A week ago I put out a call for designers who have never been on one of those lists that design blogs so often put out. I asked for designers who, like myself, are unknown or less “popular” in the design community, to submit their info so I could compile a list of designers who have never been on lists before. I have a soft spot for those that aren’t a part of the “in” crowd amongst designers, because those lists tend to include a lot of the same people over and over again and exclude some very qualified designers, as you will see. As in most creative fields, sometimes those that are considered the “best” are actually just really good at promoting themselves, or networking, or are just nice people. Obviously, there is nothing wrong with that, but this just means those that maybe are less skilled at making a name for themselves but are just as – if not more – gifted at design can often be overlooked.
Please don’t misunderstand me: I am willing to bet that most, if not all, of those designers that often populate the lists and roundups are very deserving, and many that I have had a chance to interact with are amazing people as well. So the idea here is not to knock those that are considered the “elite” amongst the design community. Instead, this is an attempt to broaden our experience and introduce us all to more amazing designers who are out there. Who knows? Maybe some of these “unknowns” will inspire, challenge and enhance your own design efforts!
So following is a list of 24 designers who responded to my previous post and submitted themselves for your consideration because they have never been on a list before. I am not reviewing or recommending or rating them. I am merely submitting them for you to explore their work and enjoy the discovery. Feel free to leave comments here encouraging them, and if you are a designer who has never made a list (including this one), leave your information below and if I get enough submissions I will create another post next week to introduce you to those that have never met you before.
- « DESIGNERS: Submit Your Info To Be In An Upcoming Post: Designers That Have Never Been On Lists
- » Submit Your Twitter Backgrounds That Have Never Been On A List
- RELATED / YOU MIGHT FIND THESE INTERESTING
Comments ( 45 )
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24 Designers You’ve Never Seen On A List Before | Design Newz added these pithy words on Sep 25 09 at 6:31 pm[...] 24 Designers You ve Never Seen On A List Before | bkmacdaddy designs [...]
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Website Design – Online Tutorials | Web Design and all stuff related to it! added these pithy words on Oct 09 09 at 4:03 pm[...] 24 Designers You've Never Seen On A List Before | bkmacdaddy designs [...]
Interactive Web Design: the Best Way to Attract Users | Web Design and all stuff related to it! added these pithy words on Nov 06 09 at 2:33 pmI never been on a list either.
http://www.tiagopimentel.com
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Tiago Pimentel added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
9:12 am
We are honored Brian to be in this list.
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WPBeginner added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
9:30 am
I’m in great company here. Thanks for making a list for those of us who were listless.
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Rock Langston added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
9:42 am
Thank you!!! How fun and in good company too! Seeing a published list with my work on it will absolutely put an extra bounce in my step today! You ROCK!!
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Nicole Sims added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
11:47 am
Great post Brian. Great list of artists here.
Though I myself have always looked at these list and hoped maybe even wished to be on one I always get off that sentiment almost as quick as it started.
I figure if I was good enough I’d be on it. So I’m not good enough, but always looking to improve.
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Sammy Mateo added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
11:52 am
I’ve never been on a list. Please bring my site to it’s knees.
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James Barclay added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
11:52 am
Damn you iPhone auto correct, I meant “its.”
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James Barclay added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
11:55 am
WOW Brian thx for this. I needed this today of all days.
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Pam added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
1:03 pm
I’m excited to see this list. Great designers here. I even see a couple of friends.
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Vonnie added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
1:07 pm
Hey Brian, I made your list! You have no idea how exciting this is for me, especially because I’m in such amazing company.
And thank you, Vonnie, for telling me I was on. You’re the best.
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Rishad added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
1:14 pm
Designers: make sure to include all your info so I can include it in your listing, specifically your name, your website/portfolio address, and Twitter name. Thanks!
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bkmacdaddy added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
1:40 pm
Awesome Idea Brian! I am giving it a RT or two and will look through everyone’s folio. I think lists are sometimes biased and I believe the people that should be highlighted are the less knowns. Because if people already know about them, why do they need highlighted?
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
September 25th, 2009 at 2:17 pmYou are spot on, Chad! Well known is often well-deserved, but the reverse doesn’t ring true. Looking forward to discovering great, new-to-me designs and designers!
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Chad Engle added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
2:02 pm
Brian, these lists are great! It’s nice to see some lesser known but equally talented people get some props!
