Just leaving a note saying all further updates will be only on FRC2 Forum about this group.  If you would like to know about our group, please visit our website!

To visit the FRC2 website log on to:
www.frc2.org

To visit the FRC2 Forum log on to:
www.frc2.org/forums/

This blog will be closed by the end of the year!

Thanks for visiting us!

So...You want to go to Art School? Have a Career in the Arts?

A workshop/meeting for students interested in transferring to a 4-year Art School and pursuing a career in the ARTS.

Find out about Art Education, Museum Studies, Interior Design, Architectural Engineering and other opportunities for careers.

When: Friday, October 26
Time 12:00-1:30 pm
Where:  FRCC-Larimer Campus, Room MA 171 (Printmaking room)

Writing workshop

Poster Contest Opportunity

The 2013 ICAW Poster Contest is Here!

 

Join in the fun!
 

The International Compost Awareness Week Committee of the US Composting Council invites YOU to get involved in ICAW 2013. We're looking for anyone interested in participating in our 13th Annual Poster Contest. The winning poster will be used to promote International Compost Awareness Week, May 6 - May 12, 2013. 

2013 POSTER THEME:  

Compost: Nature's Way to Grow!

The competition is open to everyone and anyone who wants to help celebrate composting and promote the benefits of compost. We invite municipality and state agency representatives and industry professionals to join in the fun, along with students, youth groups, commercial composters, green industry businesses, gardeners and environmentalists! Whether you are a seasoned ICAW enthusiast or new to the celebration, we welcome your interest and support!

It's easy! Here's how to participate:

 

Submissions will be accepted from now until November 30, 2012. For more information on 2013 contest rules, regulations, and how to submit, please click here. The finalists will be announced on the US Composting Council Web site in December.

The Poster Contest Winner will have his/her poster reproduced and distributed nationwide. The poster, along with the artist's name, will be featured on the US Composting Council Web site, as well as on all ICAW print material and on USCC press releases promoting the Annual ICAW Celebration.

The successful poster winner will be awarded a $500 savings bond prize. The winners of the other two divisions will each receive a $100 savings bond prize. All participants will receive a certificate of participation. The three contest divisions are: grades 3-7, grades 8-12, college - adult.

This is YOUR opportunity to display your creative talent and show your belief in composting and in the benefits of using compost!

Sincerely,

Michael Virga

Executive Director

US Composting Council
5400 Grosvenor Lane
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
301-897-2715

AIGA Colorado Updates

Get Down ‘n’ Dirty with AIGA CO & FactoryMade Craftworks: DIY Terrarium workshop Sunday, September 30th FactoryMade 2000 21st Street, Boulder, CO 80302 12-1:30pm $15 for members and student members $25 for all non-members Terrariums are self-sustaining environments that mimic the closed-loop functions of many ecosystems. At this workshop you will make your very own mini-oasis using plants, pebbles, found objects, and whatever inspires you. All materials provided, but feel free to bring your own vessel if you have one you would like to use. The workshop will be led by local landscape designer Adam Clack of The Land Mechanic. One of FactoryMade's most popular DIY workshops (and soon to be featured in Sunset Magazine), Craftworks is open to AIGA members for a reduced rate. Cost includes all materials: glass vessel, plants, soil, and gravel material. Register Now

Calling All AIGA Members! You may already know that your membership gives you discounts on events like Craftworks workshops. But did you know you also get access to professional development webinars hosted by AIGA and Aquent as well as discounts to professional workshops and certificate courses? To learn more, visit: http://www.aiga.org/professional-development/ Not a member yet? Join Today

