Articles & Inspiration
It’s every print designer’s dream to work on a project that involves special print effects. Varnishes, fluorescents, foils and embossing are just some examples of cool finishes that can be applied by industrial printing companies, but the added cost makes these projects quite a rarity. If you’re lucky enough to have an adventurous client, or you’re feeling flush and want to splash out on some top quality personal prints, follow along with this guide to learn about the different special print finishes available and how to prepare your print artwork to accommodate them.
I love the abstract style of line art illustrations. It’s amazing how just a single stroke weight can be used to create intricate patterns and recognisable drawings with basic geometric shapes. In today’s showcase I present a range of stylish illustrations made from just stroked paths, see how these designers use simple lines to produce detailed vector art. Fancy giving this style of art a go yourself? Check out my classic tattoo style illustration tutorial to learn how to create similar line art designs.
In this age of digital design I find the old analogue techniques of hand lettering and sign painting extraordinarily impressive. The use of traditional mediums such as chalk require real talent, which is why professional typographers are still being hired to create stunning murals in trendy cafes and restaurants. In today’s design showcase I present 30 inspirational examples of chalk lettering designs by admirable artists who use traditional techniques to create fantastic typography.
Thanks to the increase in popularity of microbreweries the packaging for craft beers has become a new canvas for designers and illustrators to work their magic. Independent brewers rely on the branding of their product to stand out, which results in some really creative designs for us to enjoy. In today’s post I showcase 30 brilliant beer bottle labels and packaging designs that are full of character, with the kinds of cool lettering and illustrations you just don’t see on the mainstream brands.
Around this time every year I take a moment to reflect back on my posts over the past 12 months and compare how well they performed on social media. My latest Greatest Hits compilation features my top content from 2014, arranging my tutorials, articles and freebies in order of their popularity. Which one was your favourite?
It’s interesting to browse real space images sourced by NASA, but the fictional concepts in the Space Art genre are really mind blowing. These artists produce extraordinary cosmic scenes featuring vibrant nebulas and gigantic planets. Today’s showcase features 25 great examples of inspiring space art concepts. Prepare to be awestruck as you travel through these imaginary galaxies.
