Notepads and sketchbooks are one of the most important tools in a Designer or Illustrator’s arsenal. Designer and Printer duo Callum Chapman and Steve Vince have created the perfect grid notepad using a dot pattern, which makes it easy to accurately sketch out wireframes but doesn’t obscure your design. After realising the demand for such a product, Callum and Steve set up Dotgrid.co and began selling their premium dot grid books. They have also been kind enough to arrange a special giveaway and offer a 10% discount to Access All Areas members. Log in to find out how to get your hands on one!
- 30th November 2012
- Posted in Premium
- 7 Comments
- Read more
In the past I always saved any texturing work for Photoshop, but recently I’ve been enjoying using vector textures to create cool distressed illustrations directly in Adobe Illustrator. Follow this step by step tutorial to build a textured vector revolver illustration. We’ll use some handy Pen curves to create the linework, fill in the shapes with LivePaint then use some vector textures to create a stylized final appearance.
The Art & Design Inspiration Fix pulls together a collection of my favourite graphical images that I’ve come across over the past week to give you a fix of creative inspiration. This week we have designs from OmaszDesign, CommonerInc, Skinny Ships, Rik Oostenbroek and Cenk Yilmaz.
- 23rd November 2012
- Posted in News
- 8 Comments
- Read more
Whenever I’m in need of a quick dose of design inspiration I look no further than typography poster collections on bookmarking and pinning websites. Not only are these artworks created with stunning lettering, they also come in a variety of design styles from big and bold to floral and elegant. This post rounds up a collection of 20 inspirational typography designs to give you a creative boost.
- 19th November 2012
- Posted in Articles
- 17 Comments
- Read more
This week Access All Areas members can download a really interesting, unique vintage texture pack containing 5 handcrafted textures, courtesy of MyDesignDeals. These textures are from a wider pack of over 100 vintage textures and overlays, usually available for $145. MyDesignDeals are offering the entire collection for this week only for an amazing $21 (86% off). Grab it while you can.
- 16th November 2012
- Posted in Premium
- 7 Comments
- Read more
My old Illustrator vector monster character tutorials were one of the main reasons this blog took off back in 2007, so today I thought I’d go back to my roots and create a new character based on my old design style. Follow this step by step Adobe Illustrator tutorial to create a fun vector monster. We’ll use only basic shapes to construct the monster’s features, but combined they create a fun and friendly character.
