Creating artworks using traditional and conservative formats isn’t such a big deal these days. A true artist is one who can create an artwork out of nothing, someone who has the creative ability and talent to put life into dull objects. One such artist that lives amongst us is Terry Border, who creates fascinating bent objects using metallic wires and other scrap metals. He has a blog where he displays some very enjoyable examples.

Terry Border is a commercial photographer by profession, but creates wire sculptures as hobby. His unique creation of bent objects involves turning a still life object into real life using wires and creating artwork created from junk. Each creation of bent objects made by Terry has a deep and conceptual story to it. Some of these creations are funny and hilarious while others are sweet and innocent. I had the best time watching his amazing artworks and look forward to his future creations as well.

Today, I would like to share 30 of Terry’s amazing bent objects creations with my readers. I am sure that graphic designers like me will find them inspiring to watch. Don’t forget to let me know in the comment section which ones you liked best.

1. Sleeping Pills

2. Bad Cheese

3. Zombie Nuts

4. Yoga Candle

5. Persius Potato

6. A Young Prince

7. Leaving

8. Dancing Queens

9. Musical Fruit

10. Horse Cork

11. Banana Peels

12. Peanut Butter & Jelly

13. Children of Candy Corn

14. Attack of the Fruits

15. Coffee Rings

16. Elf Killer

17. Party Cupcakes

18. Hamlet Was Nuts

19. Raisin Experience

20. Daddy Long Legs

21. Honeymoon Sweet

22. Macaroni Murder

23. Mother Egg

24. Pirate Marshmallow

25. Pear Fear

26. Pickle Kombat

27. Crab Fries

28. Lighter Dragon

29. Missing Oreo

30. Brush Basketball

Nowadays, business cards are considered old-fashioned for business promotion. However, the fact is, no matter how old school business cards maybe, they still prove to be a highly effective promotional tool. Some graphic designers stutter at first meeting with clients and expect them to break the ice. This is where business cards serve as icebreakers to start up a conversation with clients.

Conventional business cards were simple and plain. Their shapes and sizes used to be standardized. But in today’s contemporary graphic design world, business cards have to be designed in a trendy and creative fashion in order to make it attractive and memorable. A dull and boring card will be disposed right away in the dustbin by customers. However, when you create business cards that are unique and creative, the recipient of the card savors it for a long time instead of throwing it into the trash can.

2. Choose Appropriate Color Mode – Most graphic design software like Photoshop and Illustrator have an option of select the ‘Color Mode’. Usually, graphic designers select the default mode which is RGB. But CMYK is the appropriate color mode for print purposes.

3. Decide on a Size and Shape – While designing a business card, you must also be sure to select a standard size (in Inches). For instance, the standard size used in US and Canada for a business card is 3.5 in x 2 in. Moreover shapes of business cards include circular, square, rounded edges and die-cut style.

4. Select the Print Material – Traditionally, business cards were printed on simple paper and stock papers. But now unique materials such as wood, plastic, metal, magnetic and out-of-box methods are being used.  

For your inspiration, here is a compilation of 30 creative business cards that were created with unique materials and shapes:

• Business Cards with Unique Materials:

Plastic Business Cards

Motion Dreams

Clear Plastic Business Card

Throncraft Transparent Business cards

Dreamten Studios

Metal Steel Business Cards Laser Cut

Business Card

Colored Metal Business Cards

Steve Wozniak

Wooden Business Card

Road Dog business card design

Wooden Business Card 2

Wood Business Card 3

PVC Business Card

Wooden Business Card 4

• Business Cards with Unique Shapes:

Die-Cut Business Card 1

Charleston Naturally Letterpress

Guitar

Mineral Water Business Card

Die-cut Business Card 2

Rust And Martin Custom Business Cards

DDQ Design Business Card

oooocomua

Sara Mantle

Ninja BTL

Christmas Business Card

Furniture shop

Bombay Bakery

USB Drive Business Card

Fuelhaus Business Card

Another year has come to a close as we bid farewell to 2011. With every New Year come new Resolutions and promises. Some people embrace the concept of making New Year Resolutions while other avert the concept altogether. Nonetheless, I personally believe that it is a constructive exercise from the perspective of a graphic designer.

