My Top 3 Super Bowl Commercials!
Good job Coca-Cola, Volkswagen and Doritos!
Good job Coca-Cola, Volkswagen and Doritos!
We start our adventure into magazine cover design with setting up the document. Then we move to dropping in a photo and title for our magazine in Part 1 of this multi-part series in Photoshop. I also share some cool tips like color selection, how to choose the right photo and how to bring the model’s head in front of the magazine title—a great way to create depth with this popular magazine style.
People or Art: What makes an engaging cover?
Warmth
I bring you a new abstract for the new year! It’s been a while since I’ve been able to devote time to my fine art. Sometimes breaks are good for an artist! Most of the time breaks offer new insight into my process giving me a chance to evolve my technique.
With some extemely frigid below zero temps in my neck of the woods, I was inspired to create something with warm and cool colors. Vivid colors are always part of my abstracts, but it’s fun to offer up some rich color paletes with some darker undertones.
I am a huge fan of combining the arts as well as artist collaborations to create new and wondrous creations. In Ryan Woodward’s latest animation, he sought the help of a beautiful contemporary dance choreographer. The result is a positively unimaginable mix of hand drawn animation and a story of complex relationships all told through the art of dance. The final animation is whimsical and passionate. What makes this stand out is the use of simple hand drawn figures against a brown paper background. One might wonder if more detail would be impressive, but the simplicity allows the art of dance coupled with the romance of the characters to lead the story. While there is a clear story behind the animation, viewers are able to create their own interpretations, which is exactly what Woodward wanted for his audience.
The Technical
Among all the 3D animation it’s nice to see artists use 2D animation to convey their messages. While it’s a bit ironic that Woodward based his 2D animation on live 3D movement, it greatly improved his animation. Each pencil stroke is wonderfully fluid from frame to frame, almost mimicking the art of dance. Many artistic styles merge in this animation leaving the viewer inspired and wanting to see more from the talented Mr. Woodward.
About Ryan Woodward
Ryan Woodward began his artistic career in 1995. Woodward has worked with Warner Brothers Feature Animation, Sony Pictures, Cartoon Network, Walt Disney Studios and Marvel Entertainment and Dreamworks Pictures. Woodward is also an assistant professor of the Animation program at Brigham Young University where he teaches storyboarding, figure drawing, visual development and animation.
Want more?
» Watch the Making of Thought of You Preview
(Source: digitalhart.com)
Disney’s Tangled: Inspired by a Classic Painting
It is always exciting to learn the process behind any design project. There are many new things to learn from all the designers and artists working behind the scenes. Where do new ideas and inspirations come from? Disney’s Tangled features a lush environment not before seen in CG animated films. For the first time, Disney attempts to blend the look and feel of traditional hand drawn Disney films with the newer 3D animated film styles. Rococo artist Les Hasards Heureux de l’Escarpolette’s The Swing was the sole inspiration for the film’s backgrounds and environments. Rich colors and painterly strokes blanket the entire movie just like a rococo painting.
{Art Break, UK} Simon’s Cat is possibly the best short animated series I’ve seen in a while. Perhaps it’s because I have 3 cats and can relate to the destruction, annoyances and damage that occurs because of them. What takes this series beyond enjoyment is the fact that the man behind it, Simon Tofield, animates this series all by himself frame by frame. The sketchy black and white quality is the perfect fit to this fun storyline that is ripe with possibilities.
DESIGN LIKE A PRO: Find out the difference between RGB and CMYK colors in this overview video. Also learn how to choose which one to use for what project and how to switch between the modes in Photoshop and InDesign.
THANKS TO THE CORKSAILER FOR THE REQUEST
http://www.youtube.com/user/thecorksailor
With nonstop marketing and promotion hitting us like a baseball nearly every minute, graphic designers are always looking for new and creative ways to enhance their visual message. However, what if the approach utilized something old like negative space in a new and unique way? Creative negative space dominates IBM’s new print ads featuring two images in one. Not only are the images inspiring, they tell a story. From cellphones displayed as footprints to a stethoscope creating the eyes and mouth of a doctor, IBM has revitalized an old design staple.
»Read my tips on how to photograph water and landscapes.
Photo taken by me: Copyright 2010 | Digital Hart Studios
