Glantz Design » blog http://www.glantz.net Glantz Design is a strategically creative studio located in Chicago that creates ideas, solves problems and produces solutions Wed, 29 May 2013 23:01:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 50 Years in Color http://www.glantz.net/blog/50-years-in-color http://www.glantz.net/blog/50-years-in-color#comments Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:09:46 +0000 glantz http://www.glantz.net/?p=4487 To celebrate PANTONE’s 50th anniversary, the king of color has designed an infographic that details iconic moments in color of the last five decades.

Pantone Celebrates Color

(via PANTONE)

]]> http://www.glantz.net/blog/50-years-in-color/feed 0 How to make a perfect logo – A study of the world’s top brands http://www.glantz.net/blog/how-to-make-a-perfect-logo-a-study-of-the-worlds-top-brands http://www.glantz.net/blog/how-to-make-a-perfect-logo-a-study-of-the-worlds-top-brands#comments Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:46:20 +0000 glantz http://www.glantz.net/?p=4457 Taking a look at the world’s top 100 brands to determine which fonts, colors and formats were the most popular choices, this infographic provides some good food for thought if you’ve hit a road block on your latest logo design.


Fonts & Colors Infographic
Infographic authored by TastyPlacement.


]]> http://www.glantz.net/blog/how-to-make-a-perfect-logo-a-study-of-the-worlds-top-brands/feed 0 Serif vs Sans : Which font to use? http://www.glantz.net/blog/serif-vs-sans http://www.glantz.net/blog/serif-vs-sans#comments Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:31:46 +0000 glantz http://www.glantz.net/?p=4446


]]> http://www.glantz.net/blog/serif-vs-sans/feed 0 All the Super Bowl MVPs http://www.glantz.net/blog/all-the-super-bowl-mvps http://www.glantz.net/blog/all-the-super-bowl-mvps#comments Tue, 29 Jan 2013 23:47:05 +0000 glantz http://www.glantz.net/?p=4436

Every Super Bowl MVP

Every Super Bowl MVP infographic


]]> http://www.glantz.net/blog/all-the-super-bowl-mvps/feed 0 And the Award for Our Favorite Oscar Poster Design Goes To….. http://www.glantz.net/blog/oscar-poster-design http://www.glantz.net/blog/oscar-poster-design#comments Fri, 18 Jan 2013 22:55:13 +0000 glantz http://www.glantz.net/?p=4362 more >]]> These movies aren’t just your everyday cinema—they are Oscar-nominated films up for Best Picture of the year. Seeing as they beat out the thousands of other films hoping to be recognized, we figured their posters would be top notch as well. Some were, and some… weren’t. Find out which poster we crowned our favorite, and see if you agree.

Amour

Amour

The vacant stare and searching hands are what make us love this poster so much. This simple poster tells a story without words, without over-the-top design and without being painfully obvious.

Argo

Argo

This poster is all over the place. While we like the color combo, it’s just too “been there done that” with the chaotic photos paired with a mysterious close-up of the hero.

Beasts of Southern Wild

Beasts of Southern Wild

Not our favorite, but not bad. Just kind of… “eh.” Nothing really jumps out as being original or interesting.

Django Unchained

Django Unchained

We’ve seen this a thousand times before. So-so design with painfully posey photography. We expected something more artistically-bizarre to portray a Quentin Tarantino movie!

Les Miserables

Clean, simple and interesting. Captivating photography that draws us in, and a face that makes us want to know her story.

Life of Pi

Beautiful design and color, but we’ve seen it before… this fits perfectly in the “Face in the sky over tiny figures on a beach below” category of our previous blog.

Lincoln

Oh, hello white space! A striking image + minimal typography = a graphic designer’s dream. This poster beautifully represents the film and makes an impression without trying too hard.

Silver Linings Playbook

This poster fits the bill for a cheesy rom-com. Love the selective color, but it’s not compelling like an Oscar nominated film poster should be.

Zero Dark Thirty

This… just…. ugh.

 

And the winner for our favorite movie poster goes to……………drumroll please………….

 

LINCOLN!

The quality of photography, beautiful white space and emotion ultimately won us over—and let’s face it, Daniel Day-Lewis wins everything.

 

Honorable Mentions:

Amour and Les Miserables both successfully bring emotion and originality to the table.
Do you agree with our decision? Tell us your favorite!

 

*We have no affiliation with the real #Oscars and this post was meant for fun and fodder. For real nominees go to oscar.go.com.

]]> http://www.glantz.net/blog/oscar-poster-design/feed 0 Movie Posters Lack Variety These Days http://www.glantz.net/blog/movie-posters-lack-variety-these-days http://www.glantz.net/blog/movie-posters-lack-variety-these-days#comments Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:19:01 +0000 glantz http://www.glantz.net/?p=4342 Wait, haven’t I seen this somewhere before? Movie posters are all starting to blur together, and the word “variety” has apparently gone out the window. Can we get a little originality over here?

Movie Posters

This hilarious eye-opener was compiled by Christophe Courtois.


]]> http://www.glantz.net/blog/movie-posters-lack-variety-these-days/feed 3 10 Books for the Creative Soul http://www.glantz.net/blog/10-books-for-the-creative-soul http://www.glantz.net/blog/10-books-for-the-creative-soul#comments Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:48:10 +0000 glantz http://www.glantz.net/?p=4275 more >]]> Sometimes all you need to get your creative juices flowing is a good read. The quest to find an entertaining, reliable, and genuinely interesting book can be hard, but being the good friends that we are, we did the searching for you. We have compiled a list of some of the most helpful, funny, and creative books out there, ranging from educational content—to doodles that are just fun to look at. Get inspired and take a look at these literary gems.

