This week, we bring to you an interview, with design community innovator, amazingly talented, young designer, - Mr. Chad Engle, Co-founder of @DCTH or also known as Design Community Twitter Hours. @DCTH, is completely community driven, first of its kind on twitter, a community for designers, by designers and from designers! A great place to get your inspirations, doodles, and just mingle with a community of over a 1000 designers!

Some of Chad’s designs

The Interview!

Here is the interview, that was taken via email and we are very thankful to Mr. Chad Engle, for sparing the time for us and this interview. We wish Chad, best of luck on all his aspirations and Thanks again!

A small bio about yourself?

My name is Chad Engle I am a full-time Graphic Designer for Charles Ryan Associates in Charleston, WV. I am 22 years old and have been in the field for such a short time but I feel like I have grown as a designer/person more than I can put words to. I have been trying to extend my network through online connections such as twitter, facebook and linked-in. I have learned that in this field that it is all about who you know and have connections to. You can connect with me more at @chadengle

1. Hi Chad, so tell us something about you and your experience as a designer/artist?

I am a recent graduate from Marshall University and I have been in the full time world for about 6-7 months. I worked on several freelance projects while I was in college as well as having many different internships and work experiences along the way.

2. From tweets, its pretty clear that you want a podium, a community of designers to get together and talk about design and share ideas and resources, sorry to be brute, but the question being, why? And what do you plan to instill with this and when will you call it a success?

The why? I think that we as designers need feedback. We need places to bounce ideas of and learn from each other. It also pushes us as a community to challenge each other and move our designs into creative and innovative solutions. I think this has already been a huge success. When I started DCTH (Design Community Twitter Hours) I had no idea that I would even have 50 people interested. I have 1,000 followers that are on the twitter account for DCTH. I feel like the design community has grown more tight nit (those that have connected thus far) I think that this service will only continue to grow with time and will hopefully blossom into conferences and meetings.

3. Tell us about your design inspirations?

I think inspiration can be found in anything. I see architecture, photography, a coffee cup, anything that sparks that creative switch in your brain. I draw inspiration from all of my RSS feeds that I read and through my peers. There are many great designers that I draw inspiration from and even student work. Again, its what makes you “think” creatively.

4. Any Specific tools that you use, that elevate your design process, help you get the picture from your head to your selected medium?

I have recently been reading a book called “Beyond Disruption” Changing the Rules in the marketplace. It talks about defying convention through the design and marketing process. I think we as designers need to implement this idea. This mindset helps me push past the first stereotypical designs. I also have a Macbook Pro and Adobe Creative suite that helps me implement my ideas to a digital medium.

5. Any words on designers block? Or lack of inspiration? How does a designer like you cope in such circumstances?

I think sometimes that you need to take a break to push through the block. I like to take a 15 minute break from technology when this happens. No iPhone, twitter, computer. Just me and maybe a cup of coffee. I feel when you take this “tech break” you can clear your head and then move forward with what you need to do. I also think that RSS feeds and surfing the internet help you get inspired again and continue to work.

6. There are a lot of design communities online, any according to you is just specifically for designers, helping you acheive your ideas of single collective of designers?

I think that any network is just as good as another. It just depends how much you put into connecting with others. If you do not have twitter I would suggest going and signing up for an account. There is a whole slew amazing people to draw inspiration from, pick there brains and just plain connect.

7. According to you, what are the incentives a designers looks forward to, money not being one of these, when he or she finishes acheiving the design?

Knowing that this piece of design communicates the best possible outcome.

8. How do you start your design process for a client?

The first thing I do is brainstorm. I try to rack the clients brain as much as possible to see where they want to go and make sure that we are on the same page before I even start with the design process. Communication is key when it comes to working with others. Do not be afraid to ask questions.

9. How do you approach a client and what if you have to convince him or her to actually go with you on the design consultations, rather than their inputs?

I think that you have to be able to communicate with your client that you are the person that knows about the design. My favorite saying is: “You don’t buy a guard dog and bark for it, let your designer do the barking.”

10. According to you, what are the pre-requisites for some one who wants to become a designer?

I feel very strongly about having higher education in the field. Ther are several talented self-taught designers but, I feel that with having higher education in the field you bring yourself to a higher awareness level which allows you to push your designs and your clients.

11. Would you categorize, webdesign, logo design and the derivatives as the new age paintings with each designer being an artist?

I had a real hang-up with this concept in college.

12. According to you, who is the ‘Leonardo-da-vinci’ of the webdesign arena?

That’s hard to answer. I am not sure if anyone has really stepped forward at this point that could be compared to Da Vinci.

13. Does it get hard to make a living as a designer?

Not at all. It is just like anything else I just depends on how much work you put into it.

