So, below are my choices of spring color palettes (which you’ll see all include a shade of green):

What are some of your go to colors? And how do you make sure that they aren’t dominant in all of your color palettes?

In my next blog I’ll explore how to get out of a design rut.

Below are the steps that I use when prepping files for print:

1. Run spell check.
2. Proofread.
3. Have someone else proofread. I suggest having someone who hasn’t been working on the project do this. Fresh eyes can usually catch things that you overlooked or thought were obvious.
4. Create a 1/8″ bleed on all objects extending off the page. It’s an industry standard and helps guarantee that you won’t have plain paper showing at the edge of your print piece.
5. Convert all images and colors to CMYK, grayscale or spot colors depending on the specs of the job.
6. Color correct all images and save in the correct print format. TIFF and PSD formats are best for high resolution photos. EPS format is best for all vector images.
7. Check the resolution of all images. Print resolution is 300 DPI for photos. I realize it’s not always possible to have high resolution photos when you depend on others to submit them, but 300 DPI is the goal. You can still use lower resolutions for printing, they just won’t appear as crisp.
8. Make a mock-up for the printer. This is especially important for complicated pieces. It helps give them a visual for what they’re working on.
9. Collect for print. Most layout programs have a setting for this. What it does is collect your main document and any fonts and images used in the document and puts them in an organized folder.
10. Zip the files and upload to the printer’s FTP site.

Those are my steps for prepping files for print. Are there any other steps that you’d add?

1. What makes a good designer?
N: Creative, willing to try something new – take it to the next level. Doesn’t take themselves too seriously.
C: A passion for problem solving. You have to love the challenge of creating the perfect look or feel for every project.
B: Being a thoughtful, creative problem solver who has a lot of ambition and a competitive spirit.

2. When did you know you wanted to be a designer?
N: I liked art but did not have the focus to be a fine artist. I needed a reason to design and a deadline to finish a job.
C: I don’t remember a time when I didn’t have a fascination with color schemes and art projects. Plus, I failed Chem class in high school so that ruled out a lot of options.
B: In college, I wanted to be an illustrator up until then.

3. Where do you look for inspiration?
N: Other designer’s work, colleagues, nature.
C: Everywhere. I start with design magazines and Web sites but usually end up finding inspiration in nature, in a great piece of fabric, or even at the farmer’s market.
B: I’ve got a list of Web sites that I frequent, but I also really love going back to old design annuals or history of advertising books. Also, the real world and nature.

4. What is your favorite thing about being a designer?
N: There’s a lot of different things to do every day – it never gets boring.
C: The fact that you can have multiple people working on the same project and get completely different looks.
B: My favorite thing is when I’m handed a pile of very very complicated information and have to organize it and style it so that it is at once beautiful to look at and easy to understand.

5. What is your least favorite thing about being a designer?
N: Deadlines that are too short and jobs that never get finished.
C: People think that I play with colors all day. I do, but there’s a deeper thought process than “that one looks pretty!”
B: Any kind of paper work or reporting.

6. What makes an ideal client?
N: Someone who respects your talent and lets you create, giving guidance but not designing for you.
C: Someone who is open to other’s opinions and is not afraid to be honest.
B: Someone who is passionate about what they’re doing usually helps get me excited about it. Also, when they appreciate good design or at least are trusting enough to follow my judgement.

7. Would you rather critique or be critiqued?
N: Neither, but since I don’t take criticism well, I guess I’d rather critique. It gets easier as I get older.
C: Be critiqued. It always makes my work better when someone who hasn’t been staring at my project 24-7 comes in and gives me a new way to view it.
B: I would much rather be critiqued. It’s the only way to get better. I hate critiquing because I’m usually not very good at softening my comments.

8. What are the top 3 design related sites that you recommend?
N: LogoLounge.com • Shutterstock.com • gdusa.com
C: LogoPond.com • WebDesignerDepot.com • HowDesign.com
B: SmashingMagazine.com • Behance.net • PrintMag.com

9. Describe your ideal work environment.
N: O’Neill Communications. Actually, one that allows enough time to do a good job and allows for innovation but keeps me busy.  I like to work with people who have a sense of humor.
C: I’m a night owl, so working late at night in my home office with some loud music would be ideal.
B: I work the absolute best in my home studio with long stretches of isolation and no interruptions followed by a flurry of meetings and one-on-one’s.

10. What is your favorite color and why?
N: Blue – It just gives me a lift – it reminds me of summer and blue sky.
C: Green – in almost every shade (Not a fan of pastels). I can’t explain it, but I’m drawn to this color.
B: Probably PMS295.  It’s dark, rich and bold and can be quiet and classy or loud and exciting.

Have any more questions for us? Please ask!