A Look Back: Steven Heller on Designs for Obama

With the presidential election in full swing in the United States, I thought it would be good to take a look back at the groundbreaking graphic design during the 2008 Obama campaign. And who better to break it down that the greatest critic and champion of Graphic Design, Steven Heller?

Produced by Peter Camburn & Craig Schlanser for AIGA Philadelphia

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-11-06

• Happy Halloween! People being scared, dumb, but funny. http://t.co/V9qvKsqO #
• Happy Halloween! http://t.co/NSPWQxyC Ray Bradbury's Halloween Tree #
• Photo: Tiki by sodaundkatze on Flickr. Sweet Ku style tiki. Via Flickr: Tiki in Botanical Garden. http://t.co/IlzVHfzj #
• Happy Halloween!! Spooky Theme design via @rockatee http://t.co/qmKlNGHr #
• Check out the swinging tunes of the Tikiyaki Orchestra – The days of Martin Denny, Lex Baxter and Arthur… http://t.co/0WQXN0bP #
• RT @thedisneyblog: Haunted Mansion History http://t.co/ItEH0SU8 #
• Happy Tiki Halloween! – Happy Halloween! Sweet Tiki Mask. http://t.co/oYxB6nfL #
• Nice Designer Letterheads | HOW Design http://t.co/DRZ99JaC #graphicdesign #letterhead #
• Nice Halloween illustration via @craighenry http://t.co/RK4xp30t #
• Mambo for Cats Photo: http://t.co/tGJU3tF4 #
• Communication and Graphics Daily is out! http://t.co/ThLZdYcD ? Top stories today via @conceptdezain @tonykayouka @vinimw @doggdaze #
• Sweet! Glennz Illustration Process – Northern Celebrations on Vimeo http://t.co/BOhs8V25 #illustrator #
• Haunted Mansion History http://t.co/YPGy00o4 #disneyland #
• Mr. T Chia Pet Illustration! Sweet! Via @glennztees http://t.co/SIs2NweG #illustration #
• I started a tiki – Polynesian Pop Tumblr blog, check it out http://t.co/ceiWoyaU #tiki #
• Video: I’d rather be in the Tiki Room! http://t.co/Wm1NBske #
• Watch Spooky Hallows on Vimeo! http://t.co/OWQPXZOt #
• Cool site http://t.co/tPT9kOBc #photography #
• Thanks for the RT! @alexkrizski @WillRockEnt @robertshutter @typebot @designdone #
• 80?s Typograpghy http://t.co/iQWUNila #motiongraphics #retro via @cmdtv #
• Video: A nice little swingin’ tune from Don Tiki (by austinstein) http://t.co/ZN6eqNvo #
• Nice UI design, Web Application @dribbble: http://t.co/A0HGnqq0 via @Evgeniy_Lebed #
• Nice holiday logo via @renderedVisions http://t.co/J9qrhA9z #
• RT @DigitalWebTrend: 25 Mind Blowing Text Effects Photoshop Tutorial http://t.co/wUDbp4TY #
• I feel like some pixel cleaning is order after reading this RT @TimothyWhalin: How Clean is Your Web #Design http://t.co/vhzcRLlY #
• RT @Designrfix: Top 10 Illustrator Tutorials Of October 2011 http://t.co/jj9bo19S #
• RT @alexkrizski: MMA goes to Kindergarten (VIDEO): http://t.co/revu9qRl — 2 kids (I think 4-year-olds) fight at a tournament. Funny! #MMA #
• I'd blame Eddie Haskell RT @fondalo: What is this Social Media world coming to? Leave it! http://t.co/8aFLc7QZ #
• Greenbacks and green skin!!!! RT @hroulo: Zombies are worth $5 billion to the economy! http://t.co/ntkpenbY #zombies #
• RT @WatchDocsOnline: Now online: 'iGenius: How Steve Jobs Changed the World' – http://t.co/Q5RAviCN #documentary #
• RT @DigitalDuckInc: Are you a Photoshop user? Here's the A-Z of FREE Photoshop plugins and filters: http://t.co/UyamUm6d #photoshop #
• Communication and Graphics Daily is out! http://t.co/ThLZdYcD ? Top stories today via @thumbtackpress @manikrathee @winasmeenk #
