This is an explanation of how I work for design. It can generally be applied to any sort of design, but I’ll talk more specifically about designing logos, since that is a specialty of mine. So after the project has been discussed and the agreement is signed and the down payment has been paid, this is what I do.
Brainstorming and Mind-Mapping
The first step is just generating ideas. I start with the very basic, generally the name of the business or what it does, and think of absolutely everything that has to do with that industry. This stage is very fast moving, with lots of ideas in a short amount of time.
A mind-map is like a diagram of connecting bubbles with words or phrases inside. Here is an example of a previous job for a computer repair company:
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Tags: brochure, Design, logo, print, process, web
Posted in Business, Design | 1 Comment »
Now that the Prisoner graphic novel is finished on here, I would like to fill you in on the process I used to create the comic’s illustrations. And again, if you haven’t visited the author, Dean’s website yet, you really should. Now, I should say, this process is by no means the ‘correct’ way and certainly isn’t the traditional way, it is just the way that I happened to go through it. I very likely would change some things in the future, if I happen to do any more comics. And by the way, if you enjoyed this comic and would like to see more (or really hated and never want me to do it again, goshdarndit!), let me know through the comments at the bottom of this post, or send me a message. If you want to skip past all the wordiness, here is the link to the video demonstrating my process.
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Tags: brush, comic, Freehand, graphic novel, inking, pencilling, Photoshop, Prisoner, process, short story, tutorials, vidcast, video
Posted in Design, illustration, process | No Comments »
Many beginning artists avoid drawing hands and feet. And because they suck at it, they always draw their figures either mysteriously missing or hiding those parts or they are always off canvas. That is exactly where they go wrong. The only way to improve upon something is through practice. A person can sometimes learn proper method, but he still has to practice that method before he can really get it right.
Everyone has one thing that they are sub par at, be it drawing hands and feet, or maybe overall proportion, or possibly composition in photography, or typography in design. So don’t feel bad if you suck at something. It is OK to be sub par, but only for so long. The way to overcome this is by Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: artists, drawing, improvement, process, sketchbook, sketching
Posted in Art, process | 1 Comment »
I have learned through both college and work experience that one of the best ways to learn anything is through critiques of your work and other’s work. That is why, in the spirit of teaching through this blog, I am happy to critique the work of submissions from readers. If you would like a professional critique from me and learn how to better your artwork, be it photo, design, painting, et al, just read these submission guidelines and submit an image through my critique contact form. You can also email your submission to photocrit [at] chrislanephoto.com.
Today I have a photo from Sarah S. She said she took this photo of Prairie Smoke (aka Old Man’s Whiskers or if you are really hardcore Plantae Tracheobionta Spermatophyta Magnoliophyta Magnoliopsida Rosidae Rosales Rosaceae Geum L. Geum triflorum Pursh) in the North Dakota Badlands handheld in a shady ravine. Looking at the metadata, it was taken with a Canon PowerShot S3 IS
at f/2.7 at 1/60.
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Tags: adjustment, alteration, aperture, Badlands, Critique, curves, depth-of-field, f-number, f/, flower, levels, light, natural, North Dakota, photo, photography, Photoshop, Photoshop CS3, Praire Smoke, process, Retouched, shadows, Training, white balance
Posted in Critique, photography, Retouched | 3 Comments »
Today I will be critiquing a photograph by Lori Lindholm. You can find her on facebook. While you are there, add me on facebook also.
Lori sent me this photograph of an abandoned old Ford pickup. A great subject matter, especially for me because I both like abandoned stuff and old automobiles. So this definitely piqued my interest.
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Tags: abandoned, adjustment, aperture, Before & After, curves, decay, depth-of-field, f-number, f/, Ford, grass, grid, highlights, levels, light, midtones, old, photograph, Photoshop CS3, pickup, process, Rule of Thirds, shadows, shutter, specular, truck
Posted in Critique, photography | 2 Comments »
