The way you work can have a huge impact on your creative success. We present the best advice from leading designers on every stage of the creative process, so that you can keep clients satisfied and make the most of your talents.

Computer Arts – 50 ways to become a better designer

Fascinating collection of book cover designs. People really do judge a book by its cover, and it is the job of the designer to interpret the book’s theme correctly into a visual medium.

25 New Classic Book Covers » [via kottke]

Penguin does it again. They’re an iconic symbol of design over the decades, and they’ve recently held the latest in a series of design contests. The winners are really beautiful and deceptively simple. Make sure to check out the previous winners as well!

Penguin Design Winners »

I’ve always wanted to be able to keep an art journal. I never finish what I start, though, so instead I must drool over others’.

Fabulous set of lettering sketchbooks on Flickr. » [via swissmiss]

This is an excellent resource for students who are working to create their own self-brand for the first time – or even for people who want to re-brand themselves. With step-by-step instructions and downloadable worksheets, it’s well worth reading all three parts.

The Art of Self-Branding –> [via Just Creative Design]

This is a completely useful and wonderful set of tools for the designer. There are patterns and dielines for 12 kinds of envelopes, kit folders, CD & DVD covers and labels and cases, postcard sizes, standard foldings, plus a bunch of other goodies such as a conversion chart, proof reading marks, web font guidelines, and more!

Definitely one for your prominent bookmarks.

Designers Toolbos –> [via PagePlane]

Unveiling a solution is arguably the most harrowing aspect of the creative process. In our last post we talked about how we can work to better service our clients. In this one, I’ll share some of the best responses we have to questions that can often derail an otherwise effective solution.

How to disarm 10 difficult client observations/requests –> [via creative curio]

This Dutch artist has been all over the web lately, and I couldn’t help but share two of my favourite pieces of his.

First, there’s an amazing video of Job and his nephew writing the alphabet side by side.
[via Shape + Colour]

And then a wonderful visual of a group of Job’s handdrawn posters.

These are only 80 of 500 he did! More pics of the rest on his website.

Job Wouters –>

Creative Curio is fast becoming one of my favourite design resources. Recently Lauren posted a wonderful article answering questions that design students ask when they’ve graduated. Questions like:

• I can’t draw at all, so will that hurt my chances of succeeding as a designer?
• What’s wrong with downloading illegal copies of software because I can’t afford to buy them as a student?
• How long should my resume be?
• Should I work for free just to get some experience?

And many more. Make sure to check them all out!
Answers to the Top Design Student Questions –>

Very pretty website by Rob Walsh. Right-click the background and choose View Background Image to get a better idea of how he constructed it. The structure of the site itself is super simple, but the imagery makes it sing.

Rob Walsh’s Portfolio –> [via webcreme]