DTG News and Else
DT&G: Vol. 13, Number 8, August, 2003 ~ The eZine for Design, Typography, & Graphics   (since 1990)  

August: Back To School

I might be pushing things a bit, but most schools are starting back the thrid week of August this year, and my JMU classes start on the 25th. So we'll call this our "back to school" edition. And as fall approaches, and at least some of us turn our sites toward education, all DTG readers should remember it's never too late to learn new stuff.

School Resources Surfing...

I decided to find some good educational sites to share since we're closing in on getting back to school! So, I've prepared a special page with some study sites, homework sites, and a bunch of free art and clip resources I think you'll enjoy . . . I call it:
Back to School Stuff
 
We have some special talent with us this month, particularly Steven Heller, and Patrick Shettlesworth. It's wonderful to share their wisdom and talents. So enjoy DTG this month, and enjoy the rest of your summer!

Feature: Citizen Designer

Steven Heller, Art Director for the New York Times Book Review, and co-chair of the Fine Arts Design program at the School of Visual Arts asks some sober questions about the social and political responsibilities of designers in today's society. If you're in the graphic and/or visual communications fields, you need a sense of social responsibility -- you need to ask yourself: * How can the graphic designer effect social or political change? * Can design be more than just a service to clients? * Does a designer share responsibility for his client's actions? * At what point must a designer take a stand? * What issues prompt you to 'fire' the client?
  In the DTG Interviews Department

Feature: Legibility vs. Readability

The title is "Casual Sans Serif" -- and the slogan is "Never underestimate the powers of a good sans serif!"
      This month I delve into the ongoing legibility vs. readability in typesetting and typography. What do they mean, and how do they affect your typography in design? Enjoy this little primer, and then see if the if the rules can be broken.
  In the DTG Type Department

Welcome Fonteam International to DTG

This month we're welcoming a new font foundry into the pages of DTG, linking you up to their free downloadable sample font, and introducing you to their wonderful casual Sans Serif -- Vetren. We love this new all-purpose sans because it's flexible enough to make a one-font publication. We'll also take a look at some of the other cool stuff from Fonteam -- and clue you in on their special offer, just for DTG readers -- on the entire fonts CD ROM!
  Welcome Fonteam International

Field Trip: PolyCarbon

This month's field trip takes us to the studios of famous comic artist Patrick Shettlesworth where he shares some of his tips and tricks from pencil to scanner to Photoshop, creating Polycarbon the action hero comic character!
  It's all in the Design Center Gallery

60 Second Window #156: Freelancing

A letter from a reader asks "... what freelance business pitfalls should I look out for?" has prompted me to share some of my experiences as both a freelancer and one who hires freelancers. Are you a freelancer or thinking about freelancing?
  Then read 60-Second Window #156.

ELSE? Creative Pro New York 2003

Here are my reflections on the Macworld "Creative Pro" Expo in New York... and just a few of the most outstanding things I discovered: High Capacity Storage very cheap * Soundtrack becomes standalone product * 24/7 Music for the taking with all the new FM recorders * Witness Panther on "Ancient" Macs and some very cool Animation products for the Rest of Us
  In the August ELSE column

WebDesign Readers Critique Your Web Sites:

Once again the WebDesign Critique department sees 'dueling critiquers' on several reader submitted sites... "Plants of Utah Site" - Bennie says "thumbs up!" and Leona shares a few suggestions. We also have two reviews of the Dewd Boy Cartoon site, and I add my two cents as well. In the next critique, American Distractions we get a few pointers, and best of all the "Tomato Cages site" captivates our reviewers and brings a round of thumbs up!
      There's also a "Critique Briefs" page with quick comments from readers about the reader review sites.
  See if you agree!

Pricing Web Services

Our good friend Bob Brenner has sent out the latest copy of his "Web Services" pricing guide. It speaks to one of the most difficult challenges in selling web services -- what to charge. Here's an entrepreneur's guidebook on pricing strategy and tactics. It's written to remove any worry that you may have about setting the right price. This book makes pricing easy and understandable. This 343-page book is a terrific resource for any web service entrepreneur.
  Visit Brenner Books...

