<p><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/limbomac03.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-21034" height="400" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/limbomac03-640x400.jpg" title="limbomac03" width="640" /></a></p> <p><em>“Boy uncertain of his sister’s faith enters limbo”</em> is the tag line of the absolutely wonderful game “Limbo”, now available for Mac!</p> <p><em>The game takes on a journey of a boy that transverses through the ‘horrible world’ challenged by obstacles which gradually more difficult and more hostile (see video interview at the bottom with Mads Wibroe, the producer). Somewhat influenced by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_noir">film noir</a>, the game is a solitary, dark, black, silhouette filled journey filled with soft depth blur to describe mood. No text, no music, in “Limbo” you are in the game, alone, in the dark. </em>- <a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/games/limbo-games/">our post from may 2010</a></p> <p>Limbo won <a href="http://www.igf.com/02finalists.html">Excellence In Visual Art and Technical Excellence</a> award at the IGF and previously only available for the XBox. You can <a href="http://www.ifc.com/news/2010/04/limbo.php">read the full interview</a> with the PlayDead’s CEO Dino Patti on IFC.com.</p> <p><a href="http://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=23708&a=1671662&url=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Flimbo%2Fid481629890%3Fmt%3D12%26uo%3D4%26partnerId%3D2003">Download from the AppStore</a> ($9.99)</p><p><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/games/limbo-games-mac/?utm_source=feed&utm_campaign=rss-mo-more&utm_medium=rss">Continue reading.... Limbo [Games, Mac]</a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=fMJZi4-in4U:v2tdvT_8rY0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=fMJZi4-in4U:v2tdvT_8rY0:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=fMJZi4-in4U:v2tdvT_8rY0:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=fMJZi4-in4U:v2tdvT_8rY0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=fMJZi4-in4U:v2tdvT_8rY0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=fMJZi4-in4U:v2tdvT_8rY0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=fMJZi4-in4U:v2tdvT_8rY0:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=fMJZi4-in4U:v2tdvT_8rY0:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=fMJZi4-in4U:v2tdvT_8rY0:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/creativeapplicationsnet/~4/fMJZi4-in4U" width="1" />

<p><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/daikuscreen21-640x318.png"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-21026" height="318" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/daikuscreen21-640x318.png" title="daikuscreen21-640x318" width="640" /></a></p> <p>A few months ago, Marc Tiedemann got asked to come up with an animations for the upcoming documentary ”DAIKU | 10000 Japaner singen Beethovens Neunte” to be aired 31.12.2011 15:20 on ARTE. They required a main title and graphics within the movie. Friedemann Hottenbacher, the director of the piece, showed him the work of <a href="http://www.musanim.com/player/">Malinowski</a> which turned out to be the key inspiration for the graphics.</p> <blockquote><p>Thinking of Japan and Osaka, big cities as well as tradition came to mind. So the result should in a way resemble both while still keeping the aesthetics of a notational system. So I started to program my very own Music Machine based on a simple FFT analysis via processing and played around with shapes and the depth in 3D space.</p></blockquote><p><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/processing/daiku-processing-sound/?utm_source=feed&utm_campaign=rss-mo-more&utm_medium=rss">Continue reading.... Daiku [Processing, Sound]</a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=xlX052EE-j0:9S8-n_9iRlY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=xlX052EE-j0:9S8-n_9iRlY:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=xlX052EE-j0:9S8-n_9iRlY:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=xlX052EE-j0:9S8-n_9iRlY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=xlX052EE-j0:9S8-n_9iRlY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=xlX052EE-j0:9S8-n_9iRlY:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=xlX052EE-j0:9S8-n_9iRlY:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=xlX052EE-j0:9S8-n_9iRlY:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=xlX052EE-j0:9S8-n_9iRlY:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/creativeapplicationsnet/~4/xlX052EE-j0" width="1" />

<p><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/alleyesonyou_03.jpeg"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-21013" height="426" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/alleyesonyou_03-640x426.jpg" title="alleyesonyou_03" width="640" /></a></p> <p>“All Eyes On You” by Britzpetermann are bunch of varied sized eyes that follow the passers-by. The team used a high quality projector and semi-matt foil to project the eyes on the window. They are rendered by a WebGL frontend using a shader sphere effect. The detection is performed by OpenFrameworks and the Kinect.<br /> An Arduino controlled servo motor, pushing a button on the projector remote, is turning the installation on at 4pm and off at 11pm.</p><p><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/openframeworks/all-eyes-on-you-openframeworks-javascript-kinect-arduino/?utm_source=feed&utm_campaign=rss-mo-more&utm_medium=rss">Continue reading.... All Eyes On You [openFrameworks, Javascript, Kinect, Arduino]</a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=Xc6euyTCOW8:zX3IPYQJjAk:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=Xc6euyTCOW8:zX3IPYQJjAk:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=Xc6euyTCOW8:zX3IPYQJjAk:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=Xc6euyTCOW8:zX3IPYQJjAk:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=Xc6euyTCOW8:zX3IPYQJjAk:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=Xc6euyTCOW8:zX3IPYQJjAk:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=Xc6euyTCOW8:zX3IPYQJjAk:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=Xc6euyTCOW8:zX3IPYQJjAk:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=Xc6euyTCOW8:zX3IPYQJjAk:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/creativeapplicationsnet/~4/Xc6euyTCOW8" width="1" />

<p><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Fireplace_scrn3_cmds.png"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20983" height="487" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Fireplace_scrn3_cmds.png" title="Fireplace_scrn3_cmds" width="640" /></a></p> <p>Created by Ted Martins, Fireplace is a type controlled pixel art fireplace for your mac or pc to stay warm this xmas. Type words to interact with the fireplace or just sit back and enjoy. The log burns down to ashes in about 30 minutes. Some things to type: log, match, paper, marshmallow, smore, hotdog, eat, blow and water (to quit).</p> <p><a href="http://tedmartens.com/fireplace/" target="_blank">tedmartens.com/fireplace/</a></p> <p>Merry Christmas everyone!</p> <p><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Fireplace_scrn2_sm.jpg"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20982" height="524" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Fireplace_scrn2_sm.jpg" title="Fireplace_scrn2_sm" width="640" /></a></p> <p>/via <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/e_svedang/status/149997396930199553" target="_blank">@e_svedang</a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=02y09cRiYDk:XsAV1bSakn0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=02y09cRiYDk:XsAV1bSakn0:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=02y09cRiYDk:XsAV1bSakn0:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=02y09cRiYDk:XsAV1bSakn0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=02y09cRiYDk:XsAV1bSakn0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=02y09cRiYDk:XsAV1bSakn0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=02y09cRiYDk:XsAV1bSakn0:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=02y09cRiYDk:XsAV1bSakn0:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=02y09cRiYDk:XsAV1bSakn0:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/creativeapplicationsnet/~4/02y09cRiYDk" width="1" />

<h2><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20988" height="180" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/intridea-logo-3.png" title="intridea-logo-3" width="640" /></h2> <h2>Company: <a href="http://intridea.com/about/careers" target="_blank">Intridea</a></h2> <p><strong>Location</strong>: Anywhere, USA<br /> <strong>Category</strong>: Web Designer<br /> <strong>Type</strong>: Full-Time</p> <h2>Description</h2> <p>The Intridea team is a group of exceptional designers and developers; we love what we do and we are great at doing it.</p> <p>Our focus is on web and mobile application development, and we specialize in Ruby on Rails, iOS, and Android.</p> <p>Our reputation for delivering outstanding applications has won us a long list of clients including Fortune 100 companies and small, agile startups with just an idea sketched on a napkin. We bring great ideas to life, and we\’re looking for an application architect to join the ranks of our talented team.</p> <p>Responsibilities:</p> <p>• Designing user interaction models, user stories, workflows and user interfaces in a wireframe format<br /> • Analyze complex data and create easy to understand visualizations<br /> • Gathering and analyzing client requirements<br /> • Creating prototypes and authoring detailed interaction specifications<br /> • Setting up and conducting user interviews<br /> • Translating usability and field research findings into design improvements<br /> • Successfully communicating conceptual ideas and design rationale<br /> • Integrating internal and external product design into a cohesive user experience</p> <p>Qualifications:</p> <p>• A strong portfolio that showcases your application architect skills<br /> • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human Factors or computer science or related field<br /> • At least 3+ years experience working for clients in large enterprise environments<br /> • Project management skills with excellent interpersonal and communication skills<br /> • Solid understanding of user-centered design<br /> • Familiarity with field and lab-based usability research methodologies<br /> • Ability to work independently and collaboratively<br /> • Ability to communicate design rationale and build consensus<br /> • Ability to prioritize and manage work to critical project timelines in a fast-paced environment<br /> • Ability to develop new approaches to complex design problems<br /> • Must be organized, have an eye for detail, and be able to put ideas into a tangible form<br /> • Familiarity with the Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines and Omnigraffle a plus</p> <p>Our great benefits package includes working from home with a flexible schedule, a strong salary, health insurance paid by the company, 401K with company matching, birthdays off, and Amazon Prime for all employees!</p> <p>To apply, see <a href="http://intridea.com/about/careers" target="_blank">intridea.com/about/careers</a></p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20989" height="262" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/20111221-j19w6y2hkwd2tqin4j9nkmmkgc.jpg" title="20111221-j19w6y2hkwd2tqin4j9nkmmkgc" width="640" /></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=H_AaBuIzLCA:-MbXLi7kHO4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=H_AaBuIzLCA:-MbXLi7kHO4:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=H_AaBuIzLCA:-MbXLi7kHO4:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=H_AaBuIzLCA:-MbXLi7kHO4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=H_AaBuIzLCA:-MbXLi7kHO4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=H_AaBuIzLCA:-MbXLi7kHO4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=H_AaBuIzLCA:-MbXLi7kHO4:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=H_AaBuIzLCA:-MbXLi7kHO4:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=H_AaBuIzLCA:-MbXLi7kHO4:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/creativeapplicationsnet/~4/H_AaBuIzLCA" width="1" />

<h2><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20988" height="180" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/intridea-logo-3.png" title="intridea-logo-3" width="640" /></h2> <h2>Company: <a href="http://intridea.com/about/careers" target="_blank">Intridea</a></h2> <p><strong>Location</strong>: Anywhere, USA<br /> <strong>Category</strong>: Web Designer<br /> <strong>Type</strong>: Full-Time</p> <h2>Description</h2> <p>The Intridea team is a group of exceptional designers and developers; we love what we do and we are great at doing it.</p> <p>Our focus is on web and mobile development, and we specialize in Ruby on Rails, iOS, and Android development.</p> <p>Our reputation for delivering outstanding applications has won us a long list of clients including Fortune 100 companies and small, agile startups with just an idea sketched on a napkin. We bring great ideas to life, and we\’re looking for brilliant designers / user interface developers / front-end gurus to join the ranks of our talented team.</p> <p>You Should Have:</p> <p>* A strong portfolio that showcases your clear visual design skills<br /> * Great communication skills<br /> * Wire-framing and prototyping skills<br /> * Ability to work well with a creative team, as well as developers<br /> * Experience gathering requirements and creating user stories<br /> * Experience collaborating with clients and team members to iteratively create a design<br /> * Standards-compliant HTML and CSS<br /> * Solid understanding of user-centered design<br /> * Pure unadulterated awesomeness</p> <p>Nice-to-have experience:</p> <p>* Javascript, especially with the jQuery framework<br /> * integrating with the Ruby on Rails framework<br /> * User interface design for mobile devices<br /> * HTML5 / CSS3<br /> * Print design / identity<br /> * A/B testing<br /> * Search engine optimization</p> <p>Our great benefits package includes working from home with a flexible schedule, a strong salary, health insurance paid by the company, 401K with company matching, birthdays off, and Amazon Prime for all employees!</p> <p>To apply, see <a href="http://intridea.com/about/careers" target="_blank">intridea.com/about/careers</a></p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20989" height="262" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/20111221-j19w6y2hkwd2tqin4j9nkmmkgc.jpg" title="20111221-j19w6y2hkwd2tqin4j9nkmmkgc" width="640" /></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=Zj736YZl07k:20wB_zIbrVo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=Zj736YZl07k:20wB_zIbrVo:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=Zj736YZl07k:20wB_zIbrVo:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=Zj736YZl07k:20wB_zIbrVo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=Zj736YZl07k:20wB_zIbrVo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=Zj736YZl07k:20wB_zIbrVo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=Zj736YZl07k:20wB_zIbrVo:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=Zj736YZl07k:20wB_zIbrVo:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=Zj736YZl07k:20wB_zIbrVo:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/creativeapplicationsnet/~4/Zj736YZl07k" width="1" />

<h2><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20974" height="180" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/clarityconsulting.png" title="clarityconsulting" width="640" /></h2> <h2>Company: <a href="http://www.clarityconsulting.com/" target="_blank">Clarity Consulting, Inc.</a></h2> <p><strong>Location</strong>: Chicago, USA<br /> <strong>Category</strong>: Interaction Designer<br /> <strong>Type</strong>: Full-Time</p> <h2>Description</h2> <p>Professional Tinkerer-Artist/Developer</p> <p>“ .psd, .ai, .indd, .sln, .xaml, .svg, .cs, .js Use these often? If so, we might have an awesome job for you…”</p> <p>ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES</p> <p>At Clarity we’re passionate about emerging technologies’ ability to uncover social and psychological insights aimed at improving day-to-day life. And we’re looking for people to join our creative team.<br /> Find an outlet for the things that keep you up at night:</p> <p>Trend Watching - See EVERYTHING. Stay up-to-date on all the latest technology, design, psychology, social, environmental, and industry trends. Get inspired about what’s happening in the world and apply a unique lens to it.<br /> Research & Planning - Uncover insights and behaviors that will drive the direction of a project. Planning out the tactics for capturing the RIGHT data during the elaboration phases of a project.</p> <p>Prototyping - Innovation is hard. Quickly proving out an idea can be invaluable for getting people on board. Regularly proposing strategies and approaches for mashing up various hardware and software is a core competency.</p> <p>Integration - Collaborating with a small team to produce the project on time and on budget. Touch screens, websites, mobile apps, interactive installations…the best that front-end development has to offer<br /> Required Skills:</p> <p>• A strong, unique design sense.<br /> • Attention to detail.<br /> • Understanding the relationship between visual design and software development.<br /> • Ability to participate in group collaboration.<br /> • Strong sense of pride in your work.</p> <p>Knowledge or expertise of the following platforms and tools:</p> <p>• Illustrator,<br /> • InDesign,<br /> • Html/Html5,<br /> • CSS,<br /> • OpenFrameworks,<br /> • Processing,<br /> • Arduino,<br /> • C#,<br /> • C++,<br /> • Visual Studio,<br /> • Photoshop,<br /> • Flash,<br /> • Silverlight,<br /> • Actionscript,<br /> • iOS<br /> • Mango</p> <p>Clarity Environment:</p> <p>We are a passionate, forward-thinking, diverse bunch! We are competent & confident technologists who solve real business problems. We are intellectually curious and value the diverse background and skills that each of our colleagues possess. As far as results, we push the envelope every chance we get. We deliver! Every Time! On Time! Here you have the opportunity to make a real difference, affect the bottom line.<br /> Besides technology, we blog about cool stuff, publish tech books & articles, lead industry conferences.<br /> We have great office space on the 34th floor, with modern conference rooms, library, kitchen overlooking Willis Tower, with a fully-stocked fridge & a game room with Ping-Pong table, Xbox 360, Foosball table. Did I mention we have great coffee?</p> <p>Recent Awards & Accolades:</p> <p>• 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For (2009, 2010, 2011) – National Assoc. of Business Resources<br /> • America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies, (2008. 2009, 2010) - Inc. 5000<br /> • American Design Awards, Rewarding Innovative Design, 2010</p> <p>All candidates must have legal authorisation to permanently live and work in the United States without visa or employer sponsorship.<br /> No recruiters or third parties please.<br /> We welcome candidates from out of state and will accommodate relocation</p> <p>To apply: Send examples of work + CV to [email protected]</p> <p> </p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=7syg9Nh7ouo:CaXmdccno6w:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=7syg9Nh7ouo:CaXmdccno6w:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=7syg9Nh7ouo:CaXmdccno6w:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=7syg9Nh7ouo:CaXmdccno6w:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=7syg9Nh7ouo:CaXmdccno6w:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=7syg9Nh7ouo:CaXmdccno6w:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=7syg9Nh7ouo:CaXmdccno6w:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=7syg9Nh7ouo:CaXmdccno6w:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=7syg9Nh7ouo:CaXmdccno6w:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/creativeapplicationsnet/~4/7syg9Nh7ouo" width="1" />

<p></p> <p>All of the visuals in the above video were created using <a href="http://nyatla.jp/nyartoolkit/wiki/index.php?NyAR4psg.en">NyArtoolkit</a> for Processing. <a href="http://nyatla.jp/nyartoolkit/wiki/index.php?NyAR4psg.en">NyARToolkit</a> is an augmented reality toolkit built with 100% pure Java. It is derived from ARToolkit-2.72.1. Like Processing itself it’s open source and free! In this tutorial you will learn how to use it to place computer generated imagery correctly onto real world footage. To do this in real-time NyArtoolkit uses markers - black and white images - to determine the three-dimensional position and orientation in the real world. Most likely you will have seen something like this before, but now you will learn how to do it yourself using freely available software.</p> <p>All right so let’s start with the general setup. What do you need to get started?</p><p><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/processing/augmented-reality-with-processing-tutorial-processing/?utm_source=feed&utm_campaign=rss-mo-more&utm_medium=rss">Continue reading.... Augmented Reality with Processing [Tutorial, Processing]</a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=C7TKC_AFt74:Bgw1CpUxQcM:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=C7TKC_AFt74:Bgw1CpUxQcM:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=C7TKC_AFt74:Bgw1CpUxQcM:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=C7TKC_AFt74:Bgw1CpUxQcM:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=C7TKC_AFt74:Bgw1CpUxQcM:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=C7TKC_AFt74:Bgw1CpUxQcM:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=C7TKC_AFt74:Bgw1CpUxQcM:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=C7TKC_AFt74:Bgw1CpUxQcM:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=C7TKC_AFt74:Bgw1CpUxQcM:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/creativeapplicationsnet/~4/C7TKC_AFt74" width="1" />

<p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20920" height="180" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2011iOS1.png" title="2011iOS" width="640" /></p> <p>Another year of iPhone/iPad development but there haven’t been many apps that have caught our eye as there have been in the past. Nevertheless few that stood above the rest, both in their conception and how they make us think about technology. As an increasing number of apps saturate the AppStore, now in their 100s of thousands, we’d like to remain optimistic that this platform will continue to grow and not just by large development studios and those that reiterate but rather as an exciting, creative and above all - “innovative” place to push ideas to.</p> <h2><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/openframeworks/composite-ipad-openframeworks/">10. Composite [iPad, openFrameworks]</a></h2> <p></p> <p>Inspired by the neo-dadaist collages of Robert Rauschenberg, James Alliban’s <em>Composite</em> allows you to remix your surroundings to create graphic compositions. Users can paint pictures using live video stream by simply pointing their iPad towards your subject drawing over it. Pixels are captured and transfered onto canvas. A different way of looking at painting.</p> <p><a href="http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=23708&a=1671662&url=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fcomposite%2Fid455051313%3Fmt%3D8%26uo%3D4%26partnerId%3D2003"><img alt="" height="15" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/iTunes_Badge.gif" title="Link to the AppStore" width="44" /></a></p> <p>-</p> <h2><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/games/photonykto-ipad-openframeworks/">9. Photo/Nykto [iPad, openFrameworks, Games]</a></h2> <p></p> <p><em>Photo/Nykto</em> is an experimental game conceived by Annelore Schneider and Douglas Edric Stanley as part of the “Unterplay” project at the Master Media Design —HEAD, Genève. Edric describes at as a game for nyktophobes and photophobes. It is played by switching on and off the lights in order to avoid reaching the edge of the screen. <em>Photo/Nykto</em> is one of the few apps that explores interaction with the device beyond the device itself. We like to think of it as “spatial interface” one that allows iPad to become an aggregator of physical activity.</p> <p><em>Soon in the AppStore</em></p> <p>-</p> <h2><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/cinder/planetary-cinder-ipad/">8. Planetary [Cinder, iPad]</a></h2> <p></p> <p>Created by the collective consisting of Ben Cerveny, Tom Carden, Jesper Sparre Andersen and Robert Hodgin, <em>Planetary</em> by Bloom is a way to explore your music collection using planetary system. Application, created using Cinder framework allows you to navigate dynamically created by information about the music on your iPad. Fly thorough the stars that represent your favourite artists, visit planets (albums) or listen to the moons (tracks).</p> <p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/app/planetary/id432462305"><img alt="" height="15" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/iTunes_Badge.gif" title="Link to the AppStore" width="44" /></a></p> <p>-</p> <h2><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/games/windosill-ipad-games/">7. Windosill [iPad, Games]</a></h2> <p></p> <p>Previously available for Mac and Windows, we are glad to see <em>Windosill</em> by Patrick Smith (Vectorpark.com) finally make it’s way to the iOS.  An adventure puzzle game filled with peculiar objects, your task is to resolve abstract but yet logical puzzles to progress from room to room. For fans of the original, this is not just a simple port. The Windosill for the iPad was built as a native iOS app and customized the behavior of every element to the iPad’s touch interface. Bonus features include a sketchbook gallery of concept and development artwork, the option to instantly skip to any room you’ve already completed and two special settings, unlocked when you complete Windosill: Complex Gravity, which allows you to manipulate objects by tipping your iPad, and See-Thru Mode, which makes everything translucent (giving you a sneak-peek into how Windosill is put together). Fantastic addition to the AppStore.</p> <p><a href="http://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=23708&a=1671662&url=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fwindosill%2Fid418226282%3Fmt%3D8%26uo%3D4%26partnerId%3D2003"><img alt="" height="15" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/iTunes_Badge.gif" title="Link to the AppStore" width="44" /></a></p> <p>-</p> <h2><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/iphone/oscilloscoop-iphone-ipad-sound/">6. OscilloScoop [iPhone, iPad, Sound]</a></h2> <p></p> <p>Created by Scott Snibbe and Graham McDermott and originally designed by Lukas Girling, “OscilloScoop” is a culmination of about 15 years’ effort trying to create musical creation tools that is more like a video game. The process began back in the 90?s at a research lab when Scott Snibbe and Lukas Girling worked briefly with Brian Eno and Laurie Anderson on some of the concepts. The app, playfully called OscilloScoop, presents a trio of brightly colored stacked spinning crowns. Touching a crown trims or builds up its edge, like a spinning disk of clay. As you carve into this disc, the music changes, and you effortlessly produce hip hop, techno, electro, and other recognisable forms of music. Scott Snibble describes the process much like a DJ spinning records, but you create original music of your own, rather than merely cutting between tracks.</p> <p><a href="http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=23708&a=1671662&url=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Foscilloscoop%2Fid431862052%3Fmt%3D8%26uo%3D4%26partnerId%3D2003"><img alt="" height="15" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/iTunes_Badge.gif" title="Link to the AppStore" width="44" /></a></p> <p>-</p> <h2><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/maxmsp/the-infinite-adventure-machine-maxmsp/">5. The Infinite Adventure Machine [MaxMSP, iPad]</a></h2> <p></p> <p><em>The Infinite Adventure Machine</em> by David Benqué is a computer program which generates fairy-tale plots. Based on the work of Vladimir Propp, who reduced the structure of russian folk-tales to 31 basic functions, the project addresses the difficulties of automatic story generation which David explains remain an unsolved problem for computer science.</p> <p><em>Not available - Prototype</em></p> <p>-</p> <h2><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/iphone/field-iphone-ipad-openframeworks-sound/">4. field [iPhone, iPad, openFrameworks, Sound]</a></h2> <p><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/field01.png"><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="425" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/field01.png" width="640" /></a></p> <p>Created by Rainer Kohlberger with sound by Wilm Thoben, field is an abstract audiovisual app that uses realtime camera feed as input. Brightness, saturation and color are interpreted, and translated into a constructed grid. The realtime image triggers different sounds as you pan around. Included are five different modes which you can switch through by double tapping the screen. Very addictive and playful take on  live video as medium to generate both visual and sound patterns.</p> <p><a href="http://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=23708&a=1671662&url=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Ffield%2Fid447102469%3Fmt%3D8%26uo%3D4%26partnerId%3D2003"><img alt="" height="15" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/iTunes_Badge.gif" title="Link to the AppStore" width="44" /></a></p> <p>-</p> <h2><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/ipad/last-clock-ipad/">3. Last Clock [iPad]</a></h2> <p></p> <p>Originally created in 2002 by Jussi Ängeslevä and Ross Cooper when at the Royal College of Arts in London and developed for the iOS by NewMediology (Danqing Shi), Last clock is a clock app that uses popular slit scan technique to <em>keep you in factual time, human time and remote time. </em>Just like any other analog clock, the app has three hands: one for seconds, minutes and hours. The hands, however, are made of a slice of live video that gets scanned to the clockface. With different refresh rate for the three hands, the three time circles reflect the rhythms of the space at different temporal resolutions. The app also allows you to stream the last clock camera feed over the internet.</p> <p><a href="http://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=23708&a=1671662&url=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Flast-clock%2Fid460584423%3Fmt%3D8%26uo%3D4%26partnerId%3D2003"><img alt="" height="15" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/iTunes_Badge.gif" title="Link to the AppStore" width="44" /></a></p> <p>-</p> <h2><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/games/sword-sworcery-ep-games/">2. Sword & Sworcery EP [Games, iPhone, iPad]</a></h2> <p></p> <p>The long awaited <em>“21st century interpretation of the archetypical old school videogame adventure” </em>by Superbrothers finally hit the AppStore this year. The response was amazing quickly became one of the most popular games of the year. If you haven’t had a chance to play with it, xmas break seems like a perfect opportunity. Easily the best iOS game this year.</p> <p><a href="http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=23708&a=1671662&url=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fsuperbrothers-sword-sworcery%2Fid424912055%3Fmt%3D8%26uo%3D4%26partnerId%3D2003"><img alt="" height="15" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/iTunes_Badge.gif" title="Link to the AppStore" width="44" /></a></p> <p>-</p> <h2><a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/iphone/bjork-biophilia-virus-iphone-ipad-sound/">1. Björk – Biophilia [iPhone, iPad, Sound]</a></h2> <p></p> <p>Having seen many apps over the last few years, I don’t think anyone expected Biophilia. If you don’t know about it, is an iPhone/iPad release of Björk’s latest album created in collaboration with Scott Snibbe and her longtime design collaborators M/M (Paris). Comprising a suite of musical pieces and interactive artworks, Biophilia is a unique experience where different elements are weaved together with both sensitivity and precision. The experience is unified, building on different layers of visuals and sound. It’s a simple must! (Read also our special <a href="http://www.creativeapplications.net/iphone/bjork-biophilia-virus-iphone-ipad-sound/">Making-of Virus</a>)</p> <p><a href="http://clk.tradedoubler.com/click?p=23708&a=1671662&url=http%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fbjork-biophilia%2Fid434122935%3Fmt%3D8%26uo%3D4%26partnerId%3D2003"><img alt="" height="15" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/iTunes_Badge.gif" title="Link to the AppStore" width="44" /></a></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=L_SAqgrHV4k:rMPuPIazCxU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=L_SAqgrHV4k:rMPuPIazCxU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=L_SAqgrHV4k:rMPuPIazCxU:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=L_SAqgrHV4k:rMPuPIazCxU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=L_SAqgrHV4k:rMPuPIazCxU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=L_SAqgrHV4k:rMPuPIazCxU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=L_SAqgrHV4k:rMPuPIazCxU:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=L_SAqgrHV4k:rMPuPIazCxU:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=L_SAqgrHV4k:rMPuPIazCxU:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/creativeapplicationsnet/~4/L_SAqgrHV4k" width="1" />

<h2><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-20924" height="180" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/logo1.png" title="logo" width="640" /></h2> <h2>Company: <a href="http://www.epfl-ecal-lab.ch">EPFL + ECAL LAB</a></h2> <p><strong>Location</strong>: Lausanne, Switzerland<br /> <strong>Type</strong>: Interaction Designer<br /> <strong>Job Type</strong>: Intern</p> <h2>Description</h2> <p>The EPFL+ECAL Lab is a unit of the EPFL (Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) in cooperation with ECAL (University of art and design Lausanne). Its mission is to foster innovation at a crossroads between technology, design and architecture.</p> <p><strong>JOB:</strong><br /> You will be working in a small team of designers and engineers, specialized in the field of augmented reality. This is a great opportunity for a recent graduate/junior designer to gain experience in interactive installations and augmented reality applications. If you are interested in creating a link between the physical and virtual environments with proper animations and stories, we offer you the opportunity to bring life into old tales, make them tangible and interactive.</p> <p><strong>PROFILE:</strong><br /> Passionate about story-telling and conceptually strong!<br /> Flexible and creative approaches on motion design<br /> Good knowledge of After Effects or a similar tool<br /> Experience in 3d design is a plus<br /> Team Spirit is a must</p> <p><strong>DURATION:</strong><br /> 3 Months full time paid internship.</p> <p><strong>APPLY:</strong><br /> Send CV with examples of work to [email protected]</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-20925" height="478" src="http://www.creativeapplications.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Photo-09.11.11-10-57-35-640x478.jpg" title="Photo 09.11.11 10 57 35" width="640" /></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=0fre97vJS0E:HlmGDqwo22A:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=0fre97vJS0E:HlmGDqwo22A:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=0fre97vJS0E:HlmGDqwo22A:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=0fre97vJS0E:HlmGDqwo22A:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=0fre97vJS0E:HlmGDqwo22A:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=0fre97vJS0E:HlmGDqwo22A:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=0fre97vJS0E:HlmGDqwo22A:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?i=0fre97vJS0E:HlmGDqwo22A:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?a=0fre97vJS0E:HlmGDqwo22A:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/creativeapplicationsnet?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/creativeapplicationsnet/~4/0fre97vJS0E" width="1" />

<p>In this week’s tutorial we are going to create a Web Hosting Landing Page layout for Besthost as an example. The template will have a simple logo, navigation, slider gallery, package, about us, services, testimonials and footer. Let’s combine these all together to make an awesome template. I will try my best to make it easy for you to follow this tutorial.</p> <p>So let’s get started!</p> <p><span id="more-61159"></span><br /> Here is what we will be making, click on the image for full preview:</p> <p><a href="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-fullsize.jpg" title="Preview"><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-preview.jpg" /></a></p> <h2>Resources for this tutorial</h2> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.iconfi nder.com/icondetails/47470/32/rss_icon" target="_blank" title="Social Icons">Social Icons</a></li> <li><a href="http://wefunction.com/2008/07/function-free-icon-set/" target="_blank" title="wefunction"> Wefunction Icons</a></li> </ul> <h2>Step 1: Setting up the Document</h2> <p>Start by creating a <strong>1400px</strong> x <strong>1470px</strong> document in Photoshop.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-1.jpg" /></p> <p><strong>Ruler Tool</strong> is very useful for this tutorial make sure that <em>rulers</em> and <em>guides</em> is turned on.</p> <ul> <li>Rulers: Ctrl + R</li> <li>Guides: Ctrl + ;</li> </ul> <p>Also one important thing when using <strong>Ruler Tool</strong> is the <strong>Info(Information) Panel</strong>. Use this when you are measuring using the ruler, the information will be shown in the information panel. Make sure that this is shown in your panels at the right. If it is not shown you can access this by going to <em>Windows - Info</em>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-2.jpg" /></p> <p>The total width of this site will be <strong>960px</strong>. So, let’s create our first guide by going to <em>View - New Guide</em>, set the value to <strong>220px</strong>. Create another guide and change the value to <strong>1180px</strong>, this will make a total of <strong>960px</strong> in the center of our canvas.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-3.jpg" /></p> <h2>Step 2: Working on Background</h2> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-4.jpg" /></p> <h3>Header and Slider</h3> <p>Starting at the top of the canvas select <strong>Rectangle Tool(U)</strong> and create a <strong>100%</strong> by <strong>470px</strong> fill it with <strong>#1560d5</strong>.</p> <p>Based on the screenshot, our background will contain grid patterns, so let’s create that. Open up a new window and create a <strong>100px</strong> by <strong>100px</strong> with a <em>Transparent</em> background. Select <strong>Pencil Tool(B)</strong> and set the size to <strong>1px</strong> then, create an <strong>L</strong> shape as shown in the screenshot below. Then go to <em>Edit - Define Pattern</em></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-5.jpg" /></p> <p>Create another pattern using the L shape, but this time make it <strong>20px</strong> by <strong>20px</strong>.</p> <p>Now that we have our pattern, create two new layers. For the first layer fill it with the <em>Big Pattern</em> using <strong>Paint Bucket Tool(G)</strong> and from the drop down list on the options panel set it to <strong>Pattern</strong> then select the Big Pattern. Then set the <strong>Layer Mode</strong> - <em>Softlight</em> <strong>50%</strong>. On the second layer fill it with the smaller pattern, <em>Softlight</em> <strong>20%</strong>.</p> <p>Result.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-6.jpg" /></p> <h3>Newsletter</h3> <p>Using <strong>Rectangle Tool(U)</strong> create a <strong>100%</strong> by <strong>100px</strong> fill it with <strong>#111111</strong>.</p> <h3>Content & Copyright</h3> <p>Just fill the background layer with <strong>#ededed</strong>.</p> <h3>Footer</h3> <p>Using <strong>Rectangle Tool(U)</strong> create a <strong>100%</strong> by <strong>260px</strong> fill it with <strong>#1560d5</strong>. Place it <strong>60px</strong> upwards starting from the bottom of the canvas.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-7.jpg" /></p> <h2>Step 3: Working on Logo and Navigation</h2> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-8.jpg" /></p> <p>Create a <strong>906px</strong> by <strong>60px</strong> shape using <strong>Rounded Rectangle Tool(U)</strong>, Radius <strong>3px</strong> and fill it with <strong>#111111</strong>. Place it <strong>50px</strong> starting from the top.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-9.jpg" /></p> <p><strong>Apply This Blending Option</strong></p> <ul> <li>Drop Shadow:</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-10.jpg" /></p> <ul> <li>Inner Shadow:</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-11.jpg" /></p> <ul> <li>Gradient Overlay:</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-12.jpg" /></p> <ul> <li>Stroke:</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-13.jpg" /></p> <p>Result!</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-14.jpg" /></p> <h3>Logo</h3> <p>We will make a temporary logo. Using <strong>Text Tool(T)</strong> put up the site name. For this example just use <strong>Arial 24pt</strong>.</p> <ul> <li>Drop Shadow:</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-15.jpg" /></p> <ul> <li>Bevel and Emboss:</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-16.jpg" /></p> <p>Result!</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-17.jpg" /></p> <p>Add a slogan using the same tool. Font will be <strong>Museo 12pt</strong> color <strong>#777777</strong>.</p> <p>Result!</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-18.jpg" /></p> <h3>Navigation</h3> <p>Using <strong>Text Tool(T)</strong> add your links. Use <strong>Arial 14pt</strong> color <strong>#777777</strong>, the active link color will be <strong>#ffffff</strong>. Each link will have <strong>21px</strong> distance on the left and right. Measure it using <strong>Ruler Tool(I)</strong>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-19.jpg" /></p> <p>Next we will add a divider to make the links separate. Using <strong>Line Tool(U)</strong> create a <strong>1px</strong> black Line. Place it at the center as shown in the screenshot below.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-20.jpg" /></p> <p>Merge all the shapes and duplicate it. Apply a <strong>#393939 Color Overlay</strong>. Move the layer <strong>1px</strong> from the right. Now apply a <strong>Mask</strong> by clicking the mask icon at the layers panel. Now using <strong>Gradient Tool(G)</strong> black and white. Fill the mask starting from the bottom of the shape towards at the middle.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-21.jpg" /></p> <p>For the hover effect the font will be white, then it will have a bottom border <strong>2px</strong> color <strong>#d8d50d</strong>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-22.jpg" /></p> <h2>Step 4: Working on Slider</h2> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-23.jpg" /></p> <p>Create a <strong>10px</strong> guide to the right. Using <strong>Text Tool(T)</strong> put up a dummy heading and text. For the heading I used <strong>Oswald 30pt</strong> color <strong>#ffffff</strong> and <strong>#efef14</strong>. For the paragraph I used <strong>Arial 12pt</strong> color <strong>#e2defd</strong>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-24.jpg" /></p> <p>Select <strong>Rounded Rectangle Tool(U)</strong> Create a <strong>180px</strong> by <strong>50px rounded rectangle </strong>set the Radius to <strong>3px</strong> and color to <strong>#eae70e</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Apply This Blending Option</strong></p> <ul> <li>Drop Shadow:</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-25.jpg" /></p> <ul> <li>Inner Shadow:</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-26.jpg" /></p> <ul> <li>Gradient Overlay:</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-27.jpg" /></p> <p>Result!</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-28.jpg" /></p> <p>Next we will add the arrow icon and the text. For the text I used <strong>Oswald 18pt</strong> color <strong>#ffffff</strong> and color <strong>#9a9603</strong> for the bevel look. For the arrow icon find an arrow from the selection using <strong>Shape Tool(U)</strong>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-29.jpg" /></p> <p>For the rounded circle just create a <strong>30px</strong> by <strong>30px</strong> using <strong>Ellipse Tool(U)</strong> set the <strong>Fill</strong> to <strong>0%</strong> and apply a <strong>3px</strong> stroke <em>inside</em>. For the bevel looking look just duplicate the layers and make the original layer color to <strong>#9a9603</strong>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-30.jpg" /></p> <p>Next adding the controls. Just create a <strong>12px</strong> by <strong>12px</strong> white circle and set the Opacity to <strong>50%</strong>. For the active one just leave it white. For the cpu/servers just grab some stockphotos.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-31.jpg" /></p> <h2>Step 5: Working on News Letter Sign Up</h2> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-32.jpg" /></p> <p>Grab a mail icon from wefunction icon set and place it as shown. For the Heading text I used <strong>Museo 500 18pt</strong> color <strong>#ffffff</strong>. For the Paragraph I used <strong>Arial 14pt</strong> color <strong>#777777</strong>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-33.jpg" /></p> <p>Next we will create the news letter input and button. To start create a <strong>300px</strong> by <strong>40px</strong> shape using <strong>Rounded Rectangle Tool(U)</strong> Radius <strong>3px</strong>, set the fill color to <strong>#f2f2f2</strong>.</p> <p><strong>Apply This Blending Option</strong></p> <ul> <li>Inner Shadow:</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-34.jpg" /></p> <p>Label it with text <strong>Arial 12pt</strong> color <strong>#555555</strong>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-35.jpg" /></p> <p>Next using <strong>Rounded Rectangle Tool(U)</strong> with the same radius create a <strong>90px</strong> by <strong>40px</strong> shape. Fill color will be <strong>#1560d5</strong>. Once the shape is in place using <strong>Direct Selection Tool(U)</strong>, <strong>Delete Anchor Point</strong> and <strong>Add Anchor Point</strong> create a shape as shown in the screenshot below.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-36.jpg" /></p> <p><strong>Apply This Blending Option</strong></p> <ul> <li>Inner Shadow:</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-37.jpg" /></p> <ul> <li>Gradient Overlay:</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-38.jpg" /></p> <ul> <li>Stroke: #0341a2, #1560d5</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-39.jpg" /></p> <p>Label the button with “SIGNUP” using <strong>Text Tool(T)</strong> color white and for the bevel look color will be <strong>#0342a3</strong>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-40.jpg" /></p> <p>To finish this button using <strong>150px</strong> Soft Brush color <strong>#ffffff</strong>. Click once in a separate layer and transform it as shown in the screenshot below. Then, set the <strong>Layer Mode</strong> - <em>Softlight</em>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-41.jpg" /></p> <p>Result</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-42.jpg" /></p> <h2>Step 6: Working on Main Content</h2> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-43.jpg" /></p> <p>The main content will contain <em>Package Table & About Us</em>. Let’s work first on <em>Pricing Table.</em></p> <h3>Pricing Table</h3> <p>Using <strong>Rounded Rectangle Tool(U)</strong> with the same Radius, create a <strong>690px</strong> by <strong>330px</strong> shape and add a <strong>1px</strong> stroke color <strong>#c3c3c3</strong>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-44.jpg" /></p> <p>Using the same tool create a <strong>690px</strong> by <strong>55px</strong> shape with a fill color of <strong>#1560d5</strong>. Make the bottom part not rounded, and also apply the same blending option as we did in our sign up button.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-45.jpg" /></p> <p>Let’s divide our table into 3 columns 690 / 3 = 230px each column, so go ahead and measure it using <strong>Ruler Tool(I)</strong> then add a <strong>1px</strong> line using <strong>Line Tool(U)</strong> color will be <strong>#c3c3c3</strong>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-46.jpg" /></p> <p>Now let’s add data in our table. Each table data will have a <strong>40px</strong> of height, white for odd and <strong>#f5f5f5</strong> for even. For the text I used <strong>Arial 12pt</strong> color <strong>#555555</strong>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-47.jpg" /></p> <p>Next let’s create a button for each column. Button size will be <strong>100px</strong> by <strong>30px</strong>, the same font but font size is <strong>13pt</strong>. For the styles just copy what we applied on sign up button and add this blending option.</p> <ul> <li>Drop Shadow:</li> </ul> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-48.jpg" /></p> <p>Apply also the highlights effect that we did previously.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-49.jpg" /></p> <p>Now let’s work on the header part. Using <strong>Line Tool(U)</strong> create a <strong>1px</strong> line color will be <strong>#0341a3</strong>. Next, using <strong>Text Tool(T)</strong> add the heading text as shown in the screenshot below.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-50.jpg" /></p> <p>Apply the highlights effect.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-51.jpg" /></p> <h3>About Us</h3> <p>Using <strong>Text Tool(T)</strong> add the heading text and paragraph. For heading font will be <strong>Museo 18pt</strong> color <strong>#2c2c2c</strong>, and for the paragraph <strong>Arial 12pt</strong> color <strong>#555555</strong>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-52.jpg" /></p> <h2>Step 7: Working on Sidebar</h2> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-53.jpg" /></p> <p>The sidebar will contain a blocks. Let’s work first on the first block</p> <h3>Services</h3> <p>Using <strong>Rounded Rectangle Tool(U)</strong> create a <strong>250px</strong> by <strong>225px</strong> shape. Apply a <strong>1px</strong> inside stroke color <strong>#c3c3c3</strong>.</p> <p>Next open up wefunction iconset and grab 3 icons resize it and align it as shown in the screenshot below.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-54.jpg" /></p> <h3>Testimonials</h3> <p>Using the same tool create a <strong>250px</strong> by <strong>220px</strong> shape with a fill color of <strong>#111111</strong>. Apply a <strong>1px</strong> inside stroke color <strong>#000000</strong>. Refer to the screenshot below for the text format and colors.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-55.jpg" /></p> <h2>Step 8: Working on Footer</h2> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-56.jpg" /></p> <p>The Footer will be divided into 4 columns <em>Quick Links, From the blog, Quick Contact, and Follow us</em>. Each column will have a <strong>20px</strong> distance from the right except for the last one.</p> <h3>Quick Links</h3> <p>The width will be <strong>320px</strong>. The will contain two column of links each column will have a width of <strong>150px</strong> and a distance of <strong>20px</strong>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-57.jpg" /></p> <h3>From The Blog</h3> <p>The width will be <strong>300px</strong>. Using <strong>Rectangle Tool(U)</strong> create a <strong>49px</strong> by <strong>49px</strong> shape. Beside it <strong>20px</strong> from the right will be the post title and date published.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-58.jpg" /></p> <h3>Quick Contact</h3> <p>Width will be <strong>150px</strong>, the same text and spacing.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-59.jpg" /></p> <h3>Follow Us</h3> <p>Width will be <strong>130px</strong> and place the social icons as shown in the screenshot below.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-60.jpg" /></p> <p>And lastly add the copyright text on the bottom left part and links on the bottom right part. Font will be <strong>Arial 11pt</strong> color <strong>#555555</strong>.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-61.jpg" /></p> <h2>Finally We’re Done!</h2> <p><a href="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-fullsize.jpg" title="Preview"><img alt="" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/besthost-tutorial-img-preview.jpg" /></a></p> <p>I hope you learn something from this tutorial and I hope this helps. If you have questions feel free to drop it below. Happy Holidays everyone. Godbless!</p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=16Yzo-TH_Pg:NqRC0j_nrSk:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=16Yzo-TH_Pg:NqRC0j_nrSk:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=16Yzo-TH_Pg:NqRC0j_nrSk:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?i=16Yzo-TH_Pg:NqRC0j_nrSk:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/1stwebdesigner/~4/16Yzo-TH_Pg" width="1" />

