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Best Holiday Gifts for the Designers and Developers in Your Life – 2011 Edition

bmackler — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:12:33 +0000

Its that time of the year again, trying to find the best gifts for web designers and developers in your life. As we all know satisfying this interesting breed may not always be easy but with a little preparation you can pick up the perfect gift for the holiday season. Creative types aren’t usually looking for a new tie, gift voucher or cologne. It takes something with a bit more intrigue and style to wow them.

Today lets take a look at some of the best holiday gifts of 2011 for the creative types in your life.

Aeron Chair by Herman Miller

$800

The Aeron chair didn’t end up in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection just because it looks cool. Although it does. Its looks are only the beginning. Aeron accommodates both the sitter and the environment. It adapts naturally to virtually every body, and it’s 94% recyclable. Even if it’s black, it’s green.

Herman Miller Aeron Chair

Inkling by Wacom

$175

Inkling lets you get back to the drawing board, or the drawing paper rather. But if you always regret that you started out with pen and paper, then you can have the best of both worlds with Inkling. The digital sketch pen allows you to sketch with a real ballpoint pen on any paper, and all your drawing strokes are recorded electronically. Once drawn, the images are then recorded and transferred to digital files which are compatible with Illustrator, Photoshop etc.

Wacom Inkling

Fisheye, Macro, Wide Angle and Telephoto Phone Lenses by Photojojo

$20-30 each

Fisheye, Telephoto, and Macro/Wide Angle Cell Phone Lenses for your smartphone. These finely constructed lenses transform your standard phone photos into wide, up-close, super zoomed and wonderfully warped wonders.

Fisheye, Macro, Wide Angle and Telephoto Phone Lenses by Photojojo

Walls Notebook

$17.95

A look into the use of urban walls that provide a blank, yet interesting canvas for notes, music, drawings and doodles. An aspiring street artist’s dream: a notebook that, in lieue of blank pages, is filled with photos of blank New York City walls.

Walls Notebook

Map of the Known Universe

$10.00

Show the universe you aren’t afraid to get lost. After all, you have this handy map to get you out of nearly any jam. This 30” wide x 20” tall map features regional, galactic, and universal attractions

Map of Known Universe

YOU ARE THE CSS TO MY HTML TEE

$25

Show the world your geeky side with the “You Are The CSS to My HTML” t-shirt!

YOU ARE THE CSS TO MY HTML TEE

Nomad Brush

Starting at $25

The Nomad brush is made of natural and synthetic fiber that allows you to paint on your iPad. It creates a more realistic experience of digital painting, as compared to using your finger or a stylus.

Nomad Brush

Incipio iPhone 4S Boomproof Silicone case

$29

Incipio’s gear covers and protects iPhones, iPads, iPods, Macbooks, Blackberries, Tablets, eReaders, Smartphones and much more. There’s a style or case for everyone and everything.

Incipio iPhone 4 4S BOMBPROOF Silicone Case

IdeaPaint Dry Erase Whiteboard

$179.00

IdeaPaint is a dry erase whiteboard paint that turns virtually anything into an erasable canvas. Imagine an entire room as one giant sketch pad. IdeaPaint can be applied almost anywhere to create interactive play areas, work spaces in a home office, or a message center in the kitchen.

Ideapaint Dry Erase Board

Black and White Wall Clock

$179

The Black and White Clock is designed by Vadim Kibardin. The minimalist aesthetic is clean and beautiful.

Black and White Wall Clock

Batman and Joker Thumb Drive

$24.99

If you admire Batman’s moral code, give your precious files to him. Just remember that he won’t kill anyone to protect them. If, on the other hand, you’d like someone more conniving to watch your stuff, The Joker’s ready to help. Each one has 4 GB of storage, so your only choice is whether you side with good or evil.

Batman and Joker Thumb Drives

iPhone Coasters

$59.99

16 Coasters made in the design of iPhone Apps

iPhone App Coasters

Muji Touchscreen Gloves

$25.99

A conductive material is interwoven into the thumb and forefinger so that these gloves make Light work of touchscreen technology whatever the weather.

Muji Touchscreen Gloves

Layers Frame

$19.99

Spend all day staring at artboards? Why not add some to your office. The Layers Frame comes with a metal support with a picture magnet frame and looks great with both photos and illustrations.

