Category “Sponsored”

Tech Giants Set to Change the World of Typography

typography

What happens when four of the biggest tech companies in the world join forces to work on a project? Web designers across the globe undoubtedly cheer, as their job is about to become far less stressful. Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Adobe have all teamed up to create what’s known as variable fonts, which basically means that a font can adapt to any device or screen size. Desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones will also display the same internet article perfectly, as the variable fonts will adapt fluidly in real-time. The notion has been around for some time, yet with the four tech giants putting their collective weight behind the project it’s only now that it’s come to fruition.

Google in particular has already been instrumental in creating responsive fonts that look good and are easy to integrate, but they and their tech friends are no doubt fully aware of what they’ve given web designers. This is because a variable font can essentially contain an entire font package within a single file (e.g. Arial, Arial Black, Arial Narrow, Arial Unicode MS), which simply gives more scope to how a designer can use his or her skill. Furthermore, it’s said that a variable font file will be up to 70 percent smaller than a conventional font file – a great way to use less bandwidth and speed up the loading time of a website.

Tim Brown, head of typography for Adobe Type, summarized what exactly variable fonts are about and how they will help web designers. “A variable font is a single font that works like multiple fonts,” he said on Fastcodesign.com. “They’ll lead to faster, better websites; smaller app sizes; more flexible typography; and richer typographical palettes.”

And the good news for typography doesn’t end there. Google has also been working on a font project called Noto. Teaming up with font experts Monotype, project Noto has been worked on for close to five years, but has only now seen the light of day. Noto stands for ‘no more tofu,’ and not the food, but those little square boxes you might see in a text, which means a device doesn’t carry that particular character. The massive assortment of fonts are available in approximately 800 languages and 100 writing scripts, which again, can only benefit web designers who need not worry that their works can’t be seen on particular platforms or devices.

“Google Noto is a daunting project in size and scope, and I’m proud of how we’ve worked hard over the past five years to develop a really good product that solves a problem no one else has taken on before,” said Bob Jung on Techcrunch.com, director of internationalization at Google.

Designers can find inspiration in many places, but these latest developments in the industry only serve to give more help, and fewer design headaches.

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A’ Design Award Announces Last Call for Submissions Worldwide – Sign Up Your Designs Today

A’ Design Award is one of the World’s leading international annual juried competition for design. The A’ Design Accolades are organized in numerous creative fields to recognize the excellent designs from all countries in all disciplines. Entries to the A’ Design Competition are blind peer reviewed by an influential jury panel of experienced academics, top press members and established professionals. A’ Design Awards is an opportunity for grandeur, prestige, advertisement and international recognition to The A’ Design Award Winners through the Coveted A’ Design Prize which is granted to all the awarded designs.

The “A’ Design Prize” was designed by designers for designers. “A’ Design Prize” includes but not limited to : international design excellence certificate in metal frame, invitation to the exclusive gala-night in Italy, online + offline exhibition of awarded works, A2 poster of awarded projects, hardcover yearbook publication of awarded projects, the exclusive A’ Design Award trophy, international press campaign, an exclusive interview with the winner, press release preparation and distribution, license to use “A’ Design Award Winner Logo” in your communication, pitching awarded works to thousands of other publications, media appearances through design award press partners, inclusion in World Design Rankings and further tools and services for PR.

A’ Design Award was founded to highlight and recognize the very best and original design works in all countries and in all creative disciplines. The primary aim of the A’ Design Competition is to create a global awareness and understanding for good design practices and principles by highlighting the best designs in all countries and in all creative fields. The final objective of the Competition is to push designers, enterprises and brands worldwide to come up with superior products and projects that advance society.

Annually, projects that focus on innovation, design and creativity from across the globe are awarded with the A’ Design Award. Entries to A’ Design Award are accepted in categories such as Architectural Design, Graphics Design, Industrial Design, and more. The complete list of award categories are available here.

Submissions are accepted every year till February 28th (For 2016, the deadline has been extended to March 7th) and results are announced every year on April 15. Designers, agencies and brands from across the globe are invited to join the accolades by nominating their greatest works, projects and products. Discover A’ Design Award & Competition and see past winners at Design Mag which is a showcase of exceptional design work worldwide.

Submit Your Works today to The A’ Design Award : Enter Your Design Project.

We have a selection of designs you might like below:

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Tsingtao 1903 by Wangtao – Platinum A’ Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2015

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Williamson Tea Elephant Caddies by Springetts Brand Design Consultants – Platinum A’ Packaging Design Award in 2015

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Lenovo Horizon 2 27 by Johnson Li – Platinum A’ Digital and Electronic Devices Design Award in 2015

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Zi Garden/Tangquan Tea Club by Raynon Chiu – Platinum A’ Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2015

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Smrt Image Lumica by Design Team – Platinum A’ Scientific Instruments, Medical Devices and Research Equipment Design Award in 2015

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Santander World by Jose Angel Cicero – Platinum A’ Arts, Crafts and Ready-Made Design Award in 2015

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Orion by Limay Türkkan & Anıl Tontus – Platinum A’ Lighting Products and Projects Design Award in 2015

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Pepsi Metlife Stadium by PepsiCo Design and Innovation – Platinum A’ Advertising, Marketing and Communication Design Award in 2015

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Nissan Skyline by E-graphics communications – Golden A’ Advertising, Marketing and Communication Design Award in 2015

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I.dummy by Winswin Ltd – Golden A’ Engineering and Technical Design Award in 2015

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Entry Dab Radio by ARCELIK A.S. – Golden A’ Digital and Electronic Devices Design Award in 2015

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Madeira by Rado Iliev – Golden A’ Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2015

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Nar by Carla Conte – Golden A’ Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2015

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Iris by João Faria – Golden A’ Bakeware, Tableware, Drinkware and Cookware Design Award in 2015

cde1574650e0906abf9056ab3c01ba841eccfd94-t710One-Handed Plate Set by Sahar Madanat Haddad – Golden A’ Differently Abled and Seniors’ Assistance Design Award in 2015

56a0c7e39b27bcc575cac1ecf527c894f23a1da0-t710Coca-Cola Tet 2014 by Rice Creative – Platinum A’ Packaging Design Award in 2014

050a3f350d50cc31f7d9bee3003e617f3b47e5ae-t710Le Maestro by Herman Francisco Delos Santos – Golden A’ Footwear, Shoes and Boots Design Award in 2014

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Leuven by Wonchan Lee – Platinum A’ Packaging Design Award in 2014

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Big Bin by Formato Verde, Sl – Platinum A’ Street Furniture Design Award in 2013

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Alliance Against Aids by Seyed Mohammad Mortazavi – Golden A’ Jewelry, Eyewear and Watch Design Award in 2013

Did you enjoy the designs above? We will publish a selection of award winning designs here on April 15, once the results are announced. To get an opportunity to get your design published, featured and exhibited, remember to send it before the deadline. Present Your Designs today to The A’ Design Award : Enter Your Best Design Work.