<p>Are you looking to grow brand awareness and website traffic, but don’t have the time to create your own online content? You should consider using Paper.li to create an online Daily Newspaper about your website topic. In this article we will review what Paper.li is, how it works, the benefits to using Paper.li, how to get your Paper.li newspaper noticed, crafting the perfect Paper.li newspaper, and a list of the top Paper.li newspapers.</p> <p><span id="more-59807"></span></p> <h2>What is Paper.li?</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><a href="http://paper.li/" target="_blank" title="Create a Daily Newspaper">Paper.li</a> is a fairly new automated tool that allows users to create their own online newspaper. It’s a great way to provide relevant online content about the same topic as your website. Paper.li newspapers provide valuable information to your online community about a specific topic. Over time creating a daily newspaper that goes out to your online community will help drive more readers to your website. Website owners can use Paper.li to drive more traffic to their website.</p> <h2>How Does Paper.li Work?</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Paper.li allows users to create their own online newspaper through links shared on Facebook and Twitter. Once set up Paper.li automatically collects links from within Facebook or Twitter, organizes them into an easy-to-read newspaper format, complete with imagery, headlines, and article descriptions. Subscribers receive their online newspaper each day filled with top stories around the same content topic as your website. It’s a great way for you to automatically aggregate online content relevant to your website topic and push it out to your online community.</p> <p>On a daily basis a new paper.li newspaper is created around your topic. If you’re on Twitter, you can configure the system to tweet your Paper.li newspaper automatically. You can also promote your newspaper manually by promoting the URL on your social networks. For full integration we recommend that you embed your online daily newspaper into your website.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="creative content marketing ideas" class="size-medium wp-image-59860 aligncenter" height="323" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/paperli-online-newspaper-570x323.jpg" title="Create your own online newspaper" width="570" /></p> <h2 style="text-align: left;">Benefits of Using Paper.li</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Paper.li offers many benefits to website owners interested in finding new Content Marketing ideas to help build brand awareness and increase website traffic. Below are a few of the benefits to using Paper.li:</p> <ul> <li>Paper.li is an automated Content Marketing tool. Set it and forget it if need be. We recommend you actively promote it each day as well OR embed it into your website for increased exposure.</li> <li>FREE to use! You can create up to 10 online newspapers with the free account.</li> <li>Provides a valuable educational resource to your online community. Helps them learn more about the topic of your website. Positions you as a thought leader around your topic.</li> <li>Allows for cross promotional opportunities with the other authors who are featured within your Paper.li newspaper. When you tweet it, you include the Twitter names of those who are featured. Many of whom will retweet your newspaper to their online community, thus bringing more new eyeballs to your Paper.li newspaper.</li> </ul> <h2>Create a Paper.li Newspaper for Your Website</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="How to create paper.li" class="size-medium wp-image-59867 aligncenter" height="323" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/increase-website-traffic-paperli-570x323.jpg" title="Create your own Paper.li Newspaper" width="570" /></p> <p>Paper.li newspapers are easy to create and the benefits are numerous, so we definitely recommend that you consider creating a Paper.li newspaper around the same topic as your website. If you’d like to move forward in creating a Paper.li newspaper for your website follow the steps below to get started.</p> <ol> <li>Navigate to Paper.li and sign in with either your Twitter or Facebook account</li> <li>Click ‘Start your paper’</li> <li>Select the option to “create a paper based on a specific topic or list of people”</li> <li>Create a Title for your Paper.li newspaper</li> <li>Add up to 10 content streams from which to pull article links from. Add as many as you’d like (up to 10). You can organize them in the order of importance. If you choose a Single Twitter User and a Twitter Keyword, you can rank them in order of importance of where Paper.li should pull articles from first, second, third, etc. The options include: <ul> <li>Single Twitter User</li> <li>Your Twitter Stream and the people you follow</li> <li>Twitter List</li> <li>Twitter #Hashtag</li> <li>Keywords on Twitter</li> <li>Keywords on Facebook</li> <li>RSS Feed</li> <li>Single Google+ User</li> <li>Keywords on Google+</li> </ul> </li> <li>Select a language for your Paper.li newspaper</li> <li>Select the ‘Covered Topics’. Covered Topics are the ‘Sections’ that you’d like to appear in your Paper.li newspaper.</li> <li>Click ‘Publish’. Your Paper.li newspaper will be updated every 24 hours.</li> </ol> <p>It’s that easy! You now have an automated content marketing tool to use every day for educating your online community on your website topic and for driving traffic back to your website. Before we let you go, let’s go through each of the different content options that you can use to construct your Paper.li newspaper. We will discuss why you might want to use each different content option.</p> <h2>How to Get Noticed</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Getting your Paper.li newspaper noticed by relevant readers is the key to attracting subscribers. It’s important that you use all available marketing channels to help you promote your Paper.li newspaper. Here are a few creative ways to get your newspaper in front of the right people:</p> <ul> <li>Set up an automatic feed to Twitter</li> <li>Post your Paper.li newspaper on Facebook</li> <li>Post your newspaper on Google+</li> <li>Embed your Paper.li newspaper on your blog or website</li> <li>Leave comments on each of the sites from which you pull content from and add a link back to your Paper.li newspaper</li> <li>Reach out to the author of each article in your newspaper to let him/her know you used their article in your newspaper. Hopefully they will help you promote your newspaper by sending it out to their online community.</li> <li>Add a link to your Paper.li newspaper to your email newsletter</li> <li>If you are a business and have a physical location, put a flier or window cling in your store with a link (or QR code) to your Paper.li newspaper</li> <li>Add the URL of your newspaper to your business card</li> <li>Add the URL of your newspaper to your email signature</li> <li>Promote your Paper.li newspaper on LinkedIn</li> </ul> <p>Obviously you might not have time to do all of these things every day, but find a combination that works well for you and your audience and stick to it as best as possible. The more you promote your Paper.li newspaper the more subscribers you will attract.</p> <h2>Crafting the Perfect Paper.li</h2> <p>At first glance it might appear that crafting a Paper.li newspaper is a fairly standard process whereby you don’t have to put much thought into it. Unfortunately too many Paper.li editors go this route. The Paper.li editors who are successful are the ones who take some extra time to craft the perfect Paper.li newspaper. Here are a few tips for crafting a top-tier Paper.li newspaper.</p> <ul> <li>Customize your Paper.li newspaper as best as possible. A good way to do this is find experts on your topic and pull content directly from them as a ‘Single Twitter User’ or by adding a RSS feed from their blog.</li> <li>Organize your content streams with the ‘Single Twitter Users’ at the top and the more general content streams like ‘Twitter, Facebook, & Google+ Keywords’ near the bottom. This way your Paper.li newspaper will be filled with content from the experts you’ve chosen and any extra room will be filled with content from random publishers. This ensures your subscribers will get the best content each and every day.</li> <li>Add 10 content streams. Paper.li allows you use to use 10 content streams so you should take advantage of them.</li> <li>Use the Editor’s Note section to add a link to your website</li> <li>Include one or more hashtags in the Title of your Paper.li newspaper. Paper.li newspapers can be automatically published to Twitter, so having a highly searched hashtag in the title of your newspaper will attract more readers.</li> </ul> <h2>5 Top Paper.li Newspapers</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Here are a few examples of some of the best Paper.li newspapers. Each of these newspapers have thousands of subscribers. Take a look at each of these to see what they do well. Be sure to incorporate some of the things that these Paper.li editors do with their newspaper into your Paper.li newspaper.</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://paper.li/tag/socialmedia" target="_blank" title="Social Media Paper.li">The #socialmedia Daily</a></li> <li><a href="http://paper.li/Scobleizer/most-influential-in-tech" target="_blank" title="Influential Authorities on Tech News">The most-influential-in-tech Daily</a></li> <li><a href="http://paper.li/leeodden/public-relations" target="_blank" title="Public Relations Daily">The public-relations Daily</a></li> <li><a href="http://paper.li/webos_touchpad" target="_blank" title="HP Touchpad Daily">The @HP #Touchpad Daily</a></li> <li><a href="http://paper.li/dtapscott/don-tapscotts-innovators" target="_blank" title="Don Tapscott Daily">The Don Tapscott Innovators Daily</a></li> </ul> <h2>Will You Create a Paper.li Newspaper for Your Website?</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>After reviewing this article, Paper.li, and all of the benefits it can provide to website owners, do you think it’s worth the time it takes (which is minimal) to create one for your website? We definitely think those who do move forward with creating a Paper.li newspaper will be happy they did.</p> <p>Have you already created a Paper.li newspaper to help build brand awareness and increase website traffic? If so, how has it been working? Please share your comments below.</p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=5ABDMKS1ank:gIcB-esdr4M:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=5ABDMKS1ank:gIcB-esdr4M:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=5ABDMKS1ank:gIcB-esdr4M:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?i=5ABDMKS1ank:gIcB-esdr4M:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/1stwebdesigner/~4/5ABDMKS1ank" width="1" />

<p>In this round-up, you will find the best of the freshest jQuery Image and Content Sliders Plugins so that you can take advantage of them and produce startling image and content sliders. You may find it quite difficult to figure out which plugin is best for you because all these plugins have different functionality. Keeping this in mind, we compiled this post. Let’s have a closer look!</p> <p><span id="more-61070"></span></p> <h3>1. <a href="http://flex.madebymufffin.com/">FlexSlider</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://flex.madebymufffin.com/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://flex.madebymufffin.com/files/FlexSlider-1.7.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>FlexSlider is an amazing, totally responsive jQuery slider plugin. It bears uncomplicated, semantic markup, slide and fade animations, and is supported in all major browsers, therefore you won’t have any compatibility issues. Flexslider is built for novices and pros in a similar way.</p> <p><img alt="FlexSlider" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders8.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>2. <a href="http://tutorialzine.com/2011/07/bubble-slideshow-jquery-css/">Bubble Slideshow Effect with jQuery</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://demo.tutorialzine.com/2011/07/bubble-slideshow-jquery-css/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://demo.tutorialzine.com/2011/07/bubble-slideshow-jquery-css/bubble-slideshow.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>In this tutorial we will be building a jQuery-powered bubble animation effect. It will be a great way to present a set of images on your website as an interesting slideshow, and as the code will be completely modular, you will be able to easily use it and modify it.</p> <p><img alt="Bubble Slideshow Effect with jQuery" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders39.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>3. <a href="http://tympanus.net/codrops/2011/09/20/responsive-image-gallery/">Responsive Image Gallery with Thumbnail Carousel</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/ResponsiveImageGallery/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/ResponsiveImageGallery/ResponsiveImageGallery.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>With this plugin you can create a responsive image gallery with a thumbnail carousel using Elastislide. The gallery will have a view switch that allows people to view it with or without the thumbnail carousel. We’ll also add the possibility to navigate with the keyboard.</p> <p><img alt="Responsive Image Gallery with Thumbnail Carousel" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders29.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>4. <a href="http://tympanus.net/codrops/2011/08/16/circular-content-carousel/">Circular Content Carousel with jQuery</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://tympanus.net/Development/CircularContentCarousel/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://tympanus.net/Development/CircularContentCarousel/CircularContentCarousel.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>With this circular content carousel, you can have some content boxes that can slide substantially (circular). Clicking the “More” link will move the respective item to the left and slide out the content area, so that you can navigate through the carousel where every step will disclose the next or previous content box with its extended content.</p> <p><img alt="Circular Content Carousel with jQuery" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders21.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>5. <a href="http://tympanus.net/codrops/2011/12/05/lateral-on-scroll-sliding-with-jquery/">Lateral On-Scroll Sliding with jQuery</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/LateralOnScrollSliding/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/LateralOnScrollSliding/LateralOnScrollSliding.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>In this tutorial we are going to show you how to create a “slide-in on scroll” effect. You’ve probably seen this cool effect on some websites, like on Nizo or in the portfolio section of brilliantly designed La Moulade. The main idea is to laterally slide in elements depending on the scroll position of the document. Dividing the page into a left and right side, we want to move the elements from “outside” of the page to the center when they are in the viewport.</p> <p><img alt="Lateral On-Scroll Sliding with jQuery" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders24.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>6. <a href="http://tympanus.net/codrops/2011/09/30/scrollbar-visibility-with-jscrollpane/">Scrollbar Visibility with jScrollPane</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/ScrollbarVisibility/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/ScrollbarVisibility/ScrollbarVisibility.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>Sometimes it can be very useful to hide the scrollbar of elements in a website and only show it when the user really needs it. The real-time activity feed in Facebook is an example for such a behavior. In this tutorial we want to show you how to use jScrollPane and extend it with the functionality to hide the scrollbar and show it on hover.</p> <p><img alt="Scrollbar Visibility with jScrollPane" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders28.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>7. <a href="http://www.csslab.cl/2011/08/18/jquery-timelinr/">Timelinr</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://www.csslab.cl/ejemplos/timelinr/latest/horizontal.html">Demo </a> | <a href="http://www.csslab.cl/ejemplos/timelinr/latest/horizontal.html">Download</a> )</p> <p>This simple jQuery plugin will assist you in providing more life to otherwise your lifeless timelines. With this plugin, you can easily parameterize the majority of attributes: speed, transparency, etc. It also supports horizontal and vertical layouts.</p> <p><img alt="Timelinr" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders1.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>8. <a href="http://www.egrappler.com/smart-image-gallery-with-twelve-transition-effects-smart-gallery/">SmartGallery</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://www.egrappler.com/smart-gallery/index.htm">Demo </a> | <a href="http://www.egrappler.com/smart-gallery/smart-gallery.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>SmartGallery is a lightweight, lightening up fast and completely customizable image gallery that has been exclusively designed to support huge data. SmartGallery comes with 12 different transition effects together with some inimitable transition effect and thumbnail navigation.</p> <p><img alt="SmartGallery" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders2.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>9. <a href="http://www.egrappler.com/xml-driven-vertical-news-scroller-script-using-html-and-jquery-vscroller/">Xml Driven Vertical News Scroller Script</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://www.egrappler.com/vscroller/index.htm">Demo </a> | <a href="http://www.egrappler.com/vscroller/vscroller.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>vScroller demonstrates classified and color-code content is an upright or vertical scroll. Feeds originate from regular XML file and styled with plain CSS3 for a fresh and good-looking interface.</p> <p><img alt="Xml Driven Vertical News Scroller Script Using html and jQuery vScroller" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders3.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>10. <a href="http://www.egrappler.com/jquery-pushup-content-bar/">jQuery Sliding Content Bar Plugin: PushUp Content</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://www.egrappler.com/pupslider/index.htm">Demo </a> | <a href="http://www.egrappler.com/pupslider/pupslider.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>This smart and fast content bar is easy to integrate in any web design or web based application. You can seamlessly integrate this in your website and it will pop up whenever needed. Apart from this, it is highly easy to customize this plugin. You can add your contact details, location map by means of Google Maps, and a plain contact form that visitors can use to make contact with you.</p> <p><img alt="jQuery Sliding Content Bar Plugin: PushUp Content" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders4.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>11. <a href="http://thiagosf.net/projects/jquery/skitter/">Skitter</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://thiagosf.net/projects/jquery/skitter/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://thiagosf.net/projects/jquery/skitter/">Download</a> )</p> <p>Skitter is a plugin for producing good-looking slideshows. You can modify every aspect of your slideshow.</p> <p><img alt="Skitter" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders5.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>12. <a href="http://www.pixedelic.com/plugins/diapo/">Diapo</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://www.pixedelic.com/plugins/diapo/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://www.pixedelic.com/plugins/diapo/">Download</a> )</p> <p>Diapo is a free of charge and open source jQuery slideshow plugin. Most interestingly, you can also use it in your projects and sell it as part of a bigger work (donations are not required, but asked to be considered in this case).</p> <p><img alt="Diapo" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders6.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>13. <a href="http://projects.craftedpixelz.co.uk/craftyslide/">Craftyslide</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://projects.craftedpixelz.co.uk/craftyslide/">Demo </a> | <a href="https://github.com/craftedpixelz/Craftyslide/zipball/master">Download</a> )</p> <p>Craftyslide is a small slideshow that is built on jQuery with the intention to be unique by furnishing a simple, no-frills process of displaying images packaged into a small, clean and competent plugin.</p> <p><img alt="Craftyslide" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders7.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>14. <a href="http://dmmalam.github.com/Responsly.js/">Responsly.js</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://dmmalam.github.com/Responsly.js/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://dmmalam.github.com/Responsly.js/">Download</a> )</p> <p>Responsly.js is a band of simple responsive widgets, written by means of CSS3 transformations and accessible as a jQuery plugin.</p> <p><img alt="Responsly.js" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders10.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>15. <a href="http://tympanus.net/codrops/2011/09/12/elastislide-responsive-carousel/">Elastislide</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://tympanus.net/Development/Elastislide/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://tympanus.net/Development/Elastislide/Elastislide.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>This is another very responsive jQuery carrousel that will adjust its size and its performance so as to work on any screen size. Putting in the carousel’s structure into a container with a fluid width will make the carousel fluid as well.</p> <p><img alt="Elastislide" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders11.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>16. <a href="http://marktyrrell.com/labs/blueberry/">Blueberry</a></h3> <p>( <a>Demo </a> | <a href="http://marktyrrell.com/labs/blueberry/jquery.blueberry.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>This one is an experimental open source jQuery image slider plugin that has been designed with the aim to work with fluid/responsive web layouts.</p> <p><img alt="Blueberry" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders12.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>17. <a href="http://www.slidorion.com/">Slidorion</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://www.slidorion.com/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://www.slidorion.com/slidorion.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>Slidorion is an amalgamation of an image slider and an accordion; and therefore, it demonstrates attractive images together with a changeable length description. Slidorion is a great alternative to the traditional jQuery slider seeing that images are linked to each tab and accompanied by a large array of effects.</p> <p><img alt="Slidorion" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders13.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>18. <a href="http://bxslider.com/">bxSlider</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://bxslider.com/">Demo </a> | <a href="https://github.com/downloads/wandoledzep/bxslider/jquery.bxSlider.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>bxSlider is a jQuery HTML content slider and image slideshow.</p> <p><img alt="bxSlider" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders14.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>19. <a href="http://www.minimit.com/works/minimit-gallery-plugin">Minimit</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://www.minimit.com/muaa/muaa-demo.html">Demo </a> | <a href="http://www.minimit.com/muaa/muaa-1.03.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>Minimit Gallery is an exceedingly customizable jQuery plugin that does practically everything: galleries and slideshows to carousels and slides and any other thing that has multiple states.</p> <p><img alt="" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders17.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>20. <a href="http://galleria.aino.se/">Galleria</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://galleria.aino.se/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://galleria.aino.se/static/galleria-1.2.6.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>Galleria is a JavaScript image gallery framework that has been built on the jQuery library. The aim is to make the process of creating professional image galleries easier for the web and mobile devices.</p> <p><img alt="Galleria" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders18.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>21. <a href="http://blueimp.github.com/jQuery-Image-Gallery/">jQuery Image Gallery</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://blueimp.github.com/jQuery-Image-Gallery/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://blueimp.github.com/jQuery-Image-Gallery/">Download</a> )</p> <p>This is an effortless jQuery image gallery plugin.</p> <p><img alt="jQuery Image Gallery" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders19.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>22. <a href="http://ryrych.github.com/rlightbox2/">rlightbox</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://ryrych.github.com/rlightbox2/">Demo </a> | <a href="https://github.com/ryrych/rlightbox2/zipball/v1.1">Download</a> )</p> <p>rlightbox is antoher jQuery UI media box that can put on view several kinds of content for instance images, YouTube and Vimeo videos. It bears several matchless features like Panorama and Live Re-size. Like other jQuery UI widgets, it is ThemeRoller ready.</p> <p><img alt="rlightbox" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders20.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>23. <a href="http://pupunzi.open-lab.com/mb-jquery-components/jquery-mb-bgndgallery/">jQuery MB Bgnd Gallery</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://pupunzi.com/#mb.components/mb.bgndGallery/bgndGallery.html">Demo </a> | <a href="https://github.com/downloads/pupunzi/jquery.mb.bgndGallery/jquery.mb.bgndGallery.1.1.0.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>With this jQuery plugin you can make a suggestive slide show of images as the background of your page; the images will adapt their size to the window size. You can either navigate the gallery with your keyboard or with a control panel displayed where you want in the page.</p> <p><img alt="jQuery MB Bgnd Gallery" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders22.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>24. <a href="http://pikachoose.com/">PikaChoose</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://pikachoose.com/demo/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://pikachoose.com/download">Download</a> )</p> <p>PikaChoose is a lightweight jQuery Slideshow plugin that make allowances for unproblematic presentation of photos with carousels and lightboxes! Pikachoose is created to be effortlessly installed, trouble-free to setup.</p> <p><img alt="PikaChoose" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders23.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>25. <a href="http://buildinternet.com/2011/06/make-a-fluid-thumbnail-bar-with-jquery/">Fluid Thumbnail Bar with jQuery</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://buildinternet.com/live/fluid-bar/demo.html">Demo </a> | <a href="http://buildinternet.s3.amazonaws.com/live-tutorials/fluid-thumbnails/buildinternet-fluidbar.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>With this plugin you can make a fluid thumbnail bar that pages through the images it contains.</p> <p><img alt="Fluid Thumbnail Bar with jQuery" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders37.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>27. <a href="http://tympanus.net/codrops/2011/11/21/elastic-image-slideshow-with-thumbnail-preview/">Elastic Image Slideshow with Thumbnail Preview</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/ElasticSlideshow/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/ElasticSlideshow/ElasticSlideshow.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>Here we want to show you how to create a simple elastic slideshow with a thumbnail preview. The slideshow will adjust automatically to its surrounding container and we can navigate through the slides by using the thumbnail previewer or the autoplay slideshow option.</p> <p><img alt="Elastic Image Slideshow with Thumbnail Preview" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders25.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>28. <a href="http://tympanus.net/codrops/2011/07/05/fullscreen-slideshow-with-html5-audio/">Fullscreen Slideshow with HTML5 Audio and jQuery</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/FullscreenSlideshowAudio/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/FullscreenSlideshowAudio/FullscreenSlideshowAudio.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>In this jQuery tutorial we’ll create a fullscreen photo slideshow to illustrate a New York picture series. We will add sound with the HTML5 audio element in order to give life to the gallery and try to recreate the ambiance of this vibrant city.</p> <p><img alt="Fullscreen Slideshow with HTML5 Audio and jQuery" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders26.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>29. <a href="http://tympanus.net/codrops/2011/05/25/image-wall/">Image Wall with jQuery</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/ImageWall/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/ImageWall/ImageWall.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>With this plugin you can create a neat image wall with jQuery. The idea is to scatter some thumbnails with different sizes on the page and make a ribbon slide in when we click on the picture. The ribbon will show some description next to the picture and when clicking again on the thumbnail, the ribbon will close and open again with a large version of the image.</p> <p><img alt="Image Wall with jQuery" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders27.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>30. <a href="http://tympanus.net/codrops/2011/04/28/rotating-image-slider/">Rotating Image Slider with jQuery</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/RotatingImageSlider/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/RotatingImageSlider/RotatingImageSlider.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p><img alt="Rotating Image Slider with jQuery" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders30.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>31. <a href="http://tympanus.net/codrops/2011/03/28/moving-boxes-content/">Moving Boxes Content with jQuery</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/MovingBoxesContent/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/MovingBoxesContent/MovingBoxesContent.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>With this plugin you can create a website template with some really sweet animations using jQuery. The idea is to have little boxes scattered around at the top of the site and when a menu item is clicked, the boxes animate to form the main content area.</p> <p><img alt="Moving Boxes Content with jQuery" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders31.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>32. <a href="http://buildinternet.com/2011/07/supersized-3-2-fullscreen-jquery-slideshow/">Supersized 3.2 – Fullscreen Slideshow jQuery Plugin</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://buildinternet.com/project/supersized/slideshow/3.2/demo.html">Demo </a> | <a href="http://buildinternet.com/project/supersized/">Download</a> )</p> <p>With this jQuery plugin you can create a beautiful full-screen slideshow.</p> <p><img alt="Supersized 3.2 – Fullscreen Slideshow jQuery Plugin" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders32.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>33. <a href="http://lab.smashup.it/flip/">Flip Box</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://lab.smashup.it/flip/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://lab.smashup.it/flip/">Download</a> )</p> <p>Flip is a jQuery plugin that will easily flip your elements in four directions.</p> <p><img alt="Flip Box" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders34.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>34. <a href="http://www.quadrrato.it/blog/librerie-javascript/innovation-slide-plugin-jquery/">Innovation Slide - Slide jquery plugin</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://www.quadrrato.it/blog/tutorial/innovation_slide.htm">Demo </a> | <a href="http://www.quadrrato.it/blog/tutorial/download/innovationSlideV1.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>With this plugin you can create a simple, lightweight, effects-laden and very versatile photo slide. It will allow us to flow in a “different” our content: images, text, etc.</p> <p><img alt="Innovation Slide - Slide jquery plugin" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders35.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>35. <a href="http://www.tn3gallery.com/">TN3 Gallery</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://www.tn3gallery.com/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://www.tn3gallery.com/pricing">Download</a> )</p> <p>With TN3 Gallery you can easily create amazing photo galleries and slideshows with slick transition effects, as well as multiple albums, CSS skinning, XML and Flickr support with a host of additional features. No browser plugins required.</p> <p><img alt="TN3 Gallery" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders36.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>36. <a href="http://tutorialzine.com/2011/03/photography-portfolio-shutter-effect/">Shutter Effect Portfolio with jQuery and Canvas</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://demo.tutorialzine.com/2011/03/photography-portfolio-shutter-effect/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://demo.tutorialzine.com/2011/03/photography-portfolio-shutter-effect/jquery.shutter.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>In this jQuery tutorial, we will be using the HTML5 canvas element to create a simple photography portfolio, which displays a set of featured photos with a camera shutter effect. This functionality will come in the form of an easy to use jQuery plugin that you can easily incorporate into any website.</p> <p><img alt="Shutter Effect Portfolio with jQuery and Canvas" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders38.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>37. <a href="http://tutorialzine.com/2011/04/jquery-webcam-photobooth/">Photobooth with PHP, jQuery and CSS3</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://demo.tutorialzine.com/2011/04/jquery-webcam-photobooth/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://demo.tutorialzine.com/2011/04/jquery-webcam-photobooth/photobooth.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>In this tutorial, we will be building a jQuery and PHP powered photobooth. It will allow your website visitors to take a snapshot with their web camera and upload it from a neat CSS3 interface.</p> <p><img alt="Photobooth with PHP, jQuery and CSS3" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders40.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>38. <a href="http://tutorialzine.com/2011/02/flickr-api-slideshow-jquery/">Making a Flickr-powered Slideshow</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://demo.tutorialzine.com/2011/02/flickr-api-slideshow-jquery/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://demo.tutorialzine.com/2011/02/flickr-api-slideshow-jquery/jqFlick.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>In this tutorial we will be developing a jQuery plugin that will make it easy to create slideshows, product guides or presentations from your Flickr photo sets. The plugin will be using Flickr’s APIs and YQL to fetch the photos in the sets, after which it will create the markup of the slideshow and listen for events.</p> <p><img alt="Making a Flickr-powered Slideshow" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders41.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>39. <a href="http://tutorialzine.com/2011/01/how-to-make-auto-advancing-slideshows/">How to Make Auto-Advancing Slideshows</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://demo.tutorialzine.com/2011/01/slideshow-autoadvance-jquery/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://demo.tutorialzine.com/2011/01/slideshow-autoadvance-jquery/autoadvance.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>With this plugin we can create HTML5 Slideshow auto advance with a few lines of jQuery.</p> <p><img alt="How to Make Auto-Advancing Slideshows" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders42.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>40. <a href="http://www.kyrielles.net/sliderkit/sliderkit_en.html">Sliding Contents With JQuery</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://www.kyrielles.net/sliderkit/sliderkit_en.html">Demo </a> | <a href="http://www.kyrielles.net/sliderkit/sliderkit_en.html">Download</a> )</p> <p>The purpose of Slider Kit is to gather common slideshow-like jQuery functionalities (such as news sliders, photos galleries/sliders, carousels, tabs menus) into one lightweight and flexible plugin combined with ready-to-use CSS skins.</p> <p><img alt="Sliding Contents With JQuery" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders43.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>41. <a href="http://www.slidesjs.com/">Slides</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://www.slidesjs.com/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://slidesjs.com/downloads/slides.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>Slides is a slideshow plugin for jQuery that is built with simplicity in mind. Packed with a useful set of features to help novice and advanced developers alike create elegant and user-friendly slideshows.</p> <p><img alt="Slides" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders44.jpg" width="570" /></p> <h3>42. <a href="http://www.wbotelhos.com/slidy/">Slidy</a></h3> <p>( <a href="http://www.wbotelhos.com/slidy/">Demo </a> | <a href="http://github.com/downloads/wbotelhos/slidy/jquery.slidy-0.2.0.zip">Download</a> )</p> <p>jQuery Slidy is a plugin that generates a customizable transitions automatically.</p> <p><img alt="Slidy" border="0" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jquerysliders45.jpg" width="570" /></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=LlLUYkC6_vE:q8u-S43gWgM:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=LlLUYkC6_vE:q8u-S43gWgM:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=LlLUYkC6_vE:q8u-S43gWgM:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?i=LlLUYkC6_vE:q8u-S43gWgM:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/1stwebdesigner/~4/LlLUYkC6_vE" width="1" />

<p>Working as a freelancer has<a href="http://www.guerrillafreelancing.com/freelance-benefits/"> many benefits</a>, you work your own hours, you don’t have to worry about a nagging boss, you can work in your underwear.. the list goes on. One area of freelancing that’s tough though is maintaining efficiency.</p> <p>As a freelancer, you become your own task master. This means you’re not only responsible for making sure you complete tasks, but just as importantly you need to determine which tasks are to be performed in the first place. For people who lack motivation and/or self-discipline, this can present a big problem. Combined with the numerous distractions a freelancer faces e.g. family/friends, favorite TV shows, temptation to sleep til lunch; you have a formula for incredible inefficiency. In this article we’ll look at the benefits of being more efficient and then some road tested ways of dramatically improving your efficiency.</p> <p><span id="more-61117"></span></p> <h2>Good reasons for being more efficient</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-61123" height="398" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/be_your_own_boss.jpg" title="be_your_own_boss" width="466" /></p> <p><em>Image source: somewhere</em></p> <p>Establishing motivation is an important first step for any process. So before we delve into ‘how’ to become more efficient as a freelancer, lets look at ‘why’ you should become more efficient.</p> <p>Take the fear out of deadlines: No doubt you’ve gained a few gray hairs and pulled numerous all-nighter’s in the process of meeting deadlines. Building efficiency will help better utilize time, meaning you can maintain your healthy head of hair and significantly reduce your red bull/coffee intake.</p> <p>More profitable client base: Improving your efficiency will help make your client base more profitable in two ways. Firstly, you’ll learn to focus more time and energy into the clients that provide most value to you. Secondly, by shifting your attention to higher value clients you’ll create more time to take on more of the work that delivers higher value, and stop wasting it on clients who demand a lot and return little.</p> <p>Stress reduction: As you become more efficient at what you do, you’ll feel more empowered with what you’re doing, and consequently your stress levels will drop considerably.</p> <p>More time for the good stuff: You started out freelancing with dreams of being able to spend more time with your family/friends and enjoying your favourite activities right? Then your days got crammed with a million and one tasks and you don’t even know what you’re doing. Building efficiency will help get you back on track to finding your original dream.</p> <p>Happier you, happier clients: As you take control of your days and start feeling a genuine sense of progress your overall happiness and satisfaction will lift immeasurably. A spin-off effect of this is that your creativity and work quality will also improve, which will lead to much happier clients.</p> <p>Sound good? Of course it does. So the big question, how to do it?</p> <h2>1. Have goals</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-61121" height="285" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/target_goal.jpg" title="target_goal" width="568" /></p> <p><em>Photo by <a href="http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1234025" target="_blank">LarryLens</a></em></p> <p>Goals are essential for staying motivated. They’ll give you a reason to get out of bed in the morning (and not the afternoon), and they’ll help guide you in setting tasks for yourself. So what goals should you set? There are two main kinds, financial and lifestyle. A lot of people put financial first, however if happiness and satisfaction are important to you, I’d recommend starting with lifestyle. Think about what you want your lifestyle to include: how much free time you’ll have, the material items you’ll have, when you want to retire etc. Once you’ve got that figured out, figure out what you’ll need to achieve on the financial side to meet your lifestyle goals.</p> <h2>2. Scheduling</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Effective scheduling is critical for freelancers to maintain efficiency. Even if you entered the freelancing field to getaway from the day-to-day grind and routine of employed work, don’t feel like scheduling is the enemy. By allotting specific amounts of time to certain tasks each day, you’ll find that you complete them much more efficiently than if you were to cruise through the day completing tasks ad hoc.</p> <h2>3. To-do list</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-61120" height="375" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/todo_list.jpg" title="todo_list" width="560" /></p> <p><em>Photo by <a href="http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1151807" target="_blank">Mattox</a></em></p> <p>A technique which I find works particularly well and know has worked well for many others is creating a list of to-do list the night before. Before you go to bed, list down the six most important things you need to do the next day and order them by importance. This will get your mind working sub-consciously the night before and you’ll be focused as soon as you wake up. Get to work on the first item on your list and stick with it until it’s completed or until you can’t work on it anymore, only then move on to the next item. Don’t stress if you don’t get all six done, because if you can’t complete them following this method you wouldn’t have been able to in any other way. Completing tasks this way will allow you to focus on one thing at a time which is much more powerful than trying to multi-task.</p> <h2>4. Take yourself seriously</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Just because you have the opportunity to work in your pj’s with a bowl of fruit loops in front of you doesn’t mean your job is any less important than one which requires you to suit up and eat sushi at lunch. By taking the mindset that your role is somehow less important than others you’ll only sabotage your own productivity and be more inclined to procrastinate, hence reducing efficiency.</p> <h2>5. Refresh</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Take some timeout, both long and short:</p> <ul> <li>Short breaks - Utilizing short breaks hourly will not only help you stay fresh and motivated, it can have considerable<a href="http://businessaccent.com/2010/04/02/benefits-of-short-breaks-during-working-hours/"> health benefits</a>.</li> <li>Long breaks - While you might feel like you need to be on the ball every day of the week, most people find they get more out of a 5 or 6 day working week with a rest day to help rejuvenate in between.</li> <li>Vacations - Organizing a getaway for a week or so every few months is not only a great way to recharge your batteries, it will help inspire new ideas.</li> </ul> <h2>6. How have other people done it?</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>There’s a strong chance that someone has already blazed the trail you’re following. Look at how people in a similar role to yours have done things and learn from them. It’s not copying and it’s not being unoriginal - it’s being smart. If you can learn from the mistakes that other people have made then it saves you the time and cost of making them yourself.</p> <h2>7. Pareto’s law - 80% of success from 20% of effort</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>A trap many freelancers fall into is spending a bunch of time on tasks that deliver no value to them. These time drainers can come in many forms: marketing efforts, crappy clients who pay little and demand too much, doing things yourself that would be better outsourced. The key is identifying the tasks that deliver most value to you and focusing on these. The time wasters can be hard to let go of (it’s a bit like throwing away junk from the cupboard) but you’ll be much happier once you do, and have more time to focus on the things that deliver value, monetarily and in satisfaction.</p> <h2>8. Analyze how you spend a day</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Dedicate a day where every 15 minutes you write down what you’re doing. It might sound like a real pain in the butt, but it can be quite amazing (and disturbing) to see how much time you waste on trivial tasks and procrastination. Performing an honest evaluation of how you spend your time will allow you to cut out a lot of the things that are wasting your time.</p> <h2>9. Consider power naps</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Many people associate napping during the day with laziness - however a short power nap during the day can have amazing positive effects on your productivity. By using the correct<a href="http://www.drgranny.com/2011/09/19/power-nap-techniques-for-productivity/"> power napping techniques</a> you’ll gain a lot more than you would from pounding coffees and red bulls all day.</p> <h2>10. Quit WOW</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-61119" height="351" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/quit_wow.jpg" title="quit_wow" width="468" /></p> <p>If World of Warcraft or some other time killer like Farmville is taking precedence over servicing your valuable clients, then maybe it’s time to make a clean-cut. Put it in perspective and make the decision.</p> <h2>Conclusion</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>These tips aren’t hard and fast. Everyone is different and will require a different system to achieve maximum efficiency. The best thing you can do is to commit to testing out these techniques consistently over the next few weeks and seeing how they work for you. The key is to take note of results and be honest with yourself about what is and isn’t working. If you can do this you’ll be able to come up with a customized system that will have you delivering maniac levels of productivity in no time.</p> <p>How have you increased your efficiency as a freelancer?</p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=BqJUTpYmyvY:i3gVc4johEw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=BqJUTpYmyvY:i3gVc4johEw:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=BqJUTpYmyvY:i3gVc4johEw:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?i=BqJUTpYmyvY:i3gVc4johEw:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/1stwebdesigner/~4/BqJUTpYmyvY" width="1" />

<p>Do you use Content Marketing as a strategy for increasing website traffic? If so, then you know just how valuable content marketing can be for a website owner. The one negative that comes with content marketing is that it’s time consuming creating valuable content that your audience will want to consume. Not only does it take time to create valuable online content, but many website owners also have a hard time coming up with new content ideas. This article is meant to provide you with 7 ideas for turning existing content into new content.</p> <p><span id="more-61030"></span></p> <h2>1. Turn Blog Comments into New Blog Articles</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="blog content ideas" class="size-medium wp-image-61032 alignnone" height="295" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/turn-blog-comments-into-new-content-570x295.jpg" title="Use blog comments to create new blog articles" width="570" /></p> <p>Do the readers of your blog actively leave insightful comments? The best blogs are the ones that engage readers so much that they are compelled to leave a comment after reading the article. Many times readers bring up a point that the author may have missed. Other times readers challenge something in the article and bring up an opposing viewpoint that makes for a good discussion. Every once in a while, (depending on how many comments you get on your blog) a reader will leave a comment that the blog author can use to write an entirely new blog article.</p> <p>If while reading your blog comments you come across one that sparks an idea for a new blog article, here’s how you should go about the process:</p> <ul> <li>Take time to think about your idea and make sure it’s valuable enough to write about</li> <li>Contact the author of the comment to seek his/her permission to write an article based on his/her comment</li> <li>Write the article and provide credit to the person who left the original comment that sparked your idea</li> <li>Send a link to the article to the author of the comment to let him/her see how the article turned out</li> </ul> <h2>2. Transform Ebooks into Blog Articles</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Ebooks are fantastic marketing tools for website owners. Ebooks can provide the following benefits:</p> <ul> <li>Provide valuable information on a specific subject to your audience</li> <li>Allow you to provide more details than you normally would if you simply wrote a blog article on the topic</li> <li>Great for SEO</li> <li>Position the author as an expert on the subject matter</li> <li>Can be used as an offer for collecting information from your audience (ie. Provide me with your name and email address to download our free eBook)</li> </ul> <p>As you can see, if you haven’t already written a few eBooks, you might want to get started. Another benefit that eBooks can provide website owners is turning existing content into new content. Once an eBook has been published for a period of time you can then start to turn sections of the eBook into blog articles. Obviously you don’t want to use the copy verbatim, but you can take certain areas of the eBook, expand on them, and publish them to your blog. If you want to turn your eBooks into blog articles, here’s how you should go about doing so:</p> <ul> <li>Re-read your eBook to find what sections might make for interesting blog articles – look for areas that can be expanded on or sections where something in the industry may have changed, thus you can update the information and re-publish it as a blog article, etc.</li> <li>Break out each section that you want to turn into an article and come up with a title for the article</li> <li>Start writing – Either expand on the topic or modify the existing content</li> <li>Optimize the new article for Search and publish it to your blog</li> </ul> <h2>3. LinkedIn Discussions Become Blog Articles</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="turn old content into new content" class="size-medium wp-image-61033 alignnone" height="413" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/turn-linkedin-discussions-into-blog-articles-570x413.jpg" title="Use LinkedIn Discussions to Create New Blog Articles" width="570" /></p> <p>Have you ever participated in a LinkedIn Group Discussion? LinkedIn Groups are a great place for interacting with people who share similar interests on a given topic. Within LinkedIn Groups any group member can start a discussion on any topic related to the overall group topic. For example, if you were in a marketing group on LinkedIn, you might start a LinkedIn discussion about the latest Twitter features or foursquare marketing strategies, etc. Once the discussion is started anyone in the group can leave a comment with their opinion on the discussion topic. The result is an open dialogue about a certain topic. Most people usually leave it there. Creative website owners use LinkedIn discussions to generate ideas for new blog articles.</p> <p>During LinkedIn discussions ultimately someone brings up a point or makes a comment that lends itself nicely to being expanded upon. For you creative website owners, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. You can take that LinkedIn discussion and turn it into a blog article for your website. Here’s how:</p> <ul> <li>Review the LinkedIn discussion and make sure there’s enough for an entire blog article</li> <li>Reach out to anyone who participated in the discussion and get their permission to reference them</li> <li>Write the article and reference the LinkedIn Group, the discussion, and the participants</li> <li>Publish the article, go back to the LinkedIn discussion and add a comment with the link to your article</li> <li>Thank the LinkedIn discussion participants for allowing you to use their comments in your article</li> </ul> <h2>4. Turn Blog Articles into Web Pages</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Do you have two or three blog articles that constantly outperform the rest of your online content in terms of visits? If so, have you ever considered turning those articles into pages on your website? Depending on the topic of the article, some articles would make for great pages on a website. Here are a few examples of article topics that could be transformed into web pages:</p> <ul> <li>Tips articles</li> <li>Usage instructions</li> <li>Complimentary product or service recommendations</li> </ul> <p>Many times website owners write blog articles on the topics like the ones above and those articles start to capture a lot of website traffic. It’s up to you, the website owner, to understand that these articles are highly valuable to a lot of people who visit your website. Your visitors who are not finding these articles might be better served if the articles were more prominently featured on the website. This is where turning articles into web pages come in. If you have a few articles that you want to convert into a web page, here’s how you should handle the process:</p> <ul> <li>Pick 1-2 articles that currently garner more search traffic than other articles AND that have a topic that makes sense as a web page on your website</li> <li>Create a new page on your website and paste the copy into the new page</li> <li>Go through the new page and reformat the article to look and sound more like a web page</li> <li>Test the page and hit the ‘Publish’ button</li> </ul> <h2>5. Create Online Videos from Blog Articles</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Are you considering using more online video this year? The costs and time involved in producing professional online video have both come down dramatically from just a few years ago. It’s easier than ever before to create online video for your website and I recommend that everyone reading this article at least consider using online video is some fashion on your site.</p> <p>So, you’ve decided to create more online video for your website. Great! Now, what topics should you create videos around? Good question. Like writing blog articles, many website owners struggle with coming up with topic ideas for online video. One of the best ways to solve this issue is to go back through your existing blog articles  and search for articles with topics that would make interesting (and short) online videos. Recycle and recreate those blog articles as online videos.</p> <p>If you want to turn blog articles into online videos, follow the following steps:</p> <ul> <li>Search your blog for articles on topics that would make for interesting online videos</li> <li>Review each article and determine where you want to focus the attention of the video</li> <li>Cut out any unnecessary sections, as you want to keep your online videos between 30 seconds to a minute (if possible)</li> <li>Create a script from the blog article</li> <li>Prepare your video equipment and talent</li> <li>Set a date/time for the video shoot</li> <li>Record your video</li> <li>Edit your video</li> <li>Publish your video to YouTube or to your website</li> </ul> <h2>6. Turn One Blog Articles into a Series of Blog Articles</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="ideas for blog articles" class="size-medium wp-image-61034 alignnone" height="362" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/create-blog-series-570x362.jpg" title="Create a Blog Series" width="570" /></p> <p>Do you ever find yourself writing really long blog articles? I know I do. Most of the time I feel like I have a lot to say and that everything is important. I think a lot of people are probably the same way. I’m sure that if you looked at your blog right now you might find a few different articles that fall into the “way too long” category. You’d probably find a few articles that fall into “I could have done more” category as well. Why not take advantage of this by turning one blog article into a series of blog articles?</p> <p>What’s great about this strategy is that you can go back through all of your old articles and start breaking out some of the longer articles, adding some new content to each new article, and publish each of the separately. You can also go through your blog and find a bunch of articles that you can expand on. For those articles, instead of updating the existing article, simply make a blog series out of it and write one or two follow-up articles to the existing article. Here’s how you can do it:</p> <ul> <li>Make a list of all of the articles that you think you can expand on</li> <li>Come up with 1 or 2 additional topic ideas that relate to the original article</li> <li>Write the articles</li> <li>Publish one and schedule the other to go live on a future date</li> <li>Go back to the original article and add a links to parts 2 and 3 once they have gone live; this way you can drive traffic from article 1 to parts 2 and 3 as well.</li> </ul> <h2>7. Transform Tweets into Blog Articles</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Are you using Twitter? You should be! Twitter is an excellent tool for building relationships with website visitors and prospective website visitors. It’s also great for driving traffic back to your website or blog! What I’ve found is that Twitter is a breeding ground for new content ideas. Whether it’s a tweet that I send or a tweet that I read, many times I’ll stop and think, “hmmm, I should write an article about this”. Twitter is all about information sharing and when it comes to information sharing a lot of new ideas are formed. The best way to take advantage of this is to turn tweets into blog articles. If you’re looking to do so, follow these steps:</p> <ul> <li>Review the tweet a few times and really think through if there is enough there to write an entire article on</li> <li>If it’s not your tweet that sparked the idea, reach out to the person who tweeted the information and ask him/her if you can write an article while referencing his/her tweet</li> <li>Write the article and give credit to the person who tweeted the original information</li> <li>Publish the tweet and send a link to the person who you pulled the tweet from; say thank you</li> </ul> <h2>Your Turn!</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>What are some other ways to transform old content into new content? Do you have any tips that you can share for our readers who might be suffering from writers block? If so, please share your ideas by leaving a comment below.</p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=_rmKvRmfCiU:yuWvAjH_n-s:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=_rmKvRmfCiU:yuWvAjH_n-s:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=_rmKvRmfCiU:yuWvAjH_n-s:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?i=_rmKvRmfCiU:yuWvAjH_n-s:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/1stwebdesigner/~4/_rmKvRmfCiU" width="1" />

