In the ever-evolving landscape of design, the roles and skills of designers have diversified, catering to every imaginable aspect of visual and experiential creation. From the meticulous crafting of brand identities to the intricate art of making data digestible through design, the spectrum of design roles speaks to a world where aesthetics meets functionality in profound … [Read more...]
6 Graphic Design Movies Every Designer Should Watch
When we're on the lookout for fresh ideas and inspiration, we usually stick to our favorite websites, blogs, and social media. But, did you know there's a whole world of inspiring movies and documentaries on the internet about all sorts of creative topics? The tricky part is to find them. Branding and design agency Web Whisperers have picked out some of the top short … [Read more...]
Google Monster Mash Is A Fun-To-Use 3D Modelling And Animation Tool For Everyone
Conventional 3D animation tools are time-consuming, labour-intensive, and can take years to master. Now, Google Research in collaboration with Czech Technical University in Prague, ETH Zurich, and the University of Washington have come up with an open source sketch-based framework named Monster Mash that allows both experts and amateurs to create casual 3D models and animate … [Read more...]
9 Useful Design Tools You Probably Haven’t Heard Of
Online design tools and web apps can help designers boost their creativity by providing them with resources and inspiration. They can also speed up workflow by finding design assets quickly and performing relevant tasks. Ottawa-based visual designer Ismail Benmbarek has come up with a handy list of (relatively less known) websites that let you remove backgrounds from videos, … [Read more...]
Nike Says Goodbye To Kobe Bryant With A Beautiful Tribute
They say images speak louder than words, but Nike just proved that is not always the case. The sportswear giant released a touching tribute to Kobe Bryant just ahead of the public memorial service at the Staples Center for the Lakers legend and his daughter Gianna. The two-minute video features no images or footage, just text and audio clips that highlight the various … [Read more...]
How To Create Animated GIFs And Cinemagraphs With Endless Loop In Photoshop
A cinemagraph is a still photograph that contains a minor, repeated movement that is looped seamlessly to give the illusion of a never-ending animation. Photoshop instructor Unmesh Dinda from PiXimperfect has come up with a handy tutorial that shows you how to create a cinemagraph or an animated GIF with a smooth, endless loop in Photoshop. Learn how to use the timeline … [Read more...]
Adobe ‘Good Bones’ Lets You Change Vector Shapes Easily By Adding A Skeleton Structure
When you create artwork in Adobe Illustrator, the underlying geometry of the vector graphics can be quite complex. If you need to change the appearance of your vector figure, you'll need to edit each anchor point individually, which can be quite a task. For example, if you want to open the mouth of a vector dinosaur that you've created, you'll need to tweak each anchor point … [Read more...]
Designer Offers To Create Free Logos For Anyone, Ends Up Creating 50 Logos In 32 Hours Non-Stop
Russian graphic designer Di Buenio undertook a personal logo design challenge titled Logotyposhnaya, in which, he offered to create a free logo for any existing company or brand in 30 minutes. He published a post on his Facebook page and received over 70 applications in the first two hours itself. At the end of the challenge, Buenio had created 50 logos, working non-stop for … [Read more...]
16 Clever Typographic Animations That Visualize The Meanings Of Various Words
Lithuania-based graphic designer Mindaugas Dudenas has come up with an excellent project titled 'Type in Motion' that visualizes the meanings of different words using typographic animation. For example, the 'T' in the word FITNESS looks like it's lifting weights, the two 'O's in DOORS open and close like doors, the 'H' in CHESS morphs into a chessboard, and so on. Dudenas … [Read more...]
5 True Stories Behind Famous Hollywood Studio Logos
Before the opening credits of a film, there is usually a short animation of the logo of the film studio (also known as production logo). Some famous examples include DreamWorks, Paramount, Columbia, MGM, and Disney. You must have seen the logos of these major film studios many times, but have you ever wondered about the story behind them? For example, why does the DreamWorks … [Read more...]
What Hollywood Movies Look Like Without Visual Effects
In the old days, what you would see on a movie set would pretty much be what you saw in the final movie. With modern technology giving us the capability of computer generated imagery (CGI), all you need is a green screen and a couple of props. Because of this, movie sets nowadays look completely different to what you see in the final movie. Fame Focus has come up with a … [Read more...]
