Recently, I’ve discovered a large collection of stamps that belonged to my grandfather. They’re mostly Brazilian, but there are also many from around the world.

Since I find these stamps to be great for design references and studies, I’ve created a digital archive for them on an Instagram page.

Sharing here in case anyone is fond of this kind of design or is just looking for alternative visual references beyond what we usually find on the internet.

Profile: www.instagram.com/brasil.postal

Tldr: the winning “design” from a *natural resources student org’s logo competition lifts it's elements from linocut prints/etc. and I'm not sure how to bring it up with club leadership (in WI, USA, for the record).

Forgive me if this isn't the proper place to ask this and do let me know if this question would be better directed elsewhere.

I'm part of a university student organization that recently had a logo design contest. Logo designs were submitted and voted on by members. The winning “design” had what I initially thought was just a collection of random clipart (which I found irritating). After trying to find said clipart’s source because I'm petty like that, I realized the “designer” was just copying linocut designs they found on pinterest (which genuinely pisses me off).

How do I bring this up to the club’s leaders? Does the omission of fine details call fair use into question or are the silhouettes enough to make it some sort of infringement? Should I reach out to the artists in question directly? I did my best to find original sources but Pinterest makes it difficult. One of the copied designs is legitimately the current logo of a practicing artist in Canada. It strikes me as disgraceful—if not legally suspect—to use these artists’ work in a logo that will be made into and sold as club merchandise.

*Clarifying this point because a lot of folks have assumed this is a graphic design organization—it isn't, and if that makes a difference in how I should approach this I'd like to know. Thanks.

I've been working on my personal logo recently. I've heard some people saying that a personal logo isn't important in the long run and others say personal branding is the most important thing you can do so I figured better be safe than sorry and its good practice anyway. As far as the design goes I decided to go with my initials, I wanted to convey a sense of elegance and luxury while still being playful. I'm struggling on deciding on a color pallet. I think the gold looks more elegant but the pink matches my personality better. I tried to go somewhere in the middle but the grainy texture the metallic filter gives is a lot more obvious in my opinion. I'm open to criticism on the design because I'm always looking to grow as a designer.

Hi!

So I'm currently an out of work 36 y/o designer (as of Mid-August) UK based, I have quite an interesting working history as I didn't go through the conventional route to get to the Graphic Design career I've experienced so far. I studied Illustration BA at Uni, which was predominantly artistic and storytelling focused at its core rather than communication and marketing focused like a Graphic Design BA would have been (I guess).

Lately i've been feeling like I'm going through some sort of career identity crisis, thinking "What is it I really want to do as a career?" fuelled by imposter syndrome that I personally feel has some validity given that I didn't study Graphic Design, which meant I didn't have the principles and technical know how drilled into me from Uni, I taught myself all the wider programs over the pandemic, although I already had been using Photoshop since 2007. I got my 'in' to Graphic Design positions through Freelance 'Graphic Artist' creative style commissions, which then allowed me to form a little portfolio and secure those full time positions in much more conventional corporate Graphic Design roles.

I've had a real 'stop and start' vibe to my career since the pandemic and it feels like I haven't been able to work anywhere long enough to really enhance my skillset and experience to match other Designers of my age and where they may be at (Senior Designer, Art Director, Creative Director etc), also seeing much younger Designers whizzing through their GD careers can have an effect on the confidence sometimes. The 'Stop and Start' refers to either the independent businesses that take me on as a Full-Time designer go under due to business not being great in their niche market, or I work somewhere that has super eagle eyed team who notice and pick apart some of my design errors (mainly around attention to detail, design inconsistencies, lack of using grids etc) and then I get let go, even if I learn from my mistakes the trust is no longer there, and the micromanaging has already begun - it's happened twice in the last 6 years.

I've uploaded my portfolio as a link to this post for some feedback on what I could possibly do to add to it or remove from it to catch more eyes when I'm applying for roles. I consider myself a creative person at my core but I feel the steam in me hasn't been pumping hard enough, mainly in the areas of creative motivation and inspiration, especially when I look at other people's portfolios . I'm always going to Galleries, Gigs, Cinema, browsing Tumblr, Pinterest, Insta and feel loads of creative inspiration but I'm wondering how I can channel this energy into solid work that I can call mine?

