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

---

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...