tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58231020345623960872012-02-03T21:39:02.858-08:00maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.comBlogger311100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-3331938477496510092012-01-30T03:12:00.000-08:002012-01-30T03:16:25.896-08:00

                                     ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-36865793953672074832012-01-28T22:47:00.001-08:002012-01-28T22:47:35.815-08:00

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-76393209221001282812012-01-26T20:08:00.000-08:002012-01-28T13:01:06.911-08:00

A new year and more creativity in the works! Most people's first reaction when they hear the words 'art' or 'creativity' is to say "I'm not artistic. I can't draw. I'm not creative." My response to that is baloney, I laugh in the face of the naysayers! I used to say exactly the same thing, and believed it for years. Now I AM an artist. Everyone of us is creative, and at some point in our

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-44151247531727419092011-11-29T16:32:00.000-08:002011-11-29T16:32:43.717-08:00

This year I started teaching graphic design at the private school here at Shawnigan Lake (Shawnigan Lake School). I'm teaching two classes ~ Juniors and Seniors in the Fine Arts after school program. It's been a steep learning curve but challenging and fun. To help keep the kids in the loop I created a blog where I post their project assignments and some of their finished work. slsmadgrfx I have

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-53645579645097000822011-11-02T18:34:00.000-07:002012-01-15T19:25:24.643-08:00

What is creativity?  Dictionary.com defines it like this: cre·a·tiv·i·ty  [kree-ey-tiv-i-tee, kree-uh-]   noun 1. the state or quality of being creative. 2. the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns,relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful newideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination. 3. the process by which 

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-25255633099214354302011-07-14T01:19:00.000-07:002011-07-14T02:11:40.851-07:00

Use a single font that is classic and strong. If you want a second font use one that is a contrasting, clean script or serif font. Don't use clip art you've found on the internet. Have your designer create original artwork that suits your needs, is unique, editable and supplied in the correct format(s)

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-46431033666203250192011-07-13T22:16:00.000-07:002011-07-14T02:22:06.596-07:00

Your logo acts as your silent salesperson. It's your representative and you want people to notice, recognize, remember and take action when they see your logo. These days, though, there is SO much information all around us. It's a noisy world - logos and design are everywhere and that makes it seem like it's easy to design and create a snazzy looking logo. There are lots of companies that offer

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-77762600993132488472010-10-04T16:06:00.000-07:002010-10-04T16:06:55.203-07:00

put only one return (not two) at the end of each paragraph use tabs, not spaces for tabbed copy/tables single space text leave all text formatting up to the designer don't put two spaces after punctuation Don't use all caps anywhere don't use fancy fonts send hi resolution images - 300dpi or higher or, if your image is at 72 dpi, make sure the dimensions are large send image/graphics files as

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-77768963037430715562010-09-24T21:48:00.000-07:002010-10-04T17:01:07.023-07:00

To recap... the elements of design are: line, shape, value, colour, size, pattern and movement. I already covered the first three in part 1. So this post will cover the last four (colour, size, pattern and movement) COLOUR has a number of properties as well as psychological aspects.Properties: Hue ~ the name of the colour (red, yellow, blue...)  Value ~ the lightness or darkness of the hue 

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-86392924912868873502010-09-24T19:37:00.000-07:002010-09-24T19:37:19.030-07:00

A lot of people ask me what I do. When I tell them I'm a graphic designer they stare at me with a blank face, say "huh?" and then ask "but what does that mean?"  I've tried explaining it to them in words they'll understand but the explanation becomes long-winded and filled with hand gestures and they still don't really know what I mean.  So, I decided to look it up and create a 15 second "

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-3020206834287454412010-09-10T15:51:00.000-07:002010-09-10T15:58:27.503-07:00

My logo and 411 on the car. Walking the talk about graphic design being my silent sales person. Look for me, my car and my logo around the Cowichan Valley and South Vancouver Island - honk if you see me! Printed and installed by Derek Paton at Signology.

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-8822407239815534172010-08-27T14:34:00.000-07:002010-08-27T17:05:47.005-07:00

I've been commissioned to create new (but old - vintage looking) car gauge faces for a neighbour who's fixing up his old Ford truck. I believe it's a 1936 or 37 truck. Beautiful machine and he's doing some amazing work on it. But he hasn't been able to find new gauge faceplates that look like the original ones. So I've recreated them for him and will have them printed as decals which he can place

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-72067174936880157132010-08-23T15:07:00.000-07:002010-08-23T15:07:39.383-07:00

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-53888567110471358522010-08-21T18:34:00.000-07:002010-08-21T18:34:45.711-07:00

This started out as a 50lb piece. I mainly used handtools but once in awhile I got brave and used a dremel (what I'm doing here). My tool of choice (and the first one I ever used) is the small black-handled paring knife I got from Walmart for a buck. You can see it on the table just in front of me. still lots of work to do....mainly

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-8516006602091091182010-08-20T23:54:00.000-07:002010-08-21T00:07:55.530-07:00

As a kid I spent hours rifling through my mothers dresser drawers. Like a magpie I examined (and coveted) the shiny bits in each drawer. Imagining myself to be the richest, most beautiful girl in the world I tried on each piece of jewelry thinking it had to be worth millions. It wasn't until many years later that I learned the diamonds were just paste and the gold was just tarnished silver plate.

