Urban life: Graphic design is everywhere

Design is everywhere. But if you live in a crowded urban environment, you are absolutely surrounded by it. Much of it may go unnoticed. Just paying attention to the ubiquitous samples of graphic design — for example posters, banners, billboards, etc. — could fill every waking moment of your day. This explains why we ignore most of it — we've all got stuff to do! Still, we can learn a lot by paying attention to our urban environment. Professional designers tend to be better than most people at noticing "the design" around them, but we all can improve our "design quotient" by simply opening our eyes and our minds and peer into the urban background that may have been no more than visual noise before.

By slowing down a bit we will be able to see all of the graphic design that fills our daily lives. Living in Japan is a designer's dream in many ways; there is just so much to see. Some of the "best" graphic design in the world is right here in Japan, and so is some of the "worst." Much can be learned by examining both extremes and all the bits in between. We can even learn something during the morning commute. I usually spend a couple of hours everyday on trains, all of which are filled with an ever-changing tapestry of banners, signs, and ad posters. All most every day I notice something particularly good (or bad).            
   
Every time I step outside the door there is more graphic design to witness. I like to view the posters and billboards I encounter as if they were slides on a screen supporting a narrative. Now slides and posters/banners are different things, but we can — more or less — examine them using many of the same basic graphic design fundamentals. I outlined some of these principles on my website here. I also suggest Design for Non-Designers by Robin Williams; Elements of Graphic Design by Alexander White (which I have recommended many times before); or Exploring The Elements of Design by Mark Thomas. And I love Japanese Graphics Now! by Wiedermann and Kozak. This book will give you insights in to how Japanese think about graphics. The book includes a fantastic DVD featuring interviews with Japanese designers and 600 pages of colorful, high-quality real graphic examples from Japan. Excellent book.

"The Japanese style sensitivity is based, among other things, on a respect for balance... But Japanese design is not only about balance and proportion, or even minimalism, which is probably the strongest image people abroad have about Japanese design. Sometimes graphic design gets a little more chaotic..."                                                                                                               — From Japanese Graphics Now!

On the train to Kobe
Sunday we took the train to Kobe across the bay from our home in central Osaka to attend a charity walkathon. As you can see from the photo below, I joined attorney Jiri Mestecky (guitar/vocal) and Swiss musician Mereu Sebastiano (bass) for a set of blues on stage to entertain the crowd at the event. Performing music on stage is one of my favorite kinds of "presentation." The sound was actually great as we were lucky to have the American producer Aaron Walker from Music Japan TV volunteering his time as stage manager and sound engineer for the event. Anyway, below are some photos of signs I found noteworthy on the train ride in to Kobe.


Performing for a charity event in Kobe.


While walking in the rain near the Kobe Harbor I spotted this café sign (above). Simple pictographs with minimal text, two colors in harmony with the "green" atmosphere of the park. The design communicates a clear, noticeable message from a distance: this is a café where you can get something to drink and something to eat. No big deal. No big café brand. But it works. Signs, like posters or even slides, must (1) be noticed and (2) must be understood.

The banner ad (above) is advertising an event for used and vintage Rolex watches in Osaka. My wife, who received her formal design education from Chico State in California, pointed out this wonderfully cluttered poster to me on the train. She felt the narrow type face made the ad very hard to read (and don't get her started about the oblique treatment to this "Gothic" kanji). Every nook and cranny is filled with some kind of text, logo or map. Good poster design (or slide design) will have a clear hierarchy and one clear focal point. By featuring two watches of the same size rather than just one large image, the focal point is less clear. I'm sure you could think of many ways to improve the design. This is not a very attractive ad (though this is not the ugliest I've seen), and I do not think it was a very effective one. On the other hand, it is quite possible that the designer is just trying to entertain the passenger and give him something to read (so long as he is close enough to read it). In that sense it may "work." It is also possible that the designer was just following orders from the client to "Put in more info! Really sell it big!" Sadly, the banner reminds me of a lot of PowerPoint slides in Japan.


If you buy a new Softbank phone (and a two-year subscription) you get a free iPod. Talk. Rock. Simple. It's so simple in fact that it sticks out, it gets noticed, and it's understood. (Though there is still a bit of mystery in this design, which can be an attractive thing.)


On some of the JR lines they have replaced some of the paper banners with monitors featuring static slides (ads) that fade in and out. Recently I have been creating visuals similar to the slide on the right. Minimal text with a full-bleed photograph.

