andrewhoffmandesign.com/blog

How do you become a better graphic and web designer? The answer is very simple…sketch more. The accessibility of computers and their image editing and vector software make it very tempting and cost effective to skip the thumbnail/sketching process and work directly on screen. This process allows the designer to get stuck in certain design habits, limits the designers’ visual awareness and causes a redundancy in work. Before every website, brochure, logo etc. I sketch. I work out the visual solution on paper before working on the computer. Architects don’t design a building without a plan, either should designers. Illustrator Nate Van Dyke said, “It pisses me off that people don’t draw anymore,” I can’t agree more.

Below is a recent example of some logos I designed. I was in somewhat of a creative block so opened my moleskin sketch book and came up with a few pretty good logo concepts.

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I love typography. Graphic design is visual communication, and the most effective form of visual communication is well executed typography. The better the type is executed, the better the composistion and overall communication of the work.I also enjoy the history of typography and fonts such as Helvetica (highlighted in the recent documentary “Helvetica”). I also have a certain distaste for some fonts, in particular: Comic Sans, Papyrus, and Brush Script. Don’t kid yourself, you know you used them in the past (I have)! These fonts have been overused and abused and should be avoided (unless you are using them purposefully like portraying vernacular design, or other extreme circumstances.)

A brief history of the fonts: 

Comic Sans - Is EVERYWHERE! I’m sure you seen it in business memos that are trying to make a boring subject “fun.” More recently, I cringed when I saw it used as the font in the dialog bubbles in the movie in “Sin City.” Comic Sans a casual script typeface designed by Vincent Connare and released in 1994 by Microsoft, as has became a standard font in all of Windows releases since Windows 95. It was created as casual, non-connecting script font, and was designed to imitate comic-book lettering. Comic San is one of the most commonly used fonts on the Windows platform. I suggest viewing bancomicsans.com

Papyrus - I live in Colorado, there is a very good chance that anything that has to do with the “outdoors” uses this font. I’m sure you also recognize this as the display font for “The Crocodile Hunter” television series or the font of choice on Arizona Tea. This was quite an original and unique font and a great choice as a display font when it was created way back in 1983 by Chris Costello, a well respected american graphic designer, illustrator, web designer. This font is used so commonly it is longer unique and has lost it’s charm. It also was never intended to be used as body copy! (I’m sure you seen it used as body copy in your local coffee shop’s menu!)

Brush Script - is commonly used to portray “elegance.” This font was not intended to be a elegant font, but rather a casual connecting script designed in 1942 by Robert E. Smith. Brush Script emulates the look of handwritten written letters with an ink brush. The typeface was introduced in 1942 and saw near immediate success with advertisers, retailers, and used commonly in posters of that era. The typeface has regained considerable popularity for its nostalgic association with the post WW2 era. Along with Dom Casual and Mistral, it is one of the best-known (and overused) casual script typefaces.

 WARNING: NEVER USE THESE FONT IN A LOGO DESIGN! -A 

I’m sure you have noticed the new website design…still in the process of getting some images up. Check back soon! Also, I will no longer using the blog for news & events, instead I will be posting articles related to graphic design and art, such as book reviews, tutorials and general tips. I will post all new work on the home page. -A 

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Life is a little crazy right now, after working a year as the lead creative designer at gopixel design studios, I decided to look for other career options and got hired on as the senior graphic design at Brand Iron, a marketing, design and PR firm located in the ballpark neighborhood in lower downtown Denver. I also just moved near city park in Denver and joined a new gallery called The fu collective + gallery in the art district in Denver.Gopixel was great and will be missed, but I really enjoy Brand Iron, it is a great company with fun projects and has a awesome work environment. As for the website, I am currently redesigning the whole thing, so you won’t see too many updates on the current site.  I also just finished a logo and poster for FLOBOTS, check it out below.

-A 

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 I am the March “Artist of the Month” at webceleb.com. Check it out.

 -A 

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I designed a poster for FLOBOTS a local Denver, hip-hop/indie band. They are a very talented band that infuse social commentary of today’s society into their music. Support Denver’s music scene and this amazing band, check out their website at flobots.com or their myspace page (where you can view the poster) at myspace.com/flobots Their music is also available on iTunes, click here

Hello.

I submitted Used Car Dealership” to The Art of Politics 2008 Poster Contest, a national traveling exhibit showcasing political posters from around the nation. You can view my entry by clicking here.

From www.yopeace.org

“With so much activism and art pouring out of Portland, Oregon it is only logical that a nationwide political art tour would come from this progressive city. Founded by Leslie Mestman and Summer Lewis, Art of Politics 2008 was started as a way for people to become more involved in the political issues of this year’s elections. At a time when people are often feeling apathetic and powerless, the Art of Politics is meant to bring some enthusiasm and energy back into the voting masses.

The show will be held online from now until April 30th 2008 and artists are encouraged to submit as many posters as they wish on any relevant political topic - be it national, international, social, economic, etc. for the “People’s Choice” juried exhibition. Online viewers will have a chance to vote for their favorites throughout the month of May, at which point the top three will be determined and a winner announced by a jury of artists and graphic designers. After the show is closed and the winners awarded $100 to give to the charity or organization of their choice, the top 30 posters will be shown around the country in a traveling exhibit. To view the complete entry rules, or learn about sponsoring the show, please visit artofpolitics2008.com“

Hello.I have an upcoming art opening “there is piranha in the pool again.” March 7th - 31st at the 8th Ave Gallery in the art district in downtown Denver.  The show is a group of selected work, which includes both digital and traditional media. The show will be able to be viewed March 8th, at andrewhoffmandesign.com/piranhaAndrew was also featured at gopixel.com for his recent art work. You can view the article by clicking here

Hello, I submitted three entries to CORE New Art Space WOW show, an annual juried call for entry art show. CORE is a galley located in the art district in Denver, CO. Two of my pieces were selected, over 500 works by various artists were submitted for the show. “Wall #1″ and “Used Car Dealership” were the pieces that were selected. The opening was Feb. 14 and the show goes until March 2. 

Hello. 

I’m starting a new monthly blog feature that discusses the history and backgrounds of famous designs. Every graphic designer should have a thorough understanding of design history, just like a painter should be well aquatinted with art history. Being a former competitive college distance runner, and it being olympic year, I thought it would be appropriate to start this segment off with a brief history of the olympic ring emblem.

The olympic emblem was created in 1913 during the rise of Modernism, and adopted by the International Olympic Committee in 1914. The logo was designed not by a designer at all but rather the founder of the modern olympic games, Pierre de Coubertin. The logo is composed of five interlocking, multi-colored (blue, yellow, black, green, and red) rings and is typically placed on a white background. The multicolored rings represent the five continents, working together to become one. The logo emulates the olympic idea of countries putting aside there differences to celebrate peace and the athletic spirit. The logo was debuted at the VII Olympiad in Antwerp, Belgium in 1920 and is still an international icon and one of the most recognized logos today.