YouTube Channel

So with my first attempt to make instructional videos for my students failing gracefully, I realize I need to invest in some sort of mic and learn how to use my DSLR for video. I don’t like doing anything that is not up to a certain level and that, and available time, is the reason I haven’t published or pursued an official design channel. That and I can’t stand the sound of my recorded voice. So in the meantime I will continue to use other videos to showcase how things are done while saving money to properly create instructional videos.

How to create mockups. A proper tutorial.

This post is sponsored by… well no one, unfortunately.

Unfortunately, with only four classes, I cannot address every facet of graphic design. My goal as a professor under the current system is to prepare you to be competitive. But when the industry changes at an incredible pace, where do I begin, how can I squeeze everything in.

That’s where taking your education into your own hands comes in. I encourage you to learn about UI/UX design, motion graphics, premiere, and after effects. And… SkillShare is the place to do it. You get 2 months free as a new member and then it’s $9.99/month after that. Why not improve yourself and learn from some of your heroes.

Check them out if you haven’t already. I promise you, if I had the time, I would be right next to you learning new things that interest me from design to business to leadership. Start now when you are not nearly as busy as I am. Check out SkillShare.

One last thing, if you want to see Columbus State offer a full degree in Graphic Design speak up. As students, you have the power to institute the most change, without you, the university doesn’t exist. Ask for change, until the higher ups start hearing from you, I will just be the old young talking nonsense from a hilltop.

N/McMillan

Learning from the Art of Character Design

In doing research for GD3s next project, I came across this great article (10 Quick Tips to Help You Design Characters Like a Pro) and resources for those who are looking into Character Design for whatever reason. Although we very rarely come across this type of work in graphic design, there is much which we can glean from its process of development: Have a Concept, Less is More, Be Inspired, Make your Work Unique, Use Color to Communicate.

Image Courtesy of Pixel77.com

Uh… I think you stole my work.

With the proliferation of social media, we are encouraged to share our work to our friends, followers, and in some cases as a method of building our freelance clientele. There comes a time, however, while perusing through the interwebs late at night we come across some sort of filth that is trying to pass off our work as their own. Do you know what to do other than publicly shame them into taking it down? Is there any legal action you could take? Is it worth it?

In James Cartwright’s article entitled What Every Designer Needs to Know About Copyright Law, James Cartwright explores this very scenario. Not only does he give specifics about the process, including cost, but he covers ” some basics, a set of essentials for young designers working in the commercial world.”

If you would like me to explore more about developing a course specific to Copyright and Trademark law as it applies to design, please let me know at mcmillan_nicholas@columbusstate.edu and I will work to partner with the Turner College of Business to see if we can’t make it happen.

N/McMillan

Where did you get those gorgeous photos?

Ever wonder where your classmates are getting the photos they are using? They are high resolution, crisp, and gorgeous. Well they have moved on from Google and are exploring the web, talking to the advanced GD students, or have heard whispers in the community about a few great websites to visit.

• Pexels.com
• Unsplash.com
• Pixabay.com

Take a look to see what you are missing.

AIGA ATL – Meet Obama White House’s Digital Strategist

Join MODA and Miami Ad School at Portfolio Center for a Design Conversation with Ashleigh Axios, an advocate for design’s ability to break barriers and create positive social change.

Ashleigh Axios is an international speaker, strategic creative, and an advocate for design’s ability to break barriers and create positive social change. Ashleigh serves on the executive board for AIGA and most notably, Ashleigh served as the creative director and a digital strategist for the Obama White House.

Thursday, Aug 22, 2019, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Hill Auditorium
1280 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30309

Students: $8
Non-members: $15
AIGA Members: $10
MODA Sustaining Members: $10

Join the Conversation

#10

We have learned many rules over the course of our time studying and practicing design. We have learned in class, on the job, and from a variety of people. We have also learned that, at times, we can break the rules that we learn.

The following list shares rules that often take many of us a career to learn. Creative Bloq and Karl Hodge have organized a list of “11 Unwritten Rules of Design.”

This short 5 minute read will change the way you approach design and may help you succeed in our industry.

Article Link

Found a Job… Epic!

EpicJobs.co aggregates all the jobs posted on Twitter and, therefore, is a vital tool for anyone looking for a job. Now granted, if you want to stay in Columbus, this probably isn’t the best resource, but let’s get out there and show the world that great designers are coming out Columbus, Georgia.

Texture: Making Your Design Stronger

One of the more often overlooked elements of design is texture. If we take a moment to think about it, different textures can convey different emotions. Adding texture into our work can help us add tension, variation, and ultimately help us better communicate to our audience. The following article goes over 10 different ways you can incorporate texture into your designs today.

The Role of Textures in Contemporary Graphic Design

The Art of Movie Posters Explained

I came across a fascinating video series put together by Vanity Fair where James Verdesoto, the movie poster artist behind iconic posters such as Pulp Fiction, Ocean’s Eleven, Girl, Interrupted, and Training Day, explains the design of different groups of movie posters.

It is a fantastic look into how different design principles are applied to one very specific format.