This week’s design blog favorites

[Katrina Neufeld]

Typography Keyboard Layout: Download Now!

Smashing Editorial, Smashing Magazine | April 2, 2009

The main idea was to provide the web design community with a handy tool that would let designers enter characters that are usually unavailable on a keyboard easier and quicker. If you already tried to enter such words like naïve or résumé or used special symbols (trademark symbol ™) or pay attention to diacritics (en-dash, em-dash, hyphen etc.), you probably know what we mean... » read more

Pricing & Work: Are You a Commodity?

Mark Shead, Freelance Switch | April 1, 2009

Anonymous Corp was a small company that used several freelancers for writing and graphic design. When they decided to cut costs, each freelancer was asked if they could offer better pricing. Joe immediately offered to cut his cost in half. Karen pointed out that they were getting significant value for they money they paid her. She offered to help the client transition to a less skilled freelancer if they no longer required her level of expertise... » read more

Breaking The Design Cycle: Get Creative To Be Creative

Michael Shelton, Webdesigner Depot | April 1, 2009

Designers, we have a problem. It seems we have forgotten how to be creative. It is true, the very nature of what we do is based on creativity, however more often than not we tend to be swept away by the latest trends or “what’s hot” rather than seeking out fresh inspiration... » read more

10 Things They Don’t Teach You In Design School

Mirko Humbert, Design Reviver | March 13, 2009

I had a great time in design school, I was constantly learning and surrounded by lots of like minded people. However, after five years of freelancing as a graphic designer, I’ve learned many new things. The following list is the top ten things that I had to learn the hard way... » read more