CMD+Shift Design
Liz Andrade
Designer of print and web. Podcaster, Blogger, internet nerd and crazy cat lady.
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I didn’t realize this was a secret, but when I posted a photo today of the paper samples I got in the mail, enough people emailed, DM’d, @ Messaged and commented to make me think maybe it wasn’t common knowledge. How do you get a library of paper samples for your home office? It’s REALLY EASY — check out my video below for the (not anymore) secret! ;)
Crystal Light's New Packaging
Before & After
I noticed this about 3 weeks ago on a trip through the grocery store and it caught my eye. Crystal Light has updated their packaging and I give it a thumbs up! What do you think?
The end of the year is approaching, and many people are taking this time to reflect on the year past and the people in their lives who have made it so memorable.
Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or just celebrating the love in your life, finding a unique gift for that design nerd closest to you just got a little easier — here’s my 2009 gift list!
Days of the Week T-shirt Set
A new color for each day! These shirts could be fun for any color lover in your life – and on those hectic work weeks — they could come in handy when you can’t remember what day it is!
On sale right now at Cotton Factory for only $65 for the whole 7 T-shirt set!
Pop-Up Cards
You don’t even have to be a designer to appreciate these beautiful pop-up cards at PubliqueShop. At $4.50 per card, these may not be something you will want to send out to everyone on your mailing list, but will make a real impression on those who deserve something a little special! These aren’t just cards, they’re tiny works of art!
Typography Coasters
Coasters are perfect for any designers desk! Looks like a set of 4 will run you $45 for these Bamboo letter jumbles set in Baskerville Semibold.
Would it be over doing it to pair these coasters with the typography coffee table I featured last year?
Helbotica T-Shirt
No gift list for designers would be complete of course without a Helvetica Fan item! This tshirt is specifically for the nerd in your life who has cross over nerdisms for typography and robots! Meet Helbotica!
These shirts are available in sizes for Men, Women and Kids and multiple colors starting at $20.
Shirts For Coders
ShirtsForCoders.com has a whole store of shirts with silly slogans that show off your code nerd status. There are only 14 items on the site right now, but you’re likely to find something there that will make your favorite Web Developer chuckle. Prices start at just $19!
The Ruler Gun
Here’s one that’s sure to make a BANG! (Sorry, I had to say it!) This wooden office ruler shaped like a pistol may not be something you’d put in your kids pencil box, but that special someone in your life who spends their days sketching will get a kick out of having this on their desk! It’s $12.49 from the Paris boutique, Atypyk. Ammunition not included.
Typography Soap
This gift will give a whole new meaning to “clean type,” its the Typography Soap from Charles & Marie and since the site is offering FREE shipping this week, I would head over there and pick this up now if you want it. It’s $20 per bar, which is a lot for some soap — but I can’t image anyone would actually USE it, more something you can display on your bookshelf next to your design books! :)
Well that’s it!
7 gift ideas for you to share with your loved ones, whether you plan to grab one of these for them or you want them to get them for YOU! Is there something amazing I didn’t include? Leave a comment and let me know about it!
You can check out my 2 gift lists posts from 2008 if you are looking for even more nerdy schwag! 7 Gifts for the Design Nerd in your Life and More Gifts for the Design Nerd and Internet Geek in your life
I was really excited to learn about this community, and it is a site I am going to make a point to be active on because I think that it is something that designers giving open critique can be valuable to the industry! Better design out there, happier clients, an all around better world to live in. :)
So what is Concept Feedback?
Concept Feedback is a free professional design review community. You post your website design, logo design, brochure layout, etc. and the community of designers comments with feedback on layout, color, usability, etc.
The service doesn’t require any money to get started. Creating a profile and posting feedback is free. If you would like to post work for the community to critique you have to earn it by giving feedback to other users. Depending on how valuable others find your feedback you get “reputation points,” which help those in the community gauge the value of your comments.
When I first looked over the site, I was expecting to just see comments like “nice job!” or “i don’t like that blue,” but there were some thought out, well reasoned and highly valuable criticisms being made! Don’t take my word for it, go check it out!
The Giveaway
Concept Feedback is now offering a “Premium Concept” feature for users who want to get maximum exposure for their concept. Once a premium concept is live, it is featured on our homepage for 1 week, giving users maximum traffic and reviews. We also personally invite our top members (highest reputation scores) to review the concept, ensuring top quality feedback. You can find more details on premium concepts here.
How to Enter
1. Sign up for an account at Concept Feedback and add me as one of your contacts.
2. Tweet out a link to this Giveaway as follows: “RT @cmdshiftdesign 5 FREE Featured Spots on Concept Feedback, the Design Review Community! http://bit.ly/92FLln”
3. Leave a comment here with your name, email and a link to your tweet and Concept Feedback profile!
You have until Thursday, December 10th at Midnight PST to enter. 5 lucky readers will be chosen at random the following Friday and will be contacted via Twitter!
Today I was working on a design and ended up quickly making some Photoshop Custom Shapes for a Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down — decided to share these with you guys! You may find them useful to have when designing anything with a voting feature. You can download the Custom Shapes pack via Deviant Art, here. Nothing fancy — but thought I’d share a little something with all of you who are so awesome to read this blog! Thank YOU!