Dropbox.



Dropbox is a new web-based storage and sharing application that is still in beta.  It’s a pretty nifty little tool that could probably be used a number of different capacities. You can use it to back up data, share files with the public and even specify people with access to certain areas of your file system.  I have invites, so if you’re interested in trying out the beta version, let me know.

How I Work - Part 2.



Let’s continue, shall we?

 
As I mentioned in Part 1, my style and process is somewhat unorthodox. I don’t have any formal training or education as an artist; I’ve just developed my craft over a number of years. I know that most designers would probably suggest taking a different approach than what I’ve suggested so far, and that’s ok with me. One of the ways that a lot of people like to start their design work is with a pencil and paper, sketch it out. I have great admiration for the people that take this approach, because I simply can’t - I’m not ashamed to say it, I couldn’t draw my way out of a paper hat. My co-worker, Kyle, is one of those guys who can… he’s an extremely talented artist and designer, and I have a lot of respect for him when he pulls out the pencil and sketches his ideas onto paper - the result is pure genius!

 
Ok… on with how I work:

 
3. Design elements - After getting some ideas into my head about where I want to take a design, and trying to establish an overall tone and feel; I will start to incorporate some design elements that will help support my starting imagery. Design elements could be number of different things; such as: vector art, textures, photos, color adjustments, or anything that will help to support the direction I’ve established. In the “How to Pray for America” piece shown above, I used several texture overlays and color adjustments to help bring out the deep and rich tone that I wanted it to have.

 
4. Typography - This is probably the most important part of any design piece, and if I’m being honest, probably the thing that I need to work on the most. Typography is key - it’s often the final thing that helps seal the deal on connecting your visual design to the message. Finding a typeface that will fit and flow with the look and feel of your design is never easy, but it’s very important. Once I’ve found the typeface that I want to work with, I’ll try to find a way to work into the design. One way of working with typography that I’ve found to be useful is thinking of your type as more of a shape, rather than just words. If you can get the “shape” of your type to fit smoothly within the composition of your piece, you’ve hit a homerun!

 
5. The finishing touches - There has to come a time in every design process when you have to just stop and finish it up. I’m a perfectionist at heart and sometimes I just need to realize that it’s finished… stop and walk away! The finishing touches are key to any design. For me, it’s doing things like cleaning up layer masks, making final color adjustments, tightening up the overall composition; and of course, cleaning up my layer palette. Cleaning up your layer palette is a HUGE step that is often forgotten. Not only will it reduce your overall file size, it will save you a ton of time the next time you open your file and want to make any changes - no more sorting through unused layers!

 
So that’s the general overview in how I go through the process of my design work. Every designer has their own way of working, and I’ve always thought that establishing a work flow is a part of the process that should not be forgotten. I hope that reading through some of my process will either help you to establish your own workflow, or just give you an idea of what a new workflow for you could look like!
P.S.
Some of my favorite sites to find free typefaces:
- www.dafont.com
- www.bvfonts.com

- www.abstractfonts.com

 

How I Work - Part 1.



 

I thought it might be fun to share some of my work flow and the processes that I go through to come up with some of my design work.  The bulk of the design work that I do at CCV is creating the visual graphics package for our weekend messages / series.  So that’s where I’ll start. Let me also preface this post by saying that the way that I work might not always be right, in fact it’s often unorthodox… but it’s me - it’s how I’ve learned.

 

1. The title - When I’m given the title for a message or series, the first thing I like to do is check out the Thesaurus and look up some of the key words in the title.  This helps me to get some different angles on ways I might want to visually communicate the message. I think it’s key to get some words, ideas, thoughts spinning around in my head that are related to the title of the message, so I’m not just stuck with one or two words from the title in my head.

 

2. The visual direction - Once I’ve gotten some ideas of stirring in my head from the title, I like to begin to look for visual inspiration.  There are a couple ways that I will go about this.  I almost always start with a google image search with individual key words that came from the Thesaurus or simply from the title.  The google image search just allows me to make some visual associations to the key words that I’ve found that relate to the message.  I’ll also visit some of my favorite stock photo websites to look for imagery that might work for me.  I’ll try to find one photo or vector piece that will be a starting point for the visual direction. As with the image above, the flag was my primary starting point… and I wasn’t just looking for any flag; I knew I wanted to find a flag that had richer, deeper colors, not just the standard “red, white, and blue”. Once I find the starting image, I can begin to flesh out the “tone” of the piece… what feel I want it to have.  If I’m stumped with establishing the tone or feel of the piece, I’ll look for inspiration - the internet is my friend in this regard.  One of the fun ways that I’ve been using to find inspiring pieces; is just doing a simple search on Flickr, specifically in Design related groups, for images or design pieces that might be related to the message that I’m trying to communicate. This is great way to be inspired… and let me reiterate my distaste for duplication, but rather encourage inspiration! We can all learn from, and be inspired by, each other - we can!

 

That’s all for Part 1 - I’ll continue with Part 2 over the weekend.  Enjoy!

P.S.

Here are some of my favorite stock photo websites:

- www.sxc.hu

- www.istockphoto.com

- www.corbis.com

- www.morguefile.com

 

Christian Art.



“But to look at a work of art and then to make a judgement as to whether or not it is art, and whether or not it is Christian, is presumptious.  It is something we cannot know in any conclusive way.  We can only know if it speaks within our own hearts, and leads us to living more deeply with Christ in God.”

Just a small excerpt of a book that I’ve been reading on the difference between Christian and secular art.  I’ll be writing an article on this topic for Christian Music Sucks this week.  Stay tuned…

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