Life will lead to boredom if it is monotonous. You will wake early in the morning, go to the bathroom and clean yourself, eat breakfast, go to work, do the same task, eat lunch, back to work, out in the office, go home, eat dinner, clean yourself then go to sleep. By the next day, you will do the same routine again. Weary, isn’t it. Maybe you can try a little change, something that is challenging yet will make your day complete. If you are stuck on the things you always do, you might be moss-covered in a couple of years.
Design can be compared to human life. If its elements are all the same, it will be less interesting. To add visual interest to a design, there is a need to add contrast to make it more appealing. Contrast takes place in a design when two associated elements are different. With the fusion of elements opposing each other, contrast creates visual interest. It makes the design dynamic and unpredictable. But with improper or exaggerated application of contrast, the design might look messy and disorganized. Its use must be well planned in order to prevent it from making the design confusing to the viewers.
A typical example of contrast is the use of complementary colors. Complementary colors are pairs of colors on the opposite region of the color wheel. Examples of complimentary colors are red and green, blue and orange, yellow and violet. Even if the fate of these complementary colors is to eternally contest on the wheel, they still maintain to project color harmony and are widely use as guides for color combination.
Another example is the contrast in size. It is highly used to give emphasis. Examples are headline texts on news paper. They are bigger in order to shout out the main title of the article.
Contrast may occur on shape, value, alignment, color, direction, type, movement, and texture.
Contrast in Color
Contrast in Text/Size
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta Custom Web Design. Mostrar todas las entradas
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta Custom Web Design. Mostrar todas las entradas
martes, 11 de mayo de 2010
miércoles, 5 de mayo de 2010
How Could Art Be So Naïve?
Naïve Art
Just like human, a work of art is considered as naïve if it looks innocent and childlike. Sour as it may sound but during the nineteenth century, a painting is labeled as naïve if its artist has no formal training in arts. Regardless of the charisma they portray, they are being criticized and ridiculed.
Naïve art is characterized with intense detail, luminous colors, coarse patterns, flat and lack of perspective. The French artist Henri Rousseau is notable for his naïve paintings The Sleeping Gypsy, 1897 and The Snake Charmer, 1907. The latter was used as a book cover of Anne Rice’s Merrick Novel. Jungle sceneries are Rousseau’s common subject matter even though he has never seen a jungle.
The paintings of Cornish mariner and artist Alfred Wallis are also examples of naïve art. Since he was a mariner, his subject matter is seascape. Inspired by his experiences, most of his paintings contain boats, ships, ocean and seaport.
If naïve art is quite unwelcomed before, its style never ceases and guiltlessly streams up to the present. It is now widely used on children’s book and greeting cards similar with Rousseau’s subjects of wild animals in the jungle on a bright day or twilight.
Doodles
Even with the advancement in technology, there are graphic designers who create naïve designs. Though the popular doodle drawings and designs seem to be separated from naïve art, the characters appears to look really childlike portraying raw expressions of delight, anxiety, anger, suspicion and madness. Their shapes are anthropomorphic, pastel in color and resembles like that of Joan Miro’s organic paintings. Doodles are used for designing murals allowing many people to paint. T-shirts and bags are now also printed with naïve doodles since they mostly appeal on teenagers. Doodles are also used for web graphics like wallpapers, templates, and banners.
The Sleeping Gypsy by Henri Rousseau
The Snake Charmer by Henri Rousseau
Hold House Port Mear Square Island by Alfred Wallis
St. Michael's Mount in Marazion
Just like human, a work of art is considered as naïve if it looks innocent and childlike. Sour as it may sound but during the nineteenth century, a painting is labeled as naïve if its artist has no formal training in arts. Regardless of the charisma they portray, they are being criticized and ridiculed.
Naïve art is characterized with intense detail, luminous colors, coarse patterns, flat and lack of perspective. The French artist Henri Rousseau is notable for his naïve paintings The Sleeping Gypsy, 1897 and The Snake Charmer, 1907. The latter was used as a book cover of Anne Rice’s Merrick Novel. Jungle sceneries are Rousseau’s common subject matter even though he has never seen a jungle.
The paintings of Cornish mariner and artist Alfred Wallis are also examples of naïve art. Since he was a mariner, his subject matter is seascape. Inspired by his experiences, most of his paintings contain boats, ships, ocean and seaport.
If naïve art is quite unwelcomed before, its style never ceases and guiltlessly streams up to the present. It is now widely used on children’s book and greeting cards similar with Rousseau’s subjects of wild animals in the jungle on a bright day or twilight.
Doodles
Even with the advancement in technology, there are graphic designers who create naïve designs. Though the popular doodle drawings and designs seem to be separated from naïve art, the characters appears to look really childlike portraying raw expressions of delight, anxiety, anger, suspicion and madness. Their shapes are anthropomorphic, pastel in color and resembles like that of Joan Miro’s organic paintings. Doodles are used for designing murals allowing many people to paint. T-shirts and bags are now also printed with naïve doodles since they mostly appeal on teenagers. Doodles are also used for web graphics like wallpapers, templates, and banners.
The Sleeping Gypsy by Henri Rousseau
The Snake Charmer by Henri Rousseau
Hold House Port Mear Square Island by Alfred Wallis
St. Michael's Mount in Marazion
martes, 4 de mayo de 2010
Design Conceptualization
Graphic design strong emphasis on mastering the software often neglects some practices or elements necessary to create an effective design. Often times the contentment of a graphic designer relies if he was able to apply some extraordinary techniques or rather he’s done with the design that he thinks is pleasing enough for him. Design conceptualization, choice of subject matter, themes and defining the elements of design are being ignored. Stunning designs are common especially with the use of graphic design software. But if you look at its bigger picture, there’s something missing that you just can’t point out.
