Technorati Tags: Designer, Graphic, interview, Paul, RandPart

Photoshop manuals and a lot of how-to books are succinct and well written. But if you’re one that scans a couple of sentences then starts clicking on a photo you may end up frustrated as well as a messed-up photo. I am aware, I have been there.If you’re one who reads and analyzes every word you still may end up aggravated because it would seem the manuals are created for rocket scientists who plan to visit the moon and take pictures. Well, maybe I exaggerate a little. But it is challenging to create in your mind many of the instructions. Photoshop video tutorials for beginners could have helped.

I got a good deal of encouragement from friends and fellow photographers. A few of the early comments were, “Once you learn ‘Curves’ (or ‘Levels’, or ‘Layers’) Photoshop will be a snap.” My response was typically “huh, sure”. I had no clue what they were talking about. So I jumped into the program and manuals and really struggled to understand while spending many hours studying. There had to be a much better way to learn Photoshop for beginners.

You can read, re-read, work and understand. But, when a person is positioned over your shoulder giving you click-by-click directions you understand Photoshop more quickly and retain more. Video tutorials approach teaching in a like fashion. Presently there are many video tutorials to teach Photoshop for beginners. The one I favor is learn photo shop Now, or, as its referred to, Photoshop Fast Track For Newbies! A person can learn the basics of Photoshop in 2 hours! Click here for more information.

Technorati Tags: Learning, PhotoShop

The most important step in learning to play drums or other musical instruments is finding a great teacher. In these days,finding a good teacher to learn to play drum is so easy.The first thing is what kind of lesson you want? There are lots of videos, online live teachers, several books, and in the person drum lessons, that would take at a music store.If you are a self-motivated learner, the best way is videos.If you are getting back into playing drums after taking some time off, a book may be your answer.If you want to learn drums from a live teacher, you will be able to have any mistakes or technique problems corrected.The best way is having a scheduled lesson with a drum teacher will ensure that you are accountable for your assignments,and your progress can also be tracked.

If you started to play with a great big drum set with lots of symbols great,however,it is not a great way to start. The best way to learn to play drum starts out on a drum pad.This can be a piece of rubber mounted on a block of wood, or something that looks more like a snare drum.Of course, you will need some time actually playing on drums too,since different drums and musical instruments have different feels to them.However,it is easier to pay attention to the instruments you are learning on a drum pad as opposed to a drum set.The drum pad is much quieter and cheaper than a drum set,which will probably make others in your house very happy.

If you choose to have a live drum teacher,he or she will let you know what type of drum pad,drum to get.If not,check with someone in a music store for advice.

Guitar is also one of the popular musical instruments;learning guitar is a great idea.Most famous guitarists start playing when they are young, high school or even younger.Music is not all fun and games.There are theories to learn and other basics like scales, chords,and harmonics.These can get bit of confusion, especially when you are trying to play the guitar.

Everyone knows that you do not get a second chance to get a first impression.The best thing that can happen in a first lesson is to play some thing. Playing an instrument is a very personal thing. It can be very scary when people do not do well. So remember, in your first class keep it very simple and keep it exciting. This will let you to play with the guitar and touch the strings.

Get ready to bring your own guitar to the lessons. Guitar is an active instrument.There is a lot of movement, emotion, and fun.Learning with an example is a better idea.It helps us to have them hear what things are supposed to sound like. This will add an extra layer of fun to any lesson while learning guitar. Not only that, but everyone will see that how to play the guitar.Bringing your own guitar to the lesson will also keep us interested in learning.

The greatest thing about music is that there is the possibility of finding out new things.Challenge your mind to think outside of the box,to try new arrangements and to just play around with the instrument.It is wonderful to see how we will take leaps and bounds with learning if we are allowed to play a bit.

Technorati Tags: Drums, Guitar, important, Learning, Play, Steps

Most artists follow intuitively these separate tasks step-by-step in the right order. Unfortunately when starting to learn drawing, you lack the experience to follow this strategy by instinct. But instead of waiting for the essential experience, you can use this shortcut.

I created a scheme close to this formula most creative persons understand and stick with intuitively. It consists of four steps: Placement, Outlines, Shapes, Illumination. These four steps are rather simple and follow the proven process to create a drawing. I abbreviated this formula P-O-S-I – a POSItive way to learn drawing.

So let’s get started:

1. Placement of the elements in your drawing

This is the opening move. Have a look at the complete scenery, identify the individual elements in the scenery and try to understand it. Focus on the individual elements’ locations and their position in relation to one another. Finally if you think your understanding of the scenery is good enough, mark on your sheet wherever you would like to place the individual elements.

Try to be as precise as possible unless you possess some competence in the art of pictorial composition. Experienced artists know how to alter the scenery for a stronger impression without disturbing realism.

