2010 April Archive - Paper Leaf Design | Edmonton Graphic Design, Edmonton Web Design

Archive for April, 2010

3 Steps To Improving Client-Designer Relationships

April 19, 2010

Simple but true: the best designs are born from the best client-designer relationships. They aren’t born from relationships where the designer calls all the shots; the best designs aren’t born from when the client tries to play designer. No, the best designs are born from a client-designer relationship that follows these three steps: clear role definition, honest & open communication, and trust.

If you’re a freelance designer, chances are you end up playing creative director with a lot of your clients – project manager with some too, I bet. I know this is the case for Paper Leaf. With that in mind, to adhere to the above-mentioned three steps, you might have to be the one that gets the ball rolling; the one that starts the discussion about roles; the one that practices open & honest communication; the one that embraces the idea of trust. If you are a designer who works with a creative director or a project manager, hopefully they understand the importance of these three steps. If not, you may have to tread carefully and, again, be the one who gets the ball rolling.

All this said, why do these three steps matter? Let me explain.

3 steps to improve client designer relationships Read the whole article >

Paper Leaf Design in Parlour Magazine

April 14, 2010

We’re going to take a quick break today from our regularly scheduled, design-informing programming to jump on the Self-Involved Train and talk about ourselves for a minute. Why? Because this month Paper Leaf Design is featured in Parlour Magazine. This Edmonton-produced design, lifestyle and fashion magazine is available in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver, and is noted for its great design, photography, and content.

We’re honored to have been mentioned (and so kindly!) in their favorites section – judging by the quality of the other talent featured in the section, it’s no small feat. So thanks to Parlour for mentioning us, and if you see Parlour in your city, pick it up! It’s free and the content is awesome – for example, this issue features articles on the Bouncing Souls and Metric, as well as highlights of up & coming fashion for the season. If you’re not in Edmonton, Vancouver or Calgary, read the new issue online here. Also, much thanks to Leah Rae Photography – she took the photo of us that appears in the ‘zine (and on our About Us page).

Here’s some shots of the inside of the magazine (we’re the big photo, where Andy is threatening me with physical harm).

Paper Leaf Design in Parlour Magazine

Alright, enough about us. Back to dropping design science in our next post!

5 Photoshop & CSS Tricks for Killer Web Designs

April 12, 2010

Nowadays, the combo of Photoshop and CSS3 makes up a huge toolbox for web designers; it allows us to achieve website designs that weren’t possible back in the early days of the internet. We can add depth to our design; we can simulate paper or other textures; we can using lighting or 3D effects and more. These elements, when used properly and subtly, can add up to the difference between a so-so web design and a great web design. With that in mind, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite and most-used Photoshop and CSS tricks when it comes to web design.

1. Gradients

Gradients can add subtle depth and lighting effects to your web design. If you’re stuck on a flat design, all you might need to add is the most subtle of gradients. That being said, please don’t use any super harsh gradients; in my opinion, the best gradients use tints or shades of the same color (ie. no pink to yellow gradients, please). Of course, each design is unique. Gradients can be achieved two ways: in Photoshop and CSS3.

Photoshop Gradients

Photoshop’s gradient tool allows you complete control over your gradient – it’s easy to use and can make your designs really shine.

To use Photoshop’s gradient tool, simply do the following:

1. Click the icon shown in the bottom left corner of the above image.

2. Select subtle colors in your color swatches (bottom right corner) – these will make up your gradient.

3. At the top of the page, choose either linear or radial for your gradient, set the mode to Normal, and adjust the opacity to your liking.

4. Click and drag the gradient tool on the layer you wish, in the direction you want the gradient to move.

That’s it! Looking at the above image, it’s important to note that subtle colors are used (bottom right). Some examples of gradients being used in web design can be seen here & here.

CSS3 Gradients

CSS3 gradients are really cool – the more you can do in-browser, the better – but keep in mind that not everyone uses a CSS3-compatible browser, so not everyone will be able to see your gradients if you only use CSS3. That aside, here is a handy CSS3 gradient generator (scroll down the page bit). It allows you to use hex codes and generates the proper CSS code for you. Booya!

Hit the jump for the whole article!

Read the whole article >

Found Friday Vol 7

April 9, 2010

Welcome back! It’s been a nice week here at Paper Leaf; busy but not overwhelming, and there has been quite a number of unique and awesome finds in the design/arts community. This week’s Found Friday highlights the story behind the iPad wallpaper photograph, 2 different but awesome poster stores, a great site that allows you to see what a website looks like on the iPad, and a great article from Jacob Cass over at Just Creative Design explaining the differences between branding, logo & identity design. Read on & enjoy!

The Story of the iPad’s Wallpaper Photograph

Apple’s products are always designed beautifully, from the industrial design right down to the default desktop wallpaper. Here is the story of the man who took the photo that graced the iPad on its launch – pretty interesting stuff, and a great shot.

The Poster Cause Project

From their website: “The Poster Cause Project is an online effort to sell and promote artwork by underground artists in a very limited form all while donating 50 – 100% of all profits to charities and organizations in need. Each month we release very limited prints by a different artists with 50 – 100% of profits going to a specific charity or organization chosen by us or the artist.” Cool concept, cooler artwork, and prices are relatively low, for those of us with cash-strapped budgets. Thanks to Kevin over at www.norushonthat.com for the heads up.