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View The Oldest Color Guide in the World Online
At almost 200 years of age, 'Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours' gets a digital update
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Happy 65th Birthday, Steve Jobs: 5 Curious Facts About Apple’s Founder
One of the most iconic business people to have ever lived, a creative genius, a technological visionary, and a ruthless leader, Steve Jobs would be turning 65 this week While his face and classic polo neck jumper are recognized the world over, here are a few things you might not know about Steve Jobs.
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What Is Industrial Design?
"To understand industrial design, one must think in dimensions.” An expert explains its origins and its future Industrial design is, in essence, a discipline aimed at finding solutions to different problems, from the functionality of objects to the creation of new shapes. Juan Pablo Fuentes (@juanpablofuentes), industrial designer and founder of the shop Cómodo, explains what it is and what makes good industrial design.
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5 Golden Rules for Designing a Successful Logo
The keys for creating a quality logo, according to creative agency Tatabi Studio Elena Sancho of Tatabi Studio (@tatabi), a design studio that specializes in branding, spoke to us about the basic rules to ensure any logo can stand the test of time. Although all designs will appeal to different people according to taste, there are some objective principles that can give a logo quality. They will help guide your designs in the right direction. There should be an idea behind the design It is more likely to connect to users when there’s a story behind a logo. Look at Amazon, for example: it tells the story that Amazon has everything, from A-Z, the arrow relates to the delivery of the products and, finally, the line suggests a smile, that of the customer when they receive their package or the company when they send it, implying the friendliness of the brand. Logos without concepts aren’t memorable, ideas are what makes them interesting.
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The Production Stages of Video Game Development
Learn, with the help of an expert, the four basic creative stages of game development Nacho Yagüe (@nachoyague) is a professional concept artist with ample experience in the development of AAA video games, such as Assassins Creed Unity or Watch Dogs 2. As a concept artist, he is involved in all production phases. He explains that, regardless of the size of the studio, these tend to be very similar, although delivery and decision-making times will vary. If you have always wanted to work in a game studio, or launch an independent one, this explanation will be very valuable.
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Teacher DesignIllustrator Tutorial: 3 Ways to Vectorize an Image
Learn the key steps to vectorize an image in Adobe Illustrator with Juan Villamil In the world of graphic design, and, more specifically, illustration, lettering, branding and corporate and institutional design, mastering the creation of vector images is key. Vectors are highly manipulable, offer different advantages over pixels, and learning to create with them in Adobe Illustrator is not particularly difficult. In this tutorial, illustrator and graphic designer Juan Villamil, better known as Juan Sin Miedo (@juansinmiedo), explains three different ways to vectorize an image in Adobe Illustrator, and reviews the fundamental difference between images created with vectors and images created with pixels
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Larry Tesler, the inventor of ‘cut’, ‘copy’ and ‘paste’ commands, has died
We remember the accomplishments of this inventor, most famous for creating the copy and paste commands.
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10 Skills to Boost Your Visual Portfolio
These tips will help your work stand out so you can focus on creating it We all know that thinking up and making a good piece of visual work is just one part of the process. Once the work starts to fill up our portfolio, we have to work out how to make our pieces shine. There’s no simple way to make sure that happens but we’ve come across a few methods that could give your portfolio that something extra. 1. Make a good portfolio It sounds obvious but it’s the truth. If you want your work to triumph, you’ve got to pick the best projects and present them attractively. This is your calling card for future clients and you should always have it updated with the best work you’ve done to date. This Domestika course by Sandra López and Ángel Domingo, from the agency Pencil (@pencil) is full of tips and tricks for illustrators to create their portfolio professional: Keys for Creating a Professional Illustration Portfolio.
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Domestika Maestros: Milton Glaser
One of the 20th Century’s most influential designers, from ‘I Love New York’ to work with Dylan and Obama, his talents have helped define graphic design today It’s not common for a designer to see not one, not two, but three of their designs go viral but Milton Glaser (New York, 1929) has experienced just that. The influence of his work, which stretches from editorial design to branding, passing through interior design, is impossible to calculate. The New York Magazine, the ‘I Love New York’ logo, and the iconic posters of the Barack Obama presidential campaign are just a few of his creations. We sat down with him in his New York studio to discuss just some of the many hits of his career.
