Design Tools I Can’t Live Without

How the Design Workflow is Changing

Once upon a time, there was a method of design that involved plenty of time for brainstorming and upfront big picturing planning. Designers could meet with all interested parties, puzzle over design challenges, and play with problems until they’d found a (theoretical) solution.

But that approach to design workflow has been largely relegated to the history books—some would say, for the betterment of all. As the development world has embraced the Agile process with systems like scrums and big data analytics, designers find themselves under increasing pressure to iterate quickly, rather than spending lots of time planning for project demands that are highly likely to change just a week or even a day after the plan is finally set. This sounds to many experienced designers like it’s anathema to the creative process, and it can be, if we try to adapt Agile development practices wholesale, without tweaking them to fit the design workflow or mentality.

Conversely, the many designers who do make Agile their own find it can actually be a boon for creativity, forcing them out of productivity-deadening perfectionism and keeping them on their toes as they try to meet changing constraints. How are these designers embracing the more dynamic Agile approach to workflow while still holding strong to the more static elements of the design process that keep them surefooted and on solid ground? Let’s take a look at a few key approaches from beginning to end.

Inspiration Now! 11 Ideas from Our Favorite Designers

We’ve all been there, staring at the screen: cursor blinking, artboard sadly stark white, pencil sharpened and nowhere to go. Looking around you want so badly for inspiration to jump off the screen and bite you. Sometimes, just sometimes it does – but more often than not, you have to go looking for it. Even our favorite designers, on those dark and desperate moments, have to dig deep and think out-of-the-box to seek inspiration everywhere – and today they’re here to share with us some places you might find it, too.

The Responsive Pricing System

Hi Go Media faithful! Bill here! I’m back to deliver another teaser article from my book, Drawn to Business. One of the most common questions I get from young designers who are either freelancing or starting a firm is “What should I charge for my design services?” So today we’ll cover The Responsive Pricing System, Go Media’s own system of pricing/billing. Here goes.

Top 100 Design & Inspiration Blogs: Go Media & Friends Favorites

An Eye for Design: Building An Affordable Luxury Brand

Kumar Arora is entrepreneur meets designer.

His mother, a student of all things art, and his father a scientist specializing in nano coatings for eyeglass lenses, Arora was surrounded by inspiration. Watching, observing, studying, a student of Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University and an Economics major at the Ohio State University, it seemed as if he was destined to create something big, something of his own one day.

“Rogue Eyewear has been a project well thought out over the years but is finally coming to fruition.”

How to Sell Design Services Like Products

A big hello to you all! I’m Lauren, Account Services Manager (a.k.a, ‘sales girl’) here at Go Media. I’m thrilled to be connected with such an amazing community and look forward to sharing my contributions.

Out of a desire for company growth and expansion, Go Media has recently shifted to a product-based system of selling design services. What does switching from being a custom service firm to a product oriented service firm look like?

Drawn to Business: Customer Retention Insights

Dishing on Design with Valerie Mayen of Yellowcake

Skidding across fresh, bright black and white tile, a very exuberant 6 month husky jumped up excitedly to greet me at the door of Yellowcake, recently renovated and expanded Gordon Square boutique. Owner and Cleveland designer Valerie Mayen was quick to follow. “Mango! Get down!”

“Sorry! She gets very excited!”

Inside Yellowcake lives colorful, custom mod women’s coats, dresses and skirts, and the beginnings of a mens line including crisp ties and jackets. All of her designs crafted right here in Cleveland, Ohio, Mayen has had her roots in the city since November of 2011.

Drawn to Business: Writing Winning Design Proposals

Drawn to Business: Writing Winning Design Proposals

34 Inspiring Typography Designs

A Collection of 34 Inspiring Typography Designs featuring some of our favorite designers and WMC Fest Alums. If you like what you see, why not follow us on Pinterest.

Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders part 7 of 7

Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders part 6 of 7

Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders part 5 of 7

Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders part 4 of 7

Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders part 3 of 7

Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders part 2 of 7

Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders part 1 of 7

5 Tips for Creating Successful Packaging Design.

Good Brief… Any good packaging project starts with a creative brief that is well written and clearly lays out the objectives of the project. This document should give the designer precise information about the brand’s values and the brand’s promises…

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Disciple Clothing interview

Weapons of Mass Creation Fest 3 – Ask A Pro

Design Business | Get Your Questions Answered!

The “Words” series by Jim LePage

Some introductory words As someone who’s far from being a believer, Jim’s series first caught my interest because of the beautifully crafted visuals. Did someone say textures? That said, I soon realized that Jim also publishes comments about the design…

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The strange and dark visual universe of Les Brûmes