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Thoughts, ideas, discussions, and other “Cool Stuff”!

Sad Statistics for Freelancers

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So many of my students and friends are freelancers (aka Independent Workers), so I had to share this infographic.

The numbers depicted here display how badly independent workers get stiffed for their pay in only the state of NY, so you can imagine how bad this is all around the country.

Please, be aware of this and provide yourself the safety net of written contracts, payments up front, deal with reputable companies, do whatever you can do to ensure payment. Also, you may want to view the “Mission Statement” of the Freelancer’s Union. Check out their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Freelancers-Union/26962494725?sk=info

I know… the potential employers may just tell you “well, we’ll just hire somebody else”, playing on our fears so that we cave and do the work. But remember the percentage of that work that may end up being for free.

https://be.freelancersunion.org/blog/2012/03/15/getting-stiffed-infographic/

FINALLY! Premiere’s gettin’ it’s Props!

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When Final Cut Pro X came out, these guys did the MOST amusing job of dissin it, EVER! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxKYuF9pENQ ) and rightfully so, if you’re a professional editor!

Well, these same guys have finally come around to see that Premiere Pro IS actually a PRO program! Check out their video at the link below – and don’t forget to contact me, if you need any Premiere Pro training!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeVLg31MKRs&feature=share

Making Green Beer for St. Patrick’s Day – In Photoshop

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Last year, I made a tutorial on how to use Adjustment layers and masks to Create Green Beer for St. Patrick’s Day.

I thought this would be a good time to pull that one out again! Check it out at:

http://aym4training.com/2011/make-green-beer-for-st-patricks-day-using-photoshop/

A Little Sound Nostalgia for the Good ‘Ol Days of Mac

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I’ve been a Mac user since about 1990 and, despite a zillion improvements on the Mac and in all computing, I find myself nostalgic for Mac’s Good ‘Ol Days. The days when it didn’t take itself too seriously. The days when cute little extras and Easter Eggs could be found in software, and in the Finder.

One man has managed to bring back a little bit of the quaint times on the Mac by recreating the original  Classic Mac sounds for the New OS’s and for the iOS as well.

Check out the free download from http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/19079/mac-os-classic-sound-pack

Also, I recommend checking out the Steven Jay Cohen’s Blog, on which he has some serious software development stuff, his resume, and some very cool Doctor Who stuff! http://www.stevenjaycohen.com/tags/development 

Adding an “Impossible Gradient” to Editable Type

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Jeff Witchel, an Adobe Certified Instructor for Adobe Illustrator and a frequent contributor to Layers Magazine (which many of you know is one of my favorite resources), has created a video tutorial for the addition of Gradients to type, WHILE keeping the type editable. This is one of those un-obvious Illustrator controls (uses one of my favorite tools – the Appearance Panel) that will help a bunch of you!

http://www.jeffwitchel.net/2012/03/apply-an-impossible-gradient-to-editable-type/

 

Cool FREE Commercial Use Fonts from MacAppware

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As I’ve mentioned before, designers are FONT FREAKS! We never do get enough of them, do we?

So, with this in mind, MacAppware.com has offered 10 Free Commercial Use Fonts, with 10 user licenses. Nice deal! Check them out at:

http://www.macappware.com/mac-fonts.html

Very Good Deal on a Wacom Tablet

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Today, Dealfind.com is offering a Wacom Bamboo Pen & Touch Tablet for $70!

As my graphics students know, I’m a big advocate of using a pressure-sensitive tablet for precision masking, vector drawing control and tons of other functions. This is the smaller version of their tablet – which makes it quite portable as well. check it out at:
http://www.dealfind.com/products/los-angeles/brightlightbusiness2?a=16589f8ddd39

 

Wacom Bamboo Pen & Touch

Wacom Bamboo Pen & Touch