Computer Arts issue 139

You may notice some changes in the new issue of Computer Arts. We’ve gone for a fresh look for the cover. Hopefully you like it, and let me assure you we’re looking to bring you more exciting images on the cover over the coming months.

The other change this issue is the size of the magazine. Before we get letters accusing us of cost-cutting and so forth, I’d like to explain the reasons for the new format. Basically, one of the biggest (and still growing) magazine outlets in the country has specified a maximum width for periodicals it stocks. As a company and as a magazine, we can’t afford to lose sales via this retailer now nor in the future. So we’ve had to resize on this basis.

I’d like to apologise to anybody who is disappointed by the change, but we hope that when you start reading you’ll see that what we’re bringing you is the same high standard of illustration work and editorial as ever.

Finally, I’d like to say farewell to a member of our team who has made a huge contribution to the running of Computer Arts over the last three-and-a-half years. Our operations editor, Sophie Embley, is off to pastures new (though not too far away) and this is her last issue. Thank you, Sophie, for all your great work on this title.

Thanks for picking up Computer Arts this month, and when you’re finished please take a few minutes to fill in our online reader survey to help ensure we change in the direction you want!

GARRICK WEBSTER EDITOR

IN THE MAG

FEATURES

COVER FEATURE: STAY FRESH!
Keeping original ideas flowing is one of the biggest challenges in design today, but you can do it

PROFILE: CRITICA
We take a look behind the scenes at this leading Singaporean outfit

DIPLOMACY IN DESIGN
Learn how to deal with clients when personalities and creative visions clash

Q&A: KEVIN SWEENEY
What is it that really makes this Flash developer tick?

TEN TIPS: GET THAT JOB!
Lawrence Zeegen and other greats offer their advice on how to get the job you want

TUTORIALS

VANISHING POINT
Use this tool for product visuals

APPLYING 3D EFFECTS
Add 3D extras to your Flash creations using After Effects

CUSTOMISE PRESETS
A ten-minute Photoshop tutorial

PLANNING A WEBSITE
Finalise layouts in the last instalment of this series

TRANSFERRING PATHS
Learn a handy new design skill

THE INDESIGN LIBRARY
Demonstrated by Susannah Hall

DESIGN A LOGO
Use CorelDraw to create sports team logos, with Tom Knight

ON THE CD

ILLUSTRATOR CS3 VIDEO TRAINING
Over one hour of free tuition from Lynda.com

Plus:
17 royalty-free music tracks (MAC+PC)
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X3 trial (MAC+PC)
Free Flash template (MAC+PC)
20 desktop wallpapers (MAC+PC)
Extracts from new books (MAC+PC)
Showcase videos from Hue Visualab and Stardust Studios (MAC+PC)