Break free of print conventions with PDF publishing

A lot of our clients are moving to PDF-only publishing for at least some of their documents, if not all. But there's more to digital publishing than hitting the "save" button. PDF documents offer many opportunities for an enhanced user experience—and a few pitfalls—that you might not be aware of.

Print to web, Part 1

Print to web is a two-part series that outlines the basic concepts and skills print designers need to learn to transition into web design. Jump to Part 2 »

Print to web, Part 2

Print to web is a two-part series that outlines the basic concepts and skills print designers need to learn to transition into web design. Read Part 1 »

Thoughts on Interaction10

Here's what I love about the interaction design community: we care about the future. And not only that, but we're arrogant enough to think we can do something about it.

Pros and cons of freelancing

It used to be that having a job meant security and that freelancing or starting a business was the riskier choice. Given the last two years, though, you might be wondering if it isn't safer to be your own boss. After all, if you don't have an employer you can't be laid off, downsized, terminated, made redundant, or whatever cheerful euphemism the corporate world is calling it today.

Request for bid form

Need to get an estimate on offset printing but not sure what to ask for? I've created a downloadable PDF form with all the questions you need to answer to get an accurate estimate from your printer. Even better, I've put together an instruction sheet that explains terms of art, how to spec like a pro, and insider tips on how to save money.

How to start a peer advisory group

In 2006 I made a coffee date with a designer I met online. We were in the same situation: working by ourselves and feeling cut off from colleagues and peers. Little did I know that was the first step in creating a peer advisory group—one that's grown and flourished and sustained me through many ups and downs as a business owner.

The killer app of 1910

Great usability isn't just for software and websites. In the early 20th century, an Indiana furniture company designed a kitchen cabinet that employs the best practices of what today we term "usability"—the ease, elegance, and clarity with which products are designed for human use.

Business cards for the 21st century

Business cards are so 20th century, right? Surely, any self-respecting modern company would have ditched the paper rectangle by now in favor of ... well, what, exactly?

The fact is, even the most technology-savvy consultants still carry business cards.

Designers who wireframe: pros and cons

There are plenty of conflicts of interest inherent in running a small creative shop where everyone has to wear lots of hats (or where one person wears all the hats)—like the account manager ideally should not be responsible for quality control because there's too much conflict between the need to keep the job within budget and the need to take the time to do things right.