Folding

In designing a brochure folding is a major part. You have to keep the area and different folds in mind while designing. There are so many folding possibilities and it is difficult to mention all of them here but I am sharing details of some commonly folding techniques you can use.

Types of Folds:

Barrel Panels

Barrel Folds

Barrel Fold: It is in form of two or more parallel folds. Each fold turns in the same direction. The most common example of Barrel Fold is an letter folded into a mailing envelope. It is also called Roll Fold, Spiral Fold or Tri-Fold. This folding pattern usually have six panels. Three on one side and three on another. One panel on each side is always smaller than the other two and the smaller panel is folded inside the other two. This type of folding is most useful when you have to give varied arrays of information.

 

Double Parallel Panels

Double Parallel Folds

Double Parallel Fold: In this folding pattern the paper is folded in half and then folded in half again with a fold parallel to the first fold creating four panels on each side. In this folding the last two panels need to be slightly narrower than the outer panels so that they fit inside when folded. Double Parallel Fold is also known as Parallel Center Fold or Double Fold. A large amount of information can be given using this form of folding. Front page is usually used for cover and back page for company information. Other six pages can be used for contents and other things.

 

Cross Fold Panels

Cross Folds

Cross Folds: A cross fold brochure is made by folding a page in half in one direction and then folding the folded page in half again in the right direction. After folding it consists of eight panels, four on the front and four on the back. Crossfold pattern is also known as French Fold, Eight Page Right Angle Fold, Quarter-Folds or 8-Panel French Folds

 

Half Fold Panels

Half Fold

Half Fold: A single fold, vertical or horizontal, along the center of the printed piece, such as a greeting card, creating two panels per side. This is the most cost effective form of folding and printing.

 

Z Fold Panels

Z Folds

Z-Folds: Contains two or more parallel folds, each folding in opposite directions. Z-fold is also known as Accordion Fold, or Zigzag. After folding it consists of six panels, three on the front and three on the back

 

Gate Fold Panels

Gate Folds

Gate Folds: In a gatefold the left and right edges fold inward with parallel folds and meet in the middle of the page without overlapping. The paper might be folded again down the middle so that the folded edges meet and a fold is created in center panel of the paper - also known as a double gatefold.

CMYK for Printing

There is a rule in graphic and web designing: RGB for Web and CMYK for Print

There are a few color models used to define colors. The two most important ones here are: RGB and CMY. The RGB color model is an additive model, which means that we can achieve white color by increasing the values of its three "ingredients" (Red, Green and Blue)

On the other hand, the CMY (or CMYK) model is a subtractive one. In this case going towards white color means decreasing values of each color and we achieve black color by increasing the values of its three “ingredients” (Cyan, Magenta and Yellow)

CMYK is a color mode used in color printing. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (black). In CMYK mode magenta + yellow produces red, cyan + yellow makes green, magenta + cyan generates blue and magenta, cyan and yellow on a white background produces black.

CMYK vs. RGB

CMYK, or four-color printing, generates a good final printout with excellent contrast. But the color seen on the screen may be different from the one that comes in the final print. This is because the computer screen follows a RGB system, and printers follow a CMYK system.

Why we can not use same coloring system for computer screen and printing? On one hand where computer screen release the light, a paper absorbs the light. A computer screen and a paper reflects colors on different wavelengths of light and that is why sometimes colors in same artwork displayed on a screen may not match with the colors in printouts. Even if we change the color mode of any artwork from RGB to CMYK using some software we can notice the differences in colors.

RGB to CMYK (for Printing)

Mostly scanners, digital cameras, and video capture systems save files as RGB and we work on artwork to correct levels or balancing or anything else before giving it for printing.  Do you work on RGB and after you modify it, you switch to CMYK to print?; or you switch to CMYK directly and you modify it later?

When start with RGB image I prefer to do all or most of image editing in RGB itself as some editing procedures are not available in CMYK. Converting to CMYK is the last step only when file is being sent to a print house. Conversion of RGB files to CMYK can be done in many ways and the method is different from software to software.

Most of the printers prefer your files be delivered in CMYK format. Some may accept RGB with ICC profiles attached, as this allows the printer to use color management methods when converting to CMYK.

If you are printing from your home or office printer, you can use RGB or CMYK. Try both and see which you prefer.

 

Is converting images to CMYK important?

Yes! It's very important if you are working on a print document. Commercial printers mostly accept RGB images without question but using images with a RBG color space can seriously screw up your image. Printers who accept RBG images auto-convert images to CMYK without checking the outcome and they do not bother to adjust levels, balancing etc.

