Boost your design skills!
On this page, I am sharing lists of my favorite websites and blogs related to graphic design.
Some offer tutorials, some offer ideas, downloads, and much more.
I keep adding to them on a regular basis.
If you have suggestions, don't hesitate to post in the discussion panel at the bottom of the page.
On this page, I am sharing lists of my favorite websites and blogs related to graphic design.
Some offer tutorials, some offer ideas, downloads, and much more.
I keep adding to them on a regular basis.
If you have suggestions, don't hesitate to post in the discussion panel at the bottom of the page.
PHOTO EDITING & OTHER DESIGN SOFTWARE
- Use Winrar (download it for free) to unzip files that you download from this website.
- For CD & DVD cover design, I use Adobe Photoshop CS 3.0. For creating illustration, logos and all kind of vectors, I use Adobe Illustrator 3.0 and for book and magazine design, I use Adobe InDesign CS 5.0. These are my favorites, now other softwares can be used depending on your computer and your budget. If you are just starting graphic design I recommand downloading Adobe trial versions (30 day trials) and see for yourself how you like it. It takes many years of practice and lots of patience to master these software, but their never-ending possibilities will totally keep you into them.
I work on a PC, so it's possible to learn and do graphic design on a PC!
If you don't have Photoshop, there are other photo editing tools available. The following are free:
Pixlr - Photo editor (app that can be run in your browser: no download required.)
Rawtherapee - Provides powerful image editing tools
Cinepaint - A capable painting tool with a host of professional features
Picsart - Photo editor and art community (Android app)
- For CD & DVD cover design, I use Adobe Photoshop CS 3.0. For creating illustration, logos and all kind of vectors, I use Adobe Illustrator 3.0 and for book and magazine design, I use Adobe InDesign CS 5.0. These are my favorites, now other softwares can be used depending on your computer and your budget. If you are just starting graphic design I recommand downloading Adobe trial versions (30 day trials) and see for yourself how you like it. It takes many years of practice and lots of patience to master these software, but their never-ending possibilities will totally keep you into them.
I work on a PC, so it's possible to learn and do graphic design on a PC!
If you don't have Photoshop, there are other photo editing tools available. The following are free:
Pixlr - Photo editor (app that can be run in your browser: no download required.)
Rawtherapee - Provides powerful image editing tools
Cinepaint - A capable painting tool with a host of professional features
Picsart - Photo editor and art community (Android app)
SOME BASIC VOCABULARY
Vectors vs. Pixels
Vectors are usually created with Illