Small Bites: Design Links I Love | March 30

Another Monday, but it’s Easter week, so that means an abundance of marshmallow Peeps and chocolate bunnies, so it really can’t be a bad week. And, you can have some awesome design links to make you smile this Monday morning as well.

Of course, I have to include yet another link that involves my favorite hand lettering artist, Jessica Hische. This is a video of her discussing what it was like to design the 2015 Love Forever stamp for the USPS. Really cute video and an amazing design for her stamp.

This is a really clever ad campaign from nail cosmetics company OPI. It took me a minute to get it (much like me with most modern art), but it’s really cool, and of course, the wide array of colors attracted me.

In addition to Nutella, I am obsessed with all thing Sriracha. Finally, officially partnered Sriracha products are hitting the market. In addition to being deliciously flavored, I LOVE the packaging of this iconic hot sauce.

Sagmeister & Walsh just released their new campaign for an Indian juice company called Frooti. I don’t think the packaging is all that exciting nor the logo (not sure if Sagmeister & Walsh did the logo), but the photography and ad campaign concept is brilliant.

And finally, for new designers out there, here are 20 rookie mistakes when it comes to typesetting to avoid. Mastering these basics can up your skill set tremendously and make you stand out as the professional in a crowd of students or recent grads.

Small Bites: March 16, 2015

Get your weekly dose of design inspiration with small bites on this fine Monday.

I am all about creative business card designs. They’re one of my favorite things to design, and I love how much versatility they have in terms of materials, shape and design. This week InspirationFeed published 20 of their favorite designs using plastic.

Becoming Steve Jobs, a new biography on the founder of Apple is coming out soon. This past week, in anticipation of its’ release, Fast Company has been publishing interest excerpts. Apparently, when Jobs was on his deathbed desperately needing a liver transplant, Tim Cook offered his and Jobs refused. It’s an interesting article, and I’m anxious for the book release.

Design Taxi published an interesting video this week outlining exactly how Apple stores are designed to make you spend more money. Yes, all stores are designed for optimal profits, but Apple’s relatively small storefronts generate more money per square foot than any other retailer.

Graphic designers and advertisers can face serious creative challenges at times, including how to make a dull product seem appealing and interesting. AdWeek featured the new campaign for visiting the state of Nebraska this week. Rather than trying to build up attractions and excitement they don’t have, the Nebraska tourism office is marketing the Cornhusker state as “Visit Nice.” It won the Best in Show for the Nebraska Addys and it’s a really well done campaign.

Want to see a graphic designer twitch? Use Comic Sans, ask them to use internet images for print and ask them to work for free. Enjoy this playful list from BuzzFeed.