New Website & Blog !

A couple of months ago I launched my new website, complete with a blog.

All the blog posts previously published on here, are now published on my website.

Go check it out! ruthdandilly.co.uk

Design sites & inspiration

I was recently asked by someone for advice in order to push her career into a direction which was more design focussed. I think sometimes it's really difficult to give advice on design in general because it can be so broad and open.

Nowadays I don't even know what to call myself. I studied graphic design for many years, and always called myself a graphic designer. But it seems now that the industry has moved around a bit and I've started calling myself a digital designer. I primarily focus on digital with some design for print involved. I'm very cautious because I think the term 'graphic designer' is kind of becoming more broad and a little more dangerous. Design is becoming a bit more specific and I've seen the following terms used: graphic designer, digital designer, print designer, UX/UI designer, interface designer, web designer.

So, with that it mind it was hard to give advice on my friend who wants to "get more into design" because design is so broad nowadays. To give her a better idea of the type of design is prefers, I sent her a list of sites/blogs/portfolio sites that she can look at and go through to see if there's any type of design which particularly jumps out at her as something she wants to progress to. I decided to share some of these too.

Some are quite broad, some feature more photography or product design but I think to be an all round good designer, despite the fact that I work primarily in digital design creating ads and campaigns, not only do I need to keep up with the latest design trends but also advertising trends, UX/UI trends and even photography trends.

(In no particular order!)

SwissMiss 

www.swiss-miss.com

This site is about a swiss designer who blogs everything from design/architecture to product design. I like her style because she doesn't feel the need to write about absolutely everything. There's usually bits here which appear on other design sites/blogs I've noticed so I know whatever she's posting is up to date and current. Often to not, she posts really cool innovative products, which can be pretty cool. Also, she usually updates on Friday.

Behance 

www.behance.net

Here is a great collection of design of all sorts - you can set up a free portfolio too and like/follow other work. It's great for checking out the latest design trends from digital to print, UX/UI, interface and web designer. I've also noticed more and more design agencies are creating portfolios of their professional work and client work. Definitely check it out.

Dribbble 
www.dribbble.com

This is pretty much the same as Behance except I think you have to be invited to use this site. You can still browse and check the work of others for free but you first off have a basic account and you can pay and upgrade for obviously, a more premium account. There's a lot of great design work on here and I'd recommend it for when you need a little inspiration.

Likecool 

www.likecool.com

I love browsing through the pages on this site. Some things I'm personally really not interested in but there's always concept pieces, innovative products and some pretty cool videos. It's good for a bit of a more quirky need for design inspiration or even if you have a spare few minutes on your lunch break.

Design Taxi
www.designtaxi.com

I personally love this little site. It has everything from design/ photography/ art/ products/ campaigns and advertising. I use this site everyday to see cool trends and interesting articles because it's just so interesting. 

Awwwards

www.awwwards.com

A really great website which allows other websites to be recognised for various UX/UI features, the design, structure and layout. The websites are submitted so they range in content but really great to what other people are doing and how successful (or perhaps un-successful) various types of web design and functionality can be.

Siteinspire

www.siteinspire.com

As the name suggests, it's sites which are inspiring. It's for web design inspiration and you can submit your own sites or other peoples sites. I find this site particularly useful. Much like Awwards.com (above) the content of the sites submitted vary.

Creativebloq

www.creativebloq.com

Here's some really cool general design news, tips and inspiration. It's updated regularly meaning you'll always be up to date with what the industry is talking about (even if the site is a bit cheesy and buzz-feedy...(in my opinion))

Creative Review

www.creativereview.co.uk

My partner and I subscribed to these magazines, but you can also get general content online. This site sells itself as 'advertising, design & visual culture'. Definitely a one stop shop for all your design trends/ articles. I also enjoy that there's usually interviews with up and coming designers/ more well known designers. 

