#aiga design

[shogas]

been thinking about getting into persona again

[lilac-ravenclaw]

Not HL related, but still wanted to share!

San Diego Design Week started last night beginning with Projecting Futures showcase by AIGA 🖤 I had the privilege of participating in the event! This year’s theme was Belonging, Interconnectedness, Connection and Racial Inclusion.✨

My piece is called “Mother We Share” (inspired by Chvrches’ song), and shows Mother Nature has a symbol of hope and peace surrounded by people from different walks of life.🌿

I am so honored to be apart of such a wonderful event with so many talented artists and designers! Everyone’s art was projected on the Museum of Art building in Balboa Park.

see more of my art: artof.ravnbee

Oh look a photo of me lol. Might be the only one I post on here😆

[r--mc]

[exhalereleased]

Who Owns Cultural Imagery? The Property Issue from AIGA: Journal of Graphic Design

[tsiiriing]

Enfin quelqu'un qui parle d'elle, et en français !!!! Tellement difficile de trouver ! Et pourtant elle a révolutionné le monde du design éditorial en faisant un "mix" de la mode et des beaux-arts si je peux dire cela comme ça, et c'est elle qui a travaillé avec Andy Warhol dans les années 40 en lui faisant faire un article dans le magazine Glamour. Nous n'en parlons pas assez ! Il y aurait tellement de choses à dire !! Je ferai peut-être un compte rendu du travail que j'ai à faire dont le sujet est cette femme, je l'ai choisi !

J’apprécie beaucoup le travail produit par la graphiste éditoriale Cipe Pineles entre les années 40 et 50 dans un milieu majoritairement masculin, avec un travail qui a changé le visage du design éditorial et a également contribué au mouvement féministe en aidant à changer le rôle des femmes dans la société.

[anotherplacemag]

The Alec Gill Hessle Road photo archive

A photobook, which documents Hull’s lost working-class fishing community, has exceeded its Kickstarter target. 

The Alec Gill Hessle Road photo archive, by editor Iranzu Baker and designer Fran Méndez, celebrates the work of photographer Alec Gill, who documented the changing landscape of Hull's Hessle Road fishing community throughout the 1970s and 1980s.  

Alec Gill took his first photograph of the Hessle Road area in 1971. Drawing up a boundary map, and sticking to it conscientiously, he manages to warmly capture, and tell the relatively unknown story of, a working-class community during the decline of its fishing trade, and a period of mass housing demolition.

The Kickstarter, set up to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Alec’s Hessle photography project, was launched to raise funds to produce a book - and has now exceeded its target by over £5,000.

Editor Iranzu Baker and designer Fran Méndez were given access to Alec’s complete archive, including over 6,000 black-and-white photographs, taken on his Rolleicord twin-lens reflex camera.

The book contains several unpublished images, which were scanned for the first time, and over 200 images are presented alongside archival material, such as Alec’s camera and notebooks, setting the work in its historical context. 

Celebrating and honouring Alec’s dedication to, and portrayal of, Hull's fishing culture and the people of Hessle Road, the book not only shines a light on a particular period of Hull’s history but documents the decline of a key part of the UK’s fishing trade. 

The Alec Gill Hessle Road photo archive has additionally won, and been shortlisted for, a number of design awards - including AIGA 50 Books 50 Covers, European Design Awards, Laus Awards, and the British Book Design and Production Awards.

Website & book - highly recommend picking up a copy of this fantastic new title while it's available!

All images © Alec Gill

[1cassis]

For this lecture poster for the AIGA Detroit we tried to visualize the pain that seems to accompany most of our design projects. Our intern Martin cut all the type into my skin. Yes, it did hurt real bad.