Make sure you convert images to CMYK yourself, so you can do adjustments on the CMYK outcome if needed and keep 100% control over image quality.

Always remember

RGB:  Good for computer/digital use. Bad and not usable for printing

CMYK:  Good for offset and digital printing. Bad and not interpreted correctly on the computer.

Convert Your Windows into a Mac

Many Window users want to switch to Mac. I am sharing here a easy method to convert your existing Window system into a Mac. This method is very cost effective and you don’t need to change your keyboard, mouse etc. for this. Even the commands will remain same but only the look will change. Just follow these simple steps and convert your Windows into a Mac

 

Step 1

Search for the “apple logo” in Google Image search and download one logo of your choice (one which you like the most)

 

Step 2

Take out some printouts of the Apple logo you downloaded.

 

Step 3

Cut the logo in proper shape.

 

Step 4

Take a thick plain white paper A-3 size (glossy is better). Leave apprx. 2 inch from all the side and cut the area in center. It will be like a paper frame as you can see in photograph.

 

Step 5

Keep the paper frame horizontally and paste the logo in the center of the frame.

Step 6

You are about to done. Take this frame and paste it on your Windows monitor. and congratulations you are succeed in converting your Windows into Mac. Here is a photograph how me and my friend converted all the Windows computer in our office into Mac.

Now its your turn.

Do not forget to give your comments.

PURPOSE OF A BOOK COVER

The purpose of a book cover (and I think it works for lots of Products)

I believe that the saying ‘Don't judge a book by its cover’ is no longer valid. In today's world of tough competition the First Impression is always the lasting one.

Just like any marketing tool, the book cover design is very Important. The design of the book cover plays a role, often a critical one in the sales of the book. It is the 1st thing what a buyer would see and catch their eye. I feel that a highly creative book cover design is more likely to be viewed by every customer rather than one without a book cover. You have less than 3 second to grab someone’s attention with a book cover in a sea of other books. That is the job of the book cover design, it needs to stand out, yet be relevant to the market, subject matter, and the content of the book. The main job of the cover is to get the customer to pick it up. It needs to present the title well and organize the other information so that it is clear to the customer if they decide to pick it up, and possibly inform the viewer of the content of the book.

Most of the time while people browsing in a bookstore mainly look at the book covers and titles. If the cover doesn’t interest them they almost never pick up the book and have a second glance at it. For example If you are a boy/girl of age 15, what grabs your attention would be very different from a man/woman who is 40. So, once the book is published, the only thing that will get it to sell, is its cover. This is because if you write a brilliant book for a 40 year old man/woman, but the cover is designed to attract a 15 year old boy/girl, there is a very slim chance that any man/woman of 40 will pick it up thinking that the book is for him/her and that is how a book cover helps in selling and marketing as well, as the cover must be designed to attract the target audience of the writer.

At the end of the day,  I feel that a cover design is a important feature of a book. The main features a book cover should have to grab the attention are:

1. Catch the book reader's eye while on the shelves or displayed and attract them to pick it up.
2. Main bold title, graphic and color are important.
3. While in hand - Provide first glance insight into the content.
4. Sub title, fly-leaf and back cover content is important.

If you got the book reader interested at this point they will probably look at the table of contents to view the chapter headings to see if the content is interesting. If that all goes well they buy it

So you can say that the purpose of a book cover is:

• Attract the reader
• To accurately describe what's in the book
• To sell book
  

I don't know about you, but I judge books by their cover every day.

Displaying here some of my designed covers. Would like to know your views on the post and my cover designs both.

How to get an idea?

There seems to be a common myth that one day you’ll just sit under a tree and get a good idea.

I read somewhere that an idea is nothing more nor less than a new combination of old elements.

Archimedes, the greet Greek mathematician got an idea in the bathtub. Sir Isaac Newton got an idea observing an apple fall from a tree. Percy Lebaron Spencer, an American engineer got the idea of Microwave Oven, when the chocolate bar in his pocket had melted while standing by a magnetron.  By his death in 1931 Thomas Edison had gathered over a 1000 patents. Sure, today we may not remember many of them but among were also a handful of world-changing ideas such as the light bulb, the phonograph and the Kinescope.

As you are involved in your work, you keep thinking how to improve your work. This often results in ideas. When you are discussing something with friends, you may have just got an idea. Your necessity may bring out an idea as Necessity is the mother of all invention and then one idea may lead to another. 