Looking back at what you have accomplished in the past year, making New Year Resolutions gives you a chance to resolve your mistakes that you have committed in the past. It also gives you the opportunity to be a better graphic designer by acknowledging the deficiencies within you.

Below I have listed some of the most interesting and progressive resolutions, which every graphic designer should make for the next year.

1. Take Lessons from 2011:

With every passing year, most of us commit the same graphic designing mistakes repeatedly. So why not, for a change, take lessons from the year 2011 and note down all of our blunders and mistakes. Work on your flaws and weaknesses and turn them into your strengths. Similarly, make a list that you were threatened of and turn them into your opportunities.

2. Expand your Design Skills:

In order for a graphic designer to stay alive in this cutthroat market competition, one has to be diverse and multi-talented. Many designers prefer sticking to their comfort zones. For instance, a logo designer would fear trying out developing a code. Similarly, a web developer wouldn’t fancy designing blueprints of the website. This year, expand your design skills and broaden your horizon. So what if you are a graphic designer…design and code your very own WordPress theme or learn the basics of XHTML and CSS this year.

3. Contribute to the design community:

The design community has given you a lot to learn and discover. Perhaps, next year is the time you should contribute to the design community for a change. Corporate Social Responsibility and philanthropy are not just restricted to multinational corporations. We, as graphic designers can also play a part by contributing towards the graphic design community. You can do volunteer work that involve your services or give a design class to aspiring students and share your expertise with them.

4. Experiment With New Techniques:

All year you have been afraid of trying something new only because you fear failure. But…”It is better to try and fail than fail to try.” Don’t be overly cautious with your design selections. Try a color scheme that you have been afraid to use this year. One must always thinki out of the box in order to innovate.

5. Work with the ‘Annoying’ Clients Too:

OK! So you have spent the whole year voiding bad client types, only because you didn’t have the patience to deal with them. In the coming year, work on your endurance and tolerance to verbal criticisms. You will realize how much clientele you let go waste when you opt out of working with clients who are irritating and annoying.

6. Give Yourself a Raise:

Don’t forget to revise your design charges and rates. With the cost of living going up every year due to inflationary pressures, give yourself a raise this year…you deserve it! If you are a freelance graphic designer, rework your rates of work and learn to save for a rainy day as well. Make saving your habit and buy yourself the dream machine that you have set your eyes upon all year.

7. Stay Ahead of Time:

Most graphic designers are accustomed to go with the tide. They would follow trends and styles that are prevalent in the design community. In the coming year, why not stay ahead of time for a change. Instead of following trends, why not make your own trends for others to follow. Instead of going with the tide, BE the tide yourself.

Your Resolution for 2012?

So what resolution have you made for the year 2012? Is it from this list or you have promised something else to your self…do share with your designer friends here J

Creating a blog is easy. But to build and sustain an online platform with a reputable image and devoted fan following is extremely difficult. I myself have endured various hardships and difficulties while establishing and directing GraphicDesignBlog.org to where it is now. This is because you don’t just have to create a web blog. You have to erect a platform that is personable, credible and reliable.

In the human world, we have celebrities who are distinct and unique because of their star qualities and attributes. Similarly in the design blogosphere, we have some successful blogs that outshine others because of their rich content, attractive appearance and user-friendly interface. Today, I thought of comparing such famous design blogs with celebrities that match the personality types of famous Hollywood celebrities. But before we proceed, please keep in mind that this exercise is just for fun and should not be taken seriously.