[kiyzeiin-moved]

Okay so I love love LOVE the way you draw the monkey d family it FUELS MY SOUL. I’m new to this app and I have lived my whole life thinking nobody drew them due to there being a lack of it but HERE WE ARE!! I absolutely love the luffys mom design and need to know everything about her. May we have a fun fact abt her? (If not that’s cool too)

thank you sm!!! ABSOLUTELY. i love her too. was waiting for someone to ask. this might be a little long.

she acts JUST like luffy. same mannerisms and everything. not as “empty headed” or frivolous but you get the idea. confronting, loud, blunt, selfish to the point where she’s extraordinarily selfless, etc..

samoan-austronesian ofc !!

she’s an international big-time con artist who steals(pirates) from local corrupt, rich leaders of different islands through her sea voyaging. she rarely uses the money for herself, but for the purpose of gifting it to the poor people who really need it. it’s a robin hood allegory. she’s very bright and quick-witted. and beats people up if they deserve it most importantly

traveled usually with friends from her home village and sometimes new people met venturing. unironically, very good wayfinder. she can navigate extremely well even without the help of her best friend, who was their ship’s navigator. she did this for 10+ years. the government wishes she would explode.

garp is more or less angry about this but mostly because her bounty would only continue to rise. meaning it’s dangerous. at that point, he’s like “oi sole !! fine! whatever she can handle herself i guess. it’s not like i can stop her !” it’s so funny to me, he can’t control his kid, his grandkids to come, or his son in law who just so happens to be the most wanted criminal in the world 😭 no one listens to him. i’m sure he feels crazy. most of his aiga are considered criminals.

may or may not be a devil fruit user. probably not tbh.

i figured since oda keeps insisting that luffy looks just like garp when he’s young and when he’s older, i thought yeah exactly ! luffy’s the spitting image of his mum too.

her and dragon met on her island when they were young. i’d say around the age 14-16. when they married many years later, dragon took her last name for reasons iykyk

before they married though, her and dragon went voyaging as well. they did many revolutionary missions/undertakings together. even before dragon named the endeavor a “revolutionary army.” this was the beginning.

dragon developed feelings for her and of course, it took her a long while to realize this.

luffy’s mom knows dadan. she’s an old friend of hers. wink wink. this is why garp is familiar with dadan and trusted luffy (and ace)with her.

i’d like to think(i DO think) they gave luffy over to dadan for safety reasons if we’re being honest. this is why luffy probably never saw his biological mom.

i like to paint luffy with a bit of pink in his eyes, a feature his mom and his grandpa garp, and previous maternal family members inherit. notice how gear 5 has pink-reddish eyes too !

after luffy was born she doesn’t scheme as much. things happened. with her bounty it’s not safe to stay in one place, but she does get to relax in her home village on every good occasion. she kinda has to play hopscotch between islands so they won’t be targeted.

*

these are just a couple of ideas i had about her. a little might change later but this is how i feel about her (possible) character. AUGHHH i really wish to expand more on this and draw more of her. i do have unfinished drawings of her in my cloud though. im super busy with college rn. i will post more art of the monkey d aiga (family) when i have the time to !!! i’m SO happy you like how i interpret them 💗💗💗

[nanowrimo]

30 Covers, 30 Days 2023: Day 18

We're heading to another world! Day 18 is represented by Science Fiction novel Mona and a Bee by Nina Fortmeyer! This cover was designed by the amazing returning designer, David Hisaya Asari!

Mona and a Bee

In a future where bees are extinct, a single mom who lives with a 12 year old son discovers her cat door is a portal. On the other side is a verdant ancient world that people can't enter because they can't fit through the door. After her cat , Mona, comes home with a bee, Linn and a neighbor collaborate to make contact with the world on the other side. They eventually do, only to find a warrior about to be wrongly executed. They help him by providing antibiotics, proving he isn't a sorcerer, he gets them a beehive, and it ends with Linn and the neighbor in an implied happily ever after

About the Author

Nina Fortmeyer is both a visual artist and a writer. An avid gardener and pastry chef, like her protagonist, she enjoys living close to nature with her husband, a passel of scenic chickens, and two silly dogs.