Codrops
www.tympanus.net.codrops

This site holds really cool digital/web design, UX/UI inspiration and is really good to keep up to date on web trends. It also has tutorials and other helpful info. Bookmark this, now.

There's obviously a hell of a lot more that I could mention, I haven't even really touched on adverting blogs which I get updates from but I think for me, these are some of the great sites to make sure you keep on trend. As for my friend, it's a good start to see what sort of design she wants to do and which type of design most excites her. I think in this current design age, you need to know how to do pretty much everything when it comes to design so it doesn't hurt to learn as much as you can and keep all doors open.

Enjoy the sites and links -

I'm published in a book! Typewriter Art: A Modern Anthology by Barrie Tullett, Laurence King Publishing

The title of this post pretty much says it all but I'm still over the moon that I'm featured in a book put together by my former University Lecturer, Barrie Tullett. 

Last year I received an email asking if I'd like to be in the book, and of course I felt extremely honoured to be asked. After a few problems with knowing if it could be featured or not, I received confirmation that it would in fact be published in the book in May 2014. 

Lo and behold, I bought the book from Laurence King Publishing and was over the moon when it arrived - just in time for the beautiful bank holiday!

So here we are, the book I'm featured in by Barrie Tullett...

(If you are interested in buying the book, buy it directly from Laurence King Publishing as then the lovely author receives royalties.)

Nice one. So chuffed!

Tues 22 April 2014 - The Metro - Barrie Tullett 'A Modern Anthology of Typewriter Art'

So on Tuesday, it was the first day back to work after a long bank holiday weekend. The tube and overground lines were playing up. As if getting up at 6:30am wasn't hard enough I had to take an alternative route into work.

However, I was soon smiling when I was reading the Metro on my phone and I saw a name that I recognised, my former university tutor, Barrie Tullett.

He was featured in the Metro because he's complied a book named 'A Modern Anthology of Typewriter Art' and I extremely honoured to say that I'm featured in this book which is going to be published by Laurence King Publishing which is released next month.

Read the article here: Barrie's Tullett's article in the Metro

First week in new job!!

Yes! This week has been pretty awesome and jam packed. I started my new job as a Junior Designer at Net Communities. I've already been working on huge household named brands - so exciting!

I've settled in well, with lots of lunches with colleges with pizza for lunch yesterday and beers for the team on Friday's.

I'm featured on their website which you can see here. You can also have a look at the type of work that I do.

First week down, many more to go! I'm so pleased to say I'm part of the team and working for such a great, people focused company in the heart of London.

Thank you for all those who have supported me in landing this position and encouraging me :)

Timbergram Postcard Prints!!

In April & May 2013, I was asked by the Creative Director at Timbergram to create some original designs for them. I produced two sets of designs for their new 2013 collection. 

Don't they look lovely?! :) 

You can see my previous post here about my work being featured at the Timbergram Stall in Earl's Court in May! 

200th Blog post!! & Interview with Design Juices

This post is special for two reasons, the first one being this is my official 200th Blog Post since starting my blog! 

And secondly, Design Juices have been kind enough to interview me about my work and design experiences.

I'm so excited to share this. I've had great comments and feedback about it so far. Below is some images of a snapshot but you can read the full interview here: Click this link to be directed to Design Juices.

Timbergram Work at Pulse, Earl's Court London

EXCITING STUFF!

I did some work for Timbergram a few weeks ago. Yesterday I went along to the Trade Exhibit to see the Timbergram stall and to see my work featured. The work was featured at Pulse in Earl's Court Exhibition Centre.

I did a Christian range of well known, beautiful bible passages but in a typographic, illustrative style. I also created some other typographic pieces in the style of a letter board at the opticians. You can see my full in the Timbergram catalogue which you can download here: Timbergram's Catalogue 2013 , My designs are featured on pages 58-61 . Apparently there's already been orders for the Christian Range. Check out the other designers too, there's some absolutely beautiful work.

Have a look at Timbergram's website here. You can also follow them on twitter and you can like them on Facebook.