The 2006 Winter Semi-Annual Design Contest is Drawing Near and the American Design Awards is Preparing for a Record Number of Entries - by Art Javid

The American Design Awards (ADA) is putting out a call for entries, inviting graphic and web designers domestic and international, to take part in the upcoming 2006 Winter Semi-Annual Design Contest in February. San Diego, CA (PRWEB) January 13, 2006 — Every six months ADA receives an overwhelming number of remarkable design entries submitted by talented graphic and web designers worldwide, who wish to take part in ADA’s Summer or Winter Semi-Annual Design Contests. This year is no exception. Since ADA put out a Call for Entries last month, dozens of entries have been arriving steadily everyday to the American Design Awards office in San Diego CA, a remarkable feat in view of the fact that normally these kind of numbers aren’t expected until one or two weeks prior to the February 15th deadline. The 2006 Winter Semi-Annual Design Contest now offers fifteen (15) various design categories to compete in, including Logo, Corporate Identity, Web Site, Flash Animation, Print/Magazine, Poster, Brochure, Catalog, Annual Report, Advertising, Mailer/Postcard, Self Promotion, Packaging Art, Menu/Invitation, and CD ROM/GUI design. The contest is open to design firms, studios, corporations, agencies, students, and freelance graphic and web designers from not just the United States, but from all over the world, with a postmarked deadline of February 15th 2006. As each year passes, the American Design Awards gains popularity and the backing of not only graphic designers, but the design industry and media alike, who praise and support ADA for its continued efforts to raise awareness for, and uphold ethical design and business practices within the industry. For more information about the American Design Awards, or to take part in the 2006 Winter Semi-Annual Design Contest visit the American Design Awards web site (http://www.americandesignawards.com). About American Design Awards: The American Design Awards was established in 2000 to recognize individual artists, graphic design firms and companies that value the art of visual communication on an ongoing basis, through fair judging criteria and upholding ethical design practices.

Ten Proven Ways to Reaching a Successful Career As a Graphic Designer That You Can Implement Now! - by Brent Dewhurst

There is so much demand and pressure on students these days to pass their degrees and courses with not just the best grade possible, but also as much experience as possible. This is the key factor to any graduate, as well as potential employer.. ‘EXPERIENCE’. How can students turn their graphic design course curriculum into valuable current industry experience? Well, there is now a way that graduates within the graphic design industry can approach prospective employers, armed with greater knowledge as well as an impressive portfolio that is guaranteed to impress and get a job as a designer. Here are nine more more things that you may not know about having mentor access to a career as a Graphic Designer:

Students are often brimming over with new ideas, but aren’t sure how to focus them into what the creative industry wants. At the same time, design agencies want new ideas, but don’t want to take on people who can’t hit the ground running when they come into a job.

A new website for design students aims to answer both these problems at the same time by mentoring students through their courses, helping them understand what clients want in the real world, and setting them commercially-relevant assignments so that they can produce work for their portfolio that will impress prospective employers.

Students are often at a loss to know how they should go about preparing for the real world of work - it’s very different from the freedom you get as a student. With this service they will be able to ask for advice on anything relating to their studies, get feedback on the work they are doing, and develop a portfolio of work that will impress potential employers.

This resource will also offer opportunities for recruitment agencies and potential employers to build relationships with motivated and well-prepared students who are looking for career opportunities.

When an agency or potential employer takes on someone who has been a member of this resource they know that they will be able to do useful work from day one.

Due to pressures expected of design students to develop their skills in such a competitive industry, having access to a mentor is an invaluable resource. Yes we are all expected to invent new ideas and processes, but it is very welcoming to know that there is a service available to give an unbiased opinion, especially where current issues and trends are playing such an important part into what will fail and what will not.

Graphic design graduates will require to have various industry application knowledge without the employer having to invest in what the students should have mastered during their course work. In today’s world, time is money, and using valuable time with a new employee in building knowledge of design and computer software, is money that most employers don’t want to spend. So if a graduate can approach a company who is looking to employ a designer with increased skills and experience, then that graduate has a very good chance at landing that position successfully.

There is a lot of printed material available to graphic design students these days that offer tutorials, news, and knowledge. But these resources fail to offer encouragement, detailed advice, critiques and details which can be tapped into more than once. If a graphic design student was to subscribe to the top 5 magazines available today, then that would be quite a costly undertaking, as well as having over a 12 month period, tonnes of magazines that may not be read thoroughly, or may not even be read at all. The world is turning more towards the electronic way of gaining such material and knowledge, so why not have access to a service that is available online, without having piles and piles of magazines cluttering up the bedroom, flat, house etc.