An Exciting Visit From an Icon Our year-long “Pursuit of Happiness” speaker series returned from its summer hiatus last Wednesday night at the Denver Art Museum as design legend Charles S. Anderson entertained the crowd with a humorous and colorful take on his career and our industry. The auditorium – crowded with students and teachers, professional and emerging designers, members and non-members – saw firsthand how Anderson’s extensive collection of licensed artwork has been put to use over several decades. The bright colors and humor of his Pop Ink collection, identity systems, and other works, ranging from posters to packaging, had everyone marveling at the big screen and laughing. And all the while there was a nice dichotomy to the evening as he had us contemplate the state of design today and how we can take action. AIGA Colorado would like to thank to our sponsors, French Paper – long-time CSA client – and Sprint Printing.  Join us next month for an evening with Alissa Walker, freelance writer and the creative mind behind gelatobaby.com! And thank you to everyone who attended, we had a packed house! If you were at the event, tag your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter (#aigaco) and we'll choose some to be featured on our site. Don't forget to tag all your posts for future events to be included in our recaps and follow-up conversations.

Stay in touch with AIGA Colorado Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Join us on LinkedIn Visit us at colorado.aiga.org		Upcoming Events Craftworks Terrarium Workshop September 30th Factory Made 2000 21st Street Boulder, CO 80302 12-1:30pm Bordo Bello October 6th Redline Gallery Well-Seasoned: A discussion with Ginger White October 11th Buzz October 16th Treehaus Bistro 1707 Lafayette St. Denver 8:30-10am Drink & Draw October 23rd Cap City Tavern 7-9pm Alyssa Walker November 8th Denver Art Museum 6-9pm

AIGA Event

Drink + Draw
Tuesday, September 11th 7-9pm
Cap City Tavern
1247 Bannock Street
Denver, CO 80204

Drink + Draw is back! In the spirit of back to school, we’re kicking off the season by harkening back to the good ol’ days of gluing things to paper and eating paste. Join us at Cap City Tavern on Tuesday, September 11th for a fun night of drinking, hanging out with friends and drawing with googly eyes!

Articles for your viewing pleasure

These articles are featured on the LinkedIn newsletter and I thought I'd share them with you all, in case you are not already a LinkedIn member.

If Pokemon where drawn by Tim Burton

What successful people do in the first hour of their work day

A tongue-in-cheek guide to branding terms

AIGA Event

Sometimes, more is more.

Join us as the CSU student AIGA group share their exhilarating and exciting experiences of community, exploration and inspiration!

We Need More
Thursday, Aug 30th
6-9pm at Rocky Mountain School of Art & Design

FREE for student members
$5 for members and student non-members
$10 for non-members

In 2010, AIGA Colorado premiered the film Typeface: The Movie. The Colorado State University student AIGA group was so inspired that they traveled to Wisconsin that summer for a three day workshop at the Hamilton Wood Type Museum. On the journey home, the group buzzed with creative energy; their eyes had opened to the potential of educating themselves through travel and building relationships.

That potential is important because let's face it: the world is filled with talented, capable designers. Instead of being indifferent and accepting their role as simply more people with degrees in graphic design, they decided to take action. The We Need More Summer 2011 tour is an attempt to bridge the gap between education and professional practice.

This trip is about dialogue and exploration. The AIGA chapters in each of these places have been gracious enough to welcome us into their communities and show us what makes their cities and design culture unique. We will be sharing these experiences through blogs posts and videos, and our goal is to take these local views of design and draw connections that benefit students, professionals and AIGA organizations across the country.

Although fast paced, this journey will be thoughtful and inspiringmaybe even hilarious. We look forward to filling you in!



Register NOW!

AIGA Buzz: How to win conracts big and small

  
When
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
8:45 AM - 10:00 AM

Where
Tree Haus
1707 Lafayette Street
Denver, CO 80218
MAP

Cost: Free
RSVP NOW!

When you work for yourself, being a great designer alone doesn't cut it. You also have to know how to bring work in -- and that's an art in it's self. What gets you "in the door" and what makes a client actually agree to assign a project to you? There are many answers. At the August Buzz, we're very excited to have Kristan Butler join us and share her thoughts on the pitching / proposing process. If you have been at this for a while, be ready to share what you have learned through trial and error.