I agree that most ideas are just new combinations of old elements but you can not get an idea just because you want to get an idea. It just happens... like accidents. You don’t plan accidents.. do we? I think ideas are certainly new combinations of old elements but they're also more than that in that they take on a life of their own once created and can be enduring and influential. Big or small I believe we only generate ideas when we break old patterns and in that sense the new combination of old elements is absolutely right. To get an idea you should

• Expose your mind to others who are more creative than you. Not necessary in your own field, though that's helpful, of course. But acquainting yourself with the work of great painters, great musicians, great writers will provide fodder in your mind for your own creativity.
• Get together with another creative person and brainstorm solutions to your particular project. Often, bringing two or more people together will generate ideas that no one of them would have alone.
• Play, the creative part of the mind often works "behind the scenes". Carve out time in your schedule for fun, non-work activities and relationships and rest.
• Carry around a journal and sketchbook all the time.
• Mind mapping is a useful way to come up with new ideas or concepts. This involves writing various words that are associated with your subject and finding other words or phrases (idioms) that relate.
• Use the pen and a piece of paper try to come up with 20 ideas to improve something. This something can be you business, health, the amount of money you earn, your life in general or just another idea that you want to improve. The interesting thing about sitting down and starting to consciously generating ideas is that once you get them to start trickling into your mind they often develop into a small stream or sometimes even a river. Before you begin it may seem difficult to gather 20 or 40 new ideas but soon after you get started it seems, at least for a while, like you’re plucking them out of the air as easy as picking a basket of apples.

Everyone has his own way to create an idea but as there is a saying that "No great thing is created suddenly." and one should take time to develop and implement a good idea. Hope you like the idea of this post and would comment your views on it. 

Designing-Marketing-Branding

"Designing" play a supportive role in marketing and branding of a product or service. Granted, the marketing of a company and their brand needs to begin with a solid foundation. The marketing and branding is all about creating "differentiators", drawing a line between the competitors and you, a line which is clearly visible and is usually drawn by great designs and creative ideas. It can be normally termed as "Visual Salability" of any product or service. For example Apple ipod is "APPLE IPOD" because of its design and visual appeal.

Marketing makes the market aware of your product or service and make them want to buy it. How marketing do this is the creative part. On the other hand Branding is about making the target want to buy your product over your competitor's by giving your company a "personality" that the audience will relate to.

In these troubling times due to the economy, proper "branding" and "marketing" is critical for companies to position themselves to remain ahead once the economy rebounds. Good design can assist with establishing a unique positioning message for a company. It's important for companies to re-evaluate their message to determine which key word they want to "own" which separates them from others and describes their "brand".

Design is a process for solving or addressing a business challenge in the market. The marketing plan is the guideline that informs the design direction. Ideally, marketing (or more precisely marketing research) provides you with an idea of your target group/market, what they value and what they relate to, what's important to them. The marketer's job with maybe the help of a designer is then to create a marketing message, product design or packaging design that fits the target group so that they can relate to the product, service, or even to the whole brand. So the point is clear that designing play a supportive role in developing brands and marketing of a product or service in a better and creative way.

Sharing here few example of creative marketing. Hope you like it. Enjoy and share your views.

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Why graphic designing is important?

First of all let's look at what graphic designing is. There are different sites explain it differently. According to Wikipedia

"The term graphic design can refer to a number of artistic and professional disciplines which focus on visual communication and presentation."

What I think that it is difficult to define the term Graphic Design as it cover a number of areas. It is used in making websites, posters, brochures, book covers, billboards, logo, business cards, product designing, branding, marketing, vector art, wallpapers, page layouts, newspapers, magazines, electronic ads, and many many more. Although each of these area in GD need specialization but most graphic designers are capable of doing almost all types of graphic design, but nearly all of them have a preference or specialty they focus on. Each specialist will no doubt have an individual answer to the question of “what is graphic design” as well, but the overall answers will be the same.

Designing is everywhere in different ways. Most of people think that a design should always be decorative but as most of people think design is not always decorative. As a form of self-expression it can convey a specific feeling, emotion, mood, or impression. A design can communicate a message when it incorporates words, symbols, or representational shapes that are readily understood by the viewer. So you see that a design is much more than just combining some photographs, illustrations and text together. It require skills, artistic attitude, a lot of practice and of course experience.

Now the technology is reached to a level where basic qualities, features, usages etc. of most of the products are like same. On the other hand most of the businesses are using same kind of strategies and modes for advertising, promotion and marketing. The competition is very tough and everyone want to gain the maximum profit. Now one thing which make the products different is their look and design. Of course the technology, price and usage does matter but that comes later. The first thing a customer notice is the design of any product. The better look means better chances of sale. That means a design play a major role in sale of any product. This is the direct approach of a design to the customer but except this any business need a design for their website, logo, business card, branding, advertisement, or many other projects also. Graphic designers are very much in demand in businesses. Almost all advertising includes graphic design, as do websites and the other items.

