Frequently Discussed Topics

[morea]

What do I need to know about GDF?

Please see also:

Getting Started With GDF (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28801) - your guide to using vBulletin forum software

Welcome and Forum Rules (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13650) - short and to the point

New User FAQ (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7786) - a brief, but important read which also explains most of our inside jokes

GDF Posting "Netiquette" (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34422) - The informal rules of acceptable online behavior here on GDF.

GDF Code of Conduct (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7787) - what is expected of you as a part of the GDF community

Showcase FAQ (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12915) - everything you need to know about posting your work for critique

All Regulars & Newbies read this (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14740)




So who the heck are you guys?

The Official Names to Faces thread
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28

What do you guys do?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7225

Things you don't know about me...
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13597

4 things
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14491




Where can I find stock photos, fonts, clip art, or other design resources?

Try the Ultimate Resource Thread (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42), or the Resources (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=23) Section.



Can you help me identify a font?

Please check these resources: http://www.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/
http://www.identifont.com and Fonts.com 'Search by Sight' feature (http://www.fonts.com/FindFonts/SearchBySight.htm)



Recommended Books about Graphic Design

Design by the Books, compiled by Jeff Fisher (http://creativelatitude.com/articles/articles_fisher_rlist.html)

http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40

http://www.design-bookshelf.com/index.html



Graphic Design Magazines

Participants in the Icograda Design Media Network (IDMN) and other bona fide design publications and media appear here in alphabetical order, sorted by region, country and name. http://idmn.icograda.net/web/media.shtml

Design Magazines, Read Any?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12814

Magazine Subscription
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12141

Design Magazines
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11528

Graphic design magazines
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5331

Magazines
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5091

[morea]

Education / Experience


What should a high schooler look for when selecting a GD college program (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16612)

What To Expect out of a Design Career (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/articles/design_career_expectations.htm)

the decision to major in graphic design (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13937)


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Degree Options
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=143272

Education and Me
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6836

a question of career path
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3185

Almost finished with school - I need help
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11605

Studying graphic design—Certificate, BFA, or...?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5232

How necessary is college?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1648

Questions about education
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3866

Experience vs Education
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6183

4-year degree vs. 2-year associates?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7109[url]

Value of MA in Graphic Design?
[url]http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4459

On-Line Degree
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3072

Attention Noobs
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1901

Excellent Idea for all you noobs to the industry
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4322

Example of what we tell you noobs to the industry all the time.
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5651

I want to become a graphic artist
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3441

degree or portfolio?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2867

Should I get a bachelors?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2963

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Job Search

The Interviewing Cheat Sheet
http://www.hrworld.com/features/interviewing-cheat-sheet-092507/

Resume Tips a la monster.com
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14871

You have the job offer... now what?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14580

Informational Interview
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3707

Miscellaneous (Job Search) Questions
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=134473

Question About Salary History
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9287

Do you have any questions?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7872

Need some job hunting advice
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5830

How is the job market for a Graphic Designer?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5671

Need advice on job dilemma
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5692

Overqualified
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4409

questions for the experienced designers
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4499

Well, it's a start...
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4532

Is it too late to jump back in?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4528

junior designer @ 40?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1039

Fired from 1st design job!!!HELP!
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3583

Help on getting hired and portfolio...
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3270

Could some of you guys give me an idea of how a GD design career is?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4880

I have the worst portfolio it seems
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3124

I'm really damn close to giving up...
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2286

Graphic design, I hardly knew ye
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4414

Hello again Monster.com...
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4444

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Resume / CV / Cover Letter

new resume - please c&c
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11671

Does anyone have good tips for graphic designer resumes?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1568

How do you make your resume stand out?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6838

Cover letter confusion question
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3023

Resume 'Buzz Words'
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5084

applying for a graphic design job
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2880

Resume Advice, Tips?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2742

Resume Advice?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2741

Curriculum vitae and Job Question
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2573

Creativity vs. Necessity dilemma
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9062

Career Objectives
http://resume.monster.com/articles/noobjective/
http://www.career.fsu.edu/ccis/guides/developing.html

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Portfolio:

Portfolio paper choice: http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24357

Portfolio cases:
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24179

The Ultimate Portfolio:
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22517

Sample portfolio projects
http://desktoppub.about.com/od/portfolios/a/portfolio_stuff.htm

GDF: Design Challenge links (more sample portfolio projects)
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17133

Design Projects and Ideas
http://desktoppub.about.com/od/designprojects/

Online portfolio article from Dynamic Graphics.
http://www.dynamicgraphics.com/dgm/Article/28507

How to set up a portfolio?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2512

perfect portfolio problems
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5805

Creating work for your portfolio question?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2220

Portfolio
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2995

What Goes in Beginner's Graphic Design Portfolios
http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/freelance/a/portfolio_3.htm

What Goes in Graphic Design Portfolios
http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/freelance/a/portfolio_2.htm

Organizing Graphic Design Portfolios
http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/freelance/a/portfolio_5.htm

The Ultimate Portfolio
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22517

Computer Arts: Perfect Portfolios
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31644

Smashing Magazine: Creating a Successful Online Portfolio
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34423

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Increasing Image Resolution

An Explanation of Raster vs. Vector (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41)

DPI and Resizing (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=294)

http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6805&

http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6805

http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8324

http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7183

http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7401

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Why is speculative work bad?

