Freelance Web Designer | Graphic Designer | The Online Portfolio of Addison Kowalski http://kqeda.com based in Los Angeles, California. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:28:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 en Consistency Is King - Part 1 - Link Capitalization http://kqeda.com/blog/consistency-is-king-part-1-link-capitalization/ http://kqeda.com/blog/consistency-is-king-part-1-link-capitalization/#comments Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:28:54 +0000 admin http://kqeda.com/?p=292 ]]> This is going to be a short series I’m doing focusing on consistency. I find beauty in consistency. I suppose I could start with the definition of the word:

“A harmonious uniformity or agreement among things or parts.”

I believe keeping everything consistent gives a better feel of uniform and appeals to be more structured and formated. So with that being said, here we go!

Consistency is King - Link Capitalization

It’s very simple to start. Take the buttons you have on your website. Sometimes you’re not sure on the capitalization. This is exactly what recently happened at my work, and we found ourselves running into a few different types of buttons. I created a sheet and printed a few copies and posted them around the office.

Now I’m not saying you should use the exact capitalization I use, but decide what you think looks best and stay with it. Make use of your printer and have it up as a reminder.

]]> http://kqeda.com/blog/consistency-is-king-part-1-link-capitalization/feed/ Where’s My Update http://kqeda.com/blog/wheres-my-update/ http://kqeda.com/blog/wheres-my-update/#comments Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:14:11 +0000 admin http://kqeda.com/?p=277 I'd say, as a designer, it's hard to keep your blog updated. Let me first get this out of the way. I have added to the sidebar of my website a feed from my Twitter account. So, if you're looking for a quick update or a WITTY remark, there you go.]]> I try to stay active!
I’d say, as a designer, it’s hard to keep your blog updated.  Let me first get this out of the way.  I have added to the sidebar of my website a feed from my Twitter account.  So, if you’re looking for a quick update or a WITTY remark, there you go.

As I was saying, it’s really tough keeping my blog up to date.  I’m currently working on more than I can handle.  It’s crazy and stressful, but I LOVE it.  Creating is the most exciting thing for me, so I like to take on a lot of projects.  So I would like to apologize for the lack of updates.  I do this about once a year.  Hehe.

One of the biggest projects I’m working on is the revamp of SickAnimation.com.   We’ve planned a January 1st release on that site.  It should be pretty exciting.  I’ve implemented some really flashy elements into this site.  I’m currently learning a lot of fun jQuery tricks, so look out for that site.

The other project I’m working on that I really can’t say much about is It’s A Fav.  If you want to stare at a coming soon page, check out www.itsafav.com That is a personal project and I’m also shooting for January 1st.

Other than that, work my friend.  Work.

]]> http://kqeda.com/blog/wheres-my-update/feed/ SchoolTXT http://kqeda.com/branding/schooltxt/ http://kqeda.com/branding/schooltxt/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:21:04 +0000 admin http://kqeda.com/?p=271 SchoolTXT is a site that should be launching sometime in the near future. I was directed to make a logo with no icon or company mascot. My job was to design the logo with only type. I put together their business cards, envelopes, and paper.

]]> http://kqeda.com/branding/schooltxt/feed/ Tutor Source http://kqeda.com/branding/tutor-source/ http://kqeda.com/branding/tutor-source/#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:52:00 +0000 admin http://kqeda.com/?p=268 This is two of five logos I designed for TutorSource.com. This is a site I helped design and launch. TutorSource.com launched Friday, October 31st, 2008. I skinned the site, and created the logo they launched the site with.

]]> http://kqeda.com/branding/tutor-source/feed/ Web & Graphic Design Process http://kqeda.com/blog/web-graphic-design-process/ http://kqeda.com/blog/web-graphic-design-process/#comments Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:58:17 +0000 admin http://kqeda.com/?p=207 A couple months ago, I went ahead and wrote up a document which basically laid out the design and development process for me. I found it really useful when working on a project, whether I was starting or in the middle of a stage. Check it out and if you have any recommendations, contact me! l. Information & Research
    Meeting with project manager giving details of product.
  • Question One: What are we selling?
  • Question Two: Who is our audience/demographic?
  • Question Three: What elements need to be on homepage?
  • Question Four: How many KEY pages? Page titles?
  • Question Five: How much is the product?
  • Question Six: Do we have a logo? Are we designing the logo?
  • Question Seven: Who is the competition?
]]> How to start?

A couple months ago, I went ahead and wrote up a document which basically laid out the design and development process for me. I found it really useful when working on a project, whether I was starting or in the middle of a stage. Check it out and if you have any recommendations, contact me!

**Requested was a printable version. Click here for a printer-friendly version.

l. Information & Research

    Meeting with project manager giving details of product.

  • Question One: What are we selling?
  • Question Two: Who is our audience/demographic?
  • Question Three: What elements need to be on homepage?
  • Question Four: How many KEY pages? Page titles?
  • Question Five: How much is the product?
  • Question Six: Do we have a logo? Are we designing the logo?
  • Question Seven: Who is the competition?

ll. Competitive Analysis & Wireframe

    Meeting with designers brainstorming layout and analysis.

