<p><a class="no_underline" href="http://www.booooooom.com/2012/05/17/artist-painter-scott-scheidly/"><img alt="Artist painter Scott Scheidly" src="http://cdn.booooooom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/scott_scheidly_01.jpg" /></a><br /> &#8220;Fabulous&#8221; paintings by Scott Scheidly debuting at <a href="http://spoke-art.com/blog/2012/05/15/scott-scheidlys-portraits/" target="_blank">Spoke Art</a> this week!</p> <p></p>

<p><a class="no_underline" href="http://www.booooooom.com/2012/05/17/artist-jacob-hashimoto/"><img alt="Artist Jacob Hashimoto" src="http://cdn.booooooom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/jacobhashimoto-01.jpg" /></a><br /> Installations by Jacob Hashimoto.</p> <p></p>

<p><a class="no_underline" href="http://www.booooooom.com/2012/05/17/photographer-alison-scarpulla/"><img alt="Photographer Alison Scarpulla" src="http://cdn.booooooom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Alison-Scarpulla-01.jpg" /></a><br /> Photos by Alison Scarpulla.</p> <p></p>

<p><a class="no_underline" href="http://www.booooooom.com/2012/05/17/a1-darkside-music-video-directed-by-pomp-clout/"><img alt="A1 / Darkside music video pomp and clout" src="http://cdn.booooooom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/darkside_a1_musicvideo.jpg" /></a><br /> &#8220;A1&#8243; is one of three tracks from Nicolas Jaar&#8217;s Darkside project with guitarist Dave Harrington. Golf clap for <a href="http://www.pompandclout.com/" target="_blank">Ryan Staake</a>, he nailed the vibe with this video. Watch the video below!</p> <p></p>

<p><a class="no_underline" href="http://www.booooooom.com/2012/05/16/beautiful-japanese-manhole-covers/"><img alt="Beautiful Japanese Manhole Covers" src="http://cdn.booooooom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Japanmanholecovers-00.jpg" /></a><br /> MRSY documents beautifully designed manhole covers all over Japan.</p> <p></p>

<p><center><a class="no_underline" href="http://www.booooooom.com/2012/05/16/plates-by-artist-maxime-ansiau/"><img alt="Ceramics by artist Maxime Ansiau" src="http://cdn.booooooom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Maxime-Ansiau-01.jpg" /></a></center><br /> Plates by Maxime Ansiau.</p> <p></p>

<p><a class="no_underline" href="http://www.booooooom.com/2012/05/16/artist-painter-jaime-treadwell/"><img alt="Artist painter Jaime Treadwell paintings" src="http://cdn.booooooom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/jaimetreadwell-01.jpg" /></a><br /> Paintings by Jaime Treadwell.</p> <p></p>

<p><a class="no_underline" href="http://www.booooooom.com/2012/05/16/worlds-tallest-lego-tower-built-in-seoul-korea/"><img alt="World's tallest Lego tower built in Seoul Korea" src="http://cdn.booooooom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/tallest_lego_tower.jpg" /></a><br /> It took 4,000 children 5 days and more than 50,000 bricks to build a record-breaking 105 ft Lego tower in Seoul, Korea. Insert child-labour joke here.</p> <p>Watch the video below!</p> <p></p>

<p><a class="no_underline" href="http://www.booooooom.com/2012/05/16/artist-painter-jenny-morgan-2/"><img alt="Artist painter Jenny Morgan" src="http://cdn.booooooom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/jennymorgan-01.jpg" /></a><br /> Paintings by Jenny Morgan.</p> <p></p>

<p><a class="no_underline" href="http://www.booooooom.com/2012/05/16/artist-ghostpatrol/"><img alt="Artist Ghostpatrol" src="http://cdn.booooooom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ghostpatrolbackwoods01.jpg" /></a><br /> &#8220;Cosmic Scale and the Super Future&#8221;, new works by Ghostpatrol debut at Backwoods Gallery on Friday.</p> <p></p>

<p>Check out my latest <a href="http://themify.me/themes">WordPress theme</a>, <a href="http://themify.me/themes/shopdock">ShopDock</a>, an ecommerce theme that replicates the Ajax features as seen on <a href="http://icondock.com">IconDock</a>. Not only does it look cool, but also provides a pleasant user experience. Buyer can easily add or remove items to the cart with a single mouse click. No more &#8220;back to shop&#8221; or page reloading every time an item is added. The items are added to the shop dock instantly and the cart total is updated automatically.</p> <p class="image"><a href="http://themify.me/themes/shopdock"><img alt="shopdock" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/shopdock-image.jpg" /></a></p>

<p>If you are interested to buy icons from <a href="http://icondock.com">IconDock</a> or themes from <a href="http://themify.me">Themify</a>, I have a coupon code for you. Use &#8216;ndesign&#8217; coupon code on IconDock to save 20% off any <a href="http://icondock.com/icons">icon sets</a>. The discount code on Themify is also the same &#8216;ndesign&#8217;. You can save 20% off any <a href="http://themify.me/themes">WordPress themes</a>.</p>

<p>I recently redesigned <a href="http://bestwebgallery.com">Best Web Gallery</a> with responsive features. Check it out!</p> <p class="image"><a href="http://bestwebgallery.com"><img alt="Best Web Gallery" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/bwg-relaunched.jpg" /></a></p>

<p>I just released another responsive <a href="http://themify.me/themes">WordPress theme</a> at Themify called <a href="http://themify.me/themes/tisa">Tisa</a>. Check our the demo and resize the browser window to see the fluid and responsive layout. It works on most modern mobile devices such as iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android, etc. and desktop browsers: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and even Internet Explorer!</p> <p class="image"><a href="http://themify.me/demo/themes/tisa"><img alt="Tisa theme" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1566" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/tisa-theme.jpg" title="tisa-theme" /></a></p>

<p class="right"><a href="http://society6.com/nickla"><img alt="Art prints on Society6" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/art-prints-society6.png" /></a></p> <p>I just uploaded four of my illustrations (<a href="http://society6.com/nickla/Koi-zVE_Print">Koi</a>, <a href="http://society6.com/nickla/Peacock-eZw_Print">Peacock</a>, <a href="http://society6.com/nickla/Koi-UEv_Print">Abstract Pheonix</a>, and <a href="http://society6.com/nickla/Japan-11-03-2011_Print">Japan 11-03-11</a>) on <a href="http://society6.com/nickla">Society6</a>, a print shop that sell art prints on behalf of the artists around the world. You can get illustrations printed on various meterials: sketched canvases, posters, T-shirts, hoodies, laptop and iPhone cases.</p>

<p>I just wanted to announce a new <a href="http://themify.me/themes">WordPress theme</a> that I designed called <a href="http://themify.me/themes/elemin">Elemin</a>. It is minimal theme coded with Google font, CSS3, Javascript and HTML5. The design is completely fluid and responsive (using <a href="http://webdesignerwall.com/tutorials/adaptive-mobile-design-with-css3-media-queries">CSS3 Media Queries</a>). This means the layout automatically adapts based on the user&#8217;s viewport. To see it in action, visit the <a href="http://themify.me/demo/themes/elemin">demo</a> site and resize your browser window or check it with a mobile phone. </p> <p class="image"><a href="http://themify.me/themes/elemin"><img alt="Elemin" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/elemin.jpg" /></a></p>

<p class="image right"><img alt="Mad in Spain" src="http://www.ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/mad-in-spain-2011.png" /></p> <p>I&#8217;m excited to announce that I&#8217;m invited to speak at <a href="http://www.madinspain.com/en">Mad in Spain</a> on June 3rd, 2011. Organized by <a href="http://www.domestika.org/">Domestika</a>, Mad in Spain is one of the largest design conferences in Spain. This year is going to be their 6th anniversary. I will presenting a talk on applying art in modern web design. After the conference, I will be travelling to Barcelona and Paris. I will spend one week on each city. I&#8217;m very excited about this trip and hopefully I can find some inspiration for my illustration and design work.</p>

<p>I&#8217;ve recently created new illustration, <a href="http://www.ndesign-studio.com/portfolio/japan-earthquake-11-03-2011">Japan Earthquake 11-03-2011</a>, that was inspired by the recent disaster in Japan. With this illustration I&#8217;ve joined force with <a href="http://tojapanwithlove.ca/">To Japan with Love</a>, a group of artists who are aiming at raising funds for Japan earthquake relief efforts. My illustration will be showcased at the art show (May 4th, 2011 at 156 Augusta Ave, Toronto, Ontario) along with the other other artists&#8217; works. A limited of art prints will be available for sale. All proceeds made during the gallery show will be donated to Red Cross. Visit <a href="http://tojapanwithlove.ca/">tojapanwithlove.ca</a> and this <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=185637444815353">Facebook event</a> for more details. Also, my illustration is available for sale in various print media at <a href="http://www.society6.com/studio/ndesignstudio/Japan_11_03_2011">Society6</a>. You may download this illustration as <a href="http://www.ndesign-studio.com/wallpapers">desktop wallpapers</a>.</p> <p class="image"><a href="http://www.ndesign-studio.com/portfolio/japan-earthquake-11-03-2011"><img alt="Japan Earthquake 11-03-2011" src="http://www.ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/japan-earthquake-blog-image.jpg" /></a></p>

<p>After 3.5+ years, I finally gave <a href="http://webdesignerwall.com">Web Designer Wall</a> a new look. The new design is not just visually appealing, but well coded in technical point of view. I incorporated a lot of new web standard techniques such as HTML5, CSS3, and <a href="http://webdesignerwall.com/tutorials/css3-media-queries">media queries</a>. The new design works on all devices and resolutions. The design automatically flows base on user&#8217;s browser viewpoint. It flows from 3-column layout to 2-column, 1-column, and a narrow single column layout for mobile devices. This means my site design never break regardless of the user&#8217;s display resolution. To see this in action, visit <a href="http://webdesignerwall.com">Web Designer Wall</a> and resize your browser window. I even spent the extra time to create a print stylesheet to make sure the content are printed out nicely. For more details on the redesign, read this <a href="http://webdesignerwall.com/general/the-wall-is-redesigned"> blog post</a>.</p> <p class="image sleft"><a href="http://webdesignerwall.com"><img alt="web designer wall redesign" src="http://www.ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/wdw-redesign.jpg" /></a></p>

<p>A friend of mine just setup an online shop to sell <a href="http://beadme.ca">bead jewelry</a> made with quality beads and silver. Below is a gallery of their products. Check out <a href="http://beadme.ca">Beadme.ca</a> to buy or see more.</p> <ul class="gallery"> <li id="ngg-image-207"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/Onyxlinks11.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="Onyx links" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_Onyxlinks11.jpg" title="Onyx links" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-206"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/Darknlight.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="Darknlight" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_Darknlight.jpg" title="Darknlight" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-208"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/babybluemain.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="baby blue main" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_babybluemain.jpg" title="baby blue main" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-209"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/bluedrop.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="blue drop" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_bluedrop.jpg" title="blue drop" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-210"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/buble2.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="buble" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_buble2.jpg" title="buble" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-211"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/button.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="button" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_button.jpg" title="button" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-212"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/charmbracelet.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="charm bracelet" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_charmbracelet.jpg" title="charm bracelet" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-213"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/coraldrop.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="coral drop" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_coraldrop.jpg" title="coral drop" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-214"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/darknight11.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="dark night" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_darknight11.jpg" title="dark night" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-215"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/doublecircle.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="double circle" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_doublecircle.jpg" title="double circle" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-216"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/earth1.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="earth" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_earth1.jpg" title="earth" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-217"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/galaxy12.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="galaxy" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_galaxy12.jpg" title="galaxy" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-218"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/galaxyii1.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="galaxyii" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_galaxyii1.jpg" title="galaxyii" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-219"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/galaxyneck2.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="galaxyneck" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_galaxyneck2.jpg" title="galaxyneck" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-220"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/ice2.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="ice" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_ice2.jpg" title="ice" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-221"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/jelly11.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="jelly" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_jelly11.jpg" title="jelly" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-222"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/light1.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="light" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_light1.jpg" title="light" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-223"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/linkmeblue12.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="link me blue" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_linkmeblue12.jpg" title="link me blue" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-224"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/ocean11.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="ocean" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_ocean11.jpg" title="ocean" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-225"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/powerofthree12.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="power of three" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_powerofthree12.jpg" title="power of three" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-226"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/pureb11.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="pureb" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_pureb11.jpg" title="pureb" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-227"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/sky2.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="sky" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_sky2.jpg" title="sky" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-228"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/strength1.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="strength" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_strength1.jpg" title="strength" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-229"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thunder1.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="thunder" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_thunder1.jpg" title="thunder" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-230"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/tiger1.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="tiger" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_tiger1.jpg" title="tiger" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-231"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/up11.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="up" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_up11.jpg" title="up" /> </a> </li> <li id="ngg-image-232"> <a href="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/violet11.jpg" rel="prettyphoto[ngg-gallery-15-1486]" title=" "> <img alt="violet" src="http://ndesign-studio.com/wp-content/gallery/beadme/thumbs/thumbs_violet11.jpg" title="violet" /> </a> </li> </ul>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/psy8MV-8N9qImB2rYtAFOS9csxU/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/psy8MV-8N9qImB2rYtAFOS9csxU/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/psy8MV-8N9qImB2rYtAFOS9csxU/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/psy8MV-8N9qImB2rYtAFOS9csxU/1/di" /></a></p><div><img alt="Costa Rica" class="border" height="400" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/costa-rica.jpg" title="Costa Rica" width="620" /></div> <p>In April, I spent two weeks in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rica" title="Costa Rica">Costa Rica</a>, traveling around Guanacaste province. I took about 900 photos on my <a href="http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&amp;storeId=10151&amp;langId=-1&amp;partNumber=NEX5NK/B" title="Sony NEX 5N">Sony NEX 5N</a> (a great portable cam!) and have have finally filtered through them. Feel free to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3761125022419.2163889.1105358824&amp;type=3" title="Costa Rica">check out the album on Facebook</a>, which features forty of my favourites.</p> <p>Costa Rica is definitely an awesome place to visit and below were some of my highlights:</p> <ul> <li>White water tubing</li> <li>Ziplining</li> <li>ATV riding</li> <li>Volcano exploring (mud, steam, etc.)</li> <li>Bathing in the hot springs</li> <li>Backwards abseiling</li> <li>Rock climbing</li> <li>Horseback riding</li> <li>Hiking &amp; exploring the rainforests</li> <li>Off road four-wheel driving</li> <li>Riding an ox</li> <li>Tarzan swinging into a refreshing pool</li> <li>Driving around from place to place</li> <li>Interacting with nature, monkeys &amp; wildlife</li> <li>Surfing Tamarindo</li> <li>Watching the amazing sunsets</li> <li>Enjoying Costa Rican food &amp; culture</li> <li>and of course relaxing at the pool &amp; beach.</li> </ul> <p>Feel free to subscribe to my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/justcreative/">personal Facebook updates</a> or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/justcreativedesign/" title="Facebook Just Creative">this blog only</a>.</p> <p><strong>Have you been to Costa Rica?</strong> There was plenty I missed and would love to explore the rest of the country. What would you recommend? If you haven&#8217;t been, I highly recommend it!</p> <hr /><br /> &copy; This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=S79WneeVMEM:lwOGZyH1abE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=S79WneeVMEM:lwOGZyH1abE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=S79WneeVMEM:lwOGZyH1abE:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=S79WneeVMEM:lwOGZyH1abE:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=S79WneeVMEM:lwOGZyH1abE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=S79WneeVMEM:lwOGZyH1abE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=S79WneeVMEM:lwOGZyH1abE:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=S79WneeVMEM:lwOGZyH1abE:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=S79WneeVMEM:lwOGZyH1abE:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=S79WneeVMEM:lwOGZyH1abE:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/SHrSTjNYex1sWYgCpcjST5VEsFA/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/SHrSTjNYex1sWYgCpcjST5VEsFA/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/SHrSTjNYex1sWYgCpcjST5VEsFA/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/SHrSTjNYex1sWYgCpcjST5VEsFA/1/di" /></a></p><div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_9668"><img alt="HP Spectre" class="size-full wp-image-9668" height="544" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hp-spectre.jpg" title="hp-spectre" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Win this HP ENVY 14 Spectre. Details below.</p></div> <p>I was recently invited to attend a &#8216;top secret&#8217; event held by HP. They emailed me and asked if I would like to attend an exciting &#8216;hunt&#8217; between 4 and 8pm on a Thursday afternoon, at an undisclosed location. They were extremely vague about the event and they said to just show up, &#8220;it would be worth it&#8221;. Knowing how <a href="http://justcreative.com/2010/12/07/hp%E2%80%99s-elitebook-8740w-mobile-workstation-first-impressions/" title="HP Elitebook">HP works with PR</a>, I agreed and showed up.</p> <p>What was to follow was a set of extraordinary events, especially if you know how the company <a href="http://accomplicetheshow.com/" title="Accomplice">Accomplice</a> works &#8211; the company that runs the show / hunt / tour / experience. Without giving too much away the hunt consisted of a variety of random, extremely funny events and objects. A few are outlined below.</p> <p><em><em>Singing Italian construction workers, fortune cookies, live frogs, 3D maps found in locked boxes held by paranoid bums, </em>Russians on the the run from the police, USB sticks with self exploding videos, blind men giving directions, albino midgets holding lemons and flying snakes.</em></p> <p><em></em>With a line up like that you can just imagine how interesting, weird &amp; fun the tour was &#8211; I highly recommend checking out Accomplice if you are in New York, London or Hollywood.</p> <p>Anyway, at the end of the hunt, a winner was chosen from our group to win a HP Spectre laptop. Unfortunately I didn&#8217;t win, however I do have one to give away! <a href="http://bit.ly/spectrenyc" title="Spectre Photos">Check out the photos</a> and how to win below.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_9670"><img alt="Jacob Cass at Dinner" class="size-full wp-image-9670" height="427" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hp-event-7.jpg" title="hp-event-7" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Me, awaiting the announcement of who won the HP Spectre at the event. Sadly, I didn't!</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_9672"><img alt="Live frog with construction worker" class="size-full wp-image-9672" height="427" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hp-event-5.jpg" title="hp-event-5" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">We picked up a live frog from a singing construction worker.</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_9674"><img alt="Blind Man Giving Advice" class="size-full wp-image-9674" height="427" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hp-event-3.jpg" title="hp-event-3" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">The &quot;blind&quot; man who gave advice to the group.</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_9676"><img alt="Eating with the group and an Italian Accomplice actor / comedian." class="size-full wp-image-9676" height="427" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hp-event-1.jpg" title="HP " width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Eating with the group and a 'Russian' Accomplice actor / comedian.</p></div> <div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_9675"><img alt="HP Spectre Laptop Demonstration" class="size-full wp-image-9675" height="427" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/hp-event-2.jpg" title="hp-event-2" width="640" /><p class="wp-caption-text">The group testing out the HP Spectre at the end of the hunt.</p></div> <h3>About the HP ENVY 14 Ultrabook</h3> <ul> <li>It has scratch-resistant glass on three surfaces for a stunning look</li> <li>Beautiful 14” inch high definition display and up to 9 hours of battery life</li> <li>Beats Audio sound technology, designed by HP with Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, and an analog dial to adjust audio levels</li> <li>Backlit keyboard for those late nights</li> </ul> <p>You can read more about the <a href="http://www.hp.com/go/spectre" title="HP Envy 14">HP ENVY 14 Spectre</a> here or a <a href="http://tech.uk.msn.com/laptops/hp-envy-14-spectre-review" title="Envy 14 Review">review</a> here.</p> <h3>Win a HP ENVY 14 of your own.</h3> <p>I&#8217;d love to get some feedback on my blog and how it is currently running, so to enter, simply let me know what things you think could be improved on my blog. Let me know what you like, don&#8217;t like and what you would like to see (or not see) on the blog. Simply leave your comment below, that&#8217;s it!</p> <ul> <li>Only USA residents can enter</li> <li>Only one entry per person</li> <li>The winner will be drawn from the best ten answers</li> <li>The winner will need to fill out a a W-9 tax form</li> <li>The winner will be emailed directly and announced on this post on May 20th</li> </ul> <p><strong>Legal Disclaimer:</strong><br /> Prizes and promotional support was provided by HP. I was not compensated for this post in any way. Good luck!</p> <hr /><br /> &copy; This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=cQhBkg3Z0bM:6_FMtlJeVuU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=cQhBkg3Z0bM:6_FMtlJeVuU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=cQhBkg3Z0bM:6_FMtlJeVuU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=cQhBkg3Z0bM:6_FMtlJeVuU:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=cQhBkg3Z0bM:6_FMtlJeVuU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=cQhBkg3Z0bM:6_FMtlJeVuU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=cQhBkg3Z0bM:6_FMtlJeVuU:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=cQhBkg3Z0bM:6_FMtlJeVuU:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=cQhBkg3Z0bM:6_FMtlJeVuU:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=cQhBkg3Z0bM:6_FMtlJeVuU:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/AsB6GDWy8D1kFruCjBXx2qn_X5A/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/AsB6GDWy8D1kFruCjBXx2qn_X5A/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/AsB6GDWy8D1kFruCjBXx2qn_X5A/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/AsB6GDWy8D1kFruCjBXx2qn_X5A/1/di" /></a></p><p class="intro">Every design project is different. When it comes to making a final decision on which commercial printing process to choose, designers must take into consideration the quality and volume they desire and their budget and timescale.</p> <p>The two main forms of commercial printing are digital and traditional offset printing, both of which have their pros and cons. Before you make your final decision, weigh up their pros and cons against what you want from your print job and make an informed decision.</p> <h3><strong>The Pros and Cons of Digital Printing</strong></h3> <div><img alt="Digital Printing" height="480" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/shutterstock_80810590-640x480.jpg" title="Digital Printing" width="640" /></div> <h4>PROS</h4> <p><strong>Digital printing is incredibly fast</strong>, making it ideal for projects with a tight deadline. Traditional offset printing has a much slower turnaround due to the set up, so consider your deadline carefully when choosing which type of commercial printing to opt for. If the deadline is short and you’re running out of time, digital printing could be your best choice.</p> <p>Budgetary concerns are extremely important when choosing how to print your project. If you have a <strong>low volume print job, digital printing is far more cost effective</strong> than traditional offset printing.</p> <div class="superquote"> If you need a fast turnaround of a short print run you should use a digital printer to meet your deadline and keep the cost down. </div> <p>One of the key advantages of digital printing is the <strong>accuracy of the proofing</strong> it allows. Extremely detailed samples can be made of your print job quickly and cost effectively, enabling you to hold a sample in your hands which will be exactly recreated in the final print run.</p> <p>Another great strength of digital printing is how easily a design <strong>project’s text, images and colours can be customised</strong> during the print process without significantly slowing it down. If you need to customise different parts of the print run, for diverse marketing campaigns for example, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_data_printing" title="Variable Data Printing">Variable Data Printing</a> presses are by far the best option in terms of speed and affordability.</p> <p><img alt="Pantone Colors" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-9648" height="426" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/shutterstock_69667570-640x426.jpg" title="Pantone Colors" width="640" /></p> <h4>CONS</h4> <p>What are the cons of digital printing? Well, despite digital printers constantly improving, they still can’t quite match the colour quality and sheer flexibility of traditional offset printers, which offer a <strong>wider range of paper, ink and finish options</strong> and use the Pantone Matching System and inks to deliver unparalleled <strong>colour accuracy</strong>. Digital printers use a four colour printing process utilising a colour matching process to simulate colours, which cannot compete with traditional offset printers.</p> <p>Another weakness is that digital printer inks aren’t fully absorbed into the print paper, which means <strong>cracks can appear in the colour near edges</strong> which are folded in the finished publication. This isn’t a problem in traditional offset printing.</p> <p>It’s also important to remember that traditional offset printing can be <strong>more cost effective than digital printing for higher volume print runs</strong> as the individual unit price comes down.</p> <div class="superquote"> Considering the superior quality of traditional offset printing, a traditional offset printer is a better choice for higher volume print runs than a digital printer. </div> <h3><strong>The Pros and Cons of Traditional Offset Printing</strong></h3> <div><img alt="Offset Printing" class="size-large wp-image-9647" height="419" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/shutterstock_33096130-640x419.jpg" title="Offset Printing" width="640" /></div> <h4>PROS</h4> <p>The pros of traditional offset printing are clear. It remains the <strong>best quality type of printing available</strong> for graphic designers, particularly when image quality is concerned. Technology has developed so that the computer-to-plate system delivers superlative accuracy and quality.</p> <p>As previously mentioned, traditional offset printing enables <strong>more choice when it comes to print materials</strong>. Many graphic design projects demand unusual paper types and sizes, specialised inks and finishes. If this is the case with your project you should use a traditional offset printer. <strong>Special effects like spot varnishes are far better quality</strong> when done through traditional offset printing.</p> <p>The combination of the Pantone Matching System and the Pantone inks makes traditional offset printers the <strong>best choice when complete control is needed</strong> and colour accuracy is paramount. The four colour process used for digital printing simply cannot compete with traditional offset printers, so if colour counts opt for traditional offset printing.</p> <p>If your graphic design project is high volume, traditional offset printing is not only more cost effective but can be quicker. Much of the costs and time involved with traditional offset printing relate to the preparation and press set up. However, if you have a high volume print job the unit costs are drastically reduced, because once the set up is complete the extra units are relatively cheap to print.</p> <h4>CONS</h4> <p>What are the cons of traditional offset printing? It is <strong>far more difficult to personalise and customise print jobs</strong> during the print run as the printer set up has to be adjusted. This  can be rather time consuming, particularly when compared to digital printing, which is perhaps the best option for print jobs requiring a lot of customisation within a short time frame.</p> <p>Traditional printing is also slower and more costly for lower volume print jobs than digital printing. This is because of the time it takes to set a traditional printer up for a job, which raises the individual unit prices for shorter print runs. <strong>Digital printers remain the best choice for quick and low cost short run print jobs</strong>.</p> <h3>Summary</h3> <p>Your choice of commercial printing process will depend on your <strong>quality and volume demands, budget and time schedule</strong>. Carefully list what you require before following the above guidelines and making your final decision. Remember, commercial printers are there to help, so always contact them for further advice on your project.</p> <p><strong>What&#8217;s your preference? How do you usually decide on which printing method you use? </strong></p> <p><em>Photos by <a href="http://shutterstock.com" title="Shutterstock">Shutterstock</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.printerinks.com/2p-n-002/inkjet-cartridges/">Inkjet Catridges</a>.</em></p> <hr /><br /> &copy; This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=I4oEU7rZwy8:kwZobgtDzXA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=I4oEU7rZwy8:kwZobgtDzXA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=I4oEU7rZwy8:kwZobgtDzXA:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=I4oEU7rZwy8:kwZobgtDzXA:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=I4oEU7rZwy8:kwZobgtDzXA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=I4oEU7rZwy8:kwZobgtDzXA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=I4oEU7rZwy8:kwZobgtDzXA:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=I4oEU7rZwy8:kwZobgtDzXA:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=I4oEU7rZwy8:kwZobgtDzXA:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=I4oEU7rZwy8:kwZobgtDzXA:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hyv-v6UXF71sr_oBaEFhedkc4MQ/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hyv-v6UXF71sr_oBaEFhedkc4MQ/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hyv-v6UXF71sr_oBaEFhedkc4MQ/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hyv-v6UXF71sr_oBaEFhedkc4MQ/1/di" /></a></p><p><img alt="Pinterest Logo" class="border" height="260" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pinterest-logo.gif" title="pinterest-logo" width="640" /></p> <p>This article is a product of <a href="http://pinterest.com/jacobcass/" title="Pinterest">getting into Pinterest</a> and clients coming forward saying, “What is Pinterest?”. In fact, there is a lot to <a href="http://mashable.com/2012/03/18/pinterest-brand-attention/">learn from Pinterest</a> and it is worthy of analysis which I will get to below. According to <a href="http://www.experian.com/hitwise/digital-marketer-2012.html">ExperianHitwise</a>, Pinterest is now the #3 social media site behind Facebook and Twitter. It is also the #16th most visited site in the USA, so it is not something you should ignore.</p> <p>Let&#8217;s have a look at what Pinterest is, why it&#8217;s different, who uses it, what makes for the most popular pins and how to optimise websites for the best Pinterest exposure.</p> <h3>What is Pinterest?</h3> <p>&#8220;Pinterest is a pinboard-style social photo sharing website that allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections such as events, interests, hobbies and more. Users can browse other pinboards for inspiration, &#8216;re-pin&#8217; images to their own collections and or &#8216;like&#8217; photos. Pinterest&#8217;s mission is to “connect everyone in the world through the ‘things’ they find interesting&#8221; via a global platform of inspiration and idea sharing.&#8221;</p> <div><img alt="Pinterest Screenshot" border="0" class="border" height="351" hspace="10" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/general-pinterest-2.jpg" vspace="10" width="640" /></div> <h3>Why is Pinterest different?</h3> <p><a href="http://mashable.com/follow/topics/pinterest">Pinterest</a> is an <strong>excellent site for inspiration and ideas and it is also a very cool community filled with artistic souls.</strong> &#8216;So what?&#8217; you might be thinking, I already belong to ten of those and I don’t have time to read all the blogs and articles as it is&#8230; so here are four reasons why Pinterest is different:</p> <ul> <li>Pinterest uses a new type of social interface to drive traffic and it is linked to Facebook and Twitter.</li> <li>Pinterest appeals to both the general public and to the art &amp; design crowd</li> <li>Pinterest is an excellent marketing tool</li> <li>Pinterest is the first of similar sites and it signals a shift in Internet marketing, viewing and usage.</li> </ul> <p>Pinterest challenges most social media and current computer trends. <strong>It’s fast, beautiful, visual and easy to use</strong>. Just as so many sites are opting for utility over beauty, Pinterest invites users to think visually and appreciate beautiful things every time they enter the site. Most importantly, it saves you time especially when researching.</p> <div><img alt="Pinterest is Beautiful" border="0" class="border" height="659" hspace="10" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pinterest-example.jpg" vspace="10" width="640" /></div> <h3>Who uses Pinterest &amp; why?</h3> <p>The social king pings of the moment, <a href="http://justcreative.com/2009/11/24/facebook-marketing/" title="Facebook Marketing">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://justcreative.com/2009/09/15/how-to-use-linkedin/" title="LinkedIn">LinkedIn</a> and Google+, take copious amounts of time to interact with. Twitter, at least got the speed part of the equation right. Time intensive social media such as those mentioned above, is fine for college kids or even unemployed professionals, but neither group is exactly the demographic most businesses are targeting. According to <a href="http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/pinterest.com">Alexa</a>, Pinterest users are <strong>predominantly female between the ages of 25-34</strong>.</p> <p>Facebook in particular has an interface that is purposely constructed like a series of rat holes to keep viewers on the site as long as possible. This is a carefully chosen strategy to increase the ratings of Facebook in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_engine_results_page" title="SERPS">SERPS</a>. However, it isn’t user friendly and one of the top reasons people leave Facebook or refuse to join, is: <strong>Facebook takes too much time</strong>.</p> <p>In contrast, Pinterest is easy to learn and quick to use. <strong>The visual interface is stimulating to the brain and it invokes almost an addictive response in users</strong>. This is appealing to both the art crowd and to general users. Males, although they do not currently make up a large section of Pinterest viewers, could in the future due to the male affinity for visual stimulation. In addition, from a conversion perspective a buyer interested in shopping for anything, can quickly assemble a Pinterest shopping list on the site and come back to it for comparison-shopping when ready to buy.</p> <p>On a side note, there is now an app that turns <a href="http://mashable.com/2012/04/19/pinview-facebook-pinterest-app/">Facebook into a Pinterest-like board</a>.</p> <h3>A look at how to use Pinterest</h3> <div><img alt="Chairs on Pinterest" border="0" class="border" height="351" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/chairsexample1.jpg" width="640" /></div> <p>A quick search &amp; compilation of &#8216;dining room chairs&#8217; took exactly 6 minutes to create.</p> <p>This included creating the board, searching, and selecting products from Pinterest and Google search. This is a busy buyer’s dream. The introduction of this type of fast, visually based shopping platform could spark a small &#8216;revolution&#8217; in how websites are designed and constructed; especially for large online retailers.</p> <h2>Designing with Pinterest in Mind</h2> <p><strong>Pinterest pulls photos from a website and then provides a link back to the source.</strong> The use and reuse of these photos as they are repinned may not be in accordance with the photo usage agreements that were established with the photographer or photographic copyright holder. But legally, the responsibility of pinning and <strong><a href="http://justcreative.com/2009/07/14/copyright-patents-trademarks-registered-designs/" title="Copyright">copywrite </a>infringement exists with the pinner</strong>, not the site owner or Pinterest.</p> <p>However, in reality the photographers will come after the site owner rather than Joe Pinner for compensation related to copyright infringement. Large clients need to clarify the ownership rights and contracts with their photographers in the event that they start to see an up tick in profits from Pinterest photo pinning and re-pinning. There are also ways to <a href="http://llsocial.com/2012/02/pinterest-offering-code-to-block-pinning/">block images from being used as pins</a>.</p> <p>Clear, beautiful engaging photos are the backbone of Pinterest&#8230; but what makes for a good pin?</p> <div><a href="http://www.clickdiscounthotels.com/"><img alt="clickdiscounthotels.com" border="0" class="border" height="468" hspace="10" longdesc="http://clickdiscounthotels.com" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/clickdiscounthotels.jpg" vspace="10" width="640" /></a></div> <h3>What makes for a popular &#8216;pin&#8217;?</h3> <p><strong>Clients looking for pins by the community should have several excellent photos available</strong> for pinning on every page of their site, keeping in mind that great photos, logos, infographics and memes are the most popular pins. Pinterest’s own search engine includes a “popular search” and a quick examination of the most popular pins reveals the following:</p> <p><strong>Sample: 500 Most Popular Pinterest Pins by Type</strong></p> <ul> <li>Photos: 317 total pins; includes most categories.</li> <li>Meme / infographics: 129 total pins; includes anything that has text/and or visuals in the pin.</li> <li>Practical: 36 total pins; are how to posts, excludes food.</li> <li>Ads: 10 total pins; professional marketing ads or brand logos as pins.</li> <li>Celebrity: 7 total pins; excludes celebrities used in memes.</li> <li>Video: 1 total pin.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Sample: 500 Most Popular Pinterest Pins by Category</strong></p> <ul> <li>Black and white photos that didn’t fit into another category: 14 pins</li> <li>Color photos that didn’t fit into another category: 47 pins</li> <li>Memes / infographics that didn’t fit perfectly into another category: 97 pins</li> <li>Food and Drink: 64 pins</li> <li>Home design: 47 pins</li> <li>Nails and Hair: 31 pins</li> <li>Fashion / jewelry / clothes: 30 pins</li> <li>Love / Wedding: 35 pins</li> <li>Crafts: 34 pins</li> <li>Garden: 22 pins</li> <li>Practical: 15 pins</li> <li>Pets: 19 pins</li> <li>Children/baby: 11 pins</li> <li>Ads: 10 pins</li> <li>Celebrity: 7 pins</li> <li>Tattoo: 6 pins</li> <li>Health and sports: 7 pins</li> <li>Car: 3 pins</li> <li>Tech: 1 pin</li> </ul> <p>The data above is only a single sample. Furthermore, it is <strong>seasonally influenced by seasons</strong>, such as Spring when weddings and prom are popular topics. Similar samples would need to be collected over time to establish valuable data but even one sampling is revealing. For example, health and fitness is surprisingly absent in this particular sampling.</p> <div><a href="http://www.gopromotional.com/" title="Promotional Products"><img alt="Promotional Products" class="border" height="347" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/pinterest-most-popular-example1.jpg" title="Promotional Products" width="640" /></a></div> <h3>Tips &amp; Pin Optimisation</h3> <p><strong>Pins that generate comments and are <a href="http://mashable.com/2012/03/26/optimize-images-pinterest/">physically longer</a></strong>, dominate the Pinterest site. The five-column format naturally favors vertical orientation of both photos and memes. <strong>The majority of both in the most popular section are vertically oriented</strong>. Comments and lengthy text increase the page space accompanied by any pin making it more likely to be repined and shared by other viewers. Consequently, adopting and using vertical formats into web designs, where pinning is desired, makes sense.</p> <p>Even though ads make up only a small percentage of the most popular pins, many were presented as <strong>logos</strong>. For example, Trader Joes’s logo is one of the most popular pins on the site. Each time the logo is pinned it is an endorsement not only for the store but also for the designer of the logo – if it is credited by the pinner.</p> <p>Also check out these <a href="http://www.tripwiremagazine.com/2012/04/pinterest-boards-for-designers.html" title="Pinterest Boards for Designers">40 interest Pinterest boards for designers</a>.</p> <h3>Over To You</h3> <p>I&#8217;d love to know if you are using Pinterest and what value you get from it? How have you optimised your site for Pinterest, if anything? Got any other Pinterest tips to share?</p> <hr /><br /> &copy; This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=Dk2xF2kXIXY:Lekio5Cmy9U:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=Dk2xF2kXIXY:Lekio5Cmy9U:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=Dk2xF2kXIXY:Lekio5Cmy9U:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=Dk2xF2kXIXY:Lekio5Cmy9U:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=Dk2xF2kXIXY:Lekio5Cmy9U:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=Dk2xF2kXIXY:Lekio5Cmy9U:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=Dk2xF2kXIXY:Lekio5Cmy9U:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=Dk2xF2kXIXY:Lekio5Cmy9U:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=Dk2xF2kXIXY:Lekio5Cmy9U:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=Dk2xF2kXIXY:Lekio5Cmy9U:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/cclOyD1-7dTLXnQaQ0wOVqLSqik/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/cclOyD1-7dTLXnQaQ0wOVqLSqik/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/cclOyD1-7dTLXnQaQ0wOVqLSqik/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/cclOyD1-7dTLXnQaQ0wOVqLSqik/1/di" /></a></p><p class="intro">I&#8217;ve been using <a href="http://www.photoshop.com/">Adobe Photoshop</a> on a near daily basis, since 2006 and over this time I&#8217;ve learned quite a number of <a href="http://sixrevisions.com/photoshop/21-advanced-photoshop-tips-tricks-and-tutorials-roundup/" title="Photoshop Tips and Tricks">tips &amp; tricks</a>. I&#8217;ve <a href="http://aisleone.net/photoshoptimize/">optimized Photoshop for performance</a>, learned all the essential <a href="http://devcheatsheet.com/tag/adobe-photoshop/" title="Cheatsheets for Photoshop">shortcut keys and tools</a>, and have recently found out what I consider the ‘ultimate web design workspace’.</p> <h4>What is a workspace?</h4> <blockquote><p>&#8220;By saving the current size and position of panels as a named workspace, you can restore that workspace even if you move or close a panel. The names of saved workspaces appear in the workspace switcher in the Application bar of Photoshop.&#8221;</p></blockquote> <p>For more information on <a href="http://help.adobe.com/en_US/photoshop/cs/using/WS9403857B-903B-4bd5-95D4-D6B4F21C24BB.html" title="Workspaces">workspaces</a>, see here.</p> <h4>The Ultimate Web Design Workspace</h4> <p>In this post, I outline how I have personally set up my web design workspace and why I have found it to be the most productive layout for producing web work since I&#8217;ve started using Photoshop. Take note that I am using a 27&#8243; monitor at 2560&#215;1440 resolution though this layout should work on monitors 17&#8243; and up.</p> <p>You can <a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/TheUltimate-WebDesign-Workspace.zip" title="Ultimate Workspace">download the workspace</a> here. Instructions for installation can be found in the link above.</p> <div><a href="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Ultimate-Photoshop-WebDesign-Workspace.jpg" rel="prettyphoto"><img alt="Ultimate Photoshop Web Design Workspace" class="size-full" height="360" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Ultimate-Photoshop-WebDesign-Workspace-640x360.jpg" title="Ultimate Photoshop Web Design Workspace" width="640" /></a></div> <h4>1. Document Set-Up</h4> <p>This is where the magic happens, the blank canvas. I usually start with the <a href="http://960.gs/" title="960">960 GS</a> and set the width at 1400 pixels. The main Photoshop tools are still on the left (by default) with the canvas in the middle and the other windows on the right of the screen.</p> <h4>2. Layer Comps</h4> <p>If you&#8217;re not using <a href="http://www.myinkblog.com/using-layer-comps-for-web-design-in-photoshop/" title="LayerComps">Layer Comps</a> already and you&#8217;re working as a designer, you&#8217;re mind is about to be blown. This isn&#8217;t the place to give a tutorial on them but having them in your workflow is pretty much essential, as it saves hours of time. Layer Comps are also very handy for putting together a <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2008/08/25/what-is-the-best-way-to-present-a-website-to-a-client/" title="Presenting Websites">presentations</a> via the &#8216;Export Layer Comps&#8217; script.