VWD Blog

Software Corner

2010-08-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

From time to the that is used will give our opinion on software.

Our First review is on Adobe Fireworks, which we give a 2 thumbs up.

While looking around I typed in "fireworks" in Craig's List for jobs and surprisingly there really isn't much need of it on the employment spectrum. which I really can't understand.

This program is widely used for a lot of our clientele since our sites tend to be on the "artsy" side of the design spectrum. This gives us the flexibility to turn one PNG file into an interactive website. To be more specific we can make a collage into an opening page.

We also use this feature to create many menubars, image rollover galleries, along with basic image sizing. Though we like Photoshop, but since we have to have it souped up to the nines since we do other services such as costume designing it gives a nice buffer to do minor image sizing for photos on your site.

The other great feature is the back and forth relationship it has with Dreamweaver to just go right in and do quick editing of images without having to wait for an eternity for Photoshop to load.

We have even been know to create a few fliers and catalog pages in Fireworks to add more depth in just what can be done. It's also great in that manner that you can align your layers more evenly.

All in all, Fireworks is a great tool it combines Dreamweaver and Photoshop in one to allow you to create websites and do image editing and creation in one.

Re Branding

2010-06-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

Re branding is something that I like to do every few years or so for Vitanza Web Designs. I'm trying out a new logo that has a more cleaner feel since the new trend is simplistic and clean for things that I do.

Here's the process that I went through:
Going through over 1,000 fonts is something that I fear upon greatly. It seems like it takes forever and ever but and this a good key tip. Know the style of font your looking for by going through Word, preview boxes in Illustrator/Photoshop/Fireworks, or if you have the fonts on hand printed out (keep the font books that come with the software).

Sketch it out. Yes I do not stutter sometimes sketching out ideas aids in the process of elimination. This way here if you do not like whats on paper you can always play around with shape tools. I wanted something but I decided small circles in a darker color would give me something to break up the text.

This is the key tip that I went through.
Know your colors before hand. This is something that I can't stress enough. A client maybe open to anything the designer wants but they may not tell you they hate a color. Pick their brain before you do any color charts. This project was easy for me, I'm a huge Chicago Bears fan so I stayed in the navy blue and orange family to keep my passion for Bears football.

Mummers Part 2

2010-06-02T06:49:00.002-07:00

Recently Vitanza Web Designs was asked to aid for the 2010 Mummers parade and we have been asked again for the 2011 Mummers parade. Due to this we have expanded into costuming.

I know after 2 sentences you are already going next or saying this is supposed to help in graphic designing how?

For costume design we do all of our sketches on computer as opposed to doing them by hand. This project along has elongated my loading time for Photoshop by at least 2 to 5 minutes. Considering I now I have over 100 metallic gradients some of which will probably never be used for this stuff but its good to have for other graphic projects.

The big tip for everyone make sure your sketch lines are all closed. sometimes pencil sketches aren't the best things to scan and color in. I usually prime things but if you know what you want that's cool if you don't want to.

The biggest and the keys:
Make sure you enjoy layers- All of your work should be saved in PSD format so you can edit them at any time.
Make time- you'll be there for a while
Call fabric company and get swatches- Sometimes you can mimic a specific fabric or style by just having the swatch in front of you.

Pitfalls Designers Face

2010-06-02T06:49:00.001-07:00

Designing by experiment is something that is the standard more than just getting an image up or a PDF file as fast as you can.

Patience is something that is necessary not rush “to make it happen and get it done” or “it needs to be a piece of clip art off a google search that I can do in two minutes” just to get an image and move on to the next project.

I’m not bashing clip art but sometimes the environment you have to do it, if not you get shouting matches and that is just not good for a creative spirit. Or just simply put you need the stock photos.

There will be times that you will need to take the extra few weeks or the extra few hours and those projects are the ones that you simply enjoy because those are the ones that you can take pride in.

If anyone wants to chime in and add to these pitfalls please feel free

Mummers Realted Project

2010-06-02T06:45:00.000-07:00

Outside web and graphic designing, I was recently asked in developing a project for scenery that will be used in the 2010 Philadelphia Mummers Parade. Being a Mummer and helping out on Greater Overbrook String Band’s website, developing PhillyMummers.com, and helping out with the Save the Mummers. I have felt this is something worth sharing.

If you have seen our portfolio you are wondering why are there sequined up scarecrows and penguins . Those were all projects that were used for front car signs. Though the penguins never made it they still look good for the portfolio.

This is a step by step guide on how this time consuming project is going. This is something at least 2 people (pending on umbrella size and how intricate your design is.)

Materials: Lost of hot glue (Pending on the umbrella size), sequins (pending on umbrella size. I recommend getting some samples and try a size before purchasing), and fabric (again pending on how fancy your design is)

This first step is big have an idea in place so you have an idea on colors and. I sketched out what I wanted. Then step two, I saw what I had laying around. Sometimes you get ideas from what you have laying around.

That’s all I have for right now, this story will continue with more step by step guides of what burns (yes playing with hot glue on very detailed work) and problems that you can run into.

Corss Platforming

2009-05-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

Going between MAC and PC has been something that I've been doing for quite sometime and I'm still learning. Having some background in tech support has aided me doing this "for dummies" blog it.

There are going to be hurdles that you may have to encounter:

Do not get used of having a mouse with both left and right click. If you got an older MAC some of the new mouses just won't work. (I may windup trying again just in case if the mouse was bad.)
Learn some of the shortcuts. Especially with design programs such as Flash, Dremaweaver and Fireworks you will get tired of going to file, then choosing the option.
Don't try to get all hooked up on what the windows programs look like and think MAC looks like that. Some of the programs will look the same however a few of the windows maybe different.
You will always have to drag whatever USB devices, CDs and other plug in things to the trash can. With MACS there is no "right click to safely remove devices". (I personally like this feature especially if you are using USB drives.
No control alt deleting when the machine is frozen. You can force quit or just hard boot the machine.

I will have more tips when I think of them from time to time.

Now the one thing I look for when it all comes down to cross platforming is what you are more comfortable using. If you are doing a lot of artistic things like music and designing MAC is the way to go. PCS are good for some things, like surfing the net (some sites just like IE on PC), doing office work, etc.

Intro

2009-04-30T07:49:00.001-07:00

I've decided to use this blog for various computer advice, design advice, and other items that I know that can help computer and design novices out there.

For experienced designers and computer gurus that would like to pass on their knowledge please feel free