Creating a design is not as easy as opening your software and selecting the tools you know you can use. There are procedures you must consider. You can start with gathering the information you need. For example, if you are designing a corporate identity, you need to know the nature of business of the employer, background, list of products or services, target market and selling location.
If you have all the data you need, you can do the draft for your design. You can ask your client the color they want. For sure they can only give you those in the color wheel. It is up to you to determine the color scheme and CYMK. The whole concept of the design usually anchors on the logo and tagline since they are unchangeable and represents the company’s image and goal. Logo design is essential to branding. Simple logo design is advisable. Decide whether your logo will be a typeface, an image or combination. What’s important is it’s readable and will surely be recognized by the public. The theme also plays an important role. Determine if your design will be vintage, grunge, psychedelic, etc. depending on your subject matter. This applies especially on packaging and poster making because you are trying to catch the public’s attention.
When all your ideas are already synchronized, you can begin putting your concept into details. You can now sketch it or do the detailed drawing. It will be faster if you have your sketch first rather than doing all the drafts in your pc.
Design conceptualization is something that is abstract and can be learned through research and experience. Subject matter and themes are basic elements that will make your design meaningful. You will also notice that some marketing aspects are considered since your design is created for the purpose of magnetizing customers.
Creating a design is not as easy as opening your software and selecting the tools you know you can use. There are procedures you must consider. You can start with gathering the information you need. For example, if you are designing a corporate identity, you need to know the nature of business of the employer, background, list of products or services, target market and selling location.
If you have all the data you need, you can do the draft for your design. You can ask your client the color they want. For sure they can only give you those in the color wheel. It is up to you to determine the color scheme and CYMK. The whole concept of the design usually anchors on the logo and tagline since they are unchangeable and represents the company’s image and goal. Logo design is essential to branding. Simple logo design is advisable. Decide whether your logo will be a typeface, an image or combination. What’s important is it’s readable and will surely be recognized by the public. The theme also plays an important role. Determine if your design will be vintage, grunge, psychedelic, etc. depending on your subject matter. This applies especially on packaging and poster making because you are trying to catch the public’s attention.
When all your ideas are already synchronized, you can begin putting your concept into details. You can now sketch it or do the detailed drawing. It will be faster if you have your sketch first rather than doing all the drafts in your pc.
Design conceptualization is something that is abstract and can be learned through research and experience. Subject matter and themes are basic elements that will make your design meaningful. You will also notice that some marketing aspects are considered since your design is created for the purpose of magnetizing customers.
miércoles, 28 de abril de 2010
Psychedelic Design
If you will hear the word “psychedelic,” you may refer to the hallucinatory state of mind, distorted perceptions, altered state of consciousness caused by drug use. For broader description, neon colors of yellow green, blue green, orange, and red violet will penetrate your mind. Maybe some flowers, peace sign, a floral sprayed designed Volkswagen and long-haired hippies or afros will come across your imagination. To box all these attributes, psychedelic is best described as the 1960s pop culture.
Before the term psychedelic become the 60’s fashion of fit, trend neon, wide collared longsleeves and bell bottoms, it was coined by the psychiatrist Humphry Osmond as an alternative descriptor to hallucinogenic drugs. That could be the reason why hallucinogens are also known as “psychedelic drugs.” Indeed, psychedelic seems to be paired with drugs from the day it has emerged. Beyond its psychiatric definition and fashion statement, psychedelic has extended itself to music and arts which led it to create its own movement. Psychedelic art and psychedelic music gather inspiration by inducing oneself with drugs like marijuana, LSD, mescaline, or psilocybin. These drugs are derived from herbs and fungus.
But just like Chronos devouring his children, the popularity of psychedelic was eaten by time. It would be rare to see people wearing the psychedelic fashion unless it is a Halloween or retro costume party. Even the 60’s retro music is mostly played only during weekends. But its influence on graphic design still lives and is widely used in the music industry for posters and album covers. Psychedelic design preserves the neon play of colors, warped typeface, paisley, fractal, concentric circles, kaleidoscope effects, and theme of fantasy, ecstasy, euphoria, and hallucination.
Incubus’ A Crow Left of the Murder (2003), Mojofly’s Now (2005) and Oasis’s Dig Out Your Soul (2008) are examples of cover albums with psychedelic designs that were released by the 2000.
Shroomery.org
Psd.tutsplus.com
Before the term psychedelic become the 60’s fashion of fit, trend neon, wide collared longsleeves and bell bottoms, it was coined by the psychiatrist Humphry Osmond as an alternative descriptor to hallucinogenic drugs. That could be the reason why hallucinogens are also known as “psychedelic drugs.” Indeed, psychedelic seems to be paired with drugs from the day it has emerged. Beyond its psychiatric definition and fashion statement, psychedelic has extended itself to music and arts which led it to create its own movement. Psychedelic art and psychedelic music gather inspiration by inducing oneself with drugs like marijuana, LSD, mescaline, or psilocybin. These drugs are derived from herbs and fungus.
But just like Chronos devouring his children, the popularity of psychedelic was eaten by time. It would be rare to see people wearing the psychedelic fashion unless it is a Halloween or retro costume party. Even the 60’s retro music is mostly played only during weekends. But its influence on graphic design still lives and is widely used in the music industry for posters and album covers. Psychedelic design preserves the neon play of colors, warped typeface, paisley, fractal, concentric circles, kaleidoscope effects, and theme of fantasy, ecstasy, euphoria, and hallucination.
Incubus’ A Crow Left of the Murder (2003), Mojofly’s Now (2005) and Oasis’s Dig Out Your Soul (2008) are examples of cover albums with psychedelic designs that were released by the 2000.
