Adobe Illustrator is primarily a drawing tool for vector art. But, you can also use it as a layout program, and there will be times when you need to include bleeds if the final piece is going to be printed. Posters, magazine covers, business cards, and postcards are some of the 1- or 2-sided layouts you can create in Illustrator. If the project has more than 2 sides or pages, then I recommend using InDesign. Creating a file with bleeds in Illustrator is actually pretty similar to what you do … [Read more...] about Create an Illustrator File with Bleeds
Graphic Design
Create a Seamless Pattern in Adobe Illustrator
I love patterns! There are so many applications for them: website backgrounds and headers, books, posters, CD packages, wrapping paper, iPhone cases, fabric, and more. It's fun making them, too. My tool of choice is Adobe Illustrator and here's how I do it. Create a new document. The dimensions should be square. I usually make mine 600 x 600 pixels. The edges represent the seam. Place your objects around the edges of the square so that part of the object is visible inside the square and … [Read more...] about Create a Seamless Pattern in Adobe Illustrator
Distracted Driving Project 2016
Our first project for my Graphic Design 2 class last semester (fall 2016) was a Distracted Driving Campaign. This is a subject that touches all of us, and I was really impressed with the students' level of commitment and analytical thought in tackling the project. We had good discussions about our own experiences and all of the ways a person could be distracted while driving. Foremost on our list was texting and use of a cell phone. Also included on our list: drinking, drugs, too much talking, … [Read more...] about Distracted Driving Project 2016
How to Scan within Photoshop
I initially wrote this post in July 2010. I've added updated information to it a couple of times, the most recent one about Photoshop CC and OSX 10.10.5 Yosemite. I've always preferred doing my scanning from within Photoshop, since it offers a fuller range of control than most scanner software. It obviously interprets the RGB data extremely well. After turning on the scanner, launch Photoshop and scroll down the FILE menu to IMPORT, where you will see either the TWAIN option or the actual name … [Read more...] about How to Scan within Photoshop
How to Create a Watermark in Photoshop
I use Photoshop to create watermarks as a way to protect my online art. A watermark is a subtle graphic or text identifier: logo, copyright information, pattern, etc. It helps deter web viewers from downloading that image and using it without your permission. Steps for Embedding Text Select the Horizontal Type Tool Click anywhere on the image. This will automatically create a new layer on top of the existing image layer. Type the text you want. In my case, I type my copyright … [Read more...] about How to Create a Watermark in Photoshop
Top 10 Typography Books
I compiled this list of my favorite books about typography, from the perspective of one who teaches the subject. I first wrote it in the summer of 2009 when I was preparing to teach a Typography 2 class, updating my bibliography list, and thinking about which books are must-haves and/or classics. Now I'm updating it again after revisiting some material. I suspect I'll continue to update it every few years... :-) The Elements of Typographic Style, by Robert Bringhurst This is a comprehensive … [Read more...] about Top 10 Typography Books
Best Alternatives to Photoshop
I recently had the pleasure of presenting a hands-on workshop to a friendly group of artists at the South Shore Art Center (SSAC) in Cohasset. We covered a lot of technical territory concerning the types of images you use for web and print and the software tools available on computers and iPads. The gold standard tool is still Photoshop, which is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription plan. That's a pricey option because it includes all of the Adobe products. If you don't need or want … [Read more...] about Best Alternatives to Photoshop
Anti-Bullying Project 2015
I usually change the projects in classes that I routinely teach each year, but sometimes an assignment yields substantial educational rewards to warrant repeating. Last year's anti-bullying campaign was important, relevant, and challenging, so we started off this year's fall semester again with it. All of the original parameters and requirements remained the same. The Newton Public Schools has a full anti-bullying curriculum in place that was designed by a local firm. We imagined ourselves as … [Read more...] about Anti-Bullying Project 2015
The Blank Page
The blank page stares at me when I begin a new design project. I always experience some level of anxiety with this challenge of transforming emptiness into an attractive piece that communicates a clear message. You can't just put ANYTHING into the empty space. The design has to have a concept, an idea, a plan. When I was first in school learning graphic design, I wanted to hurry through the planning stage and get to the implementation phase as soon as I could. Why? Because I was comfortable … [Read more...] about The Blank Page
How to Export InDesign File to PDF
PDFs are created from InDesign files using the Export function in InDesign. There's no way to do a "SAVE AS" like you can in Illustrator and Photoshop. Watch this video tutorial to see the key steps in creating a print-ready PDF from an InDesign file. https://youtu.be/jsuoZfu_ybs … [Read more...] about How to Export InDesign File to PDF
Self-Publishing Adventures
This past year, my partner, Peggy, wrote her second book, Lose Your Mind, Open Your Heart. She's a terrific writer, and it was inspiring to see her so focused and determined. She wanted my artwork in the book, and I was thrilled about that. What a great opportunity to get my art out to the world! She also asked me to design the book and I was excited about the idea. I came to love book design when I worked as an art director at Houghton Mifflin Company. With Peggy's clear vision of the book's … [Read more...] about Self-Publishing Adventures
Working on a Winning Book Design
LONGWOOD COVERED COURTS AND THE RISE OF AMERICAN TENNIS by Alan Lawson and Mark T. Williams I've been fortunate to have worked with many terrific people in my life. Tony Saizon is one of those people. We worked together for a few years at Houghton Mifflin Company, in the College Division, where he was my Design Director and mentor. We both run our own design businesses now, and continue to collaborate on projects. Last year, Tony hired me to do the design production on a special … [Read more...] about Working on a Winning Book Design
Open Studios Marketing Campaign in GD2 Class
We recently completed our second project in Graphic Design 2: a marketing campaign for Arlington Open Studios. The event is run by Arlington Center for the Arts (ACA), which has just launched its own new logo and branding effort. The ACA Open Studios takes place in mid-October, so, once again, our class project was very timely. Since I participate in the event, I went to the ACA one day to drop off artwork for the group show. I ran into Linda Shoemaker, the Executive Director of ACA, and … [Read more...] about Open Studios Marketing Campaign in GD2 Class
Anti-Bullying Project in GD2 Class
We started off the fall semester in Graphic Design 2 (GD2) with an anti-bullying project for Newton Public Schools, which has a full anti-bullying curriculum in place that was designed by a local firm. We imagined ourselves as being subcontracted by the firm to design a logo, poster, and t-shirt. After an initial orientation and discussion, we decided that it made sense to divide the students into 2 teams with 2 target audiences: grades 2-8 and high schoolers. My students and I each have our own … [Read more...] about Anti-Bullying Project in GD2 Class