Layers Frame

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

$299

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the first device – ever – to carry Google’s Android Ice Cream Sandwich update, which brings a whole host of new features, tweaks and updates to the world’s most popular platform. Its also a gorgeous handset to boot, featuring a massive 4.6-inch Super AMOLED HD display (that’s 720p, by the way), 1.2GHz dual-core processor, a 5-megapixel camera and either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. Making it perhaps the best new smartphone on the market.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Thinking With Type

$24.95

Thinking with Type is the definitive guide to using typography in visual communication, from the printed page to the computer screen. This revised edition includes forty-eight pages of new content, including the latest information on style sheets for print and the web, the use of ornaments and captions, lining and non-lining numerals, the use of small caps and enlarged capitals, as well as information on captions, font licensing, mixing typefaces, and hand lettering.

Thinking with Type

Apple Thunderbolt Display

$950

With built-in Thunderbolt technology – the fastest, most flexible I/O ever – the Apple Thunderbolt Display can do things other displays simply can’t. Of course, it delivers a brilliant viewing experience. But connect it to any Thunderbolt-enabled Mac and it becomes a Plug-and-Play hub for everything you do. Features include a high-resolution 2560-by-1440 LED-backlit display, a FaceTime HD camera, high-quality audio, three USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 800 port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a Thunderbolt port for daisy-chaining additional high-performance devices.

27inch Thunderbolt Display

Doodle Diary

$12.99

Not only does it help you keep track of whats going on ,on what day, the Doodle Diary helps you create a personal catalogue of your daily sketches. It can even make a fantastic flick book or helps you to progress from a rough sketch to a more finished version

Doodle Diary

Pac Man Stapler

Pac Man is a legend in a video game world. With Pac Man Stapler you can play pac man in your office when you are working.

Pac Man Stapler

The Vector Brushes Sourcebook: 300 Unique Brushes for Digital Illustration

$12.99

The Vector Brush Sourcebook is a one-stop resource for designers and illustrators who want to learn more about illustrator brushes—how to make them, apply them, edit them, and use them to stunning effect. Digital brushes are powerful and flexible tools that can speed up and enhance the creative workflow; this book will help unleash their potential.

Vector Brush Sourcebook

Thinking With Type

20 of The Best and Most Creative Photoshop Text Effect Tutorials

bmackler — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:01:16 +0000

Strong Photoshop skills continue to be in high demand these days and are a must for any serious designer. There is no better way to improve these skills and ultimately showcase them than by taking that boring text layout and turning it to a creative work of art. There are constantly new things to learn, regardless of your skill level. New tips, tricks and skills are waiting to be discovered. Those who are not yet pros but still learning the ins and outs of Photoshop can learn alot by following tutorials that encompass many aspects of Photoshop to create elaborate designs. Users often want to create unique and interesting text effects to take their work to the next level. The possibilities with Photoshop are endless and fortunately there are no shortage of amazing tutorials that will show you step-by-step in creating amazing text effects.

Today lets take a look at 20 of the best and most creative Photoshop Text Effect Tutorials. Leave a comment and let me know which you think are the best.

Funk

Text Effects

Fireflies Text Tutorial

Text Effects

Slick 3D Ice Tutorial

Text Effects

Dazzling 3D Text Effect

CpText Effects

Extruding Glass

Text Effects

Scrapbook Alphabet

Text Effects

Chrome 4×4 Emblem

Text Effects

Colorful Plexi Glass Text Tutorial

Text Effects

Retro Folded Text Tutorial

Text Effects

Colorful Candy Text

Text Effects

Crumpled Paper Text Tutorial

Text Effects

Luminous Glass Effect

Text Effects

Modern 3D Text

Text Effects

Neon Lights Tutorial

Text Effects

Eroded Metal Text Tutorial

Text Effects

L.A. Noire Neon Text

Text Effects

Sparkly Party Text

Text Effects

Dark Grunge 3D Text

Text Effects

Colorful Retro Text Tutorial

Text Effects

Colorful Ornamental Text Tutorial

Text Effects

30 Awesome Photoshop Actions For Designers

bmackler — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:47:19 +0000

Almost two years ago we posted a list of some of the best actions for Photoshop. Now, we are back with a new list of updated free and low priced actions that can speed up your work, enhance your final product and cut down on the repetition in design, it is a good time to see what new actions have arrived for us to use.