14. Can web developer become a webdesigner?

I think one could. It just depends on how much they want to become a designer and learn about it.

15. Tell us something about DCTH.

This whole idea spawned off a random conversation with a friend Adelle Charles and Graham Smith.

16. What made you start this community?

I felt that there was a gap in this area in the design community and figured why not try to change it.

17. What are your objectives, goal and mission with DCTH?

To connect with as many designers as possible and bring information to those who ask for it.

18. Why twitter.com for DCTH?

It seems to be a great forum for connectivity.

19. When will you call DCTH to be successful?

It already has been successful and will become more and more successful.

20. Any future ideas of innovation, for the design community?

There are several but I am going to keep them secret to peak suspense! ?

21. Any favorite websites where you derive or have derived design inspirations from?

I think a very solid network to find really amazing designs is the Behance Network. (behance.net) I feel that the designers that have portfolios on there are very high quality work. They have a very minimal site design so the work really stands out.

22. For a design community, what is right mixture required for it to become successful?

I think the main indgredient for a community to become successful is involvment of the people. The strong community support that I have had from DCTH has been amazing. People have scheduled college classes around it, stayed up way late over seas to participate and just been amazing in getting more people involved. I am very humbled.

23. What kind of marketing strategies you use to attract designers and creatives to your community?

Personal connections. I have been following and trying to connect with as many designers as possible on @DCTH I think that people want to connect with others. It just depends if they will come out of there shell to connect with others.

24. How do you mange your personal life, career and the community?

I think they are one in the same. I am a designers regardless of what I am doing. It effects my decisions and how I carry myself. Just be yourself throughout everything you do and people will love you for it.

25. What do you look for in a community like DCTH?

Involvement. I would love to have a conference one day where designers meet, listen to speakers and mingle with each other. Telling design stories and sharing personal connections with each other.

26. What would a newbie designer, on joining the community find as a resource or help on DCTH?

I think people new and old will find things to help them. Even if it just connecting with other designers. In this industry if you do not keep up with the times you will be left behind, plain and simple.

27. Any head way with the community innovating? And how can we help to get you there?

Yes every week there is more headway. There is a site up that will soon be finished http://DCTH.info You can help my by telling one designer about DCTH. If everyone tells one designer about DCTH the community involvment will be amazing.

28. Ever felt a design let you down? And, if yes how did you cope?

Yes. Every designer has felt this before. You have to know when to let go of a design and know that you cannot always make each thing innovative. Just try to keep your style and make it the best it can. Don’t let it get you down.

29. Any tips for newbies to market their talents?

Network. I can’t even imagine what happened before the world of the internet or the world of twitter. I have connected with so many designers/creatives that I only would have dreamed of before this.

30. Any comments, suggestions, anything you might want to add, that we might have forgotten?

No. I think you pretty much put me on the hot seat for as much information that you could pick out of my brain! I need to go take a break now. Haha Thank you very much for the interview and I wish you the best of luck in your ventures.

Are you a designer/creative?

Get in touch with the DCTH community here.
Soon to come DCTH website.
Connect with Chad.
Don’t have a twitter account?

From the beginning itself, the whole idea of a website has been to provide information in any form or kind. Web Standards from the W3C, state that all websites should provide any and all information they want to, in a user friendly and accessible manner. “Accessibility” being the keyword of this post, we delve into some checks that you should check your website against, to ascertain your websites accessibility. Accessibility for all, even the physically challenged!

Checks for a website quicky!

1. Alt tags for all objects and images

Ok, the first check we would do is check our website for all objects and images having an ALT tag with suitable description or information about the object or image. To do this, Use a browser like Internet Explorer and place your cursor on any informational image on your website or objects on your website and wait, let the cursor hover, you will notice a yellowish tag, explaining the image. For e.g. If its your company logo, it should contain your company name, other info you might want to add. If the image is only a part of the document formation or web design, you can definitely use it for the website description or keywords; it only will boost your on site SEO. ALT tags also display the text enclosed within them, when the image cannot load or the browser does not support images, for e.g. Lynx!

2. Subtitles for Video based content

Have your ever seen a movie or video without audio? Thats how physically challenged person would be watching it! So if you can afford to put up subtitles in your videos, believe me it will go a lonnng way!! No subtitles? Ok, so provide a transcript most biggies like Download.com, Cnet.com, etc provide this feature. These websites display transcripts of the video. Unlike video, its transcripts can also be converted into any language using Google translation tools! Again these transcripts also elevate content and will only boost your onsite SEO too!

3. Forms check

Check your forms. Many of us leave our forms the way they are, empty, single and unexplainable! Contrary to what might you guys think, web forms are on the front line where Customer Relationship Management is concerned. So pay attention to forms. Display text next to the input objects so as to clearly mention what you want the user to input. Also make sure, while entering values in the form, the “tab” key should be used as the standard keyboard navigation key. You can read all about web contact forms here!