</p> <h4>3. History &amp; Snapshots</h4> <p>The History window allows you to go back in time based on every change you make. I usually have my history settings set at the default of 20, but often take &#8216;<a href="http://help.adobe.com/en_US/photoshop/cs/using/WSfd1234e1c4b69f30ea53e41001031ab64-7491a.html" title="Photoshop Snapshots">Snapshots</a>&#8216; so I can easily come back to previous states with a simple click. Take note that snapshots do not save with the PSD.</p> <h4>4. FontShop &amp; Extensis Web Font Plugins</h4> <p><a href="http://www.fontshop.com/plugin/"><img alt="Fontshop Plugin Overview" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9544" height="544" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/fontshop-plugin-overview.png" title="fontshop-plugin-overview" width="525" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.fontshop.com/plugin/">FontShop</a> &amp; <a href="http://webink.extensis.com/en/webfontplugin/" title="Extensis">Extensis</a> allow you to view and use <a href="http://www.alistapart.com/topics/design/web-fonts/" title="Web Fonts">web fonts</a> right within Photoshop. I only click this icon when needed as it often can slow PS down. Also, take note for Extensis you will need the Suitcase Fusion font management software, which is available for 30 day trial.</p> <h4>5. Folders &amp; Layers</h4> <p>A large Layers window allows for easy scanning and <a href="http://photoshopetiquette.com/#internal" title="Internal Organisation">organisation</a> which boosts productivity while designing. I break down each &#8216;page&#8217; down into 4 general folders; Header, Content, Footer &amp; Background.</p> <p>I also have &#8216;Auto Select&#8217; set as &#8216;Layer&#8217; and the &#8216;Show Transform Controls&#8217; checked on. See the very top left toolbar in the screenshot to toggle these to your liking.</p> <h4>6. Swatch Palette</h4> <p>The Swatch palette ensures that the colors you use are consistent through the document. Simply add colors to the Swatches palette and then when needed, highlight your text or layer and change the color.</p> <h4>7. Styles Window</h4> <p>Similar to the Swatch window, the Styles window allows you to easily change colors and add effects to elements throughout your document. Handy for buttons, forms, rectangles, navigation, etc.</p> <h4>8. Character</h4> <p>The Character window allows you to easily change the most common text settings on the fly such as the font, size, leading, tracking and color. Pretty much essential for web layout.</p> <h4>9. Paths / Channels</h4> <p>I break up the Character and Paragraph windows with <a href="http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/18/mastering-photoshop-with-paths/" title="Paths">Paths</a> &amp; Channels as a personal preference so the type tools don&#8217;t seem so cluttered. The Paths window allows you to easily create paths, shapes &amp; selections and <a href="http://www.sketchpad.net/channels1.htm">Channels</a> is mainly used for photo editing.</p> <h4>10. Paragraph</h4> <p>The Paragraph window controls the justification of text, as well as margins, spacing, hyphenation (set this as off by default) and roman hanging punctuation.</p> <p>So there you have it, the ultimate Photoshop web design workspace. What do you think? <strong>Do you have any Photoshop workspaces to share? Please do!</strong></p> <h3>More Photoshop Tips &amp; Tricks:</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/../2010/09/21/photoshop-dreamweaver-tips/" rel="bookmark" title="Tuesday, September 21, 2010">Tips For Working with Photoshop &amp; Dreamweaver</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/../2010/10/12/photoshop-illustrator-tips/" rel="bookmark" title="Tuesday, October 12, 2010">Tips For Working with Photoshop &amp; Illustrator</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/../2010/09/13/photoshop-indesign-tips/" rel="bookmark" title="Monday, September 13, 2010">Tips For Working with Photoshop &amp; InDesign</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/../2010/12/29/adobe-cs-review/" rel="bookmark" title="Wednesday, December 29, 2010">Speed up Photoshop Projects using Adobe CS Review</a></li> </ul> <hr /><br /> &copy; This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=fltmneFwMfA:i7KtasMPH-w:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=fltmneFwMfA:i7KtasMPH-w:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=fltmneFwMfA:i7KtasMPH-w:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=fltmneFwMfA:i7KtasMPH-w:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=fltmneFwMfA:i7KtasMPH-w:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=fltmneFwMfA:i7KtasMPH-w:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=fltmneFwMfA:i7KtasMPH-w:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=fltmneFwMfA:i7KtasMPH-w:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=fltmneFwMfA:i7KtasMPH-w:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=fltmneFwMfA:i7KtasMPH-w:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hfzqJgIU6M2RApTudLF9vILGrio/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hfzqJgIU6M2RApTudLF9vILGrio/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hfzqJgIU6M2RApTudLF9vILGrio/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/hfzqJgIU6M2RApTudLF9vILGrio/1/di" /></a></p><p>With my <a href="http://justcreative.com/2012/02/29/just™-rebranding/" title="JUST™ Rebranding!">recent rebrand</a> and <a href="http://justcreative.com/2012/03/21/just-launched/" title="JUST™ Launched">website update</a>, came a few nifty features and one of them is the &#8216;hidden&#8217; drop down menu in the top right corner of the website.</p> <p>On each reload, there is a new slogan that is displayed, such as:</p> <ul> <li>JUST™ Amazing</li> <li>JUST™ Be Happy</li> <li>JUST™ Did It</li> <li>JUST™ Drop That Bass</li> <li>JUST™ Believe</li> </ul> <p>There are already a good handful being rotated up there, but I thought it would be great to have JUST™ Creative readers be able to have their own one up there. So be creative, and leave your &#8220;JUST™ ____&#8221; idea in the comments below, and you could win some awesome gear as outlined below. Please keep submissions between 1 and 5 words and enter as many times as you would like!</p> <h3>Win Free Design Swag! (Competition Now Closed)</h3> <p><a href="http://typographyshop.com/make-the-logo-smaller-large-mens-t-shirt.html"><img alt="Make The Logo Smaller" class="size-full wp-image-9510 alignnone" height="375" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Make-Logo-Smaller.jpg" title="Make-Logo-Smaller" width="540" /></a></p> <p>Patrick King, of the awesome <a href="http://typographyshop.com" title="Typography Shop">Typography Shop</a> has put up some cool graphic design &amp; typography related prizes such as the &#8216;<a href="http://typographyshop.com/make-the-logo-smaller-large-mens-t-shirt.html">Make The Logo Smaller</a>&#8216; t-shirt &amp; mug featured above. I&#8217;ll be selecting the best 3 submissions and winners can choose any in-stock t-shirt or mug from the shop.</p> <p>The competition is open to all countries, but mugs can not be shipped out of the USA. Winners will be emailed &amp; <del>also announced on this post, on April 17</del>. Winners announced below.</p> <p>Good luck and I look forward to your entries!</p> <h3>Congratulations Winners!</h3> <p>After looking through every entry, I narrowed down the list to 200 that I will be using on the site, however these you will have to see over time. Below you can find the winners and the close runners up. Congratulations, I will be in contact with you shortly.</p> <h4>Winners</h4> <ul> <li>JUST™ Leave Your Mark (Miguel)</li> <li>JUST™ A Spoon Full of Sugar (Michelle Stevens)</li> <li>JUST™ Put Another Shrimp on the Barbie (Rosleigh)</li> </ul> <h4>Runners Up</h4> <ul> <li>JUST™ The Tip of the Iceberg (Meg)</li> <li>JUST™ Ignore IE (Andrew Grehl)</li> <li>JUST™ Us (Danny)</li> <li>JUST™ Make It Pop (Minksy)</li> </ul> <p>Thank you everyone for your entries, they were really creative!</p> <hr /><br /> &copy; This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=heSJe3vreQ8:0ejYCtnl6Tc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=heSJe3vreQ8:0ejYCtnl6Tc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=heSJe3vreQ8:0ejYCtnl6Tc:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=heSJe3vreQ8:0ejYCtnl6Tc:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=heSJe3vreQ8:0ejYCtnl6Tc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=heSJe3vreQ8:0ejYCtnl6Tc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=heSJe3vreQ8:0ejYCtnl6Tc:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=heSJe3vreQ8:0ejYCtnl6Tc:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=heSJe3vreQ8:0ejYCtnl6Tc:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=heSJe3vreQ8:0ejYCtnl6Tc:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7c35EcVZP2g4nbFp8kZFk691ve8/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7c35EcVZP2g4nbFp8kZFk691ve8/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7c35EcVZP2g4nbFp8kZFk691ve8/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7c35EcVZP2g4nbFp8kZFk691ve8/1/di" /></a></p><p><em>This is a guest article contributed by <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/104914829730501706316/posts?rel=author">Vail Joy</a>.</em></p> <p><img alt="HTML5" height="405" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/html5.gif" title="HTML5" width="540" /></p> <p class="intro">As Opera evangelist Bruce Lawson puts it, “<a href="http://coding.smashingmagazine.com/2010/09/23/html5-the-facts-and-the-myths/" title="HTML5">Everyone&#8217;s talking about HTML5</a>”. It&#8217;s perhaps the most hyped technology since people started putting rounded corners &amp; gradients on everything. In fact, a lot of what people call HTML5 is actually just old-fashioned DHTML or AJAX. Mixed in with all the information is a lot of misinformation.</p> <p>HTML5 is simply a new set of standards, semantics and rules for coding website markup that can take advantage of several new “native” browser features such as offline storage, multi-media playback and a small level of interaction. Much of what we see on HTML5 websites that is really cool or innovative isn’t the actual markup, but a combination of CSS3 and jQuery, both themselves new and exciting standards evolving right alongside HTML5.</p> <p>As designers, we tend not to fuss about with code and semantics and JavaScript this or that, but whether your expertise is in identity and print design or includes a little of web design, expanding your comfort zone to include the fundamentals of these new technologies is necessary to stay competitive and sharp in our crowded industry.</p> <p>For now, let&#8217;s dispel some myths about HTML5 to pique your interest. There are several HTML5 resources at the bottom for those of you who want to learn more.</p> <h3><strong>Myth #1: HTML5 was invented because Apple stopped supporting Flash .</strong></h3> <p>Apple seems to get blamed for everything, but while HTML5 has some amazing solutions for mobile, it was not created to meet the demands of the iPhone.  In fact, Opera and Mozilla got together back in 2004 to try to solve the problem of a messy web, defining seven principles for good design. Their goal was simple – propose these principles to <a href="http://www.w3.org/2004/04/webapps-cdf-ws/papers/opera.html">W3C</a> as a roadmap for a sleeker, faster, better HTML standard. The principles covered aspects such as backwards compatibility, error handling, practicality, open development and avoiding device-specific profiling. It wasn’t until 2006 that the proposal was accepted, and in three short years a new spec was drafted, closed and made ready for use.</p> <h3><strong>Myth #2: HTML5 won&#8217;t be ready till 2022.</strong></h3> <p>I’m not even sure how this myth began circulating, but the working draft was closed – meaning nothing more can be added or significantly changed – in 2009. Because it has been driven by Opera and Mozilla from the start, it may even reach W3C’s Candidate Recognition this year, as almost the <a href="http://developers.whatwg.org/">entire spec</a> is supported by both browsers. Even still, you can use HTML5 right now and rest assured it will degrade gracefully and work in older browsers with the inclusion of some lightweight JavaScript, all the way down to complex Canvas implementations. All current browsers support HTML5. What you need to be careful of isn’t the markup, it is the CSS. Even with pre-made CSS resets intended to help out older browsers, design built around CSS3 can fall apart in older browsers unless you take care of the details.</p> <h3><strong>Myth #3:  HTML5 requires CSS3.</strong></h3> <p>It makes the most sense to use semantic class names and CSS3 declarations when building something with HTML5, but it isn’t a requirement. HTML5 is just markup, so it gets along just fine with CSS2 styling, but what it does require is complete styling for all presentational elements of your design. In other words, the HTML5 spec <a href="http://www.w3.org/TR/html5-diff/#changed-attributes">removes attributes and tags</a> that control the look or style of any element, and is no longer tolerant of inline styling. The browser is now the supreme governor of how your site is rendered and what rules you need to abide by when creating layout with your markup. For example, in HTML5 you need a “display:block” declaration for each HTML5 element for them to be understood properly in IE8 and earlier. In short, HTML5 needs styling to look good, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be CSS3.</p> <h3><strong>Myth #4: HTML5 ruins accessibility.</strong></h3> <p>On the contrary, HTML5 is built around <a href="http://justcreative.com/2012/01/25/designing-websites-for-the-blind/" title="Accessibility &amp; Integrity">accessibility</a>. While drafting the spec, utmost care was taken to ensure each element works with WIA ARIA landmark roles.  These roles are specialized attributes added to your tags that allow accessibility devices such as screen readers to better interpret the site’s flow and content better. Converting a site to HTML5 may ruin the accessibility if these roles aren’t understood and implemented properly, but that won’t be the fault of the markup! See <a href="http://justcreative.com/2011/01/26/an-introduction-to-font-accessibility/" title="An Introduction to Font Accessibility">font accessibility</a>.</p> <h3><strong>Myth #5: HTML5 will kill Flash.</strong></h3> <p><img alt="HTML5 Gloves" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9418" height="274" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/html5-gloves.gif" title="HTML5 Gloves" width="540" /></p> <p>The fact is that Flash is still used by several million websites and developers world-wide. The misconception was born, once again, from the high profile fallout between Adobe and Apple and the rapid adoption of HTML5 audio and video for application and mobile development as a result. However, though HTML5 is great for low volume video playback, full HTML5 support requires two or three times the encoding chores of Flash support and still lacks many critical features currently available in plug-in based technologies. Currently, sites like Vimeo and YouTube use HTML5 technology largely for technology&#8217;s sake, and will not be moving away from Flash too rapidly. Developer Viki Hoo points out several other reasons why Flash will be around awhile in her compelling argument <a href="http://speckyboy.com/2012/01/19/what-else-does-html5-need-to-defeat-flash-part-1/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>But let’s get back to Flash with regards to web design. In that context, we are likely to see a rapid switch from Flash to HTML5 in the coming years. HTML5 is easier to learn and use, even for those of use without a high level of JavaScript mastery. It doesn’t require a 3rd Party plugin to work, loads faster and is extremely mobile friendly. <strong>So it isn’t that HTML5 will kill Flash, it’s that it will dominate the mobile design and development market.</strong></p> <h3><strong>Myth #6: If I add the new HTML5 doctype to my site, it is now HTML5.</strong></h3> <p>It will be HTML5 as far as the browser is concerned, but HTML5 is more than a doctype. It is a full set of best practices, semantics and layout elements such as &lt;header&gt;, &lt;nav&gt;,&lt;section&gt;,&lt;article&gt; and &lt;footer&gt; that will make your website truly take advantage of the new capabilities of the browser and validate as HTML5. Naturally, adopting the new doctype is a step in the right direction to adopt HTML5, but it is important to learn what really makes an HTML5 website HTML5 before buying into an app, theme or platform that claims it is built with HTML5. Adobe’s new Muse app is a perfect example of this myth in action. You must also take into consideration the number of elements and attributes that have been depreciated in HTML5 and review your existing markup to ensure the best chance of compatibility.</p> <h3><strong>Myth # 7: I’ll get more chicks/jobs/cash/respect if I use HTML5.</strong></h3> <p>Mastering HTML5 probably won’t get you voted the sexiest man or woman alive; although it <a href="http://html5doctor.com/block-level-links-in-html-5/">seems to have worked for Bruce Lawson</a>. It is also not enough to get your foot in the door at a lucrative digital agency. In the end, your design skills and attention to detail are what will make you successful. With that said, learning about and adopting new technologies quickly does take passion and perseverance, which are both admirable traits. Your peers will probably respect you more if you use your knowledge to help them, or <a href="http://hakim.se/">can achieve something new and great.</a></p> <div class="supertagline"> Designers <em>should</em> care about HTML5, but mastering it should be driven by a love of the principles it was based on and not an ideal of fame and riches. </div> <p>For those who want to get their feet wet with HTML5 but don&#8217;t have much coding chops, you may like to check out <a href="http://www.wix.com/html5/now-on-wix?utm_campaign=se_gb_HTML_justcreativedesign.com/" title="Wix">Wix</a>, who recently launched &#8220;the first full-featured HTML5 website builder&#8221; on the web. It&#8217;s basically a tool that helps you create completely custom websites without mucking about with styles, scripts and markup – unless you want to.</p> <h4><strong>Recommended HTML5 Resources:</strong></h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://developers.whatwg.org/introduction.html">HTML5 Spec at WHATWG</a></li> <li><a href="http://vimeo.com/5810449">Opera&#8217;s Bruce Lawson on HTML5</a></li> <li><a href="http://html5doctor.com/why-designers-should-care-about-html5/">Why designers should care about HTML5</a></li> <li><a href="http://dev.opera.com/articles/view/everything-you-need-to-know-about-html5-video-and-audio/">Everything You Need to Know About HTML5 Audio and Video</a></li> <li><a href="http://dev.opera.com/articles/view/html-5-canvas-the-basics/">HTML5 Canvas: The Basics (Opera Developer Community)</a></li> <li><a href="http://html5please.us/">HTML5 Please</a> helps you out with recommendations for polyfills and implementation so you can decide if and how to put each of these features to use.</li> <li><a href="http://caniuse.com/">Can I Use</a> provides extensive browser compatibility and support information for CSS3, HTML5 and more.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Do you have any HTML5 tips or resources to share?</strong></p> <hr class="thin" /> <p><em><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/104914829730501706316/posts?rel=author">+Vail Joy</a> is a professional writer, designer and developer with a vibrant background in music business, photography and social media. When she is not contributing her expertise to blogs and e-zines, she is building <a href="http://www.wix.com/html5/now-on-wix?utm_campaign=se_gb_HTML_justcreativedesign.com/" title="HTML Websites">HTML websites</a> and slaying dragons for Obox Design.</em></p> <hr /><br /> &copy; This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=Cm9pT9mO5ek:-N08qAGaWe8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=Cm9pT9mO5ek:-N08qAGaWe8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=Cm9pT9mO5ek:-N08qAGaWe8:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=Cm9pT9mO5ek:-N08qAGaWe8:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=Cm9pT9mO5ek:-N08qAGaWe8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=Cm9pT9mO5ek:-N08qAGaWe8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=Cm9pT9mO5ek:-N08qAGaWe8:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=Cm9pT9mO5ek:-N08qAGaWe8:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=Cm9pT9mO5ek:-N08qAGaWe8:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=Cm9pT9mO5ek:-N08qAGaWe8:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pb0_8vDVYto0FXC_qMuN9YEadvg/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pb0_8vDVYto0FXC_qMuN9YEadvg/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pb0_8vDVYto0FXC_qMuN9YEadvg/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/pb0_8vDVYto0FXC_qMuN9YEadvg/1/di" /></a></p><p class="intro">After a soft launch on <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/justcreative/status/182195367276847104" title="Twitter">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/justcreative/posts/176922372426119">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://plus.google.com/103500063550994023248/posts/RMeSFRaXHki">Google+</a> yesterday, I am now ready to share with you the <a href="http://justcreative.com/2012/02/29/just%e2%84%a2-rebranding/" title="JUST™ Rebranding!">new JUST™ Creative</a> responsive web site.</p> <p><img alt="Just Launched" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-9365" height="453" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/just-launched.gif" title="Just Launched" width="640" /><br /> Feel free to explore and let me know your thoughts. Below is a quick outline of some of the features found throughout the site.</p> <h4>Website Info &amp; Features</h4> <ul> <li>Built using <a href="http://wordpress.com" title="Wordpress">WordPress</a> and the <a href="http://getskeleton.com/">Skeleton Boilerplate</a></li> <li>Web fonts (<a href="https://typekit.com/fonts/proxima-nova" title="Proxima Nova">Proxima Nova</a> and <a href="https://typekit.com/fonts/droid-serif" title="Droid Serif">Droid Serif</a>) served by Typekit</li> <li>Hosting by <a href="http://mediatemple.com" title="Media Temple">Media Temple</a></li> <li>Responsive design with 5 viewport sizes (resize your browser to see this in action). Features Retina Display optimised images.</li> <li>Custom designed by myself in Photoshop &amp; Illustrator, using the <a href="http://960.gs/" title="960 Grid System">960 Grid System</a></li> <li>Developed by <a href="http://danrose.me/" title="Dan Rose">Dan Rose</a> with HTML5 and CSS3 (<a href="https://github.com/craigwaterman/Hoodie" title="Hoodie">Hoodie Framework</a>). Portfolio functionality from Reaction (<a href="https://twitter.com/makedesign" title="Make Design">Brandon Jones</a>), developed in part by <a href="http://craigwaterman.com" title="Craig Waterman">Craig Waterman</a>.</li> <li><a href="http://justcreative.com/portfolio/" title="Graphic Design Portfolio">Filterable gallery portfolio</a> with multiple layouts (see icons on right of portfolio page)</li> <li>Logo rollover over effects on main navigation</li> <li>Dynamic drop down photo which reveals my bio (in sidebar on article pages)</li> <li>Dynamic &#8216;To Top&#8217; button to easily get to the top of the page, displayed when needed</li> <li>jQuery vertical accordion menu for the mobile drop down menu navigation</li> <li>jQuery / CSS article sidebar for easy navigating</li> <li>jQuery transition slide effects</li> <li><a href="http://blog.jonphillips.ca/2012/01/17/ads-and-responsive-web-design/" title="Responsive Ads">Responsive ads</a> so they are displayed on all view ports</li> <li>Hidden pull down menu to view recent work and more (Find it?)</li> <li>Threaded comments on new posts</li> <li>Highlighted author comments</li> <li>Hidden track backs / backlinks that you can reveal</li> <li><a href="http://www.google.com/cse/" title="Google Search">Google Custom Site Search</a> for accurate and quick searching</li> <li><a href="http://www.no-margin-for-errors.com/projects/prettyphoto-jquery-lightbox-clone/">prettyPhoto</a> integration for showing photos in a Lightbox</li> <li>Large footer that can you can hide or show depending on your preference</li> </ul> <h4>Still To Do</h4> <ul> <li>Add a dynamic slider on the home page (will also work with touch gestures)</li> <li>Add more portfolio items</li> <li>Fix speed problems across the server. (Having troubles with this, as I believe it is related to memory / apache &#8211; something I am not well versed in).</li> <li>Fix bugs as they are found</li> </ul> <h4>Bugs / Suggestions / Feedback</h4> <p>If you find anything that looks out of place, or have a suggestion please do let me know. Please note your browser and it&#8217;s version when sending, thank you!</p> <hr /><br /> &copy; This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=QyicwP995y4:uMB3oR9d0Zo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=QyicwP995y4:uMB3oR9d0Zo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=QyicwP995y4:uMB3oR9d0Zo:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=QyicwP995y4:uMB3oR9d0Zo:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=QyicwP995y4:uMB3oR9d0Zo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=QyicwP995y4:uMB3oR9d0Zo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=QyicwP995y4:uMB3oR9d0Zo:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=QyicwP995y4:uMB3oR9d0Zo:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=QyicwP995y4:uMB3oR9d0Zo:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=QyicwP995y4:uMB3oR9d0Zo:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9rBqoBH7Yycn4lYRuu2mCz-u7qA/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9rBqoBH7Yycn4lYRuu2mCz-u7qA/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9rBqoBH7Yycn4lYRuu2mCz-u7qA/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9rBqoBH7Yycn4lYRuu2mCz-u7qA/1/di" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://thedeependdesign.com/podcast/logo-design-process-jacob-cass/" title="Logo Design Process Podcast"><img alt="Deeply Graphic Podcast" class="size-full wp-image-8754 border" height="350" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/podcast.jpeg" title="podcast" width="500" /></a></p> <p>A few words from <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/wesmcdowell" title="Wes McDowell">Wes McDowell</a> about a recent Podcast I did with Deep End Design&#8230;</p> <p>&#8211;</p> <p>Last week I had the pleasure of being able to sit down with Just Creative&#8217;s Jacob Cass and talk logo design. Sure, we happen to be on opposite ends of the country, but through the magic of Skype, we made it work.</p> <p>I am a co-host of &#8220;The Deeply Graphic DesignCast,&#8221; a podcast for graphic &amp; web designers, and the idea of talking shop with Jacob was just too good to pass up. So I asked if he would like to join us for our next episode, and he graciously agreed. The result is a pretty compelling listen.</p> <p>Jacob&#8217;s episode, which is all about the logo design process is now live and available for free download on iTunes. He gives a lot of great insights into his process, as well as client relations and how he prices his jobs. If you are a fan of Jacob&#8217;s work, then you won&#8217;t want to miss it!</p> <p><strong><a href="http://thedeependdesign.com/podcast/logo-design-process-jacob-cass/" title="Logo Design Process Podcast">Listen To It Here</a>.</strong></p> <hr /><br /> &copy; This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=9OF3aloJMmw:F30ejLFqWQE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=9OF3aloJMmw:F30ejLFqWQE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=9OF3aloJMmw:F30ejLFqWQE:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=9OF3aloJMmw:F30ejLFqWQE:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=9OF3aloJMmw:F30ejLFqWQE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=9OF3aloJMmw:F30ejLFqWQE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=9OF3aloJMmw:F30ejLFqWQE:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=9OF3aloJMmw:F30ejLFqWQE:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=9OF3aloJMmw:F30ejLFqWQE:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=9OF3aloJMmw:F30ejLFqWQE:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9qLTQInQsxG__D6cN0_igcG9EBI/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9qLTQInQsxG__D6cN0_igcG9EBI/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9qLTQInQsxG__D6cN0_igcG9EBI/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9qLTQInQsxG__D6cN0_igcG9EBI/1/di" /></a></p><p><img alt="Twitter Milage" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8718" height="350" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Twitter-Milage.jpg" title="Twitter-Milage" width="500" /></p> <p><em>This is a guest article contributed by </em><em>Brad Shorr.</em></p> <p><em>&#8211;<br /> </em></p> <p>Smart marketers squeeze every possible benefit out of their digital content. But even top-notch companies overlook opportunities to repurpose Twitter content, which is unfortunate because Twitter is generally regarded as a somewhat frivolous medium. It doesn&#8217;t have to be, if you think outside the box. So for the purposes of this post, let&#8217;s think outside the tweet and take a quick look at five ways to get a lot more value out those 140 little characters.</p> <h2>1. Use Tweets As Testimonials</h2> <p><img alt="Twitter Testimonials" height="250" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/twitter-testimonials.png" title="twitter-testimonials" width="500" /></p> <p>From time to time, people may give you unsolicited praise on Twitter. If you <em>monitor</em> your brand, you can catch these tweets and &#8220;favorite&#8221; them so they will be handy whenever and wherever you need credibility-building testimonials. <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/justcreative/favorites">@justcreative</a> is a good example of someone who uses this favoriting method. Among the many places to display testimonial tweets:</p> <ul> <li>Website home page</li> <li>Interior site pages connected to the tweet&#8217;s content</li> <li>PDF literature</li> <li>A custom Facebook tab</li> <li>Email signatures</li> </ul> <p>You&#8217;re only limited by your imagination &#8212; and since this blog&#8217;s community includes a lot of designers, my guess is you&#8217;ll come up with better ideas than these in a matter of minutes. See <a href="http://justcreative.com/2009/08/18/funny-inspirational-tweets/" title="Funny and Inspiration Tweets">some of your favorite favorited tweets here</a>.</p> <p>Finally, if you don&#8217;t have unsolicited Twitter praise &#8212; <em>solicit</em> some! There&#8217;s nothing wrong with asking your Twitter community for feedback, help, or an occasional plug. I&#8217;m sure you&#8217;d be quick to do it for others if you liked them and believed in what they do.</p> <h2>2. Put Tweets In Presentations / Sales Material</h2> <p><img alt="Tweet Quote" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8714" height="250" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tweet-quote.png" title="tweet-quote" width="500" /></p> <p>As part of their content strategy, most companies tweet about the benefits of their products and services. They may also post astute comments on important industry developments and issues. If you favorite these tweets and organize them, you can later display them in Keynotes/PowerPoints, webinars, PDF literature, and on relevant site pages. The advantages of displaying this information in the form of tweet images:</p> <ul> <li>Tweets are visually engaging and spark interest.</li> <li>Displaying tweets is still a bit of a novelty, which makes your presentation stand out.</li> <li>Tweets provide a subtle element of credibility, since many will regard them as published and therefore authoritative data points.</li> </ul> <p>A big benefit of doing this, by the way, is that it will improve the quality of your tweets. We tend to be more thoughtful about what we say if we know it may be used &#8220;in print&#8221; later on.</p> <h2>3. Use Tweets for Internal Knowledge Building</h2> <p><img alt="Twitter Content" height="332" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/twitter.jpg" title="twitter" width="500" /></p> <p>If a expert I&#8217;m following on Twitter says something insightful on say, <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2009/06/30/seo-tips/" title="SEO">SEO</a>, I&#8217;ll shoot a link to that tweet over to our Director of SEO. This sort of thing can help keep everyone on the team being &#8212; and <em>feeling</em> &#8212; up to date and in the know. Sharing knowledge via tweets can be accomplished in a more organized fashion, by favoriting tweets by topic and emailing a digest of the links to the appropriate person. This technique works very well when a lot of team members are not on Twitter very much or at all. Because of that, circulating a digest of your own tweets also can be helpful; your team as well as your Twitter community should see your own great Twitter content.</p> <p>This is how I try to communicate information from Twitter. These are a couple tweets about social media I grabbed that are tremendously useful:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/merylkevans/status/170178390001852417" target="_blank">What Others Like and Dislike about Your Tweets</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/RobynMcMaster/status/170174726197624832" target="_blank">Women Value Reciprocity More than Men</a></li> </ul> <p>Sure, I could just as easily link to the articles rather than the tweets, but I think it helps for people to <strong>see the source and sometimes, the commentary</strong>.</p> <h2>4. Feed Tweets Into Your Website</h2> <p><img alt="Twitter Widget" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8715" height="250" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/widget.png" title="widget" width="500" /></p> <p>You may have seen business sites that display a real-time feed of five or 10 of their tweets, <a href="http://twitter.com/about/resources/widgets" title="Twitter Widget">usually done via a widget</a>. This is a great idea in terms of sparking interest, as we&#8217;ve already talked about. However, if you want to do this, be careful about what you tweet. For example, if your live feed displays a lot of random, silly tweets, it could confuse visitors and turn off potential customers.</p> <p>What some people do to get around this is create a separate Twitter page that is exclusively for tweeting information around a particular product or service or department. For instance, a company could feed its customer service Twitter page tweets into its site&#8217;s customer service landing page. I like this idea a lot in terms of content relevance, but managing multiple Twitter accounts does have its complexities, so proceed carefully. Another possible way would be to use #hastags, but this <a href="http://www.torbenrick.eu/blog/social-media/twitter-hashtag-campaign-backfires-by-unhappy-customers/">could backfire too</a>.</p> <h2>5. Feed Tweets Selectively Into Other Social Networks</h2> <p><img alt="Twitter Import into Facebook" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8716" height="250" src="http://justcreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/twitter-import.png" title="twitter-import" width="500" /></p> <p>I&#8217;ve written elsewhere about the dangers of <a href="http://effectivemarketer.com/2012/01/31/the-danger-of-automatic-feeds-in-social-media/" target="_blank">overfeeding your social media accounts</a>. However, selective and strategic feeds can relieve some of the content-production burden and strengthen your reputation across all of your social platforms.</p> <p>The &#8220;secret&#8221; of smart feeding is understanding the nature of your communities on LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, and whatever other networks you are active on. For example, I know a couple of things about my LinkedIn connections; first, a lot of them are not social media-savvy, and second, they are interested in high-level information. Knowing this, any tweets I feed to LinkedIn will be non-technical and relevant to business owners, leaders and managers. On the other hand, our agency&#8217;s Facebook page draws a lot of people who are interested in &#8220;how-to&#8221; marketing tips, so any tweets I feed to it will be on the technical side.</p> <p>Probably the biggest takeaway from all of this is to <strong>be a strategic tweeter</strong>. There are many ways to repurpose Twitter content, but you won&#8217;t be able to take advantage of them if all you&#8217;re doing is haphazardly dashing off tweets.</p> <h3><strong>More Twitter related articles:</strong></h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/03/the-ultimate-guide-for-everything-twitter/">Ultimate Twitter Guide</a></li> <li><a href="http://justcreative.com/2009/04/26/jacob-our-top-twit/">Twitter Interview &amp; Tips with Jacob Cass</a></li> <li><a href="http://justcreative.com/2009/11/09/twitter-design-lists/" title="Twitter Design Lists">10 Twitter Design Lists to Follow</a></li> <li><a href="http://justcreative.com/2011/02/23/simple-engagement/" title="Simple Engagement">The Power of Simple Engagement on Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="http://justcreative.com/2008/10/20/designers-to-follow-on-twitter/" title="Designers on Twitter">List of Designers, Creatives &amp; Geeks on Twitter</a></li> </ul> <p><strong>How do you re-purpose your Tweets?</strong></p> <p><em><a href="https://plus.google.com/102318046680468697385?rel=author" target="_blank"></a></em></p> <p>&#8211;<br /> <em><a href="https://plus.google.com/102318046680468697385?rel=author" target="_blank">Brad Shorr</a> is Director of Content and Social Media for Straight North, a leading <a href="http://www.straightnorth.com/search-engine-optimization" target="_blank">Chicago SEO firm</a> working with clients in very tough B2B niches such as <a href="http://www.bluepay.com/processing-services/solutions/payment-gateway" target="_blank">credit card payment gateways</a>. He has been an active blogger and social media participant since 2005, and writes frequently on content strategy, SEO copywriting and social media topics.</em><em> Photos by: Shutterstock and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisarex/3640530717/sizes/o/in/photostream/" rel="nofollow">Gallivant</a>.</em></p> <hr /><br /> &copy; This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreative.com">JUST™ Creative</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=0dMbdi0kAPw:KbuW7xJ1-o4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=0dMbdi0kAPw:KbuW7xJ1-o4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=0dMbdi0kAPw:KbuW7xJ1-o4:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=0dMbdi0kAPw:KbuW7xJ1-o4:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=0dMbdi0kAPw:KbuW7xJ1-o4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=0dMbdi0kAPw:KbuW7xJ1-o4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=0dMbdi0kAPw:KbuW7xJ1-o4:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=0dMbdi0kAPw:KbuW7xJ1-o4:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=0dMbdi0kAPw:KbuW7xJ1-o4:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=0dMbdi0kAPw:KbuW7xJ1-o4:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<img align="left" alt="Inspirational Business cards" class="alignleft tfe wp-post-image" height="120" hspace="5" src="http://cdn.machoarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Ando-Design-Business-Card-180x120.jpg" title="Inspirational Business cards" width="180" />Business card is very helpful for promoting your business. For making first impression you must need unique and impressive business card. Here we have collected 25 creative business card designs for your inspiration, which will help you to get ideas for your business card design. &#160; We recommend this quality print business cards service<img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Machoarts/~4/Ob2Hc6Y60A4" width="1" />

