February, 2019

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Free Wallpaper for February 2019

Six Leaf Design

Hello and happy February! I’m switching things up a bit with the monthly wallpaper post format. So first things first, may I introduce you to the FREE wallpaper design for February ? This one was so fun to create and really therapeutic to draw all the little pattern elements while sitting in the coffee shop where I sometimes work. My future sis-in-law said it gives her major Saved By The Bell vibes and I take that as the highest of compliments.

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The Law on Fonts and Typefaces in Design and Marketing: Frequently Asked Questions (about commercial and non-commercial use)

crowdspring

The right typeface is often the key to strong brand identity , a well-designed website, sharp looking brochures, and strong marketing materials. But there’s much confusion and misinformation about typefaces, fonts and how designers and marketers can lawfully use them commercially. The truth is that most people, and especially designers and marketers, do not understand the law governing the use of typefaces and fonts.

Fonts 89
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How to Use UX to Improve E-Commerce Conversion Rates

Design Wizard

Wave goodbye to cart abandons and HELLO to sky-high sales! Boosting e-commerce conversion rates for your brand isn’t exactly easy. It feels like every brand has an e-commerce shop these days, so needless to say, standing out from the crowd and actually making a sale is a tough, uphill struggle. When utilized correctly, however, there are several on-page factors that can increase the likelihood of a turning a visitor into a customer.

Digital 113
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A List Apart - Untitled Article

A List Apart

As a child of the ’90s, one of my favorite movie quotes is from Harriet the Spy : “there are as many ways to live as there are people in this world, and each one deserves a closer look.” Likewise, there as many ways to browse the web as there are people online. We each bring unique context to our web experience based on our values, technologies, environments, minds, and bodies.

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Let's Talk Trends: Designing for Maximum Impact

Speaker: Amber Asay, Creative Director and Founder of award-winning design studio Nice People

Understanding what trends are happening and how they’re impacting the competitive landscape is crucial to providing top dollar design strategy to your clients. With so many trends coming and going, it can be overwhelming to determine which ones you should capitalize on and which ones might not be worth the trouble. In this exclusive webinar with Amber Asay, we’ll explore graphic design trends that need to die, trends that are starting to pick up and why, trends that have come and gone, and how t

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How to Create Bokeh + Light Flares

A Beautiful Mess

I am sure that most of you have heard the word “bokeh” before. If you aren’t sure what it is, in simple terms it is basically when the light in your photo is out of focus. Let’s talk about how to capture bokeh and also lens flare! These elements can happen on accident, but we’re going to learn more so we can be in control of our photos. Let’s start with bokeh.

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Sophie Melissa’s Skilfully Edited Compositions

Ape on the Moon

Whether it is pulling in close for some dramatic cropping or changing the perspective to a bird’s-eye view, Sophie Melissa’s compositions are always well-considered. As she talks about more below, Sophie takes some of her inspiration from poster design. It is some thing that is apparent in the immediately engaging quality of her designs.

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How to Start a Business: A Step-by-Step Complete Guide (2019)

crowdspring

This is the most complete guide online on how to start a business in 2019. You should know that about two-thirds of businesses with employees survive 2 years and about half survive only five years. Businesses that survive and thrive have an unfair advantage. They’re started and run by people who are prepared for what’s ahead of them. If you want an unfair advantage, we’re here to help you get started.

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How To Create A High Impact Hero Image For Your Website

Design Wizard

Hero Image. How are hero images used? . The first thing someone sees when they visit your website is a Hero Image. People are influenced by the way imagery makes them feel. In fact, you’ve probably noticed that your favorite websites and brands use imagery to captivate and motivate their users. After all, an image is worth a thousand words… right? So the right hero image might be worth millions of dollars!

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Semantics to Screen Readers

A List Apart

A note from the editors: We extended our From URL to Interactive series with this fifth installment to include what happens when screen readers access our page. In the illustration, our fisher has caught the fish and is now ready to weigh it. As a child of the ’90s, one of my favorite movie quotes is from Harriet the Spy : “there are as many ways to live as there are people in this world, and each one deserves a closer look.

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How to Create Bokeh + Light Flares

A Beautiful Mess

I am sure that most of you have heard the word “bokeh” before. If you aren’t sure what it is, in simple terms it is basically when the light in your photo is out of focus. Let’s talk about how to capture bokeh and also lens flare! These elements can happen on accident, but we’re going to learn more so we can be in control of our photos. Let’s start with bokeh.

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The Democratization of Design: Giving Creators & Marketers the Tools to Succeed

Brands must create and share impactful content to thrive, but they have less people, tighter budgets, and fewer resources to do so. Learn how to publish and market digital content with the same professionalism as organizations with million-dollar budgets.

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Yuoning Chien Spreading Joy with the Humorously Absurd

Ape on the Moon

Thick lines and absurdist themes are defining qualities in Yuoning Chien’s work. But she truly shines in the silliness, which is there to spread a little joy in uncertain times. In her illustrations, eyeballs can be seen everywhere, populating the surreal snippets of worlds Yuoning creates—and why not? Their blank, almost curious stares inject an immediate sense of fun in her work.