About the Speaker:

Kristan is a designer and art director with 7+ years professional studio, corporate and freelance experience and a hybrid skill set spanning print and digital media. A newcomer to Denver by way of Washington DC, she joined gyro in 2010, where she has been a key part of new business pitches and winning bigger projects from current clients.

A big fan of variety, Kristan has been a vital part of a global ad agency, boutique design studio, corporate in-house agency, and has worked independently as freelance designer. She studied Design and Art Direction at Portfolio Center in Atlanta after graduating from The University of Virginia.

Some of her previous work can be seen here: www.kristanbutler.com.
Please RSVP so we can let Treehaus know how many pastries to make.
 Join the conversation at the Facebook event page.

AIGA Event

Ice Cream Social!
Chill out with AIGA Colorado as we celebrate the end of summer and say thank you to all of our members!
When: Thursday, August 16, 2012, 6:30-8:30PM
Where: Little Man Ice Cream, 2620 16th Street, Denver, CO
Cost: Free!

Join us this Thursday at Little Man Ice Cream for our annual Ice Cream Social! Come and enjoy an engaging battle of brushes between two local artists in AIGA CO's second annual "Ink Off". Watch two local artists draw an army of his own characters to battle it out in an illustrated duel. Who will win? It's up to you, the spectator, to decide!

The first 75 members and friends to RSVP will receive a free scoop of Little Man ice cream! And, if you renew or start a new membership at the Supporter level or higher, you will receive two tickets to this year's Bordo Bello event!


RSVP TODAY

Latest Articles List

How Goals and Good Intentions Can Hold Us Back

Let’s fight mediocrity: Is there a way to change the way we communicate?

James Victore: Your work is a gift. (video)

Is an inner argument holding back your creativity?

Finding your work sweet spot


There's no such thing as originality: focus on quality

We honor, Ken Esarey!

The Larimer Campus math department greatly mourns the passing of our instructor, Kenneth Esarey. Ken passed away on Sunday July29 when his heart was just not strong enough to keep going.

Ken Esarey was one of the math department’s most beloved developmental math instructors. Ken began teaching at FRCC in the Fall of 2005. He always seemed to bring a smile with his humor and kind words. His patience and concern for students helped a multitude of students successfully complete the Basic Mathematics and Pre-Algebra courses. 

Students often remarked that he was the key element in their ability to build the confidence needed to succeed in math. He was well-loved by his students for his professionalism, patience, and his willingness to help when needed. Ken will be greatly missed by every life he has touched at FRCC. Our thoughts are with his wife, Gayle, and his family.

A memorial service for Ken will be held at Timberline Church in Fort Collins on Wednesday August 8^th 2:00pm. Timberline is two blocks south of Drake St on Timberline Rd, east side if Timberline.

AIGA News

Practice What You Preach - Self Promotion 

When: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 8:45 AM - 10:00 AM

Where: Tree Haus 1707 Lafayette Street Denver, CO 80218 MAP

Cost: Free
RSVP NOW!

When talking to clients, we preach that marketing is the key to success. After all, "it doesn't matter how great the product is if no one knows that." But how many of us follow our own advice? Eric Hines does. He built his business around practicing what we all preach. He's Denver's own self promotion king. And it doesn't end there, following through with a well thought out plan of communication is essential.

Join us for a fun (and impressive) show and tell with Eric as he walks us through some of the creative self promotion that has worked for him. Find out more about his firm Honest Bros. at honestbros.com.

About Eric:

A gifted designer and communications gear-head, Eric's passion for the power of a creative idea is infectious. As Principal and Creative Director, he leads the charge to find innovative solutions to business challenges by cultivating an environment that challenges people to produce their best. Prior to starting Honest Bros. Eric brought success to companies such as Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Special Olympics Colorado, High Plains Bison, Powerhouse Gym, and Bent Gate.

Eric has also taught at Metropolitan State College of Denver and is currently an adjunct at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. His design work has been recognized in awards shows and publications such as the Logo Lounge, Print Magazine, SXSW, Graphis, Addy's, and the Art Director's Club of Houston. He obtained a BFA degree from Southwest Texas State University in 1999.

