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Hi there.
I'm currently trying to brush up on my skills if I want to start getting freelance work.
The main problem I have more then anything is when it comes to graphics work. I'm rubbish at it.
I have the ideas and what not, it's just I can't quite grasp the concept of putting it into some form of computery form.
Which is why I'm asking you guys. There is some brilliant graphics designers on this forum (monkey_man, Tyla, Nimco etc) and I was just wondering if you could point me in the right direction in terms of making cool stuff like logos and, well, graphics basically!
I remember monkey_man showing us one design of his site that had an almost 'drop shadowing' effect to the page, I want to know how to do that sort of thing.
When it comes to Photoshop, all I ever seem to do is put one piece of text here, one photo here, colour the background in etc
Also (don't worry Tyla, I'm not planning to copy this) on his development site, that logo in the right with all the hexagons and stuff, thats simple and cool. [URL]http://dev.digital-prozac.co.uk/[/URL]
So, erm, got any tips/advice/program reccomendations/sites you can offer me in terms of pushing me in the right direction?
I'm currently trying to brush up on my skills if I want to start getting freelance work.
The main problem I have more then anything is when it comes to graphics work. I'm rubbish at it.
I have the ideas and what not, it's just I can't quite grasp the concept of putting it into some form of computery form.
Which is why I'm asking you guys. There is some brilliant graphics designers on this forum (monkey_man, Tyla, Nimco etc) and I was just wondering if you could point me in the right direction in terms of making cool stuff like logos and, well, graphics basically!
I remember monkey_man showing us one design of his site that had an almost 'drop shadowing' effect to the page, I want to know how to do that sort of thing.
When it comes to Photoshop, all I ever seem to do is put one piece of text here, one photo here, colour the background in etc
Also (don't worry Tyla, I'm not planning to copy this) on his development site, that logo in the right with all the hexagons and stuff, thats simple and cool. [URL]http://dev.digital-prozac.co.uk/[/URL]
So, erm, got any tips/advice/program reccomendations/sites you can offer me in terms of pushing me in the right direction?
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monkey_man wrote:
> The graphic design person was far worse though - he taught us to make
> it in Dreamweaver and press 'publish to web', then leave it at that.
> I hate calling people idiots, as I'm sure I am, be he was a genuine
> 100% idiot, and I can't believe someone with his level of knowledge
> was allowed to pass it on to other people that knew no better. The
> text on all his websites were images, and they took ages to load
> because it was all Dreamweaver.
I'm assuming your actually refering to Fireworks?
You'll be amazed at what they teach. I know an ex-designer who has now gone into lecturing at a Uni who was appaulled to discover they still only teach at HTML 3.2!?!?! 4.0 if your really lucky! There's no accountability for standards, mention usability and out come the torches and cattle prods! As for adding an "x" infornt of anything, your dismissed like a leppar!
Needless to say, he's currently re-writing the entire course structure.
> The graphic design person was far worse though - he taught us to make
> it in Dreamweaver and press 'publish to web', then leave it at that.
> I hate calling people idiots, as I'm sure I am, be he was a genuine
> 100% idiot, and I can't believe someone with his level of knowledge
> was allowed to pass it on to other people that knew no better. The
> text on all his websites were images, and they took ages to load
> because it was all Dreamweaver.
I'm assuming your actually refering to Fireworks?
You'll be amazed at what they teach. I know an ex-designer who has now gone into lecturing at a Uni who was appaulled to discover they still only teach at HTML 3.2!?!?! 4.0 if your really lucky! There's no accountability for standards, mention usability and out come the torches and cattle prods! As for adding an "x" infornt of anything, your dismissed like a leppar!
Needless to say, he's currently re-writing the entire course structure.
Tyla wrote:
> lol. Once had a lecturer who said design was 90% accidental!;)
Our web and graphic design lecturers at Uni were unbelievably terrible. Our HTML tuition never got as far as tables, and I was given a B because my HTML/CSS/Flash/PHP fully functional shopping-cart website (don't forget we were only meant to do HTML) didn't work with a programme called BOBBI -some obscure device for disabled browsers that I've never seen supported anywhere else except the piece of *beep* website that the lecturer made for the Uni. Also, everyone else in the class got the exact same percentage, even the bloke who I made two columns (one blue, one lightblue) for, and he stuck an image at the top and some words underneath it.
