Becoming a Better Designer

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 1 person | Log in to rate

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How Can I Become a Better Designer

Recently I created a website titled, "the black orchid group", as a catalog of many of the different projects I have worked on and am in the process of working on. I by no means consider myself a designer, however, I enjoy creating and the learning process inherit to the design field. With this lens I hope to bring you some useful information, a few websites and tutorials for reference and hopefully some decent design work. This lens will directly corelate to "The Black Orchid Group" site and blog, journaling the steps I take to become more skilled designer.  I welcome any ideas, critiques or suggestions with open ears. Otherwise sit back and enjoy my struggle as I try to perfect my vector skills, develop my CSS knowledge and create some cool stuff.

Design: A Definition 

Design is defined differently by many in the field - this section will change regularly.

Found on the web, this definition of design is offered by Carnegie Mellon University School of Design professor Dick Buchanan.

""Design is the human power to conceive, plan, and realize products that serve human beings in the accomplishment of any individual or collective purpose."

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Announcements and Updates 

I just finished posting a list, yes another list, entitle "10 Useful Starting Points for an Aspiring Designer". Basically I wanted to start compiling a list of sites around the net that inspire, inform and teach the art of good design. I have only added ten to this list as I would like it to remain an open ended invitation for you to add any and all links you see as helpful to the aspiring designer.

Developer Toolbar 

I wanted to take the time to praise a tool or toolbar that I recently downloaded. The Web Developer extension from chrispederick.com has been an essential tool over the past few days as I try to shape a better web page out of CSS. I highly reccomend checking it out if you are self teaching yourself as it allows you to easily view, edit and validate code right from your web browser. Of course these changes are not permanent however you are able to save right from this tool replacing your old CSS file and uploading it to your server. Makes life easier because I know I have spent countless hours modifying and replacing code trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. If there are any others out there like this please let me know as I would love to give them a trial run, but for now I am sticking with firefox and the developer toolbar.

The Power of Observation 

This tip is something quite obvious and quite often recommended, but I am not sure that everyone really takes advantage of it like they should. It is the power of observation, taking the time to really absorb the design of the world around you. Look around the room you are in it's everywhere, from the carpet on the floor to the chair you sit in. I bring this us because I realized that I am guilty of not paying attention. After reading "A Whole New Mind" I was enlightened to really pay attention. So now as I travel the US spending time in various cities, hotels and airports I pay close attention to everything from the architecture to the billboards on the side of the freeway. There are so many inspirational design elements out there that I could build a portfolio in my mind in a matter of minutes. So I leave you with this take a minute and take it all in you never know when the design of that ad for the local city hospital may carry over into your next web project.

Screen Shots and What Nots 

From time to time I will add some flickr photos for your enjoyment and laughter. The first one we have here is a screenshot of my webpage (which has already changed slightly).

BOGScreenShot by j.james

Screen Shot of Black Orchid Group Home Page

'Open Mic' Poster by j.james

Recommended Links 

The first few are links to projects I am involved in, after that I hope to provide you with some useful reference sites or maybe just some that are fun to look at. For other important links visit www.blackorchidgroup.com and check out "10 Useful Starting Points for An Aspiring Designer"
AS[ONE] Clothing Co
AS[ONE] Clothing Co.
Black Orchid Group
My infamous project chronicling my steps to becoming a better designer. Oh and by the way this is my first site designed completely using CSS, yes I am a bit behind the curve.
CSS Beauty
The best of the best in CSS based Web Design
The Principles of Beautiful Web Design
Here is a great article outling the steps to creating a beautiful website, this is the one became my inspiration for creating the new Black Orchid Group Page.
SitePoint
This site is highly recommended and hugely infomative to anyone interested in web development and design.
50 Ways to Become a Better Designer
An invaluable list to get you thinking about how you can improve. The entire Computer Arts website is both very interesting an informative.

Books I am Reading 

I wanted to create a list of books that I am reading or plan to read soon, if you have read them and would like to comment on them I look forward to hearing from you. If you haven't read them then stay tuned because I will be giving a brief review of each on www.blackorchidgroup.com

A Whole New Mind - by Daniel H. Pink

Why Right Brainers Will Rule The Future
So far thi more...0 points

Drawing On the Right Side of the Brain - by Betty Edwards

I have reviewed this one before but think it is wo more...0 points

A Foundation Course in Drawing - by Peter Stanyer & Terry RosenBerg

0 points

Buzzmarketing - by Mark Hughes

Get People to Talk About Your Stuff - I have read more...0 points

The Secret

Recently read this one on a 1hr flight so I would more...0 points

Useful Titles on Amazon 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

Amazon Price: $8.54 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

The Digital Photography Book

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Watchmen

Amazon Price: $12.73 (as of 07/11/2009) Buy Now

Let Me Know What You Think 

Your constructive criticism is the only way I will learn!

by jeru52

Me: Well I try to stay busy therefore I have created another project for myself. Why haven't I uploaded a picture you ask? Honestly I really like the... (more)

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