New Mission Statement

Okay, so I haven't quite kept my blog up to date. And, since its 4 years since my last entry, I think I need a new mission statement. The old one is good, but I am now keeping a pinterest account on packaging (and other design). Instead, I think I will blog on the skills Ive learned in the 10+ years as a packaging designer. I've been both a graphic designer and a pre-print designer so I've heard the complaints from both side. I think its important as a designer to be able to correctly build your files for production. The better built they are, the better chance of you having it printed correctly the first time. Plus you wont have a prepress designer cursing your name as they are stripping and rebuilding your files from scratch.

For this first (well second) entry, I think I will just start with a list of website resources I use in my day to day design. The next couple of entries will deal with how I build my files (in Illustrator - please no indesign or quark files for packaging), how to proof read them quickly, how to set up files for multiple skus that can be set up for quick revisions, and some tips and trips that Ive learned to getting client files where you dont have the font, artwork, etc.

Font website:
http://www.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/
Take a jpg of the mystery font and upload it to the website and it will give you its best guess. Pretty good when you have outlined font that needs copy change.

Mac Accent Code:
http://tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/international/accents/codemac.html
 If you work on a mac, this website has a list of key commands for all the different accents codes for different languages and symbols

Photos:
http://www.istockphoto.com
Good resources for concept images in your designs before paying for photography. Plus the search engine of some key phrases may give you some alternative ideas to explore

Packaging Images:
http://www.thedieline.com/
The dieline has become in a few short years a great resources for existing packaging out there. Good reference ideas for materials, finishes, etc.

Vector Logos:
http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/
Brands of the world is also a great resource for company vector logos with outlined fonts and PMS colors

I think thats a good starter list for now. Next entry Ill discuss a good way to layout your template files for your dieline and artwork for an efficient workflow.