Dec17
Remember when Adobe InDesign was poised to be the next “Quark Killer“? Well, InDesign has surpassed that status and lived 10 years to tell the tale. “Page by Page: 10 Years of Designing with Adobe InDesign” is a beautiful limited edition, hard-bound book commemorating InDesign’s 10 years in the Adobe family.
I was recently sent a copy for review and have included a few sections of spreads from the book.
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Nov21
Challenge
The Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation came to our studio looking for a refreshed logo identity and series of business cards. The logo was long due for an overhaul, to be applied to the cards and future stationery pieces.
The office wayfinding includes a gold and copper version of the interweaving hands, so the challenge was to create a logo that would match their space as well as incorporate a modern approach to the printed material.
Background
For over 30 years, founder Djavad Mowafaghian has both funded various philanthropic projects and donated to various children’s charities worldwide. In 2003, the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation was set up in order to guarantee the continuation of his philanthropy. The foundation, based in North Vancouver, aids children around the world through health and education.
Process
Avenir (a sans serif font that I often use in my work) came to the rescue, allowing several lines of clean information to be easily stacked on the back side of the card. The logo’s original form was used, with a two-colour foil stamp printing process on a clean off-white paper stock.
Result
The resulting series of cards are now in use and a stationery package is on the way. The client was very happy with the design solution and their current clients will recognize the familiar hands, while new clients will be drawn in by the modern, approachable design.
May28
Following my recent Photoshop and InDesign reviews, I’ll cover a few of the many new features Illustrator CS5 has to offer.
Dash Adjustment
Dashes that don’t exactly fall where you want them can now be altered to fit correctly. Illustrator will calculate the dashes to make them flow around the artwork. The options are in the stroke panel. Segments where paths containing dashes meet no longer look awkward, and the dashes will adjust to corners and path ends, adjusting their lengths to fit.
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May27
Here’s part two in a series of three reviews covering the latest features in the “big three” CS5 Design Premium programs: Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.
Multiple Page Sizes
Multiple page sizes is great for keeping a series of different size elements (e.g. a brand identity package) within the same InDesign document. It’s great for creating book spines as well. Pages of varying sizes can also be based on the same Master Page, by selecting Show Master Page Overlay and then repositioning the artwork to where you’d like it to be on the new page.
May26
Millions of Adobe fans tuned in anxiously to the CS5 Launch event, and I was no exception. Having watched the multitude of new features across the suite packages that promise to make our creative lives more fun, easy, and productive, I thought it best to focus this review on the “big three” apps for designers: Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator.
Part 1: Photoshop
I still can’t believe Photoshop turns 20 this year! Here are a few of the major Photoshop enhancement tools for CS5.
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Apr27
[photo credit: Solid Blogger]
I came across an interesting series of comments this morning on Markzware’s blog.
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Apr19
David Blatner is no stranger to the software world. He’s the author of over 15 software books including InDesign, Photoshop, Quark XPress, co-hosts InDesignSecrets.com, and serves as Editorial Director for both InDesign Magazine and The InDesign Conference. He’s also created InDesign Tips, a convenient InDesign plug-in for both Mac and Windows operating systems. I’ve been a fan of his since the early days of Quark Xpress.
The Vancouver InDesign Group is proud to have David present the InDesign Secrets Live event this Wednesday at the Vancouver Film School. There are still tickets available for the all-day event. He’s sure to bring up some of the features of newly-launched InDesign CS5. Attendees will also receive a one year subscription to InDesign Magazine, several plug-ins and other valuable tools to make the most out of InDesign. The event is sponsored by InDesign Magazine, InDesign Secrets, and DTPTools.com
Apr12
So today was the big launch for Adobe’s Creative Suite 5 packages. As usual, an online event was created to reach a world-wide audience. According to one evangelist, it delivers “Eye-bleeding cool features that will make your work stand out in the crowd”.
What did I learn over the 37 minute lightning speed launch? Here’s a selection of the major features covered.
Omniture, now an Adobe company, is on the scene to help test Adobe content for optimization. The company’s focus is on search management, online business optimization and web analytics, now built into the CS5 platforms.
The new Flash 10.1 player integrates the world of smart phones, digital tablets and other connected devices and offers cross-platform and game play support. Using Adobe’s new Browserlab software, you’ll now be able to preview your project in several browsers on the fly. There’s an onion skin view for subtle browser rendering differences and with Flash Builder, you’re now able to export files to a variety of screens (e.g. iPhone), create an app and upload it to the Apple app store.
New to CS5 is 64-bit processing for Mac and Windows as well as Mercury Playback and rendering engine.
The variable width tool for Illustrator received a brief introduction.
CS Review (part of CS Live) initiates a review to share online. Comments will appear within the document.
New to InDesign are the live animation preview and media panels. Interactivity will become a whole new beast within CS5 InDesign.
After Effects is now a native 64-bit application promising speedier results. Rotoscoping with the new Roto Brush will auto learn the next frame in a movie sequence. A huge time-saver.
With new Flash Catalyst, designers can create content from within native Photoshop and Illustrator files, without having to write code.
Device Central CS5 offers 100s of new and shipping device view ability for application development.
Several new features Photoshop CS5 were also discussed. Puppet warp (allowing the user to drop pins on an image and make natural distortions) and the Content-aware tool look to be both the coolest and most useful of the bunch. Additionally, lens correction (based on lens and camera used) will allow users to share lens profiles online. You’ll now be able to merge images to HDR Pro, define and blend bristle brush settings and use post crop vignetting to enhance photography.
Upgrade and product pricing looks to be about the same as CS4.
I’m looking forward to using the CS5 Design Premium when it ships and hope to add feedback once I get my hands dirty with it.
