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letter from the editor dear reader As you know, design is everywhere we look. As you make your way throught this magazine you can find multiple example of design work throughout, design is everywhere around us; Graphic design is art that has purpose. looking through time what we view as art has never had a role in society other than to be appreciated and has often been used as a record to produce important periods in human history. Design plays a role in this but in a more practical way, as we have grown so has our need to brand ourselves, we have looked at ways to tell people what we do and what we offer, this can often be something like a personal service or more commonly a product. This means that design will always have a place in society. There are many reasons for going into the design field but many modern workplaces don't necessarily know how to market jobs to graphic designers, illustrators, web designers, UX & UI designers, etc... Many workplaces who require graphic designers often ask for graphic designers with UX & UI experience seeing this often on job applications makes most graphic designers turn away and apply to other jobs. One important thing to remember is that you don't have to know everything, there are several fields of design where graphic designers are the shining stars. Depending on your field of interest there can be many jobs in which you'll excel in. Design for many seems almost like an unreachable field. Well one thing you’ll learn reading this letter is that the design field is one of the many ways to be able to create and show that your art has value. For many years i was told by teachers that doodling and drawing would never get me far, this was probably done so i could pay attention in class and possibly without malice but there were many who meant it. You have probably been told the same through different phases of your life, you have given up the idea that what you create has value. Graphic design has truly become a second chance to recapture and once again begin to create work that has value and can even have meaning to you
anthony murillo-rivera
contributors
alice hector
kevin curry
derek howes
editor
editor
creative director
DESIGN magazine editor, 3 years as our in-
DESIGN magazine editor, 5 years as our in-
DESIGN magazine, 5 years as our-in-house
house-editor, they're experience as a copy writer
house-editor, they're experience as a copy writer
creative director, his experience as a graphic
and typographer allows us to make our magazine
with various magazines has allowed us to find the
designer has allowed us to create a worth while
pop and stand out against others
perfect look for our magazine.
magazine that bring attention to future artist
charley boorman
rodney hahn
megan linge
graphic desiner
illustrator
photographer
DESIGN magazine in-house-graphic desiner
DESIGN magazine in-house-illustrator 25 years
DESIGN magazine in-house-photographer 25
with 10 years in the field, one of the younger
in the field, his experience comes from years of
years in the field, her experience comes from years
contributors to DESIGN magazine
screen printing and poster design.
of shooting for her online blog (ishoot-nyc) and various small magazines
icon of the month ( some facts on new york's most iconic statue ) submission for #iconic new york landmarks
In 1916 the statue suffered minor damages from the Germans and nobody has been allowed to go into the torch since. Well, surely they could have had it all sorted by now?
each of the seven spikes on her crown represent the seven oceans and the seven continents of the world. This is said to represent the universal concept of liberty.
She holds a torch and tablet upon which is inscribed the date of American Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776).
Although you cannot see Lady Liberty’s feet clearly she is in fact standing among a broken shackle and chains, with her right
The statue was assembled on its
foot raised, depicting her moving
pedestal after being constructed
forward away from oppression
in France and sent to the US in
and slavery.
crates.
@astroloopgraphics
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graphic design, what does it take? By Jane Johns
what is graphic design? Graphic design is a visual art form that combines different media styles to make something eye-catching. This field is focused around making appealing visuals that will make people want to look. This can look a little different depend on how you are using your skills. However, the overall idea is that you are making design decisions to create something intended to be shared. This form of art is being used in many places and many ways. A common use of graphic design is within marketing. It might mean designing a logo for a branding campaign. It could also mean making an infographic to provide customers with important information. The main idea behind in marketing is that it should appeal visually to an audience and likely share important information. Beyond marketing, graphic design is used in other capacities like web and print layouts. This involves learning where to put everything for a pleasant visual appearance. It also means understanding the way that the
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information should flow for effectiveness. This might include arranging pictures or designing banners. It’s an incredibly open-ended need. The important thing to note is that these artists use technology to create stunning designs. Through a combination of computers, design tools, and design knowledge, graphic designers create art that sells. In many instances, the job of the graphic designer involves making sure that everything looks just right. They can control the way that a brand appears to a target audience. This is why many people decide to be a graphic designer. It allows them to help companies put their best face forward.