The graphic design person was far worse though - he taught us to make it in Dreamweaver and press 'publish to web', then leave it at that. I hate calling people idiots, as I'm sure I am, be he was a genuine 100% idiot, and I can't believe someone with his level of knowledge was allowed to pass it on to other people that knew no better. The text on all his websites were images, and they took ages to load because it was all Dreamweaver.
> lol. Once had a lecturer who said design was 90% accidental!;)
Our web and graphic design lecturers at Uni were unbelievably terrible. Our HTML tuition never got as far as tables, and I was given a B because my HTML/CSS/Flash/PHP fully functional shopping-cart website (don't forget we were only meant to do HTML) didn't work with a programme called BOBBI -some obscure device for disabled browsers that I've never seen supported anywhere else except the piece of *beep* website that the lecturer made for the Uni. Also, everyone else in the class got the exact same percentage, even the bloke who I made two columns (one blue, one lightblue) for, and he stuck an image at the top and some words underneath it.
The graphic design person was far worse though - he taught us to make it in Dreamweaver and press 'publish to web', then leave it at that. I hate calling people idiots, as I'm sure I am, be he was a genuine 100% idiot, and I can't believe someone with his level of knowledge was allowed to pass it on to other people that knew no better. The text on all his websites were images, and they took ages to load because it was all Dreamweaver.
Teehee, you said my name in a good way.
I'm no graphic designer, and I'm atrocious at layouts - but I think I'm improving with every site I make. I have lots of ambitious ideas, and they hardly ever get the go-ahead, which is why I've had quite a bit of experience with Photoshop lately.
Photoshop really is the most simple thing in the world to use. You have a layer which contains a shape/image, and you can apply effects to it. Open the 'layers' panel and right-click to apply stuff. I usually find that the more subtle it is, the better.
I've been lucky to be given a blank canvas for most of my work, and I'm very, very protective of whatever reputation I have, so I refuse to copy designs (although it's hard to be original on the interweb, and some designs need standard layouts so meh).
EDIT:
Some stunning Flash sites on Kirupa:
[URL]http://www.kirupa.com/gallery/sotw.htm[/URL]
And I've always been jealous of Mr Snuggly's print work:
[URL]http://www.alistairgray.co.uk/onlinecv/print.php[/URL]
EDIT #2:
And do the pencil & paper approach Tyla was talking about. I've got about 3 A4 notepads full of designs that never even make the Photoshop stage. And I always find it's the ones I scribble at 4am just before my body finally gives up that become websites. Strange that.
I'm no graphic designer, and I'm atrocious at layouts - but I think I'm improving with every site I make. I have lots of ambitious ideas, and they hardly ever get the go-ahead, which is why I've had quite a bit of experience with Photoshop lately.
Photoshop really is the most simple thing in the world to use. You have a layer which contains a shape/image, and you can apply effects to it. Open the 'layers' panel and right-click to apply stuff. I usually find that the more subtle it is, the better.
I've been lucky to be given a blank canvas for most of my work, and I'm very, very protective of whatever reputation I have, so I refuse to copy designs (although it's hard to be original on the interweb, and some designs need standard layouts so meh).
EDIT:
Some stunning Flash sites on Kirupa:
[URL]http://www.kirupa.com/gallery/sotw.htm[/URL]
And I've always been jealous of Mr Snuggly's print work:
[URL]http://www.alistairgray.co.uk/onlinecv/print.php[/URL]
EDIT #2:
And do the pencil & paper approach Tyla was talking about. I've got about 3 A4 notepads full of designs that never even make the Photoshop stage. And I always find it's the ones I scribble at 4am just before my body finally gives up that become websites. Strange that.
Miserableman wrote:
> Alternatively try the Miserableman approach, which is thrash around
> endlessly in Photoshop until you like what you see.
>
>
> Disclaimer: results may be rubbish
lol. Once had a lecturer who said design was 90% accidental!;)
> Alternatively try the Miserableman approach, which is thrash around
> endlessly in Photoshop until you like what you see.
