Fine Web Design & Graphics
Useful article on the colour red, its meanings, development of different shades and uses through art history.
‘Fun fact: In Medieval times, synthetic vermilion was as costly as gold leaf. Thus it was used only for the most important aspects of illuminated manuscripts, while less costly red lead was used for red letters within the text.’
From an interesting article promoting the exhibition “Blue: Alchemy of a Colour”, currently showing at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne, examining Asian and European works of art employing the colour blue from the 7th century AD to the present:
‘The ubiquity of indigo dye has resulted in blue becoming the colour of the everyday clothes of the working class in Europe and Asia. But predominantly blue textiles and garments are also some of the most prestigious textiles, imparting status to the wearer and worn on important ritual occasions.
Their prestige may be signified by the of valuable materials such as gold and beads, the incorporation of extra colours, patterns and techniques, or special finishes.
In China the colour blue generally signifies the natural world, springtime, youth and immortality. The emperor wore a blue court garment at annual ceremonies associated with the heavens and crops, and indigo blue was the most common ground colour of Manchu clothing during the Qing dynasty (1644–1912AD).’
Interesting article with tips for accessibility for dyslexics. Wondering if white text on black backgrounds is also a problem for these people, like black text on white backgrounds.
To all our many clients and friends, we wish much happiness and prosperity for the coming year! If you look closely, in the foreground you will see a hungry green critter who shared the solstice season with us sheltering from the wet, enjoying christmas cake.
This year, we send our best wishes for prosperity and peace – it’s about time all of us had a bit of a rest from interminable bloodshed over resources, religion and global supremacy. Rather than using reason to develop a logical, secular code of ethical behaviour which considers the best interests of fellow human beings as well as their own, it seems too many humans depend upon crude instincts and irrational brutish faith to justify baseless feelings of cultural superiority and barbaric slaughter of and stealing from other humans.
To celebrate our alternative peaceful vision for enlightenment in 2007, we’ve made a desktop wallpaper featuring Ganesha, a Hindu deity symbolising intellect, wisdom and prosperity.
We’ve also taken the time to add some of our latest artwork and greeting cards to our online art gallery.
Enjoy!
Don’t miss the latest treasury of art works by Judy Hall-Grieve and Ian Grieve now on show for a week, and for sale at their Paradise art gallery and studios at Justin Road, Doonan.
Judy is exhibiting her colourful impressions of the early women’s movement in the Australian city environment, while Ian is displaying Noosa beach, river and hinterland paintings, as well as some delicious still lifes and his wonderful ceramic gecko vases, golden unicorn and gold panners.
Judy and Ian are Australian artists par excellence and their beautiful works are highly collectable both for investment and sheer pleasure.
There’s a very funny and applicable list of gripes which will be familiar to most graphic designers at Adland.
My favourites are
15. If three designs are shown to a client, your least favorite will be chosen or any combination of worst components of each.
16. If two designs are shown, a third will be requested. If provided, then one of the first two will be chosen.
And there’s more notes about bad design projects at Andy Budd’s blog.
Country and gospel singer Paul McCloud’s site has been chosen for archiving in the Australian National Library Archive.