what are design skills? Design skills involve a concrete understanding of what does and does not go together. This knowledgebase spreads across several areas for most graphic designers. It is this core knowledge set that allows them to make such beautiful designs that can appeal to an audience. Graphic design is built around making aesthetically pleasing presentations. With this in mind, it makes sense why graphics designers need an eye for good design. It is important to recognize that this understanding can be learned and does not need to be innate.
Though there are people who have a good eye for this sort of thing, these things can be learned. If you don’t feel confident in your ability to piece things together, that is okay. The reason why the courses for graphic design exist is because most people still need to learn about good design. A good design is not something done unintentionally. It requires an understanding of certain elements that come together to make a broader design process. In reality, good designs are done with great intention and dedication.
The basis for good design is understanding how things need to be placed for the best presentation. This includes having a concrete understanding of things like color, placement, and tone. Since graphic designers are responsible for making things look nice, they need to understand how they arrange them. This involves knowing where certain design elements should be positioned. It also means having an understanding of what colors go together and which ones do not. The combination of these factors can create a tone, which is important for sending the right message.
what skills does a graphic designer actually need? Though you certainly need design skills to be a good graphic designer, that isn’t the extent of the job. In reality, there are many additional skills that you need in order to be an effective designer. While designing good content is important, there is more to being a graphic designer than that. If you don’t have the other required skills, you will likely find yourself falling below the curve in the actual industry.
Beyond communication skills, you need to be well versed in commonly used graphic design tools. A great place to start with this is the Adobe Creative Suite. Applications like Photoshop and Adobe Spark are a valuable asset in any designer’s toolbox. These are the kinds of tools that will be used when you are working on projects, so the more you know, the better.
The most important skill that a designer needs to have is the ability to effectively communicate. This is important for two primary reasons. First, you need to be able to engage with customers or management to understand design needs. It will be your job to determine what your client wants with the actual design. Second, a major part of graphic design is built around how well you can communicate a message. Graphic design is all about conveying a meaning to an audience in a clear and concise way.
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are designs drawn by hand? Many people operate under the assumption that graphic design involves a lot of freehand drawing. While this is certainly a skill that you can use as a graphic designer, there is more to it. Drawing is a part of the design to some extent, but that seldom includes the finished project. As a graphic designer, you might spend time sketching our ideas. That does not mean that you have to physically draw the finished design elements yourself. In fact, you can rely on other people for that portion of the design process. Though a designer might end up storyboarding or mocking up pages by hand, this requires very little skill. In reality, these sketches are going to be more focused on getting a general idea of where everything will go. When a graphic designer is finished mocking up a design, they can switch to the appropriate tools. Graphic design work is conducted using digital tools, which
means you can take your sketches and make them designs. In fact, if you aren’t comfortable drawing, you can create mockups in design tools as well. There are plenty of options that do not involve actually drawing. People tend to assume that graphic designers are a one-stop-shop when it comes to art. This is what makes so many people consider graphic design to be an overwhelming feat. The reality is that graphic designers work with other artists to get a job done. They might rely on a calligrapher to make custom typography. They might rely on a photographer to take stunning photos. For drawing, they can rely on an illustrator. These team members are what makes it possible.
what Is the difference between a graphic designer and an Illustrator? When it comes to drawing design elements, this does not need to be the work of the graphic designer. In fact, in many instances, graphic designers are responsible for compiling, not composing. This means that a graphic designer will take the existing design elements from all parties and bring them together. It might mean choosing the right typography to go with a logo or adding a quote to an image. Just like a graphic designer likely won’t take the stock images being used, they don’t need to draw. For intensive drawing or art, companies are more likely to use an actual illustrator. Illustrators are artists who focus specifically on drawing custom items for a company or brand. These individuals are talented at creating in many forms depending on the need. For one project, a pencil illustrator might be needed to
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get the right image. For another project, you might be in need of a watercolor illustrator. These individuals are people who are specifically working on drawing, painting, or creating art. When they illustrate something for the design, they will pass it on to a graphic designer to incorporate it. In many cases, graphic designers and illustrators work together to create a finished product. An illustrator will draw design elements, and it is the job of the graphic designer to place them. Graphic designers, at their core, are meant to bring together design elements for a grand presentation.