I think any design must start with an understanding of what is required by a given problem, and end with a valid and creative solution to the problem. When I deal with visual forms of communication, my concern includes conveying messages, explaining ideas and thoughts, providing guidance and direction, persuasion, and stimulation of emotions; all of these constitute the functional aspect of design.

Hopefully, this post has given you an idea that why a graphic designing is important. Your comments and suggestions are most invited.

Vector Tips

Some readers asked me about procedure of making realistic vector images. How I made it? Which software I’ve used? Which tool I used most? etc. It is difficult to describe the procedure in tutorial way as I made them for developing my skill and not for tutorial purpose. But here I am trying to describe them with some tips.

Many visitors asked about the software I use. I think that you can use any software as creativity is not there in software but in your mind. If you think that you can do it then you can do it in any software. I prefer using CorelDRAW, Photoshop and Illustrator.

For mixing colors properly and in natural way I use INTERACTIVE MESH FILL tool. You can add as many nodes you want for mixing different color shades effectively. Eg.


Your tracing skills should be good if you are tracing an object image. Trace each and every part separately with close path. So that you can fill them with different shades to make your vector more realistic. Eg.


For showing depth and highlight use drop shadow with different color shades and transparency. Break drop shadow from object and place it separately for indicating depth or highlights. Eg.

Have patience – sometime realistic vector art take long time to complete.

Whatever software you use for your vector, tools must be clear to you so that you can use them effectively. Any tool can be used in many ways.

Also decorate the surrounding of your vector to make it more attractive. For decorating surrounding you can place your vector on colorful background or you can draw some curved line drawings around it. Eg.

Most powerful tools you can use in CorelDraw are: Bezier Tool, Freehand Tool, Shape Tool, Interactive Transparency Tool, Interactive Drop Shadow Tool, Interactive Mesh Fill Tool, Fountain Fill Dialog Tool.

In menus most useful options are:
Effects > Powerclip option
Arrange > Shaping Option

You can use above mentioned tools and menus in different ways to make any vector look realistic. Hope this post will be helpful for you in developing your skills. Your comments are most invited.

Traditional vs. Digital Methods of Designing

Technology has changed the way we work. Some of the advantages of technology in designing are:

• One of the great advantages of computer-generated art is the time (and therefore money) saved in its production.
• Changes and duplications may take only a mouse click.
• Multiple elements can he brought together easily the initial concept may quickly become the final product.

However, there are cases in which you are better off using non-­electronic media and techniques. For instance, you may wish to create a brush stroke pattern that would require skills or software you don't possess, or would simply require more time to generate elec­tronically than traditionally. In such a case, it would make sense simply to scan hand-drawn art. Or you may want a printed effect that would he awkward or time-consuming to achieve by your own manipulation of digital art, but that could he achieved very simply at the stripping stage of film production.

Some tasks for which the computer clearly has the edge are

• Page layout
• Technical drawing
• Photo retouching and manipulation
• Three-dimensional rendering
• Presentations, animation, and multimedia projects.

Other areas that are more of a judgment call are freehand drawing and calligraphy and conventional (as opposed to digital) photography. In some cases, a combination of approaches may work best.

COLOURS

What is colour: Colour is simply light of different wavelengths and frequencies and light is just one form of energy that we can actually see that is made up from photons. we are all surrounded by electromagnetic waves of energy of which colour is just a small part.

Why use colours: We are in a world where colour dominates our lives, from reading signs on the road to seeing if fruit is ripe to eat. It affects our moods - blue is calming - red can make us tense. We use and experience colour everyday in our lives without even appreciating it. Colours does a lot of useful things to help communicate information. First, it attracts people's attention. Hotter, brighter colours attract attention more, and cooler, darker colours attract it less. Secondly, people tend to relate similar colours and separate colours that are different. You can use this in your graphics to help people relate similar ideas by colour coding them. Thirdly, colour can help people learn what something looks like so they can recognize it again. Fourthly, most people like colours and simply enjoy the presentation more if you use it.

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What if you are not an Artist?

People enjoy graphics. Picture and colour attract attention and hold people’s interest. Look at the front page of any daily newspaper. What grabs your attention first? The big bold headlines and any picture, especially if they are in colour.