Have a look at these crazy celebrity resemblances which I have made up with famous design blogs. Once again, let me remind you…its all just for fun, so my design blogger fellows don’t take it to heart

1. ‘Smashing Magazine‘ is like ‘Miley Cyrus’:

Smashing Magazine is a popular design blog for designers and developers. They can be compared to Miley Cyrus…Glamorous, Multi-talented and Famous. Just like teenage sensation is a singer cum actress, Smashing Magazine has an all-round approach as it covers everything related to design on their blog. Oh…and both of them have authored a book as well.

2. ‘Web Designer Depot:‘ is like ‘Tom Hanks’:

Web Designer Depot is a well-settled blog and has massive volume of followers on its blog. They have cemented such a strong foothold on the blogosphere that almost everything they publish becomes an instant hit. Reminds me of the award-winning actor Tom Hanks, who turns almost every movie he works into a blockbuster hit.

3. ‘Little Box of Ideas‘ is like ‘Angelina Jolie’:

LBOI is a well-known design blog run by graphic designer Sneh Roy. Her online presence and brave designing reminds me of Angelina Jolie, renowned for her roles in action movies. To me, Sneh Roy is the blogosphere version of Angelina Jolie. Bold, Dashing and Persistent.

4. ‘Just Creative Design‘ is like ‘Brad Pitt ’:

Just Creative Design is another eminent design blog run by graphic and logo designer Jacob Cass. To me, Just Creative Design is the Brad Pitt of design world. The first reason, I’m sure most girls would agree to, is the good looks and dashing personality of Jacob Cass. . Secondly, just like Brad Pitt works in few but successful movies, Just Creative Design is updated steadily but productively.

5. ‘UnderConsideration‘ is like ‘Oprah Winfrey ’:

Underconsideration is our Oprah Winfrey of the design world. The popular talk show host was well known for her TV-show that held discussions on self-improvement and promoting self-help ideas. Similarly, Underconsideration is has sections like “Brand New” and “Speak Up” where they discuss about various brands and give their opinions and pointers on design-related issues.

The tragic news of Steve Jobs, co-creator of the technology giant Apple, came as a shock for the world. However, we must remember that nobody is invincible and death besieges everyone eventually. So many people die everyday and are forgotten, but some leave such a deep impact on our minds that they are etched in our memories forever. This is what Steve Jobs accomplished by leaving behind a true legacy for all to cherish.

• 10 Unknown Facts About Steve Jobs:

Even though Steve Jobs was under the spotlight for most of his life, his earlier life was marred by grief and misery. Almost all of us know Steve Jobs as the billionaire CEO of Apple Inc. (a brand that doesn’t sell what it tells). But most of us are unaware of many interesting and unknown happenings of his life. Therefore, to pay a tribute to this legend, I thought of collecting 10 such facts about his life that I’m sure most of you won’t be familiar with.

1. Was Half Arab - Born on 24th February 1955, Steve Jobs was originally born to a Political Science Professor Abdulfattah Jandali (Syrian) and Joanne Carole Schieble (student). He was later put up for adoption and was raised by Paul and Clara Jobs.

2. Preferred Buddhism – When jobs married Laurene Powell, on 18th March, 1991, a Zen Buddhist monk Kobun Chino Otogawa supervised the wedding.

3. Has a Famous Biological Sister – Steve was never aware that he had a biological sister who was famous on her own. It was not until Mona Simpson became a famous author of several books and Steve Jobs found out about her sister.

4. Fired From His Own Company – Amazingly, Jobs was fired at the age of 30 by the man (John Sculley) whom he himself hired to run Apple. But Jobs consequently established NeXT computers (Another fact about famous brands that you might not have known).

6. College Drop Out – Even though Steve struggled hard in his earlier life to earn for college but eventually he dropped out (just like Bill Gates) after a single semester.

7. Had a $1/year Salary – Steve Jobs used to have a salary of only $1/year. But then again, he really didn’t require a salary as one owned 5.4 million shares in the company Apple, 138 million shares in Disney and a net wealth at $8.3 billion.