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-83654032578518958992010-08-20T17:25:00.000-07:002010-08-20T17:25:09.338-07:00

I've just signed up for the Sketchbook project! Very excited. Now I (im)patiently wait for my red Moleskin book to arrive. I've chosen the theme "down your street" and I already have several images in my head. check it out:http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-27356986424220282262010-07-16T14:19:00.000-07:002010-07-16T14:19:11.194-07:00

Graphic design is your "silent salesperson"... Graphic Design helps reinforce your visual message to your current and potential clients and/or customers. It acts as your "silent salesperson" and helps keep your business, whether on-line or a physical building, at the top of people's minds - top-of-mind awareness. It takes 7-9 impressions before a client/customer will act on the message they are

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-71140025381844004862010-03-17T10:24:00.000-07:002010-08-21T00:07:25.955-07:00

Continuing development of computers and computer software has now made it possible for anyone to do document layout.  If you are not a graphic specialist/graphic designer but are required to “desktop” documents, there are some basics to keep in mind. Design documents to be reader-friendly. Look at the software you’re using as a tool to help you accomplish this.  Too many people see desktop

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-62287683571058316232010-03-17T09:39:00.000-07:002010-03-17T09:39:11.327-07:00

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-46405682426104827742009-07-17T12:08:00.000-07:002009-07-17T12:10:24.122-07:00

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-52173810958863952009-06-18T02:37:00.001-07:002009-06-22T15:55:47.711-07:00

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-65011384921172041252009-06-10T10:54:00.000-07:002009-06-10T11:21:00.545-07:00

Lately I've been spending a fair bit of my free time working on upgrading my Photoshop and Dreamweaver knowledge and I've learned a lot. I've been using Photoshop for years but have found so many more things I can do with it. As a result I've updated my logo, created a funky t-shirt design and I'm redesigning/recreating my website. this was my old logoThis is my new logoOne of my new favs in

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-25302821527765043162009-06-04T18:35:00.000-07:002009-06-04T18:40:37.763-07:00

Ben Terret, a Graphic Designer in London, gives a speech to lay out his case for how he thinks designers, and the design industry, can help with the challenges facing us."Let's be honest, all the Green/Sustainability stuff can get a bit heavy, can't it?"to read the speech/article click here

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-83156458903379978232009-06-04T18:08:00.000-07:002009-06-04T18:29:26.460-07:00

Leaching it of any meaningThe following is an adaptation of a speech given yesterday at The Applied Green conference by Michael Johnson (of the London-based design company johnson banks). What can design do? How can branding help (or hinder) climate change?to read more click here

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-86203276084451008692009-05-14T14:52:00.000-07:002009-05-14T14:56:18.487-07:00

LETTER FROM LONDON (CBC story) Fit to print Will the Espresso book machine revolutionize the publishing industry? Ever since William Caxton brought a printing press to Westminster in 1476, London has been a paradise for bibliophiles. But today, if you walk up Charing Cross Road, long famed for its bookshops, you'll see a discouraging picture. A sign plastered on one empty shop window

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-61853553131109758112009-05-06T13:34:00.001-07:002009-05-06T15:43:11.454-07:00

Elements and principles of design - part 1 Elements and principles are the tools you use to build your composition. Successfully combining the two will result in unity and good design. Elements of design: Line ~ Leonardo DaVinci believed that "...the organic complexity of living nature, right down to its minutest nuances of mobile form, is founded upon the inexhaustibly rich interplay of

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-87836941012979182282009-04-11T19:10:00.000-07:002009-05-05T15:14:19.944-07:00

why music?Subject: Why Music?

 This is a powerful piece of writing! From time to time, we wonder about the purpose of the arts in general and music in particular. 

Welcome Address To Freshmen At Boston Conservatory 

Karl Paulnack, Director of Music at Boston Conservatory.

"One of my parents' deepest fears, I suspect, is that society would not properly value me as a musician, that I wouldn't

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-10026281705431362732008-09-03T18:45:00.000-07:002008-09-03T18:46:22.290-07:00

Don't do spec work or ask a graphic designer to do spec work. Here's a great article about why:http://www.davidairey.com/spec-work-in-graphic-design/

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-36112758213238711102008-09-03T18:15:00.000-07:002008-09-03T18:18:22.450-07:00

We learn:1.0% through taste1.5% through touch3.5% through smell11% through hearing83% through sightPeople generally remember:10% of what they read20% of what they hear30% of what they see50% of what they see & hear70% of what they say as they talk90% of what they say as they do a thing!

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-42645712960483770082008-08-13T20:43:00.000-07:002008-08-15T22:45:26.359-07:00

http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa165/maggie_stg_pix/ITC%20portfolio/?albumview=grid

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823102034562396087.post-63491791217290903592008-08-09T01:40:00.000-07:002008-08-09T01:46:01.191-07:00

I also have another website/business which I share with my partner Laura. We are called Two Sisters Artisan Studio and we make beaded jewelry, carve soapstone, create with clay; I paint and Laura is a photographer.Please take a look: www.two-sisters.ca

maggiestghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02324647113382176632noreply@blogger.com0