mrossana » internet

Use the Google Font Directory to make the web beautiful

mrossana — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:36:09 +0000

Earlier this year, Google introduced the Google Font Directory, which offers users a selection of open source fonts to use online as web-friendly fonts. I finally set aside some time to find out more about it… only to realize that it takes about 5 minutes to integrate the fonts into your site! I used the Reenie Beanie font on some of the headers throughout my site. I initially was using it on more text, but quickly realized that getting too crazy with some of these fonts could result in very unreadable text. So, while this new free resource is very cool, best usability practices should still be kept in mind when designing your site!

Has anyone seen any other websites integrating these fonts?

Resources:

Where to download the Google fonts to use in Photoshop comps

Online wireframing tools are my new favorite

mrossana — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:07:52 +0000

After nailing down the scope and requirements of a project, I always start my designs with a wireframe of the homepage. In the past, this usually started with some dry erase markers on a whiteboard and then I would recreate those drawings using Photoshop. This is not always the fastest and most efficient way to work. My friend @schusterbauer, however, recently introduced me to Mockingbird, an online wireframing application, and it has completely changed the way I work.

Mockingbird’s simple UI and library of web elements makes it easy to rapidly mock up your designs and outline the basic functionality of the site or application. The user’s ability to quickly update the mock ups make it an ideal tool for brainstorming and “sharing” your projects is a great way to collaborate and get feedback from clients. I would highly recommend using this tool to anyone!

Other wireframing tools worth checking out are Hot Gloo and Balsamiq. Are there any others worth checking out?

Beaker FTW!

mrossana — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:51:26 +0000

My five doppelgangers

mrossana — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:26:01 +0000

It was Doppelgänger Week this past week on Facebook and people really got into it. Little known fact: I have always been a big proponent of doppelgängers. I guess it’s because people have always seemed to think that I had so many. Or, maybe it’s because I look kinda weird. Either way… it’s a fun game. I actually offered my Google-image-search services over the weekend for people who were having a hard time finding their own (this occasionally backfired on me). Here are my five doppelgängers:

1. Sean Lennon

This one has always been my favorite and was the one I used as my Facebook profile pic. Sean’s a stylish dude.

See the rest after the jump.

2. Gene Wilder

This one started back in college when I grew my hair out and had a Willy Wonka thing going on.

3. Alex Winter

You probably only remember this guy as Bill S. Preston Esq. from Bill and Ted fame.

4. Ryan Key

The lead singer of Yellowcard actually looks more like me in high school when I weighed less and had bleached hair — maybe I should try out that look again.

5. Eric Wareheim

I wasn’t totally on board with this one at first, but too many people have told me that, so I just have to accept it.

Bonus: My dog Dorito even has a doppelgänger!