Ross Nover – A Dose of Design Inspiration from Comic Strips from Refresh DC on Vimeo.

Earlier this week I gave what might be the most Ross-like talk I could possibly think of. It’s all about what designers can learn from their cousins the comic artists. I got to touch on some points like closure, verbal/visual pairings, art as exercise, and poop jokes. I’m really happy with how it went and so happy to see it online!

It was a part of Refresh DC, which is a group of my peers of designers and developers in the DC area. I’m pretty proud of it and was honored to be able to speak at such an event.

I tried to make it as accessible as I could to designers and non-designers, and also give credit where it’s due. With that in mind, thanks to Olly Moss, Caldwell Tanner, Danielle Corsetto, Jamie Noguchi, Steve Napierski, Ananth Pasdlfkjksjdf;j, Randal Munroe, Shannon Wheeler, Frank Chimero, 3eanuts and Garfield Minus Garfield, Alex Robinson, Jeph Jacques, Jessica Hische, Carolyn Sewell, Noah Scalin, Austin Kleon, my friends at Super Art Fight, the American University Design Program (whose resources evolved into this presentation), and Scott McCloud. (Did I miss anyone?)

The audio is passable, but the exposure kills the projector so you may have to follow along in the SlideShare (this is the link to that).

If you watch any or all of it, let me know what you think! And if you are looking for someone to talk about comics and design, just let me know.

Another lil’ comic. I kinda like these, it’s an even more limiting format. You?

A little experiment.

My homeboy in Charm City the miraculous Marty Day has found this great collection of business cards of and from famous movies and other pop culture companies. It’s nerdtastic to the max. I poked around and found the creator’s Tumblr (Fro Design Co), where he posts tons of great posters for sale (including all the business cards on a poster).

Marty’s post with the cards here »

Original Designer’s Tumblr here »

For once, this one won’t be on Is It Funny Today because I posted it at 2AM on Fruday morning, and then backdated it in order to not screw up the archive.  Alas.  Oh well, another will be up later today.

UPDATE: Rosscott, Inc. is currently experiencing some technical problems (see the “Hang Onto Your Butts” posts below for details).  We’ll be back up and running by Monday, December 29th.

Vote for (or against) this comic at Is It Funny Today here.

I don’t know why it was a good idea, but I biked to work today.  That was dumb.  I need new gear, or I’m going to start losing extremities.  Vote here.

I missed out on meeting Ami from The Glass Urchin at Balticon by mere minutes.  For months after, every one of my webcomic friends got to know her and I feel I missed the boat since I have become a huge fan of her little comic.  But no longer! Thanks to the Twitters, we have had a chance to chat a bit, and turns out we are both fans of each other’s comics (or will pretend to be at the least).

The Glass Urchin is a autobio comic about Ami, though she is portrayed (as are her friends) as cute woodland creatures.  NO THIS IS NOT A FURRY COMIC.  It is, however, fun and hilarious.  Here’s my fav.  Go check out the site, it updates often and does not disappoint.

Ah, Is It Funny Today.  I have to give you at least a shout-out.  This new site lets you see tons of webcomics, and vote on whether or not they are funny today.  I find it clever because it automatically updates based on a comic’s RSS feed, and is run by ratio of Funny / Not Funny (not popularity).  I also have to say, it has doubled The System’s audience, so no complaints there (hi there, new people!).  Anyways, you should check it out, and keep an eye on my page there (also listed in the blogroll on this here site).  You can always vote for The System there. (The pic above, btw, is a quick screen shot.  #113 has been on top for the last 2 days!  I’m not-so-secretly thrilled.)

Yes, another reminder.  Super Art Fight, an event that I myself will be attending, is tomorrow night (8pm, $10, The Ottobar in Baltimore).  You can see more info on the site, as well as the many plugs we’ve been getting for the show.  Highlights include Baltimore Examiner, Washington Post, and a quick jaunt on Wonkette where she made fun of us.

(Via Fleen via Comics101)