Imagine That

It's Heeeere! What are you going to make of it?

2011-01-08T12:20:00.001-05:00

A couple different ways of looking at 2011. I like them both, and ended up sending the second one out... images by shutterstock — sentiments by me.

Color Scheme Designer

2010-03-29T16:36:00.000-04:00

I'm in love... test drive it. Recently overhauled, and well worth a look.http://colorschemedesigner.com/

...The Sum of Its Parts?

2010-03-18T10:32:00.006-04:00

One plus one sometimes equals TEN. This composite came as a result of two "ok" photos from a local landmark greenhouse. When I put the two together, the result was a pleasant surprise.

The same thing happened with these two foliage shots. Each "fine" on its own - but much more fun together.

Filter-Friendly

2010-01-31T16:59:00.008-05:00

Having logged most of my recent photoshop hours simply editing PHOTOS, I was thrilled to stumble on this blog and fall in love (yet again) with creating beautiful images. This blog actually demonstrates some lovely filters and techniques that, although dangerous in the wrong hands, are wonderfully refreshing.

Don't just read and say, "I oughta give that a try." Familiarize yourself with at least ONE creative option to put in your toolbox. Enjoy!
http://blog.echoenduring.com/2010/01/20/10-photoshop-filters-you-should-definitely-know/

Photo Framed Photo

2010-01-12T19:02:00.001-05:00

Fun layering effect in photoshop - the photo becomes the frame... check out a tutorial that shows you how at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/marksjohnsonphotography/~3/nhPfeSfBbUc/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email

Light Effects in Photoshop

2010-01-06T12:22:00.003-05:00

This tutorial is worth exploring just to learn some new light effects available in Photoshop! Thanks abduzeedo! http://abduzeedo.com/amazing-photoshop-light-effect-10-steps

Selling Christmas

2009-12-28T11:16:00.001-05:00

Check out these very fun Christmas ads by people who get paid to be clever, courtesy of 1 Design Per Day... http://www.1designperday.com/2009/12/21/27-most-creative-christmas-advertisements/

20/20 Vision?

2009-12-27T12:41:00.002-05:00

Window to the world or window to the soul? Either way, worth a second look...

Time to Look Ahead - And Back

2009-12-27T12:34:00.004-05:00

The Green Door

2009-12-27T11:53:00.000-05:00

I shot this at a local garden in the dead of winter awhile back... always loved the textures and colors. As we step out into an unknown, uncharted new year, it seems appropriate.

Have a FANTASTIC Christmas!

2009-12-23T14:13:00.000-05:00

Stunning Portfolio Designs

2009-12-02T08:31:00.007-05:00

True inspiration from true artists - starting with their porfolios. What a way to demonstrate your skills, attract clients, and sell "possibilities."
http://blogof.francescomugnai.com/2009/11/70-absolutely-stunning-portfolio-designs/

Saturday Sonshine Logo

2009-11-18T16:45:00.002-05:00

A little more refined image for use as a logo. Check out the whole Project URGE facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-URGE/180284080100?ref=mf

10 Sources for Graphic Design Inspiration

2009-11-17T12:08:00.000-05:00

Inspiration PLUS from Delta Designz. Take a ride - it's free. http://deltadesignz.com/2009/11/10/10-sources-for-graphic-design-inspiration/

Inspiring Calendar Designs - Making a New Day Something to Look Forward To

2009-11-17T10:48:00.008-05:00

How creative can a CALENDAR be? You won't believe it. Be sure to click on the ones that look especially intriguing for a closer look inside. In every single case I was surprised and gained a ton of transferable ideas.
http://www.printradar.com/2009/11/09/31-innovative-unique-and-inspiring-example-of-calendar-design/

Saturday Sonshine Promo

2009-11-12T09:24:00.005-05:00

Concert of Praise

2009-11-11T08:24:00.004-05:00

I didn't intend this poster to be a big creative push, just a "get it done fast" kind of thing. Because of the font choice, it grabbed me more than I expected. Download "inked god" for your own projects: http://www.fontriver.com/font/inked_god/ http://www.abstractfonts.com/font/13066

