INSPIRATION IS ALL AROUND US
As a designer, I never stop looking. I never know where I’ll find inspiration. Award books and trade magazines are obvious sources. But often I’ll see something in the wild and think, “Ooh, that’d be a really good solution.” Getting inspired is just the first step, though. The next step in creating something truly inspirational […] Read more >
Know Before You Drone
Implementing video into your business marketing strategy has become increasingly important to make your brand stand out.... Read more >
Fiscal Responsibility
Here at McDill, we practice fiscal responsibility by design. Many of our clients tell us that they not only trust us as ... Read more >
Video Conference Etiquette
By now, we’re all familiar with meeting online. Today, Zoom has 300 million daily meeting participants, a massive incr... Read more >
The Importance of Brand Colors
Your brand probably has a signature color. But, to make it a truly powerful brand, you need a palette of colors that com... Read more >
5 Things I’ve Learned About Digital Marketing Post-COVID
If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s that having a digital-first mindset is a must. But the evolution, ... Read more >
Engaging your agency, one ingredient at a time
Anyone that knows me, knows I LOVE to bake. It’s my jam – even to the chagrin of my husband. I can make some kick-as... Read more >
Cheers to 2022!
What a martini can tell us about the year ahead - A glass half full is only half the story. ... Read more >
Happy Milwaukee Day!
We are proud to say that we have been a part of Milwaukee’s cherished history for over 40 years, and are honored to ha... Read more >
A return to the bright side
They say adversity builds character. If that is the case, 2020 provided us all with enough mettle to last a lifetime.... Read more >
Managing Revisions – and Your Budget
There’s no easier way to blow your precious budget than to make umpteen revisions on a single project. During my tenur... Read more >
The Art Of The Handwritten Thank You Note
Some might say that writing a personal thank you note is a dying art, but I think otherwise.... Read more >
A bright green square
Forty years ago when we first considered naming our business, Dillon McCarthy sounded too much like Lennon and McCartney... Read more >
F-Patterns and Layer Cakes: Writing for Scanners
Design is key in controlling how people scan. And here’s how writing can make a difference.... Read more >
Creative life, for the most part
I realized that what I needed, wanted and could have, was a job that would be a part of my life, or rather, a life that ... Read more >
Are you asking enough questions?
Client services teams must discover what isn’t being said to truly understand the challenges clients are looking to so... Read more >
Hey Logo, Meet Your Mark
When MLB approached us to design a new logo for the Milwaukee Brewers, they really weren’t so interested in a new logo... Read more >
You never get a second chance at first impressions
A little note from our intern Olivia, regarding making first impressions via phone.... Read more >
10 tips for a well-designed PowerPoint
Here are some tips to create a fresh, engaging and inspiring presentation.... Read more >
Six Months In
A recent grad’s perspective on entering the design biz. Read some of my takeaways.... Read more >
Proofreading 101: (Spell)check yourself
Whether it’s an internal newsletter, new business proposal or routine email, make time to proofread your writing.... Read more >
Brand Guidelines 102
So, our company has this set of brand guidelines…now what? How do we know if our creative is properly representing our... Read more >
Thirty-five years
McDill Design turns 35 this year and in that time everything has changed and yet so much is still the same. Things are e... Read more >
Designing minds: Making a mark
Graffiti, the scourge of urban development, it turns out, is a condition of human life. The drive to inform the world of... Read more >
Brand Guidelines 101
A brand is a visual representation of an organization or business, its mission and, usually, its products and services.... Read more >
Everyone’s a critic
Criticism is an important part of the design process. It’s how we refine our concepts, make them stronger, prettier, m... Read more >
Adaptive vs. Responsive Design
How do we make our sites support multiple devices? And how do we improve the user experience, regardless of the device b... Read more >
How to find the right partner for your design project
The prospect of hiring a design firm may appear to be just as difficult as the design process itself. Here are some tips... Read more >
Simple Isn’t Easy
At its core, a logo should be simple, unique and instantly recognizable. See some examples of companies who have strong ... Read more >
Designing Sausages
A little history about bringing the Milwaukee Brewers' racing cartoon sausages to life.... Read more >
Designing Minds, Part 1
Part of being a graphic designer is the ability to see things in a way that other people probably don’t. There is rare... Read more >
Beer Browsing
Exploring different beers for their design... and taste.... Read more >
There’s Nothing Here To Fear
Whitespace is one of the most valuable elements of great design. It is the one element that gives design sophistication,... Read more >
There’s An App For That
App development creates an interesting design and programming challenge. User experience varies greatly depending on the... Read more >
They Keep Me In The Back
They keep me in the back... a little note from Cindy.... Read more >
Art That Protects Your Head
As a racecar driver my helmet is a priceless item because I can't race without it. As it turns out, without racing helme... Read more >
Nifty Fifties
Designers look to all sorts of places for inspiration, for me one of those places is 1950’s. After the severity of the... Read more >
McDill Evolution
Welcome to our first blog. You will hear our thoughts on graphic design, digital and print, typography, color and probab... Read more >