Photoshop Actions can be an incredible time saving tool for designers and photographers. Whether you are creating your own custom actions or using those that have been created by others, actions help by saving time through elimination of repetitive tasks. Today lets take a look at 30 awesome new Photoshop Actions for designers and photographers that will help take their work to the next level.

I am Feeling Retro

Photoshop Actions

Dimensions – 3D Generator

$5.00

Photoshop Actions

Crunchbys Actions

Photoshop Actions

Photoshop Actions 06

Photoshop Actions

Vintage Style Actions

Photoshop Actions

Magic 3D

Photoshop Actions

3D Map Generator

$6.00

Photoshop Actions

Never Grow Up

Photoshop Actions

Cross Processing ATN

Photoshop Actions

Vintage TV Actions

Photoshop Actions

Purple Sunrise Actions

Photoshop Actions

Antique Photo

Photoshop Actions

Photo Coloring 11

Photoshop Actions

Book Generator

$6.00

Photoshop Actins

Photoshop Actions

Photoshop Actions

Photoshop Actions

Photoshop Actions

Realistic Drop Shadow Action

Manicho 50 Post Production Actions

Photoshop Actions

Black and White Sepia

Photoshop Actions

Cinematic Photo Effects

$5.00

Photoshop Actions

Infection

Photoshop Actions

Magical Effect 4

Photoshop Actions

Insta-Aged Photoshop Action

$4.00

Photoshop Actions

Portrait Action

Photoshop Action

Teeth Whitening Action

Photoshop Actions

Map Creator

$6.00

Photoshop Actions

Lomography

Photoshop Actions

Blueprint Generator

Photoshop Actions

25 Design Tutorials That Will Help You Create Better Posters

bmackler — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:46:17 +0000

The art of designing print material, including posters and ads, even as practice is a great way to enhance your overall skills. It is essential to constantly review technique and learn new Photoshop tricks. If you are interested in web or any graphic design in general, most of these techniques are adaptable and will come in handy as time goes on. It is vital that you also have the right place to take care of your poster printing

Today, lets take a look at 25 awesome design tutorials that will help you create professional posters and ads as you learn essential techniques that you can use on your future projects.

Retro Space Poster

Poster Tutorials

Create a Retro Urban Gig Poster

Steam Engine Poster

Poster Tutorials

Rock n’ Roll Gig Poster

Poster Tutorials

Vector Political Poster

Poster tutorials

Blend and Mask a Great Poster

Poster Tutorials

Inception Style Poster

Poster Tutorials

Stencil Poster Tutorial

Poster Tutorial

Retro Ski Poster

Poster Tutorials

Iconic Poster Tutorial

Poster Tutorials

Stylish Club Poster Tutorial

Poster Tutorial

Psychedelic Poster Design

Poster Tutorials

Swiss Air travel Poster

Poster Tutorials

Dexter Poster in Photoshop

Poster Tutorials

Rock n’ Roll Poster

Poster Tutorial

Grunge Retro Poster

Poster Tutorials

3D Lettering Effects for Posters

Poster Tutorials

Dramatic Sequence Movie Poster

Poster Tutorials

Beer Poster Design

Poster Tutorials

Terror Movie Poster

Poster Tutorials

3D Color Explosion

Poster Tutorial

Retro Typographic Poster

Poster Tutorial

Minimalist Poster Design

Poster Tutorials

Geometric Poster

Poster Tutorials

Fantasy Poster

Poster Tutorials

More Than 50 Awesome New Free Business Card Templates and Tutorials

bmackler — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:25:33 +0000

As we all know, or should know, business cards are a great way to get your name out there, your services known and present yourself properly to potential clients. As with all your other collateral, your business cards should match your overall vision and style. A creative card is important for all careers, but sometimes you are not sure what direction to start in, what best suits you. Sometimes as a designer you need a head start or a new idea for your next business card printing.

Your next card layout for you or a client can be enhanced by the tutorials and templates below.

Today lets take a look at more than 50 new and awesome business card templates and tutorials available for free .