• 54 Typography Resources Every Designer Should Bookmark http://t.co/RjzWyq3U #typography #
• I received +K in photography from @alexkrizski, thanks! http://t.co/iKjFSH0s #
• I received +K in photography from @ninafettuccine, thanks! http://t.co/iKjFSH0s #
• Cool designs for Trader Vics in Portland via @TrxDsn http://t.co/NPHgLF88 #
• Bullets and Numbering in InDesign http://t.co/LXlmtx8K #tutorial #
• Photo: TIKI Power by 8 Skeins of Danger on Flickr. Now that’s a big Tiki! http://t.co/dm65hNJC #
• Nice Spooky Hallows Video via Joe Gast http://t.co/kUTjBCeW #motiongraphics #
• LOST Tours – Not specifically Tiki, but if you were into the show LOST you should check out Hawaiian Escapes… http://t.co/LDzq3iCd #
• Video: Don Ho Hawaii Tribute from Tiki TV. http://t.co/AGgZ5VVq #
• 1959 US Chess Championship: Bobby Fischer vs Robin Ault http://t.co/F0WzvFAp via @youtube #chess #
• Cool site for vintage graphics: The Graphics Fairy http://t.co/2nN4Ae1N #vintage #
• Take Something New and Make It Old | Viget Inspire http://t.co/aev6vBXS #design #
• Saul Bass Biography http://t.co/y2kaE6ie #design #
• QR (Quick Response) Code Guide – Tips, Resources & Showcase: http://t.co/5HkdIcsu via @AddThis #
• 11 Best WordPress Portfolio Themes for Designers & Photographers http://t.co/5TZBt8cI via @machoarts #
• Create a Fantasy Miniature World in Photoshop #photoshop http://t.co/vdFbg5Qy #
• Frankie's Tiki Room – Check out Las Vegas’ only real Tiki Bar! http://t.co/X8ypiTZy #
• Great Retro Fonts! Alphabet Soup « MyFonts http://t.co/t2XnotgP #fonts #
• Communication and Graphics Daily is out! http://t.co/ThLZdYcD ? Top stories today via @4040media @ozoneeleven @aia_advocacy @artnau #
• Deke's Techniques: Miniaturizing the world in Photoshop http://t.co/uVNhvhJW #photoshop #
• Create a Stitched Text Effect for an iPad Wallpaper http://t.co/12FLLB7U #photoshop #
• A complete guide to drawing evil vector skulls in #Illustrator http://t.co/EqNlBYWM #
• Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park – When you are visiting the Big Island of Hawaii, make sure… http://t.co/fPiPtIc4 #
• Create Convincing Text-Shaped Buildings in Photoshop http://t.co/XRmhDU66 #
• "When you are going through hell, keep going!" – Winston Churchill #
• Video: Nice mashup of various Star Trek episodes highlighting the Exotica influence in Outer Space (by… http://t.co/7VPSOiNr #
• Illustrator Tip: Brushed Metal Effect http://t.co/1YkwTQbA #tutorial #
• Church Logo Design Process for St Michael and All Angels http://t.co/a1gNpqJt via @AndrewKelsall #logo #
• Beautiful illustrations from 1910: Kinderbuch http://t.co/kMK8EWZp #illustration #
• Photo: Disney – Adventureland Tiki by Express Monorail on Flickr. Nice closeup of one of the squirting… http://t.co/yb7uj8D0 #
• Sweet Pabst Blue Ribbon commercial – 1979 – starring Patrick Swayze http://t.co/GmFWVxts #retro #disco #
• 7 Books About Color Every Designer (and Color Fan) Should Own — Imprint-The Online Community for Graphic Designers http://t.co/AUYGUowD #des #
• A great roundup of design news via idsgn (a design blog) http://t.co/U8FWh8F3 #design #
• Navigation patterns for ten common types of websites | Webdesigner Depot http://t.co/6yCt0dT4 #UI #webdesign #
• Communication and Graphics Daily is out! http://t.co/ThLZdYcD ? Top stories today via @dunnlumber @sharlenesones @_leonardsouza_ @yourjob_ #
• Free High Res Textures, paper textures viaSycha Web Design http://t.co/9vYxQgMg #grunge #
• RT @TimothyWhalin: 50 Wonderful Free Fonts For Vintage And Retro Designing http://t.co/XRM4MlJh #typography #
