I just love to mess around with Photoshop.  I could spend hours trying to create things on my own or searching the web for fun tutorials.  My favorite thing to do is to create things from scratch.  When I do this I usually make my document the size of my computer screen so that I can turn it into my background image.  As you may know, I have my own little freelance company called Penberthy Design.  I mostly try and create images using my company name or logo.  Here are a few that I have done recently just for fun.  Let me know what you think :)

 

To look at more stuff that I have created feel free to check out my website at:  http://sa4457.wix.com/penberthydesign

Playing with Typography

I have mentioned it before that I just love typography.  I love the art of it.  Fonts and all the different types of typography out there can really set the mood of a design.  I keep seeing all these really cool pictures created with nothing but type.  I thought to myself that I would like to try this.  I decided to make a portrait with typography.  I've seen some really cool one out there and thought that I could try this.  The other night I spent about 3 to 4 hours doing a self portrait.  I thought the hardest part would be coming up with all the words to make it out of.  I was wrong.  I did it, but it just doesn't look as great as the others that I have seen out there.  I don't know how to really fix it.  I think the picture I chose to do it from just wasn't' the right kind.  I don't know.  Well, here it is, let me know what you think......

New Logo

I have been trying for a long time to come up with a new logo for my company Penberthy Design.  Everyone says that it is much harder to design for yourself.  I believe it!  I probably went through 30 different designs, and then when I found one I liked, I had to try it in a million different colors.  But I think I finally picked one that I will stick with (at least for a little while).  Here is the original one that I had:

Here is the new one:

What do you think?  I wanted a logo that would be more versatile.  I wanted one that would work with any color in any setting.  Just in case I decide to change my look or brand.  I think it is a little more classy and clean.  I hope it works out because it took me forever just to agree with this one.  I guess I am my own worse critic!

Love this quote by Steve Jobs.....

“Because I had dropped out and didn’t have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this. I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can’t capture, and I found it fascinating.” –Steve Jobs

Arial vs. Helvetica

I will admit that I was one of those people that didn’t really think much about Typography. I just always used the default text in Microsoft Word and other programs. Since I started learning about Graphic Design my eyes have been opened to the very large world of Typography, and I am falling in love with it. It has such a huge impact on an design and the world around us. There are millions of different fonts out there, but there are two that I keep hearing about and seeing everywhere. Arial and Helvetica! But it appears that the world is divided between these two. It’s an actual war out there. Either you are on Arial’s side or Helvetica’s. I was curious to learn more about this war and why they are fighting. I found this great article on a wonderful blog, ILoveTypography.com. I found it very interesting and educational and I just wanted to share it with you. If you want to read the original posting of this article you can find it at: http://ilovetypography.com/2007/10/06/arial-versus-helvetica/

Arial Versus Helvetica

Every typeface, like every one of us, has its distinguishing features. You might be forgiven for thinking that some fonts are clones, or identical twins. However, closer inspection reveals subtle differences and nuances that simply escape casual perusal. Something that can really help to heighten our sensitivity to those differences is getting out our magnifying glasses and really taking a closer look. If you’ve forgotten to bring your magnifying glass, then don’t fear for the Fontometer is here (we’ll get to that in a moment).

Today we’re going to de-robe two popular typefaces, namely Arial and Helvetica — faces that are often confused, and often the subjects of mistaken identity. But first let me re-introduce you to these two popular faces:

Helvetica

Designed in 1957 by Max Miedinger, Helvetica’s design is based on that of Akzidenz Grotesk (1896), and classified as a Grotesque or Transitional san serif face. Originally it was called Neue Haas Grotesque; in 1960 it was revised and renamed Helvetica (Latin for Switzerland “Swiss”).

Arial

Designed in 1982 by Robin Nicholas and Patricia Saunders for Monotype (not Microsoft), it’s classified as Neo Grotesque, was originally called Sonoran San Serif, and was designed for IBM’s bitmap font laser printers. It was first supplied with Windows 3.1 (1992) and was one of the core fonts in all subsequent versions of Windows until Vista, when to all intents and purposes, it was replaced with Calibri.

I’ve read in several places that Arial is closer in appearance to Univers than Helvetica. I don’t think so. In How to Spot Arial, the type designer Mark Simonson looks at the similarities between Arial and Grotesque 215 (one of Arial’s true ancestors); and when you consider the details — for example, the flat versus angled finials (e.g. “t”) — then Arial does appear to be more closely related to Grotesque 215; however, the one thing that does stand out is the greater variation in stroke width of Grotesque 215. Arial and Helvetica share a more consistent, even stroke width. I guess it depends on whether one is looking at the form or the appearance. What do you think?

