Charts
I notice that the guys are creating beautiful but incorrect charts. Let's tidy things up.
Histogram. It uses continuous variables, meaning they cannot be swapped (for example, from 10 AM to 6 PM or from January to December). The columns in this type of chart are closely packed together, forming "bins" (value intervals).
Bar chart. It uses discrete data (music, movies, ballet) that can be swapped without affecting the chart. Here, the columns don't show intervals but illustrate a specific variable, standing apart from each other.
Line chart. It represents the same type of data as a bar chart but uses horizontal orientation for label convenience. A line chart can never be a histogram.
Grouped line chart. This is when one data strip is divided into subcategories. For example, Music (children, adults, seniors), Movies (children, adults, seniors). Grouping can also be done in a bar chart.
Histogram and stacked bar chart. Here, an entire variable is shown along with its components. For instance, showing the occupancy of a theater with a full scale and indicating its components (orchestra, amphitheater, mezzanine, balcony, box).
I hope this explanation is clear. (Was lazy to translate imgs)
——
KnowHowToDesign
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https://linktr.ee/steblina
I notice that the guys are creating beautiful but incorrect charts. Let's tidy things up.
Histogram. It uses continuous variables, meaning they cannot be swapped (for example, from 10 AM to 6 PM or from January to December). The columns in this type of chart are closely packed together, forming "bins" (value intervals).
Bar chart. It uses discrete data (music, movies, ballet) that can be swapped without affecting the chart. Here, the columns don't show intervals but illustrate a specific variable, standing apart from each other.
Line chart. It represents the same type of data as a bar chart but uses horizontal orientation for label convenience. A line chart can never be a histogram.
Grouped line chart. This is when one data strip is divided into subcategories. For example, Music (children, adults, seniors), Movies (children, adults, seniors). Grouping can also be done in a bar chart.
Histogram and stacked bar chart. Here, an entire variable is shown along with its components. For instance, showing the occupancy of a theater with a full scale and indicating its components (orchestra, amphitheater, mezzanine, balcony, box).
I hope this explanation is clear. (Was lazy to translate imgs)
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
Pie сharts
Let's continue the topic. The most inaccurate, approximate, and uninformative way to present something is a pie chart.
It looks good but provides only a general impression of proportions. It's acceptable for a few values, but starting from 6–7 parameters, it becomes difficult to discern the differences (and impossible without numerical values). It's especially challenging when some parameters vary insignificantly (11, 12, 15...), and you have to use various colors, creating a confusing pattern.
Moreover, it lacks axes, making it impossible to show dependencies.
One of the advantages of a pie chart is its speed in presenting information. It visually and quickly shows the contribution of each parameter to the whole.
I use it in cases where I need to illustrate the proportions of 2–3 parameters to the whole.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
Let's continue the topic. The most inaccurate, approximate, and uninformative way to present something is a pie chart.
It looks good but provides only a general impression of proportions. It's acceptable for a few values, but starting from 6–7 parameters, it becomes difficult to discern the differences (and impossible without numerical values). It's especially challenging when some parameters vary insignificantly (11, 12, 15...), and you have to use various colors, creating a confusing pattern.
Moreover, it lacks axes, making it impossible to show dependencies.
One of the advantages of a pie chart is its speed in presenting information. It visually and quickly shows the contribution of each parameter to the whole.
I use it in cases where I need to illustrate the proportions of 2–3 parameters to the whole.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
Miniature version of the logo
To ensure that the small version of the symbol looks good, it's not enough to simply reduce the main one. It is necessary to compensate for proportions, internal flows, stroke thickness, and overall volume.
Each symbol should be approached individually, but there are common principles:
1. Make small elements larger and large elements smaller. The symbol should lose contrast because contrast doesn't work well in small versions.
2. Average out white spaces, getting rid of those that are too dense or too open.
3. The symbol in relation to the text part should be larger because small letters are easier to read than graphics in small versions.
4. The signature should be simplified in the small version.
5. Provide more space between the symbol and the signature.
Depending on the symbol, some elements are better off removed altogether. Any intricate details, serifs, small openings, stars, or whatever you have. Keep only what is essential.
To ensure that the small version of the symbol looks good, it's not enough to simply reduce the main one. It is necessary to compensate for proportions, internal flows, stroke thickness, and overall volume.
Each symbol should be approached individually, but there are common principles:
1. Make small elements larger and large elements smaller. The symbol should lose contrast because contrast doesn't work well in small versions.
2. Average out white spaces, getting rid of those that are too dense or too open.
3. The symbol in relation to the text part should be larger because small letters are easier to read than graphics in small versions.
4. The signature should be simplified in the small version.
5. Provide more space between the symbol and the signature.
Depending on the symbol, some elements are better off removed altogether. Any intricate details, serifs, small openings, stars, or whatever you have. Keep only what is essential.
Haven't designed a font in a while. Over the past six months, I've taken photos of various signs, bought books, and decided to dive into Glyphs. There's still a bunch of refinements, alternatives, and ligatures ahead, but it's coming along well.