>
>
> Disclaimer: results may be rubbish
lol. Once had a lecturer who said design was 90% accidental!;)
gamesfreak wrote:
> Excellent.
>
> Cheers Tyla, thats some brilliant advice.
>
> Thats the kind of kick I am looking for, something to keep me
> motivated.
>
> I heard vector graphics are something good to go for as well, not
> sure about them though.
>
> The only problem I seem to have with anything is using Photoshop, got
> any links or anything similar to help with that sort of thing?
In a nut shell:
Vector work (illustrator, Freehand) tends to be used for logotype and print/flash work as they print cleaner and able to resize endlessly. You'd be amazed at some of the photrealistic stuff you can pull off in illustrator too!
Photoshop for pixel work (though you can import raterized vector work into it). Web = 72 - 96 dpi RGB (Jpeg, Gif, PNG), Print - 200 - 600dpi @ CMYK (EPS)
Worth noting that when exporting JPEG's from Photoshop for use on the interwebm use the "Export to Web" function as a straight Save As - Jpeg doesn;t work in some forms of IE as PS inserts data into the JPEG which IE can't interpret and prevents them from rendering.
> Excellent.
>
> Cheers Tyla, thats some brilliant advice.
>
> Thats the kind of kick I am looking for, something to keep me
> motivated.
>
> I heard vector graphics are something good to go for as well, not
> sure about them though.
>
> The only problem I seem to have with anything is using Photoshop, got
> any links or anything similar to help with that sort of thing?
In a nut shell:
Vector work (illustrator, Freehand) tends to be used for logotype and print/flash work as they print cleaner and able to resize endlessly. You'd be amazed at some of the photrealistic stuff you can pull off in illustrator too!
Photoshop for pixel work (though you can import raterized vector work into it). Web = 72 - 96 dpi RGB (Jpeg, Gif, PNG), Print - 200 - 600dpi @ CMYK (EPS)
Worth noting that when exporting JPEG's from Photoshop for use on the interwebm use the "Export to Web" function as a straight Save As - Jpeg doesn;t work in some forms of IE as PS inserts data into the JPEG which IE can't interpret and prevents them from rendering.
gamesfreak wrote:
>
> The only problem I seem to have with anything is using Photoshop, got
> any links or anything similar to help with that sort of thing?
I swear there was this thing called Google... wonder what it's for?
>
> The only problem I seem to have with anything is using Photoshop, got
> any links or anything similar to help with that sort of thing?
I swear there was this thing called Google... wonder what it's for?
Alternatively try the Miserableman approach, which is thrash around endlessly in Photoshop until you like what you see.
Disclaimer: results may be rubbish
Disclaimer: results may be rubbish
Excellent.
Cheers Tyla, thats some brilliant advice.
Thats the kind of kick I am looking for, something to keep me motivated.
I heard vector graphics are something good to go for as well, not sure about them though.
The only problem I seem to have with anything is using Photoshop, got any links or anything similar to help with that sort of thing?
Cheers Tyla, thats some brilliant advice.
Thats the kind of kick I am looking for, something to keep me motivated.
I heard vector graphics are something good to go for as well, not sure about them though.
The only problem I seem to have with anything is using Photoshop, got any links or anything similar to help with that sort of thing?
gamesfreak wrote:
> Also (don't worry Tyla, I'm not planning to copy this) on his
> development site, that logo in the right with all the hexagons and
> stuff, thats simple and cool.
> [URL]http://dev.digital-prozac.co.uk/[/URL]
The idea came from the chemical compound diagram for prozac (flouxetine) with a little variation. Simple really.
Advice...
Not wanting to sound harsh, but learning aesthetics/design is more to do with how the cretive side of your brain works rather than learning technique. But, despite that, eveyone is capable of some form of creativity, but it's more about discovering/honing your own style instead of trying to emulate others.
Starting points:
1. Read some books on colour theory.
It's amazing how many people get this bit wrong from the off. Colour schemes make a huge difference in the success of a design as well as holding a psycological element. Blue = coporate, Green = Creative, Red/Blue/Yellow combined makes people uneasy and want to leave quickly. It's a huge subject, but one worth looking at if you want to go anywhere.
