Computer Arts issue 156

I hope by now you will have noticed the free 2009 calendar with this issue. We’re not quite at the end of the year, and indeed we have another issue out in the UK (with a gigantic tips feature from the best designers, illustrators and motion artists in the business) on 18 December, but I thought the inclusion of the calender would be a good chance to reflect on an incredible year for this magazine.

When I joined the title around four months ago, the incredibly successful redesign was in full swing. And since the new look was implemented we’ve featured such legends as Stefan Sagmeister, Deanne Cheuk, Vince Frost, David Carson, Jonathan Barnbrook, Alan Aldridge, Joshua Davis and now Carlos Segura.

But this magazine is not just about the icons of the industry. We continue to champion new talent in our Exposure section, something D&AD President Garrick Hamm is very hot on at the moment and we always bring you new trends and creative movements. Check out our Output section and the Changing Face of Graphic Design feature.

Over the course of 2008 we’ve also concentrated on making our Technique section more relevant to you, with fundamental skills and new software and creative techniques bringing pro and aspiring designers alike a raft of new skills and ideas. Our tag line of Inspiration, Technique, Great Design, couldn’t be more apt.

So flick through your 2009 calendar and see what images lie ahead for the new year. We’ve chosen our favourite images featured in the mag over the last year, both inside and on the cover. It just goes to show what an incredible year it’s been in the creative industry. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait for 2009. But before that, UK readers, see you on 18 December for what will be a spectacular close to the year!

Rob Carney
Editor

IN THE MAG

In Depth

Carlos Segura interviewed
The design icon speaks his mind

The changing face of graphic design
The people shaking up the world of graphic design

Mainframe profiled
The motion graphics masters interviewed

How to win awards
The secrets of success

Round Table
Is there such a thing as selling out any more?

Technique

Reinventing retro
James White brings you his creative masterclass

Poster prints in Illustrator
Ben the Illustrator brings you his tips for perfect prints

Flash navigation
Build Apple dock-style navigation for your portfolio

Gradient maps
Design fundamentals

Professional magazine design
Arena designer Simon Helyar’s pro InDesign tips

Inspiration Workshop
The creative thoughts and processes of Julien Vallée

Live text in Illustrator
Type and text power tips for working with outlines

Brief Encounter
How WÖNKY created a new animation series

Organic illustration
Add organic elements to a Photoshop composition

Pixel Aspect Ratio
How to use this Photoshop feature

Need to Know

Shoot like a pro
Digital cameras for all budgets, and the results you can expect from them

Get your portfolio online… fast
Use simple blogging tools to create a pro portfolio

Budget to beat the slowdown
The best strategies for saving those pennies

Get your free Computer Arts Calendar 2009

The 2009 Computer Arts Calendar is here, packed full of the most impressive digital art and illustration on the planet - and it's completely free with December's issue of Computer Arts, on sale now!

Featuring artworks from Jon Burgerman's doodle characters, to Linn Olofsdotter's vivid illustrations, this really is the coolest and most visually stunning calendar out there.

Further artists include the amazing talents of Tom Bagshaw, Karan Singh, Johnny Cheuk, Guilherme Marconi and Ronald Kurniawan, together with the brilliant creations of Mazakii, Evgeny Kiselev, Ahoy There studio and the inimitable Mijn Schatje, the calendar is your chance to own the most impressive works featured in Computer Arts magazine to take you from January to December in 2009.

Don't miss out - buy it now!