About the Designer

David Hisaya Asari is an Oakland-based graphic designer and design educator. He is a faculty in Graphic Design, Critical Ethnic Studies, and Special Programs at California College of the Arts. His studio course focuses on research and information visualization. His Japan study abroad course frames the student experiences through the lenses of wabi-sabi and emptiness. President Emeritus and current board member of the SF chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design. He’s served on AIGA’s national Design Educators Community steering group. “Tsudonku” is his word of the day.

[kennak]

・米国グラフィックアーツ協会（AIGA） 1914年設立のアメリカのグラフィックデザイナー団体のアーカイブ。20世紀初頭から現在にいたるアメリカの作品約2万点以上を収録している。さまざまなタグで検索できるのみならず、使われている色でも検索できる。テーマごとにキュレーションされた企画ページも楽しい。 https://designarchives.aiga.org/

グラフィックデザインとオンライン・アーカイブ｜ARTICLES｜The Graphic Design Review

[designfiend]

Stefan Sagmeister, AIGA Detriot (1999)

"For this lecture poster for the AIGA Detroit we tried to visualize the pain that seems to accompany most of our design projects. Our intern Martin cut all the type into my skin. Yes, it did hurt real bad."

tw: scarification

[dd20century]

Tell Me About Designer Susan Kare

Editor’s Note: This is an experimental post written with the assistance of AI software, Chat GPT. The content was vetted for accuracy and revised for style.

Susan Kare is considered a pioneer in the field of computer interface design, best known for her work at Apple Computer during the 1980s, where she designed interface elements for the original Macintosh computer. These elements include the original Macintosh typeface, Chicago, as well as many of the icons and user interface elements that were used in the Macintosh operating system. Kare's work has had a significant impact on the design of user interfaces, and her design elements are still in use today in various forms. (1)

Kare's work on the Macintosh interface was far-reaching and had a big impact on the design of user interfaces. Here are a few examples:

The original Macintosh typeface used in the Macintosh operating system and is still used in various forms today

The "Happy Mac" icon, which was the icon that appeared on the Macintosh screen when the computer was turned on and the operating system was loading (2)

The "Command" key icon still used on Apple keyboards to this day to indicate the command key (3)

The "Paint Bucket" and "Paintbrush" icon used in the Macintosh program MacPaint (3)

The "Lasso" and "Eyedropper" icons used in the Macintosh program MacDraw (4)

The "Clipboard" icon used in the Macintosh operating system to indicate the clipboard (4)

Susan Kare, User-interface Icons for Macintosh Operating System (1982-1986). Image source.

Susan Kare was born on February 5, 1954 in Ithaca, New York, United States. She attended Mount Holyoke College earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In addition, she received both a M.A. and a Ph.D. in fine arts from New York University. (5,6 )“After earning her Ph.D., she moved to San Francisco to work at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF), as a sculptor and occasional curator” (5).  

In 1982 Susan Kare began working for Apple Computer and remained with the company until 1986 when she “followed Steve Jobs in leaving Apple to launch NeXT, Inc. as its Creative Director and 10th employee. She introduced Jobs to her design hero Paul Rand and hired him to design NeXT’s logo and brand identity, admiring his table-pounding exactitude and confidence” (4).

Susan Kare, Chicago Typeface for Macintosh Operating System (1982). Image source.

After working at Apple NeXT, Inc. Kare continued to work on a variety of projects including designing icons, typefaces, and user interface elements for a number of other technology companies including Microsoft, IBM, Sony Pictures, and Intel. (3) Kare also established her own company, Susan Kare Design and continues to work as a graphic designer and artist. (5) “The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) store in New York City has carried stationery and notebooks featuring her designs” (4).

Ms. Kare's influential work has won several awards. In 1999, she was inducted into the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum's National Design Awards Hall of Fame for Interface Design. (2) Her work was included in the Museum of Modern Art's (MoMA) 2011 exhibition "Talk to Me: Design and the Communication between People and Objects." In 2018, she was awarded the AIGA Medal, the highest honor in the field of graphic design in the United States.  Ms. Kare has been a Creative Director at Pinterest since 2015. (5)

View Susan Kare's portfolio.

