Karen has a Tumblr

kimmydesign: My newest font, Lunchbox, a fully handdrawn,...

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:05:00 -0400

My newest font, Lunchbox, a fully handdrawn, multifunctional, customizable and totally awesome typeface.

Check ‘er out! http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/kimmy/lunch-box/

Oh man, I love it. The main text is fairly similar to Populaire, at least they’d be used in the same way that I can imagine, but the beautiful alternates and the ornaments…so tempted to get it while it’s on sale.

doodlebuggy: I quick doodle I did for my friend who really...

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:46:37 -0400

doodlebuggy:

I quick doodle I did for my friend who really wanted a Doctor WhoXKim Possible Crossover.

After I mentioned it in my new video today, Avian drew this for me! Can Doctor Who/Kim Possible crossovers be a thing now?

whedonesque: Joss Whedon’s profile at Whedonesque.com (x)

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:39:46 -0400

whedonesque:

Joss Whedon’s profile at Whedonesque.com (x)

Take a look through my sketchbook! In my new video I show you...

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:00:34 -0400

Take a look through my sketchbook! In my new video I show you guys the initial sketches for the first VidCon poster, Squaresville designs, John Green box set, Halloween crafts, and more!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iot5YFfyuNA

Have you been watching Squaresville Season 2? I just put up a...

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:21:53 -0400

Have you been watching Squaresville Season 2? I just put up a new blog post about all the design work I did for them, including designing the poster and redesigning the logo, end screen and thumbnails!
http://karenkavett.com/blog/1675/squaresville-season-2-designs.php

Spending my night playing GeoGuessr, where you’re shown a...

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:27:05 -0400

Spending my night playing GeoGuessr, where you’re shown a random place on Google Street View and you have to try to place it on the map. I didn’t do so well this round.

If you missed it yesterday, I put up a new video showing how to...

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:31:26 -0400

If you missed it yesterday, I put up a new video showing how to make these DIY ampersand and interrobang pillowcases! If you make one, I’d love to see photos!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJW7Ut74Do

As I mentioned in my new video today, I have two new lists up on...

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:03:00 -0400

As I mentioned in my new video today, I have two new lists up on Subblime - one about all the stuff that’s in my video background and one that is my home decor wish list. Check them out if you want to know where to get any of the stuff you see here!

We’re also doing a giveaway of my favorite poster ever, the Alphabet of Typography poster from PopChartLab. Head on over to this link to enter with only click!

(PopChartLab isn’t associated with this contest in any way. I bought my copy of the poster and Subblime will buy the winner another copy.)

In my new video, I show you how to make DIY ampersand and...

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:41:00 -0400

In my new video, I show you how to make DIY ampersand and interrobang pillowcases, along with downloadable patterns to get you started! Check it out here and send me photos if you make one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hJW7Ut74Do

typeworship: Book Review: The Geometry of Type There are many...

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:22:31 -0400

typeworship:

Book Review: The Geometry of Type

There are many things I like about Stephen Coles’ recent book; the bright, clean design and the accessible structure allowing you to dip in and out; but most of all, it’s the lack of fluff or filler. The content has been carefully honed to focus on the important details, which is in fact what the book is all about: the details of each typeface.

In highlighting and comparing the features that give each typeface its character, anyone exploring this subject can begin to make informed choices between similar typeface options.

The pithy descriptions describe each typeface’s origin and advise what makes each appropriate for certain scenarios and where it might fail. These are occasionally laced with a subtle humour that keeps the tone of the book warm.

The great balance of written and visual explanation means the book works well as a quick reference but has a seductive way of drawing you in to read more and examine further.

The 100 “essential” typefaces chosen covers a decent range and they have been categorised in the most straight-forward way. Historically it stretches from Gill Sans 1928-32) right up to Heron Serif (2012), but also acknowledges original creation dates for revivals such as Bembo (1495).

I’ve already found it useful in my work and I know I’ll enjoy repeatedly picking it up in the future to compare other typefaces in my collection and those I’ve spotted in the wild.

We’ll worth picking up a copy. Take a look the book’s online companion on tumblr: The Anatomy of Type

Oooh, want want want want want

typeverything: Typeverything.com - (Sub)Prime Cuts by...

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:45:06 -0400

typeverything:

Typeverything.com - (Sub)Prime Cuts by @Vault49.

Hi Karen, I was designing my CV using some of your tips in your video but when I showed it to my college tutor she said it was too modern and the airline I am applying to would not like it at all. Do I ignore my tutor's advice and send it like that anyway or do I follow it? It's such a shame because I'm really proud of how it looks and I would like to use it. Thank you for taking the time to read.