Outer Space Effect Using Photoshop

2009-11-01T00:33:00.003-04:00

Here's another fun tutorial to help you stretch and grow. This is my version, and I actually did it twice. The first time I followed the steps exactly and the result was not like the sample. The second time I changed some of the layer blending modes to get closer to the example. Give it a try - it was not all that difficult! I'll use the techniques I learned, for sure. http://www.jadgraphics.net/blog/create-amazing-extreme-space-background-photoshop/

Vibrant Graphic Artists

2009-10-31T13:40:00.000-04:00

Great collection of inspiring artists and their work. Take a ride... http://www.fuelyourcreativity.com/a-showcase-of-vibrant-graphic-artists/

URGE Logo

2009-10-28T19:53:00.001-04:00

This logo was created for an organization that seeks to break down racial, cultural, economic and social barriers. They build bridges between individuals, agencies and ministries, and work to unify efforts to eliminate poverty and violence in urban communities. Their website is http://www.projecturge.org/home.html

Overcoming Logo

2009-10-28T19:44:00.003-04:00

This is a logo I created recently for a suicide awareness and prevention organization. Check out their website, which is under ongoing construction by one of their volunteers. http://www.overcomingthedarkness.com/index.html

Spooky Tutorial

2009-10-27T20:04:00.005-04:00

My version of "spooky" - this tutorial features filter>liquify, forward warp tool and has a great free ink splotch brush set to download. Clear, easy to follow and has other more practical applications.
http://www.jadgraphics.net/blog/design-dark-spooky-text-effect/

M.O.N.E.Y.

2009-10-27T09:03:00.002-04:00

Creative money makers for free lance designers. http://creativeoverflow.net/10-ways-a-designer-can-make-some-extra-money/

Black. Business Cards.

2009-10-27T08:57:00.001-04:00

Love, love, love these. Black on black. White on black. Black gloss on black matte. Splash of color on black. Niiiice. http://creativerepository.com/2009/10/21/40-black-business-card-designs/

Free High-Res Textures

2009-10-22T21:34:00.002-04:00

Here's a cross section of choices, and as always, the price is right. Enjoy. http://www.designmarketingadvertising.com/freetips/design-marketing-advertising/high-resolution-textures-set-1

Anything But Negative

2009-10-15T14:39:00.002-04:00

I've seen some of these before, but was inspired to rethink "negative" to leverage some "positive." http://www.logodesignlove.com/negative-space-logo-design

Hungry?

2009-10-15T14:27:00.001-04:00

How sad that I have stooped to posting this link. Still, it made me smile...
http://www.stumbleupon.com/s/#2D4Q3X/www.toxel.com/inspiration/2009/10/03/15-amazing-sandwich-art-creations//

Fuel Your Creativity

2009-10-14T19:35:00.001-04:00

This is a GREAT collection of inspiration for designers, artists, photographers, bloggers, anyone who responds to visual creativity. Your eyes will widen, pulse will quicken and a smile will break across your face as you take in what others have dreamed and birth a new dream of your own. http://www.fuelyourcreativity.com/

A DPS A Day Keeps the Boring Photos Away

2009-10-08T10:07:00.002-04:00

http://digital-photography-school.com/
Subscribe to these short, daily emails and learn a tip a day. If you're not convinced... here are some topics that arrived in my inbox recently: How to Photograph a Spider's Web, How to Direct Models During a Portrait Shoot, 5 Tips for Young Family Portraits, Doublemint- Two Different Takes on the Same Scene, Tips for Shooting in Low Light and at Night, plus weekly photography challenges for you to tackle and GROW.

2009-10-07T21:17:00.002-04:00

Illustrator... It's more of a long term relationship than a brief encounter. Are you looking for some tutorials to help you get acquainted? And stay on speaking terms? Check them out courtesy of spoon graphics:
http://www.blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/tutorials/top-places-to-find-quality-illustrator-tutorials-online

Splatter-Mania, FRESH, Unexpected and Practical

2009-10-07T20:59:00.011-04:00

I'll bet you MEAN to check out one of these links "when you get time." Take a look at this one. It asks you for nothing. It promises you nothing. But it IS a collection of VERY inventive and surprising images enhanced and interpreted by splashes... You HAVE to find at least one "look" that has a transferable application for YOU. http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/galleries/splatters/