8. Declined to Pay Child Support – Steve Jobs denied paternity of his first child Lisa, with Chris-Ann Brennan and subsequently declined to pay child support.

9. His Fans include Bill Gates – In January 1998, Bill Gates was asked which CEO he admired the most. He answered…Steve Jobs.

10. He is a ‘Size 14’ – Another fun fact that most people don’t know about this billionaire is that he had big feet and used to wear ‘size 14’ shoes  

• Rarely Seen Pictures of Steve Jobs & Family:

I also found a comprehensive website named All About Steve Jobs, created by Romain Moisescot for paying tribute to Steve Jobs. It entails all the pictures in a timeline that covers his childhood days, personal life, work life and other rarely seen moments. Following are 10 pictures, which I thought to be worth displaying the best moments of his personal life:

Lisa Brennan Jobs (Daughter)	Steve Jobs with Lisa Brennan Jobs (Daughter)
Laurene Powell Jobs (2nd Wife)	Chrisann Brennan (1st wife)
Mona Simpson (Biological Sister)	Steve Jobs House
Steve Jobs with Bill Gates	Steve Jobs with President Reagan
Steve Jobs Dinner with President Obama	Steve Jobs with Andy Hertzfeld, Bill Atkinson and Bud Tribble

• Infographic Comparison between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates

Here is an interesting infographic I came across which compares Steve Jobs with his counterpart Bill Gates.

• Steve Jobs’ Life Journey packed in a Video:

Undoubtedly, he was a man of creativity and immense talent. I believe that all of us should take a leap out of his book. Here is a speech that Steve Jobs delivered to the graduates of Stanford University in 2005. Here he also revealed dark side of his life that most of us are unaware of.

• Some Mysteries about Steve Job’s Death:

Even though Steve Jobs was suffering from pancreatic cancer after undergoing a liver transplant, the details of his sudden death are kept a secret by his family and friends. The exact time and place where this tragic incident took place has not yet been revealed to the public.

• Major Condolences On Jobs’ Demise:

Barack Obama: (US President)
"Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs," President Obama said in a written statement. "Steve was among the greatest of American innovators – brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it."

Bill Gates: (Chairman of Microsoft)
"Steve and I first met nearly 30 years ago, and have been colleagues, competitors and friends over the course of more than half our lives," Mr Gates said, adding that he was "truly saddened" to learn of his death.

Steve Wozniak: (Co-Founder of Apple)
"I’m shocked and disturbed. You get shocked when people you know die. And this was closer to when John Lennon died, or JFK or Martin Luther King."

Mark Zuckerberg: (Founder of Facebook)
"Steve, thank you for being a mentor and a friend. Thanks for showing that what you build can change the world. I will miss you."

It is always fun to create interesting and humorous T-shirt designs. Also, I see it as an effective technique of expressing one’s views and opinion to the community, at large. When you wear a t-shirt with a quote or special message, it becomes an effective source to convey your inner beliefs and perspectives to the society. These t-shirt designs can be of either personal or political nature but on whole an interesting way to express yourself.

Being a graphic designer, politics has never really intrigued me much. However, when I came to know about these interesting Obama t-shirt design contests being held at MycroBurst, I decided to share it with you guys. I never thought a dull subject like politics could be made so interesting through graphic design. MycroBurst supports their clients’ with variety of opinions and views. You can use their services for wherever your imagination takes you. For instance, they are currently featuring political t-shirt designs.

We all are aware that President of the United States, Barrack Obama, is among the most influential people of the world. Since the 2012 elections are imminent, political campaigning is on the rise. This year, more emphasis is being laid on using the online platform to promote candidates. Following the similar trend, two exciting t-shirt design contests have been launched on Mycroburst, one Pro-Obama and the other Anti-Obama. Each contest is worth $500 prize money. Design requirements for both the contest are light, with humor and forbid use of vulgar or profane content.

Take a look at some of the most interesting entries received so far:

• Pro-Obama Contest Entries

• Anti-Obama Contest Entries