Please RSVP so we can let Treehaus know how many pastries to make.

Join the conversation at the Facebook event page.

Words of wisdom from Computer Arts

Speed up your InDesign workflow with scripts!

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InDesign scripts are handy snippets of code that can make your workflow faster.Here’s where to find them… Indiscripts Describing itself as an ‘InDesign scripting playground’, this site has thousands of scripts, snippets, tips and extras that can help make your working life easier.You will have to pay a fee to buy some of the best scripts – but at least you can try before you buy to find out whether they meet your needs.There are also lots of free resources to choose from. In-Tools Ostensibly a New York-based Adobe reseller, In-Tools also does a fine line of free InDesign scripts – although it does ask that you make a donation.You’ll find 25 useful InDesign scripts on the site, ranging from Apply Nested Styles to Zoom To Width. Adobe Exchange Of course, no round-up of InDesign scripting resources would be complete without mentioning Adobe’s own dedicated page.You’ll find hundreds of scripts to choose from here, with many available free or at low cost via donationware or shareware.You can easily filter the results by licence type if you wish.

How to get exhibited Be informed Do your research. You wouldn’t expect a gallery specialising in graffiti to be interested in landscape paintings, for example. Yet it’s amazing how many people write to us with work that’s nothing like the sort of thing we exhibit. We’d expect people to look at our website and consider how their work fits into those categories. Find your own style We’re always looking for people whose work we think is unusual and different, and has something to say. There’s a lot of rather same-ish stuff going around – certain designers or artists are very influential and, with the internet being what it is, their work spreads around like wildfire. It’s natural to have heroes, but you need to find your own style.   Expect to contribute There’s so much more to putting on an exhibition than simply sticking pictures up on the wall. Exhibitions are curated, so they might have themes – and in every case we’ll get people to do work specifically for the exhibition. Some of the most successful things we’ve done have been quite experimental, such as our First Impressions Last show, where five writers – including a science fiction writer, rapper and novelist – typed written portraits of people who came in.   Look for dry hire Look out for gallery spaces you can hire. We do the occasional dry hire for people who want to have the gallery for two or three days to show something, so people can potentially hire out the space. But we can’t hire it to just anybody, because we still need to maintain the gallery’s reputation.   Don’t take it personally In most cases, we’ll know straightaway if something is right for us. There aren’t any rules: it’s about getting an instinctive feeling. When you look at someone’s work, you can just tell. We’ll look at our year’s schedule and see where people might fit in. If it’s a no, it’s not a criticism of what you’re doing, it’s just not right for the gallery.

Interesting articles and inspiration

Trend report from Computer Arts; mass production design is old and busted. New hotness? Hand crafted work!

Examples of HTML contact forms; some lovely ideas here...

Inspiration from illustrator Blake Suarez

Design from Romania

Ice cream illustrations!

Photography inspiration from Charles Hu

20 artistic and creative album covers

Denver's first public-sourced exhibition

For the Denver Art Museum's first ever public-sourced exhibition they are challenging you to transform an everyday object or material into something that makes your neighborhood better. Due July 28!

Check it out!

Freelancer Help

Here are some articles for those of us roughing it out there!

How to be a better networker


Freelancing: Be upfront about money

How to make yourself more employable

AIGA: Pro Bono Work

AIGA CO BUZZ:
Pro Bono Work

When: Tuesday, June 19, 2012. 8:45 AM - 10:00 AM

Where:
Tree Haus (formerly Grindhaus) 1707 Lafayette Street, Denver, CO 80218 MAP

Cost: FREE RSVP NOW!

Pro bono means "for the public good." And who doesn't want to play a part in making a positive change in our world? But if you have ever done a job free of charge, you might feel differently.Come to Buzz tomorrow and be ready to share your experiences (positive and negative) doing pro bono work. Believe it or not, there IS a right way to approach it.

