to isolate certain types of information or images. Just don't OVERUSE them.
9. Indents
A half-inch indent looks really bad. According to the author, this was made for the "Typewriter - Days". I agree, that sometimes a double spacebar looks much better than the default indent features of some softwares.
10. Hyphens for bullets
• (Alt + 014741) That's a bullet for you.
11. Embossing and Drop-shadowed type
Ok. This example makes really bad use of the embossing and drop-shadow feature. It really depends on how the designer uses these blending options. And, I think a really good designer knows when and how to make use of this feature. I'd have to agree with the author about rainbow gradients and comic sans. But emboss and drop-shadow? You've got to be kidding me. If you're a web designer or a graphic designer for a software company, you have to know what I'm talking about. These 2 features are used in every-day life in making button designs, logos, title headers, animated flash banners, and etc.
ex.
What? Hey, Those aren't so bad. I don't think that using emboss and/or drop-shadow is wrong or ugly. It's just depends on how it ia used. I think the images in my example make good use of emboss, drop-shadow, or both.
12. Font type size 12
The font size default in most softwares is 12, and this was made for many reasons. I can't say that going with a lower font size for your paragraphs is always the good way and the more effective way. If you're going for functionality, it isn't so bad to use a size 12 font. Especially if you're targetting an older market. Using font size 12, I'd say, doesn't really make you a bad OR amateurish designer contrary to what the author thinks.
13. Underline
"Never use the underline feature, it is a law. Only for hyper links on the web is this allowed. Underlining was a way for typewriters back in the day to Italicize text because they couldn’t set italics. Underlining and italicizing text at the same time is the most redundant thing you can do in life but rules can be broken
"...I agree ^^
14. ALL CAPS
Use it when you're trying to shout at a chat conversation.
ex.
George: Hello
Old Person: WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!
@_@...okay bad example. hahahahaha.
15. Bad Gramma and Spellin
Did you use spell check? Tha or the? Whuat or what? WTF. >_< size="1">*Scrolls up to find some grammatical errors and wrong spellings @_@ omg, I must suck at this.
Got this from Just Creative Design
Flash Website Layout studies
Got these here . This would really make a cool portfolio layout too~
@Annie: If you're seeing this, the first 2 images would make a cool layout reference for your "acreativename.com" portfolio website =P what do you think?
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