Shroomery.org
Psd.tutsplus.com
martes, 27 de abril de 2010
Vector Graphics
Vector graphics with all its stunning designs remains quiet compared to its loud photo manipulative companion. It appears that majority of graphic designers use raster-based, image manipulation programs. Perhaps one reason that many designers use vector graphics less is because of the complexity of its interface and its high regards to the techniques of traditional drawing and drafting which was somehow given little importance by other graphic designers who solely clings their skills on graphic software.
Vector graphics maintains its math origin “vector” a specific mathematical structure that has the ability to represent magnitude and direction. Since a vector graphics is mathematically defined, it is capable of modifying its mathematical location and prevents the graphic from pixelating when enlarged. Expanded vector graphics can retain its fine and delicate quality.
Vector graphics has many uses. If you are the person who has passion to draw, you can add vector graphics to your technical drawing skills. You can start by scanning your freehand drawing, studying the vector graphic program interface, watching tutorials and start with the basics. Mastering a vector graphic program will definitely take time as if you are studying freehand drawing from scratch. Only this time, you can easily edit, scale and duplicate your drawings.
Once you have absorbed the skills you need to acquire, you can begin voyaging the wide ocean of graphic design. Definitely you’ll meet other designers too like photo editor, layout artist, animator, web designers, and videographer. Its primary use is for logo design and other business set. It is also used for creating technical illustrations and web design graphics. Hip vector portraits and posters are among the popular uses of vector graphics. Vector graphics seems to make its way to fashion industry. T-shirt design now uses vector graphics especially those with decorative swirls, paisley, or anthropomorphic characters. 2D cartoons and comics are also designed using vector graphics. If your hunches suggest that vector graphics has limit itself to flat prints, it has now innovated its features and can now model 3D graphics and even realistic human images. Vector artist who would dare to bring their skills to this extent will definitely need to master perspective and proper toning.
Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw are the famous vector-based programs.
Illustrationclass.com
Gomediazine.com
Computerarts.co.uk
Adroit Designs
Blog.spoongraphics.co.uk
Voidix.com
Vector graphics maintains its math origin “vector” a specific mathematical structure that has the ability to represent magnitude and direction. Since a vector graphics is mathematically defined, it is capable of modifying its mathematical location and prevents the graphic from pixelating when enlarged. Expanded vector graphics can retain its fine and delicate quality.
Vector graphics has many uses. If you are the person who has passion to draw, you can add vector graphics to your technical drawing skills. You can start by scanning your freehand drawing, studying the vector graphic program interface, watching tutorials and start with the basics. Mastering a vector graphic program will definitely take time as if you are studying freehand drawing from scratch. Only this time, you can easily edit, scale and duplicate your drawings.
Once you have absorbed the skills you need to acquire, you can begin voyaging the wide ocean of graphic design. Definitely you’ll meet other designers too like photo editor, layout artist, animator, web designers, and videographer. Its primary use is for logo design and other business set. It is also used for creating technical illustrations and web design graphics. Hip vector portraits and posters are among the popular uses of vector graphics. Vector graphics seems to make its way to fashion industry. T-shirt design now uses vector graphics especially those with decorative swirls, paisley, or anthropomorphic characters. 2D cartoons and comics are also designed using vector graphics. If your hunches suggest that vector graphics has limit itself to flat prints, it has now innovated its features and can now model 3D graphics and even realistic human images. Vector artist who would dare to bring their skills to this extent will definitely need to master perspective and proper toning.
Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw are the famous vector-based programs.
Illustrationclass.com
Gomediazine.com
Computerarts.co.uk
Adroit Designs
Blog.spoongraphics.co.uk
Voidix.com
viernes, 19 de marzo de 2010
What is Vintage Design?
If you are into graphics and asked about what is “vintage”, you might answer that it is a graphic design with a 1950’s theme that is old, worn out, exhausted, and almost deteriorated by time. If you will search for vintage designs on the internet, you will mostly find posters of old advertisements like transistors, television, Volkswagen Beetle, movies, and sexy Hollywood blonde bombshells like Marilyn Monroe or Jayne Mansfield.
With the descriptions and samples provided for vintage design, you might think that the word “vintage” is similar with retro which means outdated style or trend. Well if you go to Google and type “vintage,” what you’ll find will lead you to “wine making” instead of visual arts references. Confusing isn’t it? To attach strings between vintage and vintage design, let’s begin with defining the etymology of the word vintage.
Etymology of Vintage
Vintage came from the French word “vin” which means wine. Just add “t-n-e- r” and you’ll have a winemaker called “vintner”. Combine “vint” and “age “, to form the word “vintage.” Why is “age” attached? It is because vintage wine is grown and harvested in a single particular year and region. With this means of production, vintage wine refers to wine that is “old” and with high quality. This made vintage associated with a style that’s old, antiques, or outmoded.
Vintage as Graphic Design
Vintage style is widely used in the field of graphic design. Vintage design gives emphasis on typography, rustic color harmony of brown, red, and yellow, and
It can be applied to poster designs, packaging, banners, and website. Starbucks Philippines is using vintage designs for their marketing collaterals like flyers and brochures. Human Clothing, an apparel company in the Philippines also uses vintage designs for their prints on t-shirts and bags which started by the early 2000 up to present.
Vintage design is also applied to fashion and interior design.
Psd.tutsplus.com
Myinkblog.com
Psd.tutsplus.com
X24d.com
With the descriptions and samples provided for vintage design, you might think that the word “vintage” is similar with retro which means outdated style or trend. Well if you go to Google and type “vintage,” what you’ll find will lead you to “wine making” instead of visual arts references. Confusing isn’t it? To attach strings between vintage and vintage design, let’s begin with defining the etymology of the word vintage.