<img align="left" alt="Photography Inspiration 58" class="alignleft tfe wp-post-image" height="120" hspace="5" src="http://cdn.machoarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Photography-Fur-180x120.jpg" title="Photography Inspiration 58" width="180" />This post is a part of our weekly photography inspiration series. Each friday we showcase some of the best photographs captured by talented photographers from all around the world. Here we have collected 26 latest most beautiful photographs for your inspiration. If you like this post feel free to share it on Twitter and Facebook. Photography Quote of the Day: &#8220;Never forget that all the great photographs in history were [...]<img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Machoarts/~4/AS5Bo4X0L7w" width="1" />

<img align="left" alt="No one wants to know about your Facebook" class="alignleft tfe wp-post-image" height="120" hspace="5" src="http://static.machoarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/no-one-wants-to-know-about-facebook-02-180x120.jpg" title="No one wants to know about your Facebook" width="180" />Everybody has a Facebook page. You have a Facebook page. Your mom has a Facebook page. Your priest has a Facebook page. &#8230; Everyone. Those few who do not are often regarded as some kind of purists; the rare elite who have refused to give in to this century&#8217;s most prevalent addiction. But even those are a dying breed, and at some point they will give in while swearing they [...]<img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Machoarts/~4/h9UjLTJ4fhQ" width="1" />

