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Advice, musings, case studies & updates from the No Grey studio

@AdobeCreativeSuiteRoadshow– #hashtagging the way to success

Posted on July 27, 2012 in Events, Tips & Advice

@AdobeCreativeSuiteRoadshow– #hashtagging the way to success

On Tuesday I ventured from the studio to attend the Adobe CreativeSuite Roadshow– a conference held to introduce creative professionals, students and other keen people to the newly released CS6. Not only was it a valid reason to get out of the office and to take my work-experience sister on an ‘exciting outing’, but it also provided me with a kickstart into the world of CS6– and can I tell you, what an awesome world it is! What made the conference even more engaging and exciting was the emphasis on social media. Being a bit of a social networking...

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A Blast from the Past

Posted on July 26, 2012 in Tips & Advice

A Blast from the Past

Recently we were approached by a student from our (Jacqui’s and my) old school (Firbank Grammar, Brighton) wanting to interview Jacqui about Graphic Design and working in a creative practice. This not only provided us with a blast from the past but also gave us reason to consider what it really is to be a Graphic Designer. Being a visual arts student (and captain!) herself, she had a personal interest in and knowledge about the field, making her questions quite informed and considerate. She even threw in one rather curly question that nearly had us stumped!Hopefully the answers Jacqui...

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Let’s go to Daiso!

Posted on June 13, 2012 in Tips & Advice

Let’s go to Daiso!

For those of you unfamiliar with the joys of this Japanese emporium of $2.80 glory (yes everything packed into this mini Ikea-of-a-store is $2.80) then let me introduce you to my new favourite store– Daiso. Think $2 shop-cum-Ikea-cum-wonder emporium of Japanese greatness. For this weeks blog entry I was given a task. Jacqui gave me an address with instructions to check out Daiso. Jacqui knows I have a slight obsession with Japanese packaging design, and am currently mothering a Hello Kitty infatuation. When I excitedly showed Jacqui my new Hello Kitty spongy iPhone case she said immediately “Oh my...

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agIdeas International Design Forum 2012

Posted on May 30, 2012 in Events

agIdeas International Design Forum 2012

The dreaded ‘I’ word is burning a hole in the roof of my mouth as I reminisce about agIdeas– a three day design conference held annually in Melbourne. Overused like mad, the word ‘inspiring’ has lost, for me, any kind of significance. However the profound nature and impassioned talent of the 40 speakers who presented at the conference embodies the very essence of what it is to be inspiring. Representing all aspects of the design field (from Industrial design, to landscape architecture, from fashion design to illustration) from all over the world (Russia, India, Taiwan, South Africa, Italy, Canada,...

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Happy E.O.F.Y.S

Posted on May 22, 2012 in Clients

Happy E.O.F.Y.S

A new client approached us recently, requesting some branding for his new business– preferably to be completed by the end of the financial year. Now, we are no tax-gurus (in fact I would call myself rather a financial bumpkin– the end of finical year usually means just one thing for me– that annoying “Happy E.O.F.Y.S” ad for Foxtel), but this request got us thinking (about more than cable TV, that is). The end of the financial year is approaching, and I know a lot of us are looking to ramp up our business expenses to avoid any unwanted tax....

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Just Imagine!

Posted on May 10, 2012 in Tips & Advice

Just Imagine!

Imagine your lifestyle is magazine released quarterly by Reid Media offering everyday lifestyle, wealth and financial solutions and ‘down to earth advice from some of Australia’s leading financial advisors’. With distribution of over 40,000 copies to clients from Australia’s largest independent group of accountants and financial advisors, as well as an estimated 10,000 copies sold in selected News-agencies and distribution in Qantas lounges nationally, the wingspan of such a publication is notably large. Although No Grey is not directly linked with this financial sector, we are familiar with the work of Marguerite Picard, Dr Tina Sinclair and Tricia Peters (the dynamic...

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Retravision– 50 years on and they’ve still got it!

Posted on May 4, 2012 in Tips & Advice

Retravision– 50 years on and they’ve still got it!

After 50 years in the retail market and as a first step in a multi-faceted re-vamp, RetraVision has been given a facelift. Headed by Retail Oasis, Retravision have conducted an 18-month intensive brand project, with the revamped logo marking the first of the many changes. Since the launch in August 2011, Retravision has exploded with a myriad of changes, from store interiors to point of sales, marketing ventures, website, televisions commercials and general graphic presence. I must say I am very impressed with the sleekness of the new look, effectively reenergizing a brand, which was looking more than a...

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I know that one!

Posted on May 3, 2012 in Trends

I know that one!

I have managed to peel myself away from my phone to write this article. It was a tough thing to do especially when I was so close to completing the level. Confused? Don’t be, I just downloaded a new App from the iTunes store and have been fixated on it for the last 30 minutes. It’s called ‘Logo quiz’ and is quintessentially a graphic designer’s idea of a fun time. As the name suggests, the game is based on the concept of logo identification. Each new level presents players with a group of incomplete logos to identify. You are...

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‘A field trip’ wrap up

Posted on April 21, 2012 in Events

‘A field trip’ wrap up

I attended a creative meet last Friday at ACMI in Melbourne. Presented by the Jacky Winter group, Field Trip was held for the first time. I usually do not like to attend these industry events because of their ridiculous costs, far too many people in attendance and often attracting the pompous designer stereo type which I very much dislike (you know the one I’m talking about, black turtle neck, black rimmed glasses, massive chip on their shoulder).  When my friend Kelly told me she was going I was a bit reluctant but eventually thought ‘what the heck, if all else fails we can hang out...

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A picture’s worth a thousand words, or more!

Posted on April 3, 2012 in Tips & Advice

A picture’s worth a thousand words, or more!

They say a picture’s worth a thousand words, but I say good quality photographs are worth a hell-of-a-lot more. No matter how fabulous your business or product is, bad quality, unprofessional photographs can really let you down. Graphic designers can only do so much with layout and type setting. At the end of the day bad images make for bad results, so put the digi-cam away, same goes for the iPhone. Photography is something best left to the professionals. There are too many examples in the world where bad photography seriously undermines the apparent professionalism and reputation of a...

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