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2019’s Best Picture Nominees Poster Designs- From Graphic Designers perspective

A Graphic Design Blog

So the Oscar’s was just a few days ago, and honestly I didn’t watch it. This year the ‘buzz’ was just not ‘buzzy’ However some creative graphic designers created their own poster versions of the 2019’s best picture nominees. I’ve see three of the movies, well actually 2 and a half, I haven’t finished watching Roma but I’ve seen A Star is Born and Black Panther, good movies!

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How to Start a Successful Consulting Business: The Complete 10 Step Guide (2019)

crowdspring

You’ve put in the hours. You’ve paid your dues. And now all that effort has paid off – you’re the expert. So, what’s your prize at the end of the day? For some, it’s enough to know that you’re great at your job. But others, like you, yearn for something more. Admit it – you’ve thought about starting your own consulting business.

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Top 12 Video Hosting Sites: Pros, Cons and Main Features

Design Wizard

Top 12 Video Hosting Sites: Pros, Cons and Main Features. Videos have become a crucial marketing tool. Nowadays, if you want to have a successful web company, you have to rely heavily on videos. While written content is still vastly popular, it is hard to neglect the rise of multimedia. The younger generations are used to YouTube and similar platforms, so they are much more likely to see your company’s ads through these platforms than to go directly to your site.

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Rethinking Creative Workflows: Increasing Efficiency in the Design Process

As the design industry evolves, teams are facing new challenges and a need to produce more outstanding creative work than ever. Leaders must learn how to adapt their processes to solve today’s—and tomorrow’s—unique design challenges. In this e-book, you’ll learn how to establish your creative workflow and leverage the power of CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite to streamline the entire design process, from start to finish.

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A List Apart - Untitled Article

A List Apart

Kip Williams, professor of psychology sciences at Purdue University, conducted a fascinating experiment called “cyberball.” In his experiment, a test subject and two other participants played a computer game of catch. At a predetermined time, the test subject was excluded from the game, forcing them to only observe as the clock ran down. The experience showed increases in self-reported levels of anger and sadness, as well as lowering levels of the four needs.

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How B-School saved my business.

Uppercase Magazine

In 2014, I was having the toughest time I'd ever had in business. I had employees and big print bills, but I never seemed to be able to get out of barely getting by—a line of credit was the only thing that kept things going, issue after issue, but I wasn’t able to get to the plus side of zero. I was tired of working so hard to barely break even. I desperately needed a mentor: someone to help me figure out what to do next.

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Interview: Tom Gauld and his Shareable Collection, ‘The Snooty Bookshop’.

Ape on the Moon

Working in the realm he does, comic artist Tom Gauld has had to explore the stories he would like to tell as much as their accompanying visual style. His comics and graphic novels are a result of his observation, wit and skill for well-timed, sometimes single-frame, narratives. With the release of his latest book, ‘The Snooty Bookshop’, we thought it would be the perfect time to catch up with Tom and find out more about how he has developed his practice. ‘The Snooty Bookshop

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Why Graphic Design Is Essential to Every Industry

A Graphic Design Blog

Graphic design involves so much more than just visual themes and aesthetics. It encompasses nearly everything about the user experience, from discovery to exploration. Artists and professionals often get credit for creating “beautiful” or “stunning” designs, but sadly, those phrases speak only to the visual elements. There’s another layer hidden beneath what you see in a design that influences functionality and navigation.

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Creative Insights: Data-Backed Trends to Help You Design Successful Content

In today’s competitive markets, how do you make sure that your content not only stands out but performs well? How can you predict whether certain design choices will result in clicks, engagement, downloads, and other drivers of ROI? Shutterstock’s Creative Insights Report (Q3) is your window into the hottest trends that are transforming the creative world.

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How to Start a Successful Photography Business: The Complete 10 Step Guide (2019)

crowdspring

As the price of high-quality cameras has continued to fall, the art and craft of photography have flourished. For many people, photography isn’t just a way of capturing a memory. Photography is a fulfilling way to express yourself. It’s a way to interpret the world and make the invisible visible. And for many, it’s a way to make a living.

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? Another Star for THE DAY THE UNIVERSE EXPLODED MY HEAD

Anna Raff Illustration

The reviews are coming in and I am thanking my lucky stars! On the heels of our first starred review from Kirkus , THE DAY THE UNIVERSE EXPLODED MY HEAD, by Allan Wolf and me has earned a second star, this time from Booklist… “A complete package: a collection of clever, whimsical poems and striking, full-page illustrations. Visually compelling, this will capture and hold the attention of young stargazers.

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Paint the Picture, Not the Frame: How Browsers Provide Everything Users Need

A List Apart

Kip Williams, professor of psychology sciences at Purdue University, conducted a fascinating experiment called “cyberball.” In his experiment, a test subject and two other participants played a computer game of catch. At a predetermined time, the test subject was excluded from the game, forcing them to only observe as the clock ran down. The experience showed increases in self-reported levels of anger and sadness, as well as lowering levels of the four needs.

