Incorporating trends into design

Trends in design come and go over time, leaving us in a world that is constantly changing around us. It’s exhausting to keep up with this constant shift sometimes and it is important not to be left behind when trying to reach an audience. So should we be incorporating these trends in our design? The answer is a tough one and open for interpretation.
An important thing to remember about trends is that they represent an era or time period; who could forget the highly fashionable shoulder pads and leg warmers of the 80’s, or trends like creating 3D letters on absolutely everything. When we design something using current trends it will one-day be looked at as being a part of that era in design history. With this in mind, it is important to take into account the length of use for an item when creating a design solution. Things with shorter life cycles like posters, fashion items, cards, and diaries, will theoretically be on display for a set amount of time where it is much safer to use current trends. However other areas like corporate branding, logo design, and anything that can’t easily be redesigned, needs a solution which not only appeals to the current market but will continue to do so once trends have changed. This suggests that sometimes a more timeless design solution is more appropriate.

So how do we find the balance in using current trends?

Do your research

Remember that initial idea that pops into your head when you hear about a project? These initial thoughts may have influences from current trends, and existing ideas which we’ve already seen floating around. Sometimes it’s hard to break past this initial thought and develop it into something which stands out and apart from what’s already out there. This is why it’s important to do some careful research and find ways to incorporate inspiration whilst still creating an original design. What could be an acceptable design solution can become extraordinary with a well-researched conceptual approach.

Don’t over use trends

Don’t be that designer who didn’t know when to move forward. When everything looks the same it is hard to effectively reach people and create something which stands out. Trends might be popular but this is not a strong enough reason on it’s own to justify using them.

Find the best design solution

The best solution for something may not necessarily involve a particular trend in the industry. To effectively incorporate a current trend into a design it needs to fit with the brief and be useful in reaching the viewer and/or potential customer. In other words the design needs to call for a trend.

So while using trends helps us to reaching an audience it is important to only use these trends when it is suitable. It is also important to ensure that in using current design trends, we don’t loose our ability to push ideas and concepts to their full potential. So maybe we need to take a step back and look at current trends with a wider perspective and remember that one-day we will be looking back on these design trends as a past phase.

Blog written by Amy Sonter

Design Missionary

I have always been completely in awe of professions that enable lives to be saved. 

Doctors, Firefighters, Police Officers, Therapists, Scientists, Musicians, Veterinarians, Teachers, Humanitarians, Life Guards, Social Workers, Pastors, Missionaries. The list is endless.But what do I have to offer in the plight to save lives? I want what I do to actually matter, to make a difference. I want the opportunity to save lives.

I first became aware of Jay at Hillsong Conference last year. He spoke in a Creative Design lecture I was attending, where the things that he said radically changed the way I looked at all things creative and showed me a link between what I study, and my personal beliefs.

“Sometimes God has a hand in changing, influencing and giving you ideas in a prophetic sense so that your design can impact upon the people. All your creativity comes from God. He is the original creative.”

I can be a missionary, just like I’ve always wanted. What I do has the ability to speak to people outside of my Church, which means I can take God to places others cannot reach. I can bring people to know my God through my designs.

Jay uses his gifts in design a way I never dreamt possible. Being the Art Director of Hillsong Church is a platform that enables him to reach millions of people (considering that Hillsong United album ‘Zion’ reached #1 on the ARIA charts). He is someone I regard to be my biggest influence in continuing with graphic design, not just because of his creative work but by the purpose that drives him.

Now I can face my design future knowing that whatever I do and wherever I am, I can make a difference through what I do.“Sometimes God has a hand in changing, influencing and giving you ideas in a prophetic sense so that your design can impact upon the people. All your creativity comes from God. He is the original creative.”

You can find more of Jay’s work here.

Blog written by Danelle Morton.

Setting Boundaries: Just Say 'No', Part 1

Mad Month of March?

(Wow. I seriously can't believe how busy this semester has been, and it's only just started! It's been busy, but it's been amazing. I have loved every minute of of this semester so far.)

Thus, more than ever before, I think it is important to be setting boundaries.

A discussion on this topic arose last week, when Danelle and I accidentally said 'yes', on behalf of That Design, to producing some additional design work for one of our clients. A tiny, little, extra piece of design work wouldn't hurt anyone...we thought. 

But little things add up.

Little things add up into big things.

When you say 'yes' to 10 different little things, they become a very big thing indeed.

Anyway, I'm not here to talk about addition, and how 1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1=10... As suggested by the title of this blog, this blog is about setting boundaries. There is so much that could be said about setting boundaries. 

But personally, I feel the most important aspect is learning to say 'no'. 

Such a short simple word, one of the easiest to pronounce and spell, yet one of the most difficult to actually say. And one of the most essential.

Learning to say no is an important life lesson that I've only just started putting into practice. 

It's difficult.

There are many reasons why people find it difficult to say no. You just want to be agreeable. You genuinely want to help the person out. You feel a sense of obligation. But the main one for me, I think was a fear of missing out on opportunities. In other words, I was suffering from a strain of FOMO.

FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out.

