I love to draw. I have an entire library of sketchbooks and folders full of my drawings, sketches, “scraps”, and doodles…

These days, I don’t often find myself drawing just for the sake of drawing. If I have a sketchbook in my lap and a pencil in my hand, chances are that I’m sketching a logo, illustration or a website mock-up for a client. When I do find spare time, I try to experiment with new styles to sharpen my skills and expand my creative abilities. Usually I need to go looking for inspiration. But on occasion, like the first time I laid eyes on the cover art for Mario Strikers Charged, inspiration finds me.

The cover art for Mario Strikers Charged really caught my attention. I have a tendency to draw realistically, using only pencil, so I have a great appreciation for artists who use lots of color and / or pull off that rough sketch look. It inspired me to dust off my box of oil pastels that I hadn’t used since high school! Check out the entire cast of characters with their new, darker looks:

What Inspires You?

If you have anything that you would like to include in this series, please let me know! Send your post, your website URL (optional) and any pictures you would like to include to krissy@6bdesign.com.

Personally, I find it challenging to design a unique Myspace page; especially one that doesn’t look like a typical Myspace page. I don’t think that the people who design those “stand-out” pages get quite enough recognition for what they do. That is why I asked you all to help me compile a list of Amazing Myspace Pages but you failed me miserably, so I decided just to do it myself. It was quite a challenge. No matter what I Google’d, all I came up with were tons of “Pimp My Profile” type-sites. Eventually, I did happen come across some pretty awesome Myspace pages that didn’t look like Tom’s.

Although people like to belittle Myspace, the fact of the matter is that Myspace.com is still one of the most visited sites on the internet. No matter if you are an organization, corporation, company, band, or just a regular person, it’s pretty much expected that you have a Myspace page.

As Dana from BandSpaces points out “Myspace is one of the most highly recognized websites on the internet targeted towards young adults. If you want to get the word out about your company or band, Myspace is the way to do it. A custom Myspace page is one that will draw attention and get you noticed! It can be a visitor’s first impression of you, so it is key to make it an impression that will last. An attractive page can also increase your potential customers or fans. It is something that will keep them coming back”.

Band Spaces

Here are some of the amazing Myspace pages designed by BandSpaces:

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For me, staring at a blank piece of paper or screen is the first and most intimidating part of any creative process. I’ll just sit there, hoping that some incredible idea or concept will just pop into my head. If nothing “pops”, I’ll try listening to some good music. If that doesn’t work, I’ll take 5 and go make a cup of coffee. And if the coffee doesn’t help, I try not to get frustrated; I look for inspiration.

Instead of browsing through sites like CSS Zen Garden or Best Web Gallery hoping to be inspired, I try to look for what I call everyday inspiration. I look at the everyday items that surround me: CDs, DVDs, books, magazines, catalogs, even product and food packaging. You see these items everyday and might not give any thought to their design. But just like a website, most all of these items have a layout, a logo, different typefaces, artwork, combinations of colors, patterns, etc. I know it’s pretty nerdy, but I even look at some of their layouts and think of how I’d splice them to code them as a website.

I am going to write a series of posts about the everyday items that inspire me. Hopefully some of the posts will help to inspire you too. And if you have anything that you would like to include in this series, please let me know! Send your post, your website URL (optional) and any pictures you would like to include to krissy@6bdesign.com.

Personally, I find it challenging to design a unique Myspace page; especially one that doesn’t look like a typical Myspace page. I don’t think that the people who design those “stand-out” Myspace pages get quite enough recognition for what they do. This is why I am compiling a list of amazing Myspace pages.

If you know of any amazing Myspace pages that should be included on the list, please send me the URL with a brief description of what makes it stand out, along with your name (and your website URL if you want it included) to myspace@6bdesign.com before December 8, 2008.

Welcome to the New and Improved 6bdesign.com

Over the past few months I’ve been spending all of my spare time working on a new design for the site. After designing about five or six new layouts, I finally came up with one that I liked. This new layout is much cleaner, simpler and even easier to navigate than before. I hope you like it! Make sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think.