<img align="left" alt="Photography Inspiration 57" class="alignleft tfe wp-post-image" height="120" hspace="5" src="http://static.machoarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Photography-barefoot-drifter-180x120.jpg" title="Photography Inspiration 57" width="180" />This post is a part of our weekly photography inspiration series. Each Friday we showcase some of the most beautiful photographs captured by talented photographers from all around the world. Here are 26 latest amazing photographs for your inspiration. If you like this post feel free to share it on Twitter and Facebook. Photography Quote of The Day: &#8220;A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells [...]<img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Machoarts/~4/RXmtlvQAaF4" width="1" />

<img align="left" alt="mythemeshop" class="alignleft tfe wp-post-image" height="120" hspace="5" src="http://cdn.machoarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/mythemeshop-180x120.jpg" title="mythemeshop" width="180" />With multiple projects in our hands and due to time constraints, we were not able to give proper time and nourishment to SmashingWPThemes it needed. So instead of compromising on quality, we have decided to give over the charge to dedicated WordPress Themes Developers at MyThemeShop. We had many offers to sell it, but we wanted to make sure our site goes in the right hands. Thus after a thorough [...]<img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Machoarts/~4/99ivz3JgCw4" width="1" />

<img align="left" alt="Instagram" class="alignleft tfe wp-post-image" height="120" hspace="5" src="http://cdn.machoarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Instagram-180x120.jpg" title="Instagram" width="180" />Photography changes with the newest technology. Each new piece of technology changes the landscape of how photographers take pictures and market their services. The iPhone radically changed photography with the ability to take high quality DSLR pictures with your smart phone. Many apps like Instagram emerged on the iPhone to change the way photographers reach their audience and share their work. What Is Instagram? Instagram is an iPhone application which takes [...]<img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Machoarts/~4/60BpoXc-bec" width="1" />

<img align="left" alt="Photography inspiration 56" class="alignleft tfe wp-post-image" height="120" hspace="5" src="http://cdn.machoarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Photography-STRAIGHT-180x120.jpg" title="Photography inspiration 56" width="180" />This post is a part of our weekly photography inspiration series. Each Friday we showcase some of the most wonderful photographs captured by talented photographers from all around the world. Here are latest 24 most beatiful photographs for your inspiration, feel free to share it on Twitter and Facebook. Photography Quote of The Day: &#8220;In my view you cannot claim to have seen something until you have photographed it.&#8221; &#8211; [...]<img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Machoarts/~4/7BYH1oy-qoE" width="1" />