Links
• Noise and elimination of the nonessential (Presentation Zen)
• Font Myths: italic and bold styles
• Dot-font: Ten Tips for Top Type
• Typeface tips
• Japanese gothic typeface
• Mincho (Japanese "serif" fonts)

Comments

[Jacob McNulty]

Great post on design - thank you. You may want to check out the most recent issue of Fast Company where they profile companies and individual designers that are making an impact in the world of design: http://fastcompany.com/homepage/index.html

Jacob

[Muhammad Monirul Hassan]

Dear Sir,

I am confident that my qualifications, skills and past working experiences are relevant to
the requirements of the position and I can make significant contributions to the continued
success of your organization. My resume is attached for your review and I would appreciate
the opportunity to discuss with you personally how I can best serve your organization.

Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.After Getting your
Consideration Interview time I'll send you my DEMO of Flash Digital Presentation.

Yours sincerely,

Muhammad Monirul Hassan
Web Designer
Bangladesh Info Ltd.
Cell:880191918582

============================================
Resume
MUHAMMAD MONIRUL HASSAN
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contact Address ::
MUHAMMAD MONIRUL HASSAN
BCIC Housing Complex.
P 5/3, Flat-14,Mirpur Zoo road
Mirpur-1,Dhaka-1216.
Phone: +88-02-8050114, Cell : 880191918582
E-mail: dipu.hassan@gmail.com

Career Objective/ Future Plane ::
Intend to work in a challenging and competitive environment where strong sense of responsibilities and commitment requires, where dignity of work provides job satisfaction and the place of work provides potential for learning and growing.

Academic Qualifications ::

Bachelor of arts (B.A.):
Graduated from New Model Degree Collage ,Under National University , Dhaka in 1999 & obtained 2nd Division marks.

Higher Secondary Certificate (H.S.C.):
Passed H.S.C. examination from New Model Degree Collage, Under Dhaka Board in 1997 & obtained 2nd Division marks.

Secondary School Certificate (S.S.C.):
Passed S.S.C. examination from Muslim Modern School Under Dhaka Board in 1995 & obtained 2nd Division marks.

IT Proficiency ::

One-year diploma course completed on WEB DEVELOPER from W.W.W.I Institute, Dhanmondi, Dhaka.

Computer elementary : Good proficiency in office Management, especially in MS Word, MS Excel and MS Access,e-mail & Internet Browsing.
Operating System :Windows NT, Windows ME, Windows 2000 Professional & Server, Windows 98,MS-DOS, Linux (Red Hat, Suse).

Internet / Intranet : Strong knowledge about Browser configuration. Security Maintains by the web browser and Configure to the Internet / Intranet.

Web Application : HTML, DHTML, CSS, Front page 98 , 2000, Net Objects Fusion 3,4,Mx5, Macromedia Dream Weaver , Coffee Cup HTML Editor, Adobe Golive, Web Scripting Editor 2.0, etc.

Graphical Software :Adobe Photoshop 5.5,6 ,Illustrator8,9,10, Macromedia Fireworks MX, Macromedia Director MX, Adobe Stiller , MGI PhotoVista2.0,Ulead Photo Explorer, Net Studio , Microsoft Picture IT, etc.

Animation Software : Macromedia Flash 4,5,6 and MX ,Macromedia Director MX, Macromedia Animator Design, Gif Animator 3,4 , Ulead Cool 3D ,Swift 3D version 1.0 , Xara 3D , Flax 112 for Flash , Swish 1,2.0 for Flash , Wildform SWFX for Flash.

Programming Language : PHP For Backend Programing,Common Gateway Interface (CGI with Perl.5), Active Server Page (ASP with VB Script), JAVA Script ,etc.

Web Server’s : Personal Web Server (PWS), Windows NT Server, Internet Information Server(IIS), TCP/IP Configuration, Subnet Configuration , etc.
Developed Web Pages ::
www.ichri.org , www.corporatebazaar.com , www.deshimobile.com , www.mangowireless.com , www.banglabroadband.com , www.gkalbd.com , www.catseyebd.com, www.marssil.com, www.ctrdw.org, www.aiabd.com, www.smabd.com, www.B2I.biz, www.ahossain.com.bd .

STRENGTHS ::

• Self motivated
• Target oriented
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Competitive instincts

Weakness ::
Get impatient with other peoples incompetence’s especially when they can’t deliver on time.

Language ::
Bangla & English (Both written , Spoken , Lessening , and Reading ).

Current Position: Web Designer
Bangladesh Info Ltd.
Duration: 05 Aug 2006 To Till now.

Major Designation Task ::
Web site Design / Develop and Maintains all of Web Content, Customer Support.
Web Server Manitain, Dimain Hosting Maintain Etc.

Previous Position: Web Developer
Mango Communications Ltd (Wireless ISP)
Duration: 05 Jul 2004 To 01 Aug 2006 .

Major Designation Task ::
Web site Design / Develop and Maintains all of Web Contain, Customer Support.
Besides site survey for the wireless Internet setup & related Software installation. Configuration, Installation of PCMCIA card, Networking and trouble shooting, Installation of Internet related software and any others at client premises or over phone.