Photoshop Elements Secrets

We haven't heard from Richard Lynch in quite a while, but just the other day I found out why. He's been hard at work getting his latest book out the door, and this one's a screamer! The Hidden Power of Photoshop Elements clues you in to all the power of Photoshop tucked away in Elements that most people can't or won't look for. Rich provides some tools and techniques that take Photoshop Elements 2 up to the point where you can do 95% of what Photoshop can do. Hey if you haven't sprung for Photoshop 7 yet, you should definitely look at Elements -- which you can pick up for under $70 bucks! And with Rich's book, you can spend the other $600 you would have spent on Photoshop some place else!
  Photoshop Elements Secrets

DTP Jumpstation adds Photo section

I just got finished entering nearly 300 reader submitted links into the DTP Jumpstation. This new update helped me re-open the photography studios, photo labs, and galleries departments. Keep the warehouse address handy so you can jump into the jumpstation to find those jewels. As you know, the DTP Jumpstation is found in the Publishers' Warehouse. See below for this month's unpublished address.
      And please, keep those cool links coming. Everyone enjoys discovering new online resources. You can submit at any link in the websites that say "Contact".
  Just click here to submit your links!

Fall Fonts Festival

As you know we hold our Fall Fonts Festival each year during October and November, so as we prepare for the fun and fonts, we'd like to hear from you. We'll be giving away some special prizes to lucky readers who submit the best links or tips on downloadable Mac and Windows fonts. If you've found a cool downloadable font online, just write up a brief review, and send it along with links. If yours is selected, you could be the big winner!
  Submit your favorites today!

2003 Lumix Digital Photography Awards

Now is your chance to enter this year's Lumix Award 2003, and win yourself a Lumix Digital Still Camera, and Tungsten T Handheld from Palm, as well as the main prize of an international 7-day photographic workshop. The theme this year is "Man & Machine". Mankind has always had an interesting relationship with technology. Love it or hate it - where would we be without technology? Deadline for entries is November 30th 2003 and will be judged by a panel of respected professional photographers. The judging process will take place in December 2003. Each month there will also be a monthly prize winner who will receive a Lumix DMC-FZ1 still camera and a Tungsten T handheld from Palm. (Produced and managed by Panasonic)
  www.lumixaward.com/

Impress your seal in WAX

Reader Signy Roberts has tipped us to the "Old School Seals company where they make custom wax seals from vector art. According to Signy,
      "... they are just about the only place in the US that does it. I found them when I was looking for someone to create a wax seal of my own design for my wedding invitations. The end result was fantastic and I ended up using the wax seals on other event collateral as well."
      The firm makes custom seals, and offer a collection of ready-made initials and symbols.
      Thanks to Signy for the tip! Check Old School out at:
  Oldschoolseals.com/

Requiem for the Web Design List

Well, it only worked about 18 months, but it was worth it. I finally got so fed up with spam hitting the listserver I decided just to shut the WebDesign list down. It got to the point that as many spammers were trying to break in as we had readers. Every few days I had to go into the server and delete, one-by-one, all the spam held for "approval". On that particular morning there were more than 500 spams. I called Brian and said shut'er down. I've moved to the Topica list which is the other list that sprang up when Lynda Weinman closed her list, and they're all good people. But this time just let Topica worry about the damn spammers.
      You are invited to join us in the Design Cafe though, that list will continue on because it's such a good list.
  www.graphic-design.com/subscribe.html

Simplify Your Life Week: Aug. 1 - 7

So calm down. This is the week to simplify your life and reduce clutter -- and thereby reduce stress and live a happier and more peaceful lifestyle. Of course the International Society of Friendship and Goodwill (ISFGW) was probably never involved in the graphic arts field with monthly deadlines, web sites and all that. Anyway, it's a great concept, and hopefully we'll all take it to heart and do something to simplify our lives. This special week was first established and celebrated in Bakersfield, CA, so that's where the Publishers Warehouse folks are this week trying to learn some tips on cleaning the old warehouse up.
      Follow along this month, and watch new items as they arrive in the Design Center all month long. And by all means, have a great time with the few weeks left in the summer.
      Until next month, here's hoping you have a wonderful August. Stay in touch.
Next stop: Bakersfield California!

Thanks for reading

Fred Showker
Editor / Publisher, DT&G Magazine

Parting words: on the subject of performance

"Resolve to perform what you ought.
    Perform without fail what you resolve."
        Benjamin Franklin

Participate in your Design Center

Lots of fun and information for all... don't forget, any community is only as good as the participation of its members. We invite your tips, tricks, comments, suggestions and camaraderie.