Etymology of Vintage
Vintage came from the French word “vin” which means wine. Just add “t-n-e- r” and you’ll have a winemaker called “vintner”. Combine “vint” and “age “, to form the word “vintage.” Why is “age” attached? It is because vintage wine is grown and harvested in a single particular year and region. With this means of production, vintage wine refers to wine that is “old” and with high quality. This made vintage associated with a style that’s old, antiques, or outmoded.
Vintage as Graphic Design
Vintage style is widely used in the field of graphic design. Vintage design gives emphasis on typography, rustic color harmony of brown, red, and yellow, and
It can be applied to poster designs, packaging, banners, and website. Starbucks Philippines is using vintage designs for their marketing collaterals like flyers and brochures. Human Clothing, an apparel company in the Philippines also uses vintage designs for their prints on t-shirts and bags which started by the early 2000 up to present.
Vintage design is also applied to fashion and interior design.
Psd.tutsplus.com
Myinkblog.com
Psd.tutsplus.com
X24d.com
jueves, 11 de marzo de 2010
Surrealism Across Centuries, from 1920's Painting to 2000's Graphic Arts
Surrealism is an early 1920’s art movement which influenced visual arts, literature, film, music and philosophy. Surrealism can be easily enjoyed in the field of visual arts. The Surrealist art movement was lead by Andre Breton. Prior to Breton’s leadership to Surrealism, he used Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic methods on treating soldiers with “combat stress reaction”. Dr. Freud’s free association, dream analysis, and untapping the unconscious are the psychoanalytic methods are the core essentials of Surrealism.
There are two types of Surrealism, the organic and narrative. Organic surrealism is characterized as non-representational, amorphous, and organic in forms. Narrative Surrealism is delusional and representational but absolutely defying rationality.
Among the famous surreal painters are Max Ernst, Salvador Dali, Man Ray, Jean Arp, Andre Masson, Joan Miro, Rene Magritte, Marc Chagall and Yves Tanguy.
Surrealism is more than an art concept but a revolution. It has gone through lots of research and published journals. The Surrealist Manifestos, the first was written by Andre Breton contains their theoretical stand. The second was managed by Breton and the third was not released to the public.
Though surrealism in visual arts lasted until 1930’s, surrealism as modern art movement, seems to be timeless. Just one more decade away and Surrealism will be a century old but its artistry is still highly appreciated today. The 1920's surreal visual arts are portrayed by surrealists’ paintings while now, they are depicted by graphic software. This graphic design technique is known as “surreal photo manipulation”.
Photoshop’s ability to edit images makes it widely used for surreal photo manipulation. Common narrative themes are distorted body parts, metamorphoses, fantasy, torture, dream, destruction, and death. Most of the deformed body parts themes resembles like that of Magritte and Dali’s paintings.
Compared before, surreal photo manipulation is easier than surreal painting. The former can be edited without damaging other areas because of the layers used in Photoshop and the availability photos lessens the effort. Surrealist painters had tedious works to perfect their masterpiece since they are the pioneers and paints are the popular medium used back then. They even have to induce hallucinations in order to create an idea for their painting.
The advent of computers especially in the field of graphic design revives numerous classic concepts like surrealism. But regardless of the medium used, surrealism will last as long as humans make their way to royal to the unconscious - dream.
Max Ernst, The Phases of the Night (1946)
Salvador Dali, The Persistence of Memory (1931)
Man Ray, Observatory Time – The Lovers (1936)
Jean Arp, Plastron et fourchette (1922)
Andre Masson, Ibdes in Aragon (1935)
Joan Miro, The Two Philosophers (1936)
Rene Magritte, The Sirens (1952)
Marc Chagall, Liebende in Vence
Yves Tanguy, The Ribbon of Excess (1932)
Truth by damnengine
You grow inside me by
A new life by Stefano83
C O R E by adnrey
Undecided by Stefano83
Hollow Hills by ~brideinblacklace
Escapar by ~Prince-K
Beyond Reach by `n05feratu
Tangled angels .II. by ~temporary-peace
There are two types of Surrealism, the organic and narrative. Organic surrealism is characterized as non-representational, amorphous, and organic in forms. Narrative Surrealism is delusional and representational but absolutely defying rationality.
Among the famous surreal painters are Max Ernst, Salvador Dali, Man Ray, Jean Arp, Andre Masson, Joan Miro, Rene Magritte, Marc Chagall and Yves Tanguy.
Surrealism is more than an art concept but a revolution. It has gone through lots of research and published journals. The Surrealist Manifestos, the first was written by Andre Breton contains their theoretical stand. The second was managed by Breton and the third was not released to the public.
Though surrealism in visual arts lasted until 1930’s, surrealism as modern art movement, seems to be timeless. Just one more decade away and Surrealism will be a century old but its artistry is still highly appreciated today. The 1920's surreal visual arts are portrayed by surrealists’ paintings while now, they are depicted by graphic software. This graphic design technique is known as “surreal photo manipulation”.
Photoshop’s ability to edit images makes it widely used for surreal photo manipulation. Common narrative themes are distorted body parts, metamorphoses, fantasy, torture, dream, destruction, and death. Most of the deformed body parts themes resembles like that of Magritte and Dali’s paintings.
Compared before, surreal photo manipulation is easier than surreal painting. The former can be edited without damaging other areas because of the layers used in Photoshop and the availability photos lessens the effort. Surrealist painters had tedious works to perfect their masterpiece since they are the pioneers and paints are the popular medium used back then. They even have to induce hallucinations in order to create an idea for their painting.