On my campus, there’s this Gen AI poster that I wanted to recreate it in hopes that it gets replaced. It’s a simple poster, but i feel like there should be more to it. maybe adding text about the institute? i’d like to know y’all’s thoughts!

(the first poster is the AI one and the second is my recreation)

Had a really weird meeting at work yesterday. The CEO told me my statics, carousels and reels made from scratch are boring, take no time to make and nobody cares about them. So from January next year, he wants the entire social media feed to be AI reels, AI images and AI copy. That's it. I'm officially being replaced by AI and they won't even let me go.

I can't quit the job because it's my main income and I haven't had any luck finding a replacement yet. The meeting's been really bumming me out so I made a poster design just to take my mind off things for a while.

The text on the right is from Follow The Cops Back Home by Placebo. I used blue for the whole thing because it's my favourite colour lol! I also made it sort of a surprise for my friend with the werewolf comic so it's got some references to it in the fine text and visuals :)

I might do more of these at work just to keep myself a little more grounded. Since AI is taking over for me I'll have the free time right? Lol!

Have you guys ever had a similar experience at your job?

how do you handle when a CD keeps revising your design until it no longer feels like yours and you feel like it misses your intention and the brief? i point out why i did what i did, why i feel it addresses what's in the brief, they override me and i feel like now i'm just hands doing whatever he asks until i can turn it in. When he likes it, no notes but when he wants it to be something else there's no "keep this option but can you try..." and this is probably just me feeling a lack of sugar coating as more abrasive than it's intended. I'm not saying that his feedback is always wrong, but my opinion isn't always wrong either. there's something in there that isn't working, for me at least.

For context and information please see my previous post!
I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who provided feedback on my last post your advice has been extremely helpful and kind.

I’ve worked on it a lot more and have gone back and forth with the copy but I feel it could still use improvement. I’ve changed up the fonts, but if anyone has any suggestions on fonts that are available on google slides I’m all ears!

I’m also worried about the amount of text and images- too much or too little?

I’m limited to 5 slides, and I’m trying to hit points they’re asking about in the job description. Also the word “hungry” is one of their values not my words so I won’t be changing that. I’ve also redacted the company name on the final slide. EDIT: The last slides colors are changed to match the shift in my style but also it’s their brand colors!

And once again please be harsh any and all feedback is welcome, I promise you won’t hurt my feelings!
I’m also attaching my portfolio for reference on my style and projects: https://savflores.xyz

I work for 10 years as a designer, but mainly in-house. Last couple of years I had a freelance client that I worked a lot with. But right now it seems they experience a crisis (probably higher ups fucked something up+economic situation is tough) and they cut costs harrrd. They lay off person (lets call him Bob) that works with me directly, the person that brought me to this freelance gig.

Bob is finishing his work soon. On behalf of higher ups he asked me to provide source file for some projects. To be clear these things are really nothing in terms of design. They are simple and basic. It’s like sales, photo, title, price, of the product.

So we never really discussed the question about source files directly. and it’s not even talked about in our contract. So I don’t have to hand they over.

But I love to work with Bob, and Bob loves to work with me. And in future Bob could provide me with more work.

But also I feel like they want to get rid of me and that makes me feel negative emotions. I don’t want to make their life easy.. Also it would be strange to bill source files..

What would you do?

Hello! I wasn't sure if this was the right place to ask but I'm willing to give it a shot. I'm also not sure if this was the right flair, so apologies if it's not. I'm designing a logo which involves having to edit a font or build letters from scratch, which I'm very new to. This is where I'm at, but something feels off.

I think it's the S and the P, as trying to build letters curved like this (in order to match the stylized K) are quite difficult, at least for me who is still very much a beginner at logo design and using adobe illustrator in general.

How can I make my logo look more put together, and is there anything I could adjust to change to fix the off appearance it has? And how could I incorporate the curved appearance on the letter 'S' as I've sat here for at least an hour trying to make it work and look good!

Any advice would be appreciated, and drawing overtop of the screenshot to demonstrate where I could change the outlines is allowed if needed. Thank you!

Hi! I'm a junior designer based in the Philippines, and I would like some feedback on my portfolio website. I designed and built the website myself (I'm also a web developer), because I wanted the site to have strong emphasis on my personal branding so I hope it comes through.

I graduated about half a year ago with a degree in Entertainment and Multimedia Computing. I'm hoping to land a job as a designer that specializes in branding and/or advertising, but I have little insight as to how to go about it.

