I love minimalist design

I am obviously a fan of minimalist graphic design. You can see it from the design of this website, in my portfolio, in my blogs, from my favorite brands. Ask my friends about my taste and style, and you'll hear what you expect. I don't like clutter, I don't like layouts that are full of elements all shouting for attention. I love focus in design, and it gives me the freedom to make the core statement in design stand out.

Less is more, and the more you make things simpler, the more challenging it is to communicate the message more effectively. This applies not only to graphic design but also in designing websites where usability is one of the primary considerations in the development process.

People don't like complications and the back buttons and the buttons that close browser windows are very accessible to the users allowing them to just go on to the next search results when they cant seem to find what they're looking for in your website (even if its already in that same page where they left off).

Simple and minimalist designs just make the focus seem more obvious, because there are less distractions. White spaces facilitate the direction to where the eyes should go. There's no doubt that this approach in design has so much influence on the usability and the way design elements relate with each other creating more balance.

More white spaces in graphic design just make me feel that the elements can breathe and the whole visual seems to be free from complications. I get so much inspiration from looking at the Apple website, there's just no doubt how their products, services and of course their website have exemplified simplicity, effectiveness and minimalism. paired with technology I believe they are the benchmark of great visual design, technology, usability and so on.. There're just too many words to associate the brand with.

This post has actually been inspired by this article, and I'd just like to share a good read about minimalist design.

1-day Joomla tutorial for a client

My latest Joomla Web Design project for a personal client is about to end and as part of the package, I offered them a one-day tutorial on how to use Joomla CMS (Content Management System) to manage the contents of their website. I actually can't think of any CMS to use but Joomla! The client wanted a basic and simple website but something that's extensible enough for future plans like, online forums, news and updates page. And of course, the platform should be something that a non-technical client could easily understand and use.

The client is a company that specializes in creative promotional solutions and corporate giveaways. They manufacture leather goods and other non-woven materials. They actually have a huge collection of items that they have produced in the past, but I suggested that we only pick the best to include in the website. I also suggested that we invest in a little photography to improve the way items are presented.. I actually did the photography.

The admin staff (which was actually a close friend) was actually the one who has to maintain the website. Having no experience in using a CMS, she made it clear that probably the only thing that she's comfortable doing online is sending and receiving emails - and also not to forget, she also uses YM. I briefed her about how she can get to the back-end of the website and gave her an overview of how everything works behind the face of the website . I told her that if you know how to use Yahoo and Gmail, then you can use Joomla! I guess, for someone who is looking at the interface for the first time, it's as if you need to learn how all the buttons work, before you could use it, but I assured her that there are just few that she needs to remember and understand.

She was ecstatic to see how easy it is to actually understand how to control their online articles. But as expected, first timers would really find the Modules, Components and Plugins a bit confusing. I had to draw and illustrate how a given layout is composed of different modules, how Joomla component renders the articles, and why writing articles in Joomla could get a lot easier with Plugins.

She actually enjoyed the session and very excited to have the editing done all by herself. It took us almost half a day to wrap things up. I know there are still things that confuse her. There are really some parts of Joomla that are a little bit complicated. But just as any other tools, you become accustomed to it as you go along and try to learn the interface. I think there's nothing more complicated than to build a static website that has no dynamic functionality, and you need to manually and technically change everything when something needs to be updated.Static websites are out, and dynamic websites where clients will be able to update their own content is definitely what the industry demands.

The trend for companies today has significantly evolved when it comes to building reputation and image for brands and labels. Traditionally, the power of costly advertising and other marketing campaigns dictate how people perceive brands, but now, people are more inclined to going online for some real stories having a more realistic impressions about things around us.

I guess, a corporate website is one ideal place for stories that build reputation, and making a website that is easily maintainable by the client itself has better advantages and also cost effective, because you dont have to hire a web designer everytime you have a new story to tell online.

Yahoo PingBox!

It's been a very long time since I visited this Blog! Anyway, i got something to share! I was browsing the net for some SEO insights when I got into a site that has a chat feature. It uses a Yahoo PingBox to get prompt inquiries from site visitors.

Interesting and very easy to install and use! Looking forward to more features and enhancement. :-)

Its Flash based so browsers should get the latest version of Flash to make this feature enabled.
I installed it on my sidebar, just below the Ads. Try it! :-)

Here's the link:
http://in.messenger.yahoo.com/pingbox/

I miss my 3d jobs

Its been more than a year since a stopped creating 3D designs for exhibition booths, store designs, and other visual merchandising design works. Im happy with what I do now and I feel empowered by my new skills like web designing, etc., but somehow I miss the things that I was doing in my previous job. I miss 3D max. Few years back I remember the first program that I used to set up every morning - 3D Studio Max . It became part of my routine to experiment with lighting and shapes in a 3 dimensional environment. That was the part that I enjoyed most in a 3D software.

When I was designing exhibition booths clients are ok with plain and simple elements, but it's very important to achieve a balanced and accurate lighting, I believe this helps emphasize the areas and elements that need to get more attention, like the areas for brand name, product displays, etc.

I am so amazed at how light creates texture which brings the logo out and stunnning, like what I did to one of the designs I created for mitsubishi. The booth was so high, it was an advantage for the brand to stand out. Light created enough radiance for the logo in a very simple way.



Aside from directing the viewer to an important area, one of the challenges is develop designs that align with time constrains and budget.. Hmmm i know, most of the time we used only timber constructed modules and steel, We seldom used expensive materials unless that would be provided by the client. But I find it really a pleasure to have had that kind of work even though I have no background in "Interior Design". Maybe one day I will have the chnace to design again, not for a client but for my own set which I could call a home or house...or home..whatever...