Perfect-fit Cameras

Tim Moynihan is PCWorld's go-to camera guy. Robert Cardin is the inhouse photographer. Together they were the dream team that made this product round up a pleasure to work on. 

Below is the opening spread and a second spread from the inside. Perfect-fit Cameras ran in the October 2012 issue of PCWorld. You can read Tim's full coverage here on sister site TechHive.com.

PS. That "Best Premium Pocket Camera" is definitely on this designer's wishlist. It's pretty darn fantastic.

Clouds from start to finish

How does a feature layout start? Simple as 1…2…3!

1. The editor sends a manuscript to the art department.

2. I doodle all over the manuscripts until I have a concept that impresses the art director. Then the art director and I find someone who can really draw. Someone like the really (really) marvelous Andrew Bannecker.

Below is Andrew's opening illustration for The Great Hard Drive in the Sky, a feature by writer Paul Lilly that ran in the September 2012 issue of PCWorld magazine. I've included a page from the inside, but to read the full story visit PCW's sister site TechHive here.

A little fair isle friend

Last March I designed and posted a small knitted toy pattern on the crafty fiber site Ravelry. Recently I was delighted to learn that A Little Friend has reached over 1,000 downloads.

Yippee! I've celebrated by posting a second pattern called a Little Fair Isle Friend. This wee toy pattern includes a sweater and charts built in InDesign. Below is a photo of the little guy followed by a glimpse of the chart (I'm such a table geek!).

If you like to knit you can download the pattern here. If you are in need of a sweet read you'll find a lovely holiday poem about the mouse here at the bottom of the project notes.

 

Super Apps!

Holy Smartphone! I need a personal assistant to catch up on the posting of updates. Next in line? Here's an apps round-up I art directed and designed for awesome editor Armando Rodriguez at PC World.

The feature ran in the August 2012 issue. Armando asked for a super hero comic theme. Good call!

Pictured below is the opener with a full page by Irish illustrator Kagan McLeod and a spread from the inside. You can read Armando's full round-up here on PCW's sister site TechHive.

Point of interest: I did the same feature last year when Armando teamed up with editor Ginny Mies. Different year. Different spin on the story. Read about it here.

Smart phones for smart people

I am finally catching up on studio updates after a busy six months. Whew! 

First up: Top Choices for Each Network, a July 2012 print feature designed for PCWorld magazine. Editor/writer Ginny Mies was the expert on this round-up of ten smartphones. Find the complete story on sister site TechHive.com along with links to in-depth reviews of all the products. See the opener, an inside spread, and the feature chart from the print story below. I also produced this feature for the tablet and ipad, complete with a pop-up and scrolling. Must figure out how to show you that!

Next up: Essential apps and a flock of chickens.