David Airey

Author: David Airey

  • Patterns in design

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    David Airey
    in

    When I find it more of a challenge than usual to come up with ideas, it helps to return to design in its most natural form. A basic human skill is the ability to interpret patterns. We use them to gauge the past, present, and future in all kinds of things: the layers of earth…

  • Symbol, by Angus Hyland & Steven Bateman

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    David Airey
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    Symbol is a new book by Angus Hyland and Steven Bateman, published by Laurence King. I was curious to see what difference there’d be between this and Michael Evamy’s Logo from the same publisher. Symbol shows “1,300 symbols organized into groups and sub-groups according to their visual characteristics.” And Logo contains “1,300+ logos in 75…

  • Too many ideas

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    David Airey
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    One of my first projects in self-employment was to create a logo for a South African web hosting company called Circle. In my eagerness to please, and when my initial ideas weren’t accepted, I suggested that I publish a blog post showing all my sketches, inviting readers to share their thoughts. I was at a…

  • If design was an iceberg

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    David Airey
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    Multi-million dollar investments in contest-listing websites will inevitably prompt a more aggressive marketing push, but as long as self-respecting designers continue to differentiate themselves this won’t affect client acquisition. I can understand the investor attraction to spec work websites. After all, the sites profit through nothing more than the sale of contest-listings. So as long…

  • “The Coca-Cola Conspiracy” and ethical design

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    David Airey
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    Where’s the line between a focus on your career and the societal impact of your work? Photo by Photon-Painter. I was watching a presentation by Robert Lustig about the damage caused by sugary foods, and after listening for a while it raised a few ethical questions I’m curious to know your thoughts on. Have a…

  • Letterheady

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    David Airey
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    Letterheady showcases the letterheads of famous people and corporations. Ray Charles Saul Bass Mad — during the reign of Al Feldstein Michael Cooper Muhammad Ali Andy Warhol Paul Rand Letterheady is a side-project from copywriter Shaun Usher. Via Imprint.

  • One month of online advertising earnings

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    David Airey
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    A number of people asked about my online ad earnings, so here they are for an average month in the hope that they’ll give guidance for your own ad income.

  • Don’t build websites using Flash

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    David Airey
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    15M+* iPads have been sold. If your website is built using Flash, that’s 15M+ potential customers you’re alienating. Read why Apple’s mobile devices don’t support the tool: Thoughts on Flash, by Steve Jobs. Additionally: Apple will sell 50 million iPads a Year, on Business Insider Top 10 Luxury Brands’ Sites Fail To Work On iPad,…

  • Designing Brand Identity

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    David Airey
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    Alina Wheeler’s Designing Brand Identity: an essential guide for the whole branding team is currently in its fourth edition. I don’t know why I haven’t picked it up sooner, given how closely the topic resembles Logo Design Love. I’ve been dipping in and out and thought I’d share a quick look inside (the third edition).…

  • Boycotting GoDaddy

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    David Airey
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    I don’t want to give my money to a man who glorifies elephant-hunting.