Maybe you’ve heard these terms from your printer, designer, or marketing manager but you still aren’t sure exactly what they mean. You’ve come to the right place, by the time you finish this article you’ll be a pro at understanding the differences and importance of these graphic art terms.

Raster Art is something you’ve seen quite a bit of, and in fact most computers, both Mac and PC, come with some form of a raster based program like Adobe Photoshop. Digital photos, for example, are raster. The image is made up of tiny boxes of color and each box contains only one color. Having thousands of boxes, each slightly different shades of one another is what makes up a photograph. When there are many boxes per square inch (aka, high resolution or high dpi – dots or “boxes” per inch) then the image appears clear and smooth. But when a raster image is enlarged (or when it doesn’t have many boxes per inch, aka low resolution) the image will look jagged and unclear. You’ve probably noticed this if you have ever printed a copy of a webpage or any other graphic from the web, as those graphics are usually only 72 dpi (high resolution printing requires 300dpi.)

Vector Art is drawn imagery such as many illustrations or logos and is a little more conceptual to understand. With drawing programs (like Adobe Illustrator) there are no “boxes” of color. Instead, you draw your image using points, lines, and curves. The program takes note of the coordinates of every point created and calculates the exact curve between each pair of points. It’s all mathematically designed. Because of this, if you shrink or enlarge a piece of vector art, the program simply recalculates the math and the image remains crystal clear.

So, why is this important? Well, whenever you design using raster art you will want it to be the appropriate dpi so you image is clear (and so your piece portrays the professional, quality company that you are). That means, for web based designs you will need your artwork to be at least 72dpi at 100% of the usage size. With print, you will want at least 300dpi. In addition, certain graphics are better designed as vector art. Logos designed as vector can be enlarged to create building signage, vehicle graphics or sized down to create embroidered hats and company logo pens. You are never limited by the quality of a vector graphic, and it can always be converted to raster if needed for certain print and web applications (however, raster cannot be converted to vector).

Post written by KRSmith at www.khrysser.com.

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ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com or follow us at http://twitter.com/ProjectCenter.

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Recently there was a commercial with girl who took a bunch of photos with her digital camera and merged them together to make a panoramic on her computer. This feature is available with many photo programs these days and can be easily achieved if you start with the right images.

Essentially, you will take your digital camera and photograph one area, then move the camera slightly and take another pictures, and so on. But there are a few things to keep in mind at the image taking stage:

• Keep the camera as level as possible. For example, place the camera on a table or lock your arms tightly against your body to avoid too much variation in the up and down movement of the camera.

• Use the same zoom, and don’t move your position. Simply stand in one spot for all of the images and don’t zoom in or out for individual shots – choose one zoom level and be consistent throughout

• Allow for some overlap from one picture to the next -this will help the program recognize how and where to patch together the image

Once you have the right shots you image program can do the rest. Each program may have it’s own way of created panoramic images and you may use the help section to determine your specific programs procedure. With Adobe Photoshop you simply choose File —> Automate —–> Photomerge and follow the prompts to combine your various photos into one colossal masterpiece!

Post written by KRSmith at www.khrysser.com.

ABOUT PROJECTCENTER:

ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com or follow us at http://twitter.com/ProjectCenter.

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One way to add interest and elegance to your business card or brochure is to use a spot varnish. You’ve seen spot varnishes before – with business cards that when you turn them in the light part of the card has a gloss or shine over it. When used in something like a brochure it could add dimension to images and logos and help them really jump off the page!

It’s a simple procedure to utilize spot varnishes in your designs. You create the brochure or other piece to the usual specifications. After the piece is designed, silhouettes of the areas that are to be varnished are created and set up as alternate pages or color separations. Try adding varnishes to just part of a photo – the differences in texture give the image a sort of three dimensional effect. The printer will print your project in the approved colors first, then they apply the varnish over the top in the areas that were designated.

The cost could be slightly higher for this added feature, but the price may be worth it if your card impresses the client as much as you do!

Post written by KRSmith at www.khrysser.com.

ABOUT PROJECTCENTER:

ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com or follow us at http://twitter.com/ProjectCenter.

