Working on the Coleman Campground Directory while at Watershed Communications was a great opportunity for solid layout, typography, advertising design and production work. Click to see a larger image.

At Lincolnshire College of Art and Design in England, the trainings in typography and layout formed the foundation of advanced design capabilities for that group of young creatives.  As we listened to the tutors explaining the nuances of kerning and white space – and with their guidance worked to perfect our own abilities – we incorporated these skills into all our future design endeavors.

I have used these skills countless times throughout my work as a graphic designer.  When I look at the work of some of my former college associates, I am amazed to see how our paths of professional creativity have developed, and the amazing work they are creating.  The threads of good layout and typography are woven throughout.  Thank you to our teachers.

Working on design and layout and advertising design projects for Montana Living magazine was very enjoyable. The Publisher had a discerning eye for typography and design, so the process was collaborative.

Filed under: Graphic Design, Publication Design Tagged: Coleman Campground Directory, grapgic design, layout, magazine design, Montana Living Magazine, publication design and production, typography ]]> http://michelecarbery.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/layout-and-typography-thank-you-to-our-teachers/feed/ 0 kindmindmedia Coleman Campground Directory - layout and production by Michele Carbery Montana Living magazine - layout design by Michele Carbery http://michelecarbery.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/848/ http://michelecarbery.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/848/#comments Sat, 08 Oct 2011 08:09:02 +0000 Michele Carbery http://michelecarbery.wordpress.com/?p=848 ]]>

Photo by Matthew Yohe

In August, I posted an open thank you letter to Steve Jobs of Apple in response to his retirement.  My thoughts now turn to compassion at his passing.  I also think of how his work has fulfilled so many of our dreams.

Back at the start, he was building the tools for which we designers were hungry.  He could clearly envision what we needed, and created it.  This momentum continued far beyond into the very fabric of our modern lives.

As we move forward without his leadership, we see a void and we wonder about the future.  In a way, perhaps the next wave of development is now collectively held with all of us.  Perhaps the next advancement most readily open to us is how we use the tools Steve’s passion created for us – with mindfulness and insight.

A person involuntarily raises their eyebrows slightly and their pupils dilate 0.5 of a millimeter when they see us.  We don’t know why, but we LIKE them. Communication matters.

An advertisement presents iconographic branding and we embrace the feeling of an idea, and want the product.  Those purchases fuel our global economy.  Communication matters.

An animal trustingly attempts to present its personal vocabulary of scent to us in a friendly act of, ‘I really like you, please like me, too?’   Instead, we bathe in scented soap, put on our anti-perspirant, wear our laundry detergent-perfumed clothes, and are sadly repulsed.  Communication matters.

A squid flashes mesmerizing vivid colors of rapid visual essays, then mysteriously flies away into the dark oceanic depths amidst a burst of ink before we even have a chance to think.  Communication matters.

We look into the eyes of a spider or insect, and we don’t see ourselves.  Our actions then reflect this lack of connection.  Communication matters.

Beyond physical details of communication, we all have more in common that we think.  In fact, we have everything in common.  The wish to survive, have resources to flourish, be part of communities, and take care of our young.

Across all boundaries and languages, one part of communication is perhaps much easier and simpler than we think.  The most effective universal language is spoken beyond words, images and ideas.  It is spoken with our hearts.

© Michèle Carbery, 2011

P.S. Since childhood in England, I have very much wanted to see the communication of fireflies in their natural environment.  If you have advice on the best places to do so, I would love to hear from you.

http://mashable.com/2011/09/12/consumers-interact-facebook/

© Copyright Michèle Carbery, 2011  http://www.michelecarbery.com