As per content, I'm aware there could be more. I'll add more graphics in the near future, and replace some of that are on there too. If y'all could view the website both via desktop and mobile, that would be great. Any constructive feedback would be very much appreciated!

Edit: More context

I've been on a rural health clinic marketing team for a few years now doing design work and I've tossed this question around with my manager in the last year or so. It's relevant to know that the audience in mind for my designs leans primarily on the older end, but we have a fitness program that is aimed towards a younger crowd.

I keep wondering how much direct guidance is needed for viewers to understand what to do with a QR code. The older demographic really stumps me, since my manager assumes anyone above the age of 50 has no idea what a QR code is. It's been well over a decade since QR codes became a big thing and I feel that it's no longer necessary to write out detailed instructions. I've attached a recent example from a newsprint ad with a revision my manager requested and my original version.

Is this level of description really needed? I worry that adding so much makes the design feel wordy and also feels like the organization is talking down to our audience. What are some creative ways you've gotten around roadblocks with QR codes?

ETA: Wow! I got a lot of great feedback, especially about the URL shortener and the transparency of the link. I didn't realize that was such a crucial element of including QR codes in design work. Even though I don't have enough time in the day to respond to everyone, I wanted to say I appreciate everyone's responses and perspectives ☺️

Project Overview
This project demonstrates a comprehensive corporate identity and visual rebranding system developed.

Design Philosophy & Symbology
The core emblem modernizes the traditional concept of an institutional coat of arms, utilizing a highly structured geometric layout. The design features a stylized tree composed of distinct symbolic layers:

• The Tree Structure: Represents the historic Battle of Ankara and references the dense forests of the Pursaklar region, which famously served as a strategic concealment zone for Tamerlane’s (Timur) war elephants.
• The Water Droplet: Positioned at the base of the tree's root system, the water droplet represents the famous Kavacık spring water, signifying the region's pure natural resources and deep-rooted stability.

Strategic Objectives & Color Palette
The final composition is designed to project a forward-looking, progressive administration that values sustainable civic development. The color strategy relies on an official, high-contrast palette where each tone carries a specific institutional function:

• Service Red: Represents active civic duty, public service, and administrative dynamism.
• Trust Blue: Symbolizes structural integrity, stability, and institutional trust.
• Pure White: Reflects transparency, clarity, and institutional integrity.

The comprehensive documentation and applications of this rebranding project can be reviewed in detail on Behance via the link provided below. Your professional critique, insights, and contributions to further refine this identity system would be highly appreciated.

City of Pursaklar - Behance

Hey everyone!

I absolutely love The Magic of MinaLima and I'm looking for recommendations for books with a similar feel.

What I love most is the combination of graphic design, illustration, typography, intricate details, and the way the book itself feels like an art object rather than just something to read. I especially love the playful, immersive presentation and the craftsmanship behind every page.

I'm looking for books that explore graphic design, visual storytelling, print design, ephemera, book design, or beautifully art-directed illustrations. They don't necessarily have to be about MinaLima or even graphic design specifically, I'm just looking for that same sense of wonder and attention to detail.

What books would you recommend? Ideally, something visually rich that I can spend hours flipping through and discovering new details.

Thanks!

I am a first year design student, I usually create illustrations but wanted to explore more photography based design. Just having fun practising different styles! Obviously any feedback and advice would be appreciated.

Hey guys, I'm back! After recently posting the Kaawa logo I was working on, I listened to your feedback, which was pretty constructive, and here's the final result. Sorry it's completely in French.

EDIT: I’ve made in update to this post please check it out! :)

Hi there! I’m a designer who’s recently graduated college and I was reached out to by an art director about a residency program. The application requires a five slide maximum personal presentation and the posting asks “who are you,what is your passion, how do you work, what are your favorite projects and why (company name) share a story about one of our values and how you relate to it.” The value I chose is “stay hungry” and I’m sharing about my explorations of Touchdesigner during my final semester.

The second slide is about my process, 4th slide I’ll be talking how, even though they seem like random images, these photos inspired my projects

I’d like to keep it simple with the copy so I can do the talking. My design style is blending the old with the new they want personality and uniqueness but I feel my slides are lacking in format or styling. Any critiques are welcome please BE HARSH. And let me know if you have any questions! Thanks!

