Book Construction: Accordion Book

Book Construction Series
This is the second in a series of video tutorials on book construction. The demonstrations are conducted by book artist and binder, Amanda Nelsen and were shot during a recent workshop. To view the first video tutorial on “How to Create a Printed Slip Cover”, Go Here.

Amanda Nelsen
Amanda’s work has been shown in numerous exhibits, most recently including: “A Dedication to Craft” at the Concord Museum, Concord MA; “Bound for Success” a Designer Bookbinders Int’l Competition exhibited in Oxford, Boston, San Francisco and New York; The Joan Mitchell Foundation MFA Grant Recipients in New York, NY; “20th Anniversary Celebration” at the Springfield Materials Reclaimation Center, Springfield, MA; “June.” Cambridge Community Television, Cambridge, MA; “Dirty Dozen 12 Artists and a Ton of Trash” at the Boston Children’s Museum, Boston, MA. Amanda is also the recipient of a 2010 Artist-in-Residence at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. Her website can be found at http://www.amandanelsen.com/.

About this Tutorial
This video demonstrates how to fold a strip of paper to create an accordion fold book. It also demonstrates how to add pages to that book with adhesive.

Book Construction: Accordion Book from Danielle Currier on Vimeo.

“How to Get Noticed” Article

Great article for photographers about “how to get noticed” on the British Journal of Photography website. Also includes a nice mention about No Plastic Sleeves.

http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/feature/1650956/how-noticed

Book Construction: Printed Slip Cover

Book Construction Series
This is the first in a series of video tutorials on book construction. The demonstrations are conducted by book artist and binder, Amanda Nelsen. I shot the video during a recent workshop for a group of my students. Additional videos will become available as I edit and convert segments for the web. All video tutorials can be found here on the video tutorials page.

Amanda Nelsen
Amanda’s work has been shown in numerous exhibits, most recently including: “A Dedication to Craft” at the Concord Museum, Concord MA; “Bound for Success” a Designer Bookbinders Int’l Competition exhibited in Oxford, Boston, San Francisco and New York; The Joan Mitchell Foundation MFA Grant Recipients in New York, NY; “20th Anniversary Celebration” at the Springfield Materials Reclaimation Center, Springfield, MA; “June.” Cambridge Community Television, Cambridge, MA; “Dirty Dozen 12 Artists and a Ton of Trash” at the Boston Children’s Museum, Boston, MA. Amanda is also the recipient of a 2010 Artist-in-Residence at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. Her website can be found at http://www.amandanelsen.com/.

About this Tutorial
This video tutorial demonstrates the construction of a printed slip cover – no glue or adhesive used. Works great as a cover for an accordion or back-to-back book. The cover literally slips on and off – working well for books that need to be easily updatable and customized for specific audiences.

Book Construction: Slip Cover from Danielle Currier on Vimeo.

Win Free Copy of the book, No Plastic Sleeves

Follow No Plastic Sleeves on Twitter and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a free copy of our book, No Plastic Sleeves: The Complete Portfolio Guide for Photographers and Designers. The book is do out in early March and the drawing will happen one week before. The winners will be announced on the site and through Twitter. Those of you already following us will be automatically entered. If you don’t Twitter, enter the drawing by emailing us at freebook@noplasticsleeves.com.

Designing for the Web: Screen Resolution and Browser Size

It’s important to consider screen resolution and browser size when designing for the web. Since not everyone has a nice big 27-inch iMac on which to cruise the internet, screen resolutions will vary. Luckily, there are a number of industry standards and resources that can help us find the right size for our intended target audience.

Screen size is always a tricky issue and plagues most web designers – especially due to the limited vertical height of a monitor. However, any web designer worth their salt will make sure that vital content, calls to action and primary navigation remain “above the fold”. This is the area of a website that’s viewable without requiring the user to scroll down. This is important because it’s counterproductive to force users to hunt around for the means to navigate to or view important content on your site. Designing for “above the fold” follows standards of good web and user interface design.

Considering Sizes:
While I remember a time when I was designing websites for 640 x 480 pixels, nowadays most screen resolutions can be assumed to be set at a minimum of 1024 x 768 pixels. In fact, designing for a screen resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels is considered appropriate for folks in the creative fields. Many sites are even designed so that the composition stretches with the browser’s expanding or constricting size – creating what’s called a “liquid layout”. Also consider that having a website up that’s still designed for a smaller screen size (like 800 x 600 pixels ) will make it seem outdated.

When designing for the web, you really want to utilize the space you’ve got. Including, designing navigation so that it’s readily available, but unobtrusive to one’s view of the content. Even if you’re not the one designing and/or building your own portfolio website, it’s a good idea to be aware of good web design practice. Ultimately the site has your name on it and will reflect your standards. Not to mention that it’ll take away from the purpose of having a portfolio or promo site if the site itself detracts from the experience of enjoying your work.

Use this Equation:
The following equation is used to find the optimum viewable area of a website design (keeping in mind the space the browser and desktop menus take up). Screen Resolution [minus] The Browser/Desktop Menu [equals] Above the Fold.

Resources:
These are great resources that will help ensure your site is designed for optimum screen resolution and usability.

Google Browser Size App: Google Labs Browser Size app
Washington Post article about “above the fold”: Washington Post Article about “Content Above the Fold”
Browser Display Stats: Browser Display Statistics
Browser Size Utility: Browser Size Utility from BrowserSize.com

An Example:
The following website, submitted to No Plastic Sleeves by photographer José Mandojana of Seattle, WA is a good example of a portfolio site that was designed to take advantage of optimum screen space. It’s designed for an optimum screen resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. So, subtracting for desktop menus and browser attributes, the physical design fits comfortably at about 1160 x 760 pixels. The site is also “liquid” and scales up or down depending on browser size. One of the nice features of the site is the ability to hide the bottom menu – creating an even cleaner presentation of the photographic images. The images themselves are the focal point of the composition and fill the majority of the compositional space – utilizing the space that’s available “above the fold”.

http://www.josemandojana.com/
Redesigned by Greg Lutze at http://scienceoffiction.com, with backend programming by Michael Madrid at http://work.entrauge.com/.

Comments? Drop us a line.
Click here to comment.

The Making of a Holiday Card

This comes to us from photographer Eric Doggett in Austin, TX, who recently submitted his holiday card to No Plastic Sleeves. The card looks great and what I really like is this video he created that steps us through how he made it. Students and those new to the field should definitely check it out. He’s got more details about the “making of” and additional cards on his site at www.doggettstudios.com.

The Making of the ’09 Christmas Card from Eric Doggett on Vimeo.

Did you make a holiday promotion this year? Did you find this video informative? Share your feedback.
Click here to comment.

Upcoming Deadlines for Award Competitions

If you’re thinking about entering a competition or two this year, check out these upcoming deadlines.

PDN Photo Annual 2010
The Power of Photography
Deadline: December 21, 2009
Extended Deadline: January 25, 2010
Competition Info

HOW Promotion Design Awards
Entry deadline: March 5, 2010

HOW In-HOWse Design Awards
Deadline: April 15, 2010
Competition Info

2010 Adobe Design Achievement Awards
Deadline: June 4, 2010.
Competition Infoe

Communication Arts
Photography Competition
Deadline: March 26, 2010
Competition Info

Design Competition
Deadline: May 14, 2010
Competition Info

Illustration Competition
Deadline: January 8, 2010
Competition Info

Graphis Design Annual 2011
Deadline: January 11, 2010
Graphis publications feature the best in Design, Advertising, Photography and Illustration.
Competition Info

About 365: AIGA Annual Design Competition
Deadline: March 5, 2010
Competition Info

AIGA 50 Books/50 Covers competition
Deadline: March 5, 2010
Competition Info

Webby Awards
Extended Deadline: January 29, 2010
Competition Info

Know of any other deadlines coming up soon? Leave a comment and share what you know.

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Why a portfolio review can benefit you

Feedback, feedback, feedback. Sometimes valuable, sometimes not. Constructive criticism, praise, encouragement – all part of the creative process. We hear if from our co-workers, clients, boss. Students hear it all the time in class since “critique” is such an integral part of everyday design and photographic education. So, when if comes to your portfolio, have you had enough? Well, hopefully the answer is no.

As part of the portfolio making process, you need pure, unadulterated feedback. And anyone you know and who knows you simply can’t be that objective. Which is one reason why participating in a portfolio review can be invaluable. Not only because you’ll receive feedback about your portfolio package and its content, but because you’ll get a chance to talk with a number of professionals in your industry – all with different backgrounds and experiences. What you do with all that information is up to you.

Don’t be shy and garner a think skin. You want to really know what works and what doesn’t so you end up with the very best portfolio you can. So, ask what your strongest piece is, your weakest. Ask about the sequence of work in your book, your craftsmanship, your overall brand identity. What should you keep working on? Keep in mind that the people reviewing your portfolio are probably volunteering their time. For one reason or another, they care about taking the time to sit down with you.

Treat the experience like a dialogue and an opportunity to network. You’ll have a chance to sit down with professionals in the field. Depending on the type of review, they may represent a local, regional or national area. Some may be seeking someone who’s got the right work and is the right fit. If not now, maybe later. Bottom line – they know what it’s really like out there. Ask them not only about your portfolio and work, but also about the industry. What’s hot, what’s not? What skills are in demand? Where should you be looking? Given what they are seeing, where do they see you best fitting in? Given where your interests lie, what do they think you need to do to break in?