<p>If you are a novice developer, it might be confusing about where you should start, because the field is broad and provides many options for you. There are so many questions you might ask yourself, such as “<em>What programming language should I learn?</em>” or “<em>Should I also know front-end, or only back-end</em>?” And I am sure there are much more than that. Well, in order for you to be able to start with an advantage against the others, I’ve decided to help you start your career as a developer with the following list of tips.</p> <p><span id="more-60850"></span></p> <h2><strong>1. Decide upon the skills you want</strong></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>When starting out as a developer, you really need to focus on something and avoid being too much of a generalist. There is nothing wrong with knowing more programming languages, but it is always an advantage if you are outstanding in one of them. There is nothing wrong with being outstanding in all of them either, but you can’t really do this in the beginning, therefore focus all your efforts on learning a skill and market yourself as an expert in that field. It can be PHP, Ruby on Rails, ASP.net or C#, but be good at it…really good! After you master one of them, you can obviously move on, but don’t do this until you have strong knowledge in that field.</p> <p><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-60994 alignnone" height="182" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/languages.jpg" title="languages" width="571" /></p> <p><em>Image by:<a href="http://zerolein.deviantart.com/art/Icon-collection-May-09-121903282" target="_blank"> zerolein</a></em></p> <p>This tip is also good for front-end designers, who always start with HTML and CSS, then move on to JavaScript, jQuery, AJAX or whatever it is they are interested in. Sure, you might be able to learn HTML and CSS at the same time, but this is because they kind of work together. You can’t really master PHP and ASP.net in the same time - unless you spend 20 hours a day on it, which I do not recommend - therefore you have to learn them one by one.</p> <p>Now because you are a beginner and do not know anything about hardcore programming languages, it might also be a difficult choice for you, but there is a solution. Think of what you want to develop - if it’s WordPress themes, then dig into PHP; is it custom management systems, then try ASP.net; is it iPhone games, then learn C# and so on. Just do a bit of research about what each language can do and start learning.</p> <h2><strong>2. Learn it right</strong></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Another tip for you beginners out there is, regardless of what language you choose, to learn it correctly. If you learn HTML by coding with tables, it is just not right and experts will for sure agree with me. Coding using the latest web standards seems useless to some, but it is really important and I advise you to do it. It will not only improve the loading speed of your product, it will also be easier and it will make more sense.</p> <h2><strong>3. Google is your best friend</strong></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>It doesn’t really matter what kind of problem you have, I am sure Google can solve it. I am also a very big fan of <a href="http://www.codingforums.com/" target="_blank" title="Coding Forums">Coding Forums</a> and I strongly recommend you use it if you encounter problems - and you will, believe me. But before posting a question on the forum, try to search for a solution on Google, because most of the time you will find an answer to your question, or at least an answer that will guide you to solving the issue.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60995" height="352" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/google_by_ahmetbroge.jpg" title="google_by_ahmetbroge" width="573" /></p> <p><em>Image by: <a href="http://ahmetbroge.deviantart.com/art/google-171808315" target="_blank">ahmetbroge</a></em></p> <h2><strong>4. Copy code</strong></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>This goes mostly for designers, but sometimes developers have knowledge of front-end design and make their own layouts before starting to code them. I encourage you to look through other pages and how they are coded. If you like the style of a container, look at its source and analyze it. <a href="http://getfirebug.com/" target="_blank" title="Firebug">Firebug</a> works just great in this case. Let’s face it, this is the way most people learn how to code. What I don’t advise you to do is to steal the design. This matter is unforgivable and shows a lack of respect, but I don’t see any problem in borrowing snippets of code from here and there. If a design can be copyrighted as someone’s, code can’t, so you are not doing anything illegal either. I might stir some controversy with this one, but I will stand by what I said: copy code from here and there, this is the way to learn how to do it properly - but don’t ever steal a design.</p> <h2><strong>5. Get a network</strong></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Another important thing is to have a network within your field of knowledge. It never hurts to know fellow developers and designers - worst case scenario, you have to go back and search Google for the answers you need, best case scenario you have some interesting discussions and can get help if you need it. You may even collaborate with your fellow developers on bigger projects, which will probably be good for both of you.</p> <p>My design teacher always told me to have a network and recommend each other. Are you close to landing a project but you are not sure if you can handle the type of work that’s involved? Recommend your friend! He will probably do it better than you (if he is an expert in that specific area) and you might get clients or work from him too at some point in time. Get a network and keep it close, there is always need for a fellow developer around.</p> <h2><strong>6. Understand designers</strong></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>I advise you to understand designers in case you have no idea how they work. I am talking about both graphic designers and front-end designers. It is always good to learn how they work and why they might deliver static pages that can’t really be coded according to the latest web standards. Learn how to talk to them and explain what was wrong and nicely ask them to fix their mistakes. This way your working relationship will be closer and your results better.</p> <h2><strong>7. Use professional tools</strong></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Although HTML and CSS can be used with notepad, I don’t recommend it. And if I don’t think that you can code properly in HTML and CSS using notepad, then I definitely don’t think you can use this default tool for PHP, ASP.net or Ruby. Get yourself a professional tool, which can be Dreamweaver, Coda or anything else, but use what professionals use, otherwise you are not one of them. They check errors, help you with auto complete and give you suggestions. There is a reason why Dreamweaver and Coda are the two most used IDE’s (integrated development environment) in the World - they get the job done in style. So go right now and get you the right tools if you don’t have them.</p> <h2><strong>8. Keep the cool stuff for last</strong></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Each programming language has its own “cool version”. For example, HTML has HTML5, CSS has CSS3, JavaScript has jQuery and AJAX and so on - I think it’s way better if you learn the basic language and then work your way up to the cool stuff. This is also because the cool stuff works with the basic elements so you won’t be able to develop a jQuery slider if you don’t comprehend basic JavaScript.</p> <h2><strong>9. Get informed</strong></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>It is always good to stay informed about what is happening in the field. You can do this either by reading news feeds, online blogs or even books and video tutorials. Stay updated and make sure you are one of the first to go out there and offer products developed with the latest technology. In the beginning it might not work that much (people might want to keep the “old” technologies until the new ones show their worth), but I am sure there are also people who want to own a brand-new product developed with the latest technologies - this will give you an advantage and will make you known in the field.</p> <h2><strong>10. Go on with the learning process</strong></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>After you become a master in the field you started with, work your way up with other languages. There are so many of them and knowing more than one will always be beneficial in your career. Keep an eye on the most important languages and learn the one you think is more interesting. When you master two, go on with the third and so on. Continue this until there is not much else to learn - although this is quite impossible. This is the way to success.</p> <h2><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>It is quite common that beginner developers have a rough time starting in this deep field, but I hope these tips help you find your way around. It does not even matter that much where you start from, all that matters is that you actually start. I think this usually takes the most time, so don’t waste these precious days and head off and find your first developer book right away!</p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=kprcpvVrZ-s:th21SWf5fBk:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=kprcpvVrZ-s:th21SWf5fBk:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=kprcpvVrZ-s:th21SWf5fBk:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?i=kprcpvVrZ-s:th21SWf5fBk:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/1stwebdesigner/~4/kprcpvVrZ-s" width="1" />

<p>The Internet is full of <a href="http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/freebies/fresh-beautiful-free-premium-fonts/" target="_blank">gazillions of fonts</a> that can, at times, make life tough if you are looking to find the name of a particular font. You know, those situations where you have the font but you don’t have its name? You know it will work. You like it. But, you cannot use it because you don’t know what it is called. Such a situation can baffle any web or graphic designer at the best of times. Thankfully, technology comes to our rescue in such a scenario. This article will list down some of the famous <strong>Font Identifying Tools </strong>that make life easy when you are stuck. Also, I will test these tools quickly to gauge their authenticity. Each time I will pick a random font from <a href="http://www.dafont.com/" target="_blank">Da Font</a> and see if these tools can identify it.</p> <p><span id="more-60003"></span></p> <h2>1. <a href="http://new.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/" target="_blank">What The Font</a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60005" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/what-the-font.jpg" title="what the font" width="570" /></p> <p>I quickly download <a href="http://www.dafont.com/katakana.font" target="_blank">Katakana Font</a> and surprisingly What The Font smartly judged what font it was.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60006" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/what-the-font_results.jpg" title="what the font_results" width="570" /></p> <h2>2. <a href="http://www.whatfontis.com/" target="_blank">What Font Is</a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60008" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/what-font-is1.jpg" title="what font is" width="570" /></p> <p>Personally, I am not happy with What Font Is. I tried to run five different fonts through this tool but none of them were identified successfully. The sad part was that the results weren’t even close when I ran <a href="http://www.dafont.com/img/charmap/d/o/dock_510.png" target="_blank">DOC 510</a> through the tool which looks pretty simple. I would have been satisfied if the results were close to what I was looking for but that wasn’t the case. Some of the downsides of the tool are:</p> <ul> <li>Limitation of taking only 10 characters as input. If you enter an image which has more than 10 characters then it will result into error.</li> <li>You will have to enter corresponding characters for at least two characters on the image if you want results. It will result into an error if you enter nothing. Surprisingly, What The Font does good job at guessing the characters on its own and then lets you change them if you feel so. It surely has an edge over What Font Is.</li> <li>Sometimes the tool fails to break an image into individual characters henceforth the results are broken too. This happened when I used <a href="http://www.dafont.com/img/illustration/l/e/levitee.png" target="_blank">Levitee</a> as test image. This wasn’t the case with What The Font.</li> </ul> <h2>3. <a href="http://www.identifont.com/index.html" target="_blank">Identifont</a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60010" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/identifont.jpg" title="identifont" width="570" /></p> <p>Identifont uses a different technique to identify your font. You will be asked to answer a set of questions that will help the algorithm identify your font. The approach isn’t the best way to judge a font and this is quite clear with the results that you get. But, I still appreciate the amount of accuracy that Identifont can achieve.</p> <p>I used <a href="http://www.dafont.com/varsity.font" target="_blank">Varsity Font</a> to test Identifont and the result wasn’t exactly what I was looking for but it was quite close. See the results below.<br /> <img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60012" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/identifont_result.jpg" title="identifont_result" width="570" /></p> <h2>4. <a href="http://www.typophile.com/forum/29" target="_blank">Typophile</a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60016" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/typophile.jpg" title="typophile" width="570" /></p> <p>At the end of the day you might just realize that only humans can help you. When program codes fail and answering questions give useless results then I will suggest you seek help from some experts. Typophile is the largest community of font experts. You post your image and you will quickly get a reply about the font which is being used. A discussion will shoot up on your question and you will love it. Remember to contribute back to the community.</p> <h2>5. <a href="https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/font-finder/" target="_blank">Font Finder Firefox Add-On</a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Here goes an imported tool to explore the world of typography. The <strong><a href="https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/font-finder/" target="_blank">Font Finder Firefox Add-On</a></strong> is surely going to interest most of you. The tool comes in handy when you want to know the font of the selected text. Also, the tool smartly explains all the CSS styles that are connected to that font. Just select the text, hit right-click of your mouse, and opt for Font Finder. The add-on will compile the list of complete CSS code that is part of that text.</p> <p>You can even play with a website by changing its font to see if it will look better with the font of your choice. See how I changed 1WD’s font just for the sake of testing.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60696" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/1WDfontchange.jpg" title="1WDfontchange" width="570" /></p> <h2>Bonus: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rookledges-International-Typefinder-Essential-Recognition/dp/1559210524" target="_blank">Yellow Pages for Fonts</a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/yellow-pages.jpg" title="yellow pages" width="570" /></p> <p><a href="http://forums.49ers.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=72351&page=7" target="_blank">Image Credit</a></p> <p>Enough of asking! The last way out is to help yourself. Rookledge’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rookledges-International-Typefinder-Essential-Recognition/dp/1559210524" target="_blank">International Typefinder</a> is surely the bible of fonts. It is the ultimate dictionary for fonts. You might end up spending some time with this book but the time spent will be worth it. The book’s secret advantage is its sidebar that highlights some of the most important features of a font.</p> <h2>Conclusion</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>The font industry might have grown a lot but requisite tools that help you identify the exact font are yet to be launched. What we have is the first phase of font identifying tools and they have a lot of room to grow. I am not sure when we will have more accurate tools to use but until that time we will have to stick with the available options.</p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=CBmRxr9gADY:NQaErtySSzc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=CBmRxr9gADY:NQaErtySSzc:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=CBmRxr9gADY:NQaErtySSzc:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?i=CBmRxr9gADY:NQaErtySSzc:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/1stwebdesigner/~4/CBmRxr9gADY" width="1" />

<p>Call-to-action pages are dedicated to prompt visitors to take a desired action, whether an opt-in, a sale or any type of click that brings a user one step closer to a company’s goal. Basically, any website can be classified as a call to action page because virtually every person who creates a website has a specific action he/she wants a visitor to take.</p> <p>Most websites commit at least one of the top crimes listed below. Do you agree with the choices?</p> <p><span id="more-60732"></span></p> <h2><a href="http://www.galpin.com/">1.<strong> Graphic Clutter</strong></a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="Graphic-Clutter-Worst-Call-to-Action-Pages" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60733" height="383" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Graphic-Clutter.jpg" title="Graphic Clutter" width="570" /></p> <p>It’s obvious this website’s purpose was show as much information to visitors as possible above the fold. While this is a valiant effort, too many graphics can work against you.</p> <p>A great call to action page will send your eye to a specific area. When you look at this page, your eyes are drawn everywhere and if you were looking for a car, you wouldn’t even know where to begin.</p> <p>Though this page is not a landing page, it is a prime example of why less is more when trying to increase conversions with web page design. A call to action page should include benefits, features, logos, maybe one or two images and a prominent call to action button. Any more and the page will suffer.</p> <p>A website home page should follow suit while including clear navigation and an easy experience for visitors. Avoid clutter at all costs. White space is your friend!</p> <h2><a href="https://www.metabofire.com/" target="_blank"><strong>2. Blended Call to Action</strong></a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="Blended-Call-to-Action-Worst-Call-to-Action-Pages" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60735" height="511" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Blended-Call-to-Action.jpg" title="Blended Call to Action" width="570" /></p> <p>Though the call to action button on this page is outlined in yellow, it does not stand out enough from the background. The yellow also matches the font above it so it blends into the background even more. The color scheme of the page is yellow, red and orange and the call to action button follows the same color scheme; therefore, it does not stand out enough. A solid color in contrast to the page would work best.</p> <h2><a href="http://www.rosettastone.com/selp1?pc=rsholi50&cid=se-gg-5pay&gclid=CKqj39ys-6wCFQVwhwod1AKBTg" target="_blank"><strong>3. Distracting Background</strong></a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="Distracting-Background-Worst-Call-to-Action-Pages" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60736" height="342" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Distracting-Background.jpg" title="Distracting Background" width="571" /></p> <p>Many businesses want to incorporate their brand colors into their website design. While this is a smart marketing strategy, if the color is overdone or distracting, it can have an adverse effect. The bright yellow background in this web page is very distracting and it draws the eye away from the purpose of the website. If you view this website in its normal size, you will see how truly distracting the bright yellow background is.</p> <p>It’s good to implement your brand colors in your website design, but not at the expense of distracting visitors away from your purpose. Your background should support your web page and be somewhat neutral.</p> <h2><a href="https://online.citibank.com/US/Welcome.c" target="_blank"><strong>4. Lost call to action</strong></a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="Lost-Call-to-Action-Worst-Call-to-Action-Pages" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60737" height="379" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Lost-Call-to-Action.jpg" title="Lost Call to Action" width="570" /></p> <p>On this page, the call to action button is not only lost, it is nonexistent. One of this website’s desired actions is to urge users to click and find out more information about the Thank You® Premier card. The current call to action is simply text that says “Get Moving”.</p> <p>If you really want to lead users to an intended action, use <strong>buttons</strong> in contrasting colors. Text will never be strong enough to get users’ attention. The button should include a contrasted color that screams “click me” without slamming it in user’s faces.</p> <p>Also consider the call to action button’s proximity to other elements. For example, with an ecommerce site, the “Add to cart” button would be most effective if it were placed right next to the product. You can also place call to action buttons near places of interest like testimonials, feature lists and benefits, etc. Make sure, though, not to clutter your page with too many buttons. Keep them close to your key points and at a  maximum of 2-3 per page for simple landing pages.</p> <h2><a href="http://www.farmers.com/auto_insurance.html" target="_blank"><strong>5. Too Much Information</strong></a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="Too-Much-Information-Worst-Call-to-Action-Pages" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60738" height="408" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Too-Much-Information.jpg" title="Too Much Information" width="570" /></p> <p>When people offer us more information than we want to hear we often say it is TMI or Too Much Information. Similar to how you would want that person to be quiet, a web page will suffer this same reproach if it is suffering from TMI.</p> <p>On this example web page, the call to action is not front and center and your eye is drawn to the articles instead of the “Get a Quote” text. This page, while meant to attract visitors to get a quote, leads them towards reading an article which may be too much information for this page. Content is not necessarily bad; great content outlines the pages of some of the greatest websites. But when it blurs the message of the site or distracts users from a clear call to action, profits will suffer.</p> <p>For this website, a more prominent call to action in a more effective location would draw the eye there first.</p> <p>The goal with a call to action page is to lead your visitors to click on the call to action button without distracting or boring them with too much information. You should include enough information (features, benefits, guarantees, testimonies) to lead them to take action without overdoing it. If your visitors cannot figure out whether or not your site will be beneficial to them in the first few seconds, they will assume the worst and hightail out of there.</p> <h2><a href="http://www.myrefi.com/" target="_blank"><strong>6. Too many Links</strong></a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><strong><img alt="Too-Many-Links-Worst-Call-to-Action-Pages" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60739" height="459" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Too-Many-Links.jpg" title="Too Many Links" width="570" /></strong></p> <p>This page is actually ranking quite well for competitive mortgage related keywords, but the design of the site unfortunately does not follow suit.</p> <p>Unless your site is product specific (e-commerce) or purely informational, excessive text links can overwhelm users.</p> <p>The purpose of this website is to guide consumers to get a mortgage quote. While classifying the links by states is a good idea, the clutter and small font does nothing for visitors’ eyeballs. As stated before, text links are ineffective as calls to action on pages like these and the close proximity of these links jumbles everything together to look like one cohesive blue link.</p> <p>There is no clear call to action here. This webmaster would benefit from making this page a second page and redesigning the home page to include one or two buttons only, leading people to “Get a Quote”.</p> <p>Here is a trick: Squint your eyes slightly to blur your vision and look at the page. If your call to action doesn’t stand out, adjustments may need to be made.</p> <h2><a href="http://www.home-mortgage-financing.com/" target="_blank"><strong>7. Button Placement & Location</strong></a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="Button-Placement-Location-Worst-Call-to-Action-Pages" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60740" height="431" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Button-Placement-Location.jpg" title="Button Placement & Location" width="570" /></p> <p>Though this website is committing many faux pas, I chose it due to improper placement of the call to action button.</p> <p>If you look on the far right (it probably took you a few seconds to find it, which is a few seconds too long), you will find a small box with a dropdown menu. This is where the webmaster would like a user to click. The only element standing out is the small red arrow and that is even questionable.</p> <p>The placement and location of your call to action button is equally as important as its size and color. A great call to action will not be effective if it is surrounded by too much text or not enough whitespace, or if it is located out of sight.</p> <p>Generally, it’s important to keep call to action buttons above the fold (visitors can see it without scrolling), clearly visible and prominent in relation to all other elements. If you have content that is only visible by scrolling, include a call to action button towards the end so users do not have to scroll back up to click on it.</p> <h2><a href="http://www.uscellular.com/uscellular/" target="_blank"><strong>8. Button Size</strong></a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="Button-Size-Worst-Call-to-Action-Pages" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60741" height="417" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Button-Size.jpg" title="Button Size" width="570" /></p> <p>Your website visitors should know exactly where they need to go the second they land on your website. In this example, though well-designed, this “Buy Now” call to action button seems a bit small for the animation of the site. If you click on the entire website, you will notice a busy background which can distract from the small button as well.</p> <p>Please note, though, that a bigger button is not always associated with higher conversions. The button should stand out from the other design elements without overwhelming the entire design, which can turn people away as well.</p> <h2><a href="http://www.thegeneral.com/" target="_blank"><strong>9. Button Text</strong></a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="Button-Text-Worst-Call-to-Action-Pages" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60742" height="412" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Button-Text.jpg" title="Button Text" width="570" /></p> <p>This website used the word “Go” to urge users to click for a quote. While the design does draw your eye to the quote box, I am not sure the word “Go” is the best choice.</p> <p>Though there are some basic rules for button text to maximize conversions, it is more of a function of the type of website rather than a general consensus. For example, a business offering a free trial may use “Click Here to Get Your Free Trial” while a service-oriented website may use “Get Started Today”.</p> <p>General rules of thumb for call to action button text:</p> <ul> <li>Avoid being too wordy</li> <li>Keep it simple</li> <li>Add urgency</li> <li>Limited availability if applicable</li> <li>Use action words like “now” or “today”</li> <li>Always split test</li> </ul> <p>When it comes to elements such as button text, the only way to determine what works best is to split test. Sometimes, minor changes can increase conversion rates dramatically.</p> <h2><a href="http://www.worldhyundaimatteson.com/chicago-car-credit.htm" target="_blank"><strong>10. No Clear Message</strong></a></h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p><img alt="No-Clear-Message-Worst-Call-to-Action-Pages" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60743" height="398" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/No-Clear-Message.jpg" title="No Clear Message" width="570" /></p> <p>Many businesses are not clear on their sales funnel; therefore, their visitors are not led to take a desired action. This dealership is trying to push users to perform too many actions at once along with reading text which can be boring for people looking to buy or lease a car.</p> <p><strong><em>TIP</em></strong>: The purpose of your call to action is to get users to the next step only. In the case of the dealership, the final goal would be to sell a car, but that should not be the main goal of the website. That is the car salesperson’s job. The website should only urge visitors to take the next step which is to visit the dealership.</p> <p>Don’t try to sell a car with your website. Just sell the next step!</p> <p>Have you seen any call to action crimes? What call-to-action crimes have you committed?</p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=XzDC83mXCP0:_5aNOQPmsyQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=XzDC83mXCP0:_5aNOQPmsyQ:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=XzDC83mXCP0:_5aNOQPmsyQ:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?i=XzDC83mXCP0:_5aNOQPmsyQ:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/1stwebdesigner/~4/XzDC83mXCP0" width="1" />

<p>Going by the principle “I’ll believe it when I’ll see it”, it’s normal that you would never think that things that are right before your very eyes are something completely different. Things like optical illusions created by simply associating colours and shapes in a certain way, or distinguishing seemingly identical shades just because of the way a language is built.</p> <p>Have you ever thought about what exactly these colours are that we see in our everyday lives? They are so common, such a natural part of the world, that we take them for granted without feeling the need to delve deeper into the subject. Prepare to see the world through different eyes!</p> <p><span id="more-60754"></span></p> <h2>Newton and Goethe</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Newton and Goethe have different ways of viewing the formation of the spectrum: the first sees light as being composed of colours, with darkness being the absence of light; the latter considers that they are formed through the interaction of light and dark, for example yellow is darkened white and blue is lightened black. While Goethe’s approach is more empirical and based on perception, he recognized the importance of magenta in the spectrum, and the fact that we use it as part of CMYK reflects that importance.</p> <p>It’s important to remember that the two had different points of view when analyzing the respective phenomena, so it’s obvious that there are fundamental differences. Newton’s fundamental spectrum is, as we know, the rainbow and this is based on scientific analysis, while Goethe describes a symmetrical wheel based on perception and composed of six colours: the three primary and their corresponding complements.</p> <p>Goethe further describes a difference between natural and chemical colours. The first category refers to those that are part of the fundamental spectrum described above, and are not a part of the object or material, thus the objects are colourless in the absence of light. Those that are not part of the spectrum fall into the second category and are a permanent characteristic of the object or material.</p> <h2>True Colours</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>However, scientifically, they are obtained from light and they correspond to different wavelengths which are perceived and processed by different cells in the eye. We humans have what is called trichromatic colour vision, meaning that we have three types of cells which aid us in segmenting the chromatic spectrum. This also implies that there are other types of colour vision, so think about it for a second: other beings may live in a completely different world than that which we know.</p> <p>The absence of the aforementioned cells will render someone colour-blind, meaning that they cannot distinguish certain shades. You may now be asking yourself “Ok, but what does this have to do with design?” and the answer is accessibility. Using only colours to express contrast or emphasis can be problematic for someone with such a disability, as two shades with the same brightness and saturation, but different hue can appear to be identical.</p> <div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_60767" style="width: 580px;"><img alt="completely-desaturated-2" class="size-full wp-image-60767" height="190" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/completely-desaturated-2.jpg" title="completely-desaturated-2" width="570" /><p class="wp-caption-text">As mentioned above, two colours may end up identical when completely desaturated.</p></div> <h2>All is not as it seems</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>On the topic of distinction, it has been shown that linguistic classification has a very important role in how we differentiate colours. The Himba people have a completely different system. Green, for example, may fall under different names, depending on the shade, and may be in the same category as a certain shade of red. Using the same example, dark green and dark red may seem nearly identical, while the same dark green may seem completely different from another close shade of green.</p> <p>Perception greatly depends on the amount of contrast and light in the environment. As mentioned in one of my previous articles, brown is in fact a variant of yellow, orange or red but it may be perceived as such in higher contrast surroundings. Our interpretation of a colour can further change in the presence of gradients, as these tend to signal depth to the brain which also judges lightness (or darkness) by comparison.</p> <div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_60769" style="width: 580px;"><img alt="double-contrast-illusion" class="size-full wp-image-60769" height="200" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/double-contrast-illusion.jpg" title="double-contrast-illusion" width="570" /><p class="wp-caption-text">The rectangle in the middle is actually one solid colour, but it appears to be a gradient because of the double contrast with the actual gradient in the background. Don't believe it? Use the colour picker tool and see for yourself!</p></div> <p>Colour theory says that warm colours are “near” and cool colours are “far” because that’s the impression that the brain gets. Covering one eye with a coloured filter (let’s say red) and balancing a pendulum will make it seem like it is swinging in a circular pattern. The same basic principle is used in 3D movies by splitting the image into red and cyan layers which superimposes properly when wearing the special 3D glasses and give the impression of depth.</p> <p>High-enough contrast along with a pattern can create optical illusions, just like those circles that appear to be moving. The main ingredient is powerful black and white contrast; it is thought that these two send different signals and activate opposing triggers in our minds, thus confusing it and creating the impression of motion. Another thing to take into consideration when designing: high-contrast patterns might turn into optical illusions and possibly make people look away.</p> <div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_60771" style="width: 580px;"><img alt="pattern-illusion" class="size-full wp-image-60771" height="415" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pattern-illusion.jpg" title="pattern-illusion" width="570" /><p class="wp-caption-text">If you move your eyes across the image, it will slightly move in waves.</p></div> <p>A phenomenon called “<strong>afterimage</strong>” can occur in the retina, and this causes the brain to continue receiving an image, but as a negative. This happens if the image is large and over-stimulates the receptors, the natural “phasing-out” of visuals being too slow. It is also why we see dark spots after looking at a bright source of light; the opposite of light is dark.</p> <p>Despite being such common elements, there is much more to it than meets the eye (literally). There are many underlying processes that occur in order for us to perceive colours the way we do, some of which we do not fully comprehend just yet.</p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=izFjHiGEZkI:3cAMtNWwxqQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=izFjHiGEZkI:3cAMtNWwxqQ:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=izFjHiGEZkI:3cAMtNWwxqQ:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?i=izFjHiGEZkI:3cAMtNWwxqQ:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/1stwebdesigner/~4/izFjHiGEZkI" width="1" />

<p>Mobile Media is trending for those who live on Internet Marketing. If you create a website but forget to test it on various mobile platforms then you simply ignored a huge chunk of your visitors. Users using mobile phones to visit various websites and catch up with the latest updates online has resulted in a new business focus which runs solely on Mobile compatibility of websites. An industry that grew simultaneously along with the increased mobile traffic was the App development industry. Today, there is an app for almost everything. I mean you might even stumble on an app that helps you search for dentists in your city. Crazy!</p> <p><span id="more-60765"></span></p> <p>This discussion will focus more on the <em>advantages of having a mobile app for your blog</em>. Later, I will introduce you to few online services that help you generate a mobile app for your blog. Remember, an app for your blog is important because you cannot afford to scare away your blog’s visitor just by pushing a crappy looking mobile design of your blog.</p> <h2>Keeps the readers engrossed</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>I agree that most readers use RSS feeds, but your updates tend to get lost in between the multiple feed updates. This is when a dedicated app for your blog will keep the readers engaged <em>with your blog only. </em>One can design an app which pushes updates to a reader’s mobile after every new blog update which multiplies the user engagement level with that app.</p> <h2>Increase blog’s visibility</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>All that you have to do is generate engaging content and then let your app do the rest for you. Options like <em>recommend the app to a friend</em> increases the visibility of your blog if current users start recommending the app to others. This will increase your blog’s visibility among those readers who will stick with you for long.</p> <p>Another added feature of having an app comes in when your app is listed in various app worlds (like that of Apple, Android and BlackBerry). Users usually tend to search for new apps in such app worlds and if your app is listed then be rest assured that it will be downloaded by many. Remember, after the download it is good content that will prevent the users from uninstalling the app. So, make sure you generate great content.</p> <h2>Give readers the “special” feeling</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>There are zillions of blogs and soon there will be an equivalent number of apps. This is when you get to do something different in order to keep the readers engaged. How about you give away special content only for those who use your app? Push content which will be visible only to readers who use your app. This will keep your readers engrossed and make them feel special. Remember to make that special content actually special.</p> <h2>Recognize readers for special suggestions</h2> <hr align="left" style="margin-left: 20px;" width="60%" /> <p>Request reader feedback to improve your blog’s app and, if possible, implement those suggestions. After successful implementation push a message to all the users of the app which will recognize the special contribution of one user. It will surely make the user feel important and increase your credibility in the community.</p> <p>It is wonderful to see what we can do if we have an app for our mobile readers. It is just a matter of time before having an app for a blog will become as normal as having a custom theme designed for a blog. Just a matter of time. <strong>You can choose to flow with the tide or get ahead of it.</strong></p> <p>Now, let me list a few services that will help you generate an app for your blog. We haven’t tested them all but we can (hopefully) rely on their words. Let us know your view in comments below.</p> <h4><a href="http://www.android3apps.com" target="_blank">App Maker for Android</a></h4> <p>I thought that I should start with something android specific as it is the best known mobile platform (or not?) at present. Also, I don’t want to start the Apple vs Android (and if possible add “vs BlackBerry”) war here so please keep such comments away from this article. Coming back to what we were discussing. App Maker for Android creates an Android App for free within minutes. Try them and have fun.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60803" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/app-make-for-android.jpg" title="app make for android" width="570" /></p> <h4><a href="http://mippin.com/web/" target="_blank">Mippin</a></h4> <p>Mippin takes your app to the next level and creates one for Android as well as Apple iPhone. Mippin is smart enough to keep your app in sync on both the platforms and uses HTML5 in order to produce an app that fits with almost all platforms.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60804" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/mippin.jpg" title="mippin" width="570" /></p> <h4><a href="http://mobile.conduit.com/" target="_blank">Conduit</a></h4> <p>Conduit happens to be one of the most famous services to create mobile apps for various platforms. Conduit creates an app which is compatible with almost every mobile platform and the reviews backing them seem to be very satisfactory.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60805" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/conduit.jpg" title="conduit" width="570" /></p> <h4><a href="http://www.appsgeyser.com/" target="_blank">AppsGeyser</a></h4> <p>AppsGeyser seems to take the mobile app creation business to a whole new level. After you are done creating your app, AppsGeyser will help you get traffic to your app, help you engage your audience and monetize your blog’s app for the best possible returns. Money well spent.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60807" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/appsgeyser.jpg" title="appsgeyser" width="570" /></p> <h4><a href="http://www.shoutem.com/" target="_blank">Shout Em</a></h4> <p>Shout Em seems to be the big dog in the market. With strong reviews from the likes of Mashable and The Next Web, Shout Em is rolling high on confidence. Their app creation process helps you create apps for iPhone and Android platforms. Also, they will help you push the apps into the respective market places which is surely a plus.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60808" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/shoutem.jpg" title="shoutem" width="570" /></p> <h4><a href="http://genwi.com/" target="_blank">GENWI</a></h4> <p>GENWI is another big player in the market with reviews from the likes of Forbes. GENWI might charge you for specific services but the value is amazing. GENWI gives you apps for iPad, iPhone and Android. The HTML5 based apps are compatible with almost all platforms and will surely attract the mobile user.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60809" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/genwi.jpg" title="genwi" width="570" /></p> <h4><a href="http://www.zubibu.com" target="_blank">Zubibu</a></h4> <p>Another famous (and well respected) app developer is Zubibu. They too support the iPhone and Android platforms. Zubibu smartly provides services that not just help you create an app but also analyze the results and improve on them. Zubibu is one of the very few services out their that provide mobile e-commerce solutions which will be an advantage for bloggers who tend create an e-commerce platform.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60811" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/zubibu.jpg" title="zubibu" width="570" /></p> <h4><a href="http://www.taplynx.com/" target="_blank">TapLynx</a></h4> <p>TapLynx follows a different approach towards the app development market. TapLynx gives away an SDK which can be used by bloggers to create apps in no time. The SDK comes loaded with multiple features that can be used by bloggers to enhance their TapLynx app which will be compatible with iPhone and Android based phones. Later on TapLynx will help you monetize your apps for better returns.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60813" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/tablynx.jpg" title="tablynx" width="570" /></p> <h4><a href="http://www.motherapp.com/" target="_blank">Mother App</a></h4> <p>Mother App is one of the few in this list that provide a custom app development which helps them focus on clients and their minute needs. Mother App has been in business for over 5 years and they have some really satisfied clients. You will have to get in touch with them in order to get a quote and understand how they will satisfy your requirements.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60815" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/motherapp.jpg" title="motherapp" width="570" /></p> <h4><a href="https://build.phonegap.com/" target="_blank">Phone Gap:Build</a></h4> <p>Phone Gap is another sleek service that keeps aside SDKs to create apps. They provide the blogger with the liberty to create apps using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Design your own simple looking app and upload it to Phone Gap. The service will return you with a working app that will work with iPhone, Android, BlackBerry (finally!) and lot of the other platforms. Upload them to the respective app worlds and you are ready to roll.</p> <p><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-60816" height="300" src="http://cdn1.1stwebdesigner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/phonegap.jpg" title="phonegap" width="570" /></p> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=WH1eQ-THH78:KSYC-q6nUWQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=WH1eQ-THH78:KSYC-q6nUWQ:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?a=WH1eQ-THH78:KSYC-q6nUWQ:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/1stwebdesigner?i=WH1eQ-THH78:KSYC-q6nUWQ:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> </div><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/1stwebdesigner/~4/WH1eQ-THH78" width="1" />

<table border="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%"> <tr> <td><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5938" height="70" src="http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/manOverboard.jpg" title="Man Overboard by Puscifer" width="150" /></td> <td valign="top"><a href="http://www.revolvermag.com/news/poll-results-find-out-who-you-voted-to-win-video-of-the-year.html" target="_blank">Revolver Magazine</a> voted Puscifer's "Man Overboard", directed by Meats Meier, Best Music Videos of 2011.</td> </tr> </table>

<table border="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%"> <tr> <td><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5157" height="70" src="http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ConstantinopleSkyline_150x70.jpg" title="Raphael Lacoste " width="150" /></td> <td valign="top">Raphael Lacoste, Ubisoft Art Director, featured on <a href="http://www.g4tv.com/videos/55915/assassins-creed-revelations-art-director/?quality=hd" target="_blank" title="G4">G4</a> and <a href="http://www.wired.com/geekdad/tag/assassins-creed-revelations/" target="_blank" title="Wired Online">Wired online</a>, showcasing his amazing work on Assasins Creed Revelations. To learn more about how he creates his beautiful worlds, check out his tutorial on <a href="http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/store/product/906/Digital-Environment-Painting" title="Digital Environment Painting Matte Painting with Raphael Lacoste">Digital Environment Creation</a>.</td> </tr> </table>

<table border="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%"> <tr> <td><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5157" height="70" src="http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/student-gallery.jpg" title="Gnomon Student Gallery" width="150" /></td> <td valign="top">Join us on Saturday, December 3rd for the second Gnomon Gallery show to showcase the best work of students and recent graduates from the Gnomon School of Visual Effects, featuring characters, creatures, models, matte paintings and more.</td> </tr> </table>

<table border="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%"> <tr> <td><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5157" height="70" src="http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/axis-news1.jpg" title="Axis School of Visual Effects" width="150" /></td> <td valign="top">Gnomon is excited to announce our partnership with <a href="http://www.saga.art.br/">Saga</a>, a unique school that teaches computer graphics, arts and animation to young adults across Brazil, in the development of <a href="http://www.axis.art.br/index.php?lang=en-us">Axis</a>, a new facility to be launched Spring 2012.</td> </tr> </table>

<table border="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%"> <tr> <td><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5157" height="70" src="http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/real-steel-news.jpg" title="The Making of Real Steel" width="150" /></td> <td valign="top">Join us for a special, behind-the-scenes look at Digital Domain’s work on the recently released hit <em>Real Steel</em>. Stick around for an in-depth presentation by Marcel De Jong as he shares tips and tricks for Autodesk Maya and demos new features of Mudbox and Motion Builder.</td> </tr> </table>

Today The Gnomon Workshop and concept designer Harald Belker combine forces again for the 6th installment of his entertainment design [...]

<table border="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="14%"><img alt="" height="70" src="http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mc2011-680.jpg" title="Gnomon Master Classes" width="150" /></td> <td valign="top" width="86%">Join us for two weeks of new, exclusive classes in an interactive, online event. Each class focuses on a different element of the visual effects or games industries and allows individuals to discuss the content with the instructors. One ticket gives you access to all 14 classes!</td> </tr> </table>

Instructor: Axel Stanley-Grossman Format: DVD-Rom, Digital Download, Online Subscription

<table border="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%"> <tr> <td><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5157" height="70" src="http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/neville-page1.jpg" title="Neville Page: From Page to Screen at Gnomon Gallery " width="150" /></td> <td valign="top">View a collection of concept designer Neville Page’s work from various film projects, including digital images, original 2D and 3D artwork and prototypes from select films. Opening reception is Saturday, October 1st at 7:00 P.M. at <a href="http://www.gnomongallery.com/">Gnomon Gallery</a>.</td> </tr> </table>

The Gnomon Workshop is proud to announce the release of the first volume in a new foundational figure drawing series [...]