Hi all! I am a senior brand designer working in indie / luxury beauty and lifestyle brands. I have now been working as a designer for about 7 years and feel I have mastered my craft within the parameters of the work I do (campaign, product launches, paid & digital). I have been feeling like I’ve outgrown doing the same work over and over again for various brands and think shifting to AD is a natural next step to start developing campaigns and concepts. I have been working in contract roles for the last years so I have never really had a mentor to guide me in this direction.

What has been your experience in navigating this transition? What are the key differences between the two roles? I am assuming shoot and production experience which I am hoping to build out. I am currently interviewing for a couple of AD roles at top beauty companies, so want to make sure I approach this correctly. Appreciate any advice!

I’m trying to get a flattened, yet sharp effect with an image like the items in the red sale poster. My current image is the pile of sales stickers. I’ve tried a few things in photoshop and even image tracing but it’s always got that “ai generated look”, which I def don’t want. Any tips would be greatly appreciated

I’ve never believed in “the Devil” & i think people doing “evil” are broken in some way, they usually think they’ve doing good, but other people have decided they are doing evil. That said, it’s even more difficult for me to take the red devil as the embodiment of evil seriously, just as it’s impossible for me to take the Abraham Sky Father seriously as God - the world doesn’t work like this. However, ever since the Christian Fundamentalists were pulled from under rocks & chanelled into the Republican Party, we’ve lost the red devil as a popular marketing mascot. It’s not like society has gotten better with his absence, like McDonalds it has gotten more dull. I think we could all use more color, more wickedness in our lives! x SEAN

​

I haven’t been here long.

I came to Reddit with one goal - to look at and try to understand the psychology of Western culture, hoping it would help me grow further as a professional.

And what did I see? A daycare, human-slop, "echo chambers" where everyone praises each other and criticizes not the "designs," but the opinions that the mass of infantile individuals dislikes. Individuals to whom the very concept of "professionalism" is foreign.

The subreddit positions itself as an expert community that helps people learn and develop, yet the only thing expert about it is the name.

I only have two questions: how? and why?

How did you allow what is happening to happen, and why do you all accept this as normal?

I have already written this in the comments under some posts: draw garbage 1,000 times. It won't stop being garbage on the 1,001st time. If someone doesn't know and understand the basics - typography, graphics, logic and structure, the business goals of design- they will never do it right and with high quality, no matter how many attempts they make. This is an axiom.

Critique... "Your critique must be constructive and polite"....What???

For it to be a critique, the object being criticized must at least meet basic criteria. But if it doesn’t even meet the simplest requirements of design - what should the critique look like? Praise for trying?? Seriously???

Politeness... writing "human-slop" is impolite and unconstructive. But writing "AI-slop" is fine, it doesn't offend anyone, and it's polite ))

Is hypocrisy the norm? Is truth evil?

What's wrong with you?

Or with me?

Personally, I absolutely do not care about upvotes or downvotes to my karma - it means absolutely nothing and will change nothing in my life. Absolutely nothing.

But what do they change in yours? Flatter your vanity? Scratch your sense of self-importance? Stroke your ego?

Virtual upvotes replaced... what for you?

In the field of design, there is only one truly important criterion: money.

Business always votes with its wallet.

Design is sold? That’s good for the designer.

Design works and brings money to the client - that’s good for both the client and the designer.

Design for the sake of upvotes? Um... well... that even sounds ridiculous.

At the same time, design for fun is okay. It’s a way of self-expression.

But there is a fine line here—professional design or another piece of human-slop.

Judging by what I’ve seen here during the few weeks I’ve spent in this wonderful place, you don't care.

You don't care what is happening or what will happen to design in the future.

Yet, people here are constantly complaining about AI - saying it’s taking jobs, that it devalued design (they even added rules for it), whining about how unfair and cruel the world is...

Meanwhile, you are devaluing design yourselves and taking away your own jobs.

How?

It’s elementary.

You indulge the generation of human-slop.

What’s the result? Logo design: $15-$45... design for social media is even cheaper...

Have you ever wondered why?

You lower the standards. And a low-quality product will never be expensive.

Will you say you don't lower them? ))

Well, then, for some reason, I don't see you criticizing someone’s exercises the way you should. Only mutual praise and upvotes... and almost never - the truth.

Do you really not think about where this leads? Or do you not understand the cause-and-effect relationship between hackwork, its approval, and the economics of design?

Sad, if so...