Design Slurp

2009-10-07T17:06:00.001-04:00

What's not to love?
http://www.designslurp.com/

Baaaad Habits in Photoshop

2009-10-07T15:55:00.002-04:00

I held my breath as I read this, not eager to find out of many of these mistakes I make regularly. But I escaped with fairly clean hands, so I'm passing this on... check out theprodesigner.com and enjoy other great posts too. http://theprodesigner.com/top-10-most-common-errors-made-using-photoshop/

Typolution

2009-10-05T23:41:00.001-04:00

For all who think they're "just a bunch of letters and numbers..." Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVPfTlpCKaw

News from Design-Newz

2009-09-29T19:22:00.003-04:00

What a gold mine of resources. If you haven't checked out any of these links yet, please take a quick look at this one. Also add design-newz to your twitter list if you get jazzed by that kind of thing. http://design-newz.com/

No-Stress Neon Technique

2009-09-28T16:28:00.001-04:00

This one is particularly fun! The pay off is great and if you stick it out through the multiple steps, you'll learn a lot of tricks along the way. http://abduzeedo.com/super-easy-neon-style-photoshop

New Trends in photo websites

2009-09-28T09:48:00.000-04:00

Great examples of what a great photo website COULD look like, if you know what you're doing... http://ow.ly/roTm

Grunge Design Resources - a massive collection

2009-09-20T12:18:00.000-04:00

Tutorials and more to help you take your grunge designs to the next level. I could spend WAAAY to much time exploring these today! Pick one and check it out - http://www.designshard.com/inspiration/ultimate-resources-for-grunge-design-a-massive-collection/

Inspiration, Tutorials, Freebies - dive in.

2009-09-19T01:47:00.001-04:00

Take a swan dive into this line up of great images, websites, tutorials and free stuff. Seriously - give it 30 seconds of your life. Scan the options. Click on ONE thing, and let the creativity of others inspire YOU. (Check out the FREE stuff at least) http://iniwoo.net/web/best-inspiration-tutorials-resources-1/

Facebook - could be your new business bff?

2009-09-18T18:46:00.001-04:00

Thinking of using facebook to promote your business? Here are some great tips... /http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/07/21/32-ways-to-use-facebook-for-business/

New Business

2009-09-17T14:20:00.002-04:00

I'm always sparked by others' strokes of genius. These business card concepts are easily transferable to other projects - enjoy.
http://www.noupe.com/design/60-unusual-business-card-ideas.html

Colour-O-Plenty

2009-09-17T03:31:00.003-04:00

I'm fairly weak on colors. I have my "go-to" palette, but do not naturally stumble into a large color vocabulary that will serve clients who are "not me." These websites help stretch me to reach beyond my norm. my favorite at the moment is the kuler.adobe site. enjoy. let your eyes get used to something new. and git more smarter-like. Do you have other favorites?
http://www.colormatters.com/
http://www.colourlovers.com/
http://ficml.org/jemimap/style/color/wheel.html
http://kuler.adobe.com/#themes/rating?time=30

Fetch

2009-09-17T01:29:00.001-04:00

Had a great time in my new media design class today. Neeti Fidurko showed this video by Nina Paley. Amazingly creative, funny, and every twist and turn is a surprise. Seriously - take a minute and give your reality a tweak. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbla1JXVwaU

Grunge+Brushes=Good Times

2009-09-17T01:18:00.002-04:00

I'm a brush addict. I freely admit that. So here's a handful of great grunge brushes to help support your, um, lifestyle. http://www.minervity.com/features/photoshop/the-ultimate-collection-of-the-best-grunge-photoshop-brushes/

Ouch...

2009-09-17T01:08:00.000-04:00

One website gone terribly, terribly wrong... take a quick scan, but don't stare at it too long. It will make you cry like a school girl. www.americanbeautybordercollies.com

If it's FREE it's for me...

2009-09-17T00:59:00.005-04:00

In search of a fresh new look for your website? Here are a few ideas to help shake things up ... not your average "cookie cutter" templates... http://www.instantshift.com/2009/09/17/70-ultimate-round-up-of-free-psd-website-templates/