I can hear angels singing a heavenly chorus (I was tempted to include a sound track here) as I introduce to you the all new, shining, hopefully very useful Fontometer (sorry, but I couldn’t think of a better name) to compare the glyphs from Arial and Helvetica. In the grey corner (left), we have Arial; in the red corner, Helvetica. Simply drag the Arial glyph over the Helvetica version to compare (if the excitement of this is too much for you or your suffer from a heart condition, then take a short break between glyphs). The Fontometer only seems to work properly in FireFox (future versions will work for everyone):

(Sorry, you will have to go to the original post to see the Fontometer)

This feature doesn’t display in RSS feeds. To see it in action, please visit the post. Thanks.

A number of the glyphs are almost identical, and even an expert would have difficulty telling them apart. However, there are a few that stand out as being quite different; namely “a”, “G”, “Q”, “R”, and “1”. Did you spot any other differences?

In fact if you wish to quickly differentiate any font from from another, it’s usually best to start off looking at letters like “J”, “Q” and “g”.

What it’s wrong to do is criticize Arial as a clone or rip-off of Helvetica. If Arial is a rip-off of Helvetica, then Helvetica is a rip-off of Akzidenz Grotesk; or we could simply say that they are both rip-offs of earlier Grotesque faces. The whole rip-off debate is a rather pointless one, I feel. Every face should be considered on its own merit. (We don’t criticize a daughter for looking like her mother). And, if you want to criticize Arial (it certainly has its faults), then do so, not because everyone else does, but do so with your own critical eye.

So, what do you think of Arial and Helvetica now?

I hope that you enjoyed this article as much as I did. I now can see why there is a battle between the two. I really don’t have a side; I think both fonts are both great and classical. But it is a war that will probably keep going on forever! I just love this wonderful world of Typography that has been opened up to me. I’m excited to be a part of it in the future and all the fun I can do with it. Thanks for reading and you can look forward to more future articles about Typography from me. Thanks!

The Design Process

There are many steps to create the perfect design. Everyone has their own method and way of doing their projects. When starting a new design project, there are steps of the graphic design process to follow that will help you to achieve the best results. Rather than jump right into a project to try to create a final version, you can save yourself time and energy by first researching the topic, finalizing your content, starting with simple sketches and getting several rounds of approval on designs.

Process: A series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result. But what is the process of producing great memorable visual designs? From my experience from talking to others, and by looking at myself, this is the process to which many of us forget, or just plain don’t have time for. When you are working on a design, do you have time for the entire process? Most designers are working at the speed of light, multi-tasking to no end. If we stop and take the appropriate steps the result will be a great design.

Through my experiences I have been battling to understand the importance of following through the entire design process. I am guilty to say that I mostly just want to jump right into the project and spit it out fast. But I’ve noticed that if I take the time to follow these steps I actually save time and the end result is better. My objective is not to encourage you to practice this process. But to recognize that you may be missing out on your entire process. That your work could potentially be suffering as a result.

Like I said before, everyone has a different processes or method, but overall they are close in the fundamental nature. This just gives me a guideline to follow. It’s simply taking the time to each design problem.

The Process:

1. Define problem

2. Get parameters/specifications

3. Research (client history, demographics, competition, market, technologies)

4. Brainstorm, word list

5. Thumbnail sketches

6. Collaborate

7. Digital full scale mockups (visual exploration)

8. Critique

9. Finalize art

10. Problem solved

Every time I work on a new project or design I try to go back to the basics. You need to start with a good foundation, have strong fundamentals, and spend time working through problems. Sketching, brainstorming, and collaborating. Don’t just clamor to the computer like ants to a piece of candy on the ground. Give yourself plenty of time to go over every angle, every element, and every detail. Being able to sleep at night knowing you’ve done all you could.

When following these steps, be sure to finish each one before moving on to the next. If you conduct solid research, you know you can create an accurate outline. With that you have the information necessary to sketch out some ideas. My work has grown as a result of stopping and taking the time to cover all the steps. Take time for the process. Your clients will thank you. Just don’t bill them for all that extra time.

I really hope you enjoyed this post and if there are any steps you feel I missed or if you have anything to add please leave them below in the comments.

Fun with Photoshop!

I have been learning so much about photoshop. It is becoming my favorite app. everytime I learn something new. I never realized the how much you can actually do with photoshop. Here are a few projects that I have done in school and on my own, enjoy....

This cigar picture I found on the internet, I learned how to make it look like it has been lite. On the left is the before picture, on the right is the after picture.

This next one I did for a school assignment. It's not my favorite but it is a little fun. Gavin had a blast being my model for the project.

Here is another project that I did for school, we had to make a self portrait type thing. This is what I came up with. If I had more time I probably would have done something better, but you only have so much time with school projects.

Here is one that I did on my own using scattered brushes and the masking tools. I had fun with it.

There was a lot more that I wanted to share with you, but blogger wouldn't let me upload them. I guess they were just too big of files. But as I do more and experiment I will share more with you. I hope you enjoyed just these few that I put up.