  • Review competitors and discover trends, strengths, and weaknesses of competitors.
  • Each design member design a wireframe layout of homepage.
  • After selecting the favored wireframe, make any last minute collaborations to finalize.

lll. Content Delivery

    A portion of content is given to design team.

  • Question One: What is the company name (logo in PSD form.)
  • Question Two: Tag line for company.
  • Question Three: Main article heading for homepage.
  • Question Four: Main article subheading for homepage.
  • Question Five: Does the company have a customer support hotline?
  • Question Six: Confirm KEY pages and titles.
  • Question Seven: Sidebar: What articles and forms will be featured and on what pages?

lV. Creative Exploration:

    Designers individually come up with art direction for homepage.

  • Logo design (if needed.)
  • Place logo.
  • Define a color scheme.
  • Define typography.

V. Design Review & Critique

    Designers post individual layouts and discuss with project managers and others involved.

  • Discuss pros and cons of each layout.
  • After selecting a favored design, make any last minute collaborations to finalize homepage.

Vl. Subpage Designs

    Designers individually come up with subpages.

  • Define sidebar.
  • Arrange content.
  • Design bulleted lists.

Vll. Content Input

    Client sends in content with headlines and articles.

  • Enter content.
  • Send to client for review.

Vlll. Site Review and Soft Launch

    Release beta of site and have all employees run through site.

  • Review site.
  • Address any question of bugs in site.

lX. Launch Site

    Launch website and reep the benefits.
]]> http://kqeda.com/blog/web-graphic-design-process/feed/ An Orange Grove http://kqeda.com/branding/an-orange-grove/ http://kqeda.com/branding/an-orange-grove/#comments Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:02:36 +0000 admin http://kqeda.com/?p=13 An Orange Grove is a Disneyland fact site. Not only does it have facts on every attraction, interesting history facts, and a list of hidden Mickey’s in the park. Each article is written by a staff of over ten writers, all whom which love Disneyland. It is currently in early beta testing.

]]> http://kqeda.com/branding/an-orange-grove/feed/ Found Reel Big Fish concept art! http://kqeda.com/blog/retrieved-reel-big-fish-concept-art/ http://kqeda.com/blog/retrieved-reel-big-fish-concept-art/#comments Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:31:59 +0000 admin http://kqeda.com/?p=182 Last year, the band Reel Big Fish contacted me on doing the album art for their new record 'Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free.' The original concepts I gave them were some of my favorite illustration work that I've ever done. Unfortunately, they did not approve my comps, and had me make something that I pretty much hated.]]> My art direction compared to what Reel Big Fish made me do.
Last year, the band Reel Big Fish contacted me on doing the album art for their new record ‘Monkeys for Nothin’ and the Chimps for Free.’ The original concepts I gave them were some of my favorite illustration work that I’ve ever done. Unfortunately, they did not approve my comps, and had me make something that I pretty much hated. Check under my Illustration section to find the first concepts I sent them. I thought it was long gone because my hard-drive died on me. So relieved I found at least one of the comps.

In other news, tonight I saw a hit and run. I didn’t catch the criminals plates who ran off, but I hung out until the owner of the hit car returned to his car and let him know. Ten minutes later we totally found the criminal! Hehe.

]]> http://kqeda.com/blog/retrieved-reel-big-fish-concept-art/feed/ Reel Big Fish Concept http://kqeda.com/illustration/reel-big-fish-concept/ http://kqeda.com/illustration/reel-big-fish-concept/#comments Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:23:47 +0000 admin http://kqeda.com/?p=179 http://kqeda.com/illustration/reel-big-fish-concept/feed/ Something Appropiate http://kqeda.com/illustration/something-appropiate/ http://kqeda.com/illustration/something-appropiate/#comments Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:20:07 +0000 admin http://kqeda.com/?p=177 http://kqeda.com/illustration/something-appropiate/feed/ The New Sick Animation http://kqeda.com/blog/the-new-sick-animation-website/ http://kqeda.com/blog/the-new-sick-animation-website/#comments Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:26:19 +0000 admin http://kqeda.com/?p=174 Hey all! I'm really stoked too announce I'm designing the new site for Sick Animation. If you are new to the world of amazing animations, Sick Animation is all done by a man named Marc M. It very random, and caution, insulting cartoons, but none the less amazingly funny.]]> Addison Kowalski designs the new sick animation

Hey all! I’m really stoked too announce I’m designing the new site for Sick Animation. If you are new to the world of amazing animations, Sick Animation is all done by a man named Marc M. It very random, and caution, insulting cartoons, but none the less amazingly funny.

Sick Animation just got a deal in the United Kingdom and will have a show there sometime in the near future. I’m doing some new and exciting things with this site, and we’re both really happy with how it’s coming out so far. The site should be up in the next couple of months.

If you are trying to view the animation or music page, please give me some time. I’m still working on the two pages. Until next time, bye bye!

]]> http://kqeda.com/blog/the-new-sick-animation-website/feed/