The advent of computers especially in the field of graphic design revives numerous classic concepts like surrealism. But regardless of the medium used, surrealism will last as long as humans make their way to royal to the unconscious - dream.
Max Ernst, The Phases of the Night (1946)
Salvador Dali, The Persistence of Memory (1931)
Man Ray, Observatory Time – The Lovers (1936)
Jean Arp, Plastron et fourchette (1922)
Andre Masson, Ibdes in Aragon (1935)
Joan Miro, The Two Philosophers (1936)
Rene Magritte, The Sirens (1952)
Marc Chagall, Liebende in Vence
Yves Tanguy, The Ribbon of Excess (1932)
Truth by damnengine
You grow inside me by
A new life by Stefano83
C O R E by adnrey
Undecided by Stefano83
Hollow Hills by ~brideinblacklace
Escapar by ~Prince-K
Beyond Reach by `n05feratu
Tangled angels .II. by ~temporary-peace
miércoles, 10 de marzo de 2010
Graphic Design 101: The Basics
Graphic design is the art and process of putting together text and graphics to be able to effectively communicate a message. Companies usually hire a web solutions company which provides graphic design services. These graphics firms are knowledgeable on the elements and principles of graphic design and can churn out professional-quality websites, logos, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and any other type of visual media.
There are quite a handful of graphic file formats that are available but internet browsers only support a few of them. This article discusses the different graphic file formats that can be used when building a web site.
Presently, the most common graphic file formats that are supported by most popular web browsers are: Graphic Interchange Format (GIF), Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), Portable Network Graphics (PNG) and vector graphics.
These kinds of graphic files have gained enormous usability because ofthe following properties:
Transparency – allows the image to be varying degrees of opaqueness from solid to completely transparent or see-through.
Compression – allows images to be stored in a much smaller file by using a mathematical algorithm to handle groups of pixels as a single item.
Interlacing – allows an image to be loaded by first drawing the odd rows and then going back and drawing the even rows. It allows the visitor to see the picture sooner.
Animation – gives the appearance of movement by using a series of successive still pictures. Animated gifs do not require a browser plug-in and can work on almost all devices.
Progressive loading – similar to interlacing in that it only loads a portion of the picture initially but is not based on alternating rows and allows the user to see the picture quicker.
GIF
Developed in the 1980s, GIF was adopted by web designers in the early 1990s as the preferred graphic format for web pages. GIF files use a compression algorithm that keeps file sizes small for fast loading. Because of its smaller size compared to a JPEG file, most web designers use the GIF format for backgrounds, boxed, frames and any other graphical element that look fine using 8-bit color. These files also support transparency and interlaced graphics but are limited to 256 colors (8 bits). GIF also received immense popularity because it can be used to create animation: by using a series of successive still pictures. Furthermore, All browsers can display GIF files.
JPEG
JPEG files are the preferred formats as far as good image quality is concerned. These type of files are compressed and support “true color” (24 bit), allowing faster download speeds.
PNG
PNG is the newest in the game. It was introduced as an alternative to GIF files. Just like JPEG, PNG supports up to 24 bit color, transparency, interlacing plus it can hold a short text description of the image’s content for use by search engines. However, most browsers do not support PNG yet. Web design companies offering graphic design services believes that time will come when PNG gets fully supported by most web browsers. By that time, PNG will probably replace GIF as the web designer’s choice for non-photographic page elements. But GIF will still be used for animation.
Vector Graphics
Vector graphics are created by using programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Macromedia Freehand. Vector drawings must be converted to either GIF, JPEG OR PNG format to be used on a web page.
Web solution companies like New Harvest Design offers cost-effective graphic design services that can help a company, big or small, get the graphics they want at a price they can afford.
There are quite a handful of graphic file formats that are available but internet browsers only support a few of them. This article discusses the different graphic file formats that can be used when building a web site.
Presently, the most common graphic file formats that are supported by most popular web browsers are: Graphic Interchange Format (GIF), Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), Portable Network Graphics (PNG) and vector graphics.
These kinds of graphic files have gained enormous usability because ofthe following properties:
Transparency – allows the image to be varying degrees of opaqueness from solid to completely transparent or see-through.
Compression – allows images to be stored in a much smaller file by using a mathematical algorithm to handle groups of pixels as a single item.
Interlacing – allows an image to be loaded by first drawing the odd rows and then going back and drawing the even rows. It allows the visitor to see the picture sooner.
Animation – gives the appearance of movement by using a series of successive still pictures. Animated gifs do not require a browser plug-in and can work on almost all devices.
Progressive loading – similar to interlacing in that it only loads a portion of the picture initially but is not based on alternating rows and allows the user to see the picture quicker.
GIF
Developed in the 1980s, GIF was adopted by web designers in the early 1990s as the preferred graphic format for web pages. GIF files use a compression algorithm that keeps file sizes small for fast loading. Because of its smaller size compared to a JPEG file, most web designers use the GIF format for backgrounds, boxed, frames and any other graphical element that look fine using 8-bit color. These files also support transparency and interlaced graphics but are limited to 256 colors (8 bits). GIF also received immense popularity because it can be used to create animation: by using a series of successive still pictures. Furthermore, All browsers can display GIF files.
JPEG
JPEG files are the preferred formats as far as good image quality is concerned. These type of files are compressed and support “true color” (24 bit), allowing faster download speeds.
PNG
PNG is the newest in the game. It was introduced as an alternative to GIF files. Just like JPEG, PNG supports up to 24 bit color, transparency, interlacing plus it can hold a short text description of the image’s content for use by search engines. However, most browsers do not support PNG yet. Web design companies offering graphic design services believes that time will come when PNG gets fully supported by most web browsers. By that time, PNG will probably replace GIF as the web designer’s choice for non-photographic page elements. But GIF will still be used for animation.
