John Abbott College
You are probably familiar with InDesign and its complexity. It is where are all files (PSDs, AIs, EPSs, TIFF, etc.) can be met to create an original project. Has it ever occurred that you are lost in all of your files? Organizing them together is a way to improve time efficiency and to feel satisfied with what you are creating.
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A quick and simple guide to using the Pattern tool in Adobe Illustrator for creating beautiful patterns for backgrounds, textiles, packaging and more!
This is a tutorial on how to add a layer mask in Adobe Photoshop.
A layer mask is a reversible way to hide part of a layer. This permits us to have more options when editing than permanently erasing or deleting a part of a layer. Layer masks are useful when making image composites, cutting out objets for use in other documents. Black white or gray are the colors that we can add to a layer mask. A way to do this is by painting the layer mask. If you paint it black it will conceal and if you paint it white it will reveal. And gray partially hides the layer that contains the mask.
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Illustrator is the easiest and fastest way to create patterns. During my first year in Graphic and Web Design program, one of the projects was to create a pattern design and display it in objects and shapes. Since it was spring time, I decided to create a flower pattern. To go along with the theme of flowers and the spring time, I made a flower vase with flowers inside using the pattern I created.
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When you first enter any kind of computer related course which requires you to work on any kind of software. Your teachers have probably nagged you about learning keyboard shortcuts. They say it can improve your workflow and efficiency overall. However, you probably mindlessly nodded your head and then proceeded to draw spirals in illustrator. Now you have become a master at all things design, yet you are just as slow as when you started. Maybe even slower due to your inability to make decisions with your arsenal of design experience.
Continue reading “Don’t Shortcut, Keyboard Shortcuts”
Designing is no easy tasks, designing takes a lot of skills, one of them being choosing the right colour palette for your project. When I first began in the graphic and web design program at John Abbott College, I had a particularly hard time coming up with colour palettes that were cohesive, and fit the aesthetics of what I was trying to convey. The colours I assumed went together, showed no representation of what I was trying to perceive through the website.
I really struggled to find which colours worked best together, or even which colours can be paired as a palette. So for the better part of my first semester in the program, I struggled with comprehending the ideologies behind colour selections. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon the website called https://colorpalettes.net/, which taught me the beauty and power of colour selection. Colours play a huge role in helping people to recognize and comprehend what the website is about. What really sets this website apart from others, is that it gives you images that feature the colours they have paired together.
Continue reading “Colour My World”
In a visual and design-oriented course, your portfolio is your resume. Your future employment opportunities rely on the work you have under your belt. In the Graphic & Web Design program, every project you do is a potential portfolio piece. The work you do in school might not be inspiring. You might be stressed and not have the time or the will to put maximum effort into each work. If this is the case, at the very least keep the feedback you received during and after you presented your work in class. Then you can take full advantage of that precious spare time to revamp your portfolio pieces.
Continue reading “Make the most of your spare time”Welcome to the next chapter of my life. I’m Nour Turk, graphic and web design student at John Abbott College.
To start off, I did not know anything about being a graphic and web designer, I’ve never heard of it, which made me curious and wanted to know more about it. Seeing all the work of the previous students and the work of famous graphic designers made me interested in this program.
After these three years in this program, I still do not like web programming (coding), it is something I do not enjoy and I do not see myself working in, in the future. However, working in InDesign, Illustrator and Lightroom I do enjoy. I love photography and working in Lightroom made me love it more with all the features it has, which is more than photoshop.
Creating flyers, magazines, brochures and more, are the reason why I enjoy working in InDesign.
I am very excited to finish college and head to the real word and start working in this field. However, I am planning to continue to university \\and getting another degree. I still don’t know what I would like to continue in, I am still figuring it out. Therefore, I would like to start working first and do part time in university. Working in big companies worries me, but it will make me get out of my comfort zone.
The next chapter of my life, should I be scared or excited?
I am afraid, but it’s time to turn the page and start a new chapter.
My name is Emilie Ahier, I am currently a Graphic and Web Design student at John Abbott College. I joined this program 3 years ago and at that time I didn’t even know if I would like it. I knew what Graphic Design was, but I didn’t know I would develop such a strong feeling of belonging. For me, detail is extremely important, and I find that I have a strong eye for it; I love to create minimalist and colourful designs and I am always eager to learn more. In this program, I really discovered who I was and what I wanted in life. As someone who is driven by the desire to create; I am passionate about my work. Above all, I wish to find a career path where I can express my creativity on a daily basis.
Continue reading “Emilie Ahier – Live a Life Driven by Creativity, Inspiration, and Passion”
