Web/Mobile Features

Give a Social Web Site an Authentic Voice

Successful social Web sites include authentic conversations between the people who use the site and the people who build and run it.

Translate Your Print-Based Design Skills to the Web

When you move from static design to Web design, it's like tennis players trying racquetball. The problem isn’t that they don’t know how to handle the racquet; it’s that they don’t know all the rules and techniques. Read this article and you'll come out swinging.

The Lowdown on RIAs

What is a Rich Internet Application, and how do you build one?

The Fine Art of Linking In

When you know how to work it, LinkedIn can be a great resource for new assignments. Here are seven tips for getting the most out of it.

Organize Your Business with an Intranet

Do you lose opportunities or duplicate the efforts of your coworkers because you don't have a central place to track activities or store contacts? How easily can you judge performance and perform costs analyses? An intranet may be the answer.

Cut through Advertising Clutter with Archetypes

Advertising has changed a lot over the decades. What started as "Here's the product, now buy it!" ads in the 1950s have turned into "Here's a feeling, now feel it!" ads, in which products appear as personalities, metaphors, and emotions. Psychological theory can help you tap into archetypes that appeal to people at these deeper levels.

TypeTalk: Do's and Don'ts

This month's column covers spaces, faces, traces, and more!

Become a Brand Sponge

What is the key to successful design -- design that doesn't just look good, but speaks for the brand itself? Three case studies from the interactive firm Firstborn hold the answer.

Online Marketing Tools for Creative Pros

Social networking, blogs, email campaigns, portfolio sites -- it's all so confusing. Which of the new options is right for your business?

Four Paths to Mobile Web Design and Deployment

Just when you thought you had designing for the Internet figured out, mobile devices have come along and are clamoring to be catered to. Here's how to handle those pesky things.

Pantone 2.0: After 45 Years, the Sequel to PMS

The new Pantone Goe spot-color matching system has a lot going for it compared to the venerable Pantone Matching System: It nearly doubles the number of unique colors, adopts a logical naming scheme, and comes with innovative color-palette software. But will Goe replace your current PMS swatch book? Only your wallet knows for sure.

Year-Round School

Thanks to the Internet, back-to-school time isn't limited to the fall anymore. These online resources can help you improve your skills and invigorate your creativity.

Web Design Best Practices: Home Page Goals

To be successful at answering the needs of both first-time and repeat visitors, every website home page should meet four goals. Do yours make the grade?

Apple Computer, the Little Engine that Could

Every company should study the Apple model to learn how Steve Jobs' company is innovating its way to success.

Working with Color

There is no such thing as a good color -- there are only good color relationships. Here's how to start with a palette of colors that aren't harmonious and make them work together.

Contrast and Meaning in Web Design

Issues of style and popular convention can distract us from the design essential of contrast. Here's how to come back to basics.

You Can't Live Without...

The other day, creativepro.com site director Cindy Samco told me that she couldn't live without iClip, a clipboard/scrapbook application.

Creative Suite Pricing Varies Throughout World

Adobe responds to customer protests against perceived unfair pricing.

Software and Services that Are Free -- and Not Scams

From file transfers to audio editors, conference calls to color explorations, here are free services and programs you won't regret trying. And no, we're not getting kickbacks from these companies -- we just think this stuff is cool.

Photoshop Going Online

Adobe says a free version of Photoshop will be on the Web in 2007. What does it mean to creative professionals?