Month: November 2010

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2 Reasons I Like PowerPoint

There are ways to maximize this wonderful tool and all kinds of tips are available (see http://www.thinkoutsidetheslide.com/newsletter.htm) on how to avoid “death by PowerPoint.”

Two reasons I like PPT:

1. It’s easy to learn. I learned to use it in less than an hour, it’s so user-friendly tool.
2. It is a versatile tool to express your ideas. Isn’t it a whole lot more convenient than carrying around a carousel of slides?

There’s a terrific blog, in fact, for how to be more creative with powerpoint. See http://pptblog.tlccreative.com/
What are some reasons you like PowerPoint?

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4 Easy Principles for the Non-Designer Designing

Are you working on designing a web page or a brochure and could use some tips? Applying the four basic principles outlined in Robin Williams’ book of The Non-Designer’s Design Book can help with the overall look of your project.

Williams’ four basic principles are:

Contrast: if elements are not the same, make them very different. Elements meaning font, color, size, line thickness, shape, space, etc.).

Repetition: repeat visual elements throughout the piece. That means repeat color or size, shape or other elements. This will strengthen the unity of it.

Alignment: every item should visually connect with another item on the page.

Proxmity: group related items near each other

So there we have it, an acronym that is easy to remember. In case you want to order the book, here’s a link: http://www.amazon.com/Non-Designers-Design-Book-Robin-Williams/dp/0321534042/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1289591041&sr=1-1

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The Value of Oh!

Oh!
Monotype by Mary Gow

Though the shape I most identify with is the spiral, here’s a circle I wanted to share with you. It’s a monotype. In case you don’t already know what a monotype is, it is a one-of-a-kind print made by painting on a piece of glass which is then placed on the printing press. Paper is then placed over the plate and the press is rolled over it.

Now about “oh”! I remember my dear sister shared with me one of the secrets to a happy relationship. She said not to underestimate the value of replying with “oh,” when something the other person says happens to surprise you (perhaps negatively) and you want to say something affirmative. She went on to say “oh” about ten times with varied intonations.

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What Does Your Favorite Shape Say About You?

Found this video of Angeles Arrien speaking last month about the meaning of the five symbols found in art around the world. Those five symbols are the circle, square, triangle, spiral and the equidistant cross.

Which of those five shapes do you feel most drawn to?

Number the five shapes 1 to 5 with 1 being your most preferred shape. Arrien talks about the meanings of the positions and the shapes at: http://vimeo.com/15657160

Tomorrow I’ll share a picture of a monotype I did of a circle.