All of the marketing materials, ads, logos, brochures, websites and other projects you create are all meant to help you sell your product or service. So in order for them to effectively do that, it’s best to include your USP – Unique Selling Point.

Even though you may have a product or service that is not unique, it is important to position yourself as different from your competition. Maybe you have been around longer, offer your products for cheaper, have excellent customer service, or maybe the product or service itself has features that other companies don’t offer. Whatever that thing is that makes you super special, you should be sure it’s included in every piece of marketing you create. That way, what you leave behind or mail out can help make the deal.

Designers love to understand your USP. That way we can emphasize it on brochures, write a tagline that hits home, and design ads that really speak to your target audience. So take awhile to think about how you want to market your company. The time you spend now will be worth every penny in the future.

Post written by KRSmith at www.khrysser.com.

ABOUT PROJECTCENTER:

ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com or follow us at http://twitter.com/ProjectCenter.

Back in “The days of Yore when men were bold and things were rotten,” (as my high school chemistry teacher used to say) type was created and drawn by hand. Artists would painstakingly draw each letterform with straight lines and smooth curves paying close attention to the size of each letter and the amount of space in between.

Since the advent of computers and the ever growing sophistication of graphics programs the fine art of typography has gotten buried in the back of our closets like a long lost sock. Perhaps typography classes aren’t part of the curriculum anymore, or perhaps students underestimate the importance.

But it is very important. Have you ever seen a logo, headline or other typographic treatment where there is a space between 2 letters that seems wider than the rest? It looks a little off, not quite right, and you wonder… maybe that product, service or client is a little off. Or perhaps it’s a sign they are sloppy and just don’t care. Probably not the impression that company would want you to have of them.

So, as a designer I make a point to carefully look at the typography I create. I don’t simply trust that my computer knows what looks good. After all, I paid a lot of money to earn my degree, and clients pay their hard earned money for a quality product.

It’s one of those details that separates a good artist from a truly brilliant one.

Post written by KRSmith at www.khrysser.com.

ABOUT PROJECTCENTER:

ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com or follow us at http://twitter.com/ProjectCenter.

Whether it’s a logo, brochure, or even an entire web design, chances are you’re designing it will full color in mind. But how do you know exactly what shades and colors will work well together? The answers are all around you.

Look to Nature

When you look at your garden, what colors do you see? Doesn’t the deep brown of the mulch paired with the light green of new plant growth give you a feeling of newness?

Look In A Magazine

Todays fashion drives the hottest trends in colors. So open up the latest In Style Magazine and see what colors the models are wearing!

Look In Home Depot

One of my favorite sources for color inspiration is the paint department of the Home Depot  or Lowes. When I want something new and unexpected for a design I pick up some paint swatches – they even have ones that show complimentary color combinations!

Look On The Web

Just like the Home Depot color swatches there are sites on the web that have some pre-packaged color scheme ideas. Colorcombos.com is one of my personal favorites as it has various ways you can mix and match colors.

Post written by KRSmith at www.khrysser.com.

ABOUT PROJECTCENTER:

ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com or follow us at http://twitter.com/ProjectCenter.

Just can’t find the right background texture for your project on the stock photo sites? Why not create your own? Scan or photograph any of the following for a unique and interesting addition to your design.

• Fabrics and material

• Hard surfaces like stone, slate, metal

• Nature, bark, leaves, sand, water, clouds

• Objects like macaroni, coffee beans, nails, pennies

• Craft items like specialty papers or canvas linens

• Animals including fur, scales, or skin

By adding a subtle texture behind text you can create the feeling of space without it having to be “white space”. Using texture in a border can add dimension to the design. Adding custom textures to your project is inexpensive but can make you  look like a million bucks!

Post written by KRSmith at www.khrysser.com.

ABOUT PROJECTCENTER:

ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com or follow us at http://twitter.com/ProjectCenter.

web, print, multimedia, all things Mac – welcome to my world

ABOUT PROJECTCENTER:

ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com or follow us at http://twitter.com/ProjectCenter.

So you have a project and you’ve decided to hire a professional. Kudos to you. You are already heading in the right direction! So where do you go? Who do you call? Well, the answer depends on your needs, budget, and time frame.