Also, for the professional artist, certain portfolio reviews represent an opportunity to present your work for exhibition or publication. These typically cost more to attend and are not recommended for students.

Need more convincing? How about this – “Practice makes perfect”. The fact is, the more you present yourself and your work, the more comfortable you’ll be and the better you’ll sound.  If you’re new to the field, a student or recent grad, a portfolio review can be a great opportunity to practice your interviewing skills. It’s a valuable way to spend an afternoon.

What do you think? Add your comments.

Where to look for portfolio reviews in your area:
Check out local organizations and industry sponsored events.

Photographic Resource Center, Boston, MA
http://www.bu.edu/prc/portfolio.htm

Photoshop World Conference
http://www.photoshopworld.com/portfolio_reviews.html

Art Directors Club
http://www.photoshopworld.com/portfolio_reviews.html

The Art Institute
http://www.artinstitutes.edu/portfolio-review-schedule.aspx

Photo Lucida
http://www.photolucida.org/critique.php

Center’s Review, Santa Fe
http://www.visitcenter.org/programs.cfm?p=Review

Center’s Review, L.A.
http://www.visitcenter.org/programs.cfm?p=ReviewLA

Fotofest
http://www.fotofest.org/biennial2010/meetingplace/

Photo Alliance
http://www.photoalliance.org/

APA
http://www.apanational.com/

PhotoNOLA
http://photonola.org/photo-nola-2009/portfolio-review/

The Center for Photography at Woodstock
http://www.cpw.org/

Griffin Museum, MA
http://www.griffinmuseum.org/portfolio_review.htm

S.P.E.M.A.
http://www.spema.org/conferences/conference_2009_portfolio.php

Fotoweek, DC
http://www.fotoweekdc.org/events/portfolio.aspx

AIGA – Check out your local chapter
http://boston.aiga.org/events/2009/04/29074117
http://aigasf.org/events/2009/05/30/portfolio_day_09
http://baltimore.aiga.org/events/2009/03/27190142
http://toledo.aiga.org/events/2009/04/24381449
http://aigaaustin.org/events/2009/11/detail/436/
http://www.aigajacksonville.org/
http://designconference2009.aiga.org/content.cfm/dc_09-portfolios
http://www.aiganeworleans.org/2009/events/01/01/student-portfolio-review
http://aigalosangeles.org/events/2008/04/studentport08.php
http://www-new.onu.edu/academics/college_of_arts_and_sciences/art/17632
http://www.wisspr.com/

Been to a portfolio review lately? Share your experiences. Add to the list.

Video Tutorial – Grids in Illustrator

Go to the Video Tutorials page to view this tutorial.

Video Tutorial – Color Guide Palette

Go to the Video Tutorials page to view this tutorial.

Great design blogs

The following blogs contribute excellent content on a regular basis, featuring work and topics on an array of creative issues. Feed your creative brain.

What are some of your favorite industry blogs? Share your comments.

Video Tutorial – Grids in InDesign

Go to the Video Tutorials page to view this tutorial.

Video Test

New Tutorial Video – Testing iShowU screen capture application. Go to the “Video Tutorials” page to view the entire tutorial.

Advertising Agencies

Looking to land a creative position or internship in one of the big advertising agencies? Check out these top agency earners.

BBDO
McCann Erickson
Goodby Silverstein
DraftFCB
MediaCom
Interbrand
Digitas
Rapp
Publicis
RPA
Saatchi & Saatchi
Euro RSCG
Doner
Jack Morton
Haggin Marketing
Y&R Advertising
JWT
Richards Group
R/GA
Razorfish
OgilvyOne
DDB
Hill Holliday
Mullen
Carlson Marketing
Deutsch
Arnold Worldwide
Leo Burnett
Cramer-Krasselt
TMP Worldwide
Frog Design
Ogilvy & Mather
Wieden & Kennedy
TBWA
Crispin Porter & Bogusky
Campbell Mithun
Tribal DDB
Grey
Universal McCann
Arc Worldwide
Sapient
AKQA
Ryan Partnership
Kirshenbaum Bond
Organic

Who’s missing? Comment and add to list.

Resources & Links

Step 2: Brands

Brand
Wheeler, Alina. Designing Brand Identity: A Complete Guide to Creating, Building, and Maintaining Strong Brands. Wiley, 2006.

Ogilvy, David. Ogilvy on Advertising. Vintage; 1st Vintage Books ed edition, 1985.

