February 2013 Archives

Announcing the 2013 Student Design Competition Judges!

Announcing the 2013 Student Design Competition Judges!

As our Monday deadline fast approaches, here's a little news to help motivate you as you finish up your entries ... our 2013 Student Design Competition Judging Panel is official! Check out the incredible group of creatives who will be looking at every single entry ...

- MATTHEW AXE :: Creative Director, Martha Stewart Living
- ADAM BOOKBINDER :: Creative Director, Departures
- AREM DUPLESIS :: Design Director, New York Times Magazine
- LUKE HAYMAN :: Partner, Pentagram
- NATHALIE KIRSHEH :: Design Director, Details

A big thanks to these amazing art directors for sharing their time and talents with us. And just think, they're going to be looking at YOUR work! Even if you don't win, that's an opportunity not to be missed.

Don't forget, entries must be in our office by 5pm, Monday, March 4. All the details here.
Last-Minute Competition Tips: Entries Due Monday!

Last-Minute Competition Tips: Entries Due Monday!


In case you haven't noticed, we've got a Student Design Competition going on right now. And the deadline is Monday. THIS MONDAY! March 4, 2013. You've got until 5pm that day to get your entries in our hands. To help you out, we've got a few last-minute tips...

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Good Advice: Do Your Homework & Make a Good Impression

Good Advice: Do Your Homework & Make a Good Impression

Just read this awesome tidbit of advice from Adam Glassman, creative director at O, the Oprah Magazine:

First of all, I think everyone should do their homework. You need to know who you're interviewing with -- not just the human being, but also the publication. And I can tell you numerous times people have come in and they've never picked up an issue of O Magazine. And I have to tell you something: that doesn't fly. There are so few jobs out there right now for young people, and there are a lot of people looking for a job. The moment you say that to me, the interview is over, basically, in my mind. 

The other thing is you have to keep in mind that you only have one chance to make a great first impression. That's why it's called a first impression. So you need to look the part, but you also need to project some kind of confidence. And I don't want to confuse confidence with cockiness, but you need some sense of self, and you need eye contact. I've had people in my office, and they weren't even looking at me. They don't even know what they're talking about; they're not looking at me; they're looking around; they're looking down; they're meek. That doesn't work.

Read the full interview over on Mediabistro.com and hear him explain the different types of Creative Directors at various magazines.

Photo from Mediabistro.com

SPD-U@CMA: A Day of Design, March 11

SPD-U@CMA: A Day of Design, March 11

Spring fever has already begun here at SPD-U headquarters as we gear up for a busy spring. First up, of course, is our March 4th deadline for the Student Design Competition (get the details here!). But then...

We've teamed up with the College Media Association once again and will be presenting a bunch of sessions at their Spring National College Media Convention. If you're a member of your college's newspaper, magazine, yearbook staff or other media group, then hopefully you're already coming! But if not, you can still come! Day passes are available which will give you access to the 4 awesome sessions we're presenting on Monday, March 11th, but also ALL of the convention's offerings that day. Read on for all the details. 

And be on the lookout for 2 more great events happening in early April!


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Shortcuts to Success: Make a Grid in Seconds!

Shortcuts to Success: Make a Grid in Seconds!


Sure, there are huge lists of InDesign keyboard shortcuts out there, but are you going to sit down and memorize them all? We're here to help you learn some handy new ones, one by one, making it easier to add them to your mental list. Each week, we'll highlight a different shortcut to help you work faster, better and smarter.
 
SPD-U SHORTCUT OF THE WEEK
 
Make a Grid (CS5 or later)
drag to draw an object with the shape or frame tool, then use arrows to create rows and columns

Shortcuts_Grid_Squares.jpg
This one will blow your mind! If you've ever needed to build a grid, you know how tedious it is to get the alignment and spacing consistent. Well, with this shortcut, you can draw a grid in about 10 seconds: draw a rectangle, and before you release your mouse, use the up, down, left, and right arrows to add columns and rows. Don't believe it? Check out the video after the jump.

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You Ask, We Answer: Student Competition Edition

Q.jpg
I don't live in the U.S.
 
Can I still enter the Student Design Competition?



