The Website of Kai Conragan

Entries, Links, Quotes, etc. (17)

Just show: Entries, Links, or Quotes

1. Dieter Rams: Ten Design Commandments

   In the 1980s, Vitsoe designer Dieter Rams became concerned by the “impenetrable confusion of forms, colours, and noises” surrounding him. As a way to cut through the noise and focus his own design ideals, he devised a list of rules governing good design. Each rule is as relevant today as it was over twenty years ago.

   # 26 Feb., 2009

2. The Wysiwym Markdown Editor

   I have long loathed TinyMCE. It’s wonderful to see the shorthand markup languages getting some WYSIWYG love.

   # 12 June, 2008

3. The Paragraph in Web Typography

   Fascinating essay from Jon Tangerine on the history of the paragraph as an entity, including reexamining its utility in web design.

   # 12 June, 2008

4. Future Photoshop UI

   Interesting look at the forthcoming changes to to the user-interface of Adobe Photoshop, and presumably the rest of the Creative Suite. Of particular note is the addition of an optional application frame on the mac version.

   # 10 June, 2008

5. Random Observations

   Part 1 in a hopefully ongoing series of observations from Eric Karjaluoto.

   # 10 June, 2008

6. Cabel Sasser: Coda Confidential

   This has made it well through the blogosphere. Nevertheless, excellent talk by Cabel Sasser of Panic regarding the history of the company, design considerations in designing in Coda, and some randomness culled from the internet.

   # 30 March, 2008

7. Artist Series: David Carson

   Short film from Hillman Curtis about graphic designer David Carson. During college, Carson was hands down my favorite designer, which I’m sure wasn’t unique for a design student at the turn of the millennium. Yet, my initial exposure to David Carson came far earlier in my life: he designed a number of my favorite spreads in Surfer Magazine from the early 90’s, including a landmark piece introducing Mavericks to the rest of the world, a wave I had grown up with in my backyard. It wasn’t until college, when I got my hands on a copy of The End of Print, that I made the connection between David Carson and all those childhood surf magazines. Thanks for the memories Hillman.

   # 10 March, 2008 | via: Airbag Industries

8. Our Favorite Typefaces of 2007

   Typographica’s always excellent annual collection of favorite typefaces. Purista looks like a Eurostile killer. Arno has lovely swashes, and is bundled free with Adobe Creative Suite 3.

   # 10 March, 2008

9. Beautiful Minimalist Design From New Zealand

   Thanks Khoi

   # 10 March, 2008 | via: Subtraction

10. Fuck Style

    Great essay by Eric Karjaluoto of SmashLab.

    # 24 Feb., 2008

11. Visualizing Fitts's Law

    Nice article up at Particletree titled Visualizing Fitts’s Law with excellent diagrams illustrating key points and problems. Also check out this article by Dunstan Orchard on the subject, with some practical advice related to hyperlinks.

    # 20 Feb., 2008

12. Geometry of the Mint Logo

    Shaun shows once again why he is one of the best out there. Genius.

    # 01 Feb., 2008

13. Erratic Widsom Redesign

    Beautiful redesign. Love the archives module at the bottom of the page.

    # 31 Jan., 2008 | via: Inman

14. xScope 2.0

    Update to Iconfactory’s nice set of on-screen measuring tools. The new Dimensions tool may be worth th $10 upgrade alone ($26.95 for new users).

    # 31 Jan., 2008

15. Oobjects

    New (to me) site I’ve been following. Categories run the gamut, from best Apple concept mockups to best cardboard robot costumes. Love the typography too.

    # 29 Jan., 2008

16. Charles and Ray Eames U.S. Postal Stamps

    I own three Eames Molded Plastic Side Chairs, including a mustard yellow one I found at a laundromat with an Eifell Tower base. I will consider my life a success when I buy my own Eames Lounge . In the meantime, these stamps will do just fine.

    # 25 Jan., 2008

17. 19 Best Ads

    Great collection of ads from the past few years.

    # 25 Jan., 2008 | via: Kottke