Find the most satisfying and mutually beneficial pro bono work.

When to NOT do it pro bono.

Difference between pro bono and spec work.

How should the contract be set up?

Communicate value to the non-paying client.

Control scope creep and timelines.

Please RSVP so we can let Treehaus know how many pastries to make.

Join the conversation at the Facebook event page.

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What is Buzz?

Buzz is a monthly roundtable for Design Independents in the Denver Metro area, which focuses on the issues that are most important to the business of being in business for yourself. Each month the group concentrates on a specific topic as well as provides a medium for networking and sharing resources.

Monthly topics vary and are sometimes supported by professional presentations. Topics focus on areas such as: technology, taxes, contracts, self-promotion, sales and more. Buzz meets on the third Tuesday of each month. If you are a freelance professional in the Denver area, you are Buzz. Be there!

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Sponsored By:

In an independent survey of advertising executives, The Creative Group was cited 3 to 1 over any other national specialized staffing firm for providing the most qualified creative talent.

Denver Zoo-Second FRC² Summer Activity

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Join in the fun!

FRC2 will be going to the Denver Zoo!

Members are encouraged to come and bring your friends and/or family to have some fun
at the Denver Zoo!
We'll be meeting at the front gates at 10AM in order to get the group discount
for the regular zoo admission!
Please see information below about the Toyota Elephant Passage if interested!

We will then try to meet up at 1PM for lunch near the Carousel.
Bring your own cooler to keep your lunch fresh if brown bagging it,
or you can purchase your lunch at the zoo's food booths!

Also! Make sure to bring your cameras to participate in the Photo Safari!
We'll be giving everyone wanting to join a list of things to capture on camera,
and then later enter a contest on the FRC2 forum!

Day: Saturday, July 21st
Where: Denver Zoo
Time: 10AM at the front gates

General Admission: $15/person (ages 12-64)
Group Admission: $13/person (with 10-49 people)
Group Discounts for children and seniors in a group.

TICKETING INFORMATION FOR TOYOTA ELEPHANT PASSAGE

With the opening of the much anticipated Toyota Elephant Passage,
record attendance is expected and free timed entry reservations
are required to enter the exhibit.
Making your reservation in advance online is highly recommended to ensure access.
Entry times are scheduled every 15 minutes between the hours of 9:15 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Reservations can be made separately from regular zoo admission ticket purchases.
Once you enter Toyota Elephant Passage, you'll be able to explore as long as you like.

MAKE YOUR FREE RESERVATIONS FOR TOYOTA ELEPHANT PASSAGE:

http://www.denverzoo.org/toyota_elephant_passage/plan_your_visit/tickets/index.html

For more information about the Denver Zoo:
http://www.denverzoo.org

All transportation will be up to you individually.

From the North:
Take I-25 south to I-70 (exit #214)
then take I-70 East to Colorado Boulevard south (Exit #276-B).
Go south on Colorado Boulevard for 2 miles to 23rd Avenue and turn right (west).
The main entrance is on 23rd Ave. about 1/2 mile down on the left (south).

Photography Tips and Tricks

These links are useful whether you're an experienced photographer or newbie!

The photography tips that 96 photographers wish they would've learned sooner

A quick guide to understanding digital SLR cameras


Digital Camera worlds cheat sheet series can be found here


21 settings, techniques and rules all new camera owners should know

Create better website wireframes from Computer Arts Mag

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List the elements Identify the pages on the site by walking through the steps the user goes through to fulfil the desired actions or tasks. Now list the page elements: standard ones, such as headers, footers, content areas, menus; and the non-standard ones, such as a calendar, RSS or Twitter feed. A matrix can be a useful way of seeing, at a glance, which elements go on what page. Remember you’re a user, too While you might not have a wealth of wireframing experience, you do have a lot of experience of being a visitor to a website. Draw upon the sites you regard highly and those you disregard completely. Give consideration for relevant comparator sites and see what you think works well or could be improved. Get your thoughts down There are numerous options for creating wireframes, ranging from pencil and paper sketches to the use of tools that produce wireframes resembling real-life webpages. Your approach and the level of detail should be informed by the purpose of the wireframe: if it’s only for you, sketches are fine, but if you’re working with another designer or need to present to the client, you’ll need something with more detail, presented more formally – for example using InDesign and Illustrator might be a better option.