I want to add so many Glyphs features to Illustrator—from displaying metrics to components. For example, I want Illustrator to automatically attach a component, like a star, to my curves at a specified point, which can then be edited separately. Mmmmm.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
I want to add so many Glyphs features to Illustrator—from displaying metrics to components. For example, I want Illustrator to automatically attach a component, like a star, to my curves at a specified point, which can then be edited separately. Mmmmm.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
❤1
Read a short story about one of my favorite logos - the NBC peacock. At the end of the post, there's a good comment that the management hesitated for a long time to adopt the logo refresh because it would be too expensive to change it on trucks, cars, signs, etc.
https://www.logohistories.com/p/nbc-peacock-logo-history-1986
Whenever you wonder why established companies take so long to change their bad logos or why a logo redesign seems so expensive, remember this passage. What might seem like a small detail on your computer represents millions in circulation for the company. Try arguing against that and selling your redesign now.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
https://www.logohistories.com/p/nbc-peacock-logo-history-1986
Whenever you wonder why established companies take so long to change their bad logos or why a logo redesign seems so expensive, remember this passage. What might seem like a small detail on your computer represents millions in circulation for the company. Try arguing against that and selling your redesign now.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
Logohistories
In 'Living Color'
Steff Geissbühler and Chermayeff & Geismar's 1986 logo for NBC.
❤1
Throwing the caviar method
My shortest way to get to the result is to show rough, quick sketches in as much quantity as possible. Over time, I've completely stopped fearing showing clients raw work. The phrase "fools are not shown half-finished work" was invented by some neurotic perfectionists.
Clients are not fools. They may have weak visual perception, feel uncertain, or imagine things in the wrong direction. I'm happy to show them a sketch with my left foot to not waste time, explain everything, and together we'll find the direction.
I always use this wonderful method so that I don't feel disappointed later by the work I've done and that hasn't been accepted. And it's also easier to part with sketches.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
My shortest way to get to the result is to show rough, quick sketches in as much quantity as possible. Over time, I've completely stopped fearing showing clients raw work. The phrase "fools are not shown half-finished work" was invented by some neurotic perfectionists.
Clients are not fools. They may have weak visual perception, feel uncertain, or imagine things in the wrong direction. I'm happy to show them a sketch with my left foot to not waste time, explain everything, and together we'll find the direction.
I always use this wonderful method so that I don't feel disappointed later by the work I've done and that hasn't been accepted. And it's also easier to part with sketches.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
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Strange, but many guys don't use the mask for raster images in Illustrator at all. For example, with its help, it's easy to recolor a black and white picture.
Take a colored shape the size of the raster image, make it a Make Mask in the Transparency palette. Click on the black square and paste the raster from the buffer. Don't forget to check the Invert mask box.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
Take a colored shape the size of the raster image, make it a Make Mask in the Transparency palette. Click on the black square and paste the raster from the buffer. Don't forget to check the Invert mask box.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
🔥1
SVG logos library
https://svgl.app
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
https://svgl.app
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
svgl.app
A beautiful library with SVG logos
Selection by path #ai
In Illustrator, sometimes the text bounding box can be so large that when selecting other objects, it gets picked up even if the actual font isn't within the selection area. Or when small text is under large text, it becomes difficult to select the small text separately.
So, check the box for Type Object selection by Path Only, and text will be selected only by its baseline. You're welcome.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
In Illustrator, sometimes the text bounding box can be so large that when selecting other objects, it gets picked up even if the actual font isn't within the selection area. Or when small text is under large text, it becomes difficult to select the small text separately.
So, check the box for Type Object selection by Path Only, and text will be selected only by its baseline. You're welcome.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
🔥2
Shigeo Fukuda
One of my favorite Japanese designers. He is recognized for his Escher-like approach with optical illusions, executed in a minimalist and elegant style.
I adore the poster for the UCC coffee company exhibition, 1985.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
One of my favorite Japanese designers. He is recognized for his Escher-like approach with optical illusions, executed in a minimalist and elegant style.
I adore the poster for the UCC coffee company exhibition, 1985.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
A simple manipulation you're reacting to.
There's a simple and old way of manipulating—bringing in a comparison. When your opponent runs out of arguments from the discussed subject, they introduce examples from other areas. It's like driving a car, then immediately switching to a bicycle—do you feel the difference? Or, like playing the guitar, then being handed a harmonica.
A favorable comparison is like wine, it needs to mature. The opponent changes the subject in search of persuasiveness like a chess player makes a castle move.
It's not scary to use such a technique yourself, but it's important to watch out not to fall for it. Avoid logical corners.
Bloggers love to bring out a weak point of view, backing it up with non-substantive arguments and comparisons. It immediately reminds me of a line from a movie: "Tell me, little one, what do you want: to have your head chopped off, or go to the dacha?"
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
There's a simple and old way of manipulating—bringing in a comparison. When your opponent runs out of arguments from the discussed subject, they introduce examples from other areas. It's like driving a car, then immediately switching to a bicycle—do you feel the difference? Or, like playing the guitar, then being handed a harmonica.
A favorable comparison is like wine, it needs to mature. The opponent changes the subject in search of persuasiveness like a chess player makes a castle move.
It's not scary to use such a technique yourself, but it's important to watch out not to fall for it. Avoid logical corners.
Bloggers love to bring out a weak point of view, backing it up with non-substantive arguments and comparisons. It immediately reminds me of a line from a movie: "Tell me, little one, what do you want: to have your head chopped off, or go to the dacha?"
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
Art brush #ai
The drawback of the Illustrator’s brush is that the brush is applied to itself at intersections.
This can be fixed by cutting the segments of the brush where possible.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
The drawback of the Illustrator’s brush is that the brush is applied to itself at intersections.
This can be fixed by cutting the segments of the brush where possible.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
IMAGE 2024-05-01 10:40:20.jpg
36 KB
Selection by path #ai
In Illustrator, sometimes the text bounding box is so large that when selecting other objects, it gets caught even if the font itself is not within the selection area. Or when small text is underneath large text, then it becomes difficult to select the small one separately.
In short, check the box for "Type Object selection by Path Only", and the text will be selected only by its baseline. You're welcome.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
In Illustrator, sometimes the text bounding box is so large that when selecting other objects, it gets caught even if the font itself is not within the selection area. Or when small text is underneath large text, then it becomes difficult to select the small one separately.
In short, check the box for "Type Object selection by Path Only", and the text will be selected only by its baseline. You're welcome.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
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It's strange, but many guys don't use masks for raster images in Illustrator at all. For example, it's easy to recolor a black-and-white picture with it.
Take a colored shape the size of the raster image, make it a "Make Mask" in the Transparency palette. Click on the black square and paste the raster from the clipboard. Don't forget to check the "Invert mask" box.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
Take a colored shape the size of the raster image, make it a "Make Mask" in the Transparency palette. Click on the black square and paste the raster from the clipboard. Don't forget to check the "Invert mask" box.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
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VIEW IN TELEGRAM
Assigning Pantones automatically
If you have CMYK or RGB colors, Illustrator can approximate a Pantone color.
1. First, open the Pantone palette via "Load swatches."
2. Select the object with the original colors, go to "Recolor artwork."
3. Be sure to change "New swatch" to "Exact" mode.
4. To the right of the sliders, select the "Pantone Solid coated" palette. Done.
It's better to have a fan in hand, but it depends on each person.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
If you have CMYK or RGB colors, Illustrator can approximate a Pantone color.
1. First, open the Pantone palette via "Load swatches."
2. Select the object with the original colors, go to "Recolor artwork."
3. Be sure to change "New swatch" to "Exact" mode.
4. To the right of the sliders, select the "Pantone Solid coated" palette. Done.
It's better to have a fan in hand, but it depends on each person.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
About the subtle and shameful
(sensitive individuals, do not read, this is work related)
Simple things at first glance turn out to be not so simple. Take, for example, a press wall. From the client's point of view, it is enough to place a pattern of the logo and slogan, and the wall is ready.
From the designer's point of view, it is necessary to place it in such a scale, proportions, and proximity that when people and cameras appear in front of the press wall, no one covers part of the word «Cocktail» with themselves. At the same time, to check that no "horns" or other indecent things are formed at head level due to the logo. Everything must be checked from different angles and distances, otherwise the conference will be filled with memes.
For many years I have trained myself to see cocks, vaginas, buttocks, breasts, vulgar words; I learned not to forget to check the carrier in reality (doors, intersections, angle of view) so as not to end up searching by the tag "fail". You can send me any work for a test drive, and I will find a uterus, nipple, or whatever you have in it. Colleagues laugh, saying that I only see cocks and vaginas, but in my works not dedicated to cocks and vaginas, you will not see any cocks or vaginas.
The client does not know about such nuances, and should not. It's a shame that many designers also don't know.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
(sensitive individuals, do not read, this is work related)
Simple things at first glance turn out to be not so simple. Take, for example, a press wall. From the client's point of view, it is enough to place a pattern of the logo and slogan, and the wall is ready.
From the designer's point of view, it is necessary to place it in such a scale, proportions, and proximity that when people and cameras appear in front of the press wall, no one covers part of the word «Cocktail» with themselves. At the same time, to check that no "horns" or other indecent things are formed at head level due to the logo. Everything must be checked from different angles and distances, otherwise the conference will be filled with memes.
For many years I have trained myself to see cocks, vaginas, buttocks, breasts, vulgar words; I learned not to forget to check the carrier in reality (doors, intersections, angle of view) so as not to end up searching by the tag "fail". You can send me any work for a test drive, and I will find a uterus, nipple, or whatever you have in it. Colleagues laugh, saying that I only see cocks and vaginas, but in my works not dedicated to cocks and vaginas, you will not see any cocks or vaginas.
The client does not know about such nuances, and should not. It's a shame that many designers also don't know.
——
KnowHowToDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@steblina
https://linktr.ee/steblina
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
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