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Post by ⤞ r e a on Oct 26, 2016 21:55:35 GMT -5
[ a guide to graphic design ]
This guide is intended as a resource for both beginners and experienced designers. I've created step-by-step tutorials for each of the techniques I use most often in my graphics and layouts, with examples and screenshots as needed. My instructions for creating graphics and editing images are written for those using GIMP, so I can't guarantee these methods will work in other programs.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I can also offer advice and constructive critiques if you'd like.
[ table of contents ]Resource List
Tips
Graphics Lesson 1 - The Basics of GIMP Lesson 2 - Tools & Layers Lesson 3 - Choosing Images & Creating Simple Backgrounds Lesson 4 - Uploading & Posting Images Lesson 5 - Selecting Fonts & Adding Text Lesson 6 - Adding Borders Lesson 7 - Banner Shapes Lesson 8 - Creating Texture & Depth Lesson 9 - Making Headers Lesson 10 - Making Dividers Lesson 11 - Creating Maps
BBCode Lesson 1 - The Basics Lesson 2 - Color Codes Lesson 3 - Formatting Text & Using Messletters/Symbols Lesson 4 - Adding Images Lesson 5 - Adding Links Lesson 6 - Basic Div Boxes Lesson 7 - Making Transparent Div Boxes Lesson 8 - Using Images as Div Backgrounds Lesson 9 - Scrollboxes
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Post by ⤞ r e a on Nov 14, 2016 2:30:28 GMT -5
[ resource list ]
Here are several websites and tools you may find useful when working on your design projects. If you know of other good resources that aren't listed, please feel free to suggest them.
Adobe Color - This is a great site where you can use a color picker to get the hex or RGB code for any shade you need, create a five-shade color scheme or browse those made by others. I highly recommend making a free account so that you can easily find the themes you've made and save your favorites, for easy access later.
Messletters - You can easily find the special characters used to decorate titles and screen names here, ranging from fonts to symbols like arrows, flowers and various bullets.
DaFont - A wide selection of fonts and dingbats (symbols other than letters), many of which you can install for free and use in your work. If you want to make your own graphics, using a site like this is essential; many fonts that may come with your operating system (excluding a few basic ones that can be used to create a simple, clean look) can make your work look tacky, generic and messy. Almost everyone has seen these fonts before and many of them are not that visually appealing compared to downloadable ones online. Nothing's wrong with using Times New Roman from time to time; just stay away from the likes of Chiller and Papyrus, and never use Comic Sans.
Unsplash - Unsplash has a decent selection of great quality stock images of various subjects, all of which are free.
StockSnap - This site is pretty similar to Unsplash and a lot of images on it can also be found there, but they're both good options. There are many more sites where you can find free stock photos, but these two are my personal favorites.
Vecteezy - You can find a wide variety of vector symbols, patterns, text and other designs here, many of which are free and can be used in your projects.
Dawnthieves - Yet another site to access free-to-use images of good quality, except this one specializes in photos of wolves. There are also some of foxes and lynx.
DeviantArt - There are a lot of resources on DA, such as stock images, tutorials and brushes. It's a good place to start looking for things when you can't find what you want elsewhere.
GIMP PPA - You can get editing presets for GIMP here - basically, running the preset will apply a series of effects to alter the appearance of an image much faster than trying to work things out yourself. Great for getting the right atmosphere from a background photo or enhancing a color scheme.
JFotography - This site has more presets for adding effects and enhancing colors, and a selection of stock photos and tutorials.
[ tips ]setting up this section as I go
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