HUGE Discounts on Select Adobe Education Software

According to Deal News Daily, Adobe is offering an additional 80% off select education titles. The discount code is “SAVE80EDU”

As I’d only owned the CS5 Design Suite, and want the Master Suite, AND I know CS6 is being released soon, I called to confirm that the educational version would make me eligible for an upgrade price (vs. the educational price) on CS6 (the upgrade price is often better than the Educational price, nowadays). They did verbally confirm that the Ed version of CS5.5 is upgradeable when the new version is released (they would not provide any prices though). Then, they said they’d just been informed that this pricing is a mistake and they could not offer it.

However, I purchased it online – and the Educational version of the CS5.5 MASTER SUITE is shipping for $202 including tax. Of course, they need to verify my educational status, which may take a few days – and may be long enough for them to decline the pricing – but it was worth the attempt, IMO.

If you’re interested in trying for an AMAZING price, and can qualify for educational pricing, check out the article on Deal News at

http://dealnews.com/Adobe-Coupon-Extra-80-off-select-education-software/551827.html

Really Great Open Source ClipArt Library

Free – and Open Source Clip Art. Not only are they free in the public domain and usable for any purpose whatsoever, but there’s also a cool collaborative environment in which you can make your own alterations and share them. A great graphics resource, and an excellent way to get involved in the practical design of these images.

http://openclipart.org/

Nice InDesign Tutorial on Fitting

My students all know I’m a fan of Layers Magazine. In my general perusing today, I’ve found a nice tutorial on Fitting Images to Frames in InDesign. Last week, my InDesign students were asking for some tips. This may be useful to you. Enjoy!

http://layersmagazine.com/autofit-images-in-indesign-cs5.html

Happy 22nd Anniversary, Photoshop!

Today marks Photoshop’s 22nd Anniversary. This amazing program has changed the course of photography, digital imaging, motion graphics, video and animation, web design… and countless other creative ways of life. It took way fewer years for Photoshop to become so ingrained in our culture that it became an actual VERB!

On the 20th Anniversary, Russell Brown, the Senior Creative Director for Photoshop, created an amazing video, commemorating the history of Photoshop to that date. It’s worth remembering here:

http://tv.adobe.com/watch/photoshop-20th-anniversary/2010-a-photoshop-odyssey/

FREE E-Book – 25 Champions of Design

The people at CreativePro.com have posted a page with a link to an excellent free Ebook (in PDF format), named 25 Champions of Design. I’m sure my design students of all types will derive some excellent information from this book. And, best of all – it’s FREE!

http://www.creativepro.com/article/25-champions-design 

Awesome HTML 5 Cheatsheets!

The hosting company who hosts all my websites (www.inmotionhosting.com) has posted a wonderful set of HTML 5 Cheatsheets! There’s one for Tags, One for Event Handler Attributes, and one for Browser Support.
 
Now, I know their images are TOO big to view clearly on my layout, so, to download them, go to http://www.inmotionhosting.com/infographics/html5-cheat-sheet/?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=infographics&utm_medium=InMotionHosting
 
 
HTML5 Cheat Sheet - Tags

HTML5 Cheat Sheet By InMotion Hosting – A Virtual Private Servers Provider

 
 
HTML5 Cheat Sheet - Event Handler Attributes

HTML5 Cheat Sheet By InMotion Hosting – A Web Hosting Provider

 
 
HTML5 Cheat Sheet - Browser Support

HTML5 Cheat Sheet By InMotion Hosting – A Dedicated Server Provider

 

Wonderful Helvetica Based Logos

Okay – so many of you who have taken my design classes have seen me “pick on” the Helvetica font. As you know, although I consider it a classic, beautiful, clean and highly versatile, I have some issues with it’s built-in kerning at large sizes, so I usually use it for my kerning lessons.

So, today, Graphics.com posted a Facebook link to a great page with 40 great logos designed using Helvetica. Now, I don’t personally agree that all of these do, in fact, use Helvetica (eg: Nestlé, even if it started as Helvetica, didn’t remain Helvetica, IMO), but if you check these out, you’ll gain some great inspiration as to the effects of tracking and kerning, color, use of space, and all things typography and design. Check it out!

http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/03/40-excellent-logos-created-with-helvetica/

Tutorial on the Painting with the History Paintbrush – Photoshop

Russell Brown (www.russellbrown.com) has created a really good tutorial on how to use the History Paintbrush in Photoshop.

Those of you who’ve taken my Photoshop classes know that I don’t often teach this tool. I actually think it’s an awesome tool – but of course I’m ALL about non-destructive techniques, and this isn’t one of them. This technique changes original pixels permanently (there are work-arounds, but they’re rather indirect). So, I recommend knowing how this tool works, what you can do with it, and then knowing you can use it for more of your “quick and dirty” retouching and repair needs.

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