Templates

PnP Consult

Business Card Templates

Designer Business Card

Business Card Templates

5 Business Card Template Pack

Business Card Templates

Dark Light

Business Card Templates

Bokeh Business Card

Business Card Templates

Business Card 008

Business Card Templates

Technix

Business Card Templates

Che Guevara Business Card

Business Card Templates

Business Card Template 1

Business Card Templates

Modern Red Business Card

Business Card Templates

Colorful Business Card Template

Business Card Templates

Vintage Business Card

Business Card Templates

Business Card Template

Business Card Templates

Bokeh II Business Card

Business Card Templates

Art Business Card

Business Card Templates

Clean Corporate Business Card

Business Card Templates

More Than 16 Highly Professional Business Card Templates

Business Card Templates

Beauty Salon Template

Business Card Templates

Joe Schmoe

Business Card Temples

Tutorials

Create a Stylish Business Card

Business Card Tutorials

Business Card Walkthru

Business Card Tutorials

Business Card Layout

Business Card Tutorials

Jeans Style Business Card

Business Card Tutorials

Create a Print Ready Business Card

Business Card Tutorials

Make a Beautiful Business Card

Business Card Tutorials

Create a Colorful and Vibrant Business Card

Business Card Tutorials

Cool Grunge Business Card

Business Card Tutorials

Dirty Business Card Tutorial

Business Card Tutorials

Stylish Business Card Template Tutorial

Business Card Tutorials

Chocolate Business Card Tutorial

Business Card Tutorials

Business Card Template

Business Card Tutorials

Space Age Business Card Tutorial

Business Card Tutorials

Business Card Walkthru

How to Design Your Business Card

Business Card Tutorials

Old Grunge Style Print Ready Business Card

Business Card Tutorials

Creative Business Card Tutorial

Business Card Tutorial

Business Card Size Calendar

Business Card Tutorials

Print Ready Retro Card

Business Card Tutorials

Sleek Business Card Tutorial

Business Card Tutorial

25 Fresh and High Quality Free PSD Files For Download

bmackler — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:53:52 +0000

Since Adobe Photoshop is the premier web design tool, it is important to keep up with the latest styles, resources and time saving tips. One of the best resources for your personal collection, especially when time is at a premium, is free, high quality .PSD files that are available for download. This is an invaluable resource for designers, allowing them to save time, streamline their work and learn new skills all at the same time. It can not be stressed enough that keeping an extensive library of psd files is essential. You never know what you will need and when.

Today lets take a look a collection of 25 high quality free psd files that are available for download

Free PSD

free psd

Free PSD

20 New Icon Tutorials for Photoshop

bmackler — Thu, 12 May 2011 18:42:32 +0000

Its been a while since we looked at icons, so today lets show off 20 new, essential and creative icon tutorials for Photoshop

Since the internet is filled with high quality icons for various applications it can be near impossible to find just the right one. Instead of using what is already out there, learn how to make them yourself. Today lets take a look at 20 new and creative icon tutorials for photoshop.

Folder Icon

Icon Tutorial

I Tunes Icon

Icon Tutorials

Glossy Metallic Icons

Icon Tutorials

Writing Pad Icon

Icon Tutorials

Envelope and Pen Icon

Icon Tutorials

Icon Tutorials

Icon Tutorials

Icon Tutorial

Icon Tutorials

Icon Tutorials

Icon Tutorial

Icon Tutorials

Icon Tutorial

Icon Tutorials

Icon Tutorials

Graduation Cap Icon

Icon Tutorials

Briefcase Icon

Icon Tutorials

Icecream Icon

Itcon Tutorials

Satisfaction Guaranteed Icon

Icon Tutorial

Set of Multi Colored Buddy Icons

Icon Tutorials

50 High Quality and Free Photoshop Files For Designers

bmackler — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:43:34 +0000

As we have discussed before, Photoshop is the premier design tool on the market today, and for much of the past twenty years. Because this software is on such a lofty perch, it is quite complex and hard to learn and even harder to master. Along the way we all need some help, some ideas and a running start, no matter how much experience we may have.

To provide some assistance and inspiration I have put together a collection of 50 high quality Photoshop PSD files available for download. These files come loaded with all the information and flexibility for you to update and modify yourself.