Vector Graphics
Vector graphics are created by using programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Macromedia Freehand. Vector drawings must be converted to either GIF, JPEG OR PNG format to be used on a web page.
Web solution companies like New Harvest Design offers cost-effective graphic design services that can help a company, big or small, get the graphics they want at a price they can afford.
miércoles, 3 de marzo de 2010
Filipinos Adaptation to Western Culture
The Philippines was colonized by Spain for four centuries. Discovered by a non-Spanish but Portuguese navigator named Ferdinand Magellan in March 16, 1521, the country was named after King Philip II of Spain. The influence of the Spaniards in the Philippines is tremendous and that western culture wraps the culture of the capital and urban cities- from politics, literature, architecture, language, religion, fashion and arts. Great Filipinos writers and artists like Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero and Juan Luna, painter of the famous Spolarium went to Madrid to compete and brought home the bacon to their motherland. Even if there’s a high discrimination among Filipinos that time, Dr. Rizal, Luna and other intellectual heroes didn’t hide away their talents and even used them as means to freedom.
Though the Spanish reign in the Philippines was gone to dust for more than a century, the Spanish influence still runs in culture of Filipinos. Most of the historical places in the Philippines will lead you to Manila. Intramuros or city within walls is among the famous locations that you can fully trace Spanish architecture. Churches and basilicas also portray how the friars designed the Catholic religion in the Philippines.
More than the physical remnants the Spaniards left in the Philippines, the Spaniards have modified the mentality of Filipinos as well. No wonder that the Filipinos interest and taste are very western. This colonial mentality was made even stronger when the Americans came and educated the Filipinos with English language. In relation to arts, you can see that lots of art themes in the Philippines, both literary and visual are western. Novels are written in English and classic paintings display characters that are Greek, Roman, Spaniards or rich Filipinos wearing gowns for women and American coat and tie for male. Even the themes of Philippine movies and soap operas have resemblance with that of the Mexican romance, action, betrayal and from rags-to-riches stories.
With the Philippines’ long history of being colonized by other nations, adaptation to other culture became part of Filipinos attitude. This can be proved at present time with the success of Filipino employees working for business process outsourcing or “bpo” companies. Among the jobs outsourced in the Philippines are web and graphic design, software development, game development, and customer service support. Filipinos can easily get along with foreign employers because of their good English communication skills both verbal and written. Even graphic designers must possess this skill in order to talk to their clients. Having poor communication may result to delays and difficulties on projects. Graphic design in the Philippines is very progressive since Filipinos have both artistic and advance technical skill to use the required graphic software. Career in graphic design in the Philippines is promising that’s why more and more Filipinos are traveling into this prosperous path. Graphic design in the Philippines was resistant even during the global economic recession since the demands for design never cease. Though some industries were hurt by the crisis, they are now recovering.
Tracing a nation’s history will better explain its culture. Some books may contain negative impressions about the Philippines being colonized by Spain or US but somehow, the Philippines has tons of benefit resulting from its great history. If the Philippines was not colonized by these nations, the present condition in the Philippines maybe different. Bpo industry will be stranger to the Philippines.
Spolarium by Juan Luna
Though the Spanish reign in the Philippines was gone to dust for more than a century, the Spanish influence still runs in culture of Filipinos. Most of the historical places in the Philippines will lead you to Manila. Intramuros or city within walls is among the famous locations that you can fully trace Spanish architecture. Churches and basilicas also portray how the friars designed the Catholic religion in the Philippines.
More than the physical remnants the Spaniards left in the Philippines, the Spaniards have modified the mentality of Filipinos as well. No wonder that the Filipinos interest and taste are very western. This colonial mentality was made even stronger when the Americans came and educated the Filipinos with English language. In relation to arts, you can see that lots of art themes in the Philippines, both literary and visual are western. Novels are written in English and classic paintings display characters that are Greek, Roman, Spaniards or rich Filipinos wearing gowns for women and American coat and tie for male. Even the themes of Philippine movies and soap operas have resemblance with that of the Mexican romance, action, betrayal and from rags-to-riches stories.
With the Philippines’ long history of being colonized by other nations, adaptation to other culture became part of Filipinos attitude. This can be proved at present time with the success of Filipino employees working for business process outsourcing or “bpo” companies. Among the jobs outsourced in the Philippines are web and graphic design, software development, game development, and customer service support. Filipinos can easily get along with foreign employers because of their good English communication skills both verbal and written. Even graphic designers must possess this skill in order to talk to their clients. Having poor communication may result to delays and difficulties on projects. Graphic design in the Philippines is very progressive since Filipinos have both artistic and advance technical skill to use the required graphic software. Career in graphic design in the Philippines is promising that’s why more and more Filipinos are traveling into this prosperous path. Graphic design in the Philippines was resistant even during the global economic recession since the demands for design never cease. Though some industries were hurt by the crisis, they are now recovering.
Tracing a nation’s history will better explain its culture. Some books may contain negative impressions about the Philippines being colonized by Spain or US but somehow, the Philippines has tons of benefit resulting from its great history. If the Philippines was not colonized by these nations, the present condition in the Philippines maybe different. Bpo industry will be stranger to the Philippines.
Spolarium by Juan Luna
martes, 2 de marzo de 2010
How to Make Grunge Design in Photoshop
To give a brief background about "grunge", it is a 90's music trend which emerged from the band Nirvana lead by Kurt Cobain. Cobain's unexpected death didn't end the grunge music but intensified it more and lots of bands followed the footsteps of Nirvana. But it seems that grunge has locked it self to the decade that it was born. Grunge music died down as the 90’s counted its way down to its end. Its fame has gone dark and deep as its theme of decadence, depression, confusion, and melancholy.
