Announcement of projects with client requests

At a certain point, I stopped worrying that my projects, which had client interventions, looked weak in my portfolio because I stopped producing weak work. I view any client interventions as design constraints and strive to do the best within those limitations.

If I fail to convince the client of a better execution, I'll try harder next time, and the project will just be a timestamp in my work history. I don't feel ashamed of past works, just as I don't feel ashamed of having worn diapers as an infant.

The secret is that clients usually don't delve into the meta-level. I don't care what their favorite color or geometric shapes are, but I make sure the main theme remains under my control.

— "Red? Sure, I've got plenty of it!"

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

Rush. Life story.

I was working on a project that involved both the original and translated text. The client was in a big hurry, so he decided not to wait for my translator's text and sent his own, insisting that it needed to be released urgently. As a result, a bunch of photos and memes with the errors “sticks out like a sore cock” and the client's company tag appeared on Instagram. He had to come back to me and redo the release properly.

In about 99 out of 100 cases, the client is always rushing everyone. The designer and editor make mistakes in haste, a thousand-copy print run is released, and then it still needs to be redone. It turns out that it could have been done without rushing, and the world wouldn’t have collapsed.

To avoid this, it is necessary to prevent this sprint at the start in the contract. And don't forget to systematically remind the client that timeliness is good, but haste is bad.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

When working with new designers, I immediately teach them convenient and optimal ways to handle routine tasks.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

Dunkin' Donuts

The 1965 Dunkin' Donuts logo is just awesome, my favorite version. Both with and without the cup. I don't understand why they changed it.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

Repetitions and Meaningful Grouping

When there are repetitions in text or graphics, I look for ways to eliminate them. For example, on a page with chairs, there's no need to label each product with the word "Chair." Instead, give all the cards a general heading, such as "Comfort Chairs," and include only the index—Comfort QX1243—inside. If all chairs have the prefix Comfort, place it in the heading: "Comfort Chairs."

Instead of having "Buy," "Buy," "Buy" on every button, replace them with a single button showing the price. Instead of listing "Director," "Director," "Director" under each photo, group them under a single heading: "Directors."

Repeated elements signal that the designer and editor are not paying attention to the content. This applies to icons, thumbnails, photos, or any other recurring elements.

Are there exceptions? Sure, maybe once every ten years.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

Sampling Wayfinding

There's an interesting aspect in wayfinding where you need to handle user queries in a way that ensures they receive only the necessary information at the right moment.

Imagine we have an arena, a concert venue, or a theater with multiple entrances, floors, and sections. While the user hasn’t found the correct entrance, the floors and seats don’t concern them, so the focus should always be on the entrance number.

Once the correct entrance is found, the user is interested in confirming that the needed section and seats are available. When they reach the correct floor, we change the information priority: now, the section becomes the most prominent detail. Then, the section and floor number become secondary to the block containing seat numbers. Even if we remove the section index in the final chart, the colored outline will still indicate the section we’re in.

In the image, there's a good example where the information is organized in such a way that it not only answers direct queries but also demonstrates logic. The signs clearly show that there's also Entrance I with seats up to 40 and a group of sectors AB.

Sampling and prioritizing information helps to grasp the overall concept of the wayfinding system: what follows what, where I am, and what’s next.

The great thing is that this approach is just as effective in organizing large projects, drafting complex documents, setting up a pipeline, or managing timing.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

TOC bookmarks #indesign #indd

When you create an automatic table of contents in InDesign, check the "Create PDF Bookmarks" option. This will generate bookmarks for the entire document based on the headings and subheadings (Window—Interactive—Bookmarks).

This feature is handy for quick navigation in multi-page brand books, for example.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

Various double helices, fingerprints, and similar spirals are created through a semicircular offset. Don’t forget about this and don’t waste time doing it manually.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

Create gradient #ai

A new feature in Illustrator — automatic gradient creation. With Cmd, click on the swatches and drag them into the gradient palette (or click Create Gradient in the swatches menu). It’s a small thing, but nice.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

On the website https://branddb.wipo.int/, you can check the database of existing logos. There are options for checking by concept (AI), by shape, colors, and name.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

I’d like to remind you that you can set a custom default style for new objects in #ai. When you reset the style (D), the newly created sample from Graphic Styles will be applied as well.

Create an object with a new appearance, save it in the Graphic Styles palette, and then, while holding Alt, drag it onto the first sample with a white fill and black outline. This will redefine the default style for the current document. To have this style in all documents, save the file as the starting template.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

In wayfinding, there’s a common misconception that signs need to be placed every N meters, or that the more signs there are, the easier it is to navigate.

In reality, a high density of signs often signals a complex environment with many scenarios, which can make people feel more anxious and uncertain. In airports, the abundance of counters, gate numbers, and signs suggests a high level of activity (check-in, baggage, documents, security checks, registrations, information assistance). So, a passenger with other goals may seek a quieter space.