A.jpgHeck, yes! We've had entries in previous years from as far-flung as Lebanon and Paris... if you represent Canada, Japan, New Zealand, where ever, we say bring it on! Our only requirement is that you are an enrolled student at an accredited school. Get the official rules, entry form and lots of other info here.
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Ask the Pros: What's the benefit in entering the SPD Student Design Competition

Ask the Pros: What's the benefit in entering the SPD Student Design Competition

Our Ask the Pros series is here to answer your most pressing questions about interviewing, job-hunting and working in the world of publication art and photo departments. Got a question you want answered? Email it to us at spdstudentoutreach@gmail.com and we'll put it to our experts. A varying panel of professionals will give you their take, and then it's up to you to put their advice to work. 

Today we're breaking from the pattern a little, to give you some insight into how entering our 2013 Student Design Competition can help you ...
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Shortcuts to Success: Shoot to the Arrows

Shortcuts to Success: Shoot to the Arrows

Sure, there are huge lists of InDesign keyboard shortcuts out there, but are you going to sit down and memorize them all? We're here to help you learn some handy new ones, one by one, making it easier to add them to your mental list. Each week, we'll highlight a different shortcut to help you work faster, better and smarter.
 
SPD-U SHORTCUT OF THE WEEK
 
Access the Selection and Direct Selection Tools
Selection Tool (black arrow): V
Direct Selection Tool (white arrow): A

What better choice for our Valentines Day shortcut than to make like Cupid and pull out some arrows? What's more, we're showin' the love with a twofer. Quickly access the Selection Tool by typing V, and the Direct Selection Tool by typing A. Just don't try it in live text, or you'll end up with an unwanted V or A, and brokenhearted.


Got a favorite keyboard shortcut you'd like to share with everyone? Email it to us at spdstudentoutreach@gmail.com and we'll include it in our series, along with your own commentary if you'd like.

This week's shortcut brought to you by Joseph Caserto

Student Design Competition Q&A: Can I Change the Headline?


Q.jpgAre we required to use the specific headlines you've provided in the Call for Entries? What if I wanted to change it a little? For example, in the Entertainment category, it seems weird not to have the person's name in the headline. Can I use their name instead of "him" or "her"? --Kylie LaCour, Portland State University

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Ask the Pros: What if I haven't been able to do any internships?

Ask the Pros: What if I haven't been able to do any internships?

Our Ask the Pros series is here to answer your most pressing questions about interviewing, job-hunting and working in the world of publication art and photo departments. Got a question you want answered? Email it to us at spdstudentoutreach@gmail.com and we'll put it to our experts. A varying panel of professionals will give you their take, and then it's up to you to put their advice to work. 

Our recent panel of art directors now tackles the topic of getting a job without any internships under your belt...
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Shortcuts to Success: Access Dialog Boxes with the Control Panel

Shortcuts to Success: Access Dialog Boxes with the Control Panel

Sure, there are huge lists of InDesign keyboard shortcuts out there, but are you going to sit down and memorize them all? We're here to help you learn some handy new ones, one by one, making it easier to add them to your mental list. Each week, we'll highlight a different shortcut to help you work faster, better and smarter.
 
SPD-U SHORTCUT OF THE WEEK
 
Open a Dialog Box using the Control Panel
option+click Control Panel icon

Last week, we showed you how to jump to the Control Panel. Now that you're up there, if you see an attribute of your selected item that has dialog box--rotate for example--you can quickly open it. Hold down Option and click on a Control Panel icon to open its related dialog box.

ID_ControlPanel_RotationAngle.png

ID_RotateDialogBox.png


Got a favorite keyboard shortcut you'd like to share with everyone? Email it to us at spdstudentoutreach@gmail.com and we'll include it in our series, along with your own commentary if you'd like.

This week's shortcut brought to you by Joseph Caserto
Ask the Pros: How important is it to like the topic of the mag you work for?

Ask the Pros: How important is it to like the topic of the mag you work for?

Our Ask the Pros series is here to answer your most pressing questions about interviewing, job-hunting and working in the world of publication art and photo departments.Got a question you want answered? Email it to us at spdstudentoutreach@gmail.com and we'll put it to our experts. A varying panel of professionals will give you their take, and then it's up to you to put their advice to work. 

Today our experts talk topics ... as in magazine topics ...
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