Computer Arts issue 123

Nothing beats being creative for a living so why must so many of us endure crippling bouts of self-doubt?

According to a recent survey from the D&AD, over 70 per cent of this year’s D&AD judges have never been happy with a piece of their own work.

The reason why so many of us feel this way is because we care. We also know that design is a constantly evolving process and our work can quickly date.

In a quest to reconcile creativity with confidence, the latest issue of Computer Arts presents a ten-page guide to being a better graphic designer.

We speak to the great and good of the design community, including several CA readers, and provide 50 tips that will get your creative juices flowing and help you approach your work with more confidence.

The whole shebang is also tied up in a lovely illustrative bow by Jeremyville. More on that shortly…

Enjoy!

Paul Newman, senior editor

COVER STAR
Welcome to Jeremyville

How could we possibly top last issue’s double cover whammy? With a trip to Jeremyville, of course!

Our 50 Ways to Become a Better Designer feature is illustrated with a host of characters from Sydney-based illustrator Jeremyville’s imagination and it’s his first magazine cover, too.

According to Jeremyville, the concept behind his illustration was “ drowning characters rescued from the stream of consciousness that meanders through Jeremyville. Or possibly not.”

See which character you like the best. Senior ed Paul’s vote goes to the Travis Bickle snail, while senior art director Roddy is opting for broccoli is so afro man.

What on earth are we talking about? See the newsstand for the bigger picture…

PROFILE: AKQA
The agency of the year talks cutting-edge technology and special sauce

“The focus lies with keeping it innovative so that we’re always trying new things,” says AKQA’s chairman Ajaz Ahmed.

This single-minded vision has made AKQA the first design agency to hold the title Agency of the Year on both sides of the Atlantic simultaneously. It’s a vision powered by cutting-edge technology and one that has entranced myriad high-profile brands from Nike to Microsoft.

Computer Arts reveals what makes AKQA tick and the recipe to the ‘special sauce’ that has enabled them to develop cutting-edge projects, such as the Xbox 360 interface.

CUTTING-EDGE TECHNIQUES
Push your skills to the limit with these great tutorials

Develop new software skills with the great collection of tutorials in issue 123.

We start with a superb lesson in lighting effects from Photoshop master Per Gustaffson, where he explains 20 key techniques he used to create a stunning sci-fi image. Chris Weston takes the imaging theme further still by providing a masterclass in creating neon type in Cinema 4D, Illustrator and Photoshop.

Elsewhere, you can discover how to automate Photoshop, read the second part of Pixelsurgeon potentate Jason Arber’s eCommerce store guide and discover how to create animate sequences in a classy tutorial on animating with After Effects and Illustrator from London’s Mainframe.

WHAT”S ON THE CD
Full software and a trip down memory lane awaits

If you’re fed up of working with low resolution images then this month’s full product, Cleanerzoomer 1.01 is the app for you. Not only can it get rid of artifacts and noise, but it can also remove dust and hot pixels.

There’s also a motion graphics theme running through the disc, with a full hour of After Effects video training from our friends over at Lynda.com and an After Effects toolkit containing 15 different plug-ins.

Finally, we take a trip back in time and bring you the first in a series of PDF back issues. We kick-off with issue 100, where we celebrated our centenary with four different covers and discovered how to animate type in Flash.

SPECIAL READER OFFER
Subscribe to Computer Arts and save 30%

Why run the risk of missing an issue of Computer Arts? We’re currently offering a 30 per cent discount on a year’s subscription, a saving of £24 a year -- the equivalent of a flight to Madrid from London!

Subscribers also get a special edition of the magazine without any coverlines and, believe us, they look pretty damn special. Just see this issue’s glorious coverline-free Jeremyville cover. Oops, you can’t. Unless you subscribe, of course…

Hit www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk and fill out the form to see what you’re missing.

COMPUTER ARTS PROJECTS
What’s hot in Computer Arts’ sister magazine

The current issue of Computer Arts Projects is so loaded to the brim with special treatments that it’s a wonder we haven’t been arrested by the print design police for being so indulgent.

The issue itself is dedicated to creating Perfect Portfolios and comes in a lavish faux-leather textured wallet with a typographic illustration from Si Scott plus an embossed and foiled masthead. It’s selling like hot cakes, though, so you’ll need to be quick if you want a copy.

Grab your edition from all good newsagents or call +44 (0) 870 837 4722 today to reserve a copy.