References

FamousGraphicDesigners.org, (2019). Susan Kare. Retrieved from: https://www.famousgraphicdesigners.org/susan-kare

Kindy, D., (9 October, 2019). How Susan Kare Designed User-Friendly Icons for the First Macintosh. Retrieved from:https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-susan-kare-designed-user-friendly-icons-for-first-macintosh-180973286/

Wikipedia, (6 May, 2023). Susan Kare. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Kare

Christoph, (19 January, 2023). Susan Kare – Designing the GUI of the Apple Macintosh (and much more). Retrieved from: https://www.mac-history.net/2023/01/19/susan-kare-pixel-design-apple-mac/

Kare Prints, (2023). About Susan Kare. Retrieved from: https://kareprints.com/pages/about

[bangcreative]

Why We Don’t Send Clients Raw Files (And Why That’s a Good Thing)

If you’ve ever worked with a design firm, you may have wondered why you only receive final PDF files for print and not the raw, editable working files. It’s a common question, the short answer is – professional design standards – intellectual property rights – maintaining brand integrity – maintaining the profession.

Who Owns the Working Files?

In the design industry, working files—such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign files—are typically considered the property of the designer or the design firm. According to AIGA (the American Institute of Graphic Arts), designers own the source files they create unless an agreement specifies otherwise. Clients pay for the final product, not the tools used to create them. (Source: AIGA).  When you buy a car you don’t get all the schematics, drawings and raw materials, you get the car, the finished product. 

Why We Keep the Raw Files

Protecting Design Integrity

Working files are layered, complex, and contain technical settings that ensure high-quality results. If a client or a someone else makes edits without understanding the design structure, or knowing the brand intent. it can lead to poor-quality graphics that no longer reflect the original vision.

Intellectual Property & Licensing

Design projects often incorporate licensed assets like stock images, fonts, and graphics that the designer has rights to use—but can’t legally transfer to another organization to use independently. Professional organizations like the Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) of Ontario emphasize the importance of sustainability and ethical best practices in design, which includes respecting intellectual property rights. (Source: RGD)

Software & Technical Barriers

Many clients don’t have the required software to open or edit raw design files. Programs like Adobe InDesign or Photoshop require expertise to navigate, and without the right fonts, linked images, or plugins, the file won’t display correctly.

Maintaining a Professional Relationship

Many design firms offer ongoing support for branding and marketing materials. Providing raw files could lead to inconsistent changes by different designers, damaging brand consistency. Instead, firms like ours prefer to make necessary updates to ensure quality and alignment with your brand.

What We Provide Instead

At BANG! creative, we ensure that our clients receive everything they need to use their designs effectively:

Print Ready, High-resolution final files (PDF, PNG, JPG, SVG, etc.)

Print-ready and web-ready versions of those final files

When/where applicable a style guide to maintain brand consistency

Templates in Canva, Word, PowerPoint

If you require working files, let’s talk. Sometimes studios provide working files for an additional fee, depending on the project and licensing agreements. The key is clear communication and setting expectations upfront.

Final Thoughts

Design is more than just files—it’s about strategy, execution, and maintaining a strong brand presence. By keeping working files in the hands of the experts, we ensure the best possible outcome for our clients. Too many times we have seen good designs bad, and that can be an unfortunate circumstance of the DIY mentality, but thats another story. If you have questions about your design project, reach out—we’re happy to help!

Sources:

AIGA: Does a Designer Have to Turn Over Source Files?

AIGA: Standard Form of Agreement for Design Services

RGD: Sustainability Guidelines for Creatives

Partner with BANG! creative 

At BANG! creative, we are passionate about helping businesses build strong, strategic brands that stand out in the marketplace. By thinking first and designing second, we ensure that every marketing effort is not only creative but also grounded in a deep understanding of your unique needs.

