DTG JULY 2010

by Fred Showker

Welcome to JULY

WHAT'S IN THIS ISSUE

  1. Welcome to JULY ...
  2. Designing Type into Shapes
  3. Stunning Vector + Raster images
  4. Extraordinary murals by John Pugh
  5. CityArts Mosaic Mural
  6. Advertising Myth Exposed
  7. Apps They Might Have Used
  8. Beware: Photoshop Stalkers
  9. Publishing content and news
  10. Web trends: content and readers
  11. MailBag: Help this Fontlab user
  12. July Site of the Month: PosterTime
  13. Making a profit in Desktop Publishing
  14. Fun for Kids -- Old woodcuts
  15. Your IP Address has been Banned
  16. & Else in the news ...
  17. JULY is Red, White, Blue, and Jay

Welcome to JULY ...

If you missed it before, be sure and enjoy both our visiting authors this month -- first, Jennifer Jacobson ponders what apps the nation's founding fathers might have used; then Janice Jenkins exposes an advertising myth that seems to hang around. Don't ask why their names begin with "J" for "July" it's only consequence. We also take two field trips this month, to see some beautiful mural works. We're over the top with news and more goodies for you! July is here, July is HOT, and so are you ...

Designing Type into Shapes

Now we'll take an inspirational look at just a few of our samples of excellent typography where letters, characters, letterforms, words and phrases have been bent and formed into a shape -- a powerful tool for building a metaphor or sending a visual message a powerful tool for building a metaphor or sending a visual message

Stunning Vector + Raster images

Following last month's vector vs. bitmap article, I decided to crack open a collection of spectacular art I've been gathering over the past few months and show you some of these marvels-- many using only vectors!

Extraordinary murals by John Pugh

This is remarkable art will blow your doors off. Mural artist John Pugh excels in trompe l'oeil (trick of the eye) paintings, and what you are about to see are NOT real settings or environments, but rather paintings on flat walls. Have fun!

CityArts Mosaic Mural

Fred takes a field trip to Lynchburg, Virginia and see the "CityArt" mosaic tile project where art students come together under the direction of Beryl Solla to create a 4,800 square foot ceramic tile masterpiece ... come along

Advertising Myth Exposed

Does advertising really sell product? Well, for years I've preached the value of supportive materials and a broad approach to marketing. This month we've teamed up with PrintPlace, and guest contributor Janice Jenkins to a look at a common myth in the arena of advertising and marketing.

Apps They Might Have Used

For the 4th of July, let's have a little fun and think about our revolutionary founding fathers and what apps they might have used! A little fun sent in by Jennifer Jacobson of Retrevo

Beware: Photoshop Stalkers

This special edition of Photoshop Madness is to alert you to a potential problem -- an evil situation that happened to me yesterday. As I always say, be alert, it's a jungle out there

Publishing content and news

This 60-Second Window takes us past the State of the News Media 2010, wondering if the iPad will really change the publishing landscape, and seeing online providers trying outsourced journalism. Links and references that you should read

Web trends: content and readers

The future of content navigation? What do most online readers do, and want? Can you remove bad press online? Does Google really organize relevance from the noise? These and others covered in this edition

MailBag: Help this Fontlab user

K.F. from Whittier, CA needs a little help. K writes:
> I have designed a phonetic alphabet in Fontlab that we are already
> using for classes in our local adult school. I would like to find
> someone who can do a better job of it than I did,
> Can someone take my Fontlab designs, and turn them into a
> professional font for more intense usage. Suggestions?
> Thanks
If you can help, let me know

July Site of the Month: PosterTime

OX in Paris sent in this link, and we had a great time enjoying all the art in this blog. Although it's all in French, and I couldn't read a single word -- I had a great visual treat -- Testament to the power of art. Go visit Fresh stuff in Paris ... postertime.blogspot.com

Making a profit in Desktop Publishing

Well, are you going to make a profit? One of the frequent questions in the Design Cafe is "HOW MUCH TO CHARGE?" ... well, here's your answer. This is so comprehensive, I can comfortably endorse it ... two thumbs up!

Fun for Kids -- Old woodcuts

Take a peek at thet Publishers Warehouse this month ... those guys have added a whole collection of fun drawings for kids. But don't think this is just kid's stuff. Graphic designers can get a creative spark, and even reference images from the most simple works of art. Woodcuts newly announced deal on the topic of wine making. It's at the loading dock.

Your IP Address has been Banned

Here's an unfortunate story, and I express grave disappointment and apologies for this in the event you receive this notice from the DTG-Forums.com, either the Design Cafe or Photoshop 911.
Your IP Address has been Banned
The forums are under relentless attack, around the clock, from comment spammers, cyber crooks, and hackers attempting to profit and/or steal our members' identities. In order to protect our honorable readers and members, we have been forced to BLOCK ranges of IP addresses.
      If you do happen to get that notice -- it means that your host allows cybercrime to utilize their servers for perpetuating crime online. We don't do this lightly. We only block after repeated, daily attacks. Each is reported to the ISP who owns the range of addresses -- if they don't stop, then they are blocked. I hate to block good people. Yet so long as there are crooks amongst you -- who want to make a buck for nothing -- we'll block. Sorry. -- www.DTG-Forums.com

& Else in the news ...

Once again our news overflows the length of our newsletter, so here rather than full synopsis, we'll just list some highlights ...
* FontAgent Pro for CS5
* Manage Flash files on Mac
* Photoframes Syncs for iPhoto
* 126,000 at the 2010 CES
* 3D TV Pops, Not Much to Watch
* ProCamera Snaps!
* FotoMagico Leaps to Big Screen
* Logo Design Studio Pro
* Consumers say 'No' to e-reader ads
* Beware Spyware on your Mac
* Download web image collections
* and many others ... check it out ... & Else in the news

JULY is Red, White, Blue, and Jay

July is brought to you by the letter "J" ... read a little history and enjoy ...
July is brought to you by the colors RED, WHITE & BLUE

FREEDOM ... don't forget to send in your image collage of "What Freedom Means to Me" and you can WIN collectible design books, courtesy of the Design-Bookshelf.com.

AUGUST BACK TO (DESIGN) SCHOOL ... in August we'll be going 'back' and exploring education in design, graphics, photography, multimedia, web design, and a lot more. We encourage you to send in YOUR experience and favorites ... just click any "Contact" button in the Design Center.

Don't forget to visit the Loading Dock of the Publishers' Warehouse, and grab the new uploads there ...

As for JULY ... go out there and take some great photos, look for ART ... it's where you find it! Have a great month, and stay in touch.

Have a great month, and stay in touch.

Thanks for reading...

Fred Showker

Fred Showker, Editor / Publisher, DT&G Magazine

Thought for JULY:

      Once a man has tasted freedom he will never be content to be a slave.
        That is why I believe that this frightfulness we see everywhere today is only temporary. Tomorrow will be better for as long as America keeps alive the ideals of freedom and a better life.
                -- Walt Disney (March 1, 1941)

Graphic Design & Publishing Center

Don't forget ... we encourage you to share your discoveries about favorite or famous graphic designers and illustrators with other readers. Just contact me, and/or join the forums

Posted July 1, 2010. Tags: DTGnews