2. Drawing Outlines of the individual elements

Now you know where to place the elements it is time to sketch them as mere drafts. Look carefully at each part of the scenery and try to understand its outline and shape. Then draw its outline – only the silhouette – in a couple of faint lines. Restrict yourself to the external lines of each object. Replicat this step for every element in the scenery. Ideally you begin on elements in the background and move on to the foreground areas.

After finishing the outline of the whole scenery this way, it is time to have a concluding judging look (but not overly judging though!). In this stage it is still easy to reposition any element or to correct some lines. But don’t be overly critical and keep in mind: every good drawing lives thanks to minor deviations from reality.

3. Draw the Shape of the individual elements

Now it is time to focus our attention to the elements’ shapes. Start adding the internal structures of the scenery’s parts with few and faint lines. Aim the strokes in the proper directions to travel along and build the shape of the components of every element.

For arced elements use curving lines and in plane parts use straight lines. But still restrict you to only some and faint lines. Just try to catch the contours properly. As there are still only fine and faint lines on the sheet you still have the chance to correct a line here and there.

In the end your drawing has gained a stronger perspective and three-dimensional appearance. Time to fill out the white spaces and complete your drawing!

4. Illuminate your Drawing

Until now we merely worked on arraying the scenery utilizing faint lines. Forming the outlines and contours of all elements in the scenery we created a line drawing that depicts the scenerys lookout faithfully.

But for producing real naturalism something is lacking: texture, light and shadow. In that last step we will fill in these elements that generate volume to our drawing and finally make it seem realistic. So in this last step our chances for completing a great drawing are great but as well is the risk of damaging it beyond repair.

What to do? Again look carefully at each section of the scenery. Note how light, shadow and the different surfaces are forming the textures and what the colors are looking like. Most important is the surface – because even if a surface is completely one-colored, its structure and texture creates different nuances.

The same applies to shadows. Look how the elements cast dark areas on themselves and on elements around them. Add these shadows by first sketching their outline, correcting and honing it and then filling it with darker tones.

While adding all the shadows and textures to your drawing always try to work from the background to the foreground. Whilst doing this travel from brighter tones and light contrasts in the background to dark tones and contrasts in the foreground. This ensures a stronger three-dimensionality.

After this terminal step you finished your drawing. Make one step back and enjoy. And keep in mind: when the little critic in you awakes, store your drawing away, the more you’ll enjoy it in some months!

Technorati Tags: Draw, Learning, POSI, System

Technorati Tags: Banners, design, Graphical, PhotoShop, Tutorial, Website

As your company’s in-house graphics person–perhaps more by default than by intention–you’re pressed to be a jack/jill-of-all-trades. You want to do a great job of producing promotional pieces, but you
have little time to learn advanced design and marketing skills.

Your ongoing challenge is learning to do a little more to get a lot better results–quickly and painlessly.

How can you improve them? What Techniques Can You Apply NOW?

Take these 5 design/marketing tips to heart. Using them consistently will save you time in the long run and attract more customers.

#1 Develop a brand identity and stick with it

Branding is an all-encompassing concept that brings together your business’s product mix, pricing, ambience, promotions, identity, and much more. From a graphics point of view, it’s your logo, stationery, business card, website, and flyers that create a graphic personality. Your descriptive tag line bonds these pieces with added pizzazz. Think about familiar brands like Nike’s. You know what it offers instantly when you see the logo (the Nike swoosh) and tag line (Just Do It!). You want that kind of instant recognition for your company.

The results? Your messages get noticed because you’ve built credibility and recognition into your brand through consistent use of graphic identity techniques.

#2 “Hook” customers with persuasive writing and a “call to action”

Make a habit of doing these two things: Use persuasive words that “hook” their interest, and include a well-defined call to action in every piece. When writing marketing pieces, what can you do to make them more effective? Apply these basics:

- Know who you are writing for and keep their preferences in mind as you write each word.

- Put your message in terms of “you” rather than “I” or “we.” People don’t care about what “we” offer; they care about how your product or service can make their lives better.

- Make it clear what your readers should do, think, or believe as a result of reading the information
you present.

- State your intention as a command–known as a “call to action.” It can be as simple as “Call Today” or “Order It Now.”

The results? The whole point is to encourage your prospects to take action! Whether it’s to send an email or pick up the phone and call
you, using precision wordsmithing persuades your prospects to take action…now!

#3 Use digital photography and illustrations to add “kick” to your marketing pieces

A ho-hum marketing piece generates few calls. What a waste! Learn the ins and outs of working with digital photography and illustrations — so much easier with Internet resources galore to choose from.

A few quick tips:

- Place your strongest image in the top half of the page where it will get the best visibility.