Adobe Cloak Is A Powerful Tool That Can Remove Any Object From Your Video
Have you ever wanted to remove unwanted objects or people from a video? The conventional process involves editing each frame individually and then stitching them back together. This process is time-consuming and doesn't generate the required results in most cases. To make life easier for everyone, Adobe is working on a tool called 'Cloak', an Adobe Sensei-driven feature for … [Read more...]
Fun, Quirky Animated Loops That Graphic Designers Will Like
Gal Shir is a product designer and art director based in Tel Aviv, Israel. With over 117,000 followers on Dribbble, he is one of the most popular designers on the site. He also runs Color Hunt, a social platform that lets you create and browse a collection of beautiful color palettes. When Gal finds time off, he creates fun, quirky animated loops that designers love to … [Read more...]
Clever Ads By Smart Car Show How Situations Change When You Reach Your Destination On Time
The Smart ForTwo micro-car is only 2.69 metres in length, so finding a parking spot for it won’t take too much time. Based on this insight, BBDO Germany came up with a witty print + film campaign that shows how the Smart ForTwo can help you save time and turn a negative situation into a positive one. … [Read more...]
30 Brilliant Slider Animations For UI Inspiration
Sliders are the most commonly-used UI element, after buttons. From lock screens and image galleries to volume controls and app selections, we use sliders to navigate our way through different interfaces everyday. An effectively implemented slider enhances the user experience and makes the interface more engaging, dynamic, and memorable. … [Read more...]
Cool, Disney-Style Animations Of Logos Of Popular Social Networks
The students at Motion Design School in Kharkov (Ukraine) have come up with a series of gorgeous animations of logos of popular social networks, messaging platforms, and portfolio sites. The list includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google, Pinterest, Snapchat, Skype, Reddit, Tumblr, Flickr, Behance, Dribbble, Slack, and Telegram. The challenge was to create the … [Read more...]
This Animated Video Brilliantly Explains How To Choose The Right Colors For Your Designs
Choosing the right color palette is essential to the success of any design project. But how do we know which colors look good together and which ones don't? How do the pros do it? The answer is color theory. Artists and designers have used color theory for centuries, but anyone can learn more about it. … [Read more...]
31 Brilliant User Interface Animations
Animated interface elements don't just attract attention, they enhance user experience and help guide user flow. They reveal the functionality and process of a user interface much better than static text. Like any other element of good design, UI animations should have a purpose without being too noticeable. They should be functional above everything else. If you're looking … [Read more...]
Gorgeous Animations Of Hand-Lettered Logos Where Every Frame Is Hand-Drawn
Mantas Grauzinis is a freelance illustrator and animator based in Vilnius, Lithuania. He loves good stories and "splashy, smoother than butter movements". His passion for the latter can be observed in a series of slick animations of hand-lettered logos created by him, that are extremely satisfying to watch. … [Read more...]
Smooth, Clean Animations Of Beautiful Hand-Lettered Logos For Design Inspiration
Russian designers Starov Evgeniy (lettering artist) and Alexey Dubnichenko (motion designer) have come up with a series of impressive animations of commercial lettering work they've created over the last year. The objective of this collection is to show lettering logos in a new perspective. … [Read more...]
This Animated Video Brilliantly Explains Layout And Composition In Graphic Design
Layout and composition are the foundation of design. They give your work structure and make it easier to navigate. Without a well-composed layout, your elements would basically fall apart. GCFLearnFree has come up with an excellent animated tutorial on the five basic layout and composition principles that can help transform your work and sharpen your eye for design. Check it … [Read more...]
5 Tips For A Killer Portfolio
Your portfolio should showcase only your best work. Don't use mediocre work as filler. Also, develop your skills using the "T-shaped" model, i.e., hold a thorough knowledge and strong skill-set in one subject, but also work beyond your area of expertise to collaborate in other fields. … [Read more...]
Next Time You Present A Logo To A Client, Try Using Animations Like This Design Studio Does
Here's a logo presentation technique you would like to use in your next client meeting. Venice-based branding agency Concreate Studio presents their logos using animations that explain the ideology behind the design process. For example, the logo animation for furniture maker Emporio Freguglia starts with the icon of a bed that cleverly morphs into a chair-like symbol that … [Read more...]