• Life in a Day: A video diary of a planet! Cool! http://t.co/l1yzVpt5 #
• Nice typography treatment on this logo http://t.co/Ys2d9Tsd via@ProbablyBest #
• "You don't need more time, you just need to decide" – Seth Godin #
• Photo: Tiki Bowl by Thomas Hawk on Flickr. I don’t know if this is a real place, but if it isn’t I sure wish… http://t.co/1h3YXabd #
• Video: Don Ho and Sam Kapu serenade Bobby and Cindy of the Brady Bunch. http://t.co/uUZiqbro #
• adamgrason's #tiki photos http://t.co/NIZuswKc via @instagram #
• Having fun at the @DunnLumber Construction Zone at the Seattle Children's Museum! http://t.co/1lWpaUOX #
• Funny and disturbing, Mike Tyson quotes set to music and with Kinetic Type. http://t.co/cnLXkP3i #
• "You can always recognize truth by its beauty and simplicity." Richard Feynman #
• "You don't take a photograph, you make it." -Ansel Adams #
• Communication and Graphics Daily is out! http://t.co/ThLZdYcD ? Top stories today via @batoolakbar @rosenboy @mrpromee @mattportillo #
• "Given total freedom the work is likely to sprawl." T.S. Eliot #
• "Think communication – not decoration." -Garr Reynolds #
• Updated Survivor Color Swatches For The Adobe Creative Suite http://t.co/WdTM7fUq #
• Sweet Cocoa Vintage Brushes, Part Deux via @rockatee http://t.co/AJC91N2m #
• NBA 2K12 Legends Showcase: Three Sonics Stars To Be Available Sikma, Haywood & Ellis! http://t.co/16vxTVIl @sonicsgate #
• Nice infographic via @mmcfeeters http://t.co/gAcWhuJb #
• If you like Tiki, Mid-Century Modern or Exotica…. check out my new blog, The Alii Lounge http://t.co/X4igM9G6 #tiki #
• Video: The classic Tiki Episodes from the Brady Bunch: The Brady Bunch Season 4 Episode 1 “Hawaii Bound” http://t.co/EUhZisRA #
• Video: The classic Tiki Episodes from the Brady Bunch: The Brady Bunch Season 4 Episode 2 “Pass The Tabu” http://t.co/OWW6xzWt #
• Video: The classic Tiki Episodes from the Brady Bunch: The Brady Bunch Season 4 Episode 3 “The Tiki Caves” I… http://t.co/HQShH732 #
• 20 Awesome vintage patters for photoshop! Thanks! via @rockatee http://t.co/gJL0eO6i #
• Photo: Tikibar by Thomas Hawk on Flickr. Now that is a sweet neon sign! http://t.co/WhckSElR #
• Communication and Graphics Daily is out! http://t.co/ThLZdYcD ? Top stories today via @tweets2experts @simplexstudios @pakouu @pstutorialsws #
• Check this video out — Steven Heller on Design for Obama http://t.co/lKq51MaC via @youtube #
• Very interesting way to show information in this UI. via @codymroberts http://t.co/LFTSV8Ql #UI #design #
• Yes, Halloween is over but this is a funny illustration… Frankintosh via @UniLegend http://t.co/zxwjy4ha #
• I always knew the Tiki Room was an E-Ticket! – A vintage 1967 “E” Ticket from Disneyland. The Tiki room is… http://t.co/2PviY1RV #
• Nice layer effects on the icons on these icons, they really pop, via @Damian_Kidd http://t.co/CqczENi5 #
• Photo: Tiki Lounge by Hryck. on Flickr. Nice Tiki sign. http://t.co/2KbxCXW8 #
• Photo: Mid-Century Modern, a group on Flickr.Great Mid-Century Photo Pool from flickr. There are some great… http://t.co/xxbXGAcz #
• “Our heritage and ideals, the things we live by and teach our children, are preserved by how freely we exchange ideas.” Walt Disney #
• Cool Illustration! Wish and open. via @creativemints http://t.co/zqS5C5iM #
• Communication and Graphics Daily is out! http://t.co/ThLZdYcD ? Top stories today via @janinexd @elisandries @lenineon #