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5 Inspirational Quotes from Logo Design Master Sagi Haviv
We collected some of the best ideas from a talk given by Haviv, who came to Madrid to share his knowledge and career Sagi Haviv is a partner and designer at Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, a legendary studio responsible for the design of brands such as Mobil, PBS, NBC, Showtime or National Geographic; Haviv counts the logos for Animal Planet, US Open or Conservation International among his most well-known creations. The designer, one of the most influential names worldwide, spent a few days in Madrid to shoot his next course with Domestika, and took the opportunity to participate in the event Domestika Presents: Sagi Haviv, a design talk at the IED in Madrid. We collected some of the most inspiring phrases from the event, during which Haviv captivated the audience with his experience and knowledge.
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What is a brand?
It is a basic concept but it can also be confusing. Here you'll learn, finally, how to use the term "brand" correctly There is a lot of confusion surrounding terms like logo, brand image, isotype or branding. That's why many prefer to use "brand" as a generic concept that encompasses everything. But what exactly is a brand and what does it represent? Christian Pacheco (@kimbal) helps us better understand this concept to start using the correct term in each case.
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The Story of Logos II: From Coca-Cola to MTV
What do the most recognizable logos of the 20th century have in common? Find out in the second part of “The Story of Logos” After learning about how logos have been a part of our world for longer than we previously thought, in part two of “The Story of Logos”, we focus on the development of the discipline–from its origins at the end of the 19th century to the present day. Find out more in the following video:
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How To Make Your Own Snapchat Filter
Download Domestika's Snapchat filter and discover how to create a filter from scratch with Lens Studio and the advice of designer Pau Jimenez Halfway through her architecture degree, Spanish designer Pau Jiménez realized that she was fascinated by the world of virtual design. That was the beginning of her career creating artistic filters for social networks such as Instagram or Snapchat, a self-taught path that has earned her her place among Snapchat's Official Lens Creators, an international group of outstanding filter creators. We asked her if she would like to pay tribute to Domestika in her own way, by creating a custom filter for Snapchat. Pau agreed and shared with us all the necessary steps to build a filter in Lens Studio. In this article, she will guide you through step by step, so that you can create your own custom Snapchat filter from scratch. Although, with practice, it's a skill within everyone's reach, being able to operate 3D or 2D element creation programs is essential, since that is what we’ll be using to create the materials with which we'll later build the filter in Lens Studio.
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History of Logos I: Learn About the First-ever Logo
Discover how two thousand years of history have influenced the most recognizable logos today, in part one of “The Story of Logos” The omnipresence of brands has come to define both the 20th and 21st centuries. Decades ago, brands began to creep into our public life and, now, thanks to the evolution of digital technology, they invade every corner of our private life. Each one has its own visual identity: its logo. But why do some logos have so much more of an impact on us? What was the “first” logo in history? Does this question even really make sense? Discover the answer in the following video–part one of The Story of Logos–which focuses on the “prehistory” and origins of this form of graphic communication.
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How the ‘Joker’ Logo Was Made
Discover the analog process behind the logo and initial titles of the film everyone has been talking about With more than 700 million dollars raised worldwide, and a critical reception that has tilted heavily towards positive, there is no doubt that 'Joker', the biopic of the famous Batman villain–starring Joaquin Phoenix and directed by Todd Phillips–was one of the most important titles of 2019. A successful film is, almost always, the result of tens or hundreds of artists' work, creatives who give the most in their particular areas of knowledge: from direction to photography, from production design to hairdressing and costumes, 'Joker' is a particularly rich film from a creative standpoint, and this also shows in its logo. It's a logo that evokes the analog and tangible spirit of the film, and that, surprisingly, was not created digitally but using old techniques: with blocks of wood loaded with ink. A powerful creative decision whose author, designer and animator Chad Danieley, has explained in detail on a reddit post.