- Using one large picture makes a stronger impression than several smaller ones.

- Group several small pictures so they collectively form a single element.

- Juxtapose a small picture with a larger one for contrast.

The results? Photos and illustrations help you add the “eye” appeal that translates into “buy” appeal.

#4 Jazz up your layouts so your most important points stand out

Break up monotonous lines of text with attractive “pull quotes” or “call-outs,” which make critical information stand out on the page. To create a pull quote, just copy a provocative or challenging statement from your text and paste it into a different position on the page using large, contrasting type. Add decorative quotation marks, border it with lines, or place it inside a box to jazz it up.

The results? The points of interest you’ve added draw the reader’s eye to the exact point you want them to remember.

#5 Ensure professional results by using the right file formats

You’ve just created a flyer that will be printed and mailed to your clients. To finish it off, you import a needed graphic from a website and send your file to the printers. Ouch! The resulting graphics looks blotchy and amateur in print. What went wrong? Graphic file formats for the Internet (72 dpi, low-resolution JPG and GIF) and file formats for offset printing (300 dpi, high-resolution TIF and EPS) are totally different animals. In this case, you’ve used the wrong file format and resolution for your purpose.

The results? Choosing the right file formats gives you a professional-looking document with clear images and the quality you want.

Start using these five easy techniques to add pizzazz and personality to your marketing pieces now, and you will “hook” new clients immediately.

©  Karen Saunders 2005

Technorati Tags: Capture, Clients, Graphics, Hook, Kick, Words

This can also be said of the website design sydney scenario where people are willing to only part with a small some of money and then expect us to put in extensive hours to create a stunning web design for them. Its these unrealistic budgets and public attitudes about designers that really force the revenue out of the industry. remember its better to pay for a top quality design than put the money into a new office coffee table that only you and your staff with probably ever see.

Technorati Tags: customers, design, determine, good, Graphic

You really do not have to spend a penny for a more in-depth Photo Shop tutorial. There are many websites on the Internet that provides several downloadable files that will help teach you the nitty-gritty of the software. However, it can be a daunting task to check each and every website that you encounter on the Net that has a free tutorial for the said software.

Moreover, not all existing information on the World Wide Web is reliable. You might find some website that are wanting and does not provide appropriate data. Therefore, you need to check the files that you are going to download and use. Below are some important things you need to know in choosing the suitable Photo Shop tutorial for you:

Check the source

As mentioned earlier, not all data that is available on the World Wide Web is reliable. Thus, you must carefully check the source that you are going to use. Although you are not paying anything for the tutorial, you would not want to waste time and resources in downloading files that are not complete and correct. Thus, you will save much time if you check the source first and the credibility of the website that you are going to use to learn more about how to fully take advantage of the graphic editor tool you just bought.

Easy to understand

If the free Photo Shop tutorial that you find on the World Wide Web uses computer or technical jargon, you might not able to learn much from it, especially if your knowledge on computers and the software is just limited. It is wise to stick to tutorials that use conversational tones and easy to understand vocabulary. Moreover, a document or lesson that is too technical might sound boring.

Suitable to your knowledge level of the product

It is best to start your tutorial from the very basic to the more advanced. Start looking for a document that teaches you the fundamentals of the software first, before you go on more technical and complicated matters. On the other hand, if you already have a good grasp of Photo Shop, it would be just a waste of time if you still undergo the basic training.

For those who have specific problems or would want to know about certain topics, you will find some websites that provide tutorial per action or topic. For example, if you want to learn more about retouching photographs, you could just access the files that are about how to use retouch tools.

Provides examples or screen shots

For people who do not know computer terms, it would better if the free Photo Shop tutorial that they will use have screen shots that will help learners of the software what icons they need access and where it is located.

Technorati Tags: Expect, Free, From, Photo, Shop, Tutorial

Media – Sometimes, the method used to transmit the information has a huge effect on its effectiveness. Some Photo Shop CS tutorials today can be downloaded as text files.

Although text files consume the least disk space, they are also a bit tiring for people who are used to the interactivity provided by the internet. Text file Photo Shop CS tutorials can contain a lot of details but, unless they are made by good writers, tend will have the tendency to be very boring. This means that they aren’t as effective as video tutorials.

Video tutorials are better at connecting with the target audience. This is because of the fact that video tutorials can actually show people what to do instead of just saying it. This means that people will better understand the various instructions and thus, be able to do them better.

However, video Photo Shop CS tutorials don’t really give much in terms of interactivity. A great alternative to this can be found in online Photo Shop CS tutorials. Through the technology of the internet, one can interact with various people regarding the tutorial. This means you can clarify some key points and make corrections on the way that you follow instructions.

