The Design Block
If you're looking for the latest in advertising and marketing, design related technology and lifestyle tips, and art or design highlights then you're in the right place. Find all this and more with the Design Block blog.
How to use the Colour of the Year in your designs
A few weeks ago, PANTONE revealed its bright and zesty Colour of the Year 2017, called Greenery. Because it evokes nature, Greenery signals consumers to take a deep breath, oxygenate and reinvigorate. Thus, people respond on a deeper level to this hue, making the eye catching Greenery an ideal shade for design. This is especially…
Vital contract terms for your protection
Dealing with a contract may not be the most exciting part of being a freelancer. But that pain is nothing compared to what can go wrong without one. And a contract not only protects you if something goes wrong; it helps things from going wrong…
Watch: 10 novice Photoshop mistakes to avoid
If you rely on Photoshop for part of your day-to-day work, chances are that you’ve picked up some useful tips and tricks from online tutorials. And while these lessons are sure to improve your skills, it’s also useful to know what Photoshop mistakes to avoid.
Do designers need post-secondary education?
Gaining a post-secondary education can be an incredibly valuable experience for your design skills. The popular perception of needing education to be successful is getting a college or university degree and working for a company which pays you per your education level. However, it doesn’t…
The essential guide to easily writing a catchy headline
Do you want to know how to quickly write an attractive and catchy headline for your blog post? It’s one thing to write great content, but it’s another thing to get it read and ranked.
Everything designers need to know about the golden ratio
Good designers are always on the hunt for the latest tools to help them step up their game—whether it’s a new app or the latest Adobe update. Yet some of the best design tools are actually those that have been around the longest.
17 signs your colleague hates you
Your coworkers can make or break your work experience. Hence, friendly, collaborative coworkers create a great team environment. Conversely, an argumentative and generally unpleasant colleague makes your life way more difficult.
What web designers can learn from the fashion industry
Buying clothes online is a risky venture, since much of shopping is knowing how the apparel feels and fits your body. One of the best ways to persuade people to buy clothes online is by being very meticulous. That’s why fashion industry websites are on top of…
10 workplace incentives top designers want
If you’re anything like most people, you’ve fantasized about the perfect workplace. Maybe you imagined eating prime rib at your desk while surrounded by brilliant colleagues. Or you dreamed of working at home office instead of being stuck in rush hour traffic with the other poor saps.
Ad agency immortalizes funny quotes from a client
Have you had a client that said funny things or asked stupid questions over the course of a project? For example, there are things clients say when wanting cheaper work and their ridiculous demands. A project team at ad agency Strategy Creative in New Zealand has definitely heard some humorous things. While working…
The 10 best Google Fonts for your designs
As a web designer, you’re probably well aware of the importance of typeface. With the growing amount of businesses engaging in content marketing, font selection is becoming all the more crucial.
21 tips for a successful job interview
Company Folders has compiled this helpful infographic with 21 tips for a successful job interview.
People react to ridiculous client demands
We’ve all had them at one time or another. No, not the clap; I’m talking about the ridiculous client demands. Terrible clients come in all shapes, but in the following video, it comes in the form of a suit-wearing businessman called Matt.
How to step up to seniority
It's never too early to be thinking about how to advance your career to a position of seniority.
The world’s longest invoice reveals what freelancers are owed
By inviting frustrated freelancers to contribute what they're owed, this invoice gives an idea of what's owed.
Memes that highlight the real struggles of designers
Working as a designer isn’t as glorified as many of us like to make it out to be. Sure we sit behind our fancy computers with huge screens, designing pretty images; however working in design can also be one of the most stressful, involving and cutting edge…
Psychological tips and tricks to get clients to buy your idea
As creatives who have to deal with clients, we all face one difficult and uncomfortable situation in our careers. You already have the project, so this isn’t about convincing them to pick you for the job. This is about guiding the client to accept that…
Common Photoshop mistakes and how to avoid them
As the industry standard, Photoshop is a powerful image editing tool for designers. There are lots of Photoshop resources around to help us keep on top of thing, including handy tutorials. But in the wrong hands it can affect quality and make things less productive.
How to end a contract job with your bridges intact
If you end up in a short-term contract and your time is up, leave gracefully in case you get to come back later.
Hipster Sound creates ambient noise to stay productive
Sometimes all it takes to be productive is the right kind of background noise.
5 things clients want to see on your portfolio
A full thought out and cleanly designed portfolio is not only vital to showcase your artistic talents, but it also creates the first impression that a potential client will have of you.
How to quickly prepare for your job interview
Take a breath and don't stress out, there are ways you can quickly prepare for your interview.
How to charge more for your work
How do you grow your business when you can't handle more clients? Charge more for your work.
An offensive website blocker to stop your procrastinating
Need a shocking, expletive reminder to stop your idle web browsing during work? This Chrome extension will help.
