Computer Arts Projects issue 133

This month, we asked our readers on Twitter to choose between handmade and digital. The resulting torrent of responses sums up just how important this issue’s cover topic is to designers and illustrators the world over. You got quite passionate about it.

Words like freedom, originality and intimacy dominated the handmade side, while digital was all about flexibility, efficiency and the sheer variety of techniques. Interestingly, many of the digital advocates said they couldn’t draw with a pencil if they tried.

This issue may appear to be dedicated to these two rival camps, but really it’s all about throwing caution to the wind and trying new things, learning fresh skills and having fun, whether you’re getting to grips with 3D character modelling in Cinema 4D, creating a letterpress print or experimenting with two utterly different styles in our Flash animation and stop-motion projects.

Our lead interviewees Alex Trochut and Yulia Brodskaya make rather fitting figureheads for the two sides – both specialise in stunning illustrated letterforms, but their tools of choice couldn’t be more different. And that’s the point, really. Whatever your medium, it’s your skills that count.

Next issue, we pull out all the stops to bring you a must-have guide to starting your own studio, from kitting out your office to winning, retaining and managing those all-important clients. Not to be missed.

Nick Carson Editor

IN THE MAG

Project one: Be a digital master

Alex Trochut interview
Barcelona’s trailblazing king of illustrated type talks techniques

Sharpen your digital skills
We asked 20 pros from all corners of the globe to share their software secrets

Project two: Diversify your skills

Master of all trades
How learning new skills can open up fresh commercial opportunities

Animate characters in Flash
Make your illustrations move with this in-depth masterclass from Tom Baker

Turn your sketches into 3D
Learn Cinema 4D with our exclusive one-hour video walkthrough

Enhance your 3D work in Photoshop
Polish off your new-found 3D skills by refining your illustration layer by layer

The creative pro’s guide to hardware

Project three: Handmade revolution

Yulia Brodskaya interview
Surfing a renewed client interest in the handmade, this Russian-born illustrator has carved a distinctive niche

Paper chase
We delve deeper into the burgeoning world of creative paper engineering

Project four: Learn craft skills

Designer challenge
A pair of hand-drawn illustrators take on two digital type specialists

Create a letterpress print
Get inky fingers and master this beautifully tactile artform

Create a stop-motion film
Learn to animate the traditional way with Bent Image Lab

Regulars

Behind the scenes
Yes, it really is suspended from the ceiling: how Julien Vallée created this issue’s stunning cover

Big question
If you could only work handmade or digitally, which would you choose?

My career so far
Peepshow’s Miles Donovan