The LIFE series from Andreas Preis combines simple messages with symmetrical swirls, intricate shading and subtle use of textures.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1b2fd0fe/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=Andreas+Preis+brings+animals+to+LIFE+through+intricately+shaded+illustrations&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326723%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=Andreas+Preis+brings+animals+to+LIFE+through+intricately+shaded+illustrations&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326723%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/121585714675/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b2fd0fe/kg/300/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121585714675/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b2fd0fe/kg/300/a2.img" /></a>

The next version of Nokia's Symbian OS will be called Nokia Belle, the company said in a blog post on Wednesday.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1b2d67ad/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=Nokia+ditches+Symbian+name%2C+next+version+just+called+Nokia+Belle&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326708%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=Nokia+ditches+Symbian+name%2C+next+version+just+called+Nokia+Belle&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326708%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/121585705326/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b2d67ad/kg/300/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121585705326/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b2d67ad/kg/300/a2.img" /></a>

The West End Show is an new gallery exhibition featuring brand new work from high-profile illustrator and regular Digital Arts contributor Radim Malinic.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1b2585ce/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=Radim+Malinic+explores+London+for+his+West+End+Show&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326549%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=Radim+Malinic+explores+London+for+his+West+End+Show&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326549%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/121585583852/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b2585ce/kg/300/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121585583852/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b2585ce/kg/300/a2.img" /></a>

Combining 3D projection mapping and Christmas, Manchester-based studio The Neighbourhood has made a cubic Christmas tree.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1b1f3a87/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=The+Neighbourhood+builds+an+projection-mapped+cubic+Christmas+tree&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326399%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=The+Neighbourhood+builds+an+projection-mapped+cubic+Christmas+tree&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326399%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/121587676924/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b1f3a87/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121587676924/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b1f3a87/a2.img" /></a>

New free iPhone & iPad app offers 30 of the best-known Second World War posters. Check out some of the best.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1b1f517e/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=Free+Imperial+War+Museums+iPad+%26+iPhone+app+offers+classic+WWII+posters&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326396%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=Free+Imperial+War+Museums+iPad+%26+iPhone+app+offers+classic+WWII+posters&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326396%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/121585614074/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b1f517e/kg/300/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121585614074/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b1f517e/kg/300/a2.img" /></a>

The latest version of Mozilla’s Firefox has returned to the theme of improved performance, boosting JavaScript speed by a claimed 30 percent plus on websites making extensive use of it.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1b1ced89/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=Firefox+9+battles+Chrome+with+JavaScript+performance+boost&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326311%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=Firefox+9+battles+Chrome+with+JavaScript+performance+boost&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326311%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/121585505795/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b1ced89/kg/300/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121585505795/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b1ced89/kg/300/a2.img" /></a>

An Ofsted report has found that achievement in ICT is "inadequate" in almost a fifth of secondary schools, although standards in primary schools are much better.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1b16b774/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=Ofsted+slams+technology+teaching+in+schools&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326085%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=Ofsted+slams+technology+teaching+in+schools&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326085%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/121587589188/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b16b774/kg/300/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121587589188/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b16b774/kg/300/a2.img" /></a>

The first owners of the Galaxy Nexus smartphone can finally enjoy Flash-based websites and videos across the Web. Adobe updated the Flash Player in the Android Market to version 11.1, which supports Google's latest mobile OS, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS).<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1b16b775/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=Flash+Player+11.1+arrives+for+Android+4.0&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326082%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=Flash+Player+11.1+arrives+for+Android+4.0&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3326082%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/121587589187/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b16b775/kg/300/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121587589187/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b16b775/kg/300/a2.img" /></a>

Many of us have heard of Normski the TV presenter, but how many of us know he's also an accomplished streetstyle photographer.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1b169756/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=Normski+photography+show+in+London&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3325717%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=Normski+photography+show+in+London&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3325717%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/121585443129/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b169756/kg/300/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121585443129/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b169756/kg/300/a2.img" /></a>

Printer ink can be expensive, so be sure to cost up the price of ink when purchasing your next printer.<img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/662/f/8410/s/1b04655b/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=Advertorial%3A+68%25+fel+their+printer+ink+runs+out+too+quickly&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3325692%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=Advertorial%3A+68%25+fel+their+printer+ink+runs+out+too+quickly&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalartsonline.co.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fnewsid%3D3325692%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/121585351759/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b04655b/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121585351759/u/0/f/8410/c/662/s/1b04655b/a2.img" /></a>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VGWOFoNWT1XdYd_4Rh-uY97XILc/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VGWOFoNWT1XdYd_4Rh-uY97XILc/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VGWOFoNWT1XdYd_4Rh-uY97XILc/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/VGWOFoNWT1XdYd_4Rh-uY97XILc/1/di" /></a></p><p><img alt="Design Software" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8339" height="250" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/software.jpg" title="software" width="500" /></p> <p>I’m always fascinated to see where and how other people work and  I wanted to share my personal set up, focusing on the tools & resources I use every day as a designer. I recently posted part one on <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/11/29/designer-office-set-up/" title="Hardware I Use">hardware I use as a designer</a> and today I am featuring the software and apps I use on a daily basis.</p> <h3>Software</h3> <p><strong>DESIGN / CODE</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite.html">Adobe Creative Suite 5</a></strong> - Mainly Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro & InDesign.</li> <li><a href="http://macromates.com/"><strong>TextMate</strong></a> - Text editor that I use for coding / writing.</li> <li><a href="http://www.fontexplorerx.com/"><strong>Linotype FontExplorer</strong></a> - Font management.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://cyberduck.ch/">CyberDuck</a> </strong>- FTP Client.</li> <li><a href="http://www.colorschemer.com/"><strong>ColorSchemer Studio 2</strong></a> - Great colour scheme creator & colour tool.</li> </ul> <p><strong>WEB / SOCIAL<br /> </strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.tweetdeck.com/"><strong>Tweetdeck</strong> </a>- Desktop + mobile Twitter client.</li> <li><a href="http://firefox.com/"><strong>FireFox</strong></a> - My browser of choice. Plugins include <a href="http://getfirebug.com/whatisfirebug">Firebug</a>, <a href="http://www.screengrab.org/home/download/">ScreenGrab</a> & <a href="https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/web-developer/">Web Developer Toolbar</a>.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.techsmith.com/jing/pro/">Jing Pro</a></strong> - Easy sharing of screenshots & videos.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.apple.com/macosx/apps/all.html">iChat</a> </strong>- Instant Messenger / Chat</li> </ul> <p><strong>MUSIC</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://spotify.com/"><strong>Spotify</strong></a> - My music player of choice. I subscribe to their Premium subscription so I can sync & listen to the music on my iPhone too. I use the iPhone Spotify Remote App to change songs from wherever I am.</li> <li><a href="http://www.apple.com/itunes/"><strong>iTunes</strong></a> - For buying music.</li> </ul> <p><strong>BUSINESS / PRODUCTIVITY<br /> </strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://skype.com/"><strong>Skype</strong></a> - International phone calls and meetings.</li> <li><a href="http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/19147/textexpander"><strong>TextExpander</strong></a> - Saves me from re-writing commonly used phrases & emails. See <a href="http://elliotjaystocks.com/blog/using-textexpander-to-conquer-email/">how to use TextExpander to conquer email</a>.</li> <li><a href="http://www.alfredapp.com/"><strong>Alfred</strong></a> - Launches my software & searches with speed. Super productive. I use the shortcut key Cmd+E.</li> <li><strong>Microsoft Office</strong> - An evil necessity.</li> <li><strong>Apple Time Machine</strong> - Backs up my files to external hard drives.</li> </ul> <h3>Web Apps</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/business/index.html"><strong>Google Apps</strong></a> - Handles my email (<a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2008/08/18/what-is-the-best-free-email-account-googles-gmail/">10 reasons you should try out Gmail</a>), docs & syncs my calendar with my computers and iPhone.</li> <li><strong>Google TaskBar</strong> - I don’t use any fancy time management software, but rather use the ‘Tasks’ bar in Gmail. I use <a href="http://www.getharvest.com/" title="Harvest">Harvest</a> to track my hours.</li> <li><strong><a href="http://dropbox.com/">DropBox</a> </strong>- In the cloud file sharing & storing.</li> <li><a href="http://paypal.com/"><strong>PayPal</strong></a> - Invoicing & advertising payments.</li> <li><a href="http://shutterstock.com/"><strong>Shutterstock</strong></a> - My preference in stock imagery.</li> <li><a href="http://mediatemple.com/"><strong>MediaTemple</strong></a> - Where I host my websites.</li> <li><a href="http://www.delicious.com/justcreative/"><strong>Delicious</strong></a> - Where I save bookmarks everyday.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Have any other recommended software or apps or designers?</strong></p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com">Just Creative Design</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <br /><b>Related Articles:</b> <ul class="st-related-posts"> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/11/29/designer-office-set-up/" title="Tools & Resources I Use Every Day as a Designer - Part One: Hardware (Tuesday, November 29, 2011)">Tools & Resources I Use Every Day as a Designer - Part One: Hardware</a> (34)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2009/03/24/graphic-design-books/" title="12 Design and Business Books I’ve Read & Recommend (Part 1) (Tuesday, March 24, 2009)">12 Design and Business Books I’ve Read & Recommend (Part 1)</a> (33)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2010/03/24/what-kind-of-designer-are-you/" title="What kind of designer are you? (Wednesday, March 24, 2010)">What kind of designer are you?</a> (83)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2010/03/05/upcoming-ebook-online-self-promotion-for-creatives/" title="Upcoming eBook: Online Self Promotion for Creatives (Friday, March 5, 2010)">Upcoming eBook: Online Self Promotion for Creatives</a> (3)</li> </ul> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=7MOvJIcW8m8:q0u4J5eYT2M:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=7MOvJIcW8m8:q0u4J5eYT2M:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=7MOvJIcW8m8:q0u4J5eYT2M:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=7MOvJIcW8m8:q0u4J5eYT2M:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=7MOvJIcW8m8:q0u4J5eYT2M:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=7MOvJIcW8m8:q0u4J5eYT2M:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=7MOvJIcW8m8:q0u4J5eYT2M:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=7MOvJIcW8m8:q0u4J5eYT2M:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=7MOvJIcW8m8:q0u4J5eYT2M:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=7MOvJIcW8m8:q0u4J5eYT2M:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xBTGkp7wiblhNQJJji_Pzvuu6d0/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xBTGkp7wiblhNQJJji_Pzvuu6d0/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xBTGkp7wiblhNQJJji_Pzvuu6d0/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xBTGkp7wiblhNQJJji_Pzvuu6d0/1/di" /></a></p><p><img alt="Freelance" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8318" height="335" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/freelance.png" title="freelance" width="500" /></p> <p><em>This is a guest article contributed by Alvina Lopez* looking at some crucial topics to consider if you are planning to live a long-term freelancing life.<br /> </em></p> <p>-</p> <p>If you’ve just begun your journey into the exciting world of freelance work, welcome! <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/featured-articles/#freelancing" title="Freelancing">Freelancing</a> is an incredibly rewarding way to make a living—it enables you to pursue your passions freely while being able to spend more time on the things that matter, like friends and family.</p> <p>As the very structure of our economy changes, becoming more globalized, more and more people will resort to freelance work. Still, even though it may be enjoyable as you first begin freelancing, it becomes <strong>more complicated if you want to be self-employed permanently</strong>. There are various things to consider, like obtaining health insurance independently, learning how to file your taxes, and planning for your retirement.</p> <h3>Health Insurance</h3> <p><img alt="Health Insurance" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8317" height="334" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/health_insurance.jpg" title="Health Insurance" width="500" /></p> <p>We are living in tough economic times, and skyrocketing health insurance premiums have made it difficult for freelance workers to be properly insured. Still, if you do your research, you’ll be able to find the right health insurance plan for you. Some of the best and most affordable health insurance plans are provided by your local chamber of commerce, which operates for the express purpose of improving the economic viability of your local community.</p> <p>Most chambers of commerce offer individual health insurance plans for freelance or self-employed workers. Another good option for health insurance is offered through the <a href="http://www.freelancersunion.org/" title="Freelancers Union">Freelancers Union</a> (US). The most important thing to remember is to look into each plan and ask questions. For more options, check out this <a href="http://freelancefolder.com/open-thread-where-do-you-get-health-insurance/">Freelance Folder thread</a>.</p> <h3>Filing Taxes</h3> <p><strong><img alt="Taxes" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8315" height="335" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/taxes.jpg" title="taxes" width="500" /></strong></p> <p>Filing taxes can be pretty tough on freelancers, so again, it’s best to do as much research as you can so that you won’t be overpaying. As a freelancer, there are many expenses that you can write off (e.g. your computer, your printer, and any other equipment that is necessary for you to complete your work).</p> <p>According to this insightful <a href="http://www.kiplinger.com/basics/archives/2007/12/schedule-c-tax-guide.html">article featured on Kiplinger.com</a>, you can also deduct your health insurance premium and half of your self-employment taxes. If in the US, keep in mind that you will be required to fill out two additional forms (either the Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ, as well as the Schedule SE), along with the 1040.</p> <p>If you are a first-timer to filing freelance taxes, then the best option is to work with a tax professional who specializes in self-employed taxes to maximize your return. If you oversee the process carefully, asking questions along the way, you’ll eventually be able to do it yourself.</p> <h3>Planning for Retirement</h3> <p><strong><img alt="Retirement" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8316" height="334" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/retirement.jpg" title="retirement" width="500" /></strong></p> <p>Traditional workers often don’t have to worry so much about retirement. Full-time American employees have the benefit of having a company-supported 401k plan, which essentially enables them to save for retirement without even thinking about it.</p> <p>For us freelancers, however, saving for retirement is a responsibility that falls squarely on our own shoulders. Paying into social security may seem like it will be sufficient for once you retire, but the truth is that this is most definitely not enough to live on once you no longer can, or no longer desire, to work.</p> <p>If you are young and just beginning your freelancing career, then your best bet is to simply set aside a specific percentage of your monthly income into a savings account allocated for retirement. This will get you comfortable with the idea of saving for the future, which is a mindset that many young workers take some time to develop.</p> <p>Once you are financially secure and have built up a fairly solid nest egg, seek out a financial planner who can educate you about the various retirement accounts out there. Financial planners who have worked with freelancers before are best to approach, so try to get a referral from a fellow freelancer, or run an Internet search for planners in your area.</p> <p>This U.S. News and World Report <a href="http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/investing/articles/2009/06/04/retirement-advice-for-freelancers">article</a> gives an overview of different retirement accounts for freelancers that you can ask your financial planner about.</p> <h3>Keep an Eye on the Future!</h3> <p>These are just a few of the important things to keep in mind if you intend on having a long and sustainable freelance career. Although we freelancers are something of a live-in-the-moment bunch, keeping an eye toward the future is essential if you want to continue enjoying your free lifestyle for years to come.</p> <p><strong>What health care plan do you use? Do you use a professional accountant to file your freelance taxes? Are you planning for retirement?</strong></p> <p>-</p> <p><em>Alvina Lopez is a freelance writer and blog junkie, who blogs about <a href="http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.com/">accredited online colleges</a>. She welcomes your comments below.</em></p> <p><em>Photo Credits: <a href="http://shutterstock.com" title="Shutterstock">Shutterstock</a><br /> </em></p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com">Just Creative Design</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <br /><b>Related Articles:</b> <ul class="st-related-posts"> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2010/03/24/what-kind-of-designer-are-you/" title="What kind of designer are you? (Wednesday, March 24, 2010)">What kind of designer are you?</a> (83)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2010/03/05/upcoming-ebook-online-self-promotion-for-creatives/" title="Upcoming eBook: Online Self Promotion for Creatives (Friday, March 5, 2010)">Upcoming eBook: Online Self Promotion for Creatives</a> (3)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/07/27/try-something-new-for-30-days/" title="Try Something New for 30 Days (Wednesday, July 27, 2011)">Try Something New for 30 Days</a> (33)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/12/22/tools-resources-i-use-every-day-as-a-designer-%e2%80%93-part-two-software-apps/" title="Tools & Resources I Use Every Day as a Designer – Part Two: Software & Apps (Thursday, December 22, 2011)">Tools & Resources I Use Every Day as a Designer – Part Two: Software & Apps</a> (11)</li> </ul> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=JhEl7vFmjY4:0-pjQaxr07g:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=JhEl7vFmjY4:0-pjQaxr07g:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=JhEl7vFmjY4:0-pjQaxr07g:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=JhEl7vFmjY4:0-pjQaxr07g:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=JhEl7vFmjY4:0-pjQaxr07g:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=JhEl7vFmjY4:0-pjQaxr07g:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=JhEl7vFmjY4:0-pjQaxr07g:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=JhEl7vFmjY4:0-pjQaxr07g:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=JhEl7vFmjY4:0-pjQaxr07g:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=JhEl7vFmjY4:0-pjQaxr07g:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aRbKuVm82FeODzdUrw7M3gYURg4/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aRbKuVm82FeODzdUrw7M3gYURg4/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aRbKuVm82FeODzdUrw7M3gYURg4/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aRbKuVm82FeODzdUrw7M3gYURg4/1/di" /></a></p><p><img alt="Gifts for Designers & Creatives" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8278" height="250" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/gifts-for-designers-creatives.png" title="gifts-for-designers-creatives" width="500" /></p> <p><em>This article was put up a few years ago but it’s still relevant so I thought I’d re-share.</em> If you really want to please your designer friend for the holidays / Christmas / birthday I suggest getting them one of these presents below. Please feel free to add your own!<strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>What to get a designer or creative for Christmas / Birthday?</strong></p> <ul> <li>New Books (Or a voucher for a book store that sells graphic design books)</li> <li>Pens & Pencils</li> <li>A Large Clock</li> <li>Graphic Design Magazine Subscriptions</li> <li>Drafting Table</li> <li>Lightbox</li> <li>Paints</li> <li>Art Paper / Canvas</li> <li>Pantone Swatches</li> <li>Sketch Pads / Moleskine</li> <li>Dot Grid Book</li> <li>Easel</li> <li>Blank Canvases</li> <li>Post It Notes</li> <li>A Digital Camera</li> <li>iStock Credits (or other stock sites)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2008/09/18/18-truly-awesome-handpicked-designer-tshirts/" title="Designer Tshirts">Designer Tshirts</a></li> <li>iTunes Shop Credits</li> <li>New Speakers</li> </ul> <p><strong>Computer Goods… for the rich friend<br /> </strong></p> <ul> <li>More RAM</li> <li>Screen Calibrator</li> <li>New Video Card</li> <li>New Mouse - I recommend <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com//2008/03/13/best-mouse-for-designers/" title="Best Mouse">Logitech MX Revolution</a></li> <li>New Computer (<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com//2008/09/01/mac-or-pc-for-graphic-designer-mac-vs-pc-poll/" title="Mac or PC for designer">Mac or PC?</a>)</li> <li>New Large Screen Monitor</li> <li>A Second Monitor</li> <li>New Cordless Keyboard</li> <li>New Software (Adobe Creative Suite)</li> <li>Software Updates</li> <li>Wacom Digital Graphics Tablet</li> <li>Scanner</li> <li>Multi Function Printer</li> <li>A Massive External Hardrive</li> <li>Multi Card Reader</li> <li>Multi USB Connecters</li> </ul> <h3><strong>More Great Gift Ideas for Designers</strong></h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://the99percent.com/articles/7111/20-Gifts-for-the-Productivity-Nerd-in-Your-Life-(2012-Edition)">20 gifts for the productivity nerd</a></li> <li><a href="http://designshack.net/articles/inspiration/15-great-gadgets-and-gifts-for-designers/" title="Gadget Gifts">15 great gadgets & gifts for designer</a>s</li> <li><a href="http://sixrevisions.com/resources/25-awesome-gift-ideas-for-designers-developers/">25 gift ideas for creatives</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.queness.com/post/10012/20-cool-and-creative-gift-ideas-for-designers" title="Gift Ideas">20 cool & creative gift ideas</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/design/emergency-holiday-gifts-for-geeks/">20 emergency holiday gifts for geeks</a></li> </ul> <p>Feel free to add your own wish list / suggestions in the comments below.</p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com">Just Creative Design</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <br /><b>Related Articles:</b> <ul class="st-related-posts"> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2007/11/28/what-is-graphic-design/" title="What Is Graphic Design? (Wednesday, November 28, 2007)">What Is Graphic Design?</a> (12)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/portfolio/web-design/" title="Web Design (Friday, November 16, 2007)">Web Design</a> (2)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2008/06/13/how-to-design-learn-the-basics/" title="Want to know how to design? Learn The Basics. (Friday, June 13, 2008)">Want to know how to design? Learn The Basics.</a> (91)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2007/11/22/top-mistakes-graphic-designers-make/" title="Top Mistakes Graphic Designers Make (Thursday, November 22, 2007)">Top Mistakes Graphic Designers Make</a> (54)</li> </ul> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=VtWi4gZ7gbQ:H-f8sCsOPoc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=VtWi4gZ7gbQ:H-f8sCsOPoc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=VtWi4gZ7gbQ:H-f8sCsOPoc:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=VtWi4gZ7gbQ:H-f8sCsOPoc:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=VtWi4gZ7gbQ:H-f8sCsOPoc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=VtWi4gZ7gbQ:H-f8sCsOPoc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=VtWi4gZ7gbQ:H-f8sCsOPoc:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=VtWi4gZ7gbQ:H-f8sCsOPoc:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=VtWi4gZ7gbQ:H-f8sCsOPoc:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=VtWi4gZ7gbQ:H-f8sCsOPoc:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/sZVDP4xS7u5Hewa0S6iBgNDDtq0/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/sZVDP4xS7u5Hewa0S6iBgNDDtq0/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/sZVDP4xS7u5Hewa0S6iBgNDDtq0/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/sZVDP4xS7u5Hewa0S6iBgNDDtq0/1/di" /></a></p><p><img alt="Like" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8267" height="334" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/shutterstock_86232739.jpg" title="shutterstock_86232739" width="500" /></p> <p><em>This is a guest article contributed by Richard Larson.<br /> </em></p> <p><em>-<br /> </em></p> <p>Facebook represents a fantastic marketing opportunity for any business via shares & referrals, however, just like Wordpress and other platform based user sites, it’s critical to incorporate <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2008/06/09/10-seo-rules-for-designers/" title="SEO Rules">SEO</a> strategies into your Facebook pages in order to get exposure out of them. Here are 7 Facebook SEO strategies to make sure your Face is getting the amount of Book it deserves!</p> <p>Whether you are setting Facebook up for yourself or for a client it’s important to keep SEO strategies in mind. According to Google, they aren’t actually looking at Facebook “shares” as a separate part of their ranking algorithm, but traffic is traffic.</p> <p>The number one thing to remember with Facebook shares: Their marketing value resides in the fact that they are coming from a reputable source; from someone known to, and respected by, the person on the other end. This invests the shares with clout and makes them very valuable. Make no mistake, Facebook is a marketing tool but nothing a business puts on their Facebook Wall should ever break that kind of trust. Period.</p> <p>For businesses, Facebook is a delicate dance between, “be my friend” and “pay me money.” Always difficult, in the Facebook world it is critical to fall on the side of plushy slushy soft sell. This is why SEO strategies for Facebook are important. SEO by its nature lies behind the scenes and therefore customers can’t possibly interpret it as marketing.</p> <h2>1. Choose a Great Facebook Page Name</h2> <p>Back up; choose a great business name. Not too spammy, not too generic. Something descriptive and easy to remember. If it’s too generic Facebook might blacklist the name. Once you have a name, don’t change your page name. Once established, keep it and brand it. Renaming isn’t ever a good idea from an SEO perspective.</p> <h2>2. Facebook URL Names Are Also Important</h2> <p>Facebook now allows vanity names so make sure to add one if you can. The URL won’t exactly be yours but <a href="http://www.facebook.com/justcreativedesign" title="Facebook JCD">www.facebook.com/justcreativedesign</a> is a lot better than www.facebook.com/11586454. DavesGarden is interesting, theirs is: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/davesgardencom">http://www.facebook.com/davesgardencom</a>. As long as the user name incorporates one of the terms related to your business you now have a URL that is searchable. It’s important to know that Facebook requires 100 fans before you can pick a username, of which you can then do by going to <a href="http://facebook.com/username" title="Username">http://facebook.com/username </a></p> <h2>3. Use Keyword Rich Text to fill out the “About” and “Info” Sections of Your Facebook Page</h2> <p><img alt="JCD Facebook" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8266" height="250" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/JCD-Facebook.png" title="JCD Facebook" width="500" /></p> <p>This will place searchable terms near the top of the Facebook page in the CSS. These are small areas so refine the elevator speech! In addition, make sure to include address information so that the page will pop up on local searches- a favorite of Google’s. In the info section also add links to your website.</p> <h2>4. Make Facebook Picture Descriptions Count</h2> <p>Facebook is a visual medium. Facebook will change titles on photos but descriptions live on. Use keywords as often as possible. Read each description from two angles- once for your customers and once from a computer’s angle. “Jack and Jamie enjoying the Keys on their 40th” could as easily be: “Luxury Florida Keys Bash by Private Jets Charter for Jack and Jamie’s 40th.” Both descriptions are better than “Jack and Jamie at their 40th Party.”</p> <p>As a side note, give your clients an extra reason to stick with you as a designer by showing them how they can get lots of free advertising if they structure online promotional campaigns properly. For example, Private Jets Charter could offer a Groupon for birthday parties/events, get the event for the couple, encourage them to advertise the party through Private Jets Charter’s website and Facebook page (where everyone can easily get directions to the plane) and then provide/post pics of the party (with permission) afterwards using keyword descriptions. These photos will be strongly shared and each time they are, the words in the photo description, “Private Jets Charter, luxury, Florida Keys” are racking up ranking points.</p> <p>Moreover, as the designer, you will likely get extra design work out of the process. Great designers always need to show ways in which their creativity in invaluable to their clients. With better and better templates and platforms around it’s critical that designers venture not only into SEO but also into <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/09/16/how-to-up-your-game-as-a-web-designer/" title="Marketing">marketing</a>. These are two things that a customer can’t buy ready made or download for free.</p> <p><img alt="Daves Garden" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8082" height="320" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/davesgardensrc-500x320.png" title="Daves Garden" width="500" /></p> <p>Above is an example of descriptive text and URL slipped into Facebook code.</p> <h2>5. Use Keywords in Your Facebook Status Updates</h2> <p>Updates provide a great place to include your keywords and increase visibility. This is also the place to drive traffic to your own website. Never forget that one of your primary objectives for having a Facebook page is to drive traffic back to your website where you and not Facebook can take advantage of the traffic.</p> <p>When you “attach link” FB gives you the opportunity to edit the text by clicking on the box. Include keyword-enriched text as early as possible. (Be aware that FB will channel this link through their own menu bar so this isn’t going to get you a direct link.) Next, include the URL of your website. Third, don’t put everything on Facebook. Instead provide an interesting enticing bit that will make people want to read more and make it clear that they can do this on your website.</p> <h2>6. Use Notes and Discussion Boards On Facebook</h2> <p>The content on both of these is indexable. Notes and the Discussion Boards are indexable and therefore they can make for great SEO. In addition, some people just use Facebook and do almost nothing else online. Using a discussion board gives you a way to reach this group of people. It’s important to note that automatic pull in of blog posts are now being phased out of Facebook.</p> <p><img alt="Facebook Notes" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8081" height="211" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/facebook-notes-500x211.png" title="Facebook Notes" width="500" /></p> <h2>7. Include Shares & Likes on your websites</h2> <p>Although not directly SEO,  you should include Facepage shares and likes into all of your websites. Also, take some time to stay on top of the <a href="http://developers.facebook.com/roadmap/">Facebook Developers news</a>. The developers page is also a great place to come up with new ideas about how to monetize the platform and get the most out of Facebook.</p> <p>In summary, use Facebook as effectively as you can by paying attention to SEO. Take the time to use the above suggestions and then compare and track the changes in your FB code (Available to anyone for any page by viewing “source code” in your browser). Over time, graph long term changes in your traffic to see if the extra time and energy is really paying off.</p> <h3><strong>More SEO related articles:</strong></h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2008/06/09/10-seo-rules-for-designers/" title="View this post, ">10 SEO Rules for Designers</a></li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2009/06/30/seo-tips/" title="View this post, "9 SEO Tips You've Probably Forgot About"">9 SEO Tips You’ve Probably Forgot About</a></li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2008/06/09/10-seo-rules-for-designers/justcreativedesign.com/2008/10/15/how-to-get-100-free-advertising-on-google/" title="How to get number 1 on google">How to Get Free Advertising on Google</a></li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/07/05/seo-conversion/" title="SEO & Conversion Tips">Designing Websites with SEO & Conversions In Mind</a></li> </ul> <p>-</p> <p><em>*Author: Richard Larson is Brand Manager for <a href="http://www.gopromotional.com/" target="_blank">Go Promotional</a> the leading <a href="http://www.gopromotional.com/" target="_blank" title="Go Promotional">promotional items</a> supplier online.</em></p> <p><em>Like photo by <a href="http://shutterstock.com" title="Shutterstock">Shutterstock</a> (</em><a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-810352p1.html">mkabako) </a></p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com">Just Creative Design</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <br /><b>Related Articles:</b> <ul class="st-related-posts"> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2009/11/24/facebook-marketing/" title="HOW TO: Get more brand exposure, traffic and sales using Facebook (Tuesday, November 24, 2009)">HOW TO: Get more brand exposure, traffic and sales using Facebook</a> (11)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/09/23/new-subscribe-feature-on-facebook/" title="New Subscribe Feature on Facebook (Friday, September 23, 2011)">New Subscribe Feature on Facebook</a> (11)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2008/03/12/what-is-the-best-social-media-marketing-website/" title="What is the best social media website? Digg, SU, Delicious, Reddit … or? (Wednesday, March 12, 2008)">What is the best social media website? Digg, SU, Delicious, Reddit … or?</a> (43)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2008/08/08/what-blog-posts-bring-in-the-most-readers/" title="What blog posts bring in the most readers? (Friday, August 8, 2008)">What blog posts bring in the most readers?</a> (39)</li> </ul> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=e7fN4clnwBA:P08ZBIWEGu4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=e7fN4clnwBA:P08ZBIWEGu4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=e7fN4clnwBA:P08ZBIWEGu4:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=e7fN4clnwBA:P08ZBIWEGu4:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=e7fN4clnwBA:P08ZBIWEGu4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=e7fN4clnwBA:P08ZBIWEGu4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=e7fN4clnwBA:P08ZBIWEGu4:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=e7fN4clnwBA:P08ZBIWEGu4:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=e7fN4clnwBA:P08ZBIWEGu4:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=e7fN4clnwBA:P08ZBIWEGu4:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7JyCXoKhlUtqVUZF_NPwWt-tTv0/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7JyCXoKhlUtqVUZF_NPwWt-tTv0/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7JyCXoKhlUtqVUZF_NPwWt-tTv0/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/7JyCXoKhlUtqVUZF_NPwWt-tTv0/1/di" /></a></p><p><img alt="Jacob Cass Office" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8229" height="313" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Jacob-Cass-Office-500x313.jpg" title="Jacob Cass Office" width="500" /></p> <p>I’m always fascinated to see where and how other people work and today I wanted to share my personal set up, focusing on the tools & resources I use every day as a designer. Part one will be focused on the hardware and part two, will be the <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/12/22/tools-resources-i-use-every-day-as-a-designer-%E2%80%93-part-two-software-apps/" title="Software Apps">software & apps I can’t live without</a>.</p> <h3>Hardware</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/"><strong>Apple Macbook Pro (MBP) 17″ </strong></a></li> </ul> <p>The main weapon of choice for all my design & browsing is the Macbook Pro 17″ (3.06 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB DDR Ram, 500 GB).<strong><br /> </strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.apple.com/displays/"><strong>Apple 27″ Cinema Display</strong></a></li> </ul> <p>I hook up my MBP to my 27″ Cinema Display when at home and place the MBP on a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TOL3LA">Pole Notebook Holder</a> so I can make use of the two screens. Pretty handy as you can rotate and move the screen as needed.<strong><br /> </strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.apple.com/macbookair/"><strong>Apple Macbook Air 11″</strong></a></li> </ul> <p>I take the 11″ MacBook Air traveling and hardly ever take the MBP now. The Air is super light weight, tiny and handles all my design & media needs when on the go. A highly recommended combination.</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone/iphone4s"><strong>Apple iPhone 4s</strong></a></li> </ul> <p>My iPhone is rarely out of site and is probably used the most out of all my hardware. My most used apps include Tweetdeck, The Weather Channel, New York Times, Spotify, Facebook & NYC Subway. The iPhone is also used as my calendar, alarm clock, email center, site monitor, music player, etc. It’s a smart phone indeed.</p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="http://www.logitech.com/en-us/mice-pointers/mice/devices/performance-mouse-mx">Logitech Performance Mouse MX</a><br /> </strong></li> </ul> <p>I’ve had this mouse for a <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2008/03/13/best-mouse-for-designers/">few years</a> now and still love it. It was previously called Logitech MX Revolution but since undergoing a few refinements is now called Performance MX. Why do I love it? It has a neat ‘infinite scroll’ feature and is extremely comfortable in my large hands, as apose to the Magic Mouse which gives me cramps.</p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Wireless-Inkjet-Printer-3747B002/dp/B002GP7Z6Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317609494&sr=1-1">Canon Pixma MP560 Scanner, Photo Copier & Printer</a></strong></li> </ul> <p>Nothing too fancy but it does everything you need in an office; prints, scans and copies.</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/noise_cancelling_headphones/quietcomfort_15/index.jsp"><strong>Bose QuietComfort 15 Noise Canceling Headphones</strong></a></li> </ul> <p>These headphones gets you in the zone by canceling out all outside noise, especially useful on airplanes<strong>.<br /> </strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/p/digital-media-keyboard-3000">Microsoft Digital Media Keyboard 3000</a></strong></li> </ul> <p>This full sized keyboard has extra handy shortcut buttons, great for media and editing.</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Expansion-Portable-External-ST910004EXA101-RK/dp/B003CJTJ94/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1321246726&sr=8-6"><strong>Seagate 1 TB Portable External Hard Drive</strong></a></li> </ul> <p>An external hard drive that automatically backs up my files each night using Time Machine. It also stores the majority of my media files. The first thing I’d take in a house fire.</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.wacom.asia/"><strong>Wacom Intuos 4 (Medium)</strong></a></li> </ul> <p>A neat graphics tablet for easy maneuvering in Photoshop.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Ikea Desk + Drawers + Chair + Lamp + Mousepad</strong></li> </ul> <p>The desk draws are the most handy, hiding away all the clutter (pens, notebooks, graphics tablet, the Mac Air, etc.) and the slim nature of the desk forces me to keep the top of the desk clean.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Name Plate</strong></li> </ul> <p>A gift given to me before leaving for NYC. Comes in handy when you forget your name.</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.moleskineus.com/largeplain.html"><strong>Moleskine Large Plain</strong></a> - My sketchpad and idea generator.</li> <li><a href="http://www.creativesoutfitter.com/Products/Dot-Grid-Book/9"><strong>Dot Grid Book</strong> </a>- Great for logo designs.</li> <li><a href="http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Office-Supplies/Pens-Pencils-and-Markers/Felt-Pens-and-Markers/Felt-Pens/GE120082;jsessionid=%28J2EE7737300%29ID1154317252DB10250345099422012216End;saplb_*=%28J2EE7737300%297737352"><strong>Artline 0.4 Fineliner Pen</strong></a> - My pen of choice.</li> </ul> <h3>Office Inspiration</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://wherewedesign.com/" title="Where we design">Where We Design</a> - Office space inspiration</li> <li><a href="http://designm.ag/freelance/comfortable-home-office/">11 Tips for making your office more comfortable</a></li> <li><a href="http://sixrevisions.com/design-showcase-inspiration/25-elegant-workstations-for-your-inspiration/">25 Elegant Work Stations</a></li> </ul> <h3>On The Wishlist</h3> <p>After using a <a href="http://www.hermanmiller.com/Products/Seating" title="Chair">Herman Miller chair</a> at my day job, I’m keen to get my hands on one for the home office too. They have much more support & are comfortable to sit in for long periods of time.</p> <p><strong>What are some of your favourite designer hardware tools? Please feel free to share your set up too!<br /> </strong></p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com">Just Creative Design</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <br /><b>Related Articles:</b> <ul class="st-related-posts"> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/12/22/tools-resources-i-use-every-day-as-a-designer-%e2%80%93-part-two-software-apps/" title="Tools & Resources I Use Every Day as a Designer – Part Two: Software & Apps (Thursday, December 22, 2011)">Tools & Resources I Use Every Day as a Designer – Part Two: Software & Apps</a> (11)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2009/03/24/graphic-design-books/" title="12 Design and Business Books I’ve Read & Recommend (Part 1) (Tuesday, March 24, 2009)">12 Design and Business Books I’ve Read & Recommend (Part 1)</a> (33)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2010/03/24/what-kind-of-designer-are-you/" title="What kind of designer are you? (Wednesday, March 24, 2010)">What kind of designer are you?</a> (83)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2010/03/05/upcoming-ebook-online-self-promotion-for-creatives/" title="Upcoming eBook: Online Self Promotion for Creatives (Friday, March 5, 2010)">Upcoming eBook: Online Self Promotion for Creatives</a> (3)</li> </ul> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=iy05JPbK0Ik:LJXrGpg1tGo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=iy05JPbK0Ik:LJXrGpg1tGo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=iy05JPbK0Ik:LJXrGpg1tGo:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=iy05JPbK0Ik:LJXrGpg1tGo:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=iy05JPbK0Ik:LJXrGpg1tGo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=iy05JPbK0Ik:LJXrGpg1tGo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=iy05JPbK0Ik:LJXrGpg1tGo:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=iy05JPbK0Ik:LJXrGpg1tGo:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=iy05JPbK0Ik:LJXrGpg1tGo:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=iy05JPbK0Ik:LJXrGpg1tGo:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z1lX49eam1KjfPd4e2azln5kOX0/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z1lX49eam1KjfPd4e2azln5kOX0/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z1lX49eam1KjfPd4e2azln5kOX0/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z1lX49eam1KjfPd4e2azln5kOX0/1/di" /></a></p><p><img alt="" height="250" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/fowd-20111.jpg" title="FOWD 2011" width="500" /></p> <p>The <a href="http://futureofwebdesign.com/new-york-2011/" title="FOWD">2011 Future of Web Design Conference</a> was recently held in NYC and I was fortunate enough to attend the two days of talks. Below is the summary of Day 2. The <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/10/12/future-of-web-design-nyc-2011/" title="FOWD 2011 Day 1">Day 1 FOWD summary</a> can be found here.</p> <p>As a disclaimer, these notes were quickly jotted down & summarised and may not be understood out of context but I’ve done what I could from my notes.</p> <p>Below are the summarised keynotes which you can click to jump to.</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#1">Pith, Passion & Productivity</a> – <em>Cameron Moll</em></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#2">Design Principles: The Philosophy of UX</a> –<em> Whitney Hess </em></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#3">Future of CSS</a> – <em>Dave Shea</em></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#4">Future of Mobile UX</a> –<em> Steve Fisher</em></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#5">Responsive Web Design and Embracing The Unknown</a> – <em>Aaron Weyenberg</em></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#6">The Lost Art of Design Etiquette</a> – <em>Dan Rose</em></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#7">Extensis Photoshop Font Plugin</a></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#8">Future of Branding</a> – <em>Randy Hunt</em></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#9">The Design Revolution</a> – <em>Brad Haynes</em></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#10">Future of HTML5</a> – <em>Tim Wright</em></li> <li> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#11">The Unknown Voyage</a> – <em>Josh David</em></li> </ul> <h2><a name="1"></a><strong>Pith, Passion & Productivity</strong> - <em> </em><em><a href="http://twitter.com/cameronmoll" title="Cameron Moll">Cameron Moll</a></em></h2> <p><em><img alt="Cameron Moll" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8237" height="300" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Cameron-Moll.jpg" title="Cameron-Moll" width="500" /><br /> </em></p> <p><strong>PITH & PASSION<br /> </strong></p> <p>How can you make a name for yourself? Write.<strong><br /> </strong></p> <ul> <li>“If you don’t write, you don’t know how you think.” – Jeffrey Zeldman</li> <li>“The details are not details, they make the product.” – Charles Eames</li> <li>Words with pith, convey knowledge & personality.</li> <li>Good writing not only comes from grammar & sentence structure, but practice.</li> <li>Start writing, don’t just convey information but write with authenticity, passion & pith. And persist.</li> </ul> <p>Recommended reading: <a href="http://www.cennydd.co.uk/2011/editing-tips-for-designers/">Editing tips for designers</a></p> <p><strong>Who’s A-Game Pithy?</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://twitter.com/fictivecameron" title="fictivecameron">@fictivecameron</a> – Creator of <a href="http://gimmebar.com">Gimme Bar</a></li> <li> <a href="http://twitter.com/etherbrian">@Ether Brian</a> – His tweets are exercises in creative writing.</li> <li><a href="http://unstoppablerobotninja.com/">Ethan Marcotte</a> – Author of <a href="http://www.abookapart.com/products/responsive-web-design" title="Responsive Web Design">Responsive Web Design</a></li> </ul> <p><strong>PRODUCTIVITY</strong></p> <p>Cameron uses these methods for productivity<strong>:<br /> </strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sorted/id363989038?mt=8" title="Sorted">Sorted iPad App</a> and <a href="http://teuxdeux.com/" title="To Do">TeuxDeux</a> app.</li> <li><a href="http://simplenoteapp.com/" title="SimpleNote">SimpleNote</a> - recommended application.</li> <li>Has Scuba dive pads in his shower as they are waterproof and allows him to jot down ideas in the shower.</li> </ul> <p>Recommended reading: <a href="http://the99percent.com/articles/7094/The-Future-of-Self-Improvement-Grit-Is-More-Important-Than-Talent" title="Grit is more important than talent">Future of Self-Improvement: Grit is more important than talent</a><br /> <a name="2"></a></p> <h2><strong>Design Principles: The Philosophy of UX</strong> <em>- </em><em><a href="http://twitter.com/whitneyhess" title="Whitney Hess">Whitney Hess </a></em></h2> <p><em><img alt="Whitney Hess" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8238" height="300" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Whitney-Hess.jpg" title="Whitney-Hess" width="500" /><br /> </em></p> <p><strong>User experience</strong> is the establishment of a philosophy about how to treat people. <strong>Visual design</strong> is the establishment of a philosophy of how to create an impact. Each have distinct goals and both vary depending on the goals of the product / service. There is a standard set of principles for creating an impact, as outlined below.</p> <h3><strong>10 Principles of Visual Design</strong></h3> <p>A principle is a rule or belief / philosophy to govern a behavior.</p> <ol> <li>Contrast</li> <li>Emphasis</li> <li>Variety</li> <li>Balance</li> <li>Proportion</li> <li>Repetition / Rhythm</li> <li>Movement</li> <li>Texture</li> <li>Harmony</li> <li>Unity</li> </ol> <p><strong>Why use principles?</strong></p> <ul> <li>Consistency</li> <li>Constraint</li> <li>Vision</li> <li>Objective Evaluation</li> </ul> <p>Good design does not mean good experiences, but it should.</p> <h3><strong>Principle’s of Good Experience Design</strong></h3> <h4><strong>1. Stay out of people’s way. </strong></h4> <p>Make it easy and simple to use. Don’t have information there that is not needed. Hide unneeded information. A good example of this is <a href="http://tumblr.com">Tumblr</a>’s hidden ‘30 reasons’ on their home page.</p> <h4><strong>2. Create a hierarchy that matches people’s needs.</strong></h4> <p>Make the most important information the most prominent. Take note of size, color, space & proximity. Match real world scenarios to the design.</p> <h4><strong>3. Limit distractions</strong></h4> <p>Just because items are alike does not mean they have to be.  People can not multi task so make users focus on one task, to keep people in the moment.</p> <h4><strong>4. </strong><strong>Provide strong information scent</strong></h4> <p>Use clear language, properly set expectations so you don’t lead users down the wrong path.</p> <p>Bad: Tropicana orange juice has hard to distinguish bottles. Only one color band difference.</p> <p>Good: Quora’s information search has search suggestions. Tags are displayed as users write.</p> <h4><strong>5. Provide signposts and cues.</strong></h4> <p>Make it incredibly clear where people are. Don’t let people get lost especially on the web, where there are so many paths that lead people away. Provide sign paths. Show people where they came from and where they can go which allows them to expect to be taken in the right direction,</p> <h4><strong>6. Provide context</strong></h4> <p>Ensure that designs are self contained and don’t break people out of the experience, unless for a purpose.</p> <h4><strong>7. Use constraints appropriatel </strong></h4> <p>Preventing error is much better than recovering from it. Guide people towards successful interactions.</p> <p>eg. Toilet lavatory in planes, lights turn on and off when entering.<br /> eg. TV entertainment on planes notify users when the movie is longer than flight time.</p> <h4><strong>8. </strong>Make actions reversible.</h4> <p>Make sure your actions can be undone if needed or have some sort of back up plan.</p> <h4><strong>9. </strong><strong>Provide feedback</strong></h4> <p>Give feedback to users.<strong> </strong> eg. Asthama puffers & tape rolls should show how many puffs are lef.</p> <h4><strong>10. </strong><strong> Make a good first impression</strong></h4> <p>Make a good first impression as you don’t get a second chance. Use welcome messages. Make people feel comfortable. Set their expectations. Ease them into the process. Be attractive, strong. You want people to stay with you for a long time. Create purpose with user experience.<br /> <a name="3"></a></p> <h2><strong>Future of CSS – <em> </em></strong><strong><em><a href="http://www.mezzoblue.com/" title="Dave Shea">Dave Shea</a></em></strong></h2> <p><strong><img alt="Future of CSS" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8239" height="300" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Future-of-CSS.jpg" title="Future-of-CSS" width="500" /><br /> </strong></p> <p>This article was a bit more technical so couldn’t take as many notes but here are few snippets & recommended resources. You can get the <a href="http://mezzoblue.com/presentations/2011/fowd/" title="FOWD Slides">slides here</a>.</p> <ul> <li>By mid 2012, Google Chrome will become next prominent browser, then IE, then FF, Safari and Opera.</li> <li><a href="http://caniuse.com/">CanIUse.com</a> – Good compatibility list.</li> <li>Use CSS Gradient Generators to make gradients compatible back to ie6.</li> <li>‘Shadow DOM Web Kit allows you to customize checkboxes & form elements including the scrollbar.</li> </ul> <p><a name="4"></a></p> <h2><strong>Future of Mobile UX</strong> -<em> </em><em><a href="http://twitter.com/hellofisher">Steve Fisher</a></em></h2> <p><em><img alt="Steve Fisher" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8240" height="300" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/steve-fisher.jpg" title="steve-fisher" width="500" /></em></p> <p>Steve’s slides can be <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/hellofisher/the-future-of-mobile-ux">downloaded here</a>.<em><br /> </em></p> <ul> <li>Focus on the mobile context & it is not about shrinking it down.</li> <li>Design outside in. Make it make sense. Make it obvious.</li> <li>It is not about the device, but the mobile context. The web is not fixed width.</li> <li>Patterns are repeatable solutions to a common problem.</li> <li>The mobile web is about coherence and how it works across all devices.</li> <li>Make navigation obvious. The less screen you have, means it is even more important.</li> <li>Remember what’s obvious to you might not be obvious to someone who is new to the experience.</li> <li>Create once, publish everywhere. Well structured content and interactions matter.</li> </ul> <p><a name="5"><br /> </a></p> <h2><strong>Responsive Web Design and Embracing The Unknown - </strong><a href="http://twitter.com/aweyenberg"><em>Aaron Weyenberg</em></a></h2> <p><img alt="Aarpm Weyenberg" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8241" height="300" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Aarpm-Weyenberg.jpg" title="Aarpm Weyenberg" width="500" /></p> <ul> <li>There is no desktop web, no xyz web, there is no device web. It is just the web.</li> <li>There is always going to be ‘the unknown end user’.</li> <li><a href="http://bostonglobe.com/" title="Boston Globe">BostonGlobe</a> is a great example of responsive web design.</li> </ul> <p>Recommended reading on Responsive Web Design:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://http://www.lullabot.com/articles/responsive-adaptive-web-design" title="Responsive vs Adaptive Web Design">Responsive vs Adaptive design</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.alistapart.com/articles/dao/" title="A Dao of Web Design">A Dao of Web Design</a> by John Allsopp</li> </ul> <p><strong>The RWD Stack</strong> - Use percentages & max widths.</p> <p><strong>3 Choices for RWD</strong></p> <ol> <li>Desktop Down</li> <li>Mobile Up</li> <li>Ranged Media Queries</li> </ol> <p><strong>RWD challenges</strong></p> <ul> <li>Images</li> <li>Tables</li> <li>Ads</li> <li>Process</li> </ul> <p><strong>To Do</strong></p> <ul> <li>Forget pixel precisions - they are for egos.</li> <li>Move to the browser early.</li> <li>Do rapid prototyping.</li> <li>Create structured content & use progressive enhancement.</li> <li>Try mobile first.</li> <li>Build content out.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Recommended Reading</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.lullabot.com/articles/responsive-adaptive-web-design" title="Responsive vs Adpative Web Design">Responsive VS adaptive web design</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.design-by-izo.com/2011/10/18/what-should-i-look-for-in-a-ui-typeface/" title="What to look for in a UI typeface">What to look for in a UI typeface</a></li> <li><a href="http://mobiforge.com/starting/story/mobile-web-content-adaptation-techniques" title="Mobile web content adaptation techniques">Mobile web content adaptation techniques</a><strong><br /> </strong></li> </ul> <p><a name="6"><br /> </a></p> <h2>The Lost Art of Design Etiquette - <em> </em><em><a href="http://twitter.com/dblizzy" title="Dan Rose">Dan Rose</a></em></h2> <p><a href="http://speakerdeck.com/u/danrose/p/the-lost-art-of-design-etiquette" title="Design Etiquette"><img alt="Lost Art of Design Etiquette" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8242" height="300" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/design-etiquette.jpg" title="Lost Art of Design Etiquette" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I didn’t attend this talk but you can see the slides here: <a href="http://speakerdeck.com/u/danrose/p/the-lost-art-of-design-etiquette">The Lost Art of Design Etiquette</a>.</p> <p>Also be sure to check out <a href="http://photoshopetiquette.com/" title="Photoshop Etiquette">The Photoshop Etiquette Guide for Web Designers</a>.<br /> <a name="7"><br /> </a></p> <h2>Extensis Photoshop Font Plugin</h2> <p><a href="http://www.extensis.com/en/webfontplugin/"><img alt="Web Font Plugin" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8243" height="300" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Web-Font-Plugin.jpg" title="Web-Font-Plugin" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Extensis released a new <a href="http://www.extensis.com/en/webfontplugin/" title="Web Font Plugin">Photoshop plugin</a> that allows you to use their <a href="http://www.extensis.com/en/WebINK/" title="Web Ink">2000 fonts</a> + <a href="http://www.google.com/webfonts" title="Google Web Fonts">Google’s Web Fonts</a> too, all from right within Photoshop. Best thing is that it’s free, although it is bundled with some font management software. Worth checking out.<br /> <a name="8"><br /> </a></p> <h2><strong>Future of Branding - </strong><strong><a href="http://twitter.com/randyjhunt" title="Randy Hunt"><em>Randy Hunt</em></a></strong></h2> <h2><strong><em><img alt="Future of Branding" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8244" height="300" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/future-of-branding.jpg" title="future-of-branding" width="500" /><br /> </em></strong></h2> <p>At the moment there is a blurring between community and customers, between offline and online, home and work. This is because they exist at the same time.</p> <p><strong>What cuts through the blurriness of branding? </strong></p> <ul> <li>Smart content and an honest story.</li> <li>An experience that people can relate to and people empathise with.</li> <li>A memorable personality or character that is not forgettable.</li> <li>The best brands are the ones you can believe in & actually mean something to people.</li> <li>Brands manifest themselves through people and active engagement. The community defines your brand.</li> <li>Designers are product makers. Products become expressions of the brand and brands are products.</li> <li>Make people happy.</li> <li>Rather than differentiating, make brands likable and loveable. Successful brands aren’t made up, they are the ones that are believed in.</li> <li>You don’t want a web design, you want a web <em>solution</em>.</li> </ul> <p><a name="9"> </a></p> <h2><strong>The Design Revolution - </strong><a href="http://tcn.co.uk/"><em>Brad Haynes</em></a></h2> <p><img alt="Design-Revolution" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8246" height="300" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Design-Revolution.jpg" title="Design-Revolution" width="500" /></p> <ul> <li> We are moving from an Information Age to a Conceptual Age.</li> <li>Systematic jobs are being automated or outsourced.</li> <li>Right side brains are big pictured, empathetic, emotional.</li> <li>The Wholefoods experience is pleasing and enjoyable. eg. Flowers at entrance, dimly lit, homely. Think “How can you improve the ROI?”</li> <li>Find the opportunities that allow you to make a larger impact.</li> </ul> <p>Recommended reading: <a href="http://www.danpink.com/whole-new-mind">A Whole New Mind</a> by Daniel Pink.</p> <p><a name="10"></a></p> <h2>Future of HTML5 - <em> <a href="http://twitter.com/csskarma">Tim Wright</a></em></h2> <p><img alt="HTML5" height="300" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/html5.jpg" title="HTML5" width="500" /></p> <p>I wasn’t at this talk but the slides can be found here: <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/csskarma/a-look-at-the-efuture-of-html5">Future of HTML 5</a>.<br /> <a name="11"></a></p> <h2><strong> The Unknown Voyage</strong> - <a href="http://www.joshuadavis.com/"><em>Josh David</em></a></h2> <p><em><img alt="Josh Davis" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8251" height="300" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/josh-davis.jpg" title="Josh Davis" width="500" /><br /> </em></p> <p>This talk really couldn’t be transcribed. Let’s just say that Josh “might hold the record for the most f**ks at TED”.</p> <ul> <li>Learn to embrace failure to arrive at success.</li> <li>If it is right, and you believe in it, do it.</li> </ul> <p><em>Thank you to the speakers and <a href=" <p><strong>What was the most insightful talk / summary for you?</strong></p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com">Just Creative Design</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <br /><b>Related Articles:</b> <ul class="st-related-posts"> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2010/04/26/voices-that-matter-web-design-conference/" title="Voices That Matter: Web Design Conference (Monday, April 26, 2010)">Voices That Matter: Web Design Conference</a> (5)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/09/16/how-to-up-your-game-as-a-web-designer/" title="How To UP YOUR GAME as a Web Designer (Friday, September 16, 2011)">How To UP YOUR GAME as a Web Designer</a> (13)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/hire-me/" title="Hire Me (Thursday, November 8, 2007)">Hire Me</a> (26)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/10/12/future-of-web-design-nyc-2011/" title="Future of Web Design NYC 2011 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)">Future of Web Design NYC 2011</a> (10)</li> </ul> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=dhy1_BLWCp4:PqJ2tA-KGNc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=dhy1_BLWCp4:PqJ2tA-KGNc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=dhy1_BLWCp4:PqJ2tA-KGNc:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=dhy1_BLWCp4:PqJ2tA-KGNc:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=dhy1_BLWCp4:PqJ2tA-KGNc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=dhy1_BLWCp4:PqJ2tA-KGNc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=dhy1_BLWCp4:PqJ2tA-KGNc:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=dhy1_BLWCp4:PqJ2tA-KGNc:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=dhy1_BLWCp4:PqJ2tA-KGNc:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=dhy1_BLWCp4:PqJ2tA-KGNc:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QpzPXw3pRWucszDjlEykjJvULls/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QpzPXw3pRWucszDjlEykjJvULls/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QpzPXw3pRWucszDjlEykjJvULls/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QpzPXw3pRWucszDjlEykjJvULls/1/di" /></a></p><p><a href="http://www.brightlounge.tv/episode-02/" title="Jacob Cass interview"><img alt="Jacob Cass Interview Bright Lounge" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8222" height="344" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/interview.jpg" title="Jacob Cass Interview Bright Lounge" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I was recently <a href="http://www.brightlounge.tv/episode-02/" title="Jacob Cass interview">interviewed</a> on <a href="http://www.brightlounge.tv/" title="Bright Lounge">BrightLounge TV</a>, which is a website focused on providing “relaxing video podcasts on the topics of  design, startups and technology”. The questions I answer in the video are outlined below. The video is also combined with some great freelance travel tips from the interviewers, <a href="http://twitter.com/bryanmcanulty">Bryan</a> & <a href="http://twitter.com/katchja">Catalina</a>.</p> <p>My interview goes for about 12 minutes starting at 9:35. You can view it below or <a href="http://www.brightlounge.tv/episode-02/" title="Jacob Cass interview">much larger over on BrightLounge</a>.<br /> <br /> <br /> </p> <ol> <li>How did you get started with <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2010/04/06/branding-identity-logo-design-explained/" title="Identity Design">identity design</a>?</li> <li>What was your <a href="http://www.facebook.com/DisneyDigitalBooks" title="Disney Facebook">first experience</a> with a big client like?</li> <li>Have you ever had an experience with a client who had strange expectations or made awkward requests that you wouldn’t have expected?</li> <li> What is one piece of <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2009/01/21/advice-for-graphic-design-students/" title="Advice for design students">advice</a> you would give to freelancers getting started with identity design? Is there anything that you learned the hard way?</li> <li>What is the role of identity design in <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/03/11/japan-tribute/" title="Japan">social change</a>? Can you brand a cause and change people’s behavior or attitude about it?</li> <li> What do you do to turn a logo design project into a long term commitment with the client where you continue to work more on things like their overall branding strategy?</li> <li>During your travels, have you noticed any kind of cultural differences in how the idea of identity design has evolved and is being implemented? Anything you haven’t expected?</li> <li> Where have you traveled? A traveler like you probably has a really cool story related to your experiences in a different country. Tell us some of those stories.</li> <li>When you travel, how do you optimize your workflow, if you have to also work on a project while traveling? Any tips for traveling freelancers?</li> <li>Besides traveling, what else do you enjoy doing in your free time?</li> <li>What is something that excites you right now, it can be anything, doesn’t need to be related to design.</li> </ol> <p>Let me know if you have any other questions!</p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com">Just Creative Design</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <br /><b>Related Articles:</b> <ul class="st-related-posts"> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/10/28/what-do-you-love-about-the-web/" title="What do you love about the web? (Friday, October 28, 2011)">What do you love about the web?</a> (11)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2009/04/20/welcome-thank-you-video/" title="Welcome & Thank You Video (Monday, April 20, 2009)">Welcome & Thank You Video</a> (56)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/06/03/videogamer-com-logo-redesign-case-study/" title="VideoGamer.com Logo Redesign Case Study (Friday, June 3, 2011)">VideoGamer.com Logo Redesign Case Study</a> (24)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2010/05/21/simplicity-sells/" title="Simplicity Sells (Friday, May 21, 2010)">Simplicity Sells</a> (8)</li> </ul> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=M2juYRE7_VU:HDXpla2MNxU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=M2juYRE7_VU:HDXpla2MNxU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=M2juYRE7_VU:HDXpla2MNxU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=M2juYRE7_VU:HDXpla2MNxU:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=M2juYRE7_VU:HDXpla2MNxU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=M2juYRE7_VU:HDXpla2MNxU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=M2juYRE7_VU:HDXpla2MNxU:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=M2juYRE7_VU:HDXpla2MNxU:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=M2juYRE7_VU:HDXpla2MNxU:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=M2juYRE7_VU:HDXpla2MNxU:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Mj6CaW-268ZtWU44XiDJUcuM0jw/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Mj6CaW-268ZtWU44XiDJUcuM0jw/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Mj6CaW-268ZtWU44XiDJUcuM0jw/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Mj6CaW-268ZtWU44XiDJUcuM0jw/1/di" /></a></p><p><img alt="" class="alignnone" height="250" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/fowd-20111.jpg" title="FOWD 2011" width="500" /></p> <p>A <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/10/12/future-of-web-design-nyc-2011/" title="FOWD">few weeks back</a> I announced the <a href="http://futureofwebdesign.com/new-york-2011/" title="FOWD">2011 Future of Web Design Conference</a> being held in NYC and today I attended Day 1 of the event.</p> <p>Below is a summary of the talks I attended. As a disclaimer, these notes were quickly jotted down & summarised and may not be understood out of context but I’ve done what I could from my notes. Below are the 6 summarised keynotes which you can click to jump to.</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#1">The Secrets to Instagram’s Success</a> - <em>Kevin Systrom</em></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#3">How To (and not) Get Hired</a> -<em> Andrea Graham</em></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#4">The Myths of Mobile Context</a> - <em>Josh Clark<br /> </em></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#5">Web Design is a Cloud, Not a Clock</a> - <em>Sarah B. Nelson</em></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#6">Type On Screen: Choosing & Using It Well</a> - <em>Daniel Rhatigan</em></li> <li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/JustCreativeDesignBlog#7">The Power of Side Projects and Eccentric Aunts</a> - <em>Tina Roth Eisenberg</em></li> </ul> <p>Videos of the talks will be available soon.<br /> <a name="1"></a></p> <h2>The Secrets to <a href="http://instagram.com">Instagram</a>’s Success - <a href="http://twitter.com/kevin"><em><strong><strong>Kevin Systrom</strong></strong></em></a></h2> <p><em><strong><strong><a href="http://instagram.com"><img alt="Instagram Success" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8189" height="250" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/instagram.jpg" title="instagram" width="500" /></a><br /> </strong></strong></em></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p>When designing for the web VS desktop you should take into account<strong>:<br /> </strong></p> <ol> <li><strong>Device Context</strong> – new contexts (sizes, resolutions, etc.) & new devices</li> <li><strong>Place Context</strong> – people are on the move, not behind a desk. This changes way people interact with products.</li> <li><strong>Needs context</strong> – time, speed & capabilities of devices.</li> </ol> <p>Users are no longer in the web browser – what can you do with that? There are also many features of mobile devices, that are not on the desktop. What can you do with them?</p> <p>Users want to navigate <strong>single needs</strong> at a time. For example, Facebook Messenger is a breakaway from the core Facebook platform.</p> <p><strong>Instagram Stats</strong></p> <ul> <li>12.6 million users in a year.</li> <li>1.5 users per second.</li> <li>250 million photos.</li> <li>“Costs 2 really nice cars” a month in hosting.</li> </ul> <h3>How to make it in the mobile app market</h3> <ol> <li><strong>Have a vision </strong>– Something may be a feature, but it could be turned into a single context that ‘saves the world’. Don’t work on things that don’t add value or work with the vision. Don’t announce features before you start working on them.</li> <li><strong>Turn features into products</strong> – Silly features should be considered as “What can this become?” What can be next?” This limits & expands what you’re going to work on.</li> <li><strong>Always be an editor</strong> – This allows you to decide what you should and should not work on. Trim down the app and features to the most important parts. As an example, Instagram does not allow high resolution photos as this slows down upload speeds. Even though people ask for it, it goes against the vision of the company. Ask “What should not belong?” Unused or unpopular features should also be cut. eg. the Instagram ‘Gotham’ filter was not used much, so it was cut.</li> <li><strong>Make it fast & simple </strong>– People are usually in a rush and need things done quickly. As an example, did you know Google pre-loads your Gmail inbox? Instagram also starts pre loading images to the web after they take the shot. They’ve taken perceived latency and moved it elsewhere which makes speed seem instant. You should consider the relationship between flexibility and simplicity. More flexibility means more complexity. A blend between simple and flexible is the key.</li> <li><strong>Make it Magical</strong> – How much time does the user spend and how much payoff do they get? With a little effort you get a lot of pay off. Eg. 15 seconds gets a photo filtered & uploaded.</li> <li><strong>Make Your Product Grow</strong> – How will people hear about your product? How do you take 1 user and turn into more?  Make people be able to share at all times. The content is an ad for the product in itself. Eg. Each photo has a ‘Download Instagram’ link. Think about the flow of the product. Eg. Foursquare photos with a check-in is much more successful due to the thumbnail as eople want to click on the thumbnail.</li> <li><strong>Make It Addictive</strong> – Make people come back and use it again, by making it magical. Make people think ‘How did you do that’? What makes it unique? How often & what should be the payoff? A variable ratio should generate the highest rate of activity. Eg. The Pokie machine = random excitement. Ask yourself how do you create a “<strong>social slot machine</strong>”? Likes & comments are the rewards, just like wins on the slot machine. More likes = jackpot.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Mobile Success Recap:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Have a vision – shows you boundaries of playing field.</li> <li>Turn features into products.</li> <li>Be an editor - trim to the most important.</li> <li>Make it fast & simple – hide latency.</li> <li>Make it magical – make products that are exciting.</li> <li>Make it grow – make the flow turn 1 to 1000.</li> <li>Make it addictive – make it bring joy.</li> </ul> <p><a name="2"></a></p> <h2>Treehouse Launch</h2> <p><a href="http://teamtreehouse.com/"><img alt="Treehouse" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8190" height="250" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Treehouse.jpg" title="Treehouse" width="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://teamtreehouse.com/" title="Treehouse">Treehouse</a> (formally Think Vitamin membership) was launched at the event. It’s a place to learn web design, web development and iOS Development.<br /> <a name="3"></a></p> <h2><strong>How To (and not) Get Hired -<em> <a href="http://twitter.com/BigSea">Andrea Graham</a></em></strong></h2> <p><strong><em>Marketing For Web Designers<br /> </em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><img alt="BigSea" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8191" height="250" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/BigSea.jpg" title="BigSea" width="500" /></em></strong></p> <p><a href="http://speakerdeck.com/u/bigsea/p/how-to-and-how-not-to-get-hired-marketing-for-web-designers">The slides are available here</a>.<strong><em> </em></strong></p> <p><strong>How Not To Get Hired<br /> </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <ul> <li>Having comprimising photos online. Untag compromising photos. A simple Google / Facebook search can find many.</li> <li>Misspellings and bad grammar.</li> <li>Venting on social networks.</li> </ul> <p><strong>How To Get Hired<br /> </strong></p> <ul> <li>Ensure your portfolio & website is up to date.</li> <li>Determine your work and for whom you want to work</li> <li>Get ownership of products or create your own.</li> </ul> <p><strong>On Finding Agencies </strong></p> <ul> <li>Send out your links, attend events, find internships, network and make friends.</li> </ul> <p><strong>On Finding Clients</strong></p> <ul> <li>Join up & network to find clients. Read local publications, make friends and do pro-bono work. Make 1 on 1 relationships. Your friends work for businesses, create relationships with their bosses.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Use your resources</strong></p> <ul> <li>Agency recruiters look on social networks. Job boards, social networks. Are you there?</li> <li>Start a blog.  Do roundups. Establish yourself as credible.</li> <li>Do tutorials.</li> <li>Attend events and meet ups.</li> </ul> <p><strong>How to get hired again</strong></p> <ul> <li>Make it easy for people to refer you. Meet deadlines.</li> <li>Ensure people know you are available for work. ‘Hire Me’ is better CTA than Contact Me.</li> <li>Try out incentive based marketing.</li> <li>Be your own biggest fan. Toot your own horn.</li> <li>Embrace your weaknesses. Know when to say no. Recommend others who you know are experts.</li> <li>Become an expert an something. Keep learning by doing tutorials. Follow through on projects.</li> <li>Bill hourly and honestly. Have more accurate timing.</li> <li>Do good work.</li> <li>Don’t burn bridges.</li> <li>Deliver cupcakes / rewards after a project has been completed. Say Thank you.</li> </ul> <p><a name="4"></a></p> <h2>The Myths of Mobile Context - <a href="http://twitter.com/globalmoxie"><em>Josh Clark</em></a></h2> <p><img alt="Mobile-Context-Myths" height="250" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Mobile-Context-Myths.jpg" title="Mobile-Context-Myths" width="500" /></p> <p>This was my favourite talk of the day, extremely interesting & informational. Good news for you too, as you can download Josh Clark’s slides <a href="http://t.co/9JMWM2yw">here in PDF</a> form, with accompanying notes.</p> <p>To understand mobile context, you must understand users needs. Think of platforms as cultures.</p> <h4><strong>Myth 1: Mobile users are rushed and distracted </strong></h4> <ul> <li>Mobile isn’t just on the go, it’s on the couch, its waiting, its on the bus, its on toilet. “40% of users use on the toilet. 60% lie.”</li> <li>Mobile versions don’t have to do less or ‘be lite’.</li> <li>Don’t remove content or freatures, just because it is mobile.</li> <li>Mobile users use because they are “multi-tasking, they are local, or bored”. They are ready to spend attention to the phone.</li> <li>25% of US adults are mobile. 8%  use mobile exclusively.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>Myth 2: Mobile = Less</strong></h4> <ul> <li>Mobile is not lite, or less.</li> <li>Don’t confuse content with intent. Just because paperbacks books should be lighter, it doesn’t mean you need to remove chapters.</li> <li>Mobile apps should have full content & core content.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>Myth 3: Complexity is a dirty word</strong></h4> <ul> <li>People don’t want dumbed-down apps, they want less complicated app. <strong>Make complexity, uncomplicated.</strong></li> <li>People don’t care how it happens, just help them get it there. eg. The umbrella iPhone app simply answers “Will I need an umbrella today?” Simple but fulfills certain user needs.</li> <li><strong>Give users the minimum to reach their goal.</strong> Understand who you are designing for, as this changes everything.</li> <li>You can create sub apps within the app or outside of the app.</li> <li>Managing complexity isn’t about putting all the information on the page. You need to manage tasks and screens.<em> <strong>Clarity trumps density.</strong></em></li> </ul> <h4><strong>Myth 4: </strong><strong>Extra taps and clicks are evil</strong></h4> <p><strong> </strong></p> <ul> <li>Have content that is cached and ready.</li> <li><strong>Worry about tap quality, not quantity</strong>. Every tap should give delight and be worth it. Explore information, ask and receive.</li> <li>Teach users about hidden content. Show once until they learn the functionality.</li> <li><strong>Mobile should mean more.</strong> Give your app super powers based on the features of mobile devices. Stop thinking about mobile, but think about mobile content. What you can do with the device, as apose to a desktop. Progressive enhancement.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>Myth 5: </strong><strong>You must have a mobile website</strong></h4> <ul> <li>There is no mobile web, don’t think in terms of mobile websites but in terms of mobile devices. How can the device enhance the experience. Use media queries. This approach is not dogmatic so use good judgment.</li> <li><strong>Ethan Marcotte</strong> – <a href="http://www.alistapart.com/articles/responsive-web-design/">Responsive Web Design</a> book is great approach.</li> <li><strong>Mobile First</strong> - Start with mobile first as it can define what is really useful for the website as it makes you make the hard decisions. What is the most important?</li> <li>Think about <strong>the content and API</strong> as the show.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>Myth 6: Mobile is about apps</strong></h4> <ul> <li>An app is not a strategy, its just an app or a container.</li> <li>Your product is not a product at all. If you pull back, you need to accept that your content is going to be displayed in many forms.</li> <li><strong>Content is like water.</strong> Build content out, don’t put it in a container. Start thinking about flexible content that can be displayed on any device. You should be able to get content any time, any where. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn7RfQU1MJg">NFL ad</a> is a great example as this.</li> <li>We’re all cloud developers. Be <a href="http://www.futurefriend.ly/">www.futurefriend.ly</a> - Design for the future. We can not control the form or context that content can be displayed. You need API’s that can be used across any device. Content should be open so users can use the information. Eg. The Guardian, NY Times, NPR.</li> </ul> <h4><strong>7. </strong><strong>Content & API are for database nerds</strong></h4> <ul> <li><strong>Metadeta is the new art direction.</strong> Structure your content well and you will get a foothold for design across all the devices.</li> <li>Apply rules for the robots to follow. <strong>Repurpose content, not design. Don’t design pixels, design content.</strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>Mobile Context Recap: </strong></p> <ul> <li>Mobile is not rushed or less.</li> <li>Complex is not complicated.</li> <li>Tap quality not tap quantity.</li> <li>Focus for all platforms.</li> <li>No such thing as mobile web.</li> <li>Don’t think app: think service.</li> <li>Metadata is the new art direction.</li> </ul> <p><a name="5"></a></p> <h2><strong>Web Design is a Cloud, Not a Clock - <a href="http://twitter.com/sarahbeee"><em>Sarah B. Nelson</em></a></strong></h2> <p><strong><em><img alt="Cloud-Clock" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8194" height="250" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Cloud-Clock.jpg" title="Cloud-Clock" width="500" /><br /> </em></strong></p> <p>Clock problems can be measured and analysed, rebuilt and can find problems. They’re tangible.</p> <p>Clouds are dynamic systems, they can be analsyed in some parts but can not be predicted or remodeled or picked apart. The problem is that we take cloud problems and treat them like clock problems.</p> <p>The design process is an emergent system. Once you see the parts you can work on them.<strong> </strong>Working agreements are the heart of collaborative work and the strength of those relationships. This directly impacts the quality of the designs. They are not necessarily formal. Below is a list of points for great working agreements.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Have a clear sense of purpose.</strong> Know why and how they are doing it so they can make decisions and know how success will be measured.</li> <li><strong>Trust.</strong> Even if you don’t use same tools, etc. you can still make a promise and deliver on it. Having a history helps as you work better together, based on consistant actions. Failure is an opportunity for growth, not blame.</li> <li><strong>Clear roles and responsibilities</strong>. On the particular project what are the team really accountable for? Sometimes these need to be rotated. How do you know they know what they are doing? They can articulate with their mouths what they are doing.</li> <li><strong>Agreed upon approach</strong>. Set realistic expectations and deadlines.</li> <li><strong>Deadlines make us more creative</strong>. Structure makes us find creative ways to deliver the product in a different way.</li> <li><strong>User Involvement - </strong>Regular involvement is crucial.<strong> </strong>Personas<strong> </strong>based on feedback and what you know. The team should have an understanding of who your users are.  They should have references / touch stones that everyone can agree on. <em>Design with users, not at or for them.</em></li> <li><strong>Stakeholder Engagement</strong>. Talk with people who have no idea with what your doing and know how to engage. Not a list of changes type of engagement but workshops and hands on involvement designed to get information and to let them know they are heard and that you are listening. Revaluate how it is working.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Pre-project kick offs are a great way to start a project</strong>. When starting a project, every member of the team should have a conversation about how you are working together. Make your working agreements. Put everyones name up there. Have goals for each project… why is each member there? What are the fears? Expectations? eg. List Names, Titles, Goals, Fears, Expecations.<br /> <a name="6"></a></p> <h2>Type On Screen: Choosing & Using It Well - <a href="http://twitter.com/ultrasparky"><em>Daniel Rhatigan</em></a></h2> <p><img alt="Type on Screen" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8195" height="250" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/fonts-on-screen.jpg" title="Type on Screen" width="500" /></p> <p>Thanks to <a href="http://jasongraphix.com/journal/fowd-2011-cliff-notes/" title="FOWD 2011 Notes">Jason E. Beaird</a> for the Type on Screen notes below.</p> <p>Screen typography has come a long way, but it’s still evolving. There are font licensing issues, device support issues, font rendering inconsistencies and fonts that don’t work well on screen. Rasterizing software and screen hardware also take different approaches, such as E Ink.</p> <p><strong>Choosing a typeface:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Vertical Proportions – Most web safe fonts have similar proportions between upper and lowercase text. A taller x-height can make the text feel more dense at the same size.</li> <li>Shapes – Straight lines and clear forms work better than subtle angles or curves. At small sizes, good hinting can help keep these details from causing trouble.</li> <li>Open Spaces – Generous spacing within and around letters (within apertures and around forms) will increase legibility at small sizes.</li> <li>Family Selection – Makes sure that italic and bold styles look as good as the regular.</li> <li>Opentype Features – Support is beginning to increase. Ligatures, alternate number forms, swashes or contextual alternatives and real small caps.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Using it well:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Compensate for inconsistency – Adjust the size and line-height as needed to get contrasting fonts to work together.</li> <li>Be generous – If in doubt, slightly larger text size & extra line spacing will be easier to read.</li> <li>Choose color carefully – Contrast between text and background not only makes text more readable, but it also makes fonts easier to rasterize. More steps between the colors.</li> </ul> <p>There are ‘E’ Versions of popular print faces such as Bembo and Helvetia Neue which have adjustments to the weight, proportion and spacing. There are also new faces being created specifically for screen like Malabar.<br /> <a name="7"></a></p> <h2><strong>The Power of Side Projects and Eccentric Aunts - </strong><a href="http://twitter.com/swissmiss"><em>Tina Roth Eisenberg</em></a></h2> <p><a href="http://tatt.ly/"><img alt="Tattly" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8197" height="250" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/tattly.jpg" title="Tattly" width="500" /></a></p> <p><strong>Things Tina will teach her kids:</strong></p> <ol> <li>Love what you do & be flexible because the goal you set may not be what you had in mind when you set the goal.</li> <li>Make something you love. Trust your intuition, don’t always go off numbers.</li> <li>If an opportunity scares you, you need to take it.</li> <li>Don’t be a complainer, make things better or let them go. Best way to complain is to make things.</li> <li>Make time for side products. If you’re a designer, you have all the skills to create a product. Side products lead him to the next job.</li> <li>Surround your self with like minded people. Human connections.</li> <li>Ignore haters. Give haters none of your time. Zero.</li> </ol> <p>Stay tuned for Day 2 of the Future of Web Design Conference 2011.</p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com">Just Creative Design</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <br /><b>Related Articles:</b> <ul class="st-related-posts"> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2010/04/26/voices-that-matter-web-design-conference/" title="Voices That Matter: Web Design Conference (Monday, April 26, 2010)">Voices That Matter: Web Design Conference</a> (5)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/featured-articles/" title="Popular Articles (Monday, January 7, 2008)">Popular Articles</a> (12)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/10/12/future-of-web-design-nyc-2011/" title="Future of Web Design NYC 2011 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)">Future of Web Design NYC 2011</a> (10)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/11/15/future-of-web-design-conference-day-2-review/" title="Future of Web Design Conference - Day 2 Review (Tuesday, November 15, 2011)">Future of Web Design Conference - Day 2 Review</a> (7)</li> </ul> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=8yeh7apkDyw:LNOhHY0XbQI:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=8yeh7apkDyw:LNOhHY0XbQI:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=8yeh7apkDyw:LNOhHY0XbQI:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=8yeh7apkDyw:LNOhHY0XbQI:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=8yeh7apkDyw:LNOhHY0XbQI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=8yeh7apkDyw:LNOhHY0XbQI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=8yeh7apkDyw:LNOhHY0XbQI:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=8yeh7apkDyw:LNOhHY0XbQI:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=8yeh7apkDyw:LNOhHY0XbQI:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=8yeh7apkDyw:LNOhHY0XbQI:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/nxG3oWWhdAIpxtnRpiHvpI-1O-c/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/nxG3oWWhdAIpxtnRpiHvpI-1O-c/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/nxG3oWWhdAIpxtnRpiHvpI-1O-c/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/nxG3oWWhdAIpxtnRpiHvpI-1O-c/1/di" /></a></p><p><img alt="QR Code Breakdown" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8096" height="280" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/breakdown-500x280.png" title="QR Code Breakdown" width="500" /></p> <p><em>This is a guest article contributed by Simon Goble.</em><br /> -<br /> <strong>QR or Quick Response Codes</strong> have been around since 1994 and were originally used to track parts during car manufacture. It is likely you have seen one, even if you didn’t know what it was, usually displayed as black and white squares in a grid pattern reminiscent of a crossword. Essentially QR Codes are a barcode capable of holding significantly more information (thousands of characters as opposed to tens).</p> <p>Around October 2010 they became a popular tool to quickly link smartphone users through to web pages, provided the phone had a relevant reader installed. Creating your own code is fairly simple with a myriad of free to use generators available, though initially the various options can be slightly overwhelming.</p> <h2>So How Are QR Codes Used?</h2> <p>QR codes are a quick and convenient way to transfer information to smart phones (or any digital device with a reader). The information encoded might direct users to a website URL, add contact details, offer special discounts and much more. They are often seen in magazines and on posters and flyers, where details on an event or product can be transferred. More specialised uses involve supplying extra details on name tags and business cards (vCards or personalised webpages), television adverts that are continued interactively and ordering online from closed high street shops.</p> <p>QR Codes have also been used as coupon codes, online tickets and in scavenger hunts. Reiterating the paper message is a frequent but uninteresting practise, it is often more effective to create useful and interesting applications that will get people talking. What follows are a few of the better examples.</p> <h4><strong>First Bank Free Books & Puzzles<br /> </strong></h4> <p>Posters at Denver International airport provide a great service for the unprepared traveler. Scanning different posters leads to crosswords, Sudoku puzzles and books.</p> <p><img alt="Book Posters QR Code" height="318" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/poster-500x318.jpg" title="Book Posters QR Code" width="500" /></p> <h4><strong>Mini Business Cards</strong></h4> <p>Using minicards means less space, but with the addition of a QR code any missing details can still be passed on.</p> <p><img alt="MiniCards QR Code" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8085" height="315" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/cards.png" title="MiniCards QR Code" width="457" /></p> <h4><strong>Lego Poster<br /> </strong></h4> <p>Using a product everyone loves is always going to be a winner, so what if that is the only really interesting part of it?</p> <p><img alt="Lego QR Code" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8094" height="400" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/lego-291x400.png" title="Lego QR Code" width="291" /></p> <h4><strong>Driveway Code<br /> </strong></h4> <p>No guarantee of ever being seen but if it ever shows up on online satellite views it will been worth it.</p> <p><img alt="Driveway QR Code" height="373" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/drive-500x373.jpg" title="Driveway QR Code" width="500" /></p> <h4><strong>Tesco Shopping Posters<br /> </strong></h4> <p>Tesco put up a number of posters on the Seoul subway scanning the code below the item adds it to your online shopping basket.</p> <p><img alt="Tesco QR Code Shopping" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8092" height="337" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/tesco-500x337.jpg" title="Tesco Shopping QR Code" width="500" /></p> <h4><strong>Menus</strong></h4> <p>Scanning the code on this menu from a Radisson Edwardian Hotel will take you through to a video of the dish being prepared.</p> <p><img alt="QR Menu Code" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8091" height="287" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/menu.jpg" title="QR Menu Code" width="429" /></p> <h4><strong>Resume / CV<br /> </strong></h4> <p>A fantastic way to stand out from the crowd, scanning the code takes the user to a video of him giving his resume in his own voice.</p> <p><img alt="QR Code Resume CV" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8090" height="400" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/resume-355x400.png" title="QR Code Resume CV" width="355" /></p> <h4><strong>Augmented Reality Building</strong></h4> <p>When scanning this building using a custom app it overlays shop information and tweets from the businesses inside.</p> <p><img alt="Augmented Reality QR Code" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8089" height="311" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/arbuilding-500x311.jpg" title="Augmented Reality" width="500" /></p> <h3>How Do I Create My Own QR Code?</h3> <p>There are plenty of free QR code generators out there. Generally the default settings will be fine for a quick and easy result and many of the options are fairly self-evident though they will sometimes appear under different headings. Nevertheless to ensure that any interested party has the best chance of using your code it is worth at least being aware of some of the more advanced options available.</p> <h3><strong>Must Know QR Code Tips<br /> </strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong>Resolution</strong> –An important part of a QR code is the size as if it is too small some devices may have issues reading it. Across different generators Resolution is also referred to as Scale, Block size or Output.</li> <li><strong>Data Type</strong> – This defines what action the code will take when scanned, it is commonly used to show the user websites, plain text, phone numbers, Google maps and email addresses.</li> <li><strong>Redundancy/Error Correction</strong> – If a portion of the code becomes unreadable having using Error Correction during creation will mean the code compensates for lost data. There are varying degrees of correction offered (15% is the most common) though the larger the redundancy allowed for the greater the increase the grid size. At 0% any obstruction/damage to the code is likely to render it unreadable.</li> </ul> <p><img alt="QR Code Phone" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-8088" height="273" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/phone-500x273.png" title="QR Code Phone" width="500" /></p> <h3><strong>Worth Knowing QR Code Tips<br /> </strong></h3> <p>Several other common options worth being aware of that are not necessary are;</p> <ul> <li><strong>Grid Size</strong> – This defines how many blocks the code will be made up from, the majority of generators automatically resize the grid to the minimum necessary for all data to be stored but a few have manual settings.</li> <li><strong>Colour</strong> – The contrast of the code is fairly fundamental to how it is read but as long as the code is a dark colour on a light background there should be no issues.</li> <li><strong>Output type</strong> – The file format of the output .jpeg/.png/.gif etc.</li> <li><strong>Shorten URL</strong> – To create a QR Code that uses a smaller grid you need to use the Shorten URL option this works by shortening the web address by redirecting though a third party (often the generators own) site.</li> <li><strong>Padding</strong> – Using the padding options will add a border around the edge of the code. Not of particularly useful but if you plan to feature online rather than print it can save some editing time.</li> <li><strong>Rounding/Radius/Shadow/Rotation</strong> – Some generators offer a number of visual effects to make the output a little less plain however high levels of customisation require a photo editing program.</li> </ul> <p><img alt="QR Code Business Card" height="315" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/card2.png" title="QR Code Business Card" width="457" /></p> <h3>Recommended QR Code Generators</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://2d-code.co.uk/qr-code-generators/">2D Code</a> has a comprehensive list of generators it details the basic options and any unique features included.</li> <li><a href="http://qrcode.kaywa.com/">Kaywa</a> (simple but great for getting a quick code made) and <a href="http://en.unitag.fr/">Unitag</a> (has the most advanced visual options, great if playing around with Photoshop isn’t your thing), either of these will likely cover all your needs but it is worth trying a few out and finding one that suits you.</li> </ul> <h3>Tips When Making Your Own QR Code</h3> <ul> <li>Think about where it will be displayed, in some countries accessing the internet in subways is no problem but in it isn’t an option.</li> <li>Don’t apply them to everything; the reader will want some value for taking the time to scan your code so make it worth their while.</li> <li>Remember, the whole code needs to be scanned so take into account what distance you expect people will be scanning from.</li> <li>Your QR Code is almost certainly going to be read using a smartphone so wherever it is directed should be at least functional if not designed specifically for a mobile device.</li> <li>Testing is the only way to ensure your code is working properly it will be especially important if you have significantly edited the image.</li> <li>Some generators redirect hyperlinks though their own site, however you can use this to track how many people are using your QR code.</li> <li>Not everyone has a smartphone, not everyone will know what a QR code is and not everyone who has a smartphone will have a reader installed. Many people love QR Codes but a great number of others are currently oblivious to their existence.</li> <li>The code will still be functional if visual effects can be used and especially if a high degree of error correction is applied. You can go as far as having a logo obscuring part of the code but still have the data loss compensated for.</li> </ul> <p><img alt="Styled QR Code" height="400" src="http://justcreativedesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/styled-400x400.jpg" title="Styled QR Code" width="400" /></p> <h2>How Do I Read The QR Code?</h2> <p>Every major device has a number of available readers, some such as Blackberry come with a built in reader, Android and iOS have a number of free and paid options available on their respective marketplaces. QR Reader for <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/qr-reader-for-iphone/id368494609?mt=8">iPhone</a> and <a href="https://market.android.com/details?id=la.droid.qr&hl=en">QR Droid</a> for Android and <a href="http://www.google.com/mobile/goggles/#text">Google Goggle</a> for both, are favourites.</p> <h3>Your Turn</h3> <p>Hopefully the thought of creating your own QR Codes is now less daunting. So do you plan on making your own QR Code? Are you already using them and have any tips? If have a unique idea for a QR Code use or want to plug your favourite generator, let us know in the comments.</p> <p>-</p> <p><em>This post was written by Simon Goble on behalf of <a href="http://moo.com" title="Moo.com">moo.com</a>. MOO loves design, offering custom <a href="http://us.moo.com/products/business-cards.html">Business Card Printing</a>, unique MiniCards, Postcards, StickerBooks, Greeting Cards and more. You can visit their site at moo.com or follow them on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/overheardatmoo">@overheardatmoo</a>.</em></p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com">Just Creative Design</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <br /><b>Related Articles:</b> <ul class="st-related-posts"> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/portfolio/print-design/" title="Print Design (Friday, November 16, 2007)">Print Design</a> (1)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/hire-me/" title="Hire Me (Thursday, November 8, 2007)">Hire Me</a> (26)</li> </ul> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=WrYST94U_qc:HbrdG269uEU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=WrYST94U_qc:HbrdG269uEU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=WrYST94U_qc:HbrdG269uEU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=WrYST94U_qc:HbrdG269uEU:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=WrYST94U_qc:HbrdG269uEU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=WrYST94U_qc:HbrdG269uEU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=WrYST94U_qc:HbrdG269uEU:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=WrYST94U_qc:HbrdG269uEU:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=WrYST94U_qc:HbrdG269uEU:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=WrYST94U_qc:HbrdG269uEU:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QDjr-H7tPwKY0eMK_z1gWvhx0Qc/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QDjr-H7tPwKY0eMK_z1gWvhx0Qc/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QDjr-H7tPwKY0eMK_z1gWvhx0Qc/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/QDjr-H7tPwKY0eMK_z1gWvhx0Qc/1/di" /></a></p><p><strong>What do you love about the web?</strong> This was a simple question posed by <a href="http://jcornelius.com/about/">J. Cornelius</a>, president of the <a href="http://www.awdg.org/">AWDG</a>, to a small handful of designers including <a href="http://zeldman.com" title="Zeldman">Jeffrey Zeldman</a>, <a href="http://cameronmoll.com/">Cameron Moll</a>, <a href="http://ngenworks.com">Carl Smith</a>, <a href="http://snook.ca/">Jonathan Snook</a>, <a href="http://whitneyhess.com">Whitney Hess</a>, <a href="http://jeffcroft.com">Jeff Croft</a> and myself.</p> <p>J. asked us to respond in video format and then he compiled the responses together. The result is nothing short of down right inspiring.</p> <p></p> <p>Click through to <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/10/28/what-do-you-love-about-the-web/">view</a> if you do not see the video above.</p> <p>So, what do <strong>you</strong> love about the web?</p> <hr /><br /> © This article is copyright of <a href="http://justcreativedesign.com">Just Creative Design</a> and should not be found elsewhere.<br /><br /> <br /><b>Related Articles:</b> <ul class="st-related-posts"> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/06/08/restaurant-website-design/" title="What is it with Bad Restaurant & Bar Websites? (Wednesday, June 8, 2011)">What is it with Bad Restaurant & Bar Websites?</a> (39)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2009/04/20/welcome-thank-you-video/" title="Welcome & Thank You Video (Monday, April 20, 2009)">Welcome & Thank You Video</a> (56)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/03/01/web-design-tips-advice-from-a-to-z/" title="Web Design Tips & Advice from A to Z (Tuesday, March 1, 2011)">Web Design Tips & Advice from A to Z</a> (33)</li> <li><a href="http://justcreativedesign.com/2011/03/14/web-design-psychology/" title="Web Design + Psychology = Satisfied Users? (Monday, March 14, 2011)">Web Design + Psychology = Satisfied Users?</a> (20)</li> </ul> <div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=RJWJte_QcDs:PC2VCMSrpbc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=RJWJte_QcDs:PC2VCMSrpbc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=RJWJte_QcDs:PC2VCMSrpbc:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=RJWJte_QcDs:PC2VCMSrpbc:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=RJWJte_QcDs:PC2VCMSrpbc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=RJWJte_QcDs:PC2VCMSrpbc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=RJWJte_QcDs:PC2VCMSrpbc:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=RJWJte_QcDs:PC2VCMSrpbc:D7DqB2pKExk"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?i=RJWJte_QcDs:PC2VCMSrpbc:D7DqB2pKExk" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?a=RJWJte_QcDs:PC2VCMSrpbc:I9og5sOYxJI"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/JustCreativeDesignBlog?d=I9og5sOYxJI" /></a> </div>

