A blog I have been keeping up with (via rss feed) is Creative Curio. The author, LaurenMarie, offers advice, tips, and semi-tutorials, along with other tidbits that one expects (in a good way) from a blog. The latest post is entitled “Using Other People’s Content is OK!” So I figured “What better time to write my own post about it?” The post is actually about using stock photos and such.  In the past it has featured articles on experimenting and customizing Photoshop brushes, working through the creative process, along with critiques of her latest ideas for her blog design.  Enough.

This book by Adrian Shaughnessy was required for one of my classes this semester; at only $20.00 on Amazon, it is one of the less expensive books I’ve been required to purchase in my college career. For the most part I’ve stopped buying books for classes because they’re too expensive and I usually don’t need them to pass. However, I do buy all the graphic design books, because they are interesting and handy to keep around. Anyway, this small book sets out not to teach the reader how to use Photoshop, or showcase a bunch of designs from well-established designers; it’s purpose is to give tips about the mundane details of being a graphic designer. (more…)

Smashing Magazine has a nice list of Photoshop tutorials, which is hard to find. A nice list I mean. A nice list of Photoshop tutorials is hard to find. Anyway, they have spent copious amounts of time in order to keep you from having to do so, so you may as well take them up on their offer and learn more about Photoshop. Oh wait, the link. It’s here.
Or here.
Also here.
Take your pick, they all go to the same page. Don’t ask.

As far as this semester goes, I am on my last project for every class. I am definitely looking forward to the Christmas break, during which I will travel with my wife and work for actual money. As far as the projects go: (more…)

No, it’s not an item from a Japanese RPG.

One of the earliest examples of graphic design is the Book of Kells, a copy of the Gospels from around 800. The best part is, it actually looks really good. (more…)

Since Coz apparently has nothing to do besides read my blog, this one’s just for him.  We had our annual Christmas Art Sale here at the school gallery this weekend. The word Christmas refers to the time of year rather than the type of art found there. The students and faculty put any work they want to in it for what ever price they want to. Then people come and buy a few pots. We still put other stuff in. Following is an excerpt from the show: (more…)

The image needs no explanation.  I was inspired while watching a friend aggressively divide sheets of paper, along with the memory of slicing part of my finger off with this same device.

I’d like to take a moment to mention some good resources for graphic design I have found. Ok, by resources I mean websites, and by websites I mean blogs. (more…)

Lately I have gotten very interested in typography.  By this I mean much more interested than I already was, because for several years now I have been interested in type.  (more…)

This is a cover for a children’s book I made for a project in my Illustration class earlier this semester. (more…)