Forum discussions – January 2007

Graphic design topics from the Talkboard forums. All these topics were started by members in January 2007. As ever, some topics have more longevity than others. However, these have been selected for their potential usefulness over a longer period of time. Please feel free to join in these discussions, or start a topic of your own.

• What do graphic designers want? – cool gifts to entice designer entries for a new competition.
• Is freelance the best way? – going freelance or taking a job to pick up on other designers methods of work and planning?
• Freelance design rates in Los Angeles – how do hourly rates differ from an 8-hour day rate for onsite work?
• Smooth gradients in InDesign – is it possible to create smooth gradients in Indesign or is it best to avoid them altogether?
• Looking for a logo design – looking for some advice on designing a logo.
• Charging a client for bidding on a project – should a designer do pitch work for free?
• Sharing an InDesign dictionary – is it possible to make a dictionary that is on a server that all the users on a network can access?
• Selling artwork online – planning to launch own website and sell designs online.
• Converting bitmap images to vector – is it possible to transfer a jpg image into vector image?
• How many concepts to show clients – a designer wonders how many concepts to produce for their clients?
• QuarkXPress training books – recommendations sought for books on learning QuarkXpress 7.
• Resizing shapes in Illustrator – a designer finds a solution.
• Content management systems – are CMS tools of any use to web designers?
• Software for becoming a graphic designer – recommended software programs for new designers.
• Adobe Illustrator palettes disappearing – more reports of palettes and panels disappearing in Adobe Illustrator.
• Convert Photoshop RGB to CMYK for InDesign – web designer asks for help with RGB and CMYK conversion process in Photoshop and InDesign.
• What is design? – This old chestnut raises its head again. The answer is not as easy as it sounds.
• What is desktop publishing? – a somewhat old and quaint term is discussed here.
• Concept based design course – is this university course too conceptual?
• Flag design – how to charge for flag emblem design?
• DVD cover design – ideas for designing an audio-visual DVD.
• Changing roles for designers – how will the iPhone change how creatives work? Especially interactive designers?
• Graphic Design Internships – how do students and graduates find them?
• Finding New Business – where do design freelancers find clients from?
• Starting Out In A Creative Career – how to find an enjoyable design role?
• Acrobat PDF With Pantones – how to export a PDF file with two spot color inks, not CMYK.
• Building a graphic design portfolio – the first step to starting a career in graphic design.
• Spot color PDF from Quark – exporting a 2 color PDF file with Pantones from QuarkXpress.
• Are Macs or PCs more popular with designers? – are Macs still considered to be the computer of choice for most designers?
• Working as a graphic designer in the USA – designer moving to the States wonders whether there are many differences.
• Laptop for a designer – what to consider when buying a portable.
• Graphic design lingo – jargon busting for the design industry.
• Design exhibitions – showcasing design work in an exhibition.
• Placeholder text in QuarkXpress – how to apply dummy text, or lorem ipsum to a Quark layout.
• Charging for travel expenses – how much and what should a potential client pay for?
• Serif Vs sans serif fonts – can these be used in the same page layout?
• Problems printing PDFs – student having issues with creating a PDF.
• Flash movie buttons – clicking on the buttons it don't move to the next scene.
• How to learn design software – what are the best ways to master graphic design software applications