Today’s graphic designer is up against a lot of competition, as well as finding that perfect position which pays well, and has stacks of interesting clients to work with. This can all be achieved by having the ‘x factor’ which that other person(s) going for the same position does not.

Brent Dewhurst is the webmaster at www.creativebuddy.co.uk and invites you to email him at info@creativebuddy.co.uk for more information.

Studiodavid Launches New Site - by David Scott

Tampa Bay area graphic design firm, Studiodavid recently put the final touches on its company website [www.studiodavid.net]. The website, a major overhaul from its predecessor, features more extensive information about the firm, a clean interface, easy navigation and an updated portfolio. St. Petersburg, FL (PRWEB) February 11, 2006 — Tampa Bay area graphic design firm, Studiodavid recently put the final touches on its company website [www.studiodavid.net]. The website, a major overhaul from its predecessor, features more extensive information about the firm, a clean interface, easy navigation and an updated portfolio. The purpose of the new site is to help visitors understand a little about the importance of design and how Studiodavid can play a vital role in the growth of one’;s business. In the future, the firm plans to expand on the site through news and portfolio updates, articles and client surveys. About Studiodavid Studiodavid is a graphic design firm based out of St. Petersburg, Florida. Founded in 2003 by graphic designer David Scott, the firm specializes in developing clean inspired design solutions that help companies connect with their audience easier. With over 15 years of experience, Scott has had the opportunity to help several innovative organizations enhance their corporate image including Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, the Bermuda Department of Tourism, Jabil Circuit, JC Penney, Trammell Crow, and the US Pro Golf Association. For further information, please call (727) 421-1996, visit www.studiodavid.net or contact the following Studiodavid representative.

Sticker Printing and Graphic Design Starter Tips - by maricar cadavicio

Graphic design for sticker printing may be incomparable to making Venus de Milo or the Mona Lisa, yet there are basic principles that do apply.

When it comes to design, one of the main concerns is that it should be aesthetically sound or pleasing. At the same time, is should effectively communicate the message you are sending out.
This is especially true if and when you are designing for a general audience.

Yet like art, graphic design is an expressive activity that may cater to your own tastes and nobody else’s. This is exactly its own strength and weakness.

A Peek into Graphic Design Musts
Creativity and originality always takes center stage for graphic design and sticker printing. Let your graphic design communicate what words can’t. Better yet, let graphic design work to embody and express both words and images.

1. Use art for art’s sake wisely. While you may driven to express yourself according to your best interest, remember to put into consideration your sticker printing objectives. If you were strictly catering to your own crowd or audience, it would do well from them to have a highly original and inspiring work from you.

However, if you plan on giving the world a message, you must observe that though the world is your stage, you still have to speak in the language they understand. Be friendlier in your approach and make sure that your design easily cuts across.

Reserve some of your best surprises for when you have finally gotten the attention and interest of your audience.

2. Remember Your Purpose. No, this is not part of a Jedi’s mantra. Ultimately, however, this short phrase can guide you in the right direction on what you need to illustrate. Remember what is the message you want to send out and how your sticker design can aptly do that.

3. Keep the Audience Close at Hand when your are designing your stickers. Use a common ground that you or your audience can work or identify with. Surely, you’ve done your fair share of the homework and know which colors work better with teenage girls, what language college boys use and the like.

4. Colors Convey a Message Too so you should observe how colors can enhance your work and can contribute to the message you want to send out. Use colors too that would give you great contrasts as stickers are meant to be visually engaging.

5. Go Back to the Basics like simple geometrical shapes. If you are designing logos and you are to use them for your stickers, see how simple shapes can make your design more compact and more distinguishable. Invest on this and see how you can even cut your stickers to die-cut shapes.

6. Read Me. In graphic design, you can use simple text or letters as logos or as the main design itself. Say it all through fonts that are carefully styled. Make sure that these are not only fancy to look at, but they are actually easy to read as well. Don’t make it reading anymore difficult and help get noticed more in the process.

While these designing tips may not seem as much, these ideas act as reminders to motivate you in your sticker printing. Make full use of your talents and create stunning graphic design that would place your stickers right on the map.

More topics on Sticker Printing can be found at Full Color Printing Services - U Printing

Sticker Giveaways Get Your Business Name Out In The World - by Steve Roberts

<p>Dark Horse Print & Design has uniquely combined the skills of experienced Graphic design staff, with expert printing machinery and staff. For a free sample pack, please visit <a href="http://www.darkhorse.net.au">Printing</a>.</p>

Dark Horse Print & Design has uniquely combined the skills of experienced Graphic design staff, with expert printing machinery and staff. For a free sample pack, please visit Printing.

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