<p class="strap">Things go bump in the night in this recent short from the Animation Hub</p> <p><span id="more-34318"></span></p> <p></p> <p>The Last Train is the first production from the Animation Hub - a collaboration between animation studio <a href="http://www.giant.ie/">Giant Creative</a> and the staff and students of the <a href="http://www.isa-bcfe.ie/">Irish School of Animation at Ballyfermot College of Further Education (BCFE)</a> and the <a href="http://gv2.cs.tcd.ie/">Graphics Vision and Visualisation group at Trinity College Dublin</a>.</p> <p>The film, which was sponsored by the <a href="http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/">Irish Film Board</a> and the <a href="http://www.sfi.ie/">Science Foundation Ireland</a>, tells the story of a train passenger who is pursued by a mysterious force in the dead of night. The concept for the story was initially developed by the Giant Creative artists. It was then refined over a couple of days with input and feedback from the entire production team.</p> <p>With the plot decided, work began on storyboarding. “After working out the story orally, we began visualising the sequences in thumbnail drawings,” says one of Giant Creative’s and the film’s directors Ben Harper. “This allowed us to quickly explore different angles in order to find the best composition for each shot.” With a clearer idea of content, production got underway. But the pressure was on from day one, with the team working to a three-month deadline, and incorporating software and techniques that they had no previous experience in.</p> <p>“It was our first venture having motion capture in our pipeline,” says Harper. “We struggled in the beginning to come up with a narrative that had a place for both mo-cap and hand-keyed computer animation. We always thought we’d make the story work first, and then fit the technology around that base, so we approached things in that manner.”</p> <p>You can read more about the technical process behind The Last Train in issue 152 of 3D World magazine.</p> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://3dworldmag.com.feedsportal.com/c/33151/f/538495/s/1b53b27f/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=Short+Cuts%3A+The+Last+Train&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F28%2Fshort-cuts-the-last-train%2F" 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=Short+Cuts%3A+The+Last+Train&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F28%2Fshort-cuts-the-last-train%2F" 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/121585877534/u/49/f/538495/c/33151/s/1b53b27f/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121585877534/u/49/f/538495/c/33151/s/1b53b27f/a2.img" /></a><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/3dWorldrss/~4/zK0HAccGYGs" width="1" />

