Archive for September, 2006

Graphic Designers & Web Designers Know the Right Colors When They See Them

Designers know the right colors when they see it.

Ever wonder why there are so many awful color combinations on the web? One might think it is because there are so many bad web designers out there.
Well, they might not be.

They may be using on of the many color matching software’s out there, and trusting it blindly to find the colors they need. Even designers with a good taste of colors may be tempted to use a “safe” match from the color wheel. The truth is the color wheel do not give you the colors you really want, and in end leaves out much of the creativity that should be present in a designer’s world.

As the painter Frank Bruno puts it, “Color harmony was thrown out years ago, as restrictive chains were broken forming my free style.”

People working with color know this, but since there are no alternative except extraordinary good taste, the color wheel has been the trusted choice. The problem with RGB is that is was developed for displaying colors in a computer screen. The sensitivities of the eye are different to the RGB system. Equal steps in RGB, results in unequal steps in human perception. Color scientists are aware of this problem, and developed the LAB system to overcome it. LAB works on human perception instead of the technicalities of color measurements.

When selling a product, one should consider color choice just as important as shape.

Psychologists have found out that color impression can account for 60% of the acceptance or rejection of that product or service. It is therefore crucial for a designer to pick the right colors to influence and illustrates the message, mood, and
flavor off their product.

Speaking to designers it was clear that color theory was too simplistic, resulting in highly saturated schemes. Instead of tools that would prescribe the “right” color, they wanted tools to explore. GenoPal was developed to fulfill this need, since designers know the right colors when they see it.

About Genometri Pte Ltd:

Genometri has developed patented color and generative design technology. The company is a spin off company from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and was established in 2004. The company sells software products and provides generative design services.

Genometri Pte Ltd.
No 14 Prince George’s Park Road
Singapore 118412
Phone: +65 67789456

Web: www.genometri.com/color

Email: marketing@genometri.com

About Flash Templates & The Benefit of Flash Templates in Web Design

About Flash Templates & The Benefit of Flash Templates in Web Design

It can be hard to stay on top of the constantly shifting world of website design. New technologies are being developed daily, and the websites found throughout the internet reflect this. One of the latest technologies to be commonly integrated into websites is interactivity, or as it is more commonly known, flash. Flash is a process by which a user can modify or click on elements of an image and obtain a response. An entire site can be designed exclusively in Flash.

Although the Flash technology has been circulating the internet for some time, perhaps the simplest way to integrate the tool into a website is through Flash templates. Flash templates are available in great quantities through hundreds of websites and online companies. Much like traditional web templates, Flash templates provide a simplified framework for a user that includes Flash elements.

Although actually creating Flash can be relatively pain-free for professionals with significant knowledge of programming and design, for most individuals, however, this is not the case. It is far simpler to use the services of a company in the business of proving Flash templates along with excellent support and customization. Most providers offer customization as a part of obtaining that company’s Flash templates.

For example, an individual would purchase a template from a reliable online source, and before delivery, that online source would input the relevant company information, such as the company name, slogan, original content, or even a logo into the Flash design. Even with this customization, a Flash template is significantly less expensive than creating an original design through a professional. It also takes considerably less time.

Once the interactive portion of the Flash template has been customized, the buyer would simple modify any remaining portion of the template using simple commands and often without needing any knowledge of HTML coding. Once the template is complete with all relevant content, it is uploaded and the Flash portion will be live.

While these templates might seem more complex than a traditional design template, an individual would actually complete the same type of modification for both. The Flash is already integrated into Flash templates before a customer even receives the framework to modify. Thus, there is no additional work, but the added benefit of the Flash template to a respective website could be significant.

Autor’s Bio:
This article was written by Hasan Saleem sponsored by http://www.templatesfactory.net.
Reproductions of this article must include a link pointing back to http://www.templatesfactory.net.