They are available for your inspiration and use but make sure that you read the terms and conditions before using them

Today lets take a look at 50 High Quality and Free Photoshop Files For Designers

Text

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Icons

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Technology

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Icons and Buttons

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Icons

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Icons

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Pencils in a Pencil Holder

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Icons

Files PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Gold Seal

Free PSD Files

Mail PSD

Free PSD Files

User Icon

Free PSD Files

House Icon

Layouts

Movie Poster

Free PSD Templates

Card Template

Free PSD Files

Beautiful Abstract Background

Free PSD Files

Cinema

Free PSD Files

Business Card

Free PSD Files

Shape – Website Layout

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Icons

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Templates

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

Free PSD Files

35 Awesome and New Photoshop Brushes to Enhance your Designs

bmackler — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 15:29:09 +0000

Out of all the potential add ons, free and premium for Adobe Photoshop, a good assortment of brushes are probably one of the most useful for any designer. In addition to enhancing your design brushes can revamp your style, give you new ideas and allow you try elements that you could not have previously.

Adobe Photoshop comes with a very basic package of brushes that have not been updated in a long time. Now, thanks to a growing community of Photoshop professionals there are countless brushes available to download for free.

Today lets take a look at 35 Awesome and New Photoshop Brush sets to Enhance your Designs

Abstract brushes from Rubina – (6 brushes)

Photoshop Brushes

Circles and Brushes

Photoshop Brushes

Fine Splatters

Photoshop Brushes

Broken Brushes

Photoshop Brushes

Galactic Brushes

Photoshop Brushes

Grunge Typo

Photoshop Brushes

Markers on Newsprint

Photoshop Brushes

2Bit Twilight

Photoshop Brushes

Natural Textures

Photoshop Brushes

3D Abstract Lines by env1ro (24 brushes)

Photoshop Brushes

Sticky Tape

Photoshop Brushes

Ribbon Revolution

Photoshop Brushes

Floral Brushes

Photoshop Brushes

Wood Brushes

Photoshop Brushes

Bubble Brush

Photoshop Brushes

Retro Dynamic Brushes

Photoshop Brushes

Abstract Brushes

Photoshop Brushes

Flight of Grey

Photoshop Brushes

Tech Interface Photoshop Brushes

Photoshop Brushes

Night Light

Photoshop Brushes

Speedy Brushes

Photoshop Brushes

Cloud Brushes

Photoshop Brushes

Refresh Brushes

Photoshop Brushes

Retro Brushes

Photoshop Brushes

Crack Effects

Photoshop Brushes

Vintage Photoshop Brush Sets

Photoshop Brushes

Floral Brushes 3

Photoshop Brushes

Vintage Grunge

Photoshop Brushes

Light Sparkles

Photoshop Brushes

Newspaper Ads from the 60s

Photoshop Brushes

Doodled Trees

Photoshop Brushes

Curvy Lines

Photoshop Brushes

Weathered Wood

Photoshop Brushes

Distressed Grunge Brush Pack

Photoshop brushes

Half Tone Brushes

Photoshop Brushes

Roundup of 40 of The Best Photoshop Tutorials from 2010

bmackler — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:37:53 +0000

2010 was a banner year for Photoshop, with the release of CS5 and countless amazing tutorials to help us all improve our skills. As we all know Photoshop is probably one of the most sought after and indispensable pieces of software in a designer’s skill set. It can be used for just about anything, including designing for the web, icons, posters and retouching. Since we all have new years resolutions, lets make one of them improving our skills and to learn new tip, tricks and methods in design.

Now, as we enter 2011, lets take a look at some of the best Photoshop tutorials of 2010 to help us improve our skills and be inspired regardless of our level

Underwater Content Box Design in Photoshop

2010 Photoshop Tutorials

Photo Manipulation and 3D Layers to Design a Surreal Cover Art

Draw a Pirate Character in Photoshop

2010 Photoshop Tutorials

Create a Mysterious Poster Design with 3D Text

Elegant Photography Web Layout in Photoshop

2010 Photoshop Tutorials

Soft Grunge Product Ad Photoshop Tutorial

2010 Photoshop Tutorials

Create a Shiny Psdtuts+ Folder Icon in Photoshop

2010 Photoshop Tutorials