conclusion If you are considering a job in graphic design, don’t let yourself be intimidated. Like other art forms, graphic design is something that can be learned in a class. There will always be things that you learn on the job, but that is okay too. A good graphic designer is not born, but made. It is easy to assume that something artistic like graphic design requires specific artistic skills. It is important to remember that graphic design is a field by itself. You can be a graphic designer without any other kind of artistic prowess. When you decide to become a graphic designer, you are committing to graphic design. If the job was illustrator or artist, drawing would be necessary. Graphic design, however, is a standalone field. It is dependent on specific graphic design skills, not just art or drawing. If you are truly worried about not being able to draw, you can always take the time to learn that skill too. Drawing is a process that can be learned with practice and dedication just like anything else. If you want it, go get it.
Ë?graphic designers create art that sellsË?
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I Want to be a Graphic Designer But I Can't Draw... By Ashley abramson So, you want to be a graphic designer. You have an eye for detail, you love working with both technology and people and you’re excited by the thought of communicating visual messages to a large audience. The only problem? You’re not exactly an expert drawer. The good news is you’re not alone! And you certainly don’t have to lay aside your career goals just because you’re not the next da Vinci. In fact, drawing skills generally aren’t even a requirement in most graphic design job descriptions. In an analysis of more than 46,000 graphic design job postings, eight of the top 10 skills in highest demand are associated with design software.* You’ll be even more relieved to know that drawing isn’t even listed in the top 25.
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The importance of modern software and technology
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what the best way to communicate your message
Where pen and paper fail you, a computer or tablet may be your saviors. Chelsey Moter, a digital analyst for seoWorks, has a degree in graphic design but “simply can’t draw.” She says that in her experience, composing good art has little to do with drawing. You can apply your creative vision just as successfully with design software. “One way to create good art without drawing is by finding or taking an image, importing into Adobe Illustrator, making Are you an expert communicator? You’re in luck, according to Darlene Susco, a designer and founder of iDsusco. She believes the ability to effectively communicate a message to your audience is more important than drawing. “Graphic design is all about communication, not drawing. It is the means to create an emotional connection to a message and elicit the desired action from the reader,” Susco says. “The
it a template, adding a new layer and creating outlines with the pen tool,” Moter explains. “This is a good way to form the shape of something that you want to create.” She adds that you can also use technology to brush up on your drawing skills. There are several drawing programs and products available to help you become a better drawer. She recommends Bamboo, a tablet that connects to your computer and integrates with Photoshop or Illustrator. designer’s job is to identify and be able to articulate the point of a message, the essence of a brand and how they are advanced by the idea you are presenting.” Alvaro Moran, creative director of Boatsetter, agrees with Susco. He says aesthetics is a secondary priority. “Clearly communicating the message to the audience always trumps the beauty of the design,” he adds.
So you can take a deep breath, because the graphic design professionals we spoke with agree that a lack of drawing skill definitely isn’t a dealbreaker. There are plenty of other skills you can wield to thrive in the industry. Keep reading to learn their advice for overcoming your concern.
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teach yourself the basics of design
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best way to learn is by sketching
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no worries, there is more than one graphic field
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Unlike drawing, many of the skills you will need to thrive in a graphic design career can be taught, according to Kandra Churchwell, a designer at Phases Design Studio. “While you don’t have to be a Picasso or Monet, you do need to understand the basics of design, all of which can be learned,” Churchwell explains. “Graphic design differs from fine art when you consider the technical knowledge that a graphic designer needs.”
