CCF Projects

Hey there,

Most recently I've been asked to use my creative talents to for the greater good. A.k.a. helping out my church with its visual communications projects. This will involve creating sermon series posters, covers for the bulletin handouts, advertisements for upcoming events and... most recently helping design our church coffee bar cards.

This is what I can up with:

Once agin credit where credit is due, I did use a downloadable business card template from http://wegraphics.net, which I tweaked to my purposes.

While we're on the subject can I tell you how much I love wegraphics.net? I'm paying $7 a month (same as Netflix) but I'm getting access to vectors, brushes, textures and downloadable templates to use in any project I want. Can we say sweet!? And they have amazing quality stuff! Some of their materials are offered for free, or you can pay for individual packs if you don't want to sign up for member ship (sort of like pay as you go) but in the long run it's way cheaper to just join. I highly recommend it.

Color Splash Effect in Photoshop

Please note, I did not make this video, I just found it on You Tube. Hitting the more info button at the top of the video will give you info on the creator.

How To Get Started With Photoshop CS6 - 10 Things Beginners Want to Know...

Please note, I did not make this video, I just found it on You Tube. Hitting the more info button at the top of the video will give you info on the creator.

Photoshop CS6

Hey there,
So recently I have come across a joyous new tool, Photoshop CS6 Extended. My dad purchased it through our bookstore here at Weber State for an awesome student discount price, and I've been playing with it ever since.

Getting started was tough, and I had to go through a lot of tutorials and videos to figure out what everything did.
This one: http://textuts.com/ombre-text-effect/ Helped me make this text effect:

I also watch a couple of you tube tutorials as well to get me going, in addition to the videos found through Adobe: http://tv.adobe.com/show/learn-photoshop-cs6/.

For instance one video helped create this effect:

All these were created by me using the techniques explained through watching/reading tutorials.

I love photoshop! :D

Installing Fonts

Now if you're anything like me, you have all these wonderful fonts and no idea how to add them to your computer to actually use them. Fear not, I'll explain it!

For Mac: 

1. In Finder, open your downloads folder and open the zip file of the font by clicking on it

Screen shot of Finder

What the expanded zip file looks like

2. Also in Finder find the Font folder in your Library

3. Drag your font into the font folder! Easy.
Now your font will be available to use in any application, like Pages or Keynote

For Windows 7:
1. The easiest way to install a font is to double-click on a font file to open the font preview and select 'Install'.
2. You can also right-click on a font file, and then select 'Install'. 

Free Fonts

Hey there,
When working with graphic design, the problem I most commonly run into is what font to use. To counter this, I have begun compiling a library of font from various sources. I have a tendency towards fun retro looking ones or the hand drawn kind, but I try to get a variety.

Many other people share my fascination for type and often compile list of their favorites, along with the original source where they downloaded it. Today I'd like to share with you a couple of my favorite lists that I have found. Most times I find these links through my Pinterest account, though I'm sure a google or blog search would yield the same results.

http://www.demilked.com/free-retro-fonts/

http://www.thehandmadehome.net/2012/02/25-fun-fonts-for-font-snobs/

The Art of Type

Typography is defined generally by Google as

1. the art or process of setting and arranging types and printing from them.
2. The style and appearance of printed matter.

 This dry definition leaves a lot to be desired however. It leaves out the feeling of finding the perfect font to fit the mood and goals of your project, or the sweeps and swirls of a well executed handwritten font.

As a college student, creativity is hard to come by when you are focused on grinding out papers and projects, surviving until the next exam and striving to get out of bed in the morning.

For me typography has become a way to inject a bit of life and ingenuity into an otherwise daily monotony. In this blog I'll discuss and share new fonts, graphic design ideas and a running commentary of new tricks and tips.

http://www.behance.net/gallery/Hand-Lettering/4838251