I just wanted to take the opportunity to send a shout out and remind everyone that the Student Identity Design Competition will be coming to a close on December 1, 2008. That leaves you approximately 4 weeks to get your submissions created/uploaded and sent.

Due to the nature of this type of competition, I do want to mention that there will be category winners for specific pieces in the package. These categories include:

• Logo Development
• Use of Color
• Graphic Theme
• Creative Content
• Stationary Design

Each category will contain awards of Excellence, Distinction and Merit.

I have also had a few questions regarding whether or not an entrant may enter multiple design packets. The answer: Absolutely! As long as the individual design packages contain all the necessary pieces, contestants are allowed to enter as many packages as they wish.

If you have any other questions or need to contact me do so here and I will respond to your questions. You may also email me if you prefer.

As day 7 has came and went, I continued my recent "seasonal approach" by creating a warmer climate for Summer to brave these cold Oklahoma winds But from you guys, I desperately need some encouragement. I have a lot of "lurkers" on this blog. I know you're reading, but leave me a comment that you're watching the progress. I could use a few cheerleaders this week! This bookmark was completely hand drawn. I must say I LOVE my Wacom Bamboo tablet. I use it with pretty much everything. From Photoshop and Illustrator to simple Web browsing using Firefox. I'm addicted! For this particular bookmark I used primarily Photoshop to create a simple yet inviting country escape. Let's go fishing! You can download this book mark here. Smashing Magazine issued a challenge to designers for the new year, and I'm on board! I tried to decide what type of design I'd want to do and could stretch my boundaries as a designer. So in answer to this Challenge, I will be designing and posting a new Bookmark design each day on this blog. The Designs will link to a downloadable PDF that you can feel free to download, print out and share as desired.

Several months ago, I posed a question regarding the use of the ever-popular swirly effects that are seen "growing" into many modern designs (such as this blog!).  Click here to read that article.

Well, the piece in question was entered into a design competition held by Graphic Design USA. . .  and. . . .  (drumroll please) . . . the results are in!

The catalog that I designed for iBelieveDoYou.com will be appearing in the December Design Annual showcasing the "best of the best" in 2008.  GDUSA, whom I've mentioned on this blog before as an outstanding source for graphic designers and creative professionals recieved over 10,000 entries and chose less than 15% to appear in the annual.

As you might imagine, I'm very excited at the prospect of being included in this year's annual.

As promised here are some of the other excellent pieces that were recently entered in the In Search of Design Student Identity Competition. Every piece is unique and inspiring. While some pieces "speak" more clearly than others, it's important to really understand each piece's purpose. That very thing will be our next series of topics. What is the purpose?

Here are some of the winners in the individual categories!

Yakez Wilson

Bethany Shearer

Betsy Baehrer

Elizabeth Fouke

Faith Dunbar

Julie Snowden

Faith Dunbar

Ryan Johanningmeir

Kristin Threadgill

Natalie Sullivan

Ramond Walker

Rachel McGoldrick

Ramond Walker

Sarah Blodgett

Sherman Merchant

Several people have asked if I will extend the deadline to allow those caught up in Finals this time of year to complete their submissions. Because of the flurry of activity that has taken place today, the deadline has been EXTENDED UNTIL DECEMBER 7th at 12 Midnight. After that point, no more submissions will be accepted.

To enter a submission between now and the extension date there will be a late fee incurred of $15 making the entry total $25. All the other rules remain the same:

The Prizes:

1st PLACE: One 1st Place winner will receive:

$100 iTunes Gift Card

Certificate of Award, suitable for framing

Artwork will be featured on www.InSearchOfDesign.com

Guest blog on www.InSearchOfDesign.com

Opportunity to Intern at Paige1Media.com a Tulsa Design Firm, and sister company of InSearchOfDesign.

2nd  PLACE:
$50 iTunes Gift Card

Certificate of Award, suitable for framing

Artwork will be featured on www.InSearchOfDesign.com

3rd  PLACE:
$25 iTunes Gift Card

Certificate of Award, suitable for framing

Artwork will be featured on www.InSearchOfDesign.com

Entry Guidelines:

Each entry must contain a student-produced Identity Package including a letterhead, envelope and business card sample. "Mock Ups" are acceptable but must be to scale. Online entries must be submitted in .jpg or .pdf format.  For Tips and Tricks on creating an award winning identity package, click here.

Entry may be submitted online or you can mail your entries to:

In Search of Design Competition
12350 East 138th Street South
Broken Arrow, OK 74011

When mailing your entries  please be sure to  include the Student Identity Package entry form and a $25 (if after December 1st)  check or money order made payable to Paige1Media.  Download the form here.

Entry Fee:

The student design competition entry fee is only $10 if paid by December 1, 2008. After that date, entries WILL be accepted until December 7th, at that point all entries will cost $25.  Online applicants may pay by credit card or Paypal. For those mailing in the fee, please make checks payable to Paige1Media.

Entry Deadline:

Entries must be postmarked by December 7, 2008 to be eligible for the extended deadline pricing.  Any entries received after that deadline will not be eligible for the competition.

The Judges:

Entries will be judged by a panel of 6 creative professionals. To read about more about the judges and their experiences click here.

I LOVED these images found on Toxel.com. I hope you find as much inspiration as I did!

[gallery link="file" columns="2"]

It's true. The world as we know it is struggling financially. And while it may seem that everyone around you is tightening their belt and closing their doors, keep in mind that good design does NOT have to suffer just because you're client's budget might. What can you do to continue your standards of superior design on a tight budget? 1. Faux finishes. If you can't afford it, fake it. Finishes that is. I recently attended an excellent print show in Tulsa, put on by CP Solutions. There were several paper vendors there with many exciting papers and finishing options that had all us designers 'oohing' and 'aaahing'. But what if you're client cant' AFFORD a clear varnish or laminate finish? Try this-- adding a simple layer of partial opacity can make a dark design shine with extra sheen creating the illusion of a varnish or laminate. 2. Cut it out. Wanna create an awesome die cut effect without the cut? Try placing the design on a dark background (preferably black) when viewed at a distance in dark card holder the card will JUMP off the table and trick the viewer with the illusion of being die cut. 3. Simple arrangements. Nothing screams "CLASS" like something simple. Sleek. Elegant. On your next card project, convince the client to go with the "less is more" approach. The card will look sophisticated and expensive without the extra price. Got some special design tricks of your own? I'd love to hear them!

Smashing Magazine issued a challenge to designers for the new year, and I’m on board! I tried to decide what type of design I’d want to do and could stretch my boundaries as a designer. So in answer to this Challenge, I will be designing and posting a new Bookmark design each day on this blog. The Designs will link to a downloadable file that you can feel free to download, print out and share as desired.

Well, as of 12 AM this morning the entry opportunity for the 2008 In Search of Design Student Identity Package competition has closed. This weekend, the panel of judges will be pouring over the entries.

Each judge will be looking for specific element placement, creativity and unique style. The category winners will be announced here next week and the grand prize winners will be contacted via email as well as displayed on the site.

For all of you who entered, good luck and thanks for participating!

The Billboard.

Much like the business card, a billboard is “one-shot” advertising. You hope to catch the attention of a driver speeding by. The message must be clear enough to comprehend quickly, but powerful enough to stick in the mind.

Recently a project came across my desk for new billboard. The previous designer had included a whopping total of 22 words in their design. 22?!?!?!  How am I possibly going to take in that much information while driving down the road? Is the designer responsible for any auto accidents that may occur because drivers had to hit their brakes to take in all the information?