Advertising and Marketing Agencies often attract a large crop of talented individuals, and should you be lucky enough to work with their top dog you could come out of it with a really stellar piece. Agencies are often a one-stop shop and aim to take care of every aspect of the project from the writing, images, design, printing, and delivery. But you will pay a premium for those services. Agency mark-ups on goods and services such as printing can be as high as 30%! And because of the more corporate structure, you may need additional lead time for project completion. But if you are a large company with a lot of projects and you don’t want to be bogged down with having to do anything other than approve the final piece, then an agency is for you!

A nice alternative to agencies are in-house design departments. Many printers offer all of the services that traditional agencies do. They too are able to draw very talented individuals, but you’re more likely to pay a lower rate since they won’t be sub-vending parts of your project out for a marked-up rate. Another bonus to working with an in-house department, especially a printer, is that they have advanced knowledge of printing protocols and will be sure your project will looks it’s best. And, because they can control the status of the project from start to finish they can be a great option for those last minute rush jobs. So if you specifically have a print job and you want agency quality design at a lower price, an in house printer might be the perfect place for you!

But what about projects that you might have a smaller budget for? Or maybe you are a start up company with a lot of needs and not a lot of money? There are two options for you as well – template shops and freelancers.

Template shops offer low package rates on things like websites and logos. Often times you can simply review samples online and purchase the one you like. Others boast that several designers will work on your project to come up with your initial designs. In either case, even if the project is slightly customized to you, the general features of the project are cookie cutter style. You and twenty other people may own the same looking site. This is one of the cheapest option available, and if you are not in need of something that is completely unique to you, then its a great option for your needs.

Another great value to fulfill your low-cost, quality design needs is to hire a freelancer. A freelancer is an individual graphic designer, located anywhere around the world, who can design your project for an agreed upon rate or fee. Most freelance designers have agency and printing experience, but don’t have the overhead costs of an agency or in-house department – hence the lower rate.  In addition, they can be more accommodating to your timeframe – often working nights and weekends to complete your project quickly. It may take a little more legwork on your end to check the portfolios and references of a designer and determine if they meet your needs, but with the right fit you can get agency quality design at a mere fraction of the cost.

Post written by KRSmith at www.khrysser.com.

ABOUT PROJECTCENTER:

ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com or follow us at http://twitter.com/ProjectCenter.

If it seems like you’re buried under a work load that looks mountainous and seems to be growing while you look at it – you could be a procrastinator.

I find procrastination leading to endless nights of no sleep, more stress, and slightly more irate than I’d be normally if I had done things in advance. Though it happens to everyone, even the best of us.

I’ve tried multiple ways to slay this beast we call procrastination, though none of them working quite as well as I’d like,but never fear, I’ve devised a plan that helps me remember what I need to get done and how to get it done. I’ll take you through my own system of getting around to doing all the things I need to do and to slowly diminish this mountainous pile into a few papers at most.

1. Trick yourself.
By tricking yourself, I don’t mean tricking yourself in a funny haha way. I mean you should set deadlines 3 to 4 days before the actual project is due. Giving time gaps like that, makes it easier that if something were to occur during the process, you have those 3-4 days to go back and fix things and fine tune. That and you won’t be stressing about how you wish you had more time and turning in what is ultimately crap.

2. Write what you have to get done during the week and tack it up somewhere or keep it with you.

For me, I usually write my own list in big bold letters in red and black ink and stick it in front of my computer screen so it’s in my line of vision, and of course having it be an eyesore for myself.

I usually break my tasks down into order of importance, thus where the color coordination comes in handy, though you can do what you wish. I label things in red that I need to get done immediately.

3. Give leeway for things.
It’s all right to take a break every now and then, though never take one longer than needed, because of course there are things you need to get done. The longer break you have, the more time you’re wasting.

4. List things in matter of importance.
This is where color coordinating comes in handy. I usually stick to two colors, red and black. I write the subject in red and then what I need to get done in black. The immediate things I write in all red and in bold. Then I break it up into sub-sections of what I can get done. – I usually do away with the easiest thing first then the hardest at the end, but you can do it however you want.

5. Breaks.
Take them frequently, but in 10 to 15 minute intervals, because any longer and of course you’ll be procrastinating again and/or doing other things not pertaining to what you need to get done.