<p class="strap">Introducing Conduit Suite 3D! Create stunning visual effects with this brand-new nodal-based compositing application, courtesy of dvGarage</p> <p><span id="more-34380"></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day24-thumb.jpg" rel="lightbox[34380]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34372" height="120" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day24-thumb.jpg" title="advent-day24-thumb" width="150" /></a></p> <p>Every day 3D World and friends have been giving away all sorts of goodies for you to enjoy, from free training to great models. Today’s the last day and have we got a treat for you?</p> <p>For the grand finale we’ve partnered with <a href="http://www.dvgarage.com">dvGarage</a>, a provider of tools and training for the next generation of media artists, to offer you this <strong>exclusive freebie</strong>, a realtime video and graphics compositing tool, <a href="http://www.dvgarage.com/conduit-3d">Conduit Suite 3D for Macintosh</a>. </p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/conduit_3d_hero.jpg" rel="lightbox[34380]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34381" height="306" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/conduit_3d_hero.jpg" title="conduit_3d_hero" width="580" /></a></p> <p>Conduit 3D is a nodal compositor that can stand on its own, or sit inside of Motion and Final Cut Pro, or After Effects and Photoshop. It is a brand-new component of Conduit Suite and is planned to be rolled into the regular suite in the new year year, but <strong>we’re exclusively offering it to you first for free!</strong></p> <p>We hope you’ve enjoyed our array of free offers from all our partners during the last month. If you want to <strong>check out more freebies</strong>, just visit the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/3dworldmagazine">3D World facebook page</a>, where fellow artists have been sharing their knowledge of where to find free models, textures, sounds, training and much more. Merry Christmas and happy holidays!</p> <h3>Day 24: Conduit Suite 3D for Macintosh</h3> <p>Compositors, directors and artists will love this brand-new piece of software. Conduit Suite 3D builds on dvGarage’s well-established nodal compositing plug-in: it enables users to build effects in Final Cut Pro, Motion, After Effects and Photoshop using a flowchart-based system, similar to that found inside high-end applications such as Shake, Fusion and Nuke.</p> <p>Conduit 3D has all the functionality of Conduit 2.1, with additional 3D tools that you can’t find anywhere else. Traditional video applications only offer a fixed timeline that fails to adequately represent the dual-stream nature of today’s 3D images. In contrast, Conduit 3D uses a node-based interface that makes the stereo workflow feel perfectly natural. All your streams are directly visible as connections in the node view.</p> <h4>Conduit 3D includes all the standard features of Conduit Suite:</h4> <ul> <li>Conduit Pixel Engine, the advanced GPU compositing system </li> <li>Pervasive floating point rendering ensures highest color quality and eliminates artifacts </li> <li>Multitude of video recording options <li>Support for pro video formats (high-depth QuickTime & DPX, etc.) </li> <li>Advanced scripting for graphics and interactive controls, in easily accessible JavaScript </li> <li>Cue lists and programmable controls for live operation (Conduit Live Stage Tools)</li> </ul> <p><a href="http://www.dvgarage.com/conduit-3d">Read more about Conduit Suite 3D for Macintosh</a></p> <p><a href="http://mos.futurenet.com/resources/3dworld/advent_day24_Conduit3D.zip">Download Conduit Suite 3D for Macintosh now!</a> (ZIP, 25MB)</p> <p><a href="http://ecommerce.dvgarage.com/trials/Conduit3D_Starter_Guide.pdf">Download the Conduit 3D guide</a> (PDF, 8MB)</p> <p><strong>Offer ends on 1st January 2011 - so grab it while you can.</strong></p> <h4>3D World’s Advent Calendar: the story so far</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/23/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-23-10-free-mini-maya-tutorials-to-improve-your-modelling/">Day 23</a> offered 10 free mini Maya tutorials from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/22/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-22-exclusive-free-restaurant-model-set/">Day 22</a> offered an exclusive free restaurant model set <a href="http://www.CGWorkshop.org">CG Workshop</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/21/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-21-two-exclusive-free-tutorials-from-3d-total/">Day 21</a> offered two exclusive free tutorials from <a href="http://www.3dtotal.com">3D Total</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/20/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-20-free-texture-extravaganza/">Day 20 </a>offered free textures from <a href="http://www.cgtextures.com/">CG Textures</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/www.texturepilot.com">Texturepilot</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/19/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-19-exclusive-free-christmas-tree-model/">Day 19 </a>offered an exclusive free Christmas tree model from<a href="http://www.speedtree.com/"> IDV</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/18/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-18-an-exclusive-free-model-from-daz-3d/">Day 18 </a>offered an exclusive Old Wishing Well model from<a href="http://www.daz3d.com/"> DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/17/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-17-six-exclusive-cornucopia3d-models/">Day 17 </a>offered six exclusive models from <a href="http://www.cornucopia3d.com/">Cornucopia3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34315&preview=true">Day 16 </a>offered two exclusive 3ds Max tutorials from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/15/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-15-130-xfrog-plant-models/">Day 15 </a> offered 130 XFrog plant models <a href="http://xfrog.com/">XFrog</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/14/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-14-a-set-of-metal-fences/">Day 14 </a> offered set of metal fences, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/13/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-13-master-maya’s-transfer-maps/">Day 13</a> offered some video training on Maya’s Transfer Maps, from <a href="http://www.escapestudios.co.uk">Escape Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/12/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-12-introduction-to-speedtree/">Day 12</a> offered an Introduction to SpeedTree, from <a href="http://www.cmiVFX.com">cmiVFX</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/11/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-11-daz-3d-emotiguy/">Day 11</a> offered DAZ 3D EmotiGuy, from <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34275">Day 10</a> offered the Old Village model for Vue, courtesy of <a href="http://www.e-onsoftware.com/">e-on software</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/09/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-9-free-allegorithmic-substances/">Day 9</a> offered a free set of Substances, courtesy of <a href="http://www.allegorithmic.com/">Allegorithmic</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/08/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-8-beginners-guide-to-image-planes-in-maya/">Day 8</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to Image Planes in Maya, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34258">Day 7</a>offered the Anime Star Fighter character model pack, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/06/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-6-beginners-guide-to-3ds-max/">Day 6</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to 3ds Max, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/05/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-5-an-eames-lcw-chair/">Day 5</a> offered an Eames LCW Chair, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/04/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-4-mixamo-animation-sampler-pack-for-m4-and-v4-2/">Day 4</a> offered a Mixamo Animation Sampler Pack for M4 and V4.2, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com">DAZ 3D</a> and <a href="http://www.mixamo.com">Mixamo</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/03/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-3-beginners-guide-to-unity/">Day 3</a> offered some fantastic Unity training from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/02/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-2-dutch-skies-360°/">Day 2</a> offered an HDRI set from <a href="http://www.bobgroothuis.com/blog/">Dutch Skies 360°</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/01/3d-worlds-advent-giveaway/">Day 1</a> offered an awesome free model pack for Cinema 4D from <a href="http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/">GreyscaleGorilla</a></li> </ul> <p>That’s all folks. Hope you enjoyed the festive freebies! Come back for more exclusive offers next year.</p> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://3dworldmag.com.feedsportal.com/c/33151/f/538495/s/1b3c28fe/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=3D+World+Advent+Calendar+Day+24%3A+Exclusive+free+compositing+software+%E2%80%93+Conduit+Suite+3D+for+Macintosh&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F24%2F3d-world-advent-calendar-day-24-exclusive-free-compositing-software-conduit-suite-3d-for-macintosh%2F" 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=3D+World+Advent+Calendar+Day+24%3A+Exclusive+free+compositing+software+%E2%80%93+Conduit+Suite+3D+for+Macintosh&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F24%2F3d-world-advent-calendar-day-24-exclusive-free-compositing-software-conduit-suite-3d-for-macintosh%2F" 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/121585686074/u/49/f/538495/c/33151/s/1b3c28fe/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121585686074/u/49/f/538495/c/33151/s/1b3c28fe/a2.img" /></a><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/3dWorldrss/~4/K8sCACs_1jw" width="1" />

<p class="strap">Enjoy 1½ hours of free Maya modelling training with this penultimate festive freebie from Digital-Tutors</p> <p><span id="more-34387"></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day23-thumb.jpg" rel="lightbox[34387]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34370" height="120" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day23-thumb.jpg" title="advent-day23-thumb" width="150" /></a></p> <p>Every day between now and Christmas, 3D World and friends are giving away all sorts of goodies for you to enjoy, from free training to great models. Tell your friends and remember to visit every day to see what’s new in 3D World’s Advent Calendar.</p> <p>Today we’ve joined forces with <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com">Digital-Tutors</a> to bring you a free course covering 10 ways to improve your modelling in Maya. </p> <h3>Day 23: 10 Free Mini Maya Tutorials to Improve Your Modelling</h3> <p>These Maya tutorials are free for the weekend and explore a number of tips collected from production and from teaching students that will help you build the best models you can with minimal frustration.</p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent_modelling.jpg" rel="lightbox[34387]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34388" height="539" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent_modelling.jpg" title="advent_modelling" width="580" /></a></p> <h4>The mini-tutorials include:</h4> <p>Breaking Down Your Modeling Project<br /> Getting to Know Your Geometry<br /> Redrawing Topology<br /> Creating Circular Cut-outs<br /> Working with Normals<br /> Displaying Face Centers<br /> Adding Sharp Detail to Curved Surfaces<br /> Adding Irregularities<br /> Working with Image Planes<br /> Methods for Working Symmetrically</p> <p><a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/11/training.php?pid=340">Watch the training now!</a></p> <p><strong>The course featuring the 10 mini-Maya Modeling tutorials will be open all weekend - so grab it while it’s there.</strong></p> <h4>3D World’s Advent Calendar: the story so far</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/22/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-22-exclusive-free-restaurant-model-set/">Day 22</a> offered an exclusive free restaurant model set <a href="http://www.CGWorkshop.org">CG Workshop</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/21/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-21-two-exclusive-free-tutorials-from-3d-total/">Day 21</a> offered two exclusive free tutorials from <a href="http://www.3dtotal.com">3D Total</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/20/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-20-free-texture-extravaganza/">Day 20 </a>offered free textures from <a href="http://www.speedtree.com/">IDV</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/19/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-19-exclusive-free-christmas-tree-model/">Day 19 </a>offered an exclusive free Christmas tree model from<a href="http://www.speedtree.com/">IDV</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/18/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-18-an-exclusive-free-model-from-daz-3d/">Day 18 </a>offered an exclusive Old Wishing Well model from<a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/17/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-17-six-exclusive-cornucopia3d-models/">Day 17 </a>offered six exclusive models from <a href="http://www.cornucopia3d.com/">Cornucopia3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34315&preview=true">Day 16 </a>offered two exclusive 3ds Max tutorials from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/15/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-15-130-xfrog-plant-models/">Day 15 </a> offered 130 XFrog plant models <a href="http://xfrog.com/">XFrog</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/14/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-14-a-set-of-metal-fences/">Day 14 </a> offered set of metal fences, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/13/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-13-master-maya’s-transfer-maps/">Day 13</a> offered some video training on Maya’s Transfer Maps, from <a href="http://www.escapestudios.co.uk">Escape Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/12/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-12-introduction-to-speedtree/">Day 12</a> offered an Introduction to SpeedTree, from <a href="http://www.cmiVFX.com">cmiVFX</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/11/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-11-daz-3d-emotiguy/">Day 11</a> offered DAZ 3D EmotiGuy, from <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34275">Day 10</a> offered the Old Village model for Vue, courtesy of <a href="http://www.e-onsoftware.com/">e-on software</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/09/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-9-free-allegorithmic-substances/">Day 9</a> offered a free set of Substances, courtesy of <a href="http://www.allegorithmic.com/">Allegorithmic</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/08/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-8-beginners-guide-to-image-planes-in-maya/">Day 8</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to Image Planes in Maya, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34258">Day 7</a>offered the Anime Star Fighter character model pack, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/06/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-6-beginners-guide-to-3ds-max/">Day 6</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to 3ds Max, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/05/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-5-an-eames-lcw-chair/">Day 5</a> offered an Eames LCW Chair, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/04/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-4-mixamo-animation-sampler-pack-for-m4-and-v4-2/">Day 4</a> offered a Mixamo Animation Sampler Pack for M4 and V4.2, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com">DAZ 3D</a> and <a href="http://www.mixamo.com">Mixamo</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/03/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-3-beginners-guide-to-unity/">Day 3</a> offered some fantastic Unity training from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/02/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-2-dutch-skies-360°/">Day 2</a> offered an HDRI set from <a href="http://www.bobgroothuis.com/blog/">Dutch Skies 360°</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/01/3d-worlds-advent-giveaway/">Day 1</a> offered an awesome free model pack for Cinema 4D from <a href="http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/">GreyscaleGorilla</a></li> </ul> <p>Make sure you visit the 3D World website again tomorrow for our final freebie behind door number 24!</p> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://3dworldmag.com.feedsportal.com/c/33151/f/538495/s/1b37f1d3/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=3D+World+Advent+Calendar+Day+23%3A+10+free+mini+Maya+tutorials+to+improve+your+modelling&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F23%2F3d-world-advent-calendar-day-23-10-free-mini-maya-tutorials-to-improve-your-modelling%2F" 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=3D+World+Advent+Calendar+Day+23%3A+10+free+mini+Maya+tutorials+to+improve+your+modelling&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F23%2F3d-world-advent-calendar-day-23-10-free-mini-maya-tutorials-to-improve-your-modelling%2F" 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/121585755270/u/49/f/538495/c/33151/s/1b37f1d3/a2.htm"><img border="0" 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<p class="strap">Behind door number 22 is a gorgeous high-quality restaurant model set</p> <p><span id="more-34382"></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day22-thumb.jpg" rel="lightbox[34382]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34368" height="120" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day22-thumb.jpg" title="advent-day22-thumb" width="150" /></a></p> <p>Every day between now and Christmas, 3D World and friends are giving away all sorts of goodies for you to enjoy, from free training to great models. Tell your friends and remember to visit every day to see what’s new in 3D World’s Advent Calendar.</p> <p>Today we’ve joined forces with <a href="http://cgworkshop.org">CG Workshop</a>, a cell of polish studio <a href="http://www.motyw.info/en">Motyw</a>, to offer you this exclusive free restaurant model set. </p> <h3>Day 22: Restaurant model set</h3> <p>Whether you’re an artist looking for top-quality assets for your latest architectural visualisation or just someone who wants to play with a set of models, we’re sure you’ll agree that this scene has the wow-factor.</p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent_restaurant_1.jpg" rel="lightbox[34382]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34384" height="427" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent_restaurant_1.jpg" title="advent_restaurant_1" width="580" /></a></p> <p>The restaurant model set contains the chairs, table, napkins, glasses, lights etc and comes with all the materials and shaders you need to render it. It is compatible with 3ds Max 2011 version and V-Ray 1.5sp5.</p> <p><a href="http://mos.futurenet.com/resources/3dworld/advent_day22_restaurant_set01.zip">Download the restaurant model set now!</a> (ZIP, 23.1MB)</p> <p><strong>Offer ends on 1st January 2011 - so grab it while you can.</strong></p> <h4>3D World’s Advent Calendar: the story so far</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/21/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-21-two-exclusive-free-tutorials-from-3d-total/">Day 21</a> offered two exclusive free tutorials from <a href="http://www.3dtotal.com">3D Total</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/20/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-20-free-texture-extravaganza/">Day 20 </a>offered free textures from <a href="http://www.speedtree.com/">IDV</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/19/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-19-exclusive-free-christmas-tree-model/">Day 19 </a>offered an exclusive free Christmas tree model from<a href="http://www.speedtree.com/">IDV</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/18/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-18-an-exclusive-free-model-from-daz-3d/">Day 18 </a>offered an exclusive Old Wishing Well model from<a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/17/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-17-six-exclusive-cornucopia3d-models/">Day 17 </a>offered six exclusive models from <a href="http://www.cornucopia3d.com/">Cornucopia3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34315&preview=true">Day 16 </a>offered two exclusive 3ds Max tutorials from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/15/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-15-130-xfrog-plant-models/">Day 15 </a> offered 130 XFrog plant models <a href="http://xfrog.com/">XFrog</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/14/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-14-a-set-of-metal-fences/">Day 14 </a> offered set of metal fences, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/13/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-13-master-maya’s-transfer-maps/">Day 13</a> offered some video training on Maya’s Transfer Maps, from <a href="http://www.escapestudios.co.uk">Escape Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/12/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-12-introduction-to-speedtree/">Day 12</a> offered an Introduction to SpeedTree, from <a href="http://www.cmiVFX.com">cmiVFX</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/11/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-11-daz-3d-emotiguy/">Day 11</a> offered DAZ 3D EmotiGuy, from <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34275">Day 10</a> offered the Old Village model for Vue, courtesy of <a href="http://www.e-onsoftware.com/">e-on software</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/09/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-9-free-allegorithmic-substances/">Day 9</a> offered a free set of Substances, courtesy of <a href="http://www.allegorithmic.com/">Allegorithmic</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/08/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-8-beginners-guide-to-image-planes-in-maya/">Day 8</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to Image Planes in Maya, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34258">Day 7</a>offered the Anime Star Fighter character model pack, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/06/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-6-beginners-guide-to-3ds-max/">Day 6</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to 3ds Max, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/05/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-5-an-eames-lcw-chair/">Day 5</a> offered an Eames LCW Chair, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/04/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-4-mixamo-animation-sampler-pack-for-m4-and-v4-2/">Day 4</a> offered a Mixamo Animation Sampler Pack for M4 and V4.2, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com">DAZ 3D</a> and <a href="http://www.mixamo.com">Mixamo</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/03/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-3-beginners-guide-to-unity/">Day 3</a> offered some fantastic Unity training from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/02/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-2-dutch-skies-360°/">Day 2</a> offered an HDRI set from <a href="http://www.bobgroothuis.com/blog/">Dutch Skies 360°</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/01/3d-worlds-advent-giveaway/">Day 1</a> offered an awesome free model pack for Cinema 4D from <a href="http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/">GreyscaleGorilla</a></li> </ul> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://3dworldmag.com.feedsportal.com/c/33151/f/538495/s/1b2e8572/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=3D+World+Advent+Calendar+Day+22%3A+Exclusive+free+restaurant+model+set&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F22%2F3d-world-advent-calendar-day-22-exclusive-free-restaurant-model-set%2F" 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=3D+World+Advent+Calendar+Day+22%3A+Exclusive+free+restaurant+model+set&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F22%2F3d-world-advent-calendar-day-22-exclusive-free-restaurant-model-set%2F" 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/121585622443/u/49/f/538495/c/33151/s/1b2e8572/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121585622443/u/49/f/538495/c/33151/s/1b2e8572/a2.img" /></a><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/3dWorldrss/~4/mJ4Fd2NN9HM" width="1" />

<p class="strap">Whether you want to take your rigging to the next level or want to get into the games industry, these sample ebook tutorials will help</p> <p><span id="more-34374"></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day21-thumb1.jpg" rel="lightbox[34374]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34375" height="120" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day21-thumb1.jpg" title="advent-day21-thumb" width="150" /></a></p> <p>Every day between now and Christmas, 3D World and friends are giving away all sorts of goodies for you to enjoy, from free training to great models. Tell your friends and remember to visit every day to see what’s new in 3D World’s Advent Calendar.</p> <p>Today we’ve partnered with <a href="http://www.3dtotal.com">3DTotal</a> to offer you exclusive access to the first two chapters of two of its ebooks, Introduction to Rigging and The Italian Courtyard, Environment Creation using Unreal Games Engine.</p> <h3>Day 21: Two free chapters of 3D Total’s ebooks</h3> <p><strong>1. Introduction to Rigging</strong> gives help and advice to people who are looking to approach rigging for the first time or build on their rigging skills. The series explains how to approach rigging but also shows how to tackle common problems and issues that regularly occur even in a professional environment. </p> <h4>Details</h4> <p>Author: 3DTotal.com Ltd / Tutorial by: Luis San Juan Pallares / Platform: 3ds Max</p> <p><a href="http://mos.futurenet.com/resources/3dworld/advent_day21_rigging_sample.pdf">Download the sample PDF of Introduction to Rigging now!</a> (PDF, 17.3 MB)</p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent_rigging.jpg" rel="lightbox[34374]"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-34376" height="349" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent_rigging.jpg" title="advent_rigging" width="580" /></a></p> <p><strong>2. The Italian Courtyard, Environment Creation using Unreal Games Engine</strong> provides an opportunity for anyone trying to get into the gaming business by talking you through the creation of a basic game level, and showing you how to create a portfolio piece that would impress any potential employer. This really is a must-have for anyone interested in the games industry.</p> <h4>Details</h4> <p>Author: 3DTotal.com Ltd / Tutorial by: Andrew Finch / Platform: UDK (Unreal Development Kit)</p> <p><a href="http://mos.futurenet.com/resources/3dworld/advent_day21_courtyard_sample.pdf">Download the sample PDF of The Italian Courtyard, Environment Creation using Unreal Games Engine now!</a> (PDF, 10.7 MB)</p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/italian_courtyard_hero.jpg" rel="lightbox[34374]"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-34378" height="427" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/italian_courtyard_hero.jpg" title="italian_courtyard_hero" width="580" /></a></p> <h4>3D World’s Advent Calendar: the story so far</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/20/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-20-free-texture-extravaganza/">Day 20 </a>offered free textures from <a href="http://www.speedtree.com/">IDV</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/19/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-19-exclusive-free-christmas-tree-model/">Day 19 </a>offered an exclusive free Christmas tree model from<a href="http://www.speedtree.com/">IDV</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/18/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-18-an-exclusive-free-model-from-daz-3d/">Day 18 </a>offered an exclusive Old Wishing Well model from<a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/17/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-17-six-exclusive-cornucopia3d-models/">Day 17 </a>offered six exclusive models from <a href="http://www.cornucopia3d.com/">Cornucopia3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34315&preview=true">Day 16 </a>offered two exclusive 3ds Max tutorials from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/15/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-15-130-xfrog-plant-models/">Day 15 </a> offered 130 XFrog plant models <a href="http://xfrog.com/">XFrog</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/14/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-14-a-set-of-metal-fences/">Day 14 </a> offered set of metal fences, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/13/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-13-master-maya’s-transfer-maps/">Day 13</a> offered some video training on Maya’s Transfer Maps, from <a href="http://www.escapestudios.co.uk">Escape Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/12/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-12-introduction-to-speedtree/">Day 12</a> offered an Introduction to SpeedTree, from <a href="http://www.cmiVFX.com">cmiVFX</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/11/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-11-daz-3d-emotiguy/">Day 11</a> offered DAZ 3D EmotiGuy, from <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34275">Day 10</a> offered the Old Village model for Vue, courtesy of <a href="http://www.e-onsoftware.com/">e-on software</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/09/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-9-free-allegorithmic-substances/">Day 9</a> offered a free set of Substances, courtesy of <a href="http://www.allegorithmic.com/">Allegorithmic</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/08/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-8-beginners-guide-to-image-planes-in-maya/">Day 8</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to Image Planes in Maya, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34258">Day 7</a>offered the Anime Star Fighter character model pack, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/06/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-6-beginners-guide-to-3ds-max/">Day 6</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to 3ds Max, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/05/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-5-an-eames-lcw-chair/">Day 5</a> offered an Eames LCW Chair, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/04/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-4-mixamo-animation-sampler-pack-for-m4-and-v4-2/">Day 4</a> offered a Mixamo Animation Sampler Pack for M4 and V4.2, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com">DAZ 3D</a> and <a href="http://www.mixamo.com">Mixamo</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/03/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-3-beginners-guide-to-unity/">Day 3</a> offered some fantastic Unity training from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/02/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-2-dutch-skies-360°/">Day 2</a> offered an HDRI set from <a href="http://www.bobgroothuis.com/blog/">Dutch Skies 360°</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/01/3d-worlds-advent-giveaway/">Day 1</a> offered an awesome free model pack for Cinema 4D from <a href="http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/">GreyscaleGorilla</a></li> </ul> <p>Make sure you visit the 3D World website again tomorrow to find out what’s behind door number 22!</p> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://3dworldmag.com.feedsportal.com/c/33151/f/538495/s/1b2508d9/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=3D+World+Advent+Calendar+Day+21%3A+Two+exclusive+free+tutorials+from+3D+Total&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F21%2F3d-world-advent-calendar-day-21-two-exclusive-free-tutorials-from-3d-total%2F" 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=3D+World+Advent+Calendar+Day+21%3A+Two+exclusive+free+tutorials+from+3D+Total&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F21%2F3d-world-advent-calendar-day-21-two-exclusive-free-tutorials-from-3d-total%2F" 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/121585580393/u/49/f/538495/c/33151/s/1b2508d9/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121585580393/u/49/f/538495/c/33151/s/1b2508d9/a2.img" /></a><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/3dWorldrss/~4/F-tmtfnfvYc" width="1" />

<p class="strap">End the frustration of searching for hours on the net for photo reference as we bring you 50 free textures!</p> <p><span id="more-34356"></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day20-thumb.jpg" rel="lightbox[34356]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34364" height="120" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day20-thumb.jpg" title="advent-day20-thumb" width="150" /></a></p> <p>Every day between now and Christmas, 3D World and friends are giving away all sorts of goodies for you to enjoy, from free training to great models. Tell your friends and remember to visit every day to see what’s new in 3D World’s Advent Calendar.</p> <p>Today we’ve joined forces with <a href="http://www.cgtextures.com/">CGTextures</a> and <a href="http://www.texturepilot.com">Texturepilot</a> to offer all you 3D artists out there a load of free textures. These companies understand how difficult it is to create textures without good photo materials and both supply great-quality textures to make your lives easier.</p> <h3>Day 20: 50 free textures</h3> <p>Want to end the pain and frustration of searching for hours on the net for great-quality photo reference? Well have we got a Christmas gift for you: thanks to CG Textures and Texturepilot we’ve got 50 great textures just waiting to be placed into your 3D creations. </p> <p>Some of these textures are <strong>exclusively free for you</strong> and others have been <strong>specially edited to make them larger</strong> than you would find for free! There’s a whole array of textures, from grass and leaves, to tiles, bricks and planks. </p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advet_textures.jpg" rel="lightbox[34356]"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-34373" height="402" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advet_textures.jpg" title="advet_textures" width="580" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://mos.futurenet.com/resources/3dworld/advent_day20_textures.zip">Download all 50 textures now!</a> (ZIP, 351.5 MB)</p> <p><em>Please note: All images from Texturepilot are seamless. You can also sign up for a free account where you can download 20MB a day.</em></p> <p><strong>Offer ends on 24th December 2011.</strong></p> <h4>3D World’s Advent Calendar: the story so far</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/19/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-19-exclusive-free-christmas-tree-model/">Day 19 </a>offered an exclusive free Christmas tree model from<a href="http://www.speedtree.com/"> IDV</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/18/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-18-an-exclusive-free-model-from-daz-3d/">Day 18 </a>offered an exclusive Old Wishing Well model from<a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/17/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-17-six-exclusive-cornucopia3d-models/">Day 17 </a>offered six exclusive models from <a href="http://www.cornucopia3d.com/">Cornucopia3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34315&preview=true">Day 16 </a>offered two exclusive 3ds Max tutorials from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/15/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-15-130-xfrog-plant-models/">Day 15 </a> offered 130 XFrog plant models <a href="http://xfrog.com/">XFrog</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/14/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-14-a-set-of-metal-fences/">Day 14 </a> offered set of metal fences, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/13/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-13-master-maya’s-transfer-maps/">Day 13</a> offered some video training on Maya’s Transfer Maps, from <a href="http://www.escapestudios.co.uk">Escape Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/12/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-12-introduction-to-speedtree/">Day 12</a> offered an Introduction to SpeedTree, from <a href="http://www.cmiVFX.com">cmiVFX</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/11/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-11-daz-3d-emotiguy/">Day 11</a> offered DAZ 3D EmotiGuy, from <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34275">Day 10</a> offered the Old Village model for Vue, courtesy of <a href="http://www.e-onsoftware.com/">e-on software</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/09/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-9-free-allegorithmic-substances/">Day 9</a> offered a free set of Substances, courtesy of <a href="http://www.allegorithmic.com/">Allegorithmic</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/08/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-8-beginners-guide-to-image-planes-in-maya/">Day 8</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to Image Planes in Maya, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34258">Day 7</a>offered the Anime Star Fighter character model pack, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/06/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-6-beginners-guide-to-3ds-max/">Day 6</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to 3ds Max, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/05/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-5-an-eames-lcw-chair/">Day 5</a> offered an Eames LCW Chair, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/04/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-4-mixamo-animation-sampler-pack-for-m4-and-v4-2/">Day 4</a> offered a Mixamo Animation Sampler Pack for M4 and V4.2, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com">DAZ 3D</a> and <a href="http://www.mixamo.com">Mixamo</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/03/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-3-beginners-guide-to-unity/">Day 3</a> offered some fantastic Unity training from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/02/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-2-dutch-skies-360°/">Day 2</a> offered an HDRI set from <a href="http://www.bobgroothuis.com/blog/">Dutch Skies 360°</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/01/3d-worlds-advent-giveaway/">Day 1</a> offered an awesome free model pack for Cinema 4D from <a href="http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/">GreyscaleGorilla</a></li> </ul> <p>Make sure you visit the 3D World website again tomorrow to find out what’s behind door number 21!</p> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://3dworldmag.com.feedsportal.com/c/33151/f/538495/s/1b1b3d25/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=3D+World+Advent+Calendar+Day+20%3A+Free+texture+extravaganza&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F20%2F3d-world-advent-calendar-day-20-free-texture-extravaganza%2F" 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=3D+World+Advent+Calendar+Day+20%3A+Free+texture+extravaganza&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F20%2F3d-world-advent-calendar-day-20-free-texture-extravaganza%2F" 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/121585488905/u/49/f/538495/c/33151/s/1b1b3d25/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121585488905/u/49/f/538495/c/33151/s/1b1b3d25/a2.img" /></a><img height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/3dWorldrss/~4/ibGG0vmMs0M" width="1" />

<p class="strap">3D World’s pre-Christmas giveaway continues! Behind door number 19 is a beautiful model of a Christmas tree</p> <p><span id="more-34340"></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day19-thumb.jpg" rel="lightbox[34340]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34343" height="120" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day19-thumb.jpg" title="advent-day19-thumb" width="150" /></a></p> <p>Every day between now and Christmas, 3D World and friends are giving away all sorts of goodies for you to enjoy, from free training to great models. Tell your friends and remember to visit every day to see what’s new in 3D World’s Advent Calendar.</p> <p>Today we’ve joined forces with <a href="http://www.speedtree.com">SpeedTree developer, IDV,</a> to offer you this fantastic, high-resolution model of a Christmas tree. </p> <p>You may remember that we’re currently running a competition with IDV too - to <a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/10/17/win-a-copy-of-speedtree-studio-6/">win a copy of SpeedTree Studio 6 </a>. Don’t miss out: get your hands on the technology that was used in Avatar today! The closing date is 12 January 2012.</p> <h3>Day 19: Christmas tree model</h3> <p>What could be more Christmassy than a decorated evergreen coniferous tree complete with star, baubles and presents? Now you can spruce up your 3D scenes with this exclusive high-resolution Christmas tree model, courtesy of IDV.</p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/speedtree_christmastree.jpg" rel="lightbox[34340]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34341" height="498" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/speedtree_christmastree.jpg" title="speedtree_christmastree" width="580" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://mos.futurenet.com/resources/3dworld/advent_day19_SpeedTree_ChristmasTree.zip">Download the Christmas Tree model</a> (ZIP, 20.9MB)<br /> <em>This archive contains the FBX file and associated uncompressed textures.</em></p> <h4>Free procedural version</h4> <p>If you’re a SpeedTree user, you may like to have the procedural version of this model, so that you can make your own variations. There’s no need to register, just go to the <a href="http://www.speedtree.com/trees/?tree=90">free coupon page</a> that has been specially set up for you. Once there, just add it to the cart. View the cart to add the discount code: <strong>3DWorldXmasTree</strong>, then checkout. </p> <p><strong>Both offers end on 24th December 2011.</strong></p> <h4>3D World’s Advent Calendar: the story so far</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/18/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-18-an-exclusive-free-model-from-daz-3d/">Day 18 </a>offered an exclusive Old Wishing Well model from<a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/17/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-17-six-exclusive-cornucopia3d-models/">Day 17 </a>offered six exclusive models from <a href="http://www.cornucopia3d.com/">Cornucopia3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34315&preview=true">Day 16 </a>offered two exclusive 3ds Max tutorials from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/15/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-15-130-xfrog-plant-models/">Day 15 </a> offered 130 XFrog plant models <a href="http://xfrog.com/">XFrog</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/14/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-14-a-set-of-metal-fences/">Day 14 </a> offered set of metal fences, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/13/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-13-master-maya’s-transfer-maps/">Day 13</a> offered some video training on Maya’s Transfer Maps, from <a href="http://www.escapestudios.co.uk">Escape Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/12/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-12-introduction-to-speedtree/">Day 12</a> offered an Introduction to SpeedTree, from <a href="http://www.cmiVFX.com">cmiVFX</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/11/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-11-daz-3d-emotiguy/">Day 11</a> offered DAZ 3D EmotiGuy, from <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34275">Day 10</a> offered the Old Village model for Vue, courtesy of <a href="http://www.e-onsoftware.com/">e-on software</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/09/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-9-free-allegorithmic-substances/">Day 9</a> offered a free set of Substances, courtesy of <a href="http://www.allegorithmic.com/">Allegorithmic</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/08/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-8-beginners-guide-to-image-planes-in-maya/">Day 8</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to Image Planes in Maya, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34258">Day 7</a>offered the Anime Star Fighter character model pack, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/06/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-6-beginners-guide-to-3ds-max/">Day 6</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to 3ds Max, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/05/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-5-an-eames-lcw-chair/">Day 5</a> offered an Eames LCW Chair, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/04/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-4-mixamo-animation-sampler-pack-for-m4-and-v4-2/">Day 4</a> offered a Mixamo Animation Sampler Pack for M4 and V4.2, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com">DAZ 3D</a> and <a href="http://www.mixamo.com">Mixamo</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/03/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-3-beginners-guide-to-unity/">Day 3</a> offered some fantastic Unity training from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/02/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-2-dutch-skies-360°/">Day 2</a> offered an HDRI set from <a href="http://www.bobgroothuis.com/blog/">Dutch Skies 360°</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/01/3d-worlds-advent-giveaway/">Day 1</a> offered an awesome free model pack for Cinema 4D from <a href="http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/">GreyscaleGorilla</a></li> </ul> <p>Make sure you visit the 3D World website again tomorrow to find out what’s behind door number 20!</p> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://3dworldmag.com.feedsportal.com/c/33151/f/538495/s/1b135f54/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=3D+World+Advent+Calendar+Day+19%3A+Exclusive+free+Christmas+tree+model&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F19%2F3d-world-advent-calendar-day-19-exclusive-free-christmas-tree-model%2F" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://res3.feedsportal.com/images/emailthis2.gif" /></a></td><td valign="middle"><a 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<p class="strap">3D World’s pre-Christmas giveaway continues! Behind door number 18 is an Old Village Wishing Well model</p> <p><span id="more-34336"></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day18-thumb.jpg" rel="lightbox[34336]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34338" height="120" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day18-thumb.jpg" title="advent-day18-thumb" width="150" /></a></p> <p>Every day between now and Christmas, 3D World and friends are giving away all sorts of goodies for you to enjoy, from free training to great models. Tell your friends and remember to visit every day to see what’s new in 3D World’s Advent Calendar.</p> <p>Today we’ve joined forces with <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/www.daz3d.com">DAZ 3D</a> to offer you this fantastic model.<br /> <a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent_old_wishing_well_hero.jpg" rel="lightbox[34336]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34339" height="310" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent_old_wishing_well_hero.jpg" title="advent_old_wishing_well_hero" width="580" /></a></p> <h3>Day 18: Old Village Wishing Well model</h3> <p>The Old Village Wishing Well is a set of unique 3D exterior props that fit together to make a small scene. The set features the well base and roof, three ivy sections, a pulley, rope and bucket, as well as a tiling ground plane.</p> <p>The set is comprised of seven individual sections for ease of use, and also includes a preload preset. The model is Poser and DAZ Studio 2.3+ compatible.</p> <p>Separate installers are provided for Windows and Mac OS X:<br /> <a href="http://mos.futurenet.com/resources/3dworld/advent_wishing_well_Win.zip">Download the Old Village Wishing Well model for Windows</a> (ZIP, 81.9MB)<br /> <a href="http://mos.futurenet.com/resources/3dworld/advent_wishing_well_Mac.zip">Download the Old Village Wishing Well model for Mac OS X</a> (ZIP, 163.4MB)</p> <p><em>Grab this model while you can, as this <strong>offer ends on 24th December</strong></em></p> <h4>3D World’s Advent Calendar: the story so far</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/17/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-17-six-exclusive-cornucopia3d-models/">Day 17 </a>offered six exclusive models from <a href="http://www.cornucopia3d.com/">Cornucopia3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34315&preview=true">Day 16 </a>offered two exclusive 3ds Max tutorials from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/15/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-15-130-xfrog-plant-models/">Day 15 </a> offered 130 XFrog plant models <a href="http://xfrog.com/">XFrog</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/14/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-14-a-set-of-metal-fences/">Day 14 </a> offered set of metal fences, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/13/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-13-master-maya’s-transfer-maps/">Day 13</a> offered some video training on Maya’s Transfer Maps, from <a href="http://www.escapestudios.co.uk">Escape Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/12/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-12-introduction-to-speedtree/">Day 12</a> offered an Introduction to SpeedTree, from <a href="http://www.cmiVFX.com">cmiVFX</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/11/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-11-daz-3d-emotiguy/">Day 11</a> offered DAZ 3D EmotiGuy, from <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34275">Day 10</a> offered the Old Village model for Vue, courtesy of <a href="http://www.e-onsoftware.com/">e-on software</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/09/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-9-free-allegorithmic-substances/">Day 9</a> offered a free set of Substances, courtesy of <a href="http://www.allegorithmic.com/">Allegorithmic</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/08/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-8-beginners-guide-to-image-planes-in-maya/">Day 8</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to Image Planes in Maya, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34258">Day 7</a>offered the Anime Star Fighter character model pack, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/06/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-6-beginners-guide-to-3ds-max/">Day 6</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to 3ds Max, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/05/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-5-an-eames-lcw-chair/">Day 5</a> offered an Eames LCW Chair, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/04/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-4-mixamo-animation-sampler-pack-for-m4-and-v4-2/">Day 4</a> offered a Mixamo Animation Sampler Pack for M4 and V4.2, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com">DAZ 3D</a> and <a href="http://www.mixamo.com">Mixamo</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/03/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-3-beginners-guide-to-unity/">Day 3</a> offered some fantastic Unity training from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/02/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-2-dutch-skies-360°/">Day 2</a> offered an HDRI set from <a href="http://www.bobgroothuis.com/blog/">Dutch Skies 360°</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/01/3d-worlds-advent-giveaway/">Day 1</a> offered an awesome free model pack for Cinema 4D from <a href="http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/">GreyscaleGorilla</a></li> </ul> <p>Make sure you visit the 3D World website again tomorrow to find out what’s behind door number 19!</p> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://3dworldmag.com.feedsportal.com/c/33151/f/538495/s/1b0d295d/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=3D+World+Advent+Calendar+Day+18%3A+an+exclusive+free+model+from+DAZ+3D&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F18%2F3d-world-advent-calendar-day-18-an-exclusive-free-model-from-daz-3d%2F" 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=3D+World+Advent+Calendar+Day+18%3A+an+exclusive+free+model+from+DAZ+3D&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F18%2F3d-world-advent-calendar-day-18-an-exclusive-free-model-from-daz-3d%2F" 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/121587493128/u/49/f/538495/c/33151/s/1b0d295d/a2.htm"><img border="0" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/121587493128/u/49/f/538495/c/33151/s/1b0d295d/a2.img" /></a><img height="1" 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<p class="strap">3D World’s pre-Christmas giveaway continues! Behind door number 17 is a set of models from Cornucopia3D</p> <p><span id="more-34328"></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day17-thumb.jpg" rel="lightbox[34328]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34333" height="120" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day17-thumb.jpg" title="advent-day17-thumb" width="150" /></a></p> <p>Every day between now and Christmas, 3D World and friends are giving away all sorts of goodies for you to enjoy, from free training to great models. Tell your friends and remember to visit every day to see what’s new in 3D World’s Advent Calendar.</p> <p>Today we’ve joined forces with <a href="http://www.cornucopia3d.com">Cornucopia3D</a>, a division of <a href="http://www.e-onsoftware.com">e-on software</a> and one of the leading CG artist communities on the web, to offer you these exclusive models. </p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent_cornucopia3d_hero.jpg" rel="lightbox[34328]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34331" height="300" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent_cornucopia3d_hero.jpg" title="advent_cornucopia3d_hero" width="580" /></a></p> <p><strong>Please note: These models are only available until the 24th December - so grab them while you can.</strong></p> <h3>Day 17: Six exclusive models from Cornucopia3D </h3> <h4>British Letter Box</h4> <p>Need to put a letter in the post? Just what you need… an authentic British Letter Box! Please note: this is a fairly high resolution object.</p> <h4>Gingerbread Man</h4> <p>“Run, run, as fast as you can; you can’t catch me I’m the Gingerbread Man!” You can’t celebrate the holidays without this great cookie; he’s a handsome fellow, very famous, and very tasty, and dressed for the season with a dapper scarf!</p> <h4>Winter Sledge</h4> <p>This old-fashioned wooden sledge has runners for easy sliding down those snow-covered hills!</p> <h4>Oviraptor</h4> <p>Living in the late Cretaceous period, this dinosaur was first named “oviraptor” or “egg thief” because it was found in close proximity to a nest of prehistoric eggs, and the discoverers thought it had been stealing them for food. Birdlike in appearance, it has been found in Mongolia, and may have had some rudimentary feathering. Use as a static model, or with one of e-on’s motion files.</p> <h4>Rescue Boat</h4> <p>This Zodiac-style inflatable rescue boat is essential for those beach and seaside scenes. Accurate details such as twin outboard motors, communications antennae and seating for pilot and other personnel and texturing make this a bit of realism sure to help those beach scenes.</p> <h4>Coast Guard Station</h4> <p>This US Coast Guard Station is a typical example of a small, local station, with a series of piers, a building used as both administrative and communications centre as well as billeting for troops on duty, a helipad, and a sea-level float.</p> <p><a href="http://mos.futurenet.com/resources/3dworld/3d_advent_eon_models.zip">Download the six models now!</a> (ZIP, 100 MB)</p> <p><a href="http://www.cornucopia3d.com">Visit Cornucopia3D</a> for more top-quality, high-resolution models.</p> <h4>3D World’s Advent Calendar: the story so far</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34315&preview=true">Day 16 </a>offered two exclusive 3ds Max tutorials from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/15/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-15-130-xfrog-plant-models/">Day 15 </a> offered 130 XFrog plant models <a href="http://xfrog.com/">XFrog</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/14/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-14-a-set-of-metal-fences/">Day 14 </a> offered set of metal fences, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/13/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-13-master-maya’s-transfer-maps/">Day 13</a> offered some video training on Maya’s Transfer Maps, from <a href="http://www.escapestudios.co.uk">Escape Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/12/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-12-introduction-to-speedtree/">Day 12</a> offered an Introduction to SpeedTree, from <a href="http://www.cmiVFX.com">cmiVFX</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/11/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-11-daz-3d-emotiguy/">Day 11</a> offered DAZ 3D EmotiGuy, from <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34275">Day 10</a> offered the Old Village model for Vue, courtesy of <a href="http://www.e-onsoftware.com/">e-on software</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/09/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-9-free-allegorithmic-substances/">Day 9</a> offered a free set of Substances, courtesy of <a href="http://www.allegorithmic.com/">Allegorithmic</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/08/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-8-beginners-guide-to-image-planes-in-maya/">Day 8</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to Image Planes in Maya, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34258">Day 7</a>offered the Anime Star Fighter character model pack, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/06/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-6-beginners-guide-to-3ds-max/">Day 6</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to 3ds Max, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/05/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-5-an-eames-lcw-chair/">Day 5</a> offered an Eames LCW Chair, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/04/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-4-mixamo-animation-sampler-pack-for-m4-and-v4-2/">Day 4</a> offered a Mixamo Animation Sampler Pack for M4 and V4.2, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com">DAZ 3D</a> and <a href="http://www.mixamo.com">Mixamo</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/03/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-3-beginners-guide-to-unity/">Day 3</a> offered some fantastic Unity training from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/02/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-2-dutch-skies-360°/">Day 2</a> offered an HDRI set from <a href="http://www.bobgroothuis.com/blog/">Dutch Skies 360°</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/01/3d-worlds-advent-giveaway/">Day 1</a> offered an awesome free model pack for Cinema 4D from <a href="http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/">GreyscaleGorilla</a></li> </ul> <p>Make sure you visit the 3D World website again tomorrow to find out what’s behind door number 18!</p> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://3dworldmag.com.feedsportal.com/c/33151/f/538495/s/1b0882aa/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a href="http://res.feedsportal.com/viral/sendemail2.html?title=3D+World+Advent+Calendar+Day+17%3A+Six+exclusive+Cornucopia3D+models&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dworldmag.com%2F2011%2F12%2F17%2F3d-world-advent-calendar-day-17-six-exclusive-cornucopia3d-models%2F" target="_blank"><img border="0" 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<p class="strap">3D World’s pre-Christmas giveaway continues! Today you can learn how to model and texture game props using 3ds Max</p> <p><span id="more-34315"></span></p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day16-thumb.jpg" rel="lightbox[34315]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34323" height="120" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent-day16-thumb.jpg" title="advent-day16-thumb" width="150" /></a></p> <p>Every day between now and Christmas, 3D World and friends are giving away all sorts of goodies for you to enjoy, from free training to great models. Tell your friends and remember to visit every day to see what’s new in 3D World’s Advent Calendar.</p> <h3>Day 16: Two exclusive Digital-Tutors 3ds Max tutorials</h3> <p>Digital-Tutors and 3D World have partnered to bring you two free 3ds Max tutorials covering modelling and texturing game props using 3ds Max. </p> <p><strong>These two tutorials are free all weekend long and feature nearly four hours of free training.</strong></p> <h3>Modelling Game Props in 3ds Max Tutorial</h3> <p><em>Length: 1:33</em><br /> In this tutorial, you will learn the techniques for building low-resolution game assets in 3ds Max using a variety of modelling tools to build a piece of artillery. Upon completion, you’ll have a low resolution gun that you can then finish with some UV and texture work. You’ll also be able to apply the same techniques to building your own low resolution props.</p> <p><a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/11/training.php?pid=193">Watch the Modelling Game Props in 3ds Max tutorial</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent_modelling_hero.jpg" rel="lightbox[34315]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34325" height="240" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent_modelling_hero.jpg" title="advent_modelling_hero" width="580" /></a></p> <h3>Texturing Game Props in 3ds Max and Photoshop Tutorial</h3> <p><em>Length: 2:07</em><br /> In this tutorial, you’ll learn the techniques for texturing assets in 3ds Max and Photoshop. Many of the details that we are unable to add when modelling can be simulated with textures. We’ll go through the process of preparing our model, an antitank gun, for texture by creating and assembling useable UV layouts. Upon completion, you’ll have a textured gun and will also have the knowledge you need to start creating textures for your own models.</p> <p><a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/11/training.php?pid=196">Watch the Texturing Game Props in 3ds Max and Photoshop tutorial</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent_texturing1.jpg" rel="lightbox[34315]"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-34326" height="332" src="http://www.3dworldmag.com/files/2011/12/advent_texturing1.jpg" title="advent_texturing1" width="580" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/training/free-tutorials">Find more free tutorials from Digital-Tutors</a> and <strong>check back next week for an exclusive Maya tutorial giveaway from 3D World and Digital-Tutors.</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/training/3ds_max-tutorials">See all of the 3ds Max tutorials</a> in the <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/11/training.php">Digital-Tutors training library</a></p> <h4>3D World’s Advent Calendar: the story so far</h4> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/15/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-15-130-xfrog-plant-models/">Day 15 </a> offered 130 XFrog plant models <a href="http://xfrog.com/">XFrog</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/14/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-14-a-set-of-metal-fences/">Day 14 </a> offered set of metal fences, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/13/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-13-master-maya’s-transfer-maps/">Day 13</a> offered some video training on Maya’s Transfer Maps, from <a href="http://www.escapestudios.co.uk">Escape Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/12/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-12-introduction-to-speedtree/">Day 12</a> offered an Introduction to SpeedTree, from <a href="http://www.cmiVFX.com">cmiVFX</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/11/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-11-daz-3d-emotiguy/">Day 11</a> offered DAZ 3D EmotiGuy, from <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34275">Day 10</a> offered the Old Village model for Vue, courtesy of <a href="http://www.e-onsoftware.com/">e-on software</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/09/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-9-free-allegorithmic-substances/">Day 9</a> offered a free set of Substances, courtesy of <a href="http://www.allegorithmic.com/">Allegorithmic</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/08/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-8-beginners-guide-to-image-planes-in-maya/">Day 8</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to Image Planes in Maya, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/?p=34258">Day 7</a>offered the Anime Star Fighter character model pack, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/">DAZ 3D</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/06/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-6-beginners-guide-to-3ds-max/">Day 6</a> offered the training video Beginner’s Guide to 3ds Max, courtesy of <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com/">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/05/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-5-an-eames-lcw-chair/">Day 5</a> offered an Eames LCW Chair, from <a href="http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk/">Pariah Studios</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/04/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-4-mixamo-animation-sampler-pack-for-m4-and-v4-2/">Day 4</a> offered a Mixamo Animation Sampler Pack for M4 and V4.2, courtesy of <a href="http://www.daz3d.com">DAZ 3D</a> and <a href="http://www.mixamo.com">Mixamo</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/03/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-3-beginners-guide-to-unity/">Day 3</a> offered some fantastic Unity training from <a href="http://www.digitaltutors.com">Digital-Tutors</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/02/3d-world-advent-calendar-day-2-dutch-skies-360°/">Day 2</a> offered an HDRI set from <a href="http://www.bobgroothuis.com/blog/">Dutch Skies 360°</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.3dworldmag.com/2011/12/01/3d-worlds-advent-giveaway/">Day 1</a> offered an awesome free model pack for Cinema 4D from <a href="http://greyscalegorilla.com/blog/">GreyscaleGorilla</a></li> </ul> <p>Make sure you visit the 3D World website again tomorrow to find out what’s behind door number 17!</p> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://3dworldmag.com.feedsportal.com/c/33151/f/538495/s/1b01f15d/mf.gif" width="1" /><div class="mf-viral"><table border="0"><tr><td valign="middle"><a 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Enter the Design a Fiend competition and you could end up working with the new collab Dudebox and character design supremo Pete Fowler