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Domestika Talks: Gary Baseman
Learn how to look for inspiration in this talk given by the popular artist and designer, Gary Baseman The illustrator, animator, and toy designer captivated the audience with his talk at Copa Domestika in Colombia last September, telling a passionate story about how his best friend—a cat—became a never-ending source of inspiration. Watch his talk below:
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What Is A Brand Identity Manual And What Should It Include?
Learn the importance of the identity manual and the differences between brand book, identity guidelines and brand guidelines The design of a brand identity is not static, it is not enough to create it once and forget about how it might be used in the future. Brands and businesses are constantly making new content that needs to be fit under the same line and criteria as what went before it. This is where the importance of having an identity manual lies. They serve as a reference for the basic rules on the correct use of the company's image.
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The UX Trends to Look Out for in 2020
UX expert Strike Heredia predicts what to expect from user experience design in 2020 UX design refers to user experience design—an essential part of building a successful website, app, or digital software. It takes into account patterns of design and usability, the rules of interaction design, visual hierarchy, layout, and text. Carlos "Strike" Heredia is a graphic designer and UX expert with years of experience working in design, creativity and strategy for different brands. Here, Heredia walks us through what to expect from UX design in 2020. Heredia says, “At this time of year, like clockwork, people begin to predict trends for the coming year across different sectors and industries. It’s the same in UX design (despite the fact we always say to never “presume” anything, and it therefore seems rather ironic to be making predictions). What we can do is review what trends have marked 2019 and look set to peak in 2020.” 1. Chatbots and virtual assistants A rule of thumb is to always put the user first: make processes easier and resolve any problems that could arise. This approach has resulted in chatbots and virtual assistants becoming a key feature in human-machine interaction. From resolving straightforward FAQs to more complex artificial intelligence, chatbots and virtual assistants create a more comfortable experience for the user and this is why they will continue to evolve in 2020.
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Logotype, Isotype, Imagotype, Isologotype, Symbol: Do You Know The Difference?
Learn the right terminology for each element of branding and a brand’s visual identity by name In general, people tend to define “logotype” as a brand’s entire identity. It’s normal and logical. This way a client can understand a proposal more clearly and simplifying the terminology can make sure your site appears higher in search engines. However, the great diversity of terms and definitions can cause some serious confusion, especially when words might appear to be synonyms but really they’re not. Logotype, isotype, imagotype, isologotype… although they’re from the same family of terms used in the design of corporate imagery and identity for brands, businesses, and products, each word refers to something different. When working, knowing what each word means is crucial for communication and understanding. Although you might not always use them, understanding them will make you more efficient when it comes to the design.
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The Free Universal Measurements Guide We All Need
Dimensions.Guide is a platform that can make life easier for designers and architects Searching for information about the official dimensions and size of objects, vehicles, animals, even our cell phones, can be a very frustrating task, especially when time isn't on our side. To make it easier, Dimensions.Guide has been created, a free reference database with drawings that document the standard measurements and sizes of everyday objects and spaces. Created by Bryan Maddock as a public research project, and developed by Fantastic Offense, a collective focused on urbanism and architecture, the result can facilitate the designs of architects, designers, artists and anyone with a general curiosity about the world, to better communicate the basic properties, systems and logic of what surrounds us.
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What is Visual Merchandising and Window Dressing?