6. If you’re not feeling creative, do something to get your mind off what you’re working on.
I find creative when I’m not having to think about being creative – no matter how hard that is to believe. Usually I do find my best ideas when I’m not forced into having to think creatively, that or if I’m relaxing. Under the stress and pressure of getting things done last minute, I find things not as I’ve wanted them to be. If you have the time to spare – take a small walk and bring a notepad with you and just jot a couple things down that you see. Sometimes creativity springs from a simple color you might happen to see.

7. Visuals.
Browse through a couple magazines or books that are unrelated. I also find this really helpful. I find it helps break away from what current design you’re working on. Though don’t get too desperate or you might be pulling stuff from other design that you wish you hadn’t – and now is it really you work or not?

8. Always Remember This.
You should be having fun doing what you’re doing, cause if you aren’t then what’s the point? Even under all the stress of things, there’s always room for enjoying what you do.
 

Post written by DEF at http://www.twitter.com/DEFgraphics.

ABOUT PROJECTCENTER:

ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com or follow us at http://twitter.com/ProjectCenter.

These principals can apply to many design projects you might encounter, but brochures with their emphasis on both copy and images are a particular challenge. When handing off your brochure project to a designer it is most helpful to have all of the checkpoints below:

• Correct specs for printing – brochures come in all kinds of shapes, folds and sizes. Some printers require bleeds and crops while others do not. Some require extra resolution, specific color saturation, or certain file formats and settings. By knowing this info up front the designer can make the appropriate accommodations from the start -saving themselves time and clients money.

• Images – if you have images of your logo, product, projects, building, principals, etc., dig them out and hand them over at the start. Even if you don’t think they are useful, the designer may see the potential or significance within them. You may also be able to acquire images from your manufacturers or distributors if you have any. They sometimes have very high end photography that they are willing to share for free. If you have no images to offer then be as clear as you can about the type of images the artist should look for. There are literally millions of stock images to search through, but be flexible, sometimes there just isn’t that exact image you are describing.

• Copy – To remove the guesswork, you can write the copy for the brochure, sectioned off exactly the way you want it. But allow the artist to edit the copy as needed or be prepared to do so yourself. You can also provide other pieces to pull copy from. It’s best to let the artist know points that have to be emphasized and whether to pick up the copy verbatim. It’s also a good idea to give the artist an outline of what copy should appear in given areas of the brochure.

• Preferences – are there certain fonts or colors you absolutely love or hate? Can you provide samples of other designs you like? Any input that a client can provide that would help an artist zero in on the right direction is crucial.

After all, clients and artist are both on the same team. When a client succeeds with the designs, the artist becomes successful too. Clear communication from the very start give the designer a step in the right direction and helps promote a positive experience for all.

Post written by KRSmith at www.khrysser.com.

ABOUT PROJECTCENTER:

ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com or follow us at http://twitter.com/ProjectCenter.

Have you ever been in a situation where you were working with an artist on a project and it just wasn’t turning out the way you had hoped? Perhaps both parties are trying but just not talking the same language.

When a client says “I want simple and clean.”

An artist generally thinks “white space, simple fonts”.

The best way to be on the same page is to pick out similar designs that you like and explain what you like about them to the artist. Explain how you feel the colors, fonts, and layouts portray the clean look you are trying to achieve. This goes for every visual aspect of the design – whether it is fonts or colors you prefer, picture or type treatments, and even styles of copywriting. Be specific. Say what you mean. And show examples.

When a client says “Here is some copy for you to pull from.”

An artist generally thinks “Ok, let me see what works/fits.”

When an artist is asked to build a brochure from copy on a website or other literature we carefully analyze the content, try to look at what might be important from your customer’s point of view, and then we formulate the information into a format that fits within the space and with the design. If you already have in mind what you’d like to emphasize or specific copy that you’d like displayed as you have written, then speak up. You’ll save the artist time and yourself later disappointment!

When a client says “I want to be like Google/Nike/Coke/etc.”

An artist would like to tell you “Meet me halfway.”

