WORD - Swiffy

Did you that people are working diligently on creating converters for Flash files that will output them to HTML5?  This is HUGE because it means that developers will still be able to create their work in Flash and if needed, and can convert their projects over to HTML5 so that even mobile devices (like Ipad and Iphone) can display them.  Google Labs has created a converter called, Swiffy.  With Swiffy, you can upload an SWF file (flash file) to the web and it will generate the HTML5 code for you.  Swiffy is still in its infant stages, but still works well with Flash files that are coded in AS2.  Try converting your Flash files now!

WORD - Color Space

Did you know that most digital SLR cameras can typically capture photos in different types of color spaces?  The most common color spaces for cameras are sRGB, Adobe RGB (typically on Canons), and ProRes RGB (typically on Nikons).  The most common of all would be sRGB.  sRGB was originally created in 1996 by HP and Microsoft to develop a universal color space for the web as well as for digital displays and printing.  Adobe RGB and ProRes RGB have a wider gamut of colors that can make your photos look better.  sRGB might make your photos look a bit more dull, but typically we have to convert them to sRGB (or embed color profiles) in Photoshop when sending them to print.  Check out these two links to learn more about setting your color space for your digital camera:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/twip/discuss/72157605048159837/

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/color-spaces.htm

WORD - SingleKnight.com

When creating a webpage, do you typically go online to check out what your competition is creating?  The creative industry is an extremely competitive field.  You should constantly check out what everyone else is creating when you initially start your projects.  You definitely want to have some idea of what the current trends are and how your peers are thinking outside of the box.  You really need to stand out as a designer if you want to become successful.  Always do your research when starting a new project.  Remember, your competition isn’t only local, but worldwide.  Check out this creative one page website created in Flash.  This designer (singleknight) spent the extra effort on creating something completely unique. 

WORD - 100 Free Vector Maps

Sometimes it’s much smarter to find free resources online to incorporate into our designs, then it is to create something time consuming from scratch.  Why draw a map of the globe, if a whole bunch of people already did this and are providing you their work for free?  Many designers use royalty free stock photography sites to incorporate images into their designs.  There are websites out there that share content in an effort to drive traffic to their site and to help out the design community as a whole.  You should be using this type of marketing to gain traffic to your website as well as using sites that offer free content for you to use.  Check out this site where you can download over 100 Free Vector Map Files.

WORD - 50 Inspiring Art & Design Related Quotes

Sometimes we just need a little extra motivation to spark creativity.  Many famous designers have offered their two cents on art and design.  Check out these 50 inspiring art and design related quotes.

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” -Scott Adams

WORD - HTML5

Have you read up on what’s new with HTML5?  HTML5 is not yet an official standard, and no browsers have full HTML5 support, but all major browsers (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Internet Explorer) continue to add new HTML5 features to their latest versions.  Many new features of HTML5 allow for easier handling of multimedia content like video, audio, and graphics on web browsers than ever before.  Be sure to read up on the new tags and elements that they’ve introduced into HTML5.

Check out this link to 60 Excellent Examples of Websites created with HTML5.

WORD - Web Safe Fonts

Did you know that when creating a webpage, you should typically only stick to certain fonts?  Browsers are only capable of displaying a few certain types of fonts.  They refer to these fonts as font-family when implementing them into your CSS (cascading style sheet) file.  People typically only have certain fonts installed on their own personal computers.  If someone were to put some type of funky font on their site that you do not have, their webpage would look very different to you than originally intended.  That’s why people tend to stick to a few basic fonts for the web.  If you do want to use some type of different font, then you should consider placing it into an image or flash file that you can embed onto your page.  Read more about web safe fonts here.

WORD - Sell Stock Photography

Have you ever tried to sell your photography online?  Did you know that there is money to be made as a stock photographer?  To become a successful stock photographer, you’ll need to take photos that the market wants and you’ll also need to know how to use the online system to market them.  This great article will teach you some helpful tips and methods on how you can successfully sell your photos online.

WORD - Google 1+ Button

Have you heard of the Google +1 button?  “If your site contains +1 button, the person who will appreciate your content can recommend it for the Google search, just by clicking on the button. The ‘Google +1’ button appears just like other social media buttons, but the purpose of this feature is substantially oriented around the search engine.  This button helps the content in its visibility on the search engine.”