Ready to take your brand to the next level? Let’s start with a conversation. Visit creativitygoesbang.com to learn more about our strategic approach and how we can help your business achieve its goals.

Remember, true innovation begins with thoughtful strategy. Let’s build something extraordinary together.

[varshakohli]

What is Graphic Design? A Beginner’s Guide

In the age of digital media, graphic design is everywhere — from the websites we visit, to the advertisements we see, to the products we buy. Whether you’re scrolling through social media, reading a magazine, or simply walking down the street, graphic design is constantly influencing your perceptions, decisions, and emotions.

If you’re new to this exciting field or simply curious to learn more, this beginner’s guide will walk you through what graphic design really is, why it matters, and how you can start your journey into the world of visual storytelling. (For more resources on digital creativity and marketing, visit DigiAdgency.)

What is Graphic Design?

At its simplest, graphic design is the art and practice of creating visual content to communicate ideas, messages, or information. It combines creativity with strategy, using elements like images, colors, typography, and layout to deliver a specific message to a targeted audience.

Graphic design is not just about making things "look good." It’s about effective communication. A good design can attract attention, create emotional connections, inspire action, and even build trust between a brand and its audience.

Formal Definition:

According to the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA),

“Graphic design is the art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content.”

In short, graphic design turns concepts into powerful visual experiences.

Why is Graphic Design Important?

In today's digital landscape, attention is currency. Great graphic design helps brands and individuals:

Capture Attention: In a crowded market, strong visuals help you stand out.

Communicate Quickly: Visuals convey messages faster than words alone.

Build Brand Identity: Logos, color schemes, and consistent design styles create memorable brands.

Influence Decisions: Good design can shape how people feel about a product or service.

Enhance Credibility: Professional-looking designs establish trust with audiences.

If you're considering hiring a professional for your brand or business, a well-experienced freelancer or agency can make a huge difference. Check out DigiAdgency’s digital marketing freelancer services to get started.

Core Elements of Graphic Design

Before diving into designing, it’s important to understand the fundamental building blocks of good design:

1. Line

Lines can organize information, direct the eye, create patterns, or evoke emotions. They can be thick, thin, dotted, or continuous.

2. Shape

Shapes (geometric, abstract, or organic) help create structure, attract attention, and support branding.

3. Color

Color evokes moods and feelings. Understanding color theory — like complementary and analogous colors — can significantly improve design quality.

4. Typography

Typography is the art of selecting and arranging typefaces. Good typography makes reading easy and communicates the tone of the message.

5. Texture

Texture adds a sense of feel, depth, or visual interest to designs, even on a flat surface.

6. Space

Space, especially negative space, improves readability and focuses attention on key elements.

7. Imagery

Photography, illustrations, and graphics reinforce messaging and aesthetics.

Mastering these basic elements will give you a solid foundation to create professional designs.

Key Principles of Graphic Design

Graphic designers also rely on principles to ensure their work is effective and aesthetically pleasing:

Balance: Achieving a visually stable composition (symmetrical or asymmetrical).

Contrast: Highlighting differences to emphasize important elements.

Alignment: Creating order and connection between elements.

Hierarchy: Structuring content so that the most important information stands out.

Repetition: Reinforcing a cohesive look by repeating design elements.

Proximity: Grouping related items together to organize information.

Applying these principles thoughtfully will make your designs clearer, stronger, and more engaging.

Different Types of Graphic Design

Graphic design is a broad field with many specializations. Here are a few major types:

1. Brand Identity Design

Creating logos, color palettes, and style guides that represent a brand’s visual persona.

2. Marketing & Advertising Design

Designing promotional materials like brochures, flyers, social media ads, and banners.

3. Web and Mobile Design

Designing user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) for websites and mobile apps.

4. Packaging Design

Creating the visual layout and branding for product packaging.