1. Creative Workshop: 80 Challenges to Sharpen Your Design Skills

This book offers a healthy amount of exercises to get your gears turning

Purchase it here.

2. How to Be a Graphic Designer without Losing Your Soul

Purchase it here.

3. Obsessive Consumption: What Did You Buy Today?

Purchase it here.

4. Just My Type: A Book About Fonts

Purchase it here.

5. Know Your Onions – Graphic Design: How to Think Like a Creative, Act like a Businessman and Design Like a God

Purchase it here.

6. 100 Ideas that Changed Graphic Design

Purchase it here.

7. Steal Like An Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

Purchase it here.

8. Symbol

Purchase it here.

9. Look Both Ways: Illustrated Essays On The Intersection Of Life And Design

Purchase it here.

10. Above the Fold: Understanding the Principles of Successful Web Site Design

Purchase it here.

Also, as an added note we are only sharing these because we like them for a variety of different reasons. We don’t get paid or even get a small percentage of the sale thanks to Amazon removing Affiliate accounts in Illinois. These books are inspiring, fun and make good gifts to those who have a creative soul.


]]> http://www.glantz.net/blog/10-books-for-the-creative-soul/feed 2 How Coffee Works http://www.glantz.net/blog/how-coffee-works http://www.glantz.net/blog/how-coffee-works#comments Tue, 13 Nov 2012 23:00:16 +0000 glantz http://www.glantz.net/?p=4313 An amazing infographic by an extremely talented illustrator Dan Zettwoch.

On his blog you will see the process that it takes to create such a detailed depiction of everyone’s favorite morning addiction.

Coffee Infographic - Dan Zettwoch


]]> http://www.glantz.net/blog/how-coffee-works/feed 0 20 Business Cards You Won’t Forget http://www.glantz.net/blog/20-business-cards-you-wont-forget http://www.glantz.net/blog/20-business-cards-you-wont-forget#comments Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:58:25 +0000 glantz http://www.glantz.net/?p=4216 How does one portray their brand identity or personality with one simple, introductory card? Some like to take the traditional route and list only the necessary information on a piece of white card stock. But as shown below, we round up a collection of business cards that take an alternate approach—pushing innovative design to new limits. These cards not only provide contact information, they successfully reflect the products they have to offer as a practical, strategic mini-advertisement.

Straight-to-the-point business cards are great, but when it comes to making a lasting impression, these brands do it right.

1. Model Aircraft Supply

Aircraft Model

How fun would this be to throw around the office? Norburn Model Aircraft Supply company provides an interactive business card that brings out the kid in us.

 2. Asthma Allergy Centre

Asthma and Allergy Center

This doctor’s office has you testing your lungs before you can even read their information. Touché, Asthma Allergy Centre.

 3. Cosmetic Surgery

Plastic Surgeon

What can this plastic surgeon do for you? The business card says it all.

 4. Cargo Supply

Cargo

This cargo company shows what it brings to the table: adorable, tiny, awesome shipping boxes.

 5. Dentist

Dentist

This visual play on filling a cavity almost makes us want to go to the dentist… almost.

 6. Maps & Travel Guides

Maps

A fun miniature version of their product even gives you directions to their shop. Smooth.

 7. Divorce Lawyer

Divorce Lawyer

Strategically finding the humor in divorce.

 8. Dog Coach

Dog Trainer

How clever, just don’t let your dog eat it before you jot down his information.

 9. Futbol Club

Futbol

Junpiter Futbol’s card lets you strategize directly on their turf.

 10. Hairdresser

Haircut

Practice your trimming skills and keep these cards looking fresh.

 11. Security Consulting

Locksmith

Master of security, Kevin Mitnick’s card points out how easy it can be to hack into information.

 12. Massage Therapist

Massage Therapist

Untie the knot and this therapist can help you get rid of yours.

 13. Painter

Painter

Our favorite of the bunch (design nerd and proud of it), this painter shows his expertise with Pantone paint swatches.

 14. Pilates Studio

Pilates Studio

Have fun creating different positions with this Pilates studio business card, dreaming you could really be that flexible.

 15. Landscaping

Landscaping

Manage your own garden with this creative Landscaping business card.

 16. Lawn Care

Landscaping

This multipurpose card allows you to jumpstart your lawn care.

 17. Health & Wellness Group

Personal Trainer

Fooled weren’t you? Just admit it…your mind went there.

 18. TV Consulting

TV Consultant

Love the idea, just don’t lose it like a real remote.

 19. Web Design

Web Designer

This creative web design company makes a pretty cool business card. Just imagine what they can do with a real computer.

 20. Yoga Studio

Yoga Studio

Warning: do not try to use this as a mat. It’s just a business card. I know, it fooled me too.


]]> http://www.glantz.net/blog/20-business-cards-you-wont-forget/feed 3 Anatomy of a Brand (infographic) http://www.glantz.net/blog/anatomy-of-a-brand-infographic http://www.glantz.net/blog/anatomy-of-a-brand-infographic#comments Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:03:50 +0000 glantz http://www.glantz.net/?p=4197 So what does a brand look like? Here is a great infographic we found online that is a fun depiction of humanizing a brand.
Anatomy of a Brand [Infographic] – Better Business Brand


]]> http://www.glantz.net/blog/anatomy-of-a-brand-infographic/feed 1