Some people, however, believe that the best medium of instruction is still by discussion and application during in-person sessions. This is the usual “tutor-and-student-meet-face-to-face” type of instruction. People find that this is the best although a person needs to invest a lot of time in this type of Photo Shop CS tutorial.

Content – Of course, different Photo Shop CS tutorials have different content. Some tutorials may focus only on teaching you about the basics of editing images. Others may teach you about using your Photo Shop CS program with other members of the Adobe Creative Suite. Whether or not a person reaches his or her objectives in taking the tutorial depends on whether or not the tutorial is designed to meet those goals.

Attitude – Of course, the effectiveness of the Photo Shop CS tutorial does not depend on the tutorial alone. A huge part of learning depends on a person’s attitude towards the subject. Even if the medium of instruction is boring, you would still be able to learn if you wish to do so. You also need to see whether or not you actually intend to get results from the Photo Shop CS tutorial. Results can only be observed through application and, more often than not, people tend not to apply what they have learned. Some do this because they might have lost interest in the program and are looking for others that they can use.

These are just the main factors that affect the effectiveness of Photo Shop CS tutorials. There are, however, more underlying factors that need to be adjusted in order to make sure that you get the most out of every tutorial.

Technorati Tags: Determines, Photo, Shop, Tutorials, Usefulness

Today, for example, I was making granola with my 5-year-old daughter. I’ve done a lot of baking with my kids and math and chemistry are naturally embedded in the activity. I think my eldest learned fractions primarily from using the various measuring cups and spoons. But today, we got a lesson in physics, as well. Sadie was stirring the honey and oil together with a spoon. The bowl was metal and she wasn’t holding onto it.

“Mom, look at this!” she squealed. Since she wasn’t holding onto the bowl, the spoon was spinning that rather than the ingredients. “Look how high it can get!” she noticed. The faster she spun, the higher the liquid rose on the side of the bowl, leaving almost nothing at the bottom.
I’m not a scientist and I remember very little from my science classes in high school so I had to look up the word and definition for what I was seeing. Sadie could care less about that. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but an experience is worth even more.

My ten-year-old daughter is trying to find local horse rescues on the computer. She tends to like for me to give her direction so when she came to me feeling bored and wanting something to do, that’s what I suggested because I know she wants to volunteer at a rescue and I haven’t gotten the chance to look it up yet.

As I’m sitting and writing this, I’m watching my practically-eight-year-old son making a diving board off of our couch using his fort-building kit (pieces of peg board, posts with holes, screws, nuts and bolts.) He’s figured out how to support the front but is still working on how to stabilize the back when weight is put on the front. He’s used ropes but it’s still not quite stable. Now he’s got a back-up plan: pillows and blankets at the bottom. He’s decided it will be more like a dunk tank (which he and his dad made this summer) than a diving board. And the experiment continues with his sisters getting in the act, too. It works as a diving board only if someone holds the back end down. Ari has used several layers of pegboard for the diving platform to prevent it from breaking.

I could categorize all the various lessons the kids are learning from this exercise or any of the other activities from our daily lives. But there’s no need. It is organic learning, experiencing, living and they will retain and use and build on whatever is authentic and meaningful to them.

Authenticity begins young. I think we come into the world as authentic beings and our experiences during our formative years help to determine our connection to our authentic self. School age has gotten younger and younger, there are fewer recesses, more expectations, less time to play and be children. I would hazard a guess that all that this does is lead to delayed childhood, adults acting out their unfinished development in sometimes subtle, sometimes obvious ways.

Learning doesn’t have to be compulsory and by making it so, we take the ownership of that learning away from our kids. As a society we tell them what to learn, when to learn it and how to learn it and if the schools’ formula doesn’t fit the child, too bad. Unschooling gives the ownership of learning back to the individual child. He/she seeks out what is interesting, stimulating, enjoyable. As a parent, I’m not a teacher, necessarily, but a facilitator, a guide, a partner in that learning. I try to provide a variety of resources and exposure to different things but I don’t force them to learn anything or provide external motivation (ie: positive or negative reinforcement) for them to learn. I don’t need to. All I need to do is open my eyes and my mind and see that they are learning every day, every minute. They are either learning from what they are experiencing in their physical world or they are learning from going inward, reflecting, imagining.

But I can’t judge what they learn or the ways in which they learn because it is theirs and it is authentic to them. It is driven by them and I am there to support and nurture and validate their experience, not to create an experience for them that I think will result in their success or intelligence or whatever other expectation one might have. Sure, I want them to be successful out in the world but I don’t define that success–they do. And above all, I want them to know themselves. That is the best education of all.

For more information on unschooling, check out the following sites:

www.unschooling.com

www.sandradodd.com/unschooling