51 New Year resolutions for graphic and web designers

The traditional New Year Resolution: some dread it and some embrace it. Of course, it’s not always easy to sit down and decide what we hope to accomplish over the next year. Below you will find a few ideas that I hope will be helpful in making you a more successful graphic or web designer next year and for the rest of your career. If you have more suggestions please add to the list.

1. Graphic Designers, Code your first web site
2. Web designers, Design your first set of business cards, a logo, or a poster
3. Design and Code your first wordpress theme
4. Learn the basics of Photoshop and Illustrator
5. Learn the principles of usability in any design setting.
6. Get a twitter account if you don’t have one. (If you have one, you can follow me too. I know–shameless plug.)
7. Try out some sort of new online social media.
8. If you freelance, raise your rates.
9. Find new and better ways to connect with clients (Google Voice, Google Wave, etc.)
10. Study Typography more in depth and apply it in your designs
11. Try a color scheme you have never even imagined
12. If you are a freelancer, try an office job. If you are in the office, try freelancing.
13. Get all the info you need from your client by asking the right questions
14. Start a blog or write for other blogs
15. Get involved in the online community
16. Learn the basics of XHTML and CSS (web designers: learn something new–perhaps CSS3 or HTML5)
17. Take up a new hobby that doesn’t involve design in any way
18. Exercise the left side of your brain more (give the right side of your brain a rest)
19. Learn the basics of copywriting
20. Update your portfolio to meet industry standards
21. If you don’t have an online portfolio, get one. If you don’t have a print portfolio, get one.
22. Update your resume
23. Do some volunteer design work
24. Use at least one project to defy all the rules you have ever learned
25. Break the mold of design (especially on the web)
26. Take an extra class about design at a local university, college, or community school
27. Teach a community class on design
28. Give speeches at your local Chamber of Commerce (US) or other business organization in order to find clients and establish a reputation
29. Learn more about some designers who created things before computers were popular
30. Subscribe to top design blogs and frequently read from their feeds
31. Follow top designers on twitter and interact with them
32. Save for that dream computer you’ve always wanted
33. Have the guts to buy it (see #32)
34. Take on odd jobs that sound impossible or above your level of expertise. Then force yourself to be good enough
35. Start your design process with good sketches and brainstorming
36. Learn how to market yourself or your client via social media
37. In your next meeting with a client, be a little more professional
38. Really impress your clients–current and new
39. Have confidence in your work. Show that confidence by bringing a contract to the first meeting
40. Help someone rebuild or fortify their branding
41. Redesign something just for fun
42. Learn the basics of advertising and marketing
43. Take time to be inspired
44. Simplify your life and Simplify your design.
45. Avoid these logo design mistakes
46. Be a little more patient with your most annoying clients
47. Embrace Failure. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or admit your don’t know something
48. Clean your desktop off. No, Really.
49. Go against the grain. Don’t follow design trends
50. Sell something besides your services. Code a wp theme, write a book, etc.
51. Organize your time and be more efficient

15 Awesome And Inspiring Offices

Google Zurich

I’m sure you’ve seen this office plenty of times on the internet. This office is all about fun: it has a lot of specially decorated rooms in which employees can do their work. There’s even a game room for relaxation and a gym where you can work out. Check it out:

Selgas Cano Architecture

The Selgas Cano Architecture office, designed by Iwan Baan, makes you feel like a part of nature. Thanks to the fact that the office is below ground level and the huge windows, you really feel encapsulated by plants and trees. This looks like a really peaceful environment that stimulates creativity.

Twitter

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past five years, you’ve probably already heard of Twitter. This fast-growing tech company recently moved into a new office. This new office looks really clean and simple. You’ll find plenty of references to twitter in their office, such as birds and @-symbols.

Saegeling Medizintechnik

Saegeling Medizintechnik is a German company that produces high-end medical equipment. The same sense of technology and innovation that they use in their products, is also portrayed in this new office. This results in a clean, stylish building with some sexy curves.

White Mountain Office

This office somehow reminds me of the nuclear bunker in the end of Terminator 3. This old atomic shelter is now used by Swedish ISP. This really is a one of a kind work environment.

Yahoo Barcelona

Yahoo has several offices around the world. The office you see here is located in Barcelona, Spain. This office is, just like all other Yahoo offices, focused on fun and creativity. This creativity is expressed via paint-like artwork on walls and windows.

TBWA Hakuhodo

TBWA Hakuhodo is a Japanese advertising company. This awesome office was designed by Klein Dytham Architecture. This office wants to bring the outside in. You’ll see plenty of nature inspired elements such as grass and trees.

Pixar

You probably know Pixar from great animation films such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Wall-E and The Incredibles. But did you also know they have a cool office? (ow, you did?) This office is filled with paintings and figurines from several Pixar creations. You can work in some of the micro-offices or blow off some steam with a game of ping-pong or pool.

Pallotta Teamworks

Pallotta Teamworks asked Clive Wilkinson Architects to create a one of a kind office. And they got what they asked for. This entire office is made out of shipping containers that are stacked on top of one another. The shipping containers were painted in various colours to add a bit of flair to the workspace.

Red Bull London

This is probably one of my favourite offices. Partially because of the sleek minimalistic look, but mostely because of the awesome carbon slide! Red Bull’s awesome 3 floor office was created by Jump Studios, an architecture company from London, UK.

Facebook

The new Facebook office is centred around employees needs and wants. Several small ‘neighbourhoods’ were created to give each department its own unique style. Employees are encouraged to write on walls, add artwork, and move furniture as they see fit.

Bastard Store and Office

The Bastard store and office really is a skateboarder’s paradise. This is actually a combination of a skate park and an office. I’m sure that few employees will suffer from burnout in this amazing office!

Hyves

Hyves.net is a social networking site that’s really popular in the Netherlands. Just like the Facebook office, this office is all about the people that work there. There’s only one slight difference between both offices: the Hyves office is filled with bright colours. And when I say bright, I mean really bright. Check it out:

JWT New York

JWT is one of the oldest advertising agencies in the world. This office is designed over five floors and designed to accommodate 900 employees. This office reflects JWT’s business model and brand identity and it was designed by the creative minds of Clive Wilkinson Architects.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Slovenia

This has to be the coolest government office I’ve ever seen! The organic looking white framework in combination with a lot of windows and tons of plants makes this office a real treat for your eyes.

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