5. Motion Graphics Design

Animating graphics for videos, websites, and multimedia projects.

Whether you need branding, social media graphics, or web visuals, a professional team can deliver outstanding results. Explore DigiAdgency’s top-rated digital marketing agency services to find out more.

Tools of the Trade

Beginners today have access to a wide range of design tools, both free and professional-grade:

Adobe Photoshop: Best for image editing and compositing.

Adobe Illustrator: Ideal for vector graphics and logo design.

Canva: Perfect for beginners who want drag-and-drop simplicity.

Figma: Great for web and app design collaboration.

InDesign: Used mainly for print design projects like magazines and books.

Each tool has unique strengths, so choosing the right one depends on your goals.

How to Start Learning Graphic Design

Understand the Basics: Learn the elements and principles of design.

Practice Daily: Create small projects like posters, logos, or social media posts.

Study Good Design: Analyze professional work to understand why it’s effective.

Take Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare offer beginner-friendly design courses.

Build a Portfolio: Start showcasing your best work online. Even small personal projects can make a difference.

Seek Feedback: Share your work with fellow designers or join online communities for critiques.

Final Thoughts

Graphic design is a dynamic and essential form of communication that touches every aspect of modern life. As a beginner, the field can seem overwhelming, but with a clear understanding of what graphic design is, its elements, and principles, you’re already well on your way to mastering the art.

Remember, graphic design is a blend of creativity, strategy, and communication. Whether you want to build a personal brand, launch a business, or offer freelance services, investing time in learning design basics will pay off tremendously.

If you're looking for professional guidance in design and digital marketing, visit DigiAdgency. Need personalized help? Check out our freelance digital marketing services, or if you're seeking a full-service team, we’re proud to be recognized as a best digital marketing agency ready to support your vision.

Written by: Varsha Kohli Graphic Designer | Digital Marketer | Storyteller Visit DigiAdgency

[denisesanpedro]

Denise San Pedro - A Skilled Designer And Realtor

Denise San Pedro, a skilled designer and Realtor, blends creativity with strategy. A 2019 American Graphic Design Award winner, she transitioned to real estate in 2016, merging artistic vision with business awareness. An AIGA Miami Board Director and member since 2023, Denise values humility, eloquence, and humor. She enjoys culture, fashion, and meaningful connections.

[bambabyboo]

WOII Compulsory: In Summary

The Summary Post of WOII module.

Reflecting on World of Ideas and Imagination module, I feel like it was the start of a creative cartography. I, as a designer, began mapping out landscapes as the foundation for my first year journey. Each week unfolded like an exploration across another to another topic developing both my academic knowledge and art intuition. About the first three weeks, Phenomenology, as a soil base, taught me to present design and observe how experiences shape visual communication. Aesthetics then gave me the compass to navigate questions of real beauty towards young designers nowadays while Semiotics added the legend signs that allowed me to decode meaning of the visual, symbolic world.

However, the more I explored, the more complicated it got. Design Analysis added an actual depth of foundation to appreciate craftsmanship and design along with the refreshing break of field trip. Additionally, Cultural Materialism, which introduced the layers beneath the surface of material realities that shape cultural designs like a reminder that design is not a tool but interacts with the realistic conditions of society. Moving on, with perhaps my favorite, Poststructuralism reached out of the map unsettlingly yet freely. This prepared me for Postmodernism, where I encountered the possibilities of visual chaos and how they communicate deeply. Lastly, the journey ended with Art Ecosystems, where I discovered through the Open Studios that I am not only a rigid designer but also an audience with opinions.

Overall, the WOII module was a whole journey finding my comprehension in design. It does have challenges but it is meaningful. As Richard Grefé once said, “Design is the intermediary between information and understanding.”, I definitely will continue to expand and shape how I think, create and connect as a creative designer.

(286 words)

Grefé, Richard. Design Is the Intermediary Between Information and Understanding. AIGA Design Conference, 2012, New York.