<img align="left" alt="Responsive WordPress Themes" class="alignleft tfe wp-post-image" height="120" hspace="5" src="http://cdn.machoarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Flare-Responsive-Business-WP-Theme-180x120.jpg" title="Responsive WordPress Themes" width="180" />Those days are gone when we need computer to access internet. You can access it on your phone, tablet and other mobile devices. Responsive design means to adapt your website design for all types of screen sizes. Now it became modern web design trend. There are hundreds of WordPress themes out there with responsive design, to stay ahead from your competitors you must consider using these types of themes. Here we [...]<img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Machoarts/~4/KuOpTG5L_JU" width="1" />

<img align="left" alt="Photography Inspiration 55" class="alignleft tfe wp-post-image" height="120" hspace="5" src="http://cdn.machoarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Photography-ready-to-launch-180x120.jpg" title="Photography Inspiration 55" width="180" />This post is a part of our weekly photography inspiration series. Each Friday we showcase some of the best shots captured by talented photographers from all around the world. Here are latest 27 eye-catching photographs for your inspiration. If you like this post feel free to share it on Twitter and Facebook. Photography Quote of the Day: &#8220;Unless a picture shocks, it is nothing.&#8221; &#8211; Marcel Duchamp<img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Machoarts/~4/8RpcdW99TS8" width="1" />

<img align="left" alt="Photography career" class="alignleft tfe wp-post-image" height="120" hspace="5" src="http://cdn.machoarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/photography-career-180x120.jpg" title="Photography career" width="180" />Most photographers get started the moment someone hands them a camera. For artists behind the lens, pictures reveal the smallest details and capture the biggest moments. However, there are all sorts of photographers, from the incredible realistic, such as nature photographers, to commercial photographers, and still others, those who enjoy journalism. The path to the right photography degree depends on your passion and goals for a career, but essentially, you [...]<img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Machoarts/~4/8jSSa2n2e7w" width="1" />

<p style="text-align: center;">"Patrick &amp; Chris @ Filter Foundry's booth @ NVIDIA GPU Tech Conf. 2012"</p> <p><a href="http://www.gputechconf.com">GPU Technology Conference</a> (GTC) advances global awareness of GPU computing and visualization and their importance to the future of science and innovation. Through world-class education, including hundreds of hours of technical sessions, tutorials, panel discussions, and moderated roundtables, GTC brings together thought leaders from a wide range of fields.</p> <p>The <a href="http://filterfoundry.com/">Filter Foundry</a> Team was excited to be selected for the Emerging Company Summit recognizing tech innovation.</p> <p>Attendees at GTC arrive from over 40 countries and comprise virtually every profession involved in HPC.</p> <p>GTC is the must-attend event for those working on the most complex computational problems and those interested in learning about parallel programming to achieve significantly faster applications.</p>

<p>It&rsquo;s Diablo month on Filter Foundry: As our way of recognizing one of the greatest game sagas every imagined, &nbsp;Filter Foundry is giving 3 months of Pro Membership for all concept art uploads during the month of May. It&rsquo;s really simple, <strong>create an account with Invite Code &ldquo;Diablo&rdquo;</strong> and start uploading your best game or fantasy concept art. Our internal team of art curators will award the best PAD with 2 years of Pro Membership.</p> <p><img alt="This video game image released by Activision Blizzard Inc., shows gameplay from 'Diablo III'. The epic fantasy role-playing game has been 12 years in the making." src="http://cmsimg.freep.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=C4&amp;Date=20120515&amp;Category=ENT06&amp;ArtNo=120515041&amp;Ref=AR&amp;MaxW=640&amp;Border=0&amp;Video-gamers-geeked-over-release-Diablo-3-" width="617" /> <br /> This video game image released by Activision Blizzard Inc., shows gameplay from "Diablo III". The epic fantasy role-playing game has been 12 years in the making. / AP Photo/Activision Blizzard Inc.</p> <p>IRVINE, Calif. &mdash; Fans of "Diablo III" celebrated the midnight launch of the long-awaited video game.</p> <p>A crowd of more than 1,500 gathered Monday night around a stage built underneath the Ferris wheel at the Irvine Spectrum Center, a shopping center located about a mile from developer Blizzard Entertainment Inc.'s headquarters, for the gritty role-playing sequel set in the fantastical world of Sanctuary.</p> <p>Anticipation for "Diablo III" from publisher Activision Blizzard Inc. has bubbled over because the previous entry in the series was released 12 years ago, a lifetime in the gaming world when compared with franchises like "World of Warcraft" and "Call of Duty," which regularly receive updates.</p> <p>"When we first started doing midnight launches, we didn't think anyone would come, but now we do them for all our games, and they get bigger and bigger," said Rob Pardo, Blizzard's vice president of game design. "It's great for not only the fans but also the development team. They get to be here when everyone is buying the game and see the excitement."</p> <p>"Diablo" fans huddled around the stage to watch Blizzard artists sketch characters from scratch, view never-before-seen footage, take part in trivia contests and attempt to catch free swag during "loot storms."</p> <p> </p> <p>Ian Noble, 24, wanted his collector's edition autographed by developers.</p> <p>"There's nowhere I'd rather be tonight," Noble said. "I've been waiting for this moment for a long, long time."</p> <p>So why did it take so long?</p> <p>"We were just goofing off mostly," joked lead designer Jay Wilson over howls from the crowd. "No, it takes a long time to make a Blizzard game. We're very focused on quality. If we think something is not good enough, we make it better. We redo things, which is really uncommon in game development. If we build a level and don't like (it), we'll throw it out."</p> <p>In the third chapter of "Diablo," players choose among five classes &mdash; barbarian, demon hunter, monk, witch doctor or wizard &mdash; and battle hellish minions across the <span id="itxthook0w0">landscape</span> of Sanctuary.</p> <p>Wilson hopes new sprawling battlefields, real-money auctions, a deeper combat system and increased online capabilities for "Diablo III" will appease even the frustrated fans.</p> <p>"If we could have done anything different, we probably wouldn't have announced the game when we did," said Wilson. "We could have waited a little longer. We thought we were closer to release. We want people to get excited, but we don't want them to feel like they're strung along. We always try to have a dialogue with the audience and exceed their expectations."</p> <p>Sterne Agee analyst Arvind Bhati said "Diablo III," only available to play on PC and Mac <span id="itxthook1w0">computers</span>, not game consoles, has the potential to sell more than 4 million copies. He estimated Blizzard would sell 3.5 million copies this year. "Diablo II," released in the summer of 2000, sold 4 million copies in the year after it debuted.</p> <p>Useful Diablo 3 website:<br /><a href="http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/723793/diablo-3-beginner-guide-welcome-to-sanctuary/">G4's Beginner's Guide</a><br /><a href="http://diablo.wikia.com/wiki/Diablo_Wiki">Diablo3 Wiki</a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/forcesc2strategy">Best Diablo3 Youtube Channel: Force</a><br /><a href="http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/games/d3/?int">Official Diablo3 Site from Blizzard</a><br /><a href="http://www.ign.com/games/diablo-iii">IGN's Exclusive Diablo3 site</a><br /><a href="http://www.diablopodcast.com/">INC Gamer's Podcast</a><br /><a href="http://diablofans.com">News @ Diablofans<br /></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Article Source: <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20120515/ENT06/120515041/Diablo-III-3-launch-video-game">Detroit Free Press</a></p>

<p>If I had to pick one art movement that has fascinated me since my first days in art school they would have to be <a href="http://ff.fildry.com/JcH63W">Art Nouveau</a> and <a href="http://ff.fildry.com/JTrQ6N">Art Deco</a>. Yeah I know (just one) but I can't have one without the other. If you look around neither can our contemporary architects and artist friends. You can't escape it. It's everywhere: buildings, movie posters, smart phones. People are naturally attracted to the lines both rigid and flowing from these period. When I first had the pleasure of seeing and later working with Trish I felt that natural attraction to her art. So, I shot a couple of question over to Trish via our favorite social media outlet and this is what she had to say about how she started, what she's working on and a couple of words of advice.<br /> Enjoy!</p> <p><br /> <strong>FF: In a couple of sentences, would you describe your paintings?</strong><br /> Trish Biddle: A constant work in progress but today it's a cumulative effort of life experiences resulting in Glamorous Women in Fabulous Places.<br /> <img alt="" src="https://filterfoundry-media.s3.amazonaws.com/cache/pad_portfolio_thumbs/1336637153.39_detail_image.jpg" width="617" /><br /> <strong><br />FF: Tell us how you started?</strong><br /> Trish Biddle: Art school in the 80s to Textile design for a clothing manufacturer to corporate offices of JC Penny (where I learned the trade of the fashion industry.) Branching out on my own I sent textile designs to a studio in NY. Then found a publisher in Vancouver. They started me in landscapes so my Husband and I took a month tour from Paris to the Amalfi. Wanting to paint the figure and my love for fashion began to incorporate my travels with textiles and my trademark was born.<br /> <br /> <strong>FF: Do you have a favorite painter?</strong><br /> Trish Biddle: Tamara De Lempicka . <br /> <br /> <strong>FF: What is your favorite subject matter? &amp; Medium?</strong><br /> Trish Biddle: Art deco artist from 20-30's. Water soluble oils. Non-toxic and quick drying.<br /> <br /> <img alt="" src="https://filterfoundry-media.s3.amazonaws.com/cache/pad_portfolio_thumbs/1336637187.03_detail_image.jpg" width="617" /><br /> <strong><br />FF: Do you have a signature piece that you consider a perfect example of your work?</strong><br /> Trish Biddle: Red Dress, Eiffel Tower.<br /> <strong><br /> FF: Who continues to inspired you to paint?</strong><br /> Trish Biddle: My husband Bryan and girls Chloe 8 and Claire 6. To be an example to my girls that you can live your Dreams.<br /> <br /> <strong>FF: Tell us about the series you are currently working on?</strong><br /> Trish Biddle: A children&rsquo;s book for my mother the Author called Everette Green. A tree for all seasons. Not exactly glamorous nor fabulous but it's fun and a labor of love. <br /> <br /> <strong>FF: Any advice or words of wisdom for our young painters? </strong><br /> Trish Biddle: Find your own voice in your work. Learn as much as you can but don't look around and try to be something your not. Be passionate about your work and the rest will work itself out.</p> <p><a href="http://ff.fildry.com/JCQVVm">Visit her PAD to get a taste of her "fabulous" ladies.</a><br /><a href="http://www.trishbiddle.com/">Visit her extensive web site for more information on her past, recent and upcoming collections.</a></p>

<p><strong>Cut your hours.</strong><br />At first glance, many creative professionals are horrified at this idea.&nbsp;It appears counter intuitive to cut your hours in order to get more done, but this is a proven successful method.&nbsp;It is easy to feel overwhelmed when you overload yourself with work, and you will find yourself dragging.&nbsp;This can lead to poorer work quality.&nbsp;By keeping your hours short, however, you can be more efficient and focus on the task at hand, rather than how much more you have to do.<br /><br /><strong>Give your designs time to settle.</strong><br />This will give your brain a break after hours of working on a project, and let you look at it with new clarity.&nbsp;You should always take a break before editing and making final adjustments.&nbsp;Many designers put together design portfolios and then put them aside for a few days before making them official. <br /><br /><strong>Be aware of your energy levels.</strong><br />When you have a lot of energy, put it into designing.&nbsp;When you know you have low energy, don't waste time trying to force yourself.&nbsp;Many people are more productive in the morning, while others find the most energy in the evening.<br /><br /><strong>Be open to inspiration!</strong><br />Inspiration can dome from anywhere, including other designer's portfolios online, a poster, a picture, or a person.&nbsp;Be ready to take advantage when inspiration strikes.</p> <p><strong>Listen to music.</strong> <br />This can be a great tool to use, when used properly.&nbsp; Don't listen to music that will distract you, instead find something that keeps you focused.&nbsp; Many creative professionals claim that fast paced music keeps them working at maximum productivity.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>FF: Would you introduce yourself to our readers and tell us how got involved with 3D/Illustration and character design?</strong></p> <p>Alessandro: My name is Alessandro Baldasseroni and I'm currently working as lead character artist at<strong>&nbsp; <a href="http://www.blur.com/">Blur Studios</a>&nbsp; </strong>in Los Angeles. I started to do 3D more than 10 years ago, but my professional involvement with characters coincided with my work at <strong>Blur</strong> in 2007. Before that I was 3D modeling for a small game developer in Milan, mainly working on environments and occasionally some vehicles and props. <br /> <br /> At that time I was spending a lot of my spare time working on personal projects, mainly 3D illustrations and some of them were based off high poly characters. Most of them were well received on the 3D forums and by the online communities. This allowed me to be contacted by a few companies, to do some freelance for <strong>Flagship Studios</strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/blog/feeds/latest/www.massiveblack.com/">Massive Black</a></strong> and later on <strong><a href="http://www.blur.com/">Blur</a></strong>. In 2006, <strong><a href="http://www.blur.com/">Blur</a></strong> offered me a full time position as a character artist, they did all the paperwork and a few months later I relocated from Milan to Venice beach.</p> <p><strong><img alt="" src="http://www.eklettica.com/pictures/illustrations_album/dd1600_rol.jpg" width="617" /><br /> <br /> FF: For those who are following in similar paths, walk us through your favorite tools and your give us some insight into your artistic process.</strong></p> <p>Alessandro: My favorite tools are basically the ones I use every day in my work pipeline, <strong>3D Studio Max</strong> for poly modeling, <strong>Zbrush</strong> for high res sculpting and <strong>Photoshop</strong> for my textures. Concepts come in various forms, sometimes from the client in the form of a 3D (low-res,) a hi-res game models, other times (the one I prefer) as a 2D painting or drawing. <br /> <br /> My goal is to make it look better, while preserving the main spirit of the character. In my experience the best way to achieve this, assuming we are working on a good concept, is to literally try to trace the silhouette in 3D and to lock down the main proportions... then work on details: Make a render, bring it in <strong>Photoshop</strong>, and compare it. So as you can imagine design is limited, but being an extremely accurate interpreter is crucial.</p> <p> <br /> <strong>FF: What project(s) have you *really* enjoyed working on?</strong></p> <p>Alessandro: There are so many honestly but I remember I was really into the <strong>Halo Wars</strong> cinematic by <strong> Blur</strong>. I had the chance to work with such an iconic character (Halo Masterchief) and it turned out really nice. Also working on the cinematics for Star Wars: The Old Republic was pretty [fun and] challenging. I worked on Darth Malgus, the main villain. <br /> <br /> Another project I enjoyed working on was <strong>Franky</strong>, the little sidekick partner of <strong>The Goon</strong>, for the movie pitch that <strong>Blur</strong> developed and presented at <strong>Comicon</strong> in San Diego. That one was really challenging because the character had never been transposed in 3D before. I think we did a pretty good job maintaining the look and spirit of the original comic by <strong>David Powell</strong>.</p> <p><strong>FF: Do you have a favorite studio (to work with)?</strong></p> <p>Alessandro: Blur. I am partial I guess, but all in all it's a great company to work for :)</p> <p><strong>FF: How about a memorable development story?</strong></p> <p>Alessandro: I remember one specific episode which happened when I was working for <strong><a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/blog/feeds/latest/www.massiveblack.com/">Massive Black</a></strong> as a freelancer from Italy. I did a 3D character, fully modeled and textured for a marketing illustration and delivered it in T -pose . Some people at <strong><a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/blog/feeds/latest/www.massiveblack.com/">Massive Black</a></strong> were in charge of posing it, lighting it and composing the final illustration. I took the chance to work on it by myself, just for fun, even if it was not requested. Surprisingly when I decided to show my final illustration to them, just out of curiosity, for feedback, they&nbsp;fell *so* in love with what I did that they decided to hire me on the spot.</p> <p><strong><img alt="" src="http://www.eklettica.com/pictures/vehicles/ducati.jpg" width="617" /><br /> <br /> FF: Given the choice, would you prefer to create characters or vehicles?</strong></p> <p>Alessandro: I'd say characters for the simple fact that I still consider it very challenging. The range of possibilities and improvement when it comes to the realism of 3D characters is still huge compared to vehicles. I still struggle a lot doing characters. That said I wouldn't mind a chance to "chill out" on some vehicles design from time to time :)</p> <p><strong>FF: What are the challenges?</strong></p> <p>Alessandro: I guess they both require a high level of realism nowadays. Vehicles, hard surface modeling require a great deal of precision... it can be very tedious. Modeling characters requires more flawless executions and a whole multitude of variables come into play that can detract from realism: animation, skin shaders, deformations (rigging), facial animation, to name a few. If the goal is to achieve Photorealism, any flaw in any of these areas pushes back the model into an "uncanny valley." Bringing characters to life requires an extra level of effort to infuse "personality" into them.</p> <p><strong>FF: Can you share with us your inspiration(s) to become an artist and whose work you follow?</strong></p> <p>Alessandro: I was inspired to start 3D as many of my generation by the amazing visual effects of cult movies from the 70s and 80s, like Tron, Aliens, &amp; Terminator. Keep in mind that CGI and visual effects in these movies were not to today's standards. Now that I'm doing CG for a living I'm way more interested and motivated to look back at traditional works and 2D artwork. <br /> <br /> I love illustration and paintings and whenever I have the chance I buy books like Spectrum, illustration anthologies and artwork compilations of my all time favorite artists: Frazetta, Catehrine Jeffrey Jones, Rojo, Vallejo, Ashely woods, Justine Sweet to name a few. Also the master painter and sculptors from the past are a great source of inspiration.</p> <p><strong>FF: What upcoming projects can we look forward to seeing your work in?</strong></p> <p>Alessandro: I cant really mention the project I'm working on at Blur because they are under NDA but I'm working for sure on a few pieces of personal illustrations. Check out my <a href="http://filterfoundry.com/alessandobaldasseroni/">PAD</a> once it's up.</p> <p><strong>FF: What advice would you bestow on would-be 3D illustrators and character designers?</strong></p> <p>Alessandro: Work a lot of hours on your personal pieces; stay passionate; don't be afraid to compare yourself to the best out there; if you love what you do don't let anyone push you back; there are no masters by birth out there, just people at different stages of a common path. Listen to critiques but don't be influenced too much by that. Talent (believe me or not) can be cultivated, if supported by great motivation and will.</p> <p><strong>Visit Alessandro's PAD:<a href="http://filterfoundry.com/alessandrobaldasseroni"> http://filterfoundry.com/alessandrobaldasseroni/</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Many people are confused when asked to differentiate between graphic designers and web developers, but there are significant differences between these types of creative professionals.&nbsp;Sure, they both deal with digital manipulation, and will likely both have online portfolios on display, but the professions require various skills and education.<br /><br />One primary difference is that of the target.&nbsp;Graphic designers are considered artists, and looking at a few design portfolios will likely exemplify this characterization.&nbsp;Manipulating images, pixels, and vectors requires an artistic eye, and the most successful are those that can be imaginative with colors and type.<br /><br />Web developers, on the other hand, work primarily with codes.&nbsp;They are more mathematically minded, and focus on functionality and accessibility as opposed to visual stimulation alone.&nbsp;While the online portfolio of a web developer may appear quite artistic, the images displayed are usually made by a graphic designer.&nbsp;The web developers work can be seen in the layout of a page, and the special features that make that page unique.<br /><br />Unfortunately, graphic designers and web developers tend to butt heads when working on a project together.&nbsp;The differences in their work can cause conflict for a number of reasons.&nbsp;One common issue is the graphic designers tend to finish their work faster than developers, leaving impatience and boredom for the quicker party.<br /><br />Also, each party will likely have opinions about what the other should be doing.&nbsp;The two fields are similar in many ways, even as they are incredibly different.&nbsp;This fact causes graphic designers to try and be involved in the development process, and vice versa, as each type of work can greatly affect the other.<br /><br />Despite the differences between these creative professionals, when they work together they can produce magnificent final products.</p> <p>Art by: <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/andrezzavantini/">Andrezza Vantini</a></p>

