DTG News and Else
DT&G: Vol. 14, Number 7, JULY, 2004 ~ The eZine for Design, Typography, & Graphics   (since 1990)  

JULY: Patriotic Design & Art

 

July: Patriotic Design & Art

July: Patriotic Design & Art

JULY is the patriotic month in the U.S.A. because it was in July of 1776 that our Declaration of Independence was signed. So the stage is now set for our July celebration of art and design.
      Our feature presents a star-spangled march through the lives of noted patriotic artists and how their styles and talents served to define a people and their country; Patriotic art is a part of everyone's history. Here we glimpse just a few of the forms of Patriotic Art including the life and times of James Montgomery Flagg, who first made Uncle Sam a household image, and then the wonderful style of J.C. Leyendecker. It all kicks off with ... Patriotic Art & Design

Airman Magazine: Patriotic Magazine Design

Airman Magazine takes to the skies with powerful photo journalism and commanding design styling. Take a look at this excellent lesson in putting together a magazine we can truly call Patriotic Design

JULY Winners: Patriotic Design

During June, DTG readers were asked to relate insights, emotions and antidotes about patriotic art and design in their country. Evidently this wasn't one of the more popular themes because it brought the least number of responses as any monthly theme in the past. And, only three of those actually gave any kind of insight beyond "register me for a prize." Visit with designers as they share their comments and reflections on ... Patriotic Design

Editor's Choice: Deke is Back!

Deke McClelland is the hardest working man in the Graphics biz. His latest book is the finest hour in Photoshop training and actually includes two hours of Total Training video, and full-color, step-by-step instruction. Visit some choice quotes and insights into ... Adobe Photoshop CS: One-on-One

Photoshop Displacement Maps

Dale Glaser -- a skilled Photoshop image-crafter, and a collector of practical Photoshop sites shows us some of his personal visions, and shares tutorials for making displacement maps in Photoshop ... The Photoshop Collector

Designing Words & Folia Graphic Design

If you read the article "Designing Buddies" last month, then you'll already know a bit about Julianne Nardone and Janet Bertucci. Now, let's take a look at their graphic design and the design power behind ... Designing Words & Folia Graphic Design

July Web Design Critiques

Reviewer Bennie C. Taylor says:
      "at first glance this site seems to be well-organized; but the categories turn out to be inconsistent and confusing" ... perhaps some organization is needed in the Northwest Indiana Catholic newspaper site ... Web Design Critiques for July

Web Critique Briefs from Readers

This month we also have a collection of quick, Critique Briefs sent in by readers... a design site that claims to be "Part of an award winning Creative Arts team; The Toronto District School Board; a Teen site called Teenopolis; the Alexander Sadoya Art Gallery web site and the Marietta Contact Lens web site. See these ... Critique Briefs sent in by readers

AUGUST CONTEST: Back to (Design) School

Yes, it's our annual August Back To Design School theme where you WIN some valuable prizes by sharing with DT&G readers... we're turning to YOU to help pick out the best in graphic design, image editing, publishing, typography or visual arts training and teaching! Just share
Favorite books for learning all the tricks
The approach you like to take when learning new skills
Favorite college courses or learning experiences
Pros and Cons of Video vs. Book learning
Classes, seminars, books good? Bad?
Or your anecdotes about times when you were taught a good lesson! Back To (Design) School

Identity Theft: Bad people on the web...

Pay particular attention to this -- its an epidemic and the FTC is now reporting that Identity theft is the fastest growing crime committed each day. There's a new style of "phishing" in your email box, alerting you that someone has inquired about you... beware of this ... New Email Threat

Photoshop 911 Tips

As usual, the Photoshop 911 team helped a record number of photoshop users with their problems during June... here are just a few of the titles...
* Fading Photos: Use Feathering or Layer Masks to accomplish this task
* Automating the Healing Brush: lots and lots of dust spots can spoil a photo. Automating the Healing Brush would seem logical... but it's not
* Photoshop and Error 39: Although this is not a Photoshop problem we answer it anyway
* Pen Tool in Photoshop CS: Why can't you draw an "Open" path using the Pen tool in Photoshop CS? You can, just be careful what kind of pen you use.
* Grid Patterns over Photos: Multi colored, grid over art - painstaking process - and no known plug-in . . . and you can find them all at: www.Photoshop911.com

Software: Photos in OS X?

Stick Software has a new version of PhotoReviewer, a photo management tool for Mac OS X that helps you quickly (very quickly!) flip though photos that you've imported to your machine, choosing which ones are "keepers" and which ones aren't. You can sort your images into different folders, find and delete duplicates, and rename your images, and more. PhotoReviewer doesn't compete with iPhoto; rather, it goes between your digital camera and iPhoto, or between your internet connection and iPhoto.
Direct Download Now, or visit the site. PhotoReviewer

Software: 9000 Photoshop Brushes

A.B. from Maidstone, Kent UK writes:
      Graphicxtras.com has released a new Brushes Collection for Photoshop CS 7 6 and Elements (PC/macOSX). The brushes collection now includes nearly 9000 brushes of mixed designs like gel pens, markers, felt pens, pencil sketches and other brush types. The brushes are all royalty-free and can be used in Photoshop or Elements. Lots of fun for $29.99! (CD or Download) ... Graphicxtras.com

Mail Bag: Will you take a look?

Each month we get dozens of letters from all over the world asking various questions about getting published in the Design Center. For instance:
      "Hello! My son is an amazing artist. What can I do to help him hone his skills and to find out in what area he may be able to get published?" ... or ...
      "Would you be interested in publishing an article I wrote about..."
The answer is: YES! DTG readers are always interested in meeting new people, learning new things, and seeing new images ... Just contact us for instructions.