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:23:38 -0400

Well, you have to ask yourself how much you trust her opinion. Does she have a background in design? Try asking her for specific feedback of why you should change it, like if something is hard to read or if a decorative element is too distracting. Without seeing it, I can’t really say what to do, but try to take an objective look at it, and maybe show it to another few people to see if they all have the same feedback or not. Good luck!

so i watch (and love) all of your videos and tutorials and stuff, but for the life of me i can't figure out what exactly you use for your miniature books, which is something i have been DYING to make for a friend. i noticed those videos were not intended as tutorials but do you have like a what-you-need list or a quick what-to-do? also would it be too much of a bother to point me in the direction of some tutorials? sorry if this is out of the blue or confusing. DFTBA

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:21:13 -0400

Oh man, I made that video ages ago. To be honest, the way I made the book wasn’t exactly the strongest or most durable process, but I basically just printed out and cut down all the spreads, folded them in half, stacked them perfectly evenly, clamped them together with a binder clip and a thicker piece of book paper on either end, and applied a thick coat of glue on the spine, placing a small piece of paper on top so it wrapped around the spine. I’m trying to remember if I sewed it together before I glued it…I think I did to give it a little extra durability. Then I made the hardcover front and back by cutting the shapes out of book board and gluing them to book cloth with a little space to fold it between them. Once all that was dry, I glued the ends of the book paper to the front and back of the cardboard to make the book. For the dust jacket, I just scanned the existing jacket, sized it down in Photoshop, printed it out, and folded it around the book. I hope that helps!

Hello Karen =), I would like to get crafty, I've never did art in school or anything like that but I would like to learn to make stuff, do stuff with glue and scissors, heat transfers, etc. Other than watching videos online and visiting blogs could you or your followers recommend me any books please?

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:15:36 -0400

I recommended a few craft books in my recent video Recommended Design Resources #3. It really depends what you want to learn though - if you want to learn how to knit, look up knitting books on Amazon. If you want to learn how to screenprint, look up screenprinting books. I mostly just learned by doing and experimenting, but if you really want more books, Amazon reviews would probably be more reliable than me right now.

striveforabettertomorrow: The VlogBrothers, in doodle format by...

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:33:32 -0400

striveforabettertomorrow:

The VlogBrothers, in doodle format by ~indoodleformat

This is so awesome.

My new video was inspired by an email from a 13 year old...

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:54:10 -0400

My new video was inspired by an email from a 13 year old aspiring graphic designer! If you’re looking into design or heading to art school, it may help you out too!

(Also I’m having a YouTube gathering in San Francisco. Click here for the details.)

If you missed it yesterday, I posted a video about how to...

Thu, 09 May 2013 20:44:59 -0400

If you missed it yesterday, I posted a video about how to customize your LeakyCon conference bag! (Or any bag you own, really.) Try putting on a custom zipper pull, sequin stripes, or even a wand holder! How are you going to decorate your bag at LeakyCon this year?

Hey San Francisco! Emily (emilythebravee) and I are hosting a...

Thu, 09 May 2013 19:22:26 -0400

Hey San Francisco! Emily (emilythebravee) and I are hosting a Wonderly YouTube Meetup on Saturday May 18th! Check out my new video for all the details:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR1RGdYxKj0

And RSVP here: http://wonderlysf.eventbrite.com/

Hope to see you there!

typeworship: Upstanding lettering Yulia Brodskaya is well-known...

Thu, 09 May 2013 15:15:34 -0400

typeworship:

Upstanding lettering

Yulia Brodskaya is well-known for her paper graphics or ‘quilling’ (rolled paper glued on it’s edge). The ‘O’above was created for Oprah’s magazine which also featured an article about Yulia and her work.

She revealled that since she’d designed the cover of a holiday supplement for The Guardian newspaper (UK) in 2008, she’s “never been out of work since”. She also said that she’d like to do more “live” pieces where people can see the work itself, not just photos of it. This seems to have happened this year when she created a huge installation in Shanghai.

See an earlier post about Yulia’s work

I can’t even look. It’s too gorgeous.

Oh my gosh, Hailee Steinfeld’s dress at the Met Ball is...

Mon, 06 May 2013 23:24:43 -0400

Oh my gosh, Hailee Steinfeld’s dress at the Met Ball is super cute. I want to DIY safety pin fireworks onto all of my clothes now.