12 GIFs That Only Agency People Will Understand
Ever seen two cats playing hide and seek in the gutter? That's what it looks like when servicing tries to brief creative on Friday evening. Have you also noticed the "I hate everyone" expression on the face of creatives after every presentation? Like they're planning a massacre after a long and treacherous meeting in a room filled with brand "experts" throwing industry jargon … [Read more...]
10 Differences Between Designers And Regular People
The word "lobster" might remind you of the 10-legged crustacean delicacy, but for us designers, Lobster is a common typeface that novices use on promo flyers and take-out menus. Similarly, the word "tracking" might remind you of GPS or Google Maps or the time when your over-protective boyfriend/girlfriend stalked you, but for designers, it refers to the adjustment of space for … [Read more...]
10 Golden Rules To Improve Your Typography Skills
There are two types of typography - expressive typography (where type is used as a visual element) and functional typography (type that is meant to be read). Emmy Award-winning designer Chris Do's Typography Manual focuses on the latter and shares 10 golden rules to help you improve your type skills. Vietnam-based designer Leo Dinh has created an animated version of … [Read more...]
20 GIF Memes Every Graphic Designer Will Relate To
You know that feeling when you’ve finally found the perfect font for your project and you’re having an orgasm as you browse through the characters, only to find a ‘BUY NOW for $199’ button at the end of the page? To visually describe such moments we’ve compiled a list of 15 epic GIFs that designers and creatives will relate to. Check them out below. … [Read more...]
11 Differences Between Designers And Clients
In a perfect world, the client-designer relationship is built upon a common sense of purpose, goals, and objectives. In reality, their varying perspectives make things a little bit more complicated. The client wants the logo to be bigger, colors to be brighter, and the typeface to be groovier. The designer wants more white space, subtle colors, and the font equivalent of … [Read more...]
Paper Drawings Come To Life In These Amazing Illusions That Make You Go Wow
These animated optical illusions by YouTube channels Brusspup, Home Science and Antarez are the coolest thing you'll see today. The artists create two sets of vertical black bar patterns, one on paper and the other on a transparent sheet. By sliding the transparent sheet over the paper, the artists create an illusion of movement in various still drawn objects like gear cogs, … [Read more...]
9 Useful Tips For Better Typography
Like any form of art, there is no set formula to create good typography. Typographic choices that work for one form of text won’t necessarily work for another. There are however good practices to follow. Design resource website Pixelo has come up with a nifty animated video that shares a few useful tips to keep in mind when combining typefaces and working with … [Read more...]
Blind Artist Creates Incredible Animated GIFs That Are Just Out Of This World
Native American artist George RedHawk transforms photos and paintings into stunning animated GIFs that are mesmerizingly hypnotic. What’s even more astonishing is the fact that RedHawk is legally blind. He uses visual aids and computer software designed specially for the visually impaired to create these fascinating artworks. Before losing his vision, RedHawk worked in … [Read more...]
Beautiful 3D Animations Of ’90s Gadgets Made With Cinema 4D, After Effects And Photoshop
Step into nostalgia with these gorgeous isometric animations of '90s electronic items from French illustrator and animator Guillaume Kurkdjian. Made using Cinema 4D, V-Ray, After Effects and Photoshop, Kurkdjian has managed to replicate every tiny detail of these technological milestones including the 'bounce' of their open/close mechanisms. The use of material design and … [Read more...]
25 GIFs That Show What Don Draper And Mad Men Would Be Like In Today’s Ad World
Mad Men Integrated is a hilarious GIF series by New-York based copywriter James Connolly that shows what Don Draper and his crew of the ’60s would be like in today’s jargon-heavy digital advertising world. Draper would pitch Snapchat campaigns to clients. Peggy would write banner copy and come up with emoji ideas. Pete would present tweet graphs and Lane would, of course, … [Read more...]
2 Students Created This Animated Short Film That Got Them 59 Awards, And Jobs At Disney And Pixar
A grumpy little boy, who's into violent video games, receives a surprise present from his mother. When he opens it, he's disgusted with what's inside. But after a while, things change. Watch below. … [Read more...]
32 Creative Loading Animations That Are Worth The Wait
47% of users expect a webpage or an app to load in 2 seconds or less. After 4 seconds, the average user starts getting frustrated and after 8 seconds, they leave. In fact, a one second delay in your site speed can result in a 7% reduction in customer conversions. Loading time is crucial to the success of your site, app or program and if you can keep the user engaged for … [Read more...]