Type lovers check out Steven Harrington's newest art creation - a sculpted ampersand

Whether you're refreshing a client's identity or creating a whole new brand from scratch, these wise words of advice from The Partners' design director, Michael Paisley, may well help

How five illustrators worked with a German agency to create a street art extravaganza in the centre of Berlin

Manchester creative studio The Neighbourhood has come up with a novel way to celebrate the Yuletide season -- and its own inestimable talent -- by creating a Cublic Light Tree that uses 3D projection mapping techniques

Meet the up-and-coming Danish illustrator whose work is winning him worldwide recognition

Design agency Music, has come up with a novel new way to showcase the talents of UK illustrators - by having their work displayed in The Fish Tank, a glass-walled meeting room in its Manchester studio

Magpie Studio salutes Britain’s posties with a special print project

Illustrator Radim Malinic has just finished three extensive infographics for the 10,000 Small Businesses programme

The Shanghai-based illustrator Popil loves to combine new and traditional Chinese styles in her work

<img alt="The Macalope Weekly: Wrong about the iPad" src="http://images.macworld.com/images/news/graphics/143988-macalope-peek-thumbnail_original.jpg" /> As 2010 draws to a close, the Macalope looks back at the misconceived pre-judgments of the iPad…that came from his own mouth.<br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <a href="http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=fd3d4a685d947d5ba5af1d7d71379bca&p=1"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ads.pheedo.com/img.phdo?s=fd3d4a685d947d5ba5af1d7d71379bca&p=1" style="border: 0;" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=AppleMac&partnerID=167&key=segment" style="display: none;" width="0" /><img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-8bUhLiluj0fAw.gif?labels=pub.28383.rss.AppleMac.10505,cat.AppleMac.rss" style="display: none;" width="0" />

<img alt="Kindle Fire helps Amazon set holiday sales record" src="http://images.macworld.com/images/article/2011/12/amazon_kindle_fire_thumb-262853-267520.jpg" /> Amazon says it sold more than a million Kindles per week during December, and millions of Kindle Fires during the holiday shopping season.<br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <a href="http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=358b1538655c503bbea8b5989cfd4a8d&p=1"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ads.pheedo.com/img.phdo?s=358b1538655c503bbea8b5989cfd4a8d&p=1" style="border: 0;" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=AppleMac&partnerID=167&key=segment" style="display: none;" width="0" /><img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://insight.adsrvr.org/track/evnt/?ct=0:tar7qjh&adv=wouzn4v&fmt=3" style="display: none;" width="0" />

<img alt="Seven ways to use Google+ at work" src="http://images.macworld.com/images/news/graphics/141666-generic-icon-internet_original.png" /> Launched only six months ago, Google+ is the new kid on the social networking block. Despite the late start, it's becoming increasingly useful and important for small businesses.<br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <a href="http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=a3a18fd49f9c731da0c6b9de84a855ab&p=1"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ads.pheedo.com/img.phdo?s=a3a18fd49f9c731da0c6b9de84a855ab&p=1" style="border: 0;" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=AppleMac&partnerID=167&key=segment" style="display: none;" width="0" /><img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://insight.adsrvr.org/track/evnt/?ct=0:tar7qjh&adv=wouzn4v&fmt=3" style="display: none;" width="0" />

<img alt="Small businesses to buy more tablets in 2012" src="http://images.macworld.com/images/article/2011/11/ipad2trio-263748.jpg" /> A survey finds that 73% of small-to-medium sized business plan to buy tablets in the next 12 months. And when small businesses think "tablet," they usually mean "iPad."<br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <a href="http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=241506887641b46945f0d1dd12bb2980&p=1"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ads.pheedo.com/img.phdo?s=241506887641b46945f0d1dd12bb2980&p=1" style="border: 0;" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=AppleMac&partnerID=167&key=segment" style="display: none;" width="0" /><img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://insight.adsrvr.org/track/evnt/?ct=0:tar7qjh&adv=wouzn4v&fmt=3" style="display: none;" width="0" />

<img alt="2011 in review: The year in iOS" src="http://images.macworld.com/images/article/2011/03/ipad2_facetime_th-227495.jpg" /> The past year has been an eventful, impressive one for Apple on the iOS front. New iPads, new iPhones, new carriers, and new rules redefined the iOS landscape.<br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <a href="http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=566bfd5110057244092968e73be2961e&p=1"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ads.pheedo.com/img.phdo?s=566bfd5110057244092968e73be2961e&p=1" style="border: 0;" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=AppleMac&partnerID=167&key=segment" style="display: none;" width="0" /><img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://insight.adsrvr.org/track/evnt/?ct=0:tar7qjh&adv=wouzn4v&fmt=3" style="display: none;" width="0" />

<img alt="Configuring Mail's rules" src="http://images.macworld.com/images/reviews/graphics/134478-vodcast188_original.jpg" /> Chris Breen shows you how to set up some basic Mail rules for filing your incoming email into specific folders.<br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <a href="http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=3c260f53ad8a0c5eb866dbc594c139ad&p=1"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ads.pheedo.com/img.phdo?s=3c260f53ad8a0c5eb866dbc594c139ad&p=1" style="border: 0;" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=AppleMac&partnerID=167&key=segment" style="display: none;" width="0" /><img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://insight.adsrvr.org/track/evnt/?ct=0:tar7qjh&adv=wouzn4v&fmt=3" style="display: none;" width="0" />

<img alt="The Week in iOS Accessories: All the colors of a rainbow" src="http://images.macworld.com/images/article/2011/12/thumb-267324.png" /> Christmas is over! You have a new iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. What accessories do you need? Here are some of the latest.<br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <a href="http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=c3f98d42ff61973ec721b8783233801b&p=1"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ads.pheedo.com/img.phdo?s=c3f98d42ff61973ec721b8783233801b&p=1" style="border: 0;" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=AppleMac&partnerID=167&key=segment" style="display: none;" width="0" /><img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://insight.adsrvr.org/track/evnt/?ct=0:tar7qjh&adv=wouzn4v&fmt=3" style="display: none;" width="0" />

<img alt="The Macalope Daily: Mmm, that's good open!" src="http://images.macworld.com/images/news/graphics/143988-macalope-peek-thumbnail_original.jpg" /> Android's winning, but is it open? These are the tough questions the Macalope is here to tackle. <br /><br />(This story is viewable exclusively by Macworld Insider members.)<br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <a href="http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=9435697527318dbb60f7df7b06fc91b5&p=1"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ads.pheedo.com/img.phdo?s=9435697527318dbb60f7df7b06fc91b5&p=1" style="border: 0;" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=AppleMac&partnerID=167&key=segment" style="display: none;" width="0" /><img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://insight.adsrvr.org/track/evnt/?ct=0:tar7qjh&adv=wouzn4v&fmt=3" style="display: none;" width="0" />

<img alt="Review: Mac mini with Lion Server ideal for SOHO and SMB" src="http://images.macworld.com/images/article/2011/08/macminimid2011-188t-248544.png" /> The Mac mini server was already a great machine. The latest version, the Mac mini with Lion Server, is even better.<br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <a href="http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=8d4ef37381a42c90dfee27fe3fafc583&p=1"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ads.pheedo.com/img.phdo?s=8d4ef37381a42c90dfee27fe3fafc583&p=1" style="border: 0;" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=AppleMac&partnerID=167&key=segment" style="display: none;" width="0" /><img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://insight.adsrvr.org/track/evnt/?ct=0:tar7qjh&adv=wouzn4v&fmt=3" style="display: none;" width="0" />

<img alt="iOS App Review: Storie offers mix of photo effects, sharing" src="http://images.macworld.com/images/article/2011/12/schnap-266281.png" /> Updated for the holiday season, Storie offers a mix of photo effects and sharing techniques.<br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <br clear="both" style="clear: both;" /> <a href="http://ads.pheedo.com/click.phdo?s=a40ab9885e32c224ceaf43e18d7877c9&p=1"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ads.pheedo.com/img.phdo?s=a40ab9885e32c224ceaf43e18d7877c9&p=1" style="border: 0;" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://segment-pixel.invitemedia.com/pixel?code=AppleMac&partnerID=167&key=segment" style="display: none;" width="0" /><img alt="" border="0" height="0" src="http://insight.adsrvr.org/track/evnt/?ct=0:tar7qjh&adv=wouzn4v&fmt=3" style="display: none;" width="0" />

<p>Today we feature a UK artist whose geometric & surreal illustrstion have been brought to our attention.</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><a href="http://samchivers.com">Sam Chiver</a> is a UK based Illustrator and print maker. Working with both digital and handmade materials his work often explores themes of a universal nature. He produces limited edition prints, some of which are available [at his <a href="http://samchivers.com/#735987/About">online gallery</a>.]</p> <p>Take a look at his <a href="http://samchivers.wordpress.com/">blog</a> for more insight into the mind of <a href="http://samchivers.com">Sam Chiver</a>.</p> <p><img alt="" height="600" src="http://samchivers.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/dope.jpg?w=720" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="567" src="http://payload3.cargocollective.com/1/1/62213/2360413/multiverse.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="954" src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/1/62213/891106/crystal_virus.jpg" width="670" /></p> <p>From a young age he was inspired by mountainous landscape found during trips to France and also a love of comics. He similarly takes much inspiration from the realms of fantasy art. Working with different mediums he says, “I like the infinite possibilities working digitally affords, coupled with the limitations that screen-print imposes”. This hints at the progressive attitude towards his work.</p> <p>-</p> <p><strong>1.What would you say is the most important theme in your work?</strong><br /> The unconscious flow…man</p> <p><strong>2.What’s most inspiring to your working process?</strong><br /> Drawing without thinking</p> <p><strong>3.Have you any strange talents that influence the work you produce or the way you produce it?</strong><br /> Nope it’s pretty straight forward</p> <p><strong>4.Which artist of the past would you resurrect to collaborate with and why?</strong><br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejandro_Jodorowsky">Alejandro Jodorowsky</a> although he’s still alive and very much in the present, which is why I’d want to collaborate</p> <p><img alt="Sam Chivers" height="234" src="http://www.indigits.net/wp-content/gallery/sam-chivers/oxygene.jpg" style="float: right;" width="336" /></p> <p><strong>5.Do you think your work is understood or misinterpreted and why?</strong><br /> I don’t really understand it myself. So the more misinterpretations the better</p> <p><strong>6.If you could decorate one place in the world what would it be and how would you do it?</strong><br /> A flyover with grass?</p> <p><strong>7. What to date has been your ‘cherry on the cake’ moment and what was it that got you there?</strong><br /> finishing my last print I think, and what got me there was lots of tea…</p> <p><strong>8.What we ask everyone! Does your artistic style influence your underwear?</strong><br /> Yes</p> <p> </p> <p>Sources: <br /> http://www.indigits.net/2011/06/sam-chivers/<br /> http://samchivers.wordpress.com<br /> http://samchivers.com</p> <p> </p>

<p>As a water sign I am usually keen on the tidal forces that pull on us during this time of the month and that feeling of change, good and bad, that's in the air. With the full moon rising and a eclipse on the horizon, this issue of SPARK! is dedicated to the moon, change, time and the forces of nature (or <a href="http://adobe.com">Photoshop</a> ;)</p> <p><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/03702613729114228887" rel="author">Courtney N. Hathaway</a>, interior designer, brings us these perfectly distressed images:</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9RFMK_wbd-Y/Tkoee9cIEXI/AAAAAAAADIM/IZn0wLD7vCU/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-16+at+12.38.25+AM.png" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTAOhAHCwUc/Tkoedk7iSMI/AAAAAAAADII/FSVa0sSRwAM/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-16+at+12.38.16+AM.png" width="600" /></p> <p><a href="http://chadwys.com/works_process.htm">Chad Wys</a> uses his talents to help time and take us away to another reality with his Nocturne series:</p> <p><img alt="" height="620" src="http://chadwys.com/images/works/process_of_elimination/nocturne013.jpg" width="475" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="605" src="http://chadwys.com/images/works/process_of_elimination/nocturne064.jpg" width="475" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="574" src="http://chadwys.com/images/works/process_of_elimination/nocturne018.jpg" width="475" /></p> <p><a href="http://www.preserve.co.nz/">Preserve</a>, brings us a collection of distressed typographical signage:</p> <p><img alt="" height="375" src="http://www.preserve.co.nz/images/may_2011/clothiers01.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="375" src="http://www.preserve.co.nz/images/may_2011/tobacco03.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="375" src="http://www.preserve.co.nz/images/may_2011/newman08.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.rawtype.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Preserve_Inner_02.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><a href="http://alexjowettart.tumblr.com/">Alex Jowell </a>captures the power of nature as well as her artistic flare:</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/5454206963/1/tumblr_ll5aiocEh11qavrrx" width="600" /></p> <p>and one "for good measure" a first edition of the iconic New York Magazine:</p> <p><img alt="" height="679" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lut97abkmJ1qztcnqo1_500.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p> </p>

<p>Who's your favorite character of all time... which version.. by what artist? I know mine: Bob Kane's Batman by Alex Ross. I like to think of Alex's style as the best of both worlds, it's 2D that looks like it was rendered in 3D. This week I've pulled a few characters from both the pop-culture and the obscure pile. Share yours with us by posting it below.</p> <h4>1. The Batman (rough sketch phase) by <a href="http://www.alexrossart.com">Alex Ross</a></h4> <p><img alt="" border="1" src="http://www.alexrossart.com/galleries/batman/full/batman_headstudy_full.jpg" width="600" /></p> <h4>2. Gollum by <a href="http://www.wetafx.co.nz">WETA Digital</a></h4> <p><img alt="instantShift - Amazing Character Designs" border="1" src="http://cdn.instantshift.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/acd-be-20.jpg" title="instantShift - Amazing Character Designs" width="600" /></p> <p><strong>3. Bettie Page by <a href="http://cargocollective.com/bambinomonkey/#303147/About-Bambinomonkey" id="p303147" name="bambinomonkey" rel="history">Bambinomonkey</a></strong><a href="http://cargocollective.com/bambinomonkey/#303147/About-Bambinomonkey" id="p303147" name="bambinomonkey" rel="history"></a></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/25980/303192/bettiepage.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><strong>4. Octo-Owl by <a href="http://www.64colors.bigcartel.com/">64Colors</a></strong><a href="http://www.64colors.bigcartel.com/"></a></p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#333333"><img alt="" border="1" height="640" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6145/6020700412_05b5130db0_z.jpg" width="477" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <p><strong>5. Belly Dancer by <a href="http://onlycreative.com.au/carlos-jaugeon-perez-character-design/">Carlos Jaugeon Perez</a></strong></p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#333333"><img alt="" border="1" height="637" src="http://onlycreative.com.au/images/blog-images/carlos_jaugeon_perez_03.jpg" width="450" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <p><strong>6. Cathy Ray by <a href="http://andyh.cgsociety.org/gallery/">Andrew Hickinbottom</a></strong></p> <p><img alt="" height="800" src="http://features.cgsociety.org/newgallerycrits/g62/54062/54062_1308650848_submedium.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p>7. TMNT by Eastman & Laird (3D by <a href="http://www.cgarena.com/gallery/3d/description/tmnt.html">Nikita Volobuev</a>)</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.cgarena.com/gallery/3d/description/fullimages/tmnt.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p>8. Taarna by <a href="http://www.chrisachilleos.co.uk/art-gallery.html">Chris Achilleos</a></p> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#333333"><img alt="" height="699" src="http://www.chrisachilleos.co.uk/images/artgallery/amazons/taarna.jpg" width="474" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <p><strong>9. Rei Ayanami by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshiyuki_Sadamoto" title="Yoshiyuki Sadamoto"> Yoshiyuki Sadamoto</a></strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshiyuki_Sadamoto" title="Yoshiyuki Sadamoto"></a></p> <p><img alt="" border="1" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmT-QOgVQ4w/TeYd2eEzRwI/AAAAAAAAFn8/WujIF0Oe4SY/s1600/ayanami_rei%2Bblue_hair%2Bneon_genesis_evangelion%2Bred_eyes.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><strong>10. Jack Skellington by <a href="http://www.timburton.com/">Tim Burton</a></strong><a href="http://www.timburton.com/"></a></p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#333333"> <p><img alt="" border="1" height="600" src="http://www.mxonline.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/2007jack.jpg" width="391" /></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p>

<p>When I was in high school, I in inherited the old family hi-fi. We had upgraded the sitting room's entertainment center and in the middle of it was a state-of-the-art Sony component system that included a CD-player, a turntable, an equalizer, an amp, a stereo tuner, and a dual cassette deck. Back then vinyl was king and portables (like the yellow sports Walkman in my school bag) were gaining ground quickly. My local Record Store was walking distance and it was my happiest place on earth.</p> <p>We all have our favorite songs, our favorite albums, but I also had on my wall opposite the bunch beds, among the Anime posters & the comic books, some carefully mounted album covers. These gems had 2 qualifications the music had to be epic and the artwork inspirational. So since we missed our weekly issue of SPARK! due to the holiday, here is a little something that will take the edge off until Friday.</p> <p><a href="http://inspiredology.com/?author=2">Chad Mueller</a>, fellow designer and inspirational blogger posted a few of his favorites. We at Filter Foundry agree :)</p> <div> <div> <p>"The album covers are listed in no specific order."</p> <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" <p><a href=" </div> </div> <p>Source: <a href="http://inspiredology.com/99-best-designed-album-covers/">http://inspiredology.com/99-best-designed-album-covers/</a></p>

<p>Thanks to <a href="http://www.ohny.org/" target="_blank">Open House New York</a>, [S Allan] got to view the inside of the absolutely remarkable TWA Terminal at JFK Airport, designed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eero_Saarinen" target="_blank">Eero Saarinen</a>. It opened in 1962, but has not been in use for a while. When American Airlines bought out Trans World Airlines (aka TWA) in 2001, the terminal was closed.</p> <p>We’ve admired the building from the outside for ages.</p> <p><a href="2011/10/outside.jpg"><img alt="" height="367" src="2011/10/outside.jpg?w=490&h=367" title="outside" width="490" /></a></p> <p>But the closest we’ve ever come to seeing the interior is from watching the Steven Spielberg movie “Catch Me If You Can”, which used the terminal as a location in the film.</p> <p><a href="2011/10/catch-me-if-you-can-1.jpg"><img alt="" height="288" src="2011/10/catch-me-if-you-can-1.jpg?w=432&h=288" title="catch-me-if-you-can-1" width="432" /></a></p> <p>Open House New York is an annual weekend-long event that opens the doors of many New York City institutions to the public – places that are not normally open to the public. Or, in many public buildings, OHNY offers behind-the-scenes glimpses that the public seldom gets to glimpse.</p> <p>So, you want to see one of Eero Saarinen’s masterpieces? Okay – here it is (as always, to view a picture larger, click on it, then use your “back” arrow to come back to this home page):</p> <p><a href="2011/10/twa.jpg"><img alt="" height="326" src="2011/10/twa.jpg?w=490&h=326" title="TWA" width="490" /></a></p> <p><a href="2011/10/twa-2.jpg"><img alt="" height="326" src="2011/10/twa-2.jpg?w=490&h=326" title="TWA 2" width="490" /></a></p> <p><a href="2011/10/twa-3.jpg"><img alt="" height="315" src="2011/10/twa-3.jpg?w=490&h=315" title="TWA 3" width="490" /></a></p> <p><a href="2011/10/twa-4.jpg"><img alt="" height="326" src="2011/10/twa-4.jpg?w=490&h=326" title="TWA 4" width="490" /></a></p> <p><a href="2011/10/twa-5.jpg"><img alt="" height="325" src="2011/10/twa-5.jpg?w=490&h=325" title="TWA 5" width="490" /></a></p> <p><a href="2011/10/window.jpg"><img alt="" height="325" src="2011/10/window.jpg?w=490&h=325" title="window" width="490" /></a></p> <p><a href="2011/10/rest-room.jpg"><img alt="" height="324" src="2011/10/rest-room.jpg?w=490&h=324" title="rest room" width="490" /></a></p> <p><a href="2011/10/rest-room-2.jpg"><img alt="" height="326" src="2011/10/rest-room-2.jpg?w=490&h=326" title="rest room 2" width="490" /></a></p> <p><a href="2011/10/seating.jpg"><img alt="" height="326" src="2011/10/seating.jpg?w=490&h=326" title="seating" width="490" /></a></p> <p><a href="2011/10/twa-6.jpg"><img alt="" height="324" src="2011/10/twa-6.jpg?w=490&h=324" title="TWA 6" width="490" /></a></p> <p><a href="2011/10/twa-7.jpg"><img alt="" height="326" src="2011/10/twa-7.jpg?w=490&h=326" title="TWA 7" width="490" /></a></p> <p><a href="2011/10/sign1.jpg"><img alt="" height="326" src="2011/10/sign1.jpg?w=490&h=326" title="sign" width="490" /></a></p> <p><a href="2011/10/twa-8.jpg"><img alt="" height="325" src="2011/10/twa-8.jpg?w=490&h=325" title="TWA 8" width="490" /></a></p> <p>Wow.</p> <p>OHNY is finished for 2011, but be sure to check it out next year. I filled my weekend with so many activities, I’m still recuperating  ;)</p> <p>All the events I participated in were really great.</p> <p>But, this one left me tongue-tied and speechless.</p> <p>Source: <a href="http://sallanscorner.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/the-twa-terminal-at-jfk-airport-wow">http://sallanscorner.wordpress.com/2011/10/20/the-twa-terminal-at-jfk-airport-wow</a></p>

<p>I never really considered myself an illustrator, even though my first foray into the art world was drawing. I even came close to posting some of my pseudo-anime pencil sketches from "back in the day" to prove my point. Sure I have tons of coffeeshop cartoons and down-time doodles but an illustrator, I am not. When inspiration strikes however, I am always prepared. Professor Brown's habit of always carrying a Pilot Rolling Ball (Precise) V5 has come in handy while waiting for friends and my never-on-time younger brother. I even started carrying what my colleague calls an  "idea book," but I still call it my sketch pad. <br /> <br /> Who knows maybe one of these days I will add some of those old delineations into my PAD.<br /> <br /> In the meantime, let me show you what I came across this week while perusing the world wide web. And when you are done, pull out your favorite pen, pencil, Rapidograph, charcoal (I prefer wet,) Conte-crayon or digital-water-color-brush-set and show us what you can do.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.jessicafortner.com/">Jessica Fortner </a></p> <p><img alt="" height="900" src="http://www.jessicafortner.com/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/SnakeSkin_600px.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="774" src="http://www.jessicafortner.com/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/GreenSource_600px.jpg" width="600" /><br /> <a href="http://www.core77.com/blog/accessory/sight_unseen_launches_online_accessories_shop_20999.asp"></a></p> <p><img alt="" height="841" src="http://www.jessicafortner.com/wordpress2/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Mouthy_600px.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.mathis.tv/">Mathis Rekowski</a></strong></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://payload0.cargocollective.com/1/0/27873/326241/Coin_final_Mathis_WebLarge_detail3.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://payload0.cargocollective.com/1/0/27873/1018771/110125_vw_golf_streets_2-1_web.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://payload0.cargocollective.com/1/0/27873/326241/circus_mathis_01.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://vasastudio.com">Vasa</a></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://vasastudio.com/paintings/images/paintings/IllustratorPainting_1401.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://vasastudio.com/paintings/images/paintings/IllustratorPainting_0577.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://vasastudio.com/paintings/images/paintings/IllustratorPainting_1306.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://borderlineamazing.com">Devin McGrath</a></p> <p><img alt="" height="800" src="http://payload0.cargocollective.com/1/0/21092/281012/crowshaded.jpg" width="559" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://payload0.cargocollective.com/1/0/21092/1142882/Screen%20shot%202011-03-07%20at%206.35.19%20PM.png" width="600" /></p> <p><img alt="" border="1" height="326" src="http://payload0.cargocollective.com/1/0/21092/1142882/Skulls%20plain.png" width="504" /></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://pulphope.blogspot.com/">Paul Pope</a></p> <p><img alt="" height="833" src="http://thesecretheadquarters.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/pulphope-550x833.jpg" width="550" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="972" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/5958800004_8014da510a_o.jpg" width="569" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2759/4500758358_04e76876e3_o.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p><a href="http://www.mariowibisono.com">Mario Wibisono</a></p> <p><img alt="" height="610" src="http://www.mariowibisono.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/Purgatory_4ac3853c04e45.jpg" width="446" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="610" src="http://www.mariowibisono.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/Nika_4aa0cfc8a0ce1.jpg" width="446" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.mariowibisono.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/Tsuruchi_Saya_4aa0adbe9b458.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p>end of line.</p>

<p>It's the most wonderful time of the year. Thanks to Staples, and a half dozen other mega-stores, that song will always remind me of holiday shopping. And when I think of shopping for gifts, be it for loved ones, office mates or myself (insert smile here) I think of all the wonderfully unique products I have seen my fellow designers create. Some of the more creative contrivances unfortunately are not for sale :( as was the case with <a href="http://www.designincstudios.com/imaginativepackagedesigns.html">Design Inc.'s dumbbell sports bottle</a> and <a href="//blog/49/">Andrew Kim's green designs</a>.</p> <p>So with credit card in hand (I'm getting those cuff links) this issue goes out to you Mr. and Mrs. Industrial Designer and anyone else who needs a little gift of giving Inspiration... or lighting, for some reason there are a ton of industrial designers producing stellar lighting. Totsiens!</p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.studiogorm.com/flow2.html">Flow2</a></strong><br /> Flow is a living kitchen where nature and technology are integrated in a symbiotic relationship, processes flow into one another in a natural cycle, efficiently utilizing energy, waste, water and other natural resources. It provides a space not only for preparing food but an environment that gives a better understanding of how natural processes work. A kitchen where food is grown, stored, cooked and composted to grow more food</p> <p> </p> <p>The flow products can be used independently but are far more effective when they work in concert as part of a larger system. The individual objects are relatively uncomplicated, acting as simple vehicles for the more com- plex natural processes to do the work. This kitchen is developed as a flexible system where resources are reused by several elements creating a dynamic flow between the products.</p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.studiogorm.com/images/flow2_information_diagram.jpg" width="600" /></p> <p>The flow kitchen focuses on three major areas Waste, Water and Energy.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.100percentdesign.net/design/hurdle-lighting-your-desk">Hurdle Lighting</a><br /> </strong>Don't be deceived by its simple form or somewhat ironic name. While it certainly resembles a hurdle, Hurdle Lighting aims to remove, not create, barriers to getting the right amount of illumination on a table or work space. The light structure is designed to stand either horizontally (like its namesake) or vertically, more like a desk lamp. A sensor detects how it's been positioned and operates the light accordingly.</p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#333333"> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.100percentdesign.net/design/hurdle-lighting-your-desk"><img alt="" border="0" height="1008" src="http://www.100percentdesign.net/files/Hurdlelighting2.jpg" width="480" /></a></p> <p> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Hurdle Lighting was designed by Koreans Lee Suk Woo and Byeon Dong Jin, and received a Special Mention in the 2007 Lightouch Design Competition in Singapore. No word on its commercial availability yet, but every contemporary work space could certainly use a lighting device as sleek and user-friendly as this.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a href="http://copenhagenparts.com/products/bike-porter">Bike Porter by Copenhagen Parts<br /></a></strong>Old-school basket weave is fine if that’s your thing, but what real choice is there if you care about how your bike looks, and your style is more urban than country cottage? What if you ride a stylish single-speed but you also want to carry bags and groceries? Our response? The Bike Porter.</p> <p><img alt="" height="493" src="http://www.copenhagenparts.com/beta/wp-content/uploads/display2.jpg" width="483" /></p> <p>The Bike Porter combines cool aesthetics with practical function without corrupting the clean, simple lines of your ride.</p> <p><img alt="" height="554" src="http://www.copenhagenparts.com/beta/wp-content/uploads/CphParts_Forside03.jpg" width="483" /></p> <p>By integrating the basket into the handlebar, the Bike Porter offers a sublime transport option which works as part of your bike as well as introducing an evolution in style.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/10/11/one-handsome-chair/">One Handsome Chair by Minwoo Lee</a></strong><br /> Inspired by the human form, the beautiful Klassiker lounge chair was designed to comfortably hug both the back and bottom of the seated person. A polished oil finish and high back make it an elegant choice for classic and contemporary rooms alike.</p> <p><img alt="" height="437" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2011/10/10/klassiker_01.jpg" width="600" /><img alt="" height="437" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2011/10/10/klassiker_02.jpg" width="600" /><br /> <a href="http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/10/11/one-handsome-chair/"></a><img alt="" height="437" src="http://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2011/10/10/klassiker_05.jpg" width="600" /><br /> <br /></p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.mrporter.com/product/192585">Alexander Copper Cufflinks</a></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.mrporter.com/product/192585"></a>Lightweight and high shine, these polished cylinder-shaped copper cufflinks from <a href="http://www.mrporter.com/Shop/Designers/Alice_Made_This">Alice Made This</a> will bring a contemporary urban touch to formal shirting. Added to a crisp cuff, these solid pieces will make a sartorial impact. Untreated copper will form a unique patina over time; use a gentle metal cleaning product to restore the shine. <strong> </strong></p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#333333"> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" height="475" src="http://www.mrporter.com/images/products/192585/192585_mrp_in_l.jpg" width="455" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="475" src="http://www.mrporter.com/images/products/192585/192585_mrp_fr_l.jpg" width="455" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="475" src="http://www.mrporter.com/images/products/192585/192585_mrp_e3_l.jpg" width="455" /></p> <p> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.afroditi.com/work/candy-lamp/">Candy Lamp by John Lewis</a></strong><br /> <a href="http://www.afroditi.com/work/candy-lamp/"></a>Although the final outcome of each project is varied, the process is very much the same. Afroditi was commissioned by the John Lewis Partnership to design a signature desk lamp for their collection. “Real” (not the one involving pretty images stuck together on a mood board) research revealed an issue with their existing range: although their market is mainly domestic, their desk lamps are very “contract”, highly technical pieces. The Candy Lamp is designed with the domestic tablescape in mind, things like vases, fruit bowls and glasses sitting next to it. Also, it picks up on people’s little habits, like taking your watch off before going to bed, so it provides with a little bit of a resting area.</p> <p><img alt="Vancouver BC" border="0" height="500" src="http://media.filterfoundry.com/blog/afroditi-designer-johnlewis4.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><img alt="Vancouver BC" border="0" height="500" src="http://media.filterfoundry.com/blog/afroditi-designer-johnlewis1-500x500.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p>The Candy became the best selling lamp of the John Lewis range. In 2005, it was a finalist in the Laurent-Perrier Design Award and was voted as Observer’s Top Ten lights. The product entered the Innermost range of lighting, in February 2006.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.core77.com/blog/accessory/sight_unseen_launches_online_accessories_shop_20999.asp">Tanya Aguiñiga</a></strong></p> <p><img alt="" height="500" src="http://aguinigadesign.com/images/rope_knot_dip_rope_red.jpg" width="547" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="250" src="http://aguinigadesign.com/images/wool_lace_neck_store3.jpg" width="250" /><img alt="" height="250" src="http://aguinigadesign.com/images/wool_lace_neck_store1.jpg" width="250" /><br /> <img alt="" height="250" src="http://aguinigadesign.com/images/wool_lace_neck_store4.jpg" width="250" /><img alt="" height="250" src="http://aguinigadesign.com/images/wool_lace_neck_store2.jpg" width="250" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="375" src="http://aguinigadesign.com/images/seating_trays3.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><img alt="" height="322" src="http://aguinigadesign.com/images/seating_trays2.jpg" width="500" /></p> <p><br /> <a href="http://www.core77.com/blog/accessory/sight_unseen_launches_online_accessories_shop_20999.asp"></a></p>

<p>Most of you have probably figured out via context that I call the City of Angels home, always have and plan on it for a long time. But... ever since I first took a bite out of The Big Apple, part of me decided that I could spend a couple of years there. Now, if I could put down a tent and live inside <a href="http://ff.fildry.com/vCG6xd">MoMA</a>, I might be convinced to stay. <br /><br />If you live in, near or visited NYC, you most likely (if you didn't please lie to me) spent some time inside MoMA. The last time I was there I had the pleasure of seeing one of my professor's exhibits, kinda cool right?! This month, if you are in The City you can, among other great exhibits, see one of my favorites: Diego Rivera.</p> <p>Rivera's <a href="http://ff.fildry.com/vCG6xd">Murals for The Museum of Modern Art</a> start November 13, 2011 and run until May 14, 2012. Better go before that giant asteroid hits the Earth ;) His subject matter and use of color are amazing in person. Member can actually walk down there right now and see it before the general public. When you go let me know what you thought. Cheers!</p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#333333"><a href="http://ff.fildry.com/vCG6xd"><img alt="" height="420" src="http://www.moma.org/images/dynamic_content/exhibition_page/50798.jpg?1300743918" width="325" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Diego Rivera. <em>Agrarian Leader Zapata.</em> 1931. Fresco, 7' 9 3/4" x 6' 2" (238.1 x 188 cm). The Museum of Modern Art. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Fund <br /> <br /> <a href="http://ff.fildry.com/v1qlpM"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.diegorivera.com/wp-content/gallery/murals/crossrba.jpg" width="600" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://ff.fildry.com/v1qlpM"><img alt="" border="0" height="624" src="http://www.diegorivera.com/wp-content/gallery/murals/desembarco.jpg" width="600" /></a></p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" bgcolor="#333333"><a href="http://ff.fildry.com/v1qlpM"><img alt="" border="0" height="781" src="http://www.diegorivera.com/wp-content/gallery/murals/collegesfo1.jpg" width="500" /></a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Sources:<br /> <a href="http://ff.fildry.com/rE2uVT">http://www.diegorivera.com</a><br /> <a href="http://ff.fildry.com/vCG6xd">http://www.moma.org/</a></p>

<p>We are proud to have world renowned Polish designer <a href="http://ff.fildry.com/vITIu8">Tomasz Opasinski</a> featured on our homepage this week. He is well known for his unique design approach to abstract digital art and is currently offering a free tutorial on Filter Foundry that shows how he used Mudbox to design the background featured on our homepage. <a href="http://ff.fildry.com/uqbk0x">Click here to check it out</a>.</p> <p>Here are a couple abstract works from Tomasz:</p> <p><a href="/opasinski/3731/experimental-art/"><img alt="" border="0" src="/media/cache/pad_portfolio_thumbs/detail_image/1314070308.4.jpg" width="600" /></a></p> <p><a href="/opasinski/3731/experimental-art/"><img alt="" border="0" src="/cache/pad_portfolio_thumbs/detail_image/1314070313.31.jpg" width="600" /></a></p> <p><a href="/opasinski/3731/experimental-art/"><img alt="" border="0" src="/cache/pad_portfolio_thumbs/detail_image/1314070350.74.jpg" width="600" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Marko Vuckovic's Grass Lamp</strong><br /> The grass lamp is an innovative concept that i designed to enhance the décor of a home interior with natural elements, aiming to bring warmth and uniqueness in the user’s homes. The concept incorporates a part of nature right inside the house designed to be placed on the wall to represent a modern and eco-friendly aesthetic of the home interior. Aside from helping the grass to be grown on the lamp, it discretely lightens the room which lets the user to directly connect with the nature. Thin and light PVC plastic has been used to make the lamp with reserved inside space for the soil, and also features areas to be lightened with great functionality.</p> <p><a href="/vuckovidesign"><img alt="" border="0" height="600" src="/cache/pad_portfolio_thumbs/detail_image/1309464419.85.jpg" width="600" /></a></p> <p><a href="/vuckovidesign"><img alt="" border="0" height="915" src="/cache/pad_portfolio_thumbs/detail_image/1309464431.02.jpg" width="600" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Luisa Rafidi's charater designs.</strong><br /> These original character designs come from the self-taught fledgling Brasilian artist Luisa Rafidi. For her art she uses an iMac, a Wacom Intuos4 tablet, Photoshop CS5 and, occasionally, ArtRage 3 and watercolors.</p> <p><a href="/lulles/" target="_top"><img alt="" border="0" src="/cache/pad_portfolio_thumbs/detail_image/1317515590.09.jpg" width="600" /></a></p> <p><a href="/lulles"><img alt="" border="0" src="/cache/pad_portfolio_thumbs/detail_image/1317515503.82.jpg" width="600" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Ladislav Hubert</strong><br /> This artist's work speak for themselves. We missed adding his first piece to last week's Halloween edition but here it is better late than never. In his own words: My illustrations are predominantly figurative with decorative elements, inspired by music, pop culture, fashion. Pictures are extremely high in detail, filled with bold colors and decorative patterns. Because of that, the digital files are usually bigger than A3 sized page, so they are avaliable even for poster sized prints.</p> <p><a href="/hubertfineart"><img alt="" border="0" src="/cache/pad_portfolio_thumbs/detail_image/1303988660.09.jpg" width="600" /></a></p> <p><a href="/hubertfineart"><img alt="" border="0" src="/cache/pad_portfolio_thumbs/detail_image/1303989137.63.jpg" width="600" /></a></p> <p><a href="/hubertfineart"><img alt="" border="0" src="/cache/pad_portfolio_thumbs/detail_image/1303989585.72.jpg" width="600" /></a></p>