Previous position : Web Developer
Space-age Technologies (Web Development).
Duration : From 05 March 2002 to 05 June 2004.

Major Designation Task ::
Web site Design / Develop and Maintains all of Web Contain, With Maintains Domain Name and Hosting.Customer Support, Supervision & Training about browsing web site and Internet setup & related Software installation, Configuration and trouble shooting, Installation of Modem, Dial-up Networking and trouble shooting, Installation of Internet related software and any others.

Other Experience ::
1. Worked as Network Admin in a Buying company, Sentire Mode Apparels Ltd. From 1st jan1999 to oct2003.
2. Worked as Faculty Of Web Developer. in “InSyTech Computers.- From Jan 01 1999 to November 31 -2000.

Reference ::

Kazi Sharwar Habib
President
Pizza Express Japan.
Phone: 03-5775-3894
Fax : 03-5775-3895
E-mail : kazi@pizzaexpress.co.jp

Personal Information ::

Name : Muhammad Monirul Hassan
Father’s Name : Mohammad Abul Hossain
Address : BCIC Housing Complex.
P 5/3, Flat-14,Mirpur Zoo road
Mirpur-1,Dhaka-1216.
Date of Birth : November 07, 1980.
Marital Status : Single
Nationality : Bangladeshi by birth
Religion : Muslim

Interest/ Hobby ::
Arranging programs where managing & implementing program activities could be thoroughly enjoyed , Spend Times with Computer, Digital art, Web Designing, Reading, Traveling, Social Works, Building long term relationship with people.

Date : ……/………/……:: Signature ::

[Kulvinder Singh]

Required Print_Design_Templates/Print Designing/Photoshop Prepress Freelance Work

** PROFILE **

Working with USA printing companies (client satisfactory best work provides according their instructions). My unit provides you best work. We have highly experiences unit in pre-press & designing field. Our USA based company fully satisfied with our work. Please give a one-chance send a sample. We will show you best result beyond your expectations. My unit finished your work according to your instructions.
User Profile
Name/ Company : Andy Graphic Division
Country : India
City : Delhi
Website : http://www.prepress-design-templates.com/

Area of Expertise:

· Fine Jewellery Cutout (Earring, Pendants, Bracelets, Chains, Pins, Watches, Findings, Wedding Bands expectation your choose Backgound in Magazine or Newsletter, Poster, Leaflet or websites shown pictures)
· Logo Design (Logo Tracing files - (WMF files - finish in print to ready files)
· Graphic Design (Brouchure, Business Card, Post Card, Leaflet, Newsletter Design, Calender, Banner etc.)
· Prepress Work (Jewellery + Bike + Cycle + Model Fine Cutout, Colour Correction, Retouching Pictures)
· Magazine Layout Designing
· Book Work
· Template Design
· Language Translation work (All Indian Language)
· Pre-Press outsourcing
· Website Design
·
Average Pricing:
Profile:
My company is a home-based business that has been providing page layout and design services to customers for 9 years. My main focus has been catalogue design and advertisement designing but have been doing a variety of jobs like, designing invitation cards, Book Publishing work, Magazine layout designing, Newspapers Features pages layout designing. Advertisement work & Low raise layout create in final layout for press releasing. PhotoShop work (cut out, color collection, re-touching, editing in picture).Quark-Xpress, Adobe Illustrator, Coreldraw & Adobe Framemaker, abode Indesign work- editing in layout design and new create lay-out templates (Post Card, Business Card, Brouchers, Folders, CD’s Cover).
My office is excellently equipped and Windows operating systems, with a high-quality printer and flat bed scanner. I have high-speed internet and the ability to accept files by that method, CD and of course hard copy.
Skills
I have been working the field of Graphic Design and Pre-Press for over 10 Years and have been doing freelancer work throughout my career.
I can also provide supervisory assistance for jobs you might want to print in India and get them delivered any where in the world. My focus is always to give a clear message through my design and make it as simple as possible for the target audience to understand.
I am experienced at accepting files in all types of formats and converting them to the format required for the project, I am doing. I have extensive Knowledge of QuarkXpress, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, Microsoft Office. I have great professional skills and work in a friendly and professional manner with both my customer and with the people.
Presently Handle Work : USA Client: Logo Design + (Photoshop (retouching , Cutout Colour Correction)) Client Side : Templete + Word Document file convert to Quark Xpress & Adobe Indesign complete Book Layout Design.

Best Regards

Andy Graphic Division
Kulvinder Singh
Tel. : 91-011-25176108
9899655616 (India)
www.prepress-design-templates.com

[...]

interesting post, and what kind of idiots post a resume on a blog comment?

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