If graphics will do all these things, why isn’t everyone who has to communicate using them? Most of the people think you have to be an artist to do it, and they feel that if they aren’t artists they shouldn’t try. This is like thinking that if you aren’t a professional like Narain Karthikeyan, the race car driver, you shouldn’t take a car to road.

You can create simple graphics with nothing but the alphabet and few coloured felt pens. Then you can stretch a little to draw a few simple icons, and have graphics your audience will find useful and enjoyable….even if you have no talent at all.

Does this mean you can create graphics without being able to draw? Of course you can! Thousands of people do it every day. A graphics is a tool using words, shapes, pictures, colour and blank space together in some combination. The purpose of graphic is to get a message across to someone else. It could be conveyed in print, on a computer screen, on a slide or any other way of showing information to people. Anyone can make simple graphics using these tips.

• Use colour effectively
• Use words and letters as graphics
• Use lines, borders and shapes
• Use a “graphic alphabet” to create simple picture
• Use simple picture to convey ideas
• Think up the pictures
• Use focus and balance
• Get special effects
• Plan a series of visual to support a presentation.

Ideas

A Simple Way to Start Ideas Coming
Being creative means dealing with ideas. The world runs on ideas. Good things rarely happen accidentally. Long before electric lights or television or heart surgery or even the wheel came to be, they existed as thought in somebody’s mind.

Everything we deal with in our everyday lives existed first as an idea. When you snap on the light switch, remember that Thomas Edison thought of electric lights long before anybody built them. A car was an image in Henry Ford’s mind long before they first model T rolled out of the inventor’s workshop.

The Source of Good Ideas
Where do good ideas come from? You’re probably not a mad genius working in a laboratory, churning out miracle drugs and magic potions for living. But that doesn’t matter. Many of the extraordinary inventions we use in our world today came from quite ordinary people. And those same ordinary people can get good ideas to improve their financial situation, their relationships with others, their circumstances at work and home, and countless other things. Ideas can come to anyone who’s willing to seek them out.

Health and Safety

Office ergonomics: Your work environment
Working more efficiently will benefit you little if you ruin your health in the process, and the graphic artist's workplace offers a multitude of health hazards, from eyestrain to carpal tunnel syndrome Setting up your work environment properly will allow you to function more effectively, and to enjoy your work more.

Seating
The right posture is important, your furniture should foster it A straight back, feet firmly on the floor for support, and elbows bent without strain are what you want. Invest in a decent chair, one that suits your physique. if you choose a stock office or "task-chair it, should be fully adjustable hi height, seat tilt, and back rest giving full lumbar support some people find that the backless, "kneeling "seating suits them better There are also "bike seat" chairs that encourage good posture and flexibility, if possible.

Work station or table
The work surface should be stable and drop low enough for comfortable viewing, keyboarding, and mousing. The height will vary (27 inches is average) so have a friend check your measurements while you are seated in your ergonomic chair: elbows to floor, floor to tops of thighs Allow plenty of room for legs, thighs, and free move­ment. consider such Items as articulated keyboard shelves, monitor risers, and adjustable table tops. Armed with your measurements, space requirements, and list of features, shop the computer catalogs, maga­zines, and retail stores.

Listen to your body and be prepared to change your setae if you notice continuing discomfort; that's a warning sign.

Input devices
Although the keyboard and mouse are ubiquitous, the input device used is a matter of personal preference and work style. The type of mouse pad you use Influences the mouse's tracking ability, as well as your own comfort. It should not be thick enough to force your wrist into an awkward angle. Fabric pads tend to offer more traction, but are harder to clean and can leave solid deposits in the trackball, requiring eventual mouse cleaning. Hard surface pads are easier to keep clean, but offer slightly less traction than fabric.

Posture
back: Angled slightly backward to widen angle between torso and thighs, increase blood flow, deepen breathing, and ease compression on spine

Arms: Relaxed and loose at sides. Forearms and hands parallel to floor

Thighs: Angled slightly down from torso. transferring some of torso's weight to legs and feet.

Knees: At right angle to thighs.

Chair
Back rest: Supports lower back, matching curve.

Seat: Incline forward slightly to transfer Some weight pressure from back to legs and feet.

Cushion: Curves down at front to reduce pressure on thighs.

Arms: Out of elbows' way, allowing full movement of arms. Should be adjustable and removable.

Controls: Should adjust height and tilt angle of back rest and Seat, allowing both flexible and locked positions.

Base and feet: Should offer plenty of stability (5-spoke base is best), swivel, and rolling casters. A chair mat allows free movement of the chain