<h1>The 8 Worst Fonts In The World</h1> <div id="article_deck">In "Just My Type," Simon Garfield counts down his least favorite typefaces. And Comic Sans isn't among them.</div> <p>We’d need another book, of course, to do this justice. And where would one start?</p> <p>Fonts are like cars on the street--we notice only the most beautiful or ugly, the funniest or the flashiest. The vast majority roll on regardless. There may be many reasons why we dislike or distrust certain fonts, and overuse and misuse are only starting points. Fonts may trigger memory as pungently as perfume: Gill Sans can summon up exam papers. Trajan may remind us of lousy choices at the cinema (you’ll see it on the posters of more bad films than any other font) and grueling evenings with Russell Crowe. There was a time when it looked as though he would only appear in films--<em>A Beautiful Mind</em>; <em>Master and Commander</em>; <em>Mystery, Alask</em>a--if the marketing team promised to use Trajan in its pseudo-Roman glory on all its promotional material (There is a funny and rather alarming <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t87QKdOJNv8" target="_blank">YouTube clip about this</a>.)</p> <p> </p> <blockquote>Simonson believes that some typefaces are "novice magnets."</blockquote> <p>Most of the time we only notice typeface mistakes, or things before or behind their times. In the 1930s, people tutted over Futura and predicted fleeting fame; today we may be outraged by the grunge fonts Blackshirt and Aftershock Debris, but in a decade they may be everywhere, and a decade after that we may be bored with their blandness. Fortunately, choosing the worst fonts in the world is not merely an exercise in taste and personal vindictiveness--there has been academic research. In 2007, Anthony Cahalan published his study of font popularity (or otherwise) as part of Mark Batty’s <em>Typographic Papers Series (Volume 1)</em>. He had sent an online questionnaire to more than a hundred designers, and asked them to identify: A) the fonts they used most B) the ones they believed were most highly visible C) the ones they liked least.</p> <h2>The Top Tens were:</h2> <h2>Used Regularly:</h2> <ol> <li>Frutiger (23 respondents)</li> <li>Helvetica/Helvetica Neue (21)</li> <li>Futura (15)</li> <li>Gill Sans (13) </li> <li>Univers (11)</li> <li>Garamond (10)</li> <li>Bembo</li> <li>Franklin Gothic (8)</li> <li>9. Minion (7)</li> <li>10. Arial</li> </ol> <h2>Highly Visible:</h2> <ol> <li>Helvetica/Helvetica Neue (29)</li> <li>Meta (13)</li> <li>Gill Sans (9)</li> <li>Rotis (8)</li> <li>Arial (7)</li> <li>ITC Officina Sans (4)</li> <li>Futura (3)</li> <li>Bold Italic Techno; FF Info; Mrs Eaves; Swiss; TheSans; Times New Roman (2)</li> </ol> <h2>Least Favorite:</h2> <ol> <li>Times New Roman (19)</li> <li>Helvetica/Helvetica Neue (18)</li> <li>Brush Script (13)</li> <li>Arial</li> <li>Courier (8)</li> <li>Rotis</li> <li>Souvenir (6)</li> <li>Grunge Fonts (generic) (5)</li> <li>Avant Garde</li> <li>Gill Sans (4)</li> <li>Comic Sans (3)</li> </ol> <p>The Least Favorite survey contained brief explanations. Twenty-three respondents said the fonts were misused or overused; 18 believed they were ugly; others found them to be boring, dated, impractical or clichéd; 13 expressed either dislike or blind hatred.</p> <p>This was not the first such survey to be conducted. There seems to be a new one every year online, but they tend to concentrate, rightly, on best fonts. Occasionally a novel theory emerges, such as the opinion expressed by the designer Mark Simonson on the Typophile forum. Simonson believes that some typefaces are ‘novice magnets’, possessing properties that draw in those with an untrained eye but a desire to impress. ‘To the average person, most fonts look more or less the same. But, if a typeface has a strong flavour, it calls attention to itself. It’s easy to recognize and makes people feel like they know something about fonts when they recognize it. And it looks “special” compared to normal (i.e., boring) fonts, so using it makes their documents look “special.” To the experienced designer, such typefaces have too much flavour, call too much attention to themselves, not to mention the fact that they often carry the baggage of being associated with amateur design.’</p> <p>The choice of the Worst Typefaces in the World that follows may appear to be purely subjective, like the choice of most reviled pop singer or most hilarious fashion crime. And so it is. But there is also a broad consensus about what constitutes awfulness in type. As we have seen, the one thing that most people (type professionals and laypeople combined) agreed on is that Comic Sans is no good at all. But it is harmless and even benign, and, on account of its unassuming beginnings, perhaps does not deserve the loathing that has been heaped upon it. But what can you say about the virtually illegible outer-limits fonts: Grassy, for example: a type with hair; or Scrawlz, which looks like writing by a 3- or 103-year-old?</p> <p>These targets, though, are just too easy, and it would be like criticizing your child’s acting in the nativity play. By contrast, the names in the list below, designed by professionals for reward and approval, have had it coming for a while. Here then, in reverse order, are my nominations for the eight worst fonts in the world.</p> <p><img alt="" height="297" src="http://www.fastcodesign.com/multisite_files/codesign/imagecache/inline-large/post-inline/ecofont-vector.jpg" width="555" /></p> <blockquote>There is a broad consensus about what constitutes awfulness in type.</blockquote> <h2>#8: Ecofont</h2> <p>One ought to approve. Ecofont is designed to save ink, money and eventually the planet, but heaven save us from worthy fonts. Ecofont is a program that adds holes to a font. The software takes Arial, Verdana, Times New Roman and prints them as if they had been attacked by moths. They retain their original shape, but not their inner form, and so lose their true weight and beauty. They also usually go no bigger than 11pt, although at this size or smaller they may save you 25 percent of ink consumption.</p> <p>The plus side: In 2010 Ecofont won a European Environmental Design Award. The downside: a study at the University of Wisconsin claimed that some Ecofont fonts, such as Ecofont Vera Sans, actually use more ink and toner than lighter regular fonts such as Century Gothic (although one could, of course, always print Century Gothic using Ecofont software).</p> <p>The verdict: the string vest and Swiss Cheese of fonts; a nice idea for printing large documents in draft--but do you really need to print them at all?</p> <div> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.fastcodesign.com/multisite_files/codesign/imagecache/inline-large/post-inline/Souvenir.jpg" /></p> </div> <h2>#7: Souvenir</h2> <p>“Real men don’t set Souvenir,” wrote the type scholar Frank Romano in the early 1990s, by which time he had already been performing character assassination on the type for over a decade. At every opportunity in print and online, Romano would have a go. ‘Souvenir is a font fatale . . . We could send Souvenir to Mars, but there are international treaties on pollution in outer space . . . remember, friends don’t let friends set Souvenir.’</p> <p>Romano is not alone; Souvenir seems to infuriate more type designers than practically anything else. Peter Guy, who has designed books for the Folio Society, wonders, ‘Souvenir of what, I would like to know?’ He has a possible answer: ‘A souvenir of every ghastly mistake ever made in type design gathered together--with a few never thought of before--into one execrable mish-mash.’ And even the people who sell it hate it. Here is Mark Batty from International Typeface Corporation (ITC) on one of his best-selling fonts: ‘A terrible typeface. A sort of Saturday Night Fever typeface wearing tight white flared pants . . . ’</p> <p>Souvenir was the Comic Sans of its era, which was the 1970s before punk. It was the face of friendly advertising, and it did indeed appear on Bee Gees albums, not to mention the pages of Farrah Fawcett–era Playboy. Oddly, though, Souvenir was far from a seventies face. It was cut in 1914 by the American Type Founders Company, one of the many fonts of Morris Fuller Benton. After a bit of attention it died away, and that would have been that, had it not been revived by ITC half a century later and given a big push in the heyday of photocomposition.</p> <p>Souvenir has been in the wilderness for two decades, hiding from a design community critical of anything once described as “warm and fuzzy,” but bizarrely it is almost hip again, at least in the pages of the design magazines. One may be rightfully suspicious of ironic retro patronage, but in this case there is genuine enthusiasm. “Every character is a graphic icon, but as a typeface it is still harmonious,” believes Jason Smith, the founder of the Fontsmith foundry, who once chose the lowercase g of Souvenir Demi Bold as his favourite single character of all time (“the soft terminals and rounded organic body—gorgeous”).</p> <div><img alt="" src="http://www.fastcodesign.com/multisite_files/codesign/imagecache/inline-large/post-inline/gill-sans-shadowed.jpg" /></div> <blockquote>This font pleases the taxman and no one else.</blockquote> <h2>#6: Gill Sans Light Shadowed</h2> <p>Gill Sans Light Shadowed is the sequel that should never have been made--a font that pleases the taxman and no one else. It’s hard to believe that this is what Eric Gill had in mind when he first picked up chisel and quill--a type design that would combine the look of both but ultimately end up redolent only of crackly Letraset on a school magazine.</p> <p>Gill Sans Light Shadowed is an optical font defined by its black dimensional shadow, designed to suggest the effect the sun would cast over thin raised letters. Like an Escher drawing, it will soon induce headaches, the brain struggling to cope with the perfection and exactitude.</p> <p>There are a great deal of similar three-dimensional effects on the market, the majority from the late 1920s and 1930s--Plastika, Semplicita, Umbra, and Futura Only Shadow--and many digital shaded fonts such as Refracta and Eclipse suggest the trend has not worn itself out. Like the many fonts designed to resemble old-fashioned typewriters--Courier, American Typewriter, Toxica--the effect amuses for a very limited time, leaving cumbersome words that are difficult to read and lack all emotion.</p> <div> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.fastcodesign.com/multisite_files/codesign/imagecache/inline-large/post-inline/Brush-Script.jpeg" /></p> </div> <h2>#5: Brush Script</h2> <p>If, during the 1940s, you were ever persuaded by government posters to bathe with a friend or dig for victory, the persuading was probably done in Brush Script. If, during the 1960s or ’70s, you worked on a college or community magazine, then Brush Script screamed, Use me, I look like handwriting. If, during the 1990s, you ever perused the menu of a local restaurant (the sort of restaurant opened by people who on a starlit evening thought, “I’m a pretty good cook--I think I’ll open a restaurant!”), then that menu had a good chance of featuring Pear, Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad on a Bed of Brush Script. And if, in the twenty-first century, you ever even momentarily considered putting Brush Script on any document at all, even in an ironic way, then you should immediately relinquish all claims to taste.</p> <blockquote>No one you had ever met actually wrote like that.</blockquote> <p>Brush Script was made available by American Type Founders (ATF) in 1942, and its designer Robert E Smith gave it a lower case with joining loops, creating a quaint and consistent type that looked as if it was written by a fluid, carefree human. The problem was, no one you had ever met actually wrote like that, with such perfect weight distribution and no smudges (and of course every f, g, and h exactly the same as the last one). But it seemed like a good type for corporations and government bodies to get what they wanted across in a non-corporate way, which is why advertisers used it so much for three decades. It was also the type that introduced Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Neighbours to the world in 1985, a rare instance of opening credits that looked as though they had been written by an elderly member of the cast.</p> <p>Brush Script inspired a hundred more handwriterly alternatives--Mistral, Chalkduster, Avalon, Reporter, Riva. Many of these are rather nice, and some (Café Mimi, Calliope, and HT Gelateria) are lavishly beautiful. Every leading digital foundry offers an extensive list, ranging from childish scrawl to technical precision. But they all have one thing in common: they are trying to fool you into thinking they are not made on a computer, and they never succeed.</p> <p>There are also a number of companies that offer you the chance to create a font from your own handwriting. With a site like Fontifier.com this is almost instant: you fill in an alphabet grid, upload it (with your payment) for digital rendering, and you’ll be able to preview your own uniquely named type with hundreds of professional script fonts, and perhaps discover that it’s better than many.</p> <div> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.fastcodesign.com/multisite_files/codesign/imagecache/inline-large/post-inline/Papyrus.jpeg" /></p> </div> <h2>#4: Papyrus</h2> <p><em>Avatar</em> cost more to make than any other film in history but it did its best to recoup whatever it spent on 3-D special effects and computer-generated blue people by using the cheapest and least original font it could find: Papyrus, a font available free on every Mac and PC. They did tweak it a little for the posters, but they used the standard version for credits and the subtitling for the Na’vi conversations. (On the website iheartpapyrus.com you’ll see an amusing Photoshop of James Cameron briefing star Sam Worthington in <a href="http://thecreativesideshow.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/jc_shirt.jpg" target="_blank">a T-shirt proudly asserting “Papyrus 4 Ever!”</a>)</p> <p>Cameron’s choice was baffling. Papyrus is not a bad font on its own, but is so clichéd and overused that its prominent selection for a genre-busting movie seems perverse. It also seems geographically inappropriate: as everyone who has written a school project over the last decade will tell you, Papyrus is the font you use to spell out the word "Egypt."</p> <blockquote>Papyrus is the font you use to spell out the word "Egypt."</blockquote> <p>Designed by Chris Costello and released by Letraset in 1983, Papyrus suggests what it might be like to use a quill on Egyptian plant-like material. The letters have notches and roughness, and give a good account of a chalk or crayon fraying at the edges. The primitive letters leave the impression of writing in a hurry but there is also a consistency to the style, with E and F both carrying unusually high cross-bars. The lower case seemed to be modeled closely on the early twentieth-century American newspaper favourite Cheltenham.</p> <p>The font soon became a favourite of Mediterranean-style restaurants, amusing greeting cards, and amateur productions of <em>Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat</em> (long title--good in Papyrus Condensed), and its digital incarnation proved perfect for the desktop publishing boom of the mid-1980s. It said adventurous and exotic, and marked its user out as a would-be Indiana Jones. Its use in <em>Avatar</em> was a remarkable notch up--and another example of growing typographic literacy as moviegoers scratched their heads and wondered where they had seen those titles before.</p> <div> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.fastcodesign.com/multisite_files/codesign/imagecache/inline-large/post-inline/Jurassic-Park.jpg" /></p> </div> <h2>#3: Neuland Inline</h2> <p>Are you out this evening to see an amateur stage version of a musical involving an animal called Pumbaa and another called Timon, with songs performed by a junior Elton John? Good luck! While you’re there, take a look at the poster. More likely than not it will be in Neuland or Neuland Inline. The Neuland family says Africa in the same way as Papyrus says Egypt, albeit the it’s-all-good safari/spear-dance side of Africa rather than the shantytown or Aids side. It is a dense and angular type, suggestive of something Fred Flintstone might chisel into prehistoric rock. The inline version is bristling with energy and a quirkiness of spirit, a bad type predominantly through its overuse rather than its construction.</p> <p>Neuland was created in 1923 by the influential typographer Rudolf Koch, who also made Kabel, Marathon and Neufraktur. At the time of release it was so far removed from other German types (both blackletter and the emerging modernists) that it was widely regarded with derision – too clumsy and inflexible. But its individuality soon became its strength, and by 1930 it had been adopted to advertise products that thought of themselves as special: the Rudge-Whitworth four-speed motorcycle; Eno’s Fruit Salts; American Spirit cigarettes. Some time later, as with Papyrus, Neuland hit the big time in the movies--with the type almost as prominent in Jurassic Park as the dinosaurs.</p> <blockquote>Neuland and Papyrus are both theme park fonts.</blockquote> <p>Both Neuland and Papyrus are classifiable as theme park fonts, more comfortable on the big rides at Universal Studios, Busch Gardens or Alton Towers than they are on the page. There are many other display types that share this dubious attribute, and the enterprising man behind a site called MickeyAvenue.com has spent a great deal of time at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida noting them all down. We now know to expect Þ at the Corner Café on Main Street, and w at the Haunted Mansion, while x, which was put on this earth to spell the word y, is at Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland. The classics, too, show up in places their designers could never have envisaged. Albertus reigns at the Animal Kingdom Oasis area; Gill Sans provides signage at the Epcot Imagination zone; Univers does its usual information duty at transportation and ticketing areas, while Futura is at the Animal Kingdom’s Dino Institute.</p> <p>You may write to the MickeyAvenue webmaster thanking him for his sterling endeavours. You will receive a reply thanking you for your communication written--of course--in Papyrus.</p> <div> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.fastcodesign.com/multisite_files/codesign/imagecache/inline-large/post-inline/Ransom-Note.jpg" /></p> </div> <h2>#2 Ransom Note</h2> <p>As you might expect, Ransom Note consists of letters that look as if they have been hurriedly cut from magazines to form unnerving messages. There are various styles of such fonts available, many of them downloadable free of charge, and you might use them to write such things as “Pay up or the kitten gets it.” Inevitably these menaces don’t look very realistic, and Ransom Note is a font best used for comic effect, perhaps to say “Christian is having another bloody paintballing birthday party--please do come.”</p> <p>The names are often better than the type--BlackMail, Entebbe, Bighouse. None of them, however, have a genuine ransom note’s sweat, glue, and menace, nor the cut-up shock-art of those original Sex Pistols record sleeves.</p> <div> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.fastcodesign.com/multisite_files/codesign/imagecache/inline-large/post-inline/LONDON_2012_Font.jpg" /></p> </div> <h2>#1 The 2012 Olympic Font</h2> <p>Precisely 800 days before the Olympic Games were due to start, the Official London 2012 shop began selling miniature die-cast taxis in pink, blue, orange and other shades, the first of forty such models, each promoting a different sport. The cabs are not like the lovingly crafted ones you can buy from Corgi, with opening doors and jewelled headlights, more the lumpy ones sold in Leicester Square to tourists in a hurry. Why should this matter? Because they are an example of very bad design, something London has largely begun to shun in recent years. What makes them doubly bad is the packaging, which comes with a bit of trivia about all the Olympic and Paralympic sports, each heralded with the question "Did You Know?" in what is surely the worst new public typeface of the last 100 years.</p> <blockquote>The font is based on jaggedness, not usually an attribute where sport is concerned.</blockquote> <p>The London 2012 Olympic Typeface, which is called 2012 Headline, may be even worse than the London 2012 Olympic Logo, but by the time it was released people were so tired of being outraged by the logo that the type almost passed by unnoticed. The Logo was the subject of immediate parody (some detected <a href="http://www.lowbird.com/data/images/2010/01/nextround-the-2012-olympic-logo-looks-like-lisa-simpson-giving-a-bj-full.jpg" target="_blank">Lisa Simpson having sex</a>, others a swastika), and even the subject of a health warning--an animated pulsing version was said to have brought on epileptic fits. In the International Herald Tribune, Alice Rawsthorn observed that “it looks increasingly like the graphic equivalent of what we Brits scathingly call--‘dad dancing’--namely a middle-aged man who tries so hard to be cool on the dance floor that he fails.”</p> <p>Like the logo, the uncool font is based on jaggedness and crudeness, not usually considered attributes where sport is concerned. Or maybe it’s an attempt to appear hip and down with the kids--it looks a little like the sort of tagging one might see in 1980s graffiti. It also has a vaguely Greek appearance, or at least the UK interpretation of Greek, the sort of lettering you will find at London kebab shops and restaurants called Dionysus. The slant to the letters is suddenly interrupted by a very round and upright o, which may be trying to be an Olympic Ring. The font does have a few things going for it: it is instantly identifiable, it is not easily forgettable, and because we’ll be seeing so much of it, it may eventually cease to offend. Let’s hope they keep it off the medals.</p> <p>From <em><a href="http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781592406524,00.html?Just_My_Type_Simon_Garfield" target="_blank">Just My Type</a></em> by Simon Garfield. Published by arrangement with Gotham Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. Copyright © 2010 by Simon Garfield.</p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592406521/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1846683017&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0KZAHHS2TD1RRTPWDW5C" target="_blank">Click here to buy the book on Amazon for $17.</a></strong></p> <table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="600"> <tbody> <tr> <td><a href="http://www.fastcodesign.com/users/dummy" title="Simon Garfield"><img alt="Simon Garfield" height="124" src="http://www.fastcodesign.com/multisite_files/codesign/imagecache/124x124/garfield.jpg" title="Simon Garfield" width="124" /></a></td> <td valign="top"> <h2><a href="http://www.fastcodesign.com/users/dummy" title="Simon Garfield">Simon Garfield</a></h2> <p>Simon Garfield is the author of 12 acclaimed books of nonfiction. He lives in London and St. Ives, Cornwall, and currently has a soft spot for Requiem Fine Roman and HT ... <a href="http://www.fastcodesign.com/users/dummy" title="Read more by Simon Garfield">Read more</a></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Source: <a href="http://www.fastcodesign.com/1665318/the-8-worst-fonts-in-the-world">http://www.fastcodesign.com/1665318/the-8-worst-fonts-in-the-world</a></p>

<p> <br /> </p> <p>Schneller ins Trikot = Faster into the Jersey</p> <p>I love this spot. It gets me very excited for the Euro next year. Please comment if you know the full credits. Go Schland Go. <img alt=";)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif" /> </p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_rpzpkXMfTEs_CONpMpk1B7WflE/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_rpzpkXMfTEs_CONpMpk1B7WflE/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_rpzpkXMfTEs_CONpMpk1B7WflE/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/_rpzpkXMfTEs_CONpMpk1B7WflE/1/di" /></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mepCsugkOA0:AwsZUoPyKN8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mepCsugkOA0:AwsZUoPyKN8:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mepCsugkOA0:AwsZUoPyKN8:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=mepCsugkOA0:AwsZUoPyKN8:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mepCsugkOA0:AwsZUoPyKN8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mepCsugkOA0:AwsZUoPyKN8:l6gmwiTKsz0"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=l6gmwiTKsz0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mepCsugkOA0:AwsZUoPyKN8:wF9xT3WuBAs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=mepCsugkOA0:AwsZUoPyKN8:wF9xT3WuBAs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mepCsugkOA0:AwsZUoPyKN8:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=mepCsugkOA0:AwsZUoPyKN8:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mepCsugkOA0:AwsZUoPyKN8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=mepCsugkOA0:AwsZUoPyKN8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> </div>

<p> <form action="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php" method="get" name="ad_form"> <input id="ad" name="ad" type="hidden" value="alcc_breast_cancer_1.jpg" /> <a href="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php?ad=alcc_breast_cancer_1.jpg"><img src="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/images/alcc_breast_cancer_1t.jpg" width="350" /></a></form> <p> <form action="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php" method="get" name="ad_form"> <input id="ad" name="ad" type="hidden" value="alcc_breast_cancer_2.jpg" /> <a href="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php?ad=alcc_breast_cancer_2.jpg"><img src="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/images/alcc_breast_cancer_2t.jpg" width="350" /></a></form> <p></p> <form action="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php" method="get" name="ad_form"> <input id="ad" name="ad" type="hidden" value="alcc_breast_cancer_3.jpg" /> <a href="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php?ad=alcc_breast_cancer_3.jpg"><img src="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/images/alcc_breast_cancer_3t.jpg" width="350" /></a></form> <p></p> <form action="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php" method="get" name="ad_form"> <input id="ad" name="ad" type="hidden" value="alcc_breast_cancer_4.jpg" /> <a href="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php?ad=alcc_breast_cancer_4.jpg"><img src="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/images/alcc_breast_cancer_4t.jpg" width="350" /></a></form> <p></p> <div class="posttextbox"> <p>“Nobody’s immune to breast cancer. When we talk about breast cancer, there’s no women or superwomen. Everybody has to do the self-examination monthly. Fight with us against the enemy and, when in doubt, talk with your doctor.”</p> <p>Agency: DDB, Maputo, Mozambique<br /> Creative Directors: Anderson Lima, Zeca de Oliveira<br /> Creatives: Sara Vale, Christiano Vendramine, Erick Vasconcelos<br /> Illustrator: Maísa Chaves<br /> Graphic producers: Faruk Issufo, Mauro Mussagy</p> </div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TudaPNrP7viISpp7T7npTZxPtNA/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TudaPNrP7viISpp7T7npTZxPtNA/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TudaPNrP7viISpp7T7npTZxPtNA/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TudaPNrP7viISpp7T7npTZxPtNA/1/di" /></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=l1z5HsmzXdI:hVXdjWbgB_s:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=l1z5HsmzXdI:hVXdjWbgB_s:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=l1z5HsmzXdI:hVXdjWbgB_s:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=l1z5HsmzXdI:hVXdjWbgB_s:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=l1z5HsmzXdI:hVXdjWbgB_s:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=l1z5HsmzXdI:hVXdjWbgB_s:l6gmwiTKsz0"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=l6gmwiTKsz0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=l1z5HsmzXdI:hVXdjWbgB_s:wF9xT3WuBAs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=l1z5HsmzXdI:hVXdjWbgB_s:wF9xT3WuBAs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=l1z5HsmzXdI:hVXdjWbgB_s:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=l1z5HsmzXdI:hVXdjWbgB_s:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=l1z5HsmzXdI:hVXdjWbgB_s:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=l1z5HsmzXdI:hVXdjWbgB_s:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> </div>

<p> <br /> </p> <p>ce Cube Celebrates The Eames for Pacific Standard Time the birth of the LA art scene. For more info on Ice Cube & The Eames visit http://pacificstandardtime.org</p> <p>Ice Cube drives Inglewood blvd. describing the Los Angeles that he knows. He talks of landmarks like The Forum, Five Torches, Cockatoo Inn, Brolly Hut, and Watts Towers. He refers to the 110 as “Gangsta Highway”. Cube says coming from South Central LA teaches you how to be resourceful. The video cuts to Cube walking the Eames House perimeter, through the Eames living room, and sitting in the Eames lounge chair. He brings us back to his NWA years when he studied architectural drafting before launching his rap career. One thing he learned that translates is to always have a plan. </p> <p>Cube describes the modern, green and resourceful building design of Charles and Ray Eames. Visionaries of connecting nature and structure. Cube ends by saying “Who are these people who got a problem with LA? Maybe they mad cuz they don’t live here.” Song during intro is “A Bird in the Hand” off of Death Certificate.</p> <p>Agency: TBWA Chiat Day, LA<br /> CCO: Rob Schwartz<br /> ECD: Patrick O’Neill<br /> Creative director: Jayanta Jenkins<br /> Creatives: Evan Brown, Liz Cartwright, Stephen Lum<br /> Director: Dave Meyers<br /> Production company: @radical.media</p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/KPDm12NkpKy6zrAENmt3IPvVzqw/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/KPDm12NkpKy6zrAENmt3IPvVzqw/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/KPDm12NkpKy6zrAENmt3IPvVzqw/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/KPDm12NkpKy6zrAENmt3IPvVzqw/1/di" /></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=wFC4Va-pFN4:Q29xxAJ6Uig:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=wFC4Va-pFN4:Q29xxAJ6Uig:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=wFC4Va-pFN4:Q29xxAJ6Uig:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=wFC4Va-pFN4:Q29xxAJ6Uig:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=wFC4Va-pFN4:Q29xxAJ6Uig:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=wFC4Va-pFN4:Q29xxAJ6Uig:l6gmwiTKsz0"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=l6gmwiTKsz0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=wFC4Va-pFN4:Q29xxAJ6Uig:wF9xT3WuBAs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=wFC4Va-pFN4:Q29xxAJ6Uig:wF9xT3WuBAs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=wFC4Va-pFN4:Q29xxAJ6Uig:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=wFC4Va-pFN4:Q29xxAJ6Uig:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=wFC4Va-pFN4:Q29xxAJ6Uig:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=wFC4Va-pFN4:Q29xxAJ6Uig:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> </div>

<p> <br /> </p> <p>Agency: Wieden + Kennedy, London, United Kingdom<br /> Creative Director: Tony Davidson, Kim Papworth<br /> Production Company: Stink<br /> Film Director: Martin Krejci<br /> Production Company Producer: Louise Gagen<br /> Agency Producer: Anna Smith</p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3nMfda8bRSKGQyyhTeat4jzxClk/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3nMfda8bRSKGQyyhTeat4jzxClk/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3nMfda8bRSKGQyyhTeat4jzxClk/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/3nMfda8bRSKGQyyhTeat4jzxClk/1/di" /></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=AGiQtSWfD6E:TKV5iP-yepo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=AGiQtSWfD6E:TKV5iP-yepo:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=AGiQtSWfD6E:TKV5iP-yepo:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=AGiQtSWfD6E:TKV5iP-yepo:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=AGiQtSWfD6E:TKV5iP-yepo:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=AGiQtSWfD6E:TKV5iP-yepo:l6gmwiTKsz0"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=l6gmwiTKsz0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=AGiQtSWfD6E:TKV5iP-yepo:wF9xT3WuBAs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=AGiQtSWfD6E:TKV5iP-yepo:wF9xT3WuBAs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=AGiQtSWfD6E:TKV5iP-yepo:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=AGiQtSWfD6E:TKV5iP-yepo:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=AGiQtSWfD6E:TKV5iP-yepo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=AGiQtSWfD6E:TKV5iP-yepo:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> </div>

<p> <form action="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php" method="get" name="ad_form"> <input id="ad" name="ad" type="hidden" value="schneider_electric_camera_1.jpg" /> <a href="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php?ad=schneider_electric_camera_1.jpg"><img src="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/images/schneider_electric_camera_1t.jpg" width="350" /></a></form> <p> <form action="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php" method="get" name="ad_form"> <input id="ad" name="ad" type="hidden" value="schneider_electric_camera_2.jpg" /> <a href="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php?ad=schneider_electric_camera_2.jpg"><img src="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/images/schneider_electric_camera_2t.jpg" width="350" /></a></form> <p></p> <div class="posttextbox"> <p>Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi, Poland<br /> Creative Directors: Max Olech, Blanka Lipinska<br /> Art directors / Copywriters: Martin Winther, Jakub Zielecki<br /> Project managers: Maria Golosz, Aleksandra Monczak<br /> Photographer: Agata Pospieszynska</p> </div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RSJTYHOD-A5-9qUm-7OSK3XloYE/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RSJTYHOD-A5-9qUm-7OSK3XloYE/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RSJTYHOD-A5-9qUm-7OSK3XloYE/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RSJTYHOD-A5-9qUm-7OSK3XloYE/1/di" /></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=tpk2a37r7lE:RaliT4b-Wwk:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=tpk2a37r7lE:RaliT4b-Wwk:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=tpk2a37r7lE:RaliT4b-Wwk:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=tpk2a37r7lE:RaliT4b-Wwk:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=tpk2a37r7lE:RaliT4b-Wwk:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=tpk2a37r7lE:RaliT4b-Wwk:l6gmwiTKsz0"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=l6gmwiTKsz0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=tpk2a37r7lE:RaliT4b-Wwk:wF9xT3WuBAs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=tpk2a37r7lE:RaliT4b-Wwk:wF9xT3WuBAs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=tpk2a37r7lE:RaliT4b-Wwk:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=tpk2a37r7lE:RaliT4b-Wwk:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=tpk2a37r7lE:RaliT4b-Wwk:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=tpk2a37r7lE:RaliT4b-Wwk:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> </div>

<p> <br /> </p> <p>Next Saturday, December 10th, the Spanish Derbi a.k.a. “El Clásico” will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the long awaited match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona.</p> <p>As a sponsor and official vehicle supplier of both teams, Audi wanted to be present this year in a very special way with an action connecting both online and offline environments: a print ad in major newspapers all over Spain produced as never before and an online video and TV spot showing football and car fans how they did it.</p> <p>Agency: DDB, Spain<br /> Client: V.A.E.S.A - Audi Spain<br /> Product: Sponsorship Real Madrid CF – FC Barcelona<br /> Executive Creative Director: Fernando Barbella<br /> Creative Directors: Jaume Badia, Alejandro Arriagada<br /> Art Directors: Silvia Cutillas, Aldo Ferreto<br /> Copywriter: Javier Nuñez<br /> Production Company: Monkey<br /> Director: Blai Graell</p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/USjowxh40A0J7HjJRCmNsb5M2QY/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/USjowxh40A0J7HjJRCmNsb5M2QY/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/USjowxh40A0J7HjJRCmNsb5M2QY/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/USjowxh40A0J7HjJRCmNsb5M2QY/1/di" /></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=MIOfwvzc9X8:InksfsaoWEU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=MIOfwvzc9X8:InksfsaoWEU:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=MIOfwvzc9X8:InksfsaoWEU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=MIOfwvzc9X8:InksfsaoWEU:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=MIOfwvzc9X8:InksfsaoWEU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=MIOfwvzc9X8:InksfsaoWEU:l6gmwiTKsz0"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=l6gmwiTKsz0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=MIOfwvzc9X8:InksfsaoWEU:wF9xT3WuBAs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=MIOfwvzc9X8:InksfsaoWEU:wF9xT3WuBAs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=MIOfwvzc9X8:InksfsaoWEU:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=MIOfwvzc9X8:InksfsaoWEU:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=MIOfwvzc9X8:InksfsaoWEU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=MIOfwvzc9X8:InksfsaoWEU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> </div>

<p> <br /> </p> <p>We created a 13 x 8.2 foot structure with 1000 acrylic cells and an automated robotic mechanism, that would be filled with 6 different shades of wine, people could choose a cell and sent a text message, and the robot filled each box with wine. At the end people could recreate the Van Gogh’s self portrait and build a masterpiece with our masterpiece Navarro Correas wine.</p> <p>Agency: Leo Burnett Colombiana / Alpha245, Bogota, Colombia<br /> General Creative Directors: Mauricio Sarmiento, Fernando Hernandez, German Espitia<br /> Creative Directors: Carlos Orozco, Pablo Acosta, Juan Manuel Gaitan<br /> Art Directors: Andres Moncayo, Carlos Orozco, Pablo Acosta<br /> Graphic Designers: Esteban Diavanera, Jennifer Rincon<br /> Copywriter: Juan Carlos Cardenas<br /> Account Director: Maria Elvira Guerrero<br /> Account Manager: Stephani Bello<br /> Photographer: Alejandro Acosta<br /> Agency Producer: Jaime Cordoba<br /> Production: Direktor Films<br /> Director: Felipe Suarez<br /> Executive Producer: Ana Maria Mazo<br /> Music: Juan Galeano<br /> Mechanical Design: Mecanimation</p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/uEIljIK86R2l4FmZr4nV2H-_drA/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/uEIljIK86R2l4FmZr4nV2H-_drA/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/uEIljIK86R2l4FmZr4nV2H-_drA/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/uEIljIK86R2l4FmZr4nV2H-_drA/1/di" /></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=bvyj-U2wOx4:6f-IIIvf05M:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=bvyj-U2wOx4:6f-IIIvf05M:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=bvyj-U2wOx4:6f-IIIvf05M:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=bvyj-U2wOx4:6f-IIIvf05M:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=bvyj-U2wOx4:6f-IIIvf05M:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=bvyj-U2wOx4:6f-IIIvf05M:l6gmwiTKsz0"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=l6gmwiTKsz0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=bvyj-U2wOx4:6f-IIIvf05M:wF9xT3WuBAs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=bvyj-U2wOx4:6f-IIIvf05M:wF9xT3WuBAs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=bvyj-U2wOx4:6f-IIIvf05M:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=bvyj-U2wOx4:6f-IIIvf05M:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=bvyj-U2wOx4:6f-IIIvf05M:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=bvyj-U2wOx4:6f-IIIvf05M:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> </div>

<p> <br /> </p> <p>“Luck is an attitude”</p> <p>Agency: Fred&Farid Paris, France<br /> Copywriters / Art Directors: Fred & Farid<br /> Agency supervisor: Rasjida Bouharrak<br /> Agency TV producer: Kate Taylor<br /> Film Director: Peter Thwaites<br /> Production company: Gorgeous, London<br /> Music / Artist: “Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny Oh” / The Andrew Sisters<br /> Music production: Sizzer, Amsterdam</p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9mKApFsppMf28fafifpjIx76vN8/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9mKApFsppMf28fafifpjIx76vN8/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9mKApFsppMf28fafifpjIx76vN8/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9mKApFsppMf28fafifpjIx76vN8/1/di" /></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=_gJi3KGnZ2k:Wm6h1VIhZs4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=_gJi3KGnZ2k:Wm6h1VIhZs4:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=_gJi3KGnZ2k:Wm6h1VIhZs4:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=_gJi3KGnZ2k:Wm6h1VIhZs4:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=_gJi3KGnZ2k:Wm6h1VIhZs4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=_gJi3KGnZ2k:Wm6h1VIhZs4:l6gmwiTKsz0"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=l6gmwiTKsz0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=_gJi3KGnZ2k:Wm6h1VIhZs4:wF9xT3WuBAs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=_gJi3KGnZ2k:Wm6h1VIhZs4:wF9xT3WuBAs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=_gJi3KGnZ2k:Wm6h1VIhZs4:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=_gJi3KGnZ2k:Wm6h1VIhZs4:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=_gJi3KGnZ2k:Wm6h1VIhZs4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=_gJi3KGnZ2k:Wm6h1VIhZs4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> </div>

<p> <form action="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php" method="get" name="ad_form"> <input id="ad" name="ad" type="hidden" value="merello_candy_1.jpg" /> <a href="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php?ad=merello_candy_1.jpg"><img src="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/images/merello_candy_1t.jpg" width="350" /></a></form> <p> <form action="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php" method="get" name="ad_form"> <input id="ad" name="ad" type="hidden" value="merello_candy_2.jpg" /> <a href="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php?ad=merello_candy_2.jpg"><img src="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/images/merello_candy_2t.jpg" width="350" /></a></form> <p></p> <form action="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php" method="get" name="ad_form"> <input id="ad" name="ad" type="hidden" value="merello_candy_3.jpg" /> <a href="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/SINGLE_AD_PAGE.php?ad=merello_candy_3.jpg"><img src="http://www.frederiksamuel.com/blog/images/merello_candy_3t.jpg" width="350" /></a></form> <p></p> <div class="posttextbox"> <p>“Really sour candy”</p> <p>Agency: BBDO, Santiago, Chile<br /> Creative Director: Marcelo Correa<br /> Art Directors / Copywriters: Cristian Seisdedos, Francisco Seisdedos<br /> Illustrator: Alex de Marcos</p> </div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4IiJagEvzDxzW1PGWtNcQ2tJCVg/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4IiJagEvzDxzW1PGWtNcQ2tJCVg/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4IiJagEvzDxzW1PGWtNcQ2tJCVg/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4IiJagEvzDxzW1PGWtNcQ2tJCVg/1/di" /></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=6ZK88oqRcyc:Mmt77KPaars:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=6ZK88oqRcyc:Mmt77KPaars:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=6ZK88oqRcyc:Mmt77KPaars:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=6ZK88oqRcyc:Mmt77KPaars:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=6ZK88oqRcyc:Mmt77KPaars:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=6ZK88oqRcyc:Mmt77KPaars:l6gmwiTKsz0"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=l6gmwiTKsz0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=6ZK88oqRcyc:Mmt77KPaars:wF9xT3WuBAs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=6ZK88oqRcyc:Mmt77KPaars:wF9xT3WuBAs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=6ZK88oqRcyc:Mmt77KPaars:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=6ZK88oqRcyc:Mmt77KPaars:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=6ZK88oqRcyc:Mmt77KPaars:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=6ZK88oqRcyc:Mmt77KPaars:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> </div>

<p> <br /> </p> <p>Vancouverites may have noticed something fishy in the air. Last week Taxi took fifteen clownfish and shark air swimmers to a number of downtown locations as part of our “Imagine Yourself in our World” campaign.</p> <p>Agency: TAXI Vancouver, Canada<br /> Client: Vancouver Aquarium<br /> Creative Director: Jordan Doucette<br /> Art Director: Ryan Semeniuk<br /> Designer: Andrew Passas<br /> Writer: Matt Bielby<br /> Account Director: Stephen Howard<br /> Account Manager: Samantha Hassall<br /> Videographer/Photographer: Thomas Buchan, Mark Whitehead, Chad Jones</p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Abo7QsBjr7lflUa_awirD8BTfYA/0/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Abo7QsBjr7lflUa_awirD8BTfYA/0/di" /></a><br /> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Abo7QsBjr7lflUa_awirD8BTfYA/1/da"><img border="0" ismap="true" src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Abo7QsBjr7lflUa_awirD8BTfYA/1/di" /></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mdo5qyEoRvQ:rfbmGjLLNKA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mdo5qyEoRvQ:rfbmGjLLNKA:7Q72WNTAKBA"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mdo5qyEoRvQ:rfbmGjLLNKA:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=mdo5qyEoRvQ:rfbmGjLLNKA:V_sGLiPBpWU" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mdo5qyEoRvQ:rfbmGjLLNKA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=qj6IDK7rITs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mdo5qyEoRvQ:rfbmGjLLNKA:l6gmwiTKsz0"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?d=l6gmwiTKsz0" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mdo5qyEoRvQ:rfbmGjLLNKA:wF9xT3WuBAs"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=mdo5qyEoRvQ:rfbmGjLLNKA:wF9xT3WuBAs" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mdo5qyEoRvQ:rfbmGjLLNKA:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=mdo5qyEoRvQ:rfbmGjLLNKA:F7zBnMyn0Lo" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?a=mdo5qyEoRvQ:rfbmGjLLNKA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img border="0" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/Advertising/designGoodness?i=mdo5qyEoRvQ:rfbmGjLLNKA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" /></a> </div>

<article class="s" style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; border-bottom: 1px dotted #ccc; display: block; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="c" style="float: left; height: 93px; overflow: hidden; width: 141px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://mashable.com/2011/12/29/eyetracking-study-new-vs-old-profiles/" style="background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none; display: block; line-height: 1.33;" title="Facebook Timeline vs. Old Profiles: How People View Them Differently [STUDY]"> <img alt="Facebook Timeline vs. Old Profiles: How People View Them Differently [STUDY]" class="s" src="http://9.mshcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/141,Screen-shot-2011-12-29-at-1.40.18-PM-275x147.png" style="height: auto; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; width: 141;" width="141" /> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </a> </div> <div class="c" style="padding-left: 160px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <h2 style="color: #888; line-height: 1.1; font-weight: normal; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a class="s" href="http://mashable.com/2011/12/29/eyetracking-study-new-vs-old-profiles/" rel="self bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Facebook Timeline vs. Old Profiles: How People View Them Differently [STUDY]">Facebook Timeline vs. Old Profiles: How People View Them Differently [STUDY]</a> </h2> </div> <div style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; float: right; text-align: right; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; width: 49px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="s" style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; text-align: right; display: inline-block; height: 20px; width: 50px; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></div></div> <div style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; margin-bottom: 7px; overflow: hidden; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="s" href="http://mashable.com/social-media/" rel="tag" style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none; font-size: .82em; font-weight: bold; margin-right: .1em;">Social Media</a> <a class="s" href="http://mashable.com/2011/12/29/eyetracking-study-new-vs-old-profiles/screen-shot-2011-12-29-at-1-40-18-pm/" rel="attachment wp-att-859875" style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none;"></a><span class="s">Your social media profiles have morphed as the sites they live on have changed. So has the way people view them. To get a better idea of how profile…</span></div> <p style="font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; color: #999; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <time class="s" datetime="Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:14:53 -500" style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;" title="December 29, 2011 3:14 PM"><span class="c">December 29, 2011</span></time> by <span style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="s" href="http://mashable.com/author/sarah-kessler/" rel="author" style="background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none; line-height: 1.33;" title="Posts by Sarah Kessler">Sarah Kessler</a></span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="s" href="http://mashable.com/2011/12/29/eyetracking-study-new-vs-old-profiles/#comments" rel="comment" title="Comments for this story">6</a></span> </p> </div> </article> <img src="http://stats.diffbot.com/pixel?url=http://mashable.com/&id=-842051274" />

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padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; width: 49px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; text-align: right; display: inline-block; height: 20px; width: 50px; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></div></div> <div style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; margin-bottom: 7px; overflow: hidden; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://mashable.com/entertainment/" rel="tag" style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none; font-size: .82em; font-weight: bold; margin-right: .1em;">Entertainment</a> <a href="http://mashable.com/2011/12/29/spotify-names-top-10-songs-streamed-in-2011/fosterthepeople1/" rel="attachment wp-att-859803" style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none;"></a> Streaming music site <a href="http://mashable.com/follow/topics/Spotify" style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none;">Spotify</a> has released its list of this year’s most-played tracks on the site, and indie-pop band Foster the People not only…</div> <p style="font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; color: #999; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <time datetime="Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:00:29 -500" style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;" title="December 29, 2011 2:00 PM">December 29, 2011</time> by <span style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://mashable.com/author/samantha-murphy/" rel="author" style="background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none; line-height: 1.33;" title="Posts by Samantha Murphy">Samantha Murphy</a></span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://mashable.com/2011/12/29/spotify-names-top-10-songs-streamed-in-2011/#comments" rel="comment" title="Comments for this story">2</a></span> </p> </div> </article> <img src="http://stats.diffbot.com/pixel?url=http://mashable.com/&id=1285507070" />

<article class="s" style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; border-bottom: 1px dotted #ccc; display: block; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="float: left; height: 93px; overflow: hidden; width: 141px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://mashable.com/2011/12/29/how-the-social-media-ipos-of-2011-fared-study/" style="background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none; display: block; line-height: 1.33;" title="How the Social Media IPOs of 2011 Fared [STUDY]"> <img alt="How the Social Media IPOs of 2011 Fared [STUDY]" src="http://4.mshcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/141,Zynga-Image-Mashable1-275x171.jpg" style="height: auto; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; width: 141;" width="141" /> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </a> </div> <div style="padding-left: 160px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <h2 style="color: #888; line-height: 1.1; background: transparent; border: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://mashable.com/2011/12/29/how-the-social-media-ipos-of-2011-fared-study/" rel="self bookmark" title="Permanent Link to How the Social Media IPOs of 2011 Fared [STUDY]">How the Social Media IPOs of 2011 Fared [STUDY]</a> </h2> </div> <div style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; float: right; text-align: right; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; width: 49px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; text-align: right; display: inline-block; height: 20px; width: 50px; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></div></div> <div style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; margin-bottom: 7px; overflow: hidden; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://mashable.com/business/" rel="tag" style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none; font-size: .82em; font-weight: bold; margin-right: .1em;">Business</a> Social media continued to thrive in 2011 as it fomented revolutions in Egypt, Libya and Bahrain. But investors appeared to be a lot less enthralled. L…</div> <p style="font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; color: #999; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <time datetime="Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:34:28 -500" style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;" title="December 29, 2011 1:34 PM">December 29, 2011</time> by <span style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://mashable.com/author/todd-wasserman/" rel="author" style="background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none; line-height: 1.33;" title="Posts by Todd Wasserman">Todd Wasserman</a></span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://mashable.com/2011/12/29/how-the-social-media-ipos-of-2011-fared-study/#comments" rel="comment" title="Comments for this story">0</a></span> </p> </div> </article> <img src="http://stats.diffbot.com/pixel?url=http://mashable.com/&id=1447781478" />

<article class="s" style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; border-bottom: 1px dotted #ccc; display: block; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="float: left; height: 93px; overflow: hidden; width: 141px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://mashable.com/2011/12/29/redbox-rental-infographic/" style="background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none; display: block; line-height: 1.33;" title="Most Rented Redbox Films of 2011 [INFOGRAPHIC]"> <img alt="Most Rented Redbox Films of 2011 [INFOGRAPHIC]" src="http://6.mshcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/141,redbox-movies-360.jpg" style="height: auto; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; width: 141;" width="141" /> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </a> </div> <div style="padding-left: 160px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <h2 style="color: #888; line-height: 1.1; background: transparent; border: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://mashable.com/2011/12/29/redbox-rental-infographic/" rel="self bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Most Rented Redbox Films of 2011 [INFOGRAPHIC]">Most Rented Redbox Films of 2011 [INFOGRAPHIC]</a> </h2> </div> <div style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; float: right; text-align: right; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; width: 49px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; text-align: right; display: inline-block; height: 20px; width: 50px; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></div></div> <div style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Arial','Helvetica',sans-serif; line-height: 1.33; margin-bottom: 7px; overflow: hidden; background: transparent; border: 0; font-size: 100%; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://mashable.com/entertainment/" rel="tag" style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none; font-size: .82em; font-weight: bold; margin-right: .1em;">Entertainment</a> <a href="http://mashable.com/follow/topics/redbox" style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none;">Redbox</a>, the kiosk rental company that has <a href="http://mashable.com/2011/01/17/npd-rental-share/" style="background: transparent; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0; vertical-align: baseline; color: #1e598e; text-decoration: none;">outpaced traditional retail rental shops</a>, has shared its most rented films of 2011. 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