Spec work usually includes contests and things like that. Here are some of articles all about spec work and such:

A great blog from Pariah S. Burke of Designorati:

http://designorati.com/graphic-design/business-3/2006/coping-with-clients-who-use-your-concept-design-without-paying/
A client has taken your concept design and hired someone else to execute it for less money. The client is reaping the benefits of your talent and skill, but you’re still eating generic mac n’ cheese. What recourse do you have?


In their own words, why these designers are against Speculative Design Competitions (from creative latitude) www.creativelatitude.com/articles/articles_logo_this.html

Why Speculative Work is Unethical, by Habib Bajrami (from creative latitude)
www.creativelatitude.com/articles/article_0804_habib.html

It's time to check spec at the door, by Neil Tortorella (from creative latitude)
http://www.creativelatitude.com/neils_newbies/neils_newbies_0406.html

The problem with spec work revisited, by Neil Tortorella (from creative latitude) www.creativelatitude.com/neils_newbies/neils_newbies_11_04_spec.html

Why We Don't Make Speculative Presentations, by Creative Business
www.creativelatitude.com/articles/articles_cb_spec.html

This week’s 4-letter word: SPEC (from Be A Design Group)
www.beadesigngroup.com/blog/archives/000315.html

The Creative Forum: When a Contest is not a Contest
thecreativeforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64

Spec Work: just say no. Why Working on Spec isn't a good idea - from about.com
graphicdesign.about.com/cs/workingfromhome/a/specwork.htm

Spec work vs. Pro Bono - from about.com
desktoppub.about.com/cs/freelance/qt/spec_probono.htm

AIGA: Design Competitions and Spec Work
www.aiga.org/content.cfm?contentalias=designcompandspecwork

Spec Sucks for Everyone:
ad-rag.com/118868.php

Spec Is So Not Special - "Engaging in spec work is eroding the image of designers. It perpetuates the falsehood that what we do is easy or valueless." -Drew Davies, founder of Oxide Design
www.adpulp.com/archives/000162.html

Actually, on the creative latitude site they have a downloadable letter to send to these types of competitions. It's here: www.creativelatitude.com/links/resources_downloads.html
At the very bottom.

"Call for entries Confusion" - blog by Jeff Fisher
http://blog-omotives.blogspot.com/2006/10/call-for-entries-confusion.html

and be sure to check out the new site: www.no-spec.com, an excellent resource.

[morea]

Starting a business

The Business Side of Design (Article)
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/articles/business_of_design_part_1.htm

The Business Side of Design - Marketing (Article)
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/articles/business_of_design_part_2.htm

Benefits / challenges of full time freelancing
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13844

STARTING A STUDIO FROM SCRATCH
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429

starting a business
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3922



Pricing

http://www.stepinsidedesign.com/STEPMagazine/Article/28437
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7322
http://www.creativelatitude.com/articles/article_1004_fisher.html
http://graphicdesign.about.com/library/weekly/aa092702a.htm
http://www.americandesignawards.com/article-03-02-pricing.html
http://www.creativepublic.com/pricing_your_projects.php
http://www.howdesign.com/db/features/pricing_1.asp
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=574
http://www.graphicpush.com/index.php?id=33

How do you Rate? Figuring your real hourly rate. (by Neil Tortorella)
http://www.creativelatitude.com/neils_newbies/neils_newbies_0206.html

Books: Graphic Designer’s Guide to Pricing, Estimating & Budgeting, by Theo
Stephan Williams

Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines



Sample Design Contracts:

http://www.allgraphicdesign.com/graphicdesign-contractsforms.html

http://desktoppub.about.com/od/contracts/

[morea]

Mac vs. PC

Untraditional mac vs. windows topic
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33046

Help me make a BUSINESS case for switching
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32622

Why are macs better for graphic design?
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2356

MAC/PC WARS
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2855


and the SHORT answer, from our FAQ:

Question: Which is better, mac or pc?

Answer: Both have their uses in graphic design. While Macs have traditionally been considered "THE" tool for graphic design, either system is acceptable in the industry these days. It’s not which system you use, so much as how you use it. The quality of our work is NOT defined by our hardware.



^ Incidentally, we'll tell you the same thing about the following:

Quark vs. InDesign

Quark or Indesign... that is the question.
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1006

Quark vs. Indesign
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2917

Quark vs. Indesign: The War of Desktop Publishing
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7606