Coffee Cup Stains

How to effectively ruin your designers creativity?

anatotski — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 10:56:42 +0000

If you are working with a designer, or you probably know one, you might want to read this.

1) Don’t pay them

Designers are humans too so we need money for food, shelter, and clothing. We also need to pay our bills. Yes, we love designing but we need food, coffee, internet, equipments, etc. to design. So yah, we need (not just want) money.

How about pro bono projects? Then acknowledge the designer. A simple thank you won’t hurt OR you can refer them to a client who can pay them. Designers, like any human being, respond to incentives.

2) Criticize their work . . . while they are still working on your project

You want us to drop your project? Go to our desk while we are still in the process of designing and criticize everything: the color, the font, how your logo should be placed, the designer’s taste, the coffee he/she is drinking, the music he/she is listening to—EVERYTHING. And after that we will go to happy places like this, this, and this.

And your project . . ? What project?

3) Do not trust their creativity

Designer are not called designers for nothing. So please trust our expertise. If we say that the animated gif sparkles on your website doesn’t look nice, it doesn’t look nice. I also recommend that you read this.

4) Treat them like slaves

Designers need to rest too. Give them some time to relax, to think, and enjoy life. Burn out is a dangerous enemy. No matter how good the designer is, rest should not be taken for granted.

Going Solo but not solo

anatotski — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:46:32 +0000

If you guys remember this post I mentioned that I want to try modeling. Guess what, I did something about it and tried out something outside of my comfort zone.

I realized that if I don’t do something about this dream I will grow old asking myself “what if?” Then I stumbled upon Solo’s online modeling competition and decided to join. Favor upon favor fell as some of my friends from high school, college, and work offered me their help. They gave not just their resources but also their talents and time. They are the my bucket fillers—people believing in me and supporting my dreams.

Here are some of the photos:

This is my entry

If you also want to support me you can by voting for my entry. Here’s how you can vote:

1) Go to this site

2) Sign up for an account

3) Then go to my entry here you can vote by click on the stars—5 stars is the highest rating, 1 is the lowest.

4) You can also promote the site to your friends via Facebook and twitter buttons. And if you want you can also comment.

That’s it!

Thank you so much! Will update you guys, and hopefully I won’t disappoint you.

Found something “Pinteresting”

anatotski — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:00:58 +0000

What is Pinterest? [n] 1. it is a virtual pinboard. 2. An inspirational board comprised of collections of your favorite stuff in the form of photos and imagery. 3. A place to to waste a lot of time 4. See also procrastinate.

If you’re a creative junkie like me, you’ll also be addicted to pinterest. With virtually thousand of pins everyday (conservative estimate) it is impossible not to be inspired. From crafts to party ideas, from save-the-date invites to baby photos, most pins can help you start your project. On the other hand, Pinterest can make you feel creative even if your just sitting in front of your computer and pinning images—this is the dark side of Pinterest . . . or then again maybe not.

“How can I get an account?” You ask. It’s very easy, just go to pinterest.com and request for an account. They will send you an email in just a few minutes. AND if you already have an account you can also follow my boards.

WARNING: Pinterest can be very addictive.

Happy pinning!

Content is king

anatotski — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:17:02 +0000

This is what my boss would tell us, and this statement is indeed true. This is not a theory this is a law that most clients, copy writers, and designers should know and apply.

I often get frustrated when some clients don’t give much effort on their content and expect me to come up with a brilliant design.

A good design without a good content is like a fireworks display on some random street show, it can “wow” you for a while and after a few minutes of dazzle you go home and forget what happened. You burn money for nothing.

Content is the backbone of the design. And the design will attract people to read the content. Design and content is a partnership. I’ve read an article a few weeks ago (I apologize I forgot where I found this) and this quote sums it all up:

“No matter how great a designer you are, you’re only as good as your content.”

Give me a good content and I will give you a great design. Give me a bad content and I will still give you a good design. But I have to warn you though, some people will take their time to read. And a crappy content brings crappy results.

Now my challenge as a designer is to ask and (politely) force my clients to come up with good content. To help them and give them ideas that can spark creativity and attract potential buyers. Also, to my fellow designers, be a copy writer as well.

Blogging with Mr. Tumnus

anatotski — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:05:00 +0000

Not so long ago I was blessed to have a brand new Samsung Galaxy Ace. It was a birthday gift from my mom. It’s actually my first Samsung phone since I’ve always used Nokia. So, like any noob, I researched some apps that best suit my lifestyle. Since I like photography and blogging I downloaded some camera apps and, of course, wordpress app to take photos and post them using my phone. And yes I am doing it right now. *teehee*

Here’s one sample of a photo I took using my little photo app.

And if you’re wondering who Mr. Tumnus is, it’s the name of my new phone (long story).

The Secret of Creativity is . . .

anatotski — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 10:03:57 +0000

Do you know how to keep a secret?

Desktop wallpaper 011: Stating the obvious

anatotski — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:44:05 +0000

I’m stuck inside my office because of the downpour. So while waiting for the rain to stop might as well do something productive.

I can’t think of a good, eye popping design at the moment so I’ve decided to create a simple wallpaper just to . . . uh, do something creative. And while surfing the internet I stumbled upon this article. It sparked some creative juices in my brain (despite the hunger I’m enduring right this very moment) and decided to create my own “state of the obvious” wallpaper.

To download: Click the image > right click > then click save as. Enjoy!

Photography: Chinaware

anatotski — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 06:45:30 +0000

Here are more photos from my point-and-shoot camera.

Desktop Wallpaper 010: Caffeine

anatotski — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:17:05 +0000

Free desktop wallpaper series is back! And yes, I drank too much C₈H₁₀N₄O₂ again.

Click the image so you can download this wallpaper. Enjoy!

Coffee Cup Self Portrait

anatotski — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 14:18:23 +0000

These are a few of my favorite things: Coffee, books, artworks (I love everything “Norman Rockwell”), and sitting quietly on a Saturday morning. Ahhh happiness.