How to write an About Me page that will get you hired
Here are a few tips to writing an About Me page to help you get hired.
Psychological tricks to help get what you want
The art of persuasion is a subtle, complex discipline. There are, however, a few psychological tricks you can use.
Are you and your client a perfect match? Take the quiz to find out
What do you look for on a date that makes you want to continue seeing that person? Do you want to feel a connection, a hint of shared interests, an ability to clearly communicate? The principle is the same when looking for a client: will…
The phrases heard in meetings and what they actually mean
At one point during a meeting, I’m sure someone has said something and you weren’t quite sure what the heck they were talking about. They probably used what seems like random phrases or buzzwords to mask what they really mean and sound more intelligent.
Why sarcastic people are more creative
Did you know that 64 percent of the people who make sarcastic comments are able to find a creative solution to their problem?
Things that designers do to annoy clients
Designers commonly complain about how difficult clients are, but they're also guilty of being difficult to clients.
5 tips for taking creative criticism
There's no need to go on the defensive right away. Here's how you can get through someone's feedback.
10 signs to look for that you should NOT take the job
You’ve managed to finally get an interview with what you think is your dream employer. You heard they have a fantastic culture and that it’s the hippest new place to work. You’re ecstatic. It turns out, however, you never really know what it’s like on the inside until you get…
The differences between a boss and a leader
While a leader can be a boss, not every boss is a leader, though ideally they should be.
The 6 steps to creating a captivating personal logo
The infographic offers tips on how your logo should appeal to your desired target audiences, while matching it with your personality.
Introvert’s guide to being productive in the office
You may like your co-workers, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for you to get things done when they’re around. If that sort of sounds like you, but you’re not sure, introverts are the quiet ones that tend to feel more energized from spending time…
How to survive the office holiday party
We’ve entered the peak of the holiday party season and most companies are gathering to celebrate the end of a hardworking year. This is the time of year when your colleagues get hammered and make complete fools of themselves.
Humorous charts explain the life of a designer
Creative Market has come up with a series of 10 funny charts. Reflecting the life of a designer, these charts show what really happening.
What to do when a client rejects your designs
You and your team have invested hours into research, insight and come up with a presentation that will blow the client away. When it comes to present the designs, you’re excited to share what you’ve all been working to show. When you’re through, you gauge…
15 Ridiculous things people have put on their résumé
No résumé is perfect, but is everything on your resume 100% accurate? Most employers don’t think so. In fact, they’re becoming increasingly skeptical of what candidates claim about their skills and work history.
5 habits that make you look unprofessional
Do one or more of your colleagues behave unprofessionally at work, leaving you to question how they even still have a job? We’re all creatures of habit and it’s hard to change the behaviours we’ve become accustomed to. But like I’m sure your mother said, “There’s a time…
Common cover letter mistakes
Contrary to what you’ve heard, cover letters are still important when submitting your resumé. They’re not necessarily essential or required in every industry or for every career, but savvy job seekers always have one ready to go.
Learn how to leave work early with these 6 tips
Where’s the worst place you can possibly be at 4 pm on a Friday? The office, of course.
Infographic: 16 signs your co-workers secretly hate you
Did Susan from marketing just roll her eyes at you? Maybe you’re constantly forgotten about when it comes to after-hours social events? Or are there post-it notes detailing your gruesome death on your computer each morning? All of these are signs that your co-workers might secretly hate you.
Smart questions to ask at the end of every interview
So you’ve searched for potential employers, sent out dozens of queries and you finally landed an interview. Good job. Now you have to navigate dozens of questions about yourself and successfully explained why you’d make a great addition to the team.
Making the most of your internship
Ad agencies and companies are constantly looking to sign designers up for an internship—both to help those starting their career and as a way to find potential hires (on a trial basis). Win win, right?
Learn the reason why we pretend to be busy
Chances are that throughout your day someone has asked you, “hey, are you busy?“ And whether you were or not, your answer was probably yes. But why?
How to deal with conflict in the workplace
Workplaces are full of different personalities that can make them buzz with conversation and productivity. However, when working in close quarters, it’s inevitable that they will eventually end in conflict. If these workplace conflicts aren’t dealt with immediately and effectively, the constant battle of wills…
Office survival kit helps you destroy your bullying boss
Regardless of your industry, you’re bound to encounter a bullying boss who goes out of their way to make your life a living nightmare.
What are the best careers for introverts and extroverts?
Do you identify yourself as an introvert or an extrovert? These are the two types of people you can find people in most workplaces. And because of the particular traits displayed by each personality type, they tend to work in different ways.
Learn how to properly charge your clients
Determining how to properly charge your clients is not only one of the most important tasks for a freelancer, it’s also one of the most stressful. After all, if you charge too little, you can’t pay your bills; if you charge too much, they may look for…