4. Resizing text

Sure, many standard browsers do have the feature of changing text size as per users default requirement, but that does not mean you don’t give an option to users to change the text size! Use CSS to provide for an interface and mechanism where a user can change text sizes to view your browser! Also note the effects on your website layout/design, when fonts are changed. Remember, its all about accessibility.

5. Use Lynx!

As stated above, Lynx is CUI or character user interface based browser. Lynx mainly only displays text and links. It cannot render frames, iframes, objects and image tags. So make sure you check your websites appearance in Lynx. Most search engine crawlers look at your website as lynx does, so it will go only to your advantage if you check your website against Lynx!

6. Website with a mouse!?

Yes! Your website should be accessible with your mouse. Users should be able to navigate without using their mouse! This only goes to make sure you care about your business or your personal website and look at it as serious tool for communication, advertising, support related relations with your visitors!

7. Make sense of text links!

Make sure that all your text links on the website, precisely describe where your visitor will be and what he can expect when he ore she clicks on the said link. Again text links, ideally should not be more the 3-5 words! The less words the better!

8. Auto check website!

There are plenty of programs available on the internet that will check all webpages on your website for miscellaneous problems. They won’t be checking for accessibility, but more so syntax, design, visitors and more. Two of these freely available programs are WebXact and Wave. WebXACT is from IBM and checks for web security. Wave on the other hand deals with the basics of website accessiblity and checks your website for some set standards. I would suggest you use both.

9. Sitemaps

Make sure you have two versions of the sitemaps for every website you own, design and deliver. One in HTML for your visitors and the second one in XML, which would be compatible with the standards stated over at Sitemap.org and can be crawled by Yahoo, Google and Live! Sitemaps boost your websites accessibility and visibility where visitors and search engines, both are concerned!

Website Accessibility Resources

WebXACT@ http://www-01.ibm.com/software/rational/offerings/websecurity/
Wave@ http://wave.webaim.org//
Sitemap Standards@ http://www.sitemaps.org
Free Sitemap Generator@ http://www.xml-sitemaps.com/
Lynx Website Viewer@ http://www.delorie.com/web/lynxview.html

OK, so back here where I live, every apartment building has an aspiring or already established website designer. No Kidding! As I was taking my lectures in one my web tech classes, I suddenly found myself answering questions about web designing; with web scripting and programming being covered by the course, there was no mention, no hint of anything related to web graphics or web design. I mean, sure there was some HTML and CSS, and thus XHTML, but nothing in depth and nothing about standards or web design considerations, etc. And thus this post. This is dedicated to all web designer newbies, who would want to be more active and more involved with the web designing aspect.

Web Design Nooks and Corners on the Internet

There are plenty of places on the internet which have great tutorials for web designers newbies. But, most of them are a little confusing, with some you wouldn’t find any and all information in one place, with some even tutoring with bad, erroneous examples. So, I have mentioned six websites that go a LONG way while teaching you the basics and more about Web Design, most them were and are still referred by me sometimes. Most of the sites listed here, are devoid of letting you know that you really require some color sense, differentiation, inspiration, imagination and a lot of creativity too.. but what the heck eh?

Must Visit for Web Design Tuts and Resources

1. HTML Goodies@ http://www.htmlgoodies.com: Excellent collection of all things HTML. From basic to very advanced topic, a great community which discusses HTML and its power. And Everything is extremely organized and well explained.

2. W3Schools@ http://www.w3schools.com: The all shop stop for any webbie newbie. Its an extremely kinetic site for all web programmers and designers, with tutorials in all that is web. Most of the tutorials here are mostly basic or of the intermediate level, and hence an excellent resource for all beginners.

3. IPL kids web@ http://www.ipl.org/div/kidsweb/: If you are in a school and are a kid, or would like instructions, the old baby way, this site does just that for HTML. A step by step babies book for HTML! Fun to read and extremely clear to understand.

4. HTML Dog@ http://www.htmldog.com/: One of the most professional HTML tutoring and authoritative sites on the internet. It largely covers HTML and CSS, right from the basics to the advanced and professional level. Extremely easy to understand and very well structured tutorials, a personal recommendation for all webbie newbies.

5. HTML.net@ http://www.html.net/: A very agile site for all designer newbies. Maybe, even your starting point for HTML and CSS. Step by Step tutorials and a must visit for web design tuts.