With grunge's anti-social characteristic like substance abuse and addiction, emotional disturbances, and suicide, its resurrection is unpredictable. Grunge morphed into fashion and graphic design. You can even try surfing celebrities wearing ripped jeans and flannels.
As applied to graphic design, grunge is torn down to its details of scratches, smudges, bleed, stained, and other techniques that would lead to an overall filthy design. Grunge design is further strengthened with the support of artists and developers creating tutorials and tools used to create grunge designs.
If creating an aesthetic grunge design puzzles you, blogs are scattered all over the internet on how too make grunge design. Grunge design can be done in different graphic software like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator too. You can easily find many tutorials provided with samples. Just like any form of visual arts, you must have an eye for design. Study how the elements are disorganized as well as the variation of lifeless colors from pale to dark rich tones. Check for the fonts used. Bold fonts are commonly used as well as Old English font style too.
When creating a grunge design in Photoshop, do the following procedures:
Download grunge brushes. You can type “grunge brushes” in search engines and Photoshop grunge brushes will top the rankings.
Downloaded brushes come in zip files. Right click the sip folder and extract the brushes. Once you opened your Photoshop, you can find you grunge brushes in your brush gallery.
Color your background. Choose color the swatches. Go to Edit and select Fill.
Create another layer and do the same steps on filling the layer with colors.
Create layer mask.
Create another layer.
Get your grunge brush and start scratching the layer.
You can always add text or image.
Use text tool or drag you image.
To put an overlay effect on your text or image, select the layer then choose Multiply.
You can still scratch the object by using the grunge brushes.
Save your work by when you’re done with your grunge design.
With grunge's anti-social characteristic like substance abuse and addiction, emotional disturbances, and suicide, its resurrection is unpredictable. Grunge morphed into fashion and graphic design. You can even try surfing celebrities wearing ripped jeans and flannels.
As applied to graphic design, grunge is torn down to its details of scratches, smudges, bleed, stained, and other techniques that would lead to an overall filthy design. Grunge design is further strengthened with the support of artists and developers creating tutorials and tools used to create grunge designs.
If creating an aesthetic grunge design puzzles you, blogs are scattered all over the internet on how too make grunge design. Grunge design can be done in different graphic software like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator too. You can easily find many tutorials provided with samples. Just like any form of visual arts, you must have an eye for design. Study how the elements are disorganized as well as the variation of lifeless colors from pale to dark rich tones. Check for the fonts used. Bold fonts are commonly used as well as Old English font style too.
When creating a grunge design in Photoshop, do the following procedures:
Download grunge brushes. You can type “grunge brushes” in search engines and Photoshop grunge brushes will top the rankings.
Downloaded brushes come in zip files. Right click the sip folder and extract the brushes. Once you opened your Photoshop, you can find you grunge brushes in your brush gallery.
Color your background. Choose color the swatches. Go to Edit and select Fill.
Create another layer and do the same steps on filling the layer with colors.
Create layer mask.
Create another layer.
Get your grunge brush and start scratching the layer.
You can always add text or image.
Use text tool or drag you image.
To put an overlay effect on your text or image, select the layer then choose Multiply.
You can still scratch the object by using the grunge brushes.
Save your work by when you’re done with your grunge design.
viernes, 26 de febrero de 2010
Distinction Between Art & Design
Drawing a line between art and design might create some confusion if it's your first time to hear this. Art and design have the same output which is an artwork but still remain distinct with each other. We also generalize individuals who are working in the field of visual arts and call them "artists." A graphic art student aiming to be an excellent artist focuses on mastering the graphic software he loves but won't bother to read the principles of design nor look at the details of Van Gogh's painting. These are the common pitfalls that the artists and designers are unaware of. An individual could declare himself an artist but he's just actually a designer.
To set apart art and design clearly, let us discuss the goals of each concept. An art is very subjective. Regardless of its technicalities like perspective, techniques, texturing and toning, an artist is free to express himself on his canvas or monitor. An art especially if it is famous will surely invites wanted and unwanted criticism. Others are even given psychological interpretations which are usually negative and associated with the behaviors of artists. One of the most controversial artists is the expressionist Vincent Van Gogh who cut his ears due to its imperfection according to him. He is said to be a madman and his suicide supported the diagnosis after his death that this great artist was mentally ill. Prior to his unfortunate death is the creation of "Wheat Field with Crows," his last work. The murder of crows, dark blue sky, and melancholic wheat field signifies the way Van Gogh took his own life. But whatever the true meaning this painting portrays, let's leave it to the artist who created this timeless work of art.
Graphic design, since it belongs to visual communication, it follows certain guidelines and standards or else, it will fail to project the message of the design to its audience. For example, you are a graphic designer creating a t-shirt print design for children's clothing. The design you will create must be appropriate to the product. It must be something cute, colorful, cheerful and highly attractive to children. On the other hand, if the design is intended for teen fashion, expect that it will be rebellious, wacky, and emotional in order to suit the identity crisis teenagers are experiencing. A graphic design as a powerful advertising tool must please the market in order to sell the products. Other examples of graphic design are posters and skyscraping billboards along boulevards.
Perhaps you can now trace the difference. Art with all its subjectivity and nonchalance opposes the practicality of graphic design. Despite their variation, both requires talents and skills in creating a masterpiece.
