You! Be Inspired! #0012 — Layout Design Special and Then Some

After a month of discussing logo design, we still have a few more articles discussing logos and design process ideas for you. So, for the month of July, we’ll be merging two major topics about graphic design – a continuation of our logo design series, and layout design!
 
I know you’re already familiar with logo design (you can read about it in our recent entries). But why layout design?
Well, we’ve been reading a lot of print materials lately (mostly graphic novels) and we simply fell in love with the form and function that layout design provides; from text alignments, to photos, and even up to getting your target market read your stuff. Aside from its practical application to print materials such as brochure prints, booklets, and newsletters, layout design can also be applied to digital reading materials and web design – often referred to as UX and Usability Design!
 
Before I go on talking about rubbish, here’s this week’s edition of You! Be Inspired! Enjoy!
 
 
Urban Reader by Colin Shaelli and JyKK

There’s a high probability that the best and stylishly done layout design we’re about to encounter can be found in books and magazines. One set of nicely done layout design is the Urban Reader. This series of concept books is headed by Colin Shaelli, a product and graphic designer, and by Japan-based JyKK Japan Inc. It’s released bi-annually in Switzerland and Japan, and mainly contains artwork, design and fashion, and photography. The books give emphasis on the stories and philosophies they tell, despite the fact that the book is dominated by different imagery. Here are some pages:
 

 

 

 

 

 
Sources:
Urban Reader #1
Urban Reader #2
 
 
Comic Book Layout Design

I’m currently addicted to different comic books – Northlanders, DMZ, and Air. I know, all of them are published by Vertigo. I have that kind of bias on stuff. Anyway, comic books are one of the few things that are being taken for granted by people. A comic book or a graphic novel is a treasure trove of design and story inspiration – from panel placements to dialogue execution, and to the story itself – all that in one book! You can check out core77’s article about graphic novels that every designer should know (or at least a glimpse!).
 

 

 
Sources:
“Akira” from flickr
“Batwoman: Elegy” from flickr
 
 
Architecture and Product Design by Emmanuelle Moureaux

It’s hard to create a product that’s not monotonous. There are just too many things to consider in creating a product, graphic, or even architectural design – market preference, product appeal, and of course, your boss. But when I found Emmanuelle Moureaux’s online portfolio, I just thought to myself – Why not? Emmanuelle’s works cover product design, architecture, and interior design. Her work is mostly made up of candy shop and pastel colors, which somehow provide a relaxed and hip atmosphere around her designs.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Design Documentaries By Gary Hustwit

There are currently three design documentaries that I have watched and have learned a lot from. These three are Objectified, Helvetica, and Urbanized – all produced and directed by Gary Hustwit. I highly recommend these three documentaries to any pro or budding graphic designer out there. You’ll learn a lot about design philosophy, form and function, typography, and you also get to see some of the legends speak. Here are their respective theatrical trailers:
 
Helvetica

 
 
Objectified

 
 
Urbanized

 
 
Rock Posters by Jaime Zuverza

Here’s something we’d always feature or in some awesome case, provide you with over thirty or more images – Rock Posters! Yup, I know, they’re almost everywhere and that’s nice – it just means the music scene is alive and kicking. If you’re looking for some amazing posters designed the way they do during the 60s and 70s, you might want to check out Jaime Zuverza’s work. His designs have that natural feel of a mad men-inspired cover of Esquire, but with a rock and roll lick to it. Here are some vintage-themed rock and roll gig posters by Jaime Zuverza:
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Oriental Minimalism inspired Movie Posters

We rarely see influences of oriental art enter mainstream media – with the exceptions of the Japanese and Chinese calligraphy. Apart from the influence of Asian calligraphy to western graphic design, there’s almost nothing Asian there. Anyway, here’s a fresher take on some of our favorite movie posters that’s clearly been remade in an ottoman fashion. Here’s Murat Palta’s Movie Posters in Miniature Style, check it out and be the judge of it:
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
There you have it, folks! If you’re looking for some design tips, inspiration, or news, hit us up via Facebook or Twitter. For more articles and fine-tuned design tips and tutorials, subscribe to our RSS Feed! Stay Awesome!