6. About Web Design@ http://webdesign.about.com/od/webdesignbasics/u/webdesignbasics.htm: The last recommendation for this post! Don’t want you guys confused and het up. But the last one is certainly one fo the best guides out there for starting webdesign, it has tutorials covering elements of webdesign, web design software, web design fonts, and almost everything your will need to consider while becoming a web designer. A MUST for all webbie newbies.

A little more than Web Design Tutorials

A personal pointer to all becoming web designers, you really need more than the above tutorials. You need an eye for clear and crisp design, with a lot of inspiration finding and a lot of creativity. Consider these are pre-requisites. Otherwise, you will be just copying some body else’s design inspirations and creativity, like most of the lot on the internet. If so, even then I would suggest as time goes on by, hone your colors, design concepts and creativity. Think outside of the screen! Have a good one guys.

Great brands and Greater Companies have always been recognized by their Logos. This brings us to the essential question ….

So how do you set out to design a Logo?

Many designers-to-be want to know this. Ideally, logo designing should be your first step as designer, online or offline. Since, logo design keeps to and teaches the KISS principle, more so than other forms of design. Here are five simple steps, you will climb, while designing a logo.

Step 1: What is a Logo? And What does it represent?

Contrary to the thoughts of many designers, a Logo is certainly NOT a photograph, its not something that you can click using a camera, no matter how good a camera. Again, contrary to the thoughts of designers, a Logo is NOT stock clipart that you can download. A Logo is NOT your brand. A Logo does NOT tell your story. What a Logo is and means, is an Identity. It is something that will Identify your company or your brand and will later be related by your consumers or clients to your company or brand. For e.g. the Nike logo. Many people think that there is a story behind this logo, truth be told. There is no story behind it. It identifies Nike today, it represents Nike and when ever you see a tick like that, you think of? Nike! That’s right! A Logo is something that “demands” immediate recognition.

So, before you start designing, always remember, a Logo always will represent a businesses commercial bottomline, using fonts, shapes, colors and/or images. A Logo insignia on any product, produces a sense of trust. It inspires recognition and admiration for the business or company. Our job, here, then becomes designing something that will hold true to this.

Step 2: What makes a great Logo?

Knowing what you know about what a logo really is and what it is suppose to represent, its not time to know some basic set of laws and ideologies of Logo design.

• Easy to describe: A logo must be describable easily. You, your clients, companies, consumers; all should be able to describe it easily and effortlessly.
• Easy to remember: A logo must be easy to remember. The consumers should be able to photoimprint your logo. One look and they remember it, everybody remembers it.
• Easily Scalable: A logo must not conform to size. It can be scaled to any height:width ratio. At the same time, its height or width should not distort its recognition in any way.
• No Color, no Problem: A logo should be recognizable without color or with color. Color of the logo shouldn’t be a hinderence where recognition is concerned.

Step 3: Keep an open mind and learn from successful logos.

Did you know that the Nike Swoosh logo was designed by Caroline Davidson and it was designed for only $35!! In the year 1971. Think of it, it is still going strong, anywhere, anyone in the world who sees a swoosh like that instantly recognizes and connects with Nike as a brand and as a company. Yet, the logo is simple! There is nothing to it, but a tick! It can be recognized in any color, any size and is extremely easy to describe! All this for $35! What it represents is a wing of the greek victory goddess, Nike!

Complicated designs, misrepresentation that a designer would never be able to interpret is what makes for a bad one. Learn from these, and avoid mistakes that have been made while designing such bad logos. Have a look at the logo shown below formerly belonging to the Arlington Pediatric Center.

Step 4: Institute your own Logo design process.

Setting up and getting comfortable while designing and presenting a logo is the hardest step of all. You would have to see what design process suites you. Generally a logo design process constitutes of the following..

• A Design brief.
• Lots of research and actual thinking.
• Drawing and sketching it up.
• Conceptulizing and coming up with a prototype.
• Sending the concept and prototype to your client for review.
• Revisions and Finishing touches.
• And Delivery!

The sequence is pretty much sealed, but you can surely play around and see what suites you the best as a logo designer.

Step 5: Know the tools of your trade.

Know your tools, your software, your paper and what ever is that you use to design a logo. Most of the designing community uses Adobe Illustrator and I would suggest you start here. There are plenty of tutorials on using Adobe Illustrator. Following the logo design process as mentioned above, would require to roughly sketch the logo first and then may be start on it using a computer.

Logo Design Resources

Wiki logo@ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logo
Get those logo ideas rolling@ http://logopond.com/
Adobe Illustrator@ http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/
Adobe Illustrator tutorials@ http://www.ndesign-studio.com/resources/tutorials/
Adobe Illustrator tutorials@ http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/illustratortutorials/Essential_Tutorials_for_Adobe_Illustrator.htm
Adobe Illustrator tutorials@ http://www.layersmagazine.com/category/tutorials/illustrator