BP1_GoogleReader

This handy little gadget, Google Reader, allows me to view all of my favorite feeds that have to do with my professional industry. This is one place I can go to catch all of the new posts, information and news that is relevant to me as a designer and future educator in the field of my choosing. Keeping my AR goals in mind as well as what I do on a day to day basis, I have decided on the following 5 blogs to visit as often as possible.

1. Smashing Magazine - This site is one of my favorites. I follow them on Twitter, Blogger as well as now in Google Reader. They have insight to upcoming technology releases, reviews of what just hit the streets, as well as tips and inside tricks to get the most out of our technology today. For students to get behind the curve on technology is to start with a hand or two tied behind their back. While we may all not be able to afford the latest and greatest thing, we need to be aware of them, their capabilities and any potential movement that may stem from it.

2. Apple.com - Of course, who doesn't want to be like Apple? They are a great business model in both the business side and design side. Their website, marketing material, packaging, everything just works so well together. They have their things together and a great way to show prospective design students just how things should look and work. They also have routine specials to offer students and educators, so that is always a plus!

3. thedieline.com - Spending most of my design life in the print design world, and working on tons of package design projects, thedieline.com is logical choice for me to be aware of. They have the newest and most creative packaging design ideas and prints, information about certain printing practices, awards and even jobs that are available. Anyone that has even a slight interest in package design needs to visit this site. The examples are rarely boring and are quite motivating to get your hands dirty!

4. sixrevisions.com - This is a site that has everything from free vectors, fonts to input on just how to effectively get your website running the way it should. As opposed to thedieline.com and indesignsecrets.com this is focused mainly on web development for designers and programmers. Just as I believe we should not fall behind on technology and it's uses, the same goes for web design. Although I am not a programmer, I get my hands in to some web design from time to time and I need to be up to date on current trends and do's and dont's. This website allows me to do that.

5. indesignsecrets.com - Offering blog posts, podcasts, events, and resources, there is not a lot you won't find on this site regarding the program InDesign. Being a majority of my work is done in print, I use InDesign daily. This site allows me to find shortcuts, new ideas and even tutorials on how to pull something off just perfectly. They have forums, videocasts and all kinds of support. It is simply one of the most useful resources for someone using InDesign