Wheat Field with Crows, 1890 by Vincent Van Gogh
To set apart art and design clearly, let us discuss the goals of each concept. An art is very subjective. Regardless of its technicalities like perspective, techniques, texturing and toning, an artist is free to express himself on his canvas or monitor. An art especially if it is famous will surely invites wanted and unwanted criticism. Others are even given psychological interpretations which are usually negative and associated with the behaviors of artists. One of the most controversial artists is the expressionist Vincent Van Gogh who cut his ears due to its imperfection according to him. He is said to be a madman and his suicide supported the diagnosis after his death that this great artist was mentally ill. Prior to his unfortunate death is the creation of "Wheat Field with Crows," his last work. The murder of crows, dark blue sky, and melancholic wheat field signifies the way Van Gogh took his own life. But whatever the true meaning this painting portrays, let's leave it to the artist who created this timeless work of art.
Graphic design, since it belongs to visual communication, it follows certain guidelines and standards or else, it will fail to project the message of the design to its audience. For example, you are a graphic designer creating a t-shirt print design for children's clothing. The design you will create must be appropriate to the product. It must be something cute, colorful, cheerful and highly attractive to children. On the other hand, if the design is intended for teen fashion, expect that it will be rebellious, wacky, and emotional in order to suit the identity crisis teenagers are experiencing. A graphic design as a powerful advertising tool must please the market in order to sell the products. Other examples of graphic design are posters and skyscraping billboards along boulevards.
Perhaps you can now trace the difference. Art with all its subjectivity and nonchalance opposes the practicality of graphic design. Despite their variation, both requires talents and skills in creating a masterpiece.
Wheat Field with Crows, 1890 by Vincent Van Gogh
viernes, 12 de febrero de 2010
Principles of Design
People could hardly imagine the internet’s technology. If you are destined to be an I.T. person, you will dare to plunge in the virtual world of bytes, cable, code, database, server, soft to hardware, and networking which are all ruled by geeks. Others won’t even bother to study the basics of computer as long as they enjoy their Facebook account and getting updates from their family and friends. While there are those who are born in a techie generation and that computers are part of their living. Though they might not pursue a hard core programming skills but their faith is strong that computers can solve problems in a click.
Did technology totally abandon the traditional of “old school” means of learning? Will you find all what you are searching for as long as there’s a library of websites to provide you millions of reference. One specific example is web design. We all know that you have to know how to use graphic design software like Photoshop, Flash and Dreamweaver. And what if you learned all of these softwares, will it promise you to and create an excellent website? Perhaps something is lacking. Even if web design is the most high tech among other types of graphic design like typography, drawing, print design, etc., it can never run away from their dogma, the Principles of Design. Creating a website is similar with that of book development. You need writers and artists to do the content for you. The difference between a website and a book is that the latter don’t need a developer to code each pages. Both of them need reliable content and appropriate graphic design.
It will always make a difference if a web designer has a proper orientation with the Principles of Design. More than the technical skills the web designer acquired, he possesses the strategy on how to present his website just by the way it looks. The Principles of Design includes balance, contrast, variety, harmony, and action.
Balance
Balance creates equilibrium and provides visual weight to the design. Balance has two types, symmetrical and asymmetrical. The design has symmetrical balance when all the elements are aligned at center. When the elements of the design are distributed on the space, it is said to be asymmetrical.
Contrast
Contrast when applied to design, can add more vigor. Contrast is incorporated on color, shape, position, and size. Contrast among design enables to emphasize on the important content.
Harmony
Just like humans, the absence of harmony will lead to turbulent design. Poor layout, bad color schemes and inappropriate logos will surely dissolve the interest of your viewers. It is important to make a plan for your website before you start coding and designing.
Variety
You can make your design more interesting and entertaining if you have variety of format and content. It prevents dullness and can make your viewers more interested in your website.
Action
A design behaves according to its layout. Having an organized design enables your readers to follow the sequence of content and makes it easier for readers to search what they want to see.
Did technology totally abandon the traditional of “old school” means of learning? Will you find all what you are searching for as long as there’s a library of websites to provide you millions of reference. One specific example is web design. We all know that you have to know how to use graphic design software like Photoshop, Flash and Dreamweaver. And what if you learned all of these softwares, will it promise you to and create an excellent website? Perhaps something is lacking. Even if web design is the most high tech among other types of graphic design like typography, drawing, print design, etc., it can never run away from their dogma, the Principles of Design. Creating a website is similar with that of book development. You need writers and artists to do the content for you. The difference between a website and a book is that the latter don’t need a developer to code each pages. Both of them need reliable content and appropriate graphic design.
It will always make a difference if a web designer has a proper orientation with the Principles of Design. More than the technical skills the web designer acquired, he possesses the strategy on how to present his website just by the way it looks. The Principles of Design includes balance, contrast, variety, harmony, and action.
Balance
Balance creates equilibrium and provides visual weight to the design. Balance has two types, symmetrical and asymmetrical. The design has symmetrical balance when all the elements are aligned at center. When the elements of the design are distributed on the space, it is said to be asymmetrical.
Contrast
Contrast when applied to design, can add more vigor. Contrast is incorporated on color, shape, position, and size. Contrast among design enables to emphasize on the important content.
Harmony
Just like humans, the absence of harmony will lead to turbulent design. Poor layout, bad color schemes and inappropriate logos will surely dissolve the interest of your viewers. It is important to make a plan for your website before you start coding and designing.
Variety
You can make your design more interesting and entertaining if you have variety of format and content. It prevents dullness and can make your viewers more interested in your website.
Action
A design behaves according to its layout. Having an organized design enables your readers to follow the sequence of content and makes it easier for readers to search what they want to see.
jueves, 4 de febrero de 2010
New Harvest Design, the perfect web service company
New Harvest Design provides cutting-edge and affordable web development and graphic design services to keep our clients ahead of the competition. Our team of highly-skilled designers is abreast with the latest trends and uses state-of-the-art technology to come up with outstanding web sites.
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