Metagramme 3.0 Jan 2, 12, 8:04 a.m.

Happy New Year everyone! New year, new look, new site, tons of new work.

http://www.metagramme.com

The new site is a customization of Emil Olsson's Layers theme. There are one or two kinks to work out, but in general I think it's ready for prime time. :)

MacBook/iPad High res Dec 29, 11, 12:31 p.m.

Where do you guys get high-res images for skinning websites and iPad apps? I went to Apple's press photo pages and their EULA looks like it would prohibit use on, say, a portfolio website.

I looked at LiveSurface and their computer screens are outdated. No iPad images.

I need something I can use without restriction on my new website.

Version Tracking Aug 9, 11, 7:41 a.m.

I'm designing a digital (iPad) magazine for a client. I need to share copy files with the print design team. Both the in-house print and out-of-house digital teams use InDesign for page layout. The editors use InCopy for its live version tracking capabilities (i.e., every time you open an InDesign layout, if the editor has changed the copy it will automatically update). The problem with InCopy is that it tracks stylistic changes (Character/paragraph styles, line breaks, etc.) I can't use these InCopy files for the digital edition, because it would create confusion with CMYK > RGB color palettes, wrong text breaks, and cross-pollination with different text styles. The latter mainly stems from the fact that the digital magazine is simpler and more streamlined than its print counterpart.

So, to my question: Does anyone know of a platform we could use for writing copy, linking to InDesign files, and keeping track of version changes? Something simpler than InCopy, which almost seems to be too smart for its own good (in this case). Something that would track copy changes without recognizing styles. Would a Google Doc work? At this point I'm waiting for stories to reach completion before starting on the digital design, which is a major handicap. I'm finding it's pretty much impossible to meet the client's deadline to work this way. I suggested creating two separate InCopy files for each story, but the editorial team didn't like that suggestion.

Thoughts on this trend? May 16, 11, 3:35 p.m.

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1663…

I'm not sure what I think of this. These products look nice, but they remind me of the science fiction stories where humankind has recolonized the moon, but inside enormous domes that have simulated Earth-like ecosystems. In other words, it's essentially fake and blatantly nostalgic. Makes me a little sad.

STL Design Week Apr 12, 11, 3:30 p.m.

Anyone around here going to any of the events?

http://stldesignweek.com/

Ergonomic Chairs Apr 7, 11, 8:45 a.m.

Anyone have a recommendation? Don't want to spend more than $500 if I can help it. Preferably something that wouldn't look too out of place in an office with mostly vintage wooden furniture (a mix of mid-century and turn-of-century chairs, with mostly heavy, rough-hewn wooden tables). Need something with good lower back support.

Vision trouble Apr 2, 11, 9:57 a.m.

Has anyone here experienced vision trouble from working insanely long hours in front of the computer? I read about this and it seems like a fairly common problem. But I *kinda* need sharp eyes in this line of work. Left eye seems fine, but right eye is suddenly blurry and sometimes I have double vision.

I read about computer-specific glasses prescriptions (I'm nearsighted with a stigmatism). I'm also planning on getting a cinema display ASAP, which will be way better than squinting at my 15" MBP screen.

Just wondering if anyone has experienced this and recovered. Really hope I'm not getting glaucoma or something.

Need a packaging designer Mar 4, 11, 8:26 a.m.

Looking for a freelancer to collaborate with on a package design project. It's for a couple of small electronic music-related devices.

I've explored all of my local connections, and can't for the life of me seem to find someone with strong packaging work in their portfolio. Email me if interested, or if you have a colleague you'd like to recommend. Doesn't necessarily have to be St. Louis-based.

Need recommendations Feb 14, 11, 7:39 p.m.

A client has approached me to design a product, packaging, and other print materials. I need an industrial designer to collaborate with, preferably a freelancer or sole proprietor. I only know a few industrial designers, and I'm not sure if any of them would be right for the job.

Thanks!

Book Designers Jan 26, 11, 8:39 a.m.

Is there anyone here who designs books on a regular or semi-regular basis? I've been trying to break into that niche for a long time and my efforts haven't produced anything worth mentioning. Most of my work is brand identity, which I enjoy, but I also really love the long-term, immersive experience of book design (i.e., not just covers). Last year I sent numerous emails, sent personally tailored self-promo packages to a number of publishers, etc.