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How They Did It

I know that a good magician is not supposed to reveal their tricks, but I love videos that show how great artists weave their magic spells. In that vein, I thought I’d share some beau­ti­ful videos that show the behind the scenes process in some great design and art projects.

Note these aren’t how to videos, they are more art­ful than hands-on, so sit back and enjoy, because they are still worth the time. They give you a greater appreciation of the skill and craft that goes into creating these works, which will help us all a being better at graphic and motion designers.

Glennz Illustration Process – Northern Celebrations by Glenn Jones
Watch master illustrator, Glenn Jones as he makes a cool T-Shirt design. He’s compressed 51 minutes of design goodness into 3.

He sketches the design with a Wacom Tablet and then he turns that into a guide layer, then he goes over it with the Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator. He must have a black belt in Bézier curves for sure! Be sure to check out all of his videos on Vimeo, they’re awesome!

Glennz Illustration Process – Northern Celebrations from Glenn Jones on Vimeo.

 The anatomy of a VFX shot – at Industriromantik
This is a pretty cool video that shows how the effects house Industriromantik builds their visual effects shots. via Church Media Design

The anatomy of a VFX shot – at Industriromantik from Industriromantik on Vimeo.

Great Interview With Paul Rand From 1991

This is a great interview with the master designer, Paul Rand. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

As an added bonus, dig Miggs B. (the interviewer’s) sweet 70′s styled hairdo, Greg Brady would be jealous! I guess some styles, like much of Rand’s work never go out of fashion. Miggs did have a funny comeback to people mocking his hair in the comments, all is forgiven Miggs:

Hey, cut me some slack. We’re talking 1988 and being a 1946 baby boomer, I bought into the 60s big time, with the haircut, hemp and Hendrix. Excuse me…while I kiss the sky.

Part 1 of 3

Part 2 of 3

Part 3 of 3

Updated Survivor Color Swatches For The Adobe Creative Suite

Wow, 23 seasons so far of Survivor! I know it’s been a while since I last updated my Survivor Swatches. I had updated them at the beginning of this season, but I waited until the tribes finally merged so I could get all three tribal colors for this season. So here ya go! Updated through November 2011. Enjoy them and the tribe has spoken.

Click here to download the swatches. >

A quick side note, as a fan of the show and of Tiki iconography. I have to say this season has had the absolute best looking Tiki’s. The immunity idols, the sets and the general set decoration has been top notch this season. Maybe because it’s named Survivor South Pacific it didn’t have to represent one single island chain or culture, but was inspired by the entirety of Polynesian culture and influenced by Polynesian-pop iconography. Maybe not, but it’s pretty outstanding nonetheless.

Check out these images from the show to see what I mean. Pay attention to the Tiki’s in the background.

Roman Art and Architecture Slide Show from Flickr

Friends, Romans, countrymen lend me your eyes, for today I come not to bury the Roman Empire but to praise in in photos. Flickr has some amazing groups, one of my favorite is The Roman Empire Pool, a collection of images that show Roman art and architecture in all it’s glory.

As an amateur historian, artist and lover of antiquity I love these images, I hope you do the same.

All hail SPQR!

Daily Design Slideshow

Check out my set of daily designs; a project where I create a piece of design everyday. It is a fun and challenging project, the following is my set through October, let me know what you think.