Computer Arts issue 146

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If you are a regular reader of Computer Arts, you might look at this issue of the magazine with a little wonder. The cover and logo have taken on a whole new design ethos and so has much of the content. There’s so much to discuss – the new typeface, the new treatment of images and text, an array of additions to the magazine, and one or two things we have decided to drop from now on.

From the inspiring die-cut cover through to the back page, we’re off on an exciting journey. You’ll notice that we’re covering a lot more great design work from around the industry and doing it in a more flexible way. There’s a better balance between classic, clean design and the cutting-edge new styles that are coming through – something plenty of readers have been asking for.

Working with new designers and contributors, and honing the new material for you, has been a thrill. The interview with Stefan Sagmeister, our new Round Table feature and the practical Techniques section were exciting enough. But I particularly enjoyed working on the Brief Encounter and Inspiration Workshop articles. Here we actually briefed creatives to not only deliver a project but also to go through all the thinking and processes behind what they made. The sketches, scans, renders, changes of plan… it all adds up to some inspiring behind-the-scenes information.

There are one or two things we haven’t brought back. With software and hardware information only two clicks away online, we no longer carry reviews. Instead our Need to Know pages cover creative technology and business issues in a broader, more analytical way that’s more relevant to you and what you do.

Garrick Webster
Editor, Computer Arts

Features

Stefan Sagmeister
The Computer Arts Interview

Argentina
Putting Argentinian design back on the map

Profile: group94
Belgium’s web design Hothouse

Round table
Are the big agencies out of touch?

Profile: Noah Harris
The man behind those new idents for E4

Illustration: Today and tomorrow
Are the good times here to stay?

Technique

Expressive lighting effects
Amazing Photoshop skills

Brief encounter
Studio Output creates a staged composition

Create camouflage patterns
Time-saving Illustrator advice

Inspiration workshop
A surreal underwater scene

Capture a dynamic RSS feed in style
Use Flash to style up dynamic content

Cool particle effects in Flash
Create realistic sparks using dirty physics

Natural smoke effects
Great mattes from water and food colouring

Need to Know

AIR, Flex and Silverlight
Get to grips with the new tools for web design

Finding the best fonts online
Our guide to foundries and type distributors

Motion graphics
Ten strategies for success