Graphic design may not require professional drawing skills or a fine art background, but UX designer Isaac Hammelburger says simple sketching can get the job done. “I can’t draw and it used to be a real hindrance until I discovered the art of simple sketching,” Hammelburger says. “With simple sketching, the point is to think about the message you’re trying to drive and then draw simple figures to showcase it.” Luckily, design is a growing industry. If you’re not interested in drawing, Erin Morris, founder of Evergreen Design Studio, suggests seeking out a specialized role in a more technical field. You may not realize how many unique types of graphic design jobs are really out there. “Graphic design has become such a broad field encompassing roles ranging from the technical and analytical to
To excel as a graphic designer, you need to master everything from how to operate design software, color theory, typography, composition, u s e r experience (UX), the psychology behind marketing and so much more. These fundamentals of design are things you’ll acquire in most graphic design programs.
Bill Sattelmeyer, Rasmussen College School of Design dean, supports this claim. “Do designers have to be great artists? Absolutely not,” he says. “Essentially, all a designer needs to know is how to sketch out basic design content.”
the visual and illustrative,” Morris explains. “If you're not good at drawing and don’t aspire to be, you can focus on the more technical fields like UI design and UX design.”
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NYC subway riders outraged by lack of social distancing on train By Tamar Lapin It’s mass transit, all right. New York City subway riders were fuming Saturday over the utter lack of social distancing on a very packed train, video shows. Dozens of straphangers were already squeezed “like sardines” inside an N train when it pulled into the Lexington 59th street station around 5:00 p.m., according to the footage. Some riders jammed into the car — but one outraged woman asked “What the f–k distance is this? They’re squeezing like sardines.” “It’s because MTA don’t give a f–k about the people,” said a man standing outside the overflowing train doors. “The MTA is running as much service as we can with the crews we have available,” MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said in a statement. “While the specific car shown in the video appears to be much more crowded than normal, we have always been clear social distancing on mass transit will not always be possible, even while ridership is low. This is why wearing a mask — as required by law — is so important.”
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Mister Softee trucks are back on the New York streets By Emma Orlow The sounds of a Mister Softee truck winding its way through a neighborhood—with its seemingly unending, whimsical jingle on full blast— could be the last straw for many of our already weaning mental health. The jingle makes it impossible to get work done when it reminds us that summer will soon be calling and how it won't be the same this year. But at the same time, many of us could use a pick-me-up treat and the annoying battle cry for ice cream is a small price to pay for such a New Yorkspecific joy. Despite the fact that restaurants throughout the city remain closed or have pivoted to delivery-only, in areas such as Greenpoint and Bed-Stuy, the trucks continue serving serve up customers curbside (while asking customers to space themselves out so that there is no crowding in front). Mister Softee now even has an app that allows you to track where they’ll show up next. A video on the official Mister Softee website demonstrates the measures that are being taken to ensure safety of its staff and customers alike, which includes measures such as temperature-taking at the start of the shift and sanitizing the trucks throughout the day. As long as folks are social distancing, we see no reason why people can’t enjoy a sweet treat outside in the open air.
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NY: Live Subway Map: MTA riders can now check for trains in real-time By Erik Bascome Earlier this week, the MTA launched its
trips are as easy and dependable as
“Live Subway Map,” a revolutionary,
possible,” said Sarah Feinberg, interim
new digital tool designed by Brooklyn-
president of New York City Transit. “We
based global design and technology
want rider feedback as we continue to
firm Work & Co that allows riders to
develop this exciting new tool.”
better plan their trips and adjust to any ongoing service changes or delays.
Riders can also use the new map to plan ahead, with a built-in time filter
“Every rider has had the experience
that allows users to select whether they
where we get on a train one weekend,
would like to view service information for
look up from our phones and see a
“Now," “Tonight” or “Weekend."
place we didn’t expect to see. When New Yorkers use this map, that will no
The map also features an accessibility
longer happen,” said Sarah Meyer,
button that will highlight all accessible
New York City Transit chief customer
stations throughout the system.
officer. “The map that Work & Co has generously donated to the people of
An airports function allows users to
New York will make their lives easier.”
click on either New York City airport -- John F. Kennedy International Airport
The new map, currently operating in
or LaGuardia International Airport -- to
beta, provides an overview of the city’s
learn the best ways of commuting to the
entire subway system, offering additional
airport via public transportation.
levels of detail as users zoom in to a specific location.
The map also allows users to share a custom URL of exactly what they are
Riders can click on individual stations to
currently looking at on the map, making
see arrival times for coming trains and
it easier to coordinate directions with
any service changes that may be in
friends and family.
place. “With this new tool, train lines are Additionally, when zoomed far enough
up-to-date, and service changes are
in, map users can actually see small,
represented visually. We are laying the
gray rectangles, representing the
foundation for transit systems around
subway cars, moving throughout the
the world to adopt real-time maps that
system, giving riders real-time location
further encourage the use of public
information for the first time.
transportation,” he added.
“This beta map is part of a variety of efforts we’re taking to provide our customers with tools to help ensure their
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Where to Look: under the manhattan bridge
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A massive new light show will be projected once a month on the Manhattan Bridge By Shaye weaver The Manhattan Bridge in Dumbo will light up with massive light projections for all to see through March.
December 3 "Thresholds and Beyond I"
January 7 "Evoke"
February 4 "Spatial Empathy"
March 4 "Digital Fairy Tales: Water Stories"
On the first Thursday of each month, LIGHT YEAR installations will be on view for the public, who can watch from nearby bars and restaurants with hot drinks in hand. The projections, which will be 65 by 40 feet, can be viewed from the Pearl Street Triangle from dusk to 10pm. This year's light year projections were developed during New York City’s lockdown so they reflect feelings of isolation, but also hope, happiness and what it means to be home and to be connected, according to The DUMBO Improvement District and NYC DOT Art, which are presenting the show. Since launching in 2015, LIGHT YEAR has showcased the work of hundreds of artists and curators from around the world, including by Leo Kuelbs, John Ensor Parker, and Glowing Bulbs. It was originally created after the United Nations declared 2015 as the "Year of Light and Light Art." The best part is that you can catch these projections and then get drinks from Superfine (126 Front Street), Olympia Wine Bar (54 Jay Street), 68 Jay Street Bar, Love and Dough (57 Pearl Street) or watch online from home if you can't make it to Dumbo.
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31 Manhattan Bridge, New York, NY 11201
Inside Look: Who is Chrishtoph Niemann?
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@astroloopgraphics
Christoph Niemann is an artist, author and animator.His work appears regularly on the covers of The New Yorker, National Geographic and The NY times Magazine. Christoph Niemann’s art has been subject to numerous museum retrospectives. He has drawn live from the Venice Art Biennale, the Olympic Games in London, and he has sketched the New York City Marathon — while actually running it. He created The New Yorker’s first Augmented Reality Cover as well as a hand drawn 360 degree VR animation for the magazine’s US Open issue. Clients include Hermés, Google, LAMY, and The Museum of Modern Art. He is a member of Alliance Graphique Internationale. In 2010, he was inducted into the Art Directors Club Hall Of Fame. He is the author of many books, including the monograph “Sunday Sketching” (2016), “WORDS” (2016) and “Souvenir” (2017). His most recent book is “Hopes and Dreams” about a trip to meet an artistic hero in Los Angeles. With Jon Huang he created the kids’ apps PETTING ZOO and CHOMP. His work is subject of an episode of Abstract, an original Netflix series.
ZEIT-Magazine
WIRED
series of mixed media illustrations
Drawings for the Mr. Know-It-All column in WIRED Magazine
Daily Drawings – New York Times For the month of July 2019, the New York Times runs these drawings daily in the A-Section.
font of the week Font Name: Wavey Davey (submission for #funfonts by @astroloopgraphics)
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@astroloopgraphics
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