Mail Bag: Removing Blemishes

E.L. from NJ US writes:
      "I am photo retoucher and have problem with the technique which many Gurus suggest in different ways. To remove blemishes and imperfections on skin smooth out or clone or heal and then lower the opacity, BUT if you do so it softens up and blur it slightly as compared to rest of skin texture.
* You probably read last month's "Glitter Guru" article. When the blemish is surrounded by 'textured' skin that you wish to match, then you'll have to use the cloning tool and sample from a similar area of skin.
* Another reader wrote:
      "I just tried your "Beauty Retouching" Tutorial, but after smoothening the skin, the spots on the color view tend to look green although I reduced the opacity. maybe you know what I am doing wrong?"
* Nothing. When there are obvious blemishes which will show through the new smoothed layer, they must be touched out individually. Suzette's tutorial was basically for the skin smoothing, not removal of blemishes. Use the Clone Stamp tool. See ... "Beauty Retouching"

Mail Bag: Client Approval Form

L.A. from Victoria Australia writes: "Hi, I'm handling a very large printing order for a customer so it's time to have an official "approved" form for them to sign. Is there somewhere I can download a standard form, or should I just make it up myself (ie. what key info should I include to cover myself against having to pay for a reprint out of my own pocket if the customer isn't happy)? Thanks
* Yes, Lisa, you'll need to cover yourself in such situations. We have always used an industry standard form printed as a 4.25 x 5.5 card so it can be folded over the top of the sample to be approved and stapled or paper-clipped.
      There is a downloadable copy in the Publishers Warehouse, but you can easily make your own. The key elements are: 1) Okay to proceed; 2) Okay to proceed with marked changes; 3) STOP: Make changes, show another proof. Then provide a line for the client's signature, and the date signed. Include small type with your own client revisions clause, just in case.

Mail Bag: Digital Photography Hacks

M.J. from Yardley PA writes:
      "Hey Fred! Nice issue and I like the new look and breadcrumb trail at top. Your issue was heavy on digital photography and I wanted to add to the pile! Just got a new book called Digital Photography Hacks by Derrick Story (OReilly Press). I loved his little digital photography pocketbook. This new one is great... lots of tips for the digital camera picture taking experience as opposed to a glut of after-the-shot photoshop tips like most books. You can browse through and pick the tip you want to work on--the organization is well thought out. Using househould objects for camera filters (sunglasses, pantyhose!), how to take a good panorama without a tripod...NEAT STUFF. Design cafe list member since forever!
Excellent! Yes, we agree! Digital Photography Hacks

Mail Bag: Fonts used in the Design Center

H.M. from Liverpool UK writes:
      "What is the font used for the main bulk of your articles? Its used quite a bit and I can't seem to find what its called?
* Hmmmm, that's a tough one because the style sheets call for several sans-serif fonts, and what you are seeing depends on what fonts you have installed. Try: Verdana, then Arial then Helvetica. After that you're on your own. :) See ... Verdana Font

Speaking of Fonts and Typography...

I'll give you some advanced warning so you can get your self in gear... don't forget our annual "Fall Fonts Festival" which kicks off in September. We'll be looking for your comments, tips, input and suggestions for fonts, font sites, and everything typography. We'll be giving away some special prizes too... like font books, font CDs and lots more for the best font downloads.

Mailbag: Little Pictures into Big Picture

T.F. from Prairie Villiage, KS writes:
      "I would like to know how or who can create a big picture out of 100's of little pics. I think its called a pamuage or something. Is it possible.
* Tracey, we'd like to know the answer to that one too. If anyone out there knows what software is used to create those photographs which are composed out of tiny thumbnails of other photographs, please write in. It's a fantastic technique, we just haven't found out how to do it yet. ... Contact DTG

Web Designer of the Month

This is a new feature of WebDesign & Review, each month featuring a web designer who has 'made the grade' with our editorial reviewers. Our first is:
*** Chris Eisenbraun of SMD Design, in Florida. Chris is running a PC with Dreamweaver in addition to html hand coding. For graphics, Photoshop, Flash, Illustrator. Chris says:
      "Although I've designed dozens of websites, my personal website is actually one my favorite designs (and one of the most complex). This site houses more than 600 pages between the Online Commercial Graphics Studio and Fine Art Gallery. The online commercial art portfolios feature: web design, Flash, online ads and print.
Take a look ... scootermydaisyheads.com

Alien Skin is back: EYE CANDY 5

Well, you'll hear more about this later, but I just couldn't keep this secret: Alien Skin has released their latest EYE CANDY plug-ins collection for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements 2. This one revolves around textures and presents seamless texture generators for brick, wood, stone, skin, reptile skin and more. We just got it last week and are blown away testing it. If you use textures... go get Eye Candy 5

Happy July... get ready for August

Have a great month, and don't forget to write! Get ready for August's big "Back to (Design) School" issue by sending in your comments and suggestions for the best education resources for graphic designers, illustrators and publishers. Don't forget we'll be giving away some pretty great prizes!

Thanks for reading... go forth and be creative!

Fred Showker
Editor / Publisher, DT&G Magazine

Parting words...

"What's right about America is that
although we have a mess of problems,
we have great capacity,
intellect and resources,
to do something about them."
      Henry Ford II

Don't forget to see this month's winners on "Patriotic Design" and sign up for Next month's giveaway!

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.
HOW TO ADVERTISE When you advertise, your small contribution to the Design Center helps us continue the mission... and get's you lots and lots of traffic and visitors to your web site!