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Sarah | @MadysonDesigns added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
2:39 pm
Brian-
What a great list and I feel honored to be with such a talented bunch.[Reply]
Shari added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
4:10 pm
thanks for listing me… feel honored to be listed with such great designers
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Elizabeth added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
5:25 pm
Brian-
Thank you for thinking of this great idea and for including me the list![Reply]
Chris Modarelli added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
5:37 pm
yeah but some of these “designers” are using theme templates on their portfolio sites not designed by them. so i dont know if making this list makes any sense.
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
September 28th, 2009 at 6:17 amI always ‘love’ when people leave negative comments without leaving their own contact info. Shows great courage and interest in constructive discussion – not!
I myself use a theme on this blog that was created by someone else and I just modified it. I think it’s pretty short-sighted to assume that makes me less of a designer. It’s actually the route I chose because I don’t have enough time to prioritize my own projects over my clients’. In other words, it actually may be a sign of a working, qualified designer instead of the opposite.[Reply]
ghetto added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
7:03 pm
Brian, excellent initiative! I’ve never been listed either, but can’t say I’ve ever asked to be ^_^ RT’ing your post!
My co. website http://www.ryvondesigns.com
twitter – @RyvonDesigns
Waiting to find time to get my own personal, non-business portfolio up…lol…work keeps me busy[Reply]
Andrew Yates added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
7:42 pm
Brian, thanks for making this list, and including my website. Very cool!
MitM
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martin added these pithy words on
Sep 25 09 at
10:38 pm
Kylie Larsson added these pithy words on 
Fabulous new resource. Great idea – well done! (Hope I’m included, too, one of these days ;0)
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Liora added these pithy words on
Sep 26 09 at
12:04 pm
Great resource, I hope to be included, too, one of these days ;0)
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Liora added these pithy words on
Sep 26 09 at
12:05 pm
Brian:
I am honored and thrilled to have made the list. Congrats to my fellow designers, and big thanks to you Brian for taking the intiative to do this.
Marty
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Marty Qatani added these pithy words on
Sep 26 09 at
6:32 pm
Thanks Brian for adding me. And thanks to anyone who took a peak.
-Gino
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Gino added these pithy words on
Sep 27 09 at
12:46 pm
I’m honored! Great post and great people featured. Keep it up!
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David Paulsson added these pithy words on
Sep 28 09 at
4:35 am
Awesome list Brian! It is always nice to see something refreshing
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Sneh Roy added these pithy words on
Sep 28 09 at
6:10 pm
very cool post idea! so many of the design roundups become really redundant. Once you get a design featured on one, more and more pick it up and then before you know if you’re seeing posts with all the same designs you say in a roundup off another site.
some fresh new names here, definitely a couple to keep an eye on – for sure! Thanks for putting together the post!
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liz added these pithy words on
Sep 28 09 at
7:43 pm
we’ve never been listed before!
and this is definitely a great idea. discovering new designers also means finding new inspiration. plus, it took is 2 years to get around designing our website because we were so busy focusing on work!
ps, we’re on @karyalabs
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Karyalabs added these pithy words on
Sep 28 09 at
11:54 pm
Yes, just to add to Brian’s defence of designers who use templated portfolio websites to showcase their work; what exactly is the problem with that? The Carbonmade template works for me.
Also, I consider myself fortunate that work keeps me too busy to do my own website.
That said, some of the websites on here are beautiful![Reply]
Rishad added these pithy words on
Sep 29 09 at
2:11 am
I like this idea of never been on a list – but for half of them there is good reason why…
One example – hughbanksdesign.net ?? using this instead of text?
That is just plain awful.
Yeah – I know we have all have to start somewhere, but don’t give that as an example of good design.
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
September 29th, 2009 at 9:46 amObviously you didn’t read the text preceding the list of designers:
“I am not reviewing or recommending or rating them. I am merely submitting them for you to explore their work and enjoy the discovery.”
The idea here is strictly to provide a list of designers who have never been on a list. Some, as you say, may not be on those lists of the “elite” because they don’t deserve to be. But I will leave it to people like yourself who deem themselves qualified to judge others. Personally I prefer not to rate (or berate) others’ work or skills, but instead to encourage, assist and promote them in any way I can. Maybe you could write a blog post of your own that lists what you consider awful design and try tearing down people there?
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Paul Burgess added these pithy words on
Sep 29 09 at
9:28 am
Awesome. I just now came across the post. This is the best post ever. thanks putting us on it.
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Thompson Touch added these pithy words on
Oct 21 09 at
3:14 pm
Add a Comment
bkmacdaddy Reply:
September 25th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Sammy, that’s the whole point here – who says you’re not “good enough”??? Not me! And many of those lists of ‘top’ this or ‘ultimate’ that are really just ‘most-known’. Look to see yourself in the next list, my friend!
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