Learn about the history of window dressing and how it can be used to make a brand stand out. Window shopping is a fusion of lots of different disciplines: art direction, crafts, architecture, sculpture, installation, and, of course, design. They are all strategies which are used to draw potential customers into a shop. It’s how the shop communicates with the consumer. Window shopping is directly linked to visual merchandising – a marketing and design strategy for displaying products and services in a way that is logical and attractive (both inside the shop and in the display windows) to create a great shopping experience and boost sales. Founders and directors of Kiosco Creativo, Carla and Laura, are experts in window dressing. They have created more than 20 window displays for Hermès, Swarovski, and Disney. Here they answer four key questions that will help you to better understand visual merchandising and window dressing:
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5 Interior Design Trends from 2019
We review the interior design trends that have defined the past year, summarized in five colors Design is the result of its time, and the design of the spaces in which we spend our time–be it hotels, restaurants or other public places–even more. Each year–each decade–has its favorite interior design trends, in terms of color, shape or materials, which respond to contemporary concerns in fashion and society. Ana Hernández and Christophe Penasse, from the interior design and product studio Masquespacio, are always up to date with the latest trends in this area of design, so we decided to ask them about the five top trends in interior design that have marked this past 2019. As they point out, "our 2019 trend proposals are based on the use of color and the different representation that each one can have for a trend. Each of them, in addition, can be used both in the use of materials or the color itself." Go for it. Beige White: Natural / Craftsman The use of beige white colors is intended to represent an aesthetic that seeks to connect with the natural and the artisanal.
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10 Tips for Designing Icons
Art director Hermes Mazali shares his tips for designing any icon imaginable Creating icons that work well requires a number of skills: the ability to condense and summarize information, a flair for graphic design, an interest in the client you’re working for and an in-depth knowledge of the values and visual identity of their brand. Hermes Mazali (@hmazali)–an art director who has ample experience in icon design–has summed up his expertise in 10 essential points for you to bear in mind if you want to follow in his footsteps:
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10 essential shortcuts to work in Adobe InDesign
Learning and using these keyboard shortcuts for Adobe InDesign will improve your workflow InDesign is perhaps one of the most commonly used desktop publishing software these days. Numerous professionals and students use this tool every day to design and create both printed and digital documents but beyond the basic options for creating layouts, Adobe InDesign offers endless possibilities to create perfect publications. A great layout designer knows how to work seamlessly with InDesign and the secret to working faster in your projects is to know the essential keyboard shortcuts of this software. Download below a PDF file with these shortcuts for Mac and PC. These are the key shortcuts you have to learn to work with Adobe InDesign:
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How to Create Basic Patterns in Photoshop
Juan Díaz-Faes explains how to create repeating patterns in Photoshop in four easy steps A pattern is an image or a graphic element that is infinitely repeated, or tiled, and can be applied to any surface. The image that is repeated to create the pattern can be referred to as a tile. The easiest tile to create is in the shape of a square, although you can make tiles that have different shapes. To understand how patterns work, you’ll need to get to grips with the basic rules of repetition through digital exercises. That’s where Juan Díaz-Faes steps in. An illustrator whose work is very detailed, both graphically and narratively, he has created patterns for clients such as Nickelodeon, Pepsi, El País–one of Spain’s national newspapers, and Harvard University. Here he explains how to create a basic pattern using Photoshop.
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Domestika Maestros: Enric Huguet
We got to know the human side of one of the design world’s most renowned pioneers, who defines the designer as a "poet of the world’s images". Enric Huguet Muixí (Barcelona, 1928) is one of the fathers of graphic design and illustration in Spain. He made his name creating some of the most iconic posters of the 50s and 60s and designing brands and other commercial communication, most often in the pharmaceutical sector.
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What Is a Mood Board and What Is It For?
Learn how to create a mood board, the essential tool for the development of your design, photography or illustration projects, with Zita Chocarro, from Hamabi Design. Every designer and creative needs tools to inspire themselves and bring out their best ideas when they are developing their projects. Mood boards are a key part of the creative process: they serve as a reference to help find and coordinate the aesthetics, colors, textures, and materials you want to work with. What is a mood board? Also known as an inspiration board, a mood board consists of a digital or physical collage of ideas, a whole world of colors and shapes normally used in the fields of interior design, fashion and graphic design. These boards have everything you need to define the direction of your project: photographs, designs, illustrations, color palettes, textures or descriptive concepts.
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20 Essential Shortcuts You Should Know in Adobe Photoshop
There are multiple keyboard shortcuts to make the editing process with Adobe Photoshop easier and faster
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Iconic artist Javier Mariscal on Staying Curious and Living Life Fully
The award-winning Spanish illustrator shares his tips for success and staying young at heart, in this Domestika Maestros