2. Scamps/rapid prototyping/Pen & Paper
Too many designers these days try working direct from their PC. I was taught Graphic Design the old school way using drawing boards, masking fluid and inks.
Working on paper first allows you more flexibility and more experimentation. I find that when coming up for ideas for a design, creat 10 or so boxes on a piece of paper, no bigger that 3x2 inches and do rough layouts, concepts in this restrictive space.
3. Look around you
Nature is the greatest insparation for design. It's perfect in everyway. Look at industrial design, pop art, modern art, in fact look at how design has evolved over the last 40 years.
Carry a sketch book about with you as you'll always come up with that "killer" idea on a bus in the middle of know where, and iot's impossible trying to retain that thought until you get home.
4. Typography/Type Setting
Again, another complex subject, but there are basic rules about line lengths, letter spacing & White space. Well worth looking into.
5. Basic design principles
Look at things like the "Median Line", for GUI's etc look into HCI. Have a great book at home called "thinking from the left" which explains how the brain works in deciphering design and presentation and what makes things attractive at a subconcious level.
There's so much to cover in design, logo type and art. Visit museums, not just art galleries, but engineering & mechanical ones, car museums etc etc. Good design is all around us, you'll find ideas in the silliest of things.
Also, don't try to over complicate things. Thry limiting your pallet to two colours + white. It's a lot more challenging, but teaches you simplicity.
After studying Design & fine art at A level, 3 years of studing media & Design at University, there's still more to learn.
Not wanting to sound cheesey, but design comes from within, some of us have got it, some of us haven't, that's just the way life pans out.
> Also (don't worry Tyla, I'm not planning to copy this) on his
> development site, that logo in the right with all the hexagons and
> stuff, thats simple and cool.
> [URL]http://dev.digital-prozac.co.uk/[/URL]
The idea came from the chemical compound diagram for prozac (flouxetine) with a little variation. Simple really.
Advice...
Not wanting to sound harsh, but learning aesthetics/design is more to do with how the cretive side of your brain works rather than learning technique. But, despite that, eveyone is capable of some form of creativity, but it's more about discovering/honing your own style instead of trying to emulate others.
Starting points:
1. Read some books on colour theory.
It's amazing how many people get this bit wrong from the off. Colour schemes make a huge difference in the success of a design as well as holding a psycological element. Blue = coporate, Green = Creative, Red/Blue/Yellow combined makes people uneasy and want to leave quickly. It's a huge subject, but one worth looking at if you want to go anywhere.
2. Scamps/rapid prototyping/Pen & Paper
Too many designers these days try working direct from their PC. I was taught Graphic Design the old school way using drawing boards, masking fluid and inks.
Working on paper first allows you more flexibility and more experimentation. I find that when coming up for ideas for a design, creat 10 or so boxes on a piece of paper, no bigger that 3x2 inches and do rough layouts, concepts in this restrictive space.
3. Look around you
Nature is the greatest insparation for design. It's perfect in everyway. Look at industrial design, pop art, modern art, in fact look at how design has evolved over the last 40 years.
Carry a sketch book about with you as you'll always come up with that "killer" idea on a bus in the middle of know where, and iot's impossible trying to retain that thought until you get home.
4. Typography/Type Setting
Again, another complex subject, but there are basic rules about line lengths, letter spacing & White space. Well worth looking into.
5. Basic design principles
Look at things like the "Median Line", for GUI's etc look into HCI. Have a great book at home called "thinking from the left" which explains how the brain works in deciphering design and presentation and what makes things attractive at a subconcious level.
There's so much to cover in design, logo type and art. Visit museums, not just art galleries, but engineering & mechanical ones, car museums etc etc. Good design is all around us, you'll find ideas in the silliest of things.
Also, don't try to over complicate things. Thry limiting your pallet to two colours + white. It's a lot more challenging, but teaches you simplicity.
After studying Design & fine art at A level, 3 years of studing media & Design at University, there's still more to learn.
Not wanting to sound cheesey, but design comes from within, some of us have got it, some of us haven't, that's just the way life pans out.
Lol, I noticed that as well, but I was grateful for the compliment and moved on. Alas, I am also watching this thread for any ways to improve my graphical design skills...
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