WORD - Effective Tweeting

Have you started using Twitter yet?  Did you know that there are proper ways of posting content on Twitter that will make your tweets much more effective?  You can only write 140 characters per tweet.  How do you tweet louder?  Use the tips on the following two links below to become an effective social media guru.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9132410/Twitter_Tips_How_to_Write_Better_Tweets

http://www.interactiveinsightsgroup.com/blog1/how-to-write-effectively-for-twitter-and-the-social-web/

WORD - 10 Things you should know about Adobe Illustrator

Have you worked with Adobe Illustrator yet?  It’s a great vector based drawing software created by Adobe.  Check out this article on Adobe Illustrator 101 : 10 Things You Should Know About Adobe Illustrator.

WORD - ResizeMyBrowser.com

Are you ever curious as to how a website or web page might look (size wise) on other devices like an IPhone, IPad, MacBook Air, or any other laptop (when comparing it to your screen)?  There is a site called resizemybrowser.com that helps you see what you’re pages look like on other devices that have different resolutions.  It’s a really cool because you can even create custom presets that will allow you to check on the sizes of your own random devices. 

WORD - Production Premium CS5.5 - Adobe Audition Webinar

Tonight is the second motion+connect in our four-part summer series.

“It’s time to take a look at the latest addition to Production Premium CS5.5 - Adobe Audition. Now available for both Mac and Windows. In this session we’re going to take a look at how we can roundtrip edit using Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Audition. We’ll also touch on OMF integration with third party applications like ProTools or Apple Logic.”

Click HERE to RSVP for this free online webinar!

Click Here for the schedule of upcoming webinars.

WORD - Are you on the web?

Do you have an online presence on the web?  Have you ever tried searching for your own name on the web?  If so, what types of sites do you see when searching for yourself?  You definitely want to brand yourself with some type of online presence on the web so that people will know and remember who you are.  It’s tough to sell yourself as a digital freelance artist when people can’t instantly see your work or what you do.  Make sure to brand yourself with some type of logo (keep it simple) and make sure that you reuse that logo in everything that you create.  This will make people associate your logo with your work.  Logos are much easier to remember than a name, especially a good one!  Start writing on blogs, post photos/videos to online social media sites (like Facebook / Flickr / YouTube), make your own website (like a WordPress site), and make sure that you’re fully taking advantage of the web for your own success.

WORD - WIX.com

Have you ever heard of WIX.com?  Did you know that there are many sites out there that allow you to create free websites using a template editor.  I don’t really recommend you ever create a portfolio using a template, but it’s a good way to start learning about web design.  If you’ve never created a fully functional site on your own from scratch, then try creating one using a template first to see what you’re able to produce.  You can always learn from using templates or online website builders.  Try creating a flash based site using WIX for free, today!

WORD - Writing for the Web

Did you know that when creating a website, you’ll need well written content to present?  You shouldn’t only take info from a company’s brochure and assume that a web audience will want to read it.  The content you write on your site should be full of target keywords (to help with search engine ranking) and written in for a lower literacy audience.  Writing for the web is definitely different than writing for print.  Check out this great article on 10 tips for writing for the web.

WORD - DSLR Tips

Do you shoot photos with a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex camera) camera?  If you do, you probably don’t yet know the full potential of that camera.  Check out DSLR Tips!  It’s a website that provides lots of useful product reviews, tips, and tutorials on DSLR cameras.  There’s lots of informative reading on this site!

WORD - Motion Conference

Are you into motion graphics and animation?  Did you ever hear of the Motion Conference?  It’s an annual conference where some of the best and brightest creative minds in the field congregate and discuss new trends, tips, techniques, and innovations.  You’ll want to attend as many conferences as you can to educate yourself about the industry.

“Motion is known for bringing together the brightest and most creative minds in the motion graphics, visual effects {VFX}, and animation industries.”

WORD - Tim Berners-Lee

Have you ever heard of Tim Berners-Lee?  He’s the inventor of the World Wide Web!!!  Did you know that the world wide web is only about 20 years old?  Tim Berners-Lee wrote the first web client and server in 1990.  The internet has grown immensely since its inception.  You should definitely learn more about great innovators like Mr. Berners-Lee.