Finding Inspiration, Canva & Getting Hipster

Recently I posted this tweet:

In the midsts of redesigning a new header image for my website http://t.co/CnBgj68SgN #exciting #webdesign #WatchThisSpace #GraphicDesign

— Melanie Simpson (@WhoIsMelanieS) May 28, 2015

I wanted to redesign my header image for my website. I wanted something more modern than what I had. I played around in Illustrator - but nothing came. I was out of ideas and had little inspiration!

The back and forth of Graphic Design - LIBQUAL Case Study

Designing for clients is a process. Through communication and brainstorming, ideas evolve and grow. This was something I wasn't used to when I got my first job in UCD in August 2013. I had come straight from college and if I was happy with a concept and design then it was to be put forward and graded. It took time to get used to designing for others. 

How to convert paths into shapes in Illustrator

Here's something I learnt recently that I got REALLY excited about! So many times I have struggled with paths in Illustrator and just didn't know how to make them into shapes. Until now!

Take the below image as an example. I was trying to make a laptop icon. I wanted to use the Shape Builder tool to cut out the laptop and have the white circle as the icon. I made the laptop using the Rounded Rectangle shape tool and used the Pen tool to draw the cord.

How to select all text in Illustrator

Here's something I thought I wouldn't need to know in Illustrator. A little while ago I was working on an illustration for a document. This diagram had numerous individual pieces of text. I eventually needed to select all. Here's how to do it without choosing each individually. 

How to stop hyphenation in InDesign

InDesign is a powerful tool. I truly believe I have only scratched the surface of understanding it's capabilities for digital publishing. However; there are some things in InDesign which perplex me. One of these is it's enthusiasm for hyphenation.

How to transfer layers to a new document in Photoshop

Adobe products are renowned for their flexibility and versatility. Whatever you want to do, Adobe most likely has an answer.

Say you are trying to get the same effects from Photoshop into a new Photoshop document. Well, there's a solution for that. And you guessed it; it's simple once you know how!

Inserting Placeholder Text in InDesign

And we're back!

I had to take a little break from posting for the past few weeks as my lovely HP Desktop broke. I still don't understand how it was fixed (as it kind of fixed itself) but it is fixed and that is the main thing! And none of my progams or work has been lost so I am a very happy bunny altogether!

Here is a little InDesign tip to get us back into the swing of things.