Computer Arts issue 153

As you may have guessed from the main message on this issue’s cover, and by flicking through the pages, the theme of this issue is clients. Everybody in the industry needs them – they are, after all, the people who pay the bills, and to a certain extent raise your profile. But winning the clients you deserve isn’t always easy.

So, I’ll start by directing you to our ‘Win the clients you want’ article. The idea was to discover how the smaller, less high-profile studios and freelancers have won massive jobs – from clients such as Orange, American Billboard and MTV. It’s a fascinating read, full of case studies and advice about how you can get the tastiest jobs from the most reputable clients.

And then something else caught my eye – namely Jason Arber’s opinion piece on the perils of free pitching. His strongly felt views on this topic had everyone here not only nodding in agreement, but also roaring with laughter. Jason, if you ever get yourself a stand-up show, I’m there in the front row.

Next, there’s our regular Round Table feature, this month debating the topic of what clients really want. Elsewhere in the issue we’ve made a few changes that I hope you’ll like, most notably in our Output section. We’ve introduced a number of new smaller features, along with Studio of the Month – where we go behind the scenes at a top design agency. This issue, Barnbrook Design was kind enough to open its doors.

Finally, once again I’d like to encourage you to write in and tell me what you think about the magazine – or phone me if you like if you have a really pressing matter. You’ll find my number on page 4 of the magazine. Enjoy the issue.

Rob Carney
Editor
rob.carney@futurenet.com

IN THE MAG

Output

Shape of things to come
Design trends: geometric shapes

manystuff
The design blog explores creative processes

Studio of the Month
Barnbrook Design opens its doors

In Depth

Alan Aldridge interviewed
The legendary 60s illustrator speaks

Win the clients you want
Top advice for getting the jobs you deserve

Studio Output
The London and Nottingham-based design firm

The future of Flash
What does Flash Player 10 mean to you?

Round Table
What do clients really want?

Technique

Give new life to stock imagery
Tom Lane transforms dull photography

Create dynamic interface elements
Fantasy Interactive reveals its coding secrets

Creative lighting techniques
Tips for creating vector-based lighting effects

Wrapping text around images
InDesign fundamentals

Inspiration workshop
The genius characters of Rex Crowle

Dreamweaver tips
Add Flash video to sites

Illustrator Crop tool secrets
Perfect output every time

Paint stylised portraits
Composition and colour skills

Brief Encounter
Behind the scenes on Matt Lambert’s Footprint

Need to Know

HD printing explained
Can this new technology benefit design studios?

Motion workflow
There’s more to motion graphics than you think

Ten tips for logos
Gavin Strange’s invaluable design advice