 Greetings -- thanks for subscribing.
Will you do me a favor? I'd like to use the occasion of the new year to ask you two questions about your walk as a creative. Here's the link...
There are no rules - just share what moves you and we'll see what happens. If you would prefer not to share your answers publicly, address them to me at [email protected] and I will report on them in general.
Thanks in advance, Chuck
Check out my Adobe InDesign Ideabook: 315 template files in 19 different categories Everything from brochures, newsletters, and direct mail to packaging, calendars, and books (one CD works with both Mac and PC). Use two or three files and you'll pay for the entire book and disc...
A peek behind the scenes at the production design of the upcoming Steven Spielberg film, Lincoln
Let's talk a little bit about film production design and art direction. I live in Richmond, Virginia where Steven Spielberg is currently filming his latest motion picture, Lincoln. We walked around the Virginia State Capitol this afternoon and took a look at how Spielberg's production company is transforming it into an 1860's White House...Here > http://www.pageplane.com/illustration/film_production_design_of_lincoln.html
Start the new year with a free week of Lynda.com: The ultimate design training video collection
Lynda Weinman wrote some of the first books about designing for the Web, among them Designing Web Graphics, the first book I read on the subject. I've been a fan ever since. I have also been a user of and cheerleader for the wonderful training resource she founded: Lynda.com. To me, it is THE venue for learning how to use all of the top design-oriented software programs and for discovering more about the design business and its community. I signed up recently as an affiliate and one of the perks is that I get to offer you 7-day free trial of the entire collection. What's in if for me? I get a small commission if you end up signing on after the trial. Click here for a 7-day free trial to lynda.com.
Creative tools that challenge the intellect: CINEMA 4D
When you add up the costs of hardware and software, there has never been a time when there was LESS of a barrier to entry to 3D rendering and animation.Here are some examples of what can be created with a system and software that I can't image would cost more than $10,000. By comparison, thirty years ago, though such technology didn't even exist, similar results would have cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars.We're clearly headed into an era when the barrier to creativity is the intellect, not the tools.An example of a piece produced (in part) using CINEMA 4D....Here > http://cdnl.aixsponza.com/media/web37_RedBull_AirRace.mp4One version of the software...Here > http://www.maxon.net/en/products/cinema-4d-studio/who-should-use-it.htmlSome of many examples...Here > http://www.maxon.net/en/gallery/illustration-advertising.htmlCurious? Here, from Lynda.com, is a very brief summary of the Cinema 4D workflow...
Please comment here >
Meet illustrator Leandro Castelao
In one interview Leandro Castelao cites "motherboards" as one of his influences. You'll see exactly what he means when you see his work. He demonstrates great use of lines, hard-edged shapes, and bold color palettes.Example 1...Here > http://leandrocastelao.com.ar/work/33-PowerpencilExample 2...Here > http://leandrocastelao.com.ar/work/44-Red_Bull_EmpireExample 3...Here > http://www.dutchuncle.co.uk/system/pictures/2223/large/Leandro_Castelao__Portfolio_1.jpg?1285323618An interview with the artist...Here > http://fontanel.nl/special/interview-leandro-castelao/Castelao's website...Here > http://leandrocastelao.com.ar/Please comment here > http://www.pageplane.com/illustration/meet_illustrator_leandro_caste.html
Can a graphic designer use other people's work for inspiration?