The number of signs should increase where there’s a lot happening. This is the main principle to follow when placing signs.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

​​Decision Points and Choice Points in wayfinding, and why they shouldn’t be confused

https://knowhowtodesign.notion.site/Decision-Points-and-Choice-Points-137a2d4e7d028053bbe0e93ee25fb227?pvs=4

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

Swatches Info #AI

Illustrator now has a long-awaited feature that lays out color swatches selected in the palette.
1. Hold Shift and click multiple swatches. Go to the palette options—Swatches Info.
2. Adjust the layout and choose the desired color models.
3. The created layout can be edited by clicking Card Info in the top left corner.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

A lesson with these cars (ENG subtitles). #oblique

https://youtu.be/ba3IYR1fuhI

Tutorial file
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dwg7i3m7sfz9hcarm4a12/oblique-car.ai.zip?rlkey=272e3kw8ki9i1d9lj8fsxlyr4&st=2uiv8gea&dl=0

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

In the Netherlands, you can often spot tiles featuring a ladybug or coccinellid design. This symbol belongs to the National Association Against Violence and is placed in areas with heightened social tension. Its purpose is to serve as a final reminder to deter someone from committing a crime when they come across this symbol. It’s a tool that taps into the mechanisms of superstition.

I once saw three tiles placed side by side. It seems they were shouting with triple the force for someone to stop and think.

https://zinloosgeweld.nl

By the way, you can buy a tile with the ladybug design for 200 euros.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

During a Presentation: How to Keep Everyone in Check and Stay Calm

Recently, I came across a video where a designer was presenting a project, and the participants bombarded them with minor questions and interruptions. It reminded me that I’ve long wanted to write a post with some rules for handling such situations.

Before Starting
1. Set the Ground Rules.
Clearly state upfront: all questions should either be written down or kept in mind. They can only be asked after the presentation. If someone tries to interrupt, calmly remind them: “We’ll discuss this later.”

2. Two Strikes, Then Reset.
After the third blatant interruption, stop the presentation and reiterate the rules. Disrespecting the group’s time is, to put it mildly, inappropriate. Don’t hesitate to rein in overly active participants.

3. No Spoilers.
The presentation document should only be shown when you’re ready to walk through each slide. Otherwise, people will form opinions while you’re stuck on the first point.

Rules for Participants
1. Interruptions are Allowed Only in Two Cases:
• The presenter made a glaring error and didn’t notice.
• A meteor is about to hit you.

2.Patience.
If something isn’t clear, give the presenter a chance to explain it later. If they skip an important point, politely ask them to go back — without initiating a discussion.

3. Don’t Disrupt the Narrative.
The presenter has a plan and a flow. Comments like, “I don’t like this shade of green,” aren’t helpful; they’re just destructive.

4. If It Was Skipped, It Was Intentional.
If the presenter doesn’t emphasize something, it’s because they decided it’s not a priority at the moment.

5. Save the Buttons and Corners for Tomorrow.
Technical details can be sent as a separate document or email the next day.

6. What You Dislike Today, You Might Love Tomorrow.
If something doesn’t sit well with you, take a deep breath and revisit it the next day.

7. No Snide Remarks.
Eye-rolling, sarcastic comments, dismissive tones — these behaviors belong in a schoolyard, not a professional discussion.

8. Don’t Overwhelm the Presenter.
Maybe they’re not a master of presentations yet, but that’s fixable. After a few events like this, they’ll be juggling facts and captivating the audience from the first words.

9. No Nitpicking.
Under no circumstances should you correct the presenter on using “you’re” means “you are” or other trivialities.

Interrupting a presentation at every slide is like dissecting a book page by page. I remember a time when I misnamed a mechanical part throughout an entire presentation. The company director didn’t interrupt even once, and only corrected me at the end. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to double-check all terms before presenting.

In my next post, I’ll talk about how to present effectively.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

I’m putting together a collection of intuitive navigation and infographics.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina

Principles and Context

In the early stages, it makes sense to study the rules, follow them, and try to understand how they work. As a designer matures, they need to learn how to bend the rules, break them, or come up with improved versions. Beyond that lies a world of principles and context, where rules become less important.

For example, I know the rules of the Russian language and try to write correctly. But if I want to design a punk flyer with a rebellious spirit, then I need those rules precisely so I can break them. This applies to layout, color, grammar, spelling, and whatever else is in play.

It’s not enough to just break the rules. You have to break them beautifully, in a way that maintains consistency and sparks the viewer’s curiosity. A set of random mistakes isn’t interesting to look at.

Context defines the tools: what if I want to write with irony or sarcasm, huh? For example, I always write properly and keep an eye on sentence length so the reader doesn’t feel like they’re deciphering graffiti on a wall. But on a wall, bad spelling might be exactly what’s needed.

Whenever I see messiness or distortion, I pause for a few seconds—just in case it was done on purpose.

——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina