In developing interfaces, many people enunciate a common goal “it has to be simple” then within in a very little time they want to add feature after feature and make the user experience surprisingly complicated. While those features are helpful for expert users, it estranges the new adopters. So, what is to be done? How do you add features to your site, app or software without getting prohibitively complex? Here’s a hint at a longer blog post I’m preparing.
Stop a moment to think about how ugly some of the food you eat is. Ever tried looking at a Clif Bar for too long?
At Eli Kirk, there’s a current food packaging project that oozes interesting visual challenges. And whenever there’s a good challenge, there’s always something that can trigger a several creative ideas. Some products look absolutely delicious the moment you unwrap them. Meanwhile some of the products require some creative problem solving to figure out which colors, patterns and typography are going to make the product look its best.
When I look for inspiration in packaging, one of the great successes that comes to mind is Odwalla. Take a look at the picture below. Without its label, the thick viscous liquid seems like remains from well-blended slugs. But with the intelligent color combinations and strategic appealing shapes, I’m more inclined to enjoy a drink.
Roll over the image below to see the difference a good label can make.
Liquipel technology is easy to love; and it’s been a blast showing off it’s capabilities. Soaking your iPhone (with no case) in water with no damage to the device tends to surprise people. Not only has demonstrating the water safe technology been fun, but developing the Liquipel brand energized me every time I got to work on it. Everything ranging from logo design, website, CES display strategy, package design, photography and large environmental displays.
Here’s a few of the things I got to work on.
Download vector version of Liquipel logo here
Props to them for their nomination for an Edison Award 2012 and for the display at CES.
Designed while at Eli Kirk
Photography: Stotia
Resource:
Make sure to take some time to peruse some delightful pre-disney era designs and illustrations. The color theory alone is well worth some appreciation time. I’m especially fond of the typography and filagrees of the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps and the illustrations in calendars of the Antikamnnia
Favorite new app:
Recently I’ve enjoyed lemon.com and the free iPhone app. I like the simplistic interface design, and the convenience to take photos of receipts and have all the text OCRed for future use.
Videos:
Everything is a remix: Helpful viewpoint in learning creative solutions. I’ve always frowned upon people who blatantly ripoff some one else’s design. But a designer that can pull off a killer remix of previously uncombined ideas deserves smile of respect followed by a sketch of the new idea you just got from it.
Kid History: Clean and entertaining way to hear a story from the perspective and vocabulary of a child, but acted out by adults. My favorite way to watch these funny videos is in the company of my wife and children. My kids rarely stop laughing.
Adrenaline rush “I believe I can fly” – Proxy adrenaline rushes are sufficient for my tastes. This video foots the bill, and this comic captures my thoughts exactly. More video sweetness and slo-mo from the same film maker here.
The above video get’s me excited to do more sports/motion capture. I’ve gotta try a glidecam sometime. Does anyone know where I can borrow a glidecam around here in the UV area? I’ve called around here, and no one seems to have one available. Please drop me a line if you have any suggestions.
Have you ever seen the capitals of Fette Fraktur? Eww. I thoroughly enjoyed customizing the S and B of the Slash Bash pumpkin party poster. Also, if you get the chance, we’d love to see you at the third annual Slash Bash. RSVP here.
The text deets.
I’m absolutely loving the error I got when printing out a presentation for a client. Look at the way the letters started to peel from the surface of the paper. It comes from having a fully supported black (c100 m100 y100 k100) printed on a laser printer with a bad fuser.
Creativity pro tip: relish and learn from the surprising error. Sometimes the surprising “error” leads to a new perception and innovation.
For years, movie posters have utilized Carol Twombly’s font creation Trajan. There’s even a montage of covers here. Thankfully, it’s a well drawn font. Let’s all be grateful that we don’t encounter Avant Garde on many movie posters. There may be a bold new font on the rise and a few people have asked me about it. It’s called Brothers, designed by John Downer at Emigre. It’s accompanied by a great set of alternate glyphs, word logos and elements. I first used Brothers on an identity project 5 years ago and I’ve enjoyed it ever since due to it’s bold, chiseled and lithographic forms.