New on computerarts.co.uk

	Tutorials Create radial patterns using type Video tutorial: Colour correction in After Effects Add more character with strokes in Illustrator Bind your own books
	Features and interviews Trend report: The real thing 10 D&AD tips for making yourself more employable The 200 best design moments ever, part 2 There’s no such thing as originality
	Blog Form turns 21 in style 2012 Vimeo Awards winners announced Inspiration Gallery - 7 June Sagmeister and Walsh join forces

June Art Prompt: Deep Roots

Are you creatively stuck?
Need a push to get your artistic and creative energy flowing?
Then you need to participate in the FRC² Art Prompts!

Here is how it works:

You'll find a new random-word(s) inspiration every month just for FRC² artists and writers!

Follow these simple FRC² guidelines:
1. Your submitted piece must be your original writing, art, or photography.
2. You may submit one original piece per monthly art prompt.
3. We are not going to accept artwork that depicts anything sexual or violent content.
4. No vulgarity towards other members will be accepted. You will be banned from posting in the FRC² community if that happens.
5. Post your original work in the FRC² gallery under the corresponding Art Prompt for the month.
6. FRC² members can log on to the FRC² gallery and enjoy original work and leave a friendly comment or critique for you.
7. The idea is to focus, refine, and reflect on your creative process!

Let the creativity begin!

Here is the art prompt for the month of June:
Deep roots

Chalk Art Festival

If you missed out on the Chalk Art Festival, please enjoy some of the images of the artwork that was taken on July 2nd.  Even though in the late afternoon when the artwork got wiped away from the rain, it was still amazing and beautiful!

My daughters and I had a wonderful time talking with some of the artists and looking at the incredible disposable art!  One of the residents that I talked with, who lives in downtown Denver, told me after the event on Monday the street cleaners come in and brush all the artwork away.  How crazy it that!  You work all weekend and then it is washed away in an instant!

I saw of few of our members at the event.  It got really crazy around 3pm with the weather when we were all supposed to gather for the West concert, so if we missed you, I am sorry about that!  If you have any pictures that you would like to post, please send them to me! 

I have posted more images in the FRC² gallery.  Please look for the images in the FRC² gallery under Events and in the Chalk Art Festival album.  Thanks!

Tips from Computer Arts

Five tips for successful client branding

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	Keep it simple At the core of any notable brand lies a memorable marque. Study brands you admire and ask why they are successful. Chances are you will have heard the old adage ‘less is more’ – look at Apple and Nike: they’re instantly recognisable because of their simplicity and clarity. Your logos should have the same power.
	Consistency is key Establish a graphic language and message that work alongside the brand marque. Be sure to define these early on and reference them throughout the brand development process. When a branding project is in full flow, every surface in the studio will be littered with research and development sketches: absorb yourself in the process, live and breathe the brand, refine the message and relate everything you do back to it.
	Mind your language What a brand says is just as important as what it does. Think carefully about the tone of voice and engineer it to reflect the brand ethos. Innocent is a good example of a brand that fuses its visual language and copywriting. If words aren’t your bag, enlist some help from a copywriter.
	Does it travel? The world is a small place these days. Logos, colours and names might work well in one region, country or continent, but how will they be received worldwide? For small, local clients this might not matter, but for others it definitely will. The brand assets you’ve chosen might not always be appropriate, so gather feedback from your target audience and be prepared to re-visit elements of your branding at this stage.
	Put it in writing Chances are your clients, their partners and other people are going to want to use your branding for all kinds of promotional purposes. Give them a style guide that shows them how to best portray the brand in different circumstances. Think about creating a graphic toolkit for third parties in the relevant formats to help reduce the chance that your carefully crafted corporate identity is misused.