I'm interested to hear what methods of reaching out to publishers as potential clients are working for people. I realize publishing in general is suffering right now, but people are still buying well-crafted books, and I think that market will always exist.

Sometimes... Jan 7, 11, 3:54 p.m.

...I love being a designer. And other times, clients scuttle 130 hours of work because they left vital information out of the brief from the very beginning, which renders my work useless. In times like this, I begin to understand Jesse Jensen.

Micro-loans, venture capital, etc. Nov 24, 10, 7:54 a.m.

Are there any business owners here who have experience with this sort of thing? Would you recommend it for a small design firm?

So far, I've been running on my own steam (no borrowing). But I'm looking to hire a new business person, and need cash in hand rather than promises of future glory. I'm at a point where I have too much work to really find time to develop new business; but neither can I afford to give any of the work away. In other words, I have a job, rather than a business, and want to change that ASAP.

White Papers Oct 11, 10, 9:45 a.m.

I have a client who might be commissioning me to design a white paper in a few months. I know they are typically text-heavy, image-light documents that promote business or technology ideas, or both.

Has anyone here designed one before? Got any examples of well-designed pieces? This particular one will be almost exclusively text, but I'll have the opportunity to have fun with some line art diagrams. Specifically, I'm wondering if there's any precedent for producing such pieces in a perfect bound format with premium papers, or if that would just seem ridiculous.

I see these text-heavy journals in the news and culture magazine section at Borders sometimes. Occasionally I see one that has good production values and strong typography, even if the interior is printed 1c black.

Pardon my ignorance.

Name Aug 27, 10, 11:45 a.m.

Before digging into a redesign of my website and planning for a revamping of my business within the next year, I'm thinking about the name and whether it's worth keeping. What I don't know, and am not sure how to find out one way or another, is what kind of equity (if any) I have with the current name.

Metagramme vs. Studio Steel.

Discuss.

Surfrider digs a rail Aug 27, 10, 10:18 a.m.

Ugh.

http://www.underconsideration.co…

I haz: Aug 22, 10, 2:59 p.m.

Another boy. Jackson Bryan Steel was born August 18 at 7:11 am. Mom labored like a champ and is recovering well. Baby's doing great – eating, sleeping, and occasionally opening those blue eyes for some serious staring. Looks a lot like his big brother, but with blond hair.

To your great health, son.

Reversed logo version Aug 13, 10, 8:01 a.m.

Working on a brand guidelines book and am trying to determine if I need production-specific versions of the client's logo. Have any of you created special versions of logos for clients, that are made specifically for reversing out of dark backgrounds?

I came across a (very well done) style guide for Lloyd's of London, and they have a white-on-black version of their logotype which was subtly beefed up to account for ink gain.

I'm just wondering if it's really worth the effort, or if I should just tell people to instruct printers to trap and register carefully. Because depending on the printer's equipment, ink coverage, and attention to detail, even a reversed-specific logo would be produced with varying results.

Backing up files Aug 12, 10, 12:51 p.m.

So, all you other one-man (or woman) bands out there. How do you back up/store your files? I'm weary of DVDs. Do you just fill up an extra hard drive and store it away from your office? Or do you use a server?

I was looking at subscribing to Mozy, but then found out the monthly fees go up each month as you add more (you pay per gig). That could get hella expensive in a couple years.

I've got about 43 gigs of work on my computer right now, and 80% of it doesn't exist anywhere else. I know, I know...

Estimating retainer fee Jul 28, 10, 9:37 a.m.

Anyone have experience with figuring what to charge a client for ongoing design of a digital (iPad) magazine? I have no idea where/how to start. Never done one before. I know how complex it needs to be, but have no idea how much time it will take to create.

Friday Jokes Jul 23, 10, 11:18 a.m.

I'll start.
—

frankpa, our very own Chinese entrepreneur, goes to get an eye exam. After the exam, the doctor says "frankpa, I'm sorry to say this, but it seems you have cataracts." Frankpa says, "What?! I no have Cadirac. I have Rincoln TownCar."