History-and-process piece about experimenting with AI art. — My old-man-playing-with-minis hobby has metastasized in a weird way. Over a year after recapping my stumblebum attempts at creating character artwork with digital tools, I’m going back to the well, because I’ve made leaps and bounds with additional tools. …

Process and background for creating fictional place-names: locales, cultures, and histories. — One of the most rewarding things about finishing my “Game Board” found-texture fantasy map earlier this year was the time I spent on world-building for toponymy. Creating fictional names for the places, cultures, and histories that populated my map ended up being inspiring both then and now. It grounded my…

Process and background for my found-texture fictional map project. — Projects beget projects. That’s not exactly breaking news to most creative professionals, but it’s wisdom I rediscovered when wrapping up my “Homeworlds” Instagram series. I’d used smartphone imaging apps in unintended ways to mash up found textures with digital manipulation, creating something new yet familiar: faux-satellite map aerial imagery. …

A brief process piece about my April 2019 digital map illustration project. — Lately the Tight Ship brain trust has been attracted to unintentional or unconventional digital art: imagery created by accident, by artificial intelligence, or by using digital tools in ways they weren’t designed to be used. …

On creating promotional imagery that goes beyond the 5 Ws to get noticed and stoke enthusiasm. — What do designers design when they design for designers? We can tell you! In last month’s podcast episode, your co-captains mentioned our tenure as presidents of our respective local AIGA chapters, and how that experience with the professional association for design was a critical motivation for launching Tight Ship.

Event planners: form solid partnerships with print or fabrication vendors to create effective event collateral and successful events! — Fabulous flyers. Seductive signage. Badass banners. The most memorable events of any size and shape are often supported by compelling printed pieces. Great event collateral results from solid partnerships between savvy event planners and experienced, knowledgeable print or fabrication vendors.

Music branding design survey of 2018 trends: color, typography, imagery, identity and more from successful outdoor festivals worldwide. — The 2018 music festival announcement season is in full swing! Most of this year’s spring, summer and fall festivals have blasted their lineups and ticket options far and wide across social media, giving concert-goers a taste of what they can expect as attendees. …

Designers, want to be better at what you do? Find your groove by sharpening these four essential bass-playing skills! — Back when I was younger, prettier, dumber, and even more pretentious than I am now, I played bass guitar and wrote song lyrics in three bands. If you know me, that’s not news — I bring it up…well, often — but I’m hauling it out this time because now it’s…

8 event map design principles for event planners to make or commission beautiful, informative maps. — “Not all who wander are lost.” — Someone too proud to ask for directions