It's funny, because all this time, (up until I started writing this blog post) I thought I was immune to FOMO. I thought FOMO was all about the social life, of feeling the need to go to every social event, or hanging out with a group of friends all the time, because you don't want to be left out when they talk about the great time they had last night.

I had a fear of missing out on opportunities: the ones related to my goals of becoming a successful graphic designer. In short, I said yes to far too many underpaid, or unpaid jobs, I figured they were a good way to practice my skills, and figured they might lead to greater opportunities. And to a certain extent, yes they probably have.

But. I. Was. Exhausted. (and also felt a bit used and ripped off)

I was absolutely burnt out by the end of last semester. 

The whole holidays I couldn't bring myself to do anything at all related to design, or art, or photography. I didn't even want to come back to college to finish my degree, as it meant I would have to be doing all of the above. 

I wanted to study carpentry. (I actually still kind of do)

But here I am. Back into design work. But the difference is... that I now know how to say no. 

And I'm loving it.

I now fear 'Fear Of Missing Out'. What I now fear is missing out on 'me time'. Missing out on taking time out to enjoy a hot cup of tea, or having extra hours of sleep. Missing out on having time out to spend on personal hobbies and projects. Missing out on people and friends.

Just yesterday, I said 'no' to something and explained it was because I really felt the need for a nap. That felt good. I think the hardest thing sometimes about saying no, is being able to put your own needs first: getting enough sleep, exercise, and healthy food a number one priority.

The default position for me is still 'yes'. But I now know how to override the default settings.

What helped me a lot was reading this line on some blog one day during the holidays:

"Saying yes to something means saying no to something else."

But knowing how to say 'no' can be the biggest challenge. Saying 'no' outright can seem so blunt, and harsh. Here are three good ways to say 'no' in an honest yet gentle way:

1. "I'd love to help you out... but ________" This tells the other person that you love their ideas, it compliments them and keeps the other person feeling good. But it lets them know that your plate is full with other needs/commitments. A good way to still help the person out without overcommitting yourself is to suggest another person suited to the job.
2. "Let me think about it first and get back to you" One reason I prefer emails and Facebook messages to phone calls and face to face communication is that you naturally have more time to think things through. It's often way too easy to get caught up in the moment, and the contagiousness of the other person's excitement and say 'YES!' in the heat of the moment, and then regret it later. (I have done this too many times) One thing I need to learn is that it is ok to ask for time. 
3. And I really like this one from Oprah's website (I will be implementing this policy): "I'll have to sleep on it: I have a policy of not making decisions straight away." 

That's all from me... for now. Look out for a Part 2 of this series on 'Setting Boundaries', as I practice the delicate art of saying 'no'. 

And then possibly a blog post on 'Pushing Boundaries', which will be fun ;)

Did someone say designers?

Hello blogg-o-sphere!! Traffic manager Eily here. 
What a great first couple of weeks we have had already in the studio. Already we have taken a number of briefs and completed some client works. Keep and eye out for posts were we show you how we do what we do. We are so looking forward to taking you on our journey for 2013 within the studio. Incase you didn't know, we have just started a facebook page (That Design Studio) and a Instagram (@thatdesignstudioavondale) follow us to find out more about the workings of the That Design Studio.


Eily, x

Welcome Team 2013

Hi all, Wow, week three of our College term—where did the time go? Our new team has been settling in, understanding their roles and becoming acquainted with new and existing clients. Eily, Danelle, Jacinda and Amy are four talented, passionate and discerning young designers ready to take on the that design studio. The girls will be posting in this space, sharing their year long adventure with you. Welcome to the that design family girls, I look forward to working with you!

The Jacaranda

Client: Avondale College

Lead Designer: Jordan Tyler Lee

Editor:
Tarsha Menzies

Assistant Editor:
Sara Thompson

Project Manager: 
Kaleb Carrasco

Design Team:
Jordan Tyler Lee, Kaleb Carrasco, Peck Flamenco, Briana Williams

Photographers:
Jordan Tyler Lee, Ashleigh Wrankmore

Writers: 
Sara Thompson, Gavin Bower, Anastasia Benton, Leah Stewart, Tarsha Menzies

Graphic Design Lecturer: Donna Pinter
Administration: Kevin Judge
Proofreading Team: Kevin Judge and Kathy Readford

Special Thanks: 
Donna Pinter, Aaron Bellette, Paul Lewis, Richard Morris, Kristine Lubinski, Kathy Readford, Kevin Judge


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The Jacaranda, or JAC as it is known, is the annual yearbook for Avondale College. Each year that design studio is commissioned for the job, receiving a brief from the appointed editor in semester one and pitching for the job within the class. After what seemed like an endless amount of time, the process is complete for this year.

The theme for this year was Your Story. In this design, the literal story is broken down much like a book would be. There are three parts, and nine chapters to guide the reader through the story. The visual story is told through fundamental elements likes basic shapes and basic colours, all combining to make up the bigger picture of the 2012 story. The overlapping, interacting, overlaying, connecting, mixing and linking of the structures and shapes construct the story, while every single image and colour can be broken down into cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

This is the 2012 JAC.