Developing a brand as strong as Verizon, Amazon, or any of the biggies you can think of requires a meeting of the minds. It’s the company or marketing specialist’s responsibility to devise and implement a strong marketing initiative and to outline the general creed of the company. It’s the artist’s responsibility to design pieces that are on target with the marketing strategies, eye catching, and addressed to the right audience. If both of those forces come together accordingly, then all that is left to make you a mega brand is time and a few tweaks to the program along the way. No matter how great the marketing strategy or how talented the designer, it just can’t happen overnight.

Post written by KRSmith at www.khrysser.com.

ABOUT PROJECTCENTER:

ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com.

Have you ever encountered a scenario like this (either as a client or as an artist)?

A company is in need of a new logo or to revamp the one they already have. With a next to nil budget somebody decides, wouldn’t it be great to hold a contest? The company can see lots of designs from many designers and then offer a cash “prize” for the winning design! Isn’t that brilliant?

As an artist you should be cringing. If your not, then please find another profession. It’s scenarios like this that undermine the true value of our services. You have talent, you’ve paid your dues and earned your education and experience. You do not have to work for free. Repeat it with me. You do not have to work for free.

If you are a client who has ever thought about this, let me explain how unethical it is. Say you own a roofing company. I am in need of a new roof. I’d like you to come and reroof a portion of my house. If I like the job you have done better than the work of your competitors then I will pay you a miniscule static fee of my choosing. Insulted yet? As we are when you present such an offer to us.

If you are saying, “well don’t enter the contest.” Then you have obviously missed the point. We have worked hard to build our talent, knowledge, and experience. We deserve to be fairly paid for that. As an artist, or the employer of artists, please support us in the face of these injustices. Speak out and help end these unfair wage practices today!

Post written by KRSmith at www.khrysser.com.

ABOUT PROJECTCENTER:

ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com or follow us at http://twitter.com/ProjectCenter.

Sometimes it is painfully obvious that clients have no idea what it takes to create their designs. They have no concept of how much time some revisions can take “just so they can see that it would look like” and they also don’t want to pay for the time. Sometimes they want the impossible – too much text in too little space but it still has to be readable to the hear blind AND it has to be eye-catching? I must have missed buying the special computer sprinkled with pixie dust.

So I propose that computer and software developers unveil some new key commands to make our lives easier:

Command + J

This will be an instant command to “jazz up” any uninspired layout, boring copy, or terrible logo design. Just a click and all of the client’s wildest dreams come true.

Command + Shift + C

For cram it in. Got ten pounds of text to fit in a half page ad? No problem. I’ll just use my Cram It Command.

Shift + Option + Command + N

The no white space command. This will guarantee that the color profile 0/0/0/0 never appears in a single pixel of the design.

Command +L

For lock and load. Meaning the project is approved by the client and should simultaneously be uploaded to the printer with printed pieces delivered to the client yesterday. This magical button will instantly spell check, pre-flight, collect and deliver all files.

Shift + Command + M

The magic pixel button. Got low res pictures that need to be used for print? Do your pictures need impossible editing? Heck, got no image and you have to make the perfect one up? Use this command, it’s magic, and it can even read you client’s minds.

Post written by KRSmith at www.khrysser.com.

ABOUT PROJECTCENTER:

ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com.

Today’s post is geared towards some tutorial websites that I have seen lately. I hope this is helpful. Let me know.

____________________________

This website spans graphic design, web design & social media:

http://www.noupe.com/category/tutorial

Here is a rather well-known tutorial website that provides detailed steps:

http://psd.tutsplus.com/category/tutorials/

Some websites like this dedicate categories to Photoshop:

http://www.tutorial9.net/category/photoshop/

Here we have a website that believes it has the best Photoshop tutorials: 

http://bestphotoshoptutorials.net/category/tutorials/

This website is focused on web design:

http://www.thewebsqueeze.com/web-design-tutorials/

________________________________

ABOUT PROJECTCENTER:

ProjectCenter is a single-source service company providing marketing and document solutions to small, medium and large-sized businesses in the U.S. area. ProjectCenter is based in Phoenix, Arizona and its services include graphic design, web design, printing, copying, scanning and mailing. For more information, please call (602) 252-6655 or visit www.makepapereasy.com or follow us at http://twitter.com/ProjectCenter.