Graphic design is, in many cases, the re-expression existing ideas. In most cases, re-casting a visual metaphor you've encountered or using a combination of typefaces that seem to work well together would seem to be acceptable practice. But when does inspiration become imitation?Jessica Hische tackled the subject recently and I'm using her thoughts as the catalyst for a continued discussion on the subject.Jessica Hische on Inspiration vs. Imitation...Here > http://www.jessicahische.is/obsessedwiththeinternet/category/andbeingresponsivelyinspiredVisual plagiarism: when does inspiration become imitation ?...Here > http://www.epuk.org/The-Curve/456/visual-plagiarismBob Caruthers offers some examples of "Similarities"...Here > http://www.flickr.com/photos/24140210@N05/sets/72157607329841191/One of my earlier posts about copyright infringement...Here > http://www.pageplane.com/learning/what_you_dont_know_about_copyr.htmlIf you're particularly interested in the subject, here is a new book: How to Fix Copyright by William Patry, Senior Copyright Counsel for Google...Here > http://www.amazon.com/How-Fix-Copyright-William-Patry/dp/0199760098Please comment here > http://www.pageplane.com/basic_design/graphic_design_inspiration.html
From the Ideabook.com Design Store
IDEO Method CardsHere > http://www.ideabook.com/ideo_method_cards.htmlTintbook CMYK Process Color Selector: A palette of 25,000 CMYK process colors in print...Here > http://www.ideabook.com/store_tintbook.htmlColor Harmony Guide: From French designer Dominique Trapp...Here > http://www.ideabook.com/store_color_harmony.htmlCommunicating With Color: Based on Leatrice Eiseman's seminars on the psychology of color...Here > http://www.ideabook.com/store_pantone_guide.htmlThe Copywriter's Handbook: Bob Bly's classic guide to copywriting...Here > http://www.ideabook.com/store_copywriters_handbook.htmlGraphic Design, Referenced: A Visual Guide to Graphic Design: One of my favorite design books...Here > http://www.ideabook.com/graphic_design_referenced.htmlGetting it Printed: How to wrestle control of your printed work...Here > http://www.ideabook.com/store_getting_it_printed.html
Meet type designer and letterer Ken Barber
If you're a fan of House Industries - designers of all things having to do with lettering - you'll want to see this interview from Gestalten.tv.An interview with Ken Barber of House Industries...Here > http://www.gestalten.tv/motion/house-industries?play=trueKen Barber's blog, Type and Lettering...Here > http://typeandlettering.com/Bios of the entire House Industries crew...Here > http://www.houseind.com/about/housebios/The House "Trailer" (don't blame me for that, that's what THEY call it)...Here > http://www.houseind.com/about/films/Please comment here > http://www.pageplane.com/typography/meet_type_designer_and_lettere.html
Brief posts from Chuck's Twitter and Facebook pages...
Don't miss this great post on Lou Brooks' blog about the making of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Here > http://www.loubrooks.com/blog/2011/12/17/the-fairest-of-them-all.htmlA great idea from photographer Stephen Wilkes -- the transition of day to night on the same image. His portfolio is here. Go to "Fine art" and select "Day to night"... Here > http://www.stephenwilkes.com/Jason Roop of Style Weekly ( http://www.styleweekly.com/ )points us to some great photographs of the filming of Steven Spielberg's Lincoln here in Virginia. The photographer is Eric Owen.Here > http://ericowen.smugmug.com/Events/Lincoln-Movie-Set/20454316_fv4Fq8#!i=1619153383&k=wkGJP4RAre you an expert? Here's another of David C. Baker's thoughtful posts, in this case, seven specific steps for becoming an expert...Here > http://www.recourses.com/recourses-becoming-an-expertDavid Baker's article (above) got me thinking about leadership: There are genuine leaders and pseudo leaders. Genuine leaders know who they are, where they're going, and have some clear ideas about how they're going to get there. Pseudo leaders are folks who view themselves as entitled to be in the spotlight, no matter what they know.Designers talk about typography...Here > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKKDL6lekmALouis Silverstein, former art director and assistant managing editor at The New York Times, dies at 92...Here > http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/nyregion/louis-silverstein-times-art-director-dies-at-92.html?_r=2&ref=obituariesGoogle reports on how consumers use tablet devices...Here > http://googlemobileads.blogspot.com/2011/11/consumers-on-tablet-devices-having-fun.htmlFollow Chuck on Twitter Here > http://twitter.com/ideabook"Like" Chuck's Facebook pageHere > http://www.facebook.com/ideabookfb
About this newsletter I try to remain as objective as possible about the information I share here. Unless I tell you otherwise, I receive no compensation from the organizations and people mentioned except for occasional product samples. Comments? Suggestions? Write me at [email protected] -- Chuck
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