<p>Our friends at <a href="http://ff.fildry.com/chinadesignhub">China Design Hub</a> (CDH) have been covering original design and art from China for a few months now and have shared with us a couple of inspiring new artists. The blog, that features art from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, has been showcasing different creative industries from industrial and architecture to interior and fashion. Their goal is simply to shake off the negative light and biased view toward Chinese Design. Here are 3 talented artists that caught our attention.</p> <p><strong><a href="http://ff.fildry.com/sallyzou">Sally Zou</a></strong><br /> Sally is a Shanghainese born in 1986 and started picking up art, design and advertising after displaying a big interest in the art field since a child. After working at the advertising agency McCann-Erickson, she joined W+K Shanghai as an intern in 2006 to participate in numerous design projects and visual productions. Sally officially became Wieden+Kennedy Shanghai&rsquo;s graphic designer and digital artist in 2007, and went on to work on visual works for Nike, Converse and Umbro. One of the projects she worked on, &ldquo;W+K BOOK III&rdquo;, won a merit at One Show 2009. Sally is also a member of the design collective- MMRB and has been working on several art collaborations, and increasing her presence in the design industry as well by emerging 3rd place in the Cut &amp; Paste competition held in Shanghai. Recently, she was the only Chinese female individual to be selected by Yen magazine, Australia&rsquo;s no.1 independent magazine for women as one of the top 100 female artists in 2009. <strong><br />Visit Sally at China Design Hub: <a href="http://ff.fildry.com/sallyzou">http://ff.fildry.com/sallyzou</a></strong></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://chinadesignhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/01.jpg" width="617" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://chinadesignhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/high1.jpg" width="617" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://chinadesignhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/airmax_lebron_vii_a01.jpg" width="617" /></p> <p><strong>Feng Haoyu</strong><br /> The original design lasts for a reason. People looks at the same object over time and gives it different meanings. A polka dot pattern has its origin, the same applies to any design, product and object. This is a project to find the origin of design, product and object,to discover their meaning in different time period. and to find new interpretations of original design and object. <strong><br />Visit Feng at China Design Hub: <a href="http://ff.fildry.com/HGy8H9">http://ff.fildry.com/HGy8H9 </a></strong></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://chinadesignhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/origin_1.jpg" width="617" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://chinadesignhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/origin_7.jpg" width="617" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://chinadesignhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/origin_6.jpg" width="617" /></p> <p><strong><a href="http://ff.fildry.com/nodyoung">Nod Young</a></strong><br /> Nod Young is a visual artist specializing in digital design and visual arts, whose unique style and extraordinary insight have been well recognized. In his works, Nod mixes Chinese cultures with various elements, avant garde and traditional, always trying to break down the boundaries. As an artist, his works have been widely exhibited around the globe, from the UK to Spain, Finland to Singapore, the US to South Africa. Nod hopes to bring changes to life, through art and creativity that are able to influence the world and enrich people&rsquo;s sensations. Nod has also gained commercial success and worked with many international clients, including NIKE, Adidas, Coca Cola, McDonald&rsquo;s, Nokia, Microsoft, Mercedes, Li Ning, FIAT, Green Peace. He is also actively involved in a lot of art-related projects as an independent designer, and is planning to publish a portfolio book together with Tsinghua University Press at the summer of 2012. <strong><br />Visit Nod at China Design Hub: <a href="http://ff.fildry.com/nodyoung">http://ff.fildry.com/nodyoung</a></strong></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://chinadesignhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/aNew-Wave-_01_600.jpg" width="617" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="617" src="http://chinadesignhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/01_Run_by_Nod.jpg" width="617" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://chinadesignhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Nod-Young-@-Nike-2_600.jpg" width="617" /></p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>The Benefits of Online Portfolios</strong></p> <p>There are many advantages to developing an online portfolio, including convenience, diversity, and affordability.&nbsp; When presenting a portfolio, it is important to be as efficient as possible in order to both keep prospective employers interested, as well as to give yourself the best opportunity to succeed.</p> <p>Many creative professionals prefer online portfolios because of how convenient they are to create.&nbsp; Instead of endless time spent printing and organizing a hand held portfolio, you could spend all of your time designing it into something truly unique before the simple process of uploading your work onto the internet.</p> <p>Updating your portfolio online is also much more convenient with this method.&nbsp; If you want to slightly change a project, you can do so simply by re-uploading it as opposed to worrying about reprinting.&nbsp; It is much easier to deal with problems that arise when working with digital files as opposed to hard copies.</p> <p>Printing and reprinting costs can add up quickly, not to mention the costs associated with additional portfolio supplies.&nbsp; This fact makes online portfolios much more affordable and cost effective than their physical counterparts.</p> <p>Another convenience of an online portfolio is that you can easily include works from different professional fields.&nbsp; Perhaps your portfolio combines painting, photography, and graphic design, all of which would be very hard to display in a single portfolio.&nbsp; Online portfolios allow more diversity because there is not only more space available, but because everything can be presented on screen in a clean and organized fashion. This allows you to upload everything you want, while viewers sort out what they want to see.</p> <p>Creating a portfolio on the web can also impress viewers with your digital skills.&nbsp; Creating and maintaining a web portfolio presents many opportunities to show off HTML, Flash, or Java expertise, as well as proving your ability to work using an online platform.&nbsp; Many online portfolios even include an extensive resume and history of education, making it easy for employers to get all the information they need in a single convenient location!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/CptDooDlez"><img alt="CptDooDlez" src="https://filterfoundry-media.s3.amazonaws.com/cache/pad_portfolio_thumbs/1331193843.04_detail_image.jpg" width="635" /></a><br /> From <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/CptDooDlez">Kevin Andersson</a> Filter Foundry PAD (online portfolio) <br /> <br /></p> <p><strong>Creative Supply and Demand</strong></p> <p>While being an artist or a creative professional may have been considered a risky move at one point, the growing need for design and creative services has been apparent over the last few years.&nbsp; Visual professionals, good ones at least, used to be few and far between, but recent trends suggest that the rules of supply and demand are taking their toll on the industry.</p> <p>Creative professionals are graduating in bigger and bigger classes as the years go by, creating a huge pool of qualified potentials making a grab for available jobs.&nbsp; Design portfolios are being [e]mailed to advertising and marketing firms on a daily basis as people hope to turn their creative dreams into reality.</p> <p>The creative supply is there, but the problem is that as universities produce more designers, there is less demand for design services.&nbsp; The job market is getting increasingly more competitive, and many employers and hiring managers have noticed a shift in the quality of design portfolios.</p> <p>There has been a noticeable increase in mimic designers, who lack creative depth but are very good at manipulating existing popular designs.&nbsp; Trade schools are even providing creative programs now, meaning that the level of experience, education, and passion that used to characterize art students is slowly being dissolved.</p> <p>Upon viewing portfolios it is difficult for companies to accurately assess the talents of the applicant.&nbsp; Because they are being swamped with online portfolios, as well as physical copies, it is getting harder to find real value when sifting through it all. Similarly, the value of a designer to the hiring company is getting confused as companies struggle to use their designers to their full advantage.&nbsp; Many people inaccurately think that design services consist of a logo and a pretty poster, but that is far from being true especially as the industry continues to expand.</p> <p>The future of design professionals, especially those graduating in the near future, is cloudy.&nbsp; The relationship between designer and hiring company is facing a lot of changes as supply and demand continue to take their toll.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/Casiana"><img alt="Casiana" src="https://filterfoundry-media.s3.amazonaws.com/cache/pad_portfolio_thumbs/1320570181.68_detail_image.jpg" width="635" /></a><br /> From <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/Casiana">Petrovan Casiana</a> Filter Foundry PAD (online portfolio)</p> <p><strong>Common Mistakes When Putting Together a Design Portfolio</strong></p> <p>Many creative professionals don't give themselves the opportunity to shine because they make too many mistakes when putting together their portfolios.&nbsp; This article will discuss a few key tips to remember in order to create successful and effective design portfolios.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>First</strong>, don't use outdated materials.&nbsp; Unless it is a really high-profile project, it's better to show your recent work.&nbsp; A good rule of thumb is to use assignments created within the last three years unless you have something older that is incredibly relevant to a project you&rsquo;re after.</p> <p><strong>Second</strong>, an online portfolio is a great thing to have, but many employers will want something they can hold in their hands.&nbsp; In order to meet the demands of all types, it is best to provide the option of both types of design portfolios.&nbsp; Also, bring a sample that you can leave behind when you go on your interview to give the company something to remember you by.</p> <p><strong>Another common mistake</strong> is not tailoring the portfolio to the needs of the client. Customize your portfolio online and in print in order to engage the hiring manager and show that you have done your research. Also remember that when you build an online portfolio you will not want to turn off viewers with long loading times.&nbsp; Design portfolios should be impressive, but not require so much space that no one sticks around to view them.</p> <p><strong>The most important thing</strong> to remember is to keep your portfolio organized.&nbsp; No one wants to look at a sloppy book, or a sloppy web page.&nbsp; Printed copies should look fresh, and if your portfolio contains bulky items be sure to carry them separately.&nbsp; Don't let a few items compromise your whole portfolio.</p> </blockquote> <p>Keep these things in mind and it will be a breeze to create effective design portfolios.&nbsp; The competition in this industry is getting fiercer as every graduation day passes, so it is often necessary to go the extra mile to help yourself stand out in the crowd.&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/pads/"><img alt="Pads" border="1" height="316" src="http://filterfoundry-media.s3.amazonaws.com/blog_images/Article01_FF_Screencap_Pads.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="635" /></a> <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/pads/">Filter Foundry Featured PADs </a></p> <p><strong>Building a <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/pads/">Free Portfolio</a></strong></p> <p>In the current economy, many people are struggling to find work.&nbsp; It can be even more difficult when applying for a job requires putting together an expensive portfolio, as is the case for many creative professionals.&nbsp; Lucky for them (and you!), however, there are many ways to go about building a <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/pads/">free portfolio</a>.</p> <p>The best way to create a <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/pads/">free portfolio</a> is by exploring all of the various ways to make a portfolio online.&nbsp; Unlike a printing shop, the internet&rsquo;s options are available for free.&nbsp; Not only that, but an online portfolio is incredibly convenient because it can be viewed by anyone at any time. There are a number of online methods that will allow you to build a <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/pads/">free portfolio</a>.&nbsp; The first is by going through a host site.&nbsp; Many web service providers allow others to create sites within their server for free, and many even specialize in building an online portfolio.</p> <p>These sites also provide easy upload services, which will allow you to organize your work neatly.&nbsp; They also provide basic layout and color spread options, while also offering you the opportunity to customize the layout to your liking.&nbsp; Those with expertise in HTML or Java applications may prefer to use their own design, especially if they want to market these services.</p> <p>There are many benefits to creating a <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/pads/">free portfolio</a> this way because it will introduce you to a whole network of creative professionals.&nbsp; Many of these sites allow users to interact with each other, offering feedback or advice on how to enhance your portfolio online. In addition, some even offer job listings so that you can put your <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/pads/">free portfolio</a> to immediate use!&nbsp; There can be many benefits to investing money into a portfolio, but there are many effective strategies you can take advantage of when this isn't an option.</p>