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Consumer Trends

Ambalaj

As we get exposed to constant environmental alarms, we start to question our current consumption patterns. We turn to companies to respond and make action of their promises. At the same time, the world is becoming ever more digital. We expect new experiences, simplifying and enriching our lives. We expect seamless experiences across physical and digital touch-points.

Digital 52
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Web Design for All: Accessibility, Inclusivity and Beyond

Speaker: Eden Spivak, Design Expert and Editor at Wix & Nir Horesh, Accessibility Lead and Senior Product Manager at Wix

When we design products or websites for people like ourselves, there are many others who are, as a result, left out. From visually impaired users who rely on assistive technology, to people with a temporary injury such as a broken arm, tech users are forever diverse and beautifully unique. The products we design can, and should, reflect the extremely wide range of human experiences and needs.

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Observing the Overlooked with Joost Stokhof

Ape on the Moon

For Joost Stokhof , the process for creating his intricate, finely detailed illustrations starts with a keen eye and considered observation. Joost’s work is about creating intrigue through exploring complex scenes and presenting his findings from his unique perspective. Sometimes, these elements are simply his thoughts on a subject shown through note-like typography, while on other occasions, his skilful, linear drawings fill the page in gorgeous excess.

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'It's a Whole Spiel' Book Cover Illustration

Lisa Maltby

I was commissioned by Knopf Young Adult books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, to illustrate a book cover for the anthology ‘It’s a Whole Spiel.’ The book is a collection of stories about Jewish life, edited by Katherine Locke and Laura Silverman with a foreword by Mayim Bialik. I was commissioned to create a bright and upbeat cover that included one character from each of the 14 stories, interacting with the lettering of the title.

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Like Summer Tempests Came His Tears

Chris Dunn Illustration/Fine Art

'Like Summer Tempests Came His Tears' watercolour and gouache , 24 x 31cm Another 'The Wind In The Willows' illustration, finished this morning and shared with the online world! Here Badger gives Toad some stern words, criticising his past behaviour and blaming him for the loss of Toad Hall. However, he also offers hope when he comes to explain there is a secret tunnel into Toad's old residence which they can use to flush out the wicked stoats, ferrets and weasels.

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In Defense of Business Cards

Purple Rose Graphics

In Defense of Business Cards. I have piles of business cards all over my office. I get new ones at every meeting I attend. When I hand someone my business card, I often hear “I don’t bother with business cards” which is followed by an admission that they prefer to use technology to collect information. I understand, I do. You have a lot of them, you don’t want to organize them, they get lost and you figure “Why bother.

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What in the World is a Force Majeure?

Speaker: Michele Berdinis

This session will answer business law questions that people are asking most during the pandemic. If my business can’t pay its bills, can my creditors come after my personal assets? Do I have to pay the rent on my co-working space or office? Can my clients cancel signed contracts? Can I cancel contracts for things I no longer need because my business has slowed down?

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What are Pixels?

Lorcan Design

What are Pixels? How do we define pixel? What is resolution? Let’s get started with a pixels. Pixel is short for Picture Element, it is a single point of illumination on a display screen. A screen or more specific to us, an image can have hundreds, thousands or even millions of these minute points. Each. Read more What are Pixels?

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Create your own professional videos on a budget

A Graphic Design Blog

Yes you read the caption right, on a budget , without the need to hire models, Videographer’s and others involved in making professional videos. The video above was created with a collection of stock videos, no need to hire professional models, a private island and a full camera crew just to produce. I’m such a DIY designer so things like this excite me.

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Introducing Inkwell Condensed

Fonts by Hoefler&Co.

Today, we’re publishing a new family of typefaces called Inkwell Condensed. These six new styles are part of the Inkwell universe of ‘handwritten typefaces,’ designed to have the informality and expressiveness of writing, but the credibility and ease of type. We’re rolling them into the Inkwell Complete package, so they’ll be a free download for existing licensees of those fonts, and available to purchase individually if you’re new to Inkwell.

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Learning through fun: My first Gloriously Curious workshop

Lisa Maltby

This week I had the challenge of leading a ‘Gloriously Curious’ workshop for around 90 children at a school in Doncasterr. My book, ‘The Glorious Book of Curious Cocktails,’ had inspired a ridiculous recipe inventing session to teach young minds about literacy and encourage creative writing. The book is all about inventing disgustingly delicious concoctions, aimed at five to ten year olds who find traditional learning methods hard to engage with.

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From Visualization to Execution: Exploring Our Strengths as Designers

Speaker: Sean Adams, ArtCenter College of Design

Thomas Edison once said “Vision without execution is hallucination.” This statement applies not just to invention, but to graphic design. One of the greatest strengths of graphic designers is the ability to first develop a concept and then execute it to make it real. From visualization and ideation all the way through to actuation and execution, each step of this process takes skill and expertise.