The Hovie Graphic Design Blog

Designing professionally since 1993, running my own graphic design studio since 1998, and serving as an adjuct professor in graphic design at the university level since 2008, I've seen and experienced a lot in the design world. And so, well, I may have a thing or two to say now and then.

Designer Missing Record Stores

I miss record stores. I know, that makes me old. And it’s not for the music since we know we can listen to music more than ever before on various steaming platforms. No, I miss the stores for the record or cd covers...

Notice The Little Things

When I go on daily walks around my studio in Livingston, Montana, I try and notice something new and interesting each time in the surroundings. Even though I may have walked the street or alley hundreds of times...

Top 5 Seattle Logos

Seattle is known for many high profile companies including Starbucks, Microsoft, Amazon, and Boeing (since moved). While Seattle is full of many smaller companies with great logos I felt for this exercise, I’d only rank large, nationally known companies...

Be Different For a Reason

Using something odd or different to grab attention has long been a tool in graphic design and advertising. It causes the viewer to stop and think twice before passing by...

Graphic Design is Visual Communication

I often tell people that many designers can create something that looks cool, but good graphic designers create cool things that communicate well. That’s one of the key differences between what fine artists and graphic designers are asked to do...

5 Things I Love Roboto Typeface

Typefaces are an interesting thing. They can help convey just the right tone and get your message across in the best way. Some designers love to use anything new and different and spend hours looking for anything they haven’t used before...

Less is More in Graphic Design

Over my 30 plus years in graphic design inevitably I've had to deal with clients who seem to think they are paying for graphic design by the inch. Whether it’s for a business card, website, magazine ad, or billboard, they are constantly wanting to put just one more thing into the design to fill ALL the space...

Logo Trends 2024

Over the past year or so we’ve seen a pretty consistent move to simplify brands and logos. They are becoming less crafted and more bold, but generic....

Do Graphic Design Awards Matter?

Design Hovie Studios has been fortunate over the years to receive various awards for our design from organizations from all over the world, from France to Italy to Japan to the United States. I’ve even served as a judge at the Vancouver Island Rock Awards...

DesignRush Web Design Spotlight

I was recently honored to be included in an article by DesignRush on Web Design and Development. Having designed websites since 1996 (yes they kind of existed back then)...

The Power of 3 in Graphic Design

When I start work with a new client, one of the first questions they ask is what our process is. Specifically how will we arrive at a final solution. In an ever changing world of graphic design standards I’ve kept to a tried and true formula...

Seattle Sounders 2024 Kit Review

I got in to graphic design since I grew up creating new logos and uniforms for my favorite teams. I even created an imaginary football league with made up teams sporting my logos and designs...

A Graphic Designer in Milan

One thing that is so cool about being a graphic designer in Milan is getting a first look at the styles that will be finding their way to the rest of the world over the coming year....

How Cities Inspire Graphic Design

Each place I’ve lived and worked has provided their own special inspiration. Whether it’s the history, culture, and style of one of the fashion capitals of the world, Milan, the entrepreneurial grit and creative energy of Seattle, the laid back care free vibe of Lake Chelan, or eclectic Livingston MT...

Music for Graphic Design

Music has always been a big part of my life. To begin with I was named after the iconic Southern Gospel musician Hovie Lister. I also had the amazing fortune to grow up in the 70s-90s experiencing the best of rock and roll, outlaw country, new wave, and alternative music...

Teaching Graphic Design Applied Typography

I have taught various courses in graphic design and typography since 2008 at Seattle Pacific University and at the Cornish College of the Arts. I originally got into it since I really loved reviewing student's portfolios and providing feedback on their work...

Refine Or Reinvent Your Logo and Brand Design

When should you refine vs redesign? That’s a question I’m asked often. There are a number of factors but, in general, after 30+ years in the business I lean toward refinement...

Quality Graphic Design For All

What does it mean to design well for all? Well, I’ve had the great fortune to work with many types of clients over my 30+ year career. From Ferragamo in Italy, to Microsoft and Boeing in the USA, to a small, local church in the middle of rural Montana...