Bedbury, Scott. A New Brand World: Eight Principles for Achieving Brand Leadership in the Twenty-First Century. Penguin, 2003

Inspiration
Meggs, Phillip B. and Alston W. Purvis. Meggs’ History of Graphic Design. Wiley, 2005

Brand Book
http://about.skype.com/brand/

Styleguides
http://www.behance.net/Search?main-search=Logo&realm=44

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Step 3A: Cover Design

Visual Reference
Heller, Steven and Seymour Chwast. Graphic Style: From Victorian to Digital. Harry N. Abrams, 2001

http://www.frankchimero.com/

Moodboards
http://www.imgspark.com/

Color
http://kuler.adobe.com/

http://www.colourlovers.com/

Typography
http://www.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/

http://www.davidairey.com/typography-tips-and-advice-for-graphic-design-students/

Icongraphy
Shepard Fairey
http://obeygiant.com/
http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/10/graphic-content-shepard-fairey-is-not-a-crook/

Andy Warhol
http://www.warhol.org/
http://www.warholfoundation.org/

Micah Wright
http://micahwright.com/

Copyright
Editorial Photographers (EP) Resources
http://www.editorialphoto.com/copyright/

US Copyright Office:
http://www.copyright.gov/

AIGA Center for Practice Management:
http://cpm.aiga.org/legal_issues/copyright-basics-for-graphic-designers

Fair Use:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use

http://www.copyright.com/

___________________________________________________________________

Step 3B: Materials and Forms

(Book Binding Resources: See Appendix Step: 5)

Inkjet Printable Fabrics and Materials
Jacquard Inkjet Fabric Systems
http://www.inkjetfabrics.com/

Pabric
http://www.pabric.com/

Papersource: Inkjet Linen bookcloth
http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/kits/bookcloth.html

Inkaid coatings
http://www.inkaid1.com/

Color Management

Andrew Rodney
http://www.digitaldog.net/

Luminous Landscape tutorials and forums
http://www.luminous-landscape.com

NAPP- National Association of Photoshop Professionals
http://www.photoshopuser.com/

Book Printing and Binding

Apple Photo Books
http://www.apple.com/ilife/iphoto/print-products.html

Shutterfly
http://www.shutterfly.com/

Kodak Gallery
http://www.kodakgallery.com/

Snapfish
http://www.snapfish.com/

Blurb
http://www.blurb.com

Shared Ink
http://www.sharedink.com

LuLu
http://www.lulu.com/

VioVio
http://www.viovio.com/

Asukabook
http://asukabook.com/k

Paperchase
http://www.paperchase.net/

Pitko Photobooks
http://www.pikto.com/

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Step 4: Layout Design

Layout
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/02/03/clear-and-effective-communication-in-web-design/

Cullen, Kristen. Layout Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Building Pages in Graphic Design. Rockport Publishers, 2007

Elam, Kimberly. Grid Systems: Principles of Organizing Type (Design Briefs). Princeton Architectural Press, 2004

Type
http://www.writedesignonline.com/resources/design/rules/type.html

Hollis, Richard. Swiss Graphic Design: The Origins and Growth of an International Style, 1920-1965. Yale University Press, 2006

Elam, Kimberly. Typographic Systems of Design. Princeton Architectural Press, 2007

___________________________________________________________________

Step 5: Book Construction

Bookbinding Materials and Supplies
http://www.papersource.com

http://www.hollanders.com/

http://www.talasonline.com/

http://www.lightimpressions.com/

High Quality Printing Paper Suppliers
http://www.inkjetart.com

http://www.lexjet.com

http://www.calumetphoto.com

Online Resources
Book Arts Web: http://www.philobiblon.com/

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Step 6: Digital and Online Portfolios
Interactivity
Shedroff, Nathan. Experience Design. Waite Group Press, 2001

http://www.aec.at/index_en.php

Pre-made web templates
http://www.foliolink.com/

http://www.livebooks.com/

http://wordpress.org/

http://www.warmforestflash.com/

http://www.coolhomepages.com/

Development Resources
www.computerarts.co.uk/

www.lynda.com

http://www.tutorialmagazine.com/

http://www.computerarts.co.uk/tutorials/new_media/stunning_showreels

Optimization
http://www.cartoonsolutions.com/store/catalog/Timing-for-Animation-sp-7.html

http://www.digital-web.com/articles/designing_for_the_web/

http://www.designerstoolbox.com/designresources/safearea/

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Step 7: Promotional Materials

Design Competitions
http://www.adobe.com/education/adaa/

http://www.howdesign.com/competitions/

http://www.aaf.org/

http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/competitions

http://www.commarts.com/competitions

http://www.printmag.com/

http://www.graphis.com/

http://www.liaawards.com/

http://www.adclub.org/

http://www.webbyawards.com/

http://www.computerarts.co.uk/competitions

http://www.oneclub.org/oc/press/?id=77

http://tdc.org/

Photography Competitions
http://www.pdnonline.com

http://www.commarts.com/competitions

http://www.graphis.com/

Photographic Resource Center