Design Presentation

Provided as both a Photoshop plugin and standalone application, this is the third edition in the Natural-Media line.

Natural media software either lets users create new works using tools that replicate traditional media such as oil paints and watercolors, or provides a way to transform existing images into ones replicating such media. Twisting Pixels' ArtStudio products fall into the latter category, with earlier editions providing color pencil, crayon, marker, oil paint, chalk and similar traditional effects.

CLASSICO differs by allowing the user to transform an existing image or photo by applying hundreds of hand-painted Artistic Edges, coupled with a Painted Background. Edges can also be combined, to create a wide variety of new effects. Cracked and aged paint effects can be employed, and there are several predefined "looks" for quick image transformation. The most ambitious of these is dubbed DaVinci and applies a mix of adjustable, organic tones and textures, as well as providing control over the curvature of lines in the image. Also of note is Vintage Scene (shown at right), which applies a mix of soft tones and textures to create a misty, nostalgic effect.

The ArtStudioPro CLASSICO application, and Mac and Windows plugin for Photoshop CS3 and earlier, can be purchased on the Twisting Pixels site for $99.95. A trial version is also available for download. The news originally published here

Zweave Inc, the leader in on-demand design automation solutions for product development organizations, announces today its partnership with Sue Kagan Design a leading consultancy in apparel Fit and Sizing. Sue Kagan Design will offer Zweave’s PLM clients fit and technical design business process expertise to support the implementation of their PLM software.

“In the chain that links design development to production, no link has been more difficult to integrate into a PLM software platform than Technical Design and the Tech Pack. The Tech Pack has stubbornly remained rooted in a combination of spreadsheets, email, CAD and PDM” says Sue Kagan.

“Zweave’s Fit Studio gives Technical Designers access to the tools and templates needed to create, share, and re-use fit information from Points of Measure, patterns, grades, construction details, sketches and Tech Packs to the latest in 3D design in the most user friendly and compressive web based model available. This is the right combination of tools and the right approach to PLM for apparel manufacturing.”

The popularity of High Definition Range imaging (HDR) continues to increase, as photographers and designers seek more control over the look of their imagery. Graphics.com has reflected this in many news items and tutorials, such as Lighting Without Lights and An Introduction to High Dynamic Range Imaging.

The PhotoshopCAFE.com site has for many years been a popular destination for Photoshop users, due to the graphical talents and Photoshop skills of owner Colin Smith. A talented designer in his own right, Colin is known to many for his articles in Photoshop User Magazine and Web Designer Magazine, as well as over 18 books and many public appearances. Colin has also released a string of tutorials under the PhotoshopCAFE imprint, the latest of which is HDR & Photoshop. Read more at Graphicsnews.

While there are many long-standing organizations to represent members in the domains of marketing and design for traditional media, the digital design profession is a rapidly-developing world with its own opportunities and concerns. So the impulse to create a new entity that can advance the profession through knowledge sharing, education, advocacy and guideline creation makes sense. It's also coherent that Adobe would take the role of offical launch sponsor, given that its tools play a large role in such content creation.

SoDA will meet regularly to address issues such as technical complexity, rapid changes in content distribution, scaling issues, timelines and technology's impact on budgets—all of which effect the quality, innovation and accessibility of digital media.

Every company or organization is uniquely defined by its logo and a logo represents the company and the products/services related with it. When it comes to buying of products and services, people generally relate the logo with the products. Originality plays an important role in logo designing. For a good logo, colors, fonts and a meaningful icon are a deciding factor. A thorough research backed with creative thinking and supported with deep designing techniques goes into making a creative logo. A business with an innovative logo will have an edge over other businesses.

The logo is used in a variety of activities including:

• Representation of business, products and services
• Online promotion of company and products
• Business branding
• Business identification

Some companies do not support the concept of logo or even if they do, the logos are either badly created or copied from some other company. This only leaves the company with bad reputation. A bad logo is not done with good thinking and not much of the time is spent in designing it.

A good logo designing requires good designing skills accompanied with lots of research. Logos demand a high price because of the research and skills and involved, also logos separate a company from its competitors. A logo designer plays key role in branding the product with the company. A good logo should have the following:

1. It is simple: Don’t overcrowd the logo with text and circles instead leave an imprint on the onlookers mind.
2. Unique: Brand recognition is created with a unique logo.
3. Consistency: Colors, fonts and layout, all these elements contribute to good-looking logo.
4. Immediate impact: This aspect of logo designing is very crucial; the logo that is created should leave an impact on the visitors. An effective logo grabs the attention of an onlooker.
5. Suitable: A company selling sports goods online must have an effective “sporty” logo. The logo should be related to the sporting goods and colors play a vital role here.
   

Thus, the logo forms the foundation of your business and helps in the overall promotion of the services.

Tia is working with DesignPresentation Associates and writes articles on a number of topics including logo designing, graphic designing and web graphics. For more information visit http://www.designpresentation.net