Stock Photography — Stock photos offer quality, choice, and savings in time, budget and client satisfaction

Summary: Whether you’re a PR consultant, a web developer or graphic designer, chances are you’ve experienced the time-intensive quest for the perfect image. And I’d be willing to bet that you’ve also experienced the angst that accompanies the quest. Will you find the right image in time? And will it blow your budget? Here’s a fantastic, low-cost solution — high-quality stock photography ….

Stock Photography — Stock photos offer quality, choice, and savings in time, budget and client satisfaction

by Bryan Zmijewski

Whether you’re a PR consultant, a web developer or graphic designer, chances are you’ve experienced the time-intensive quest for the perfect image. And I’d be willing to bet that you’ve also experienced the angst that accompanies the quest. Will you find the right image in time? And will it blow your budget?

Despite your mega Microsoft clip art library, and the vast (and depending on your use, illegal) repository known as Google Images, the just-right image, art or photo has eluded you. Meanwhile, the deadline is fast approaching … and along with budget constraints, there’s no time to hire a professional, and taking the shot yourself doesn’t yield the expert quality you need.

Consider the plethora of images and variety available through low-cost, royalty-free stock photography. Stock photos provide quick access and speedy delivery, superb quality and a broad selection, usually categorized by descriptive keywords or found quickly with a searchable database. With high-quality stock photos starting as low as a buck each, the price just can’t be beat.

Advantages of Using Stock Photography

Save time - Stock galleries provide a way to move quickly from an abstract concept straight to the presentation. Thousands of images and photos are readily available and quickly downloadable via the Internet, so the designer, developer or marketer can leap from the work plan to the storyboard, PowerPoint, brochure or web page.

You’ll no longer need days to set up a photo assignment, or spend the hours it used to take perusing clip art books, graphic files or endless CD-ROM galleries. With most online stock photo providers, you can create an account and download samples or purchase the perfect image in a matter of minutes.

Excellent range of selection & choice - Stock photography provides an unbeatable selection. Just imagine the advantage of having hundreds of photographers, models or designers on staff — along with hundreds of artistic styles and expressions. Stock libraries and galleries allow you to choose descriptive keywords, or combine keywords to get even more specific search results. Do a quick Search at LuckyOliver to see what we mean. And while you’re at it, go ahead and test-drive (or grab a comp of) one of LuckyOliver’s watermarked images — there’s no purchase required for that!

It guarantees a level of quality - Sure, there are plenty of free photo web sites–and many of them are filled with all kinds of garbage, like junky low-resolution photos, animated gif files and other stuff that may not have anything to do with what you need. You can expect remarkable quality from microstock libraries since the providers have high standards for accepting and approving any photo and art submissions.

It’s legal and ethical - Buying stock photos helps you avoid any legal issues associated with copyright. At stock photo suppliers such as LuckyOliver, you don’t have to worry about collecting and filing model releases. You simply make the purchase and use the photo, hassle-free. LuckyOliver and other stock phto galleries compensate the photographer–which saves you time and money once again, with less forms to sign and fewer checks to write.

It’s affordable - Some stock photos are inexpensive, but not cheap looking–though prices do vary. While some stock providers charge a lot — or whatever their market will bear — there’s oftentime little artistic difference between the high-dollar finds and the less expensive stuff.

For use of most stock photographs, prices range from $1 to $12 per photo, with discounts available for bulk purchases. Affiliate programs may also be available, and could prove worthwhile for web developers who offer custom templates to customers or for advertising agencies, marketers and PR firms with clients who want to choose their own images and photos.

About the Author Bryan Zmijewski is the fearless leader of stock photography provider LuckyOliver. After graduating as valedictorian of his high school class and not doing too shabby at Stanford, he started ZURB, a customer experience firm. Not content having one successful business and being a designer/photographer himself, he grabbed another cup of coffee and started LuckyOliver, a place where artists and photographers buy and sell photos and images for as low as $1. Contact him at feedback@luckyoliver.com or visit www.LuckyOliver.com.