<p><strong>FF: Victor, tell us a little bit about your photography and your art.</strong><br /> <br /> Victor: I&rsquo;m a 36 year old Photo Artist, from Barcelona. My college education was in the School of Architecture, as that was supposed to be my profession.<br /> However, and due to the fact that since early years of my life there was always a computer at home, in particular, because of the job of my father and, in combination with that fact that most of the times, in my childhood, I enjoyed playing alone, using my imagination, I started to get in touch with several kinds of rudimentary CAD packages, which for me, where the best extension of my hand-made drawings and sketches.<br /> With time, I developed some skills in Computer Graphics but just for my own fun. In the university years, I found out that I had already developed some valuable skills for architects to communicate their projects so I began to accept commissioned works from my school teachers, who with time, became my permanent customers.<br /> Being considered and recognized professionally was definitely a good thing, but not good enough as a very important part of me was totally misused in my commissioned projects, which was my imagination. That is why I decided to quit 15 years experience of freelance works, as well as a long and stable list of customers and move to a totally unexpected and uncertain future within the world of art.</p> <p><img alt="" height="495" src="http://victorenrich.com/wp-content/uploads/037_027MANUELA_01_BOXMETA.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="495" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>FF: How did you get started with photo-realistic fantasy architecture?</strong><br /> <br /> Victor: Moving into art is not such an easy step, you need something to say, an inspiring source and...at least one technique or way of expression. I somehow, found out that I had the 3 of them...so, in a way, my 15 years in freelancing, in the end served me to dominate a tool, with which do whatever I would like to.<br /> So the step from commissioned to creative works was not difficult in terms of know-how... It was more difficult in terms of accepting a new economical situation, or overcoming the fear of bad critics or even worse, total anonymity.<br /> At first, between project and project, some time was dedicated to art, those were tough times as, after long days in front of the computer for a customer&rsquo;s deadline, I only had energy to leave the office and take some rest...but I stayed.<br /> Then, with time, I started to dedicate more and more time to creative works until the day I decided to not accept any more commissioned works.<br /> The whole transformation has taken place in about 5 years.</p> <p><strong>FF: Would you walk us through a typical project from location scouting to final render?<br /> </strong><br /> Victor: Any project starts with a living experience. A conversation, a commercial, a trip, a dinner with friends, a moment of solitude...anything is welcome.<br /> I must admit that there&rsquo;s a little journalist in me, so I tend to introduce myself into situations that normal people would reject</p> <ul> To give you an example:<br /> I spent the last 2 years of my life in Tel Aviv, Israel...surrounded by Jews. I community that, the more I know them, the more I love them<br /> For several circumstances I was forced to leave the country, I got deported, went to jail and in jail I met incredible interesting people who I interview for over 5 days. I met false prophets living in caves, Colombian refugees escaping death from the Narco, Nigerian priests performing out loud Afro-Christian ceremonies in our 8 sq meter cell 4 times a day...and so on.<br /> </ul> <p>Now I live in Munich, Germany, the former cradle of the Nazi movement and I&rsquo;m sharing flat with a religious Muslim husband born in the Gaza strip...I bet most of my Jewish friends would refuse me for that...or maybe not.<br /> So, without a living experience, at least for me, Art is not possible.<br /> The rest is just a kind of routine process of computers, photography, city walks etc...</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><img alt="" src="http://victorenrich.com/wp-content/uploads/036_026DUCKS_01_BOXMETA.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="495" /><br /> <br /> FF: What software have you used and what's the advantages it bring to the table?</strong><br /> <br /> Victor: I must admit that, with my age, I&rsquo;m a bit old fashioned in terms of software choices. I use mainly <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/mudbox/">Autodesk</a> software, because I feel comfortable with them, I know all the bugs and I can perform fast. These packages are AUTOCAD and 3DSTUDIO MAX with VRAY. <br /> As a 3D visualizer, I must say that VRAY changed my life because the Chaos Group technology implemented a big leap into Global Illumination.<br /> I also use Rhinoceros when it&rsquo;s time to dig deeper into weird shapes as we all know that AUTOCAD has its limitations as a 2D-born package.</p> <p><strong>FF: When do you know a certain site is &ldquo;prime&rdquo; for 3D building?</strong><br /> <br /> Victor: Generally I shoot tons of pictures with my camera, in order to have a vast range of choice. Some pictures don&rsquo;t [turn out] as good as I want, or the central subject is not clear enough for me. Sometimes, instead, it&rsquo;s totally clear for me that I want to shoot a building so I start to investigate ways to get a nice shot, specially from unusual points of view. I contact people, [make] some phone calls, or if necessary I sneek into [buildings and construction sites], so there&rsquo;s a bit of adrenaline in it...which I love.<br /> So, in the end, it&rsquo;s a combination of facts that make a picture be finally selected to the next stage...it&rsquo;s like a casting somehow.<br /> This selection is very important as the following 3D tasks applied on it will take at least one month...I can&rsquo;t permit myself to throw away a month work&nbsp; (it has already happened to me ...)</p> <p><strong><img alt="" src="http://victorenrich.com/wp-content/uploads/032_022TUNA_01_BOXMETA.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="495" /><br /> <br /> FF: Do you work with other architects?</strong><br /> <br /> Victor: Not anymore, at least in commissioned projects. I work with them in terms of conversational meetings, discussions or any other subject related to architecture which can be valuable for me to get inspiration.</p> <p><strong>FF: What projects do you have coming up in the near future?</strong><br /> <br /> Victor: Now I&rsquo;m working on a project that will involve the Munich cathedral. I can&rsquo;t [disclose] more about it as it will be published exclusively for an important magazine in London.<br /> After this, we'll see...I have several projects that are on the waiting list, some of them based again on Tel Aviv.</p> <p><strong>FF: Who are your influences?</strong><br /> <br /> Victor: Everything influences me. From an old homeless man playing, under a porch, extremely beautiful classical music with his rotten violin but right after peeing in &ldquo;his&rdquo; corner behind to an Indian guy I met recently who travels the world by bike spreading his message.<br /> So I must say it&rsquo;s people. No architecture influences me as is comparable more restricted than what I do for obvious reasons.</p> <p><strong>FF: How does creating art compare to teaching?</strong><br /> <br /> Victor: Teaching first of all is a social act. Doing my pictures is an individual act. In order to keep my insanity under control, both acts must be there. I love teaching, probably more than doing art.</p> <p><strong>FF: Can you give our readers some tips or advice?</strong><br /> <br /> Victor: Well...it&rsquo;s hard to give advice as I don&rsquo;t have any big message to say.<br /> I would only try to invite everybody to investigate in his or her own fears and try to overcome them, reaching unexpected limits of self knowledge without forgetting that any single direction we take in life, left or right, has a price to pay...so the first question one should ask himself should be: Am I ready to pay that price?</p> <p><br /> Another thing I would say is: consume less, bring more. Feed the universe.<br /> That idea, thought or dream that you consider silly or stupid is instead the most valuable good you can share with all of us.</p> <p><strong>Victor's Filter Foundry PAD: <a href="http://filterfoundry.com/victorenrich/">http://filterfoundry.com/victorenrich/</a></strong></p>

<p>A vanguard of the art movement know as <a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/762693/Photo-realism">Photorealism</a> and proprietor of the <a href="http://www.meiselgallery.com">Louis K. Meisel Gallery</a> in SoHo, Louis K. Meisel has made art his life. His 1996 book <a href="http://www.meiselgallery.com/LKMG/publications/">The Great American Pin-up</a> came across our desk and we contacted Mr. Meisel to get his insight on his specialty.</p> <p><strong>FF:&nbsp;How would you describe your gallery&rsquo;s mission and vision?</strong></p> <p>My focus after inventing the word PHOTOREALISM in 1969 and assembling a number of artists under that genre has been to represent, present , promote and collect the finest post modern, art history making realist painters and sculptors in the world. I believe I have done that.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/robertneffson"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.meiselgallery.com/lkmg/imagesDB/neffson_NotreDame.jpg" width="635" /></a><br /> <strong><a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/robertneffson">Robert Neffson</a></strong><br /> "<em>Notre Dame De Paris</em>", oil on linen, 52 x 74"</p> <p><strong>FF:&nbsp;Would you give us your expert definition of Photorealism and its subsets?</strong></p> <p>The Photorealists use the camera, film, digital devices and&nbsp; now computers to gather and assemble the images they will use make paintings. The imagery and composition is POST POP&hellip;.NOT academic. They have the greatest technical ability ever seen in art. That of &nbsp;course is frowned upon as politically incorrect because very few have the skills and DISCIPLINE to do it and are therefore excluded from "sharing the wealth" . The word "quality"&nbsp; which DOES apply to the Photorealists is racist and &nbsp;sexist according to Michael Brenson:</p> <p style="padding-left: 60px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; At the opening of "The Magicians of the Earth," the gigantic exhibition of contemporary art in Paris last summer, I mentioned to another American art critic that I found the selection of Western artists troublesome. I also said that some of the non-Western artists were not very good.<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; "Ah, the quality issue," she said, with a wary smile that told me in no uncertain terms that this was an approach to the show she wanted no part of. Ah, the quality issue! Unlikely as it may seem, this common, everyday word has become a lightning rod for a stormy debate in the art world. Swirling around it are arguments over the virtues of form versus content, Western values versus non-Western values, men versus women. Although the debate might seem a parochial one, confined to art and academic circles, it is affecting not only the art of today but also the thinking of an entire generation.<br /><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; There may be no more divisive word in the art world just now. Perhaps no word inspires more devotion among its supporters and more anger among its detractors. Perhaps no word exposes more deeply the present conflicts about art, standards, multiculturalism and American culture in general.</p> <ul> </ul> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/tomblackwell"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.meiselgallery.com/lkmg/imagesDB/blackwell09.jpg" width="635" /></a><br /> <strong><a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/tomblackwell">Tom Blackwell</a></strong><br /> "<em>Ralph Lauren</em>" , oil on paper and board, 10.25 x 13.25</p> <p><strong>FF: Tell about your current exhibitions.</strong></p> <p>The galleries in SoHo and 57th Street continue to show the finest post modern realist painting and sculpture in the world. Up and coming, <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/tomblackwell">Tom Blackwell</a>, <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/robertneffson">Robert Neffson</a>, <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/raphaellaspence">Raphaella Spence</a>, <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/bertrandmeniel">Bertrand Meniel</a>, and POP artist <a href="http://www.filterfoundry.com/melramos">Mel Ramos</a>.</p> <p><strong>FF: Do you have any words of wisdom for our artists and painters?</strong></p> <p>Learn to draw, and study 3000 years of art history. Don't worry about or bother with the past 2 decades or so.</p> <p><strong>FF: What do you look for when you view a new artist?</strong></p> <p>Innovation in PAINTING and Sculpture in the area of realism. Skills and DISCIPLINE and an indication of the hard work it takes to be a REAL ARTIST, not one who sells piss and elephant shit.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://www.meiselgallery.com/lkmg/imagesDB/flack28_1.jpg" width="635" /><br /> <strong>Audrey Flack</strong><br /> "<em>Shiva Blue</em>" , 1973, oil over acrylic on canvas, 35 x 50"</p> <p><strong>FF: Why would an artist approach your gallery?</strong></p> <p>Because they are a fine realist artist and know we are the best gallery in the world in the genre.</p> <p><strong>FF: What artists would you recommend as inspirational?</strong></p> <p>That must come from within!</p> <p><strong>FF: What are your thoughts about current art movements?</strong></p> <p>Look to the best of the past for something of visual interest as far as painting and sculpture are concerned.</p> <p><strong>FF: How has the internet (digital art) affected gallery visits?</strong></p> <p>Digital art is just that. Digital&hellip;.on the cloud. No gallery visits are needed. <br /> OR yes, some do wish to have scans sent from which they want to buy art. I am old fashioned. My collectors have to and want to stand in front of the art they are considering. In my gallery art is acquired by those who LIKE what they see, want to take it home and display it in their homes and enjoy LOOKING AT IT. Not common in today's so called art world.</p> <p>sources: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/22/arts/art-view-is-quality-an-idea-whose-time-has-gone.html?pagewanted=all"><br /> http://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/22/arts/art-view-is-quality-an-idea-whose-time-has-gone.html?pagewanted=all</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/762693/Photo-realism">http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/762693/Photo-realism</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.meiselgallery.com">http://www.meiselgallery.com</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

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Adobe has released four CS6 suites and updated versions of the individual applications, as well as trial versions....

Nicole and Petra Kapitza talk about their working processes and inspirations at St Bride Foundation in London on May 30.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1f733fae/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&amp;title=Kapitza+sisters+to+discuss+their+fascination+with+fonts+at+St+Bride+talk&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3358339%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" /></a></td><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Kapitza+sisters+to+discuss+their+fascination+with+fonts+at+St+Bride+talk&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3358339%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204346974/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f733fae/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204346974/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f733fae/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/134204346974/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f733fae/a2t.img" width="1" />

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MPC has created 340 VFX shots for Dark Shadows, which is directed by Tim Burton, andstars Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1f72232d/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&amp;title=MPC+brings+gothic+VFX+to+Johnny+Depp%27s+Dark+Shadows&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3358282%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" /></a></td><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=MPC+brings+gothic+VFX+to+Johnny+Depp%27s+Dark+Shadows&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3358282%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204609987/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f72232d/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204609987/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f72232d/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/134204609987/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f72232d/a2t.img" width="1" />

Digital Photo Solutions (DPS) is hosting the London leg of Adobe&#x2019;s Creative Suite 6 Roadshow on 23 May.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1f703a28/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&amp;title=Digital+Photo+Solutions+to+host+the+London+Adobe+Creative+Suite+6+Roadshow&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3358208%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" /></a></td><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Digital+Photo+Solutions+to+host+the+London+Adobe+Creative+Suite+6+Roadshow&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3358208%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204572973/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f703a28/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204572973/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f703a28/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/134204572973/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f703a28/a2t.img" width="1" />

Available in five colours: white, black, silver, blue, and red.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1f5fb361/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&amp;title=WD+releases+500GB%2C+750GB%2C+1TB+and+2TB+My+Passport+USB+3.0+portable+drives&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3357732%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" /></a></td><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=WD+releases+500GB%2C+750GB%2C+1TB+and+2TB+My+Passport+USB+3.0+portable+drives&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3357732%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204521234/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5fb361/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204521234/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5fb361/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/134204521234/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5fb361/a2t.img" width="1" />

The Socialmatic Camera is a concept by ADR Studio, and it turns Instagram into a camera that all hipsters would love to own<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1f5e523d/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&amp;title=Want%3A+real+Instagram+camera+concept&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3357673%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" /></a></td><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Want%3A+real+Instagram+camera+concept&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3357673%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204479786/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5e523d/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204479786/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5e523d/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/134204479786/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5e523d/a2t.img" width="1" />

123D Catch has come to your iPad, it's free, and it doesn't require any additional hardware besides the camera already builtin.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1f5e46c5/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&amp;title=Autodesk+releases+free+3D+capture+app+123D+Catch+for+the+iPad&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3357650%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" /></a></td><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Autodesk+releases+free+3D+capture+app+123D+Catch+for+the+iPad&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3357650%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204478202/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5e46c5/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204478202/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5e46c5/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/134204478202/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5e46c5/a2t.img" width="1" />

Benchmark results for a new MacBook Pro and iMac were spotted in Geekbench&#x2019;s database over the weekend, suggesting that Apple will launch updates to both line-ups imminently.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1f5e46c8/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&amp;title=2012+Apple+MacBook+Pro+and+iMac+benchmarks+appear+on+Geekbench+site&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3357649%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" /></a></td><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=2012+Apple+MacBook+Pro+and+iMac+benchmarks+appear+on+Geekbench+site&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3357649%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204478201/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5e46c8/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204478201/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5e46c8/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/134204478201/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5e46c8/a2t.img" width="1" />

Here we're listing professional-level plug-ins for Photoshop, Illustrator et al as they're updated to support Creative Suite 6.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1f58ba03/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&amp;title=Creative+Suite+6%3A+updated+Illustrator+CS6+and+Photoshop+CS6+plugins&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3357504%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" /></a></td><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Creative+Suite+6%3A+updated+Illustrator+CS6+and+Photoshop+CS6+plugins&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3357504%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204213444/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f58ba03/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204213444/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f58ba03/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/134204213444/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f58ba03/a2t.img" width="1" />

The Project offers paid and accredited work experience for 100 unemployed 18-29 year olds in the creative industries across the UK.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1f5842c6/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://share.feedsportal.com/viral/sendEmail.cfm?lang=en&amp;title=Virgin+Media+offers+100+creative+paid+internships+competing+to+create+a+festival+at+Royal+Opera+House&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3357458%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" /></a></td><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/bookmark.cfm?title=Virgin+Media+offers+100+creative+paid+internships+competing+to+create+a+festival+at+Royal+Opera+House&amp;link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3357458%26olo%3Drss" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/bookmark.gif" /></a></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /><a href="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204210454/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5842c6/kg/326-327/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/134204210454/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5842c6/kg/326-327/a2.img" /></a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://pi.feedsportal.com/r/134204210454/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1f5842c6/kg/326-327/a2t.img" width="1" />