Words: Ross Imms, director, A-Side Studio Icons: Matthew Bromley
Find plenty more advice like this in The Design Manual, every month in Computer Arts.

AIGA Event

Calligraphy & Comedy

 

When: Saturday June 2, 11am-2pm
Where: Battery 621, 621 Kalamath St, Denver CO
Tickets: $20 members / $25 non-members includes snacks, supplies and comedy show
Only 30 seats are available for this event, so get your tickets today!

Join us for an afternoon of creative writing!

During the 3 hour session, you will learn the basics of Calligraphy (supplies included!) and meet some of Denver's best untapped copywriters - standup comedians. They promote you by making jokes about your advertising work, and you can return the favor by making their jokes into a work of art.
The first 2 hours of the event will be a tutorial with Evette, the founder of Pretty Writing Calligraphy Studio.
You will spend the last hour refining your new skills by executing a written joke from some of Denver's finest comedians, who will give a short performance to introduce their quotes. When you are done, shake hands with your comic and give them your final piece.

RSVP Here

Articles for some inspiration

Here are some interesting things I dug up while surfing Computer Arts' site (my favorite!)

The secrets to success as a designer, illustrator or artist

Design and ethics; can you stick to your beliefs?

50 project briefs to get you inspired for your next project

Nightmare clients and how to tame them

How your art can make the world a better place

Discover the world's best character art


Tricks of the trade and secrets from the world's best illustrators

Tips from Computer Arts

Take pro photos on your mobile

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Get up close for macro shots It’s said that out of limitations comes creativity. The iPhone camera’s fixed focal length can feel restrictive, however it can also force you to find inventive ways to compose and frame your subjects. While the iPhone does feature a digital zoom – which can be tempting to use when photographing a subject up close – this is almost always best avoided as it will degrade image quality. Always get right up close to the subject for macro shots. Make the most of available light The iPhone’s built-in flash can be useful for throwing extra light on a subject, but it’s also prone to creating that rabbit-in-the-headlights look characteristic of cheap point-and-shoot cameras. Making the most of your iPhone camera involves making the most of the light you have. Placing a subject near a window when shooting a portrait can give you a soft, directional light to create form and depth. When shooting outside, you often have to wait for the best natural conditions. Have a play with Camera+ There’s a bewildering array of quirky and inventive camera apps out there, but the one I always come back to is Camera+. Camera+ acts like an upgraded version of the iPhone’s supplied camera app. With smooth touch-control over exposure and focus, the app ensures your original, high quality images are stored – where they can be processed with other apps – while also offering a useful selection of filters, lighting and framing options to create your own edits. By Laura Taylor, freelance designer and photographer Find plenty more advice like this in The Design Manual, every month in Computer Arts.

New on computerarts.co.uk

	Tutorials Bind your own books Video tutorial: Add more character with strokes in Illustrator Create clipping paths in InDesign the easy way Design a three-colour Risograph print
	Features and interviews 24 hours with Jonathan Barnbrook Delve beyond the aesthetics Be a better networker Micro trends: Typographic influences
	Blog 2012 Olympics rebranded OFFF 2012: CA talks to the master of mixed-media, Nico Casavecchia The Mission Arts Award Why 'cool utility' is the way forward for mobile design

AIGA News!

Don't Fear the Data Saturday May 19 10:00am-3:00pm (Lunch is provided) Rocky Mountain School of Art & Design, 1600 Pierce St $20 members/$30 non-members Learn how to tell the story of data through the  creation of infographics The world we perceive is wrapped with information. It is our task as designers to use data to drive the story to our clients. In this workshop, you will be  taught how to take that boring spreadsheet your client gave you and turn it  into an inspiring infographic. On Saturday, May 19th, the design team from Markit on Demand will show us  how data is fast becoming a designer's best friend from generating content, to  driving audience feedback. They bring 20 years of experience visualizing data  for the government, financial, and healthcare industries, working for clients like  Bank of America, CNN, and The New York Times. Don't Fear the Data will show us how to navigate the seas of open data, learn  how to incorporate honest displays of information, and how to love Processing  as much as you do Photoshop. Gain insight on how to transform numerical data  into engaging design, that tells a story far more interesting than a spreadsheet  ever could. RSVP HERE
Giving Voice 6: A Collaborative Poster Session Cocktail reception/orientation for designers: Thursday, May 31, 5:30-7 pm Three Wednesdays: June 13-27, 121 pm Gallery reception and exhibition: Friday, July 20, time TBD Where: Cocktail Reception Gensler 1625 Broadway, Suite 400 Denver, CO 80227 303.893.7196 Wednesday Sessions Access Gallery 909 Santa Fe Drive Denver CO 80204 303.777.0797 Giving Voice is the annual poster design collaboration between AIGA Colorado and VSA of Colorado/Access Gallery. Now in its sixth year, the program matches graphic designers and teen artists with disabilities for a multi-session poster design and mentoring workshop, which culminates in an gallery exhibition. This year, designers and teen artists will work together to share skills and ideas on the poster theme related to global issues that are important to the students. Sessions take place at Access Gallery in the Santa Fe arts district. Each of the three program sessions are held conveniently at the lunch hour, and lunch will be provided at each session. Additionally, AIGA Colorado will provide each participating designer a print of the poster they create with their teen. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to broaden your experience alongside other dedicated designers and mentor these very special teens. To secure your spot, RSVP no later than Wednesday, May 30 to: Amy Siegel Teen Mentorship Chair, AIGA Colorado 303.893.7196 amy_siegel@gensler.com

Member of the Month (July)

Ce Bondhus

Member of the Month (June)

Mark Foxsparrow

Mark Foxsparrow is a father, a husband, and a design student at Front Range Community College. He loves beer, and drinks it regularly. He is intrinsically shy, but hides it well, and lives in Fort Collins with too many pets to name. Mark’s childhood was spent taking care of his terminally ill mother, who passed when he was 28 years old. Mark shares his mother’s love for nature and is drawn to science and aesthetics. Since he was a boy, he has been an avid daydreamer and has longed to express himself through a creative medium, but growing up below the poverty line had necessitated new and exciting ways of doing so… because most of those methods of expression turned out to be illegal, Mark developed a reputation as a troublemaker, which eventually caused him to suppress his creative impulses. After the death of his mother, Mark decided to return to school (having only graduated the 6^th grade) and pursue a degree in science, but stumbled upon graphic design, and the creative demon was yet again released onto the world… Muahahahaaa.

The Value of Art Critique

  Before

  After


Mark Foxsparrow utilized the "Art Critique" section in the forum and posted his pictures in the gallery!

He was given feedback on his artwork from various people, and he went back and revamped his design!


If you need help with your artwork, please utilize this helpful tool!

Art Prompts

Are you creatively stuck?
Need a push to get your artistic and creative energy flowing?
Then you need to participate in the FRC² Art Prompts!

Here is how it works:

You'll find a new random-word(s) inspiration every month just for FRC² artists and writers!

Follow these simple FRC² guidelines:
1. Your submitted piece must be your original writing, art, or photography.
2. You may submit one original piece per monthly art prompt.
3. We are not going to accept artwork that depicts anything sexual or violent content.
4. No vulgarity towards other members will be accepted. You will be banned from posting in the FRC² community if that happens.
5. Post your original work in the FRC² gallery under the corresponding Art Prompt for the month.
6. FRC² members can log on to the FRC² gallery and enjoy original work and leave a friendly comment or critique for you.
7. The idea is to focus, refine, and reflect on your creative process!

Let the creativity begin!

Here is the art prompt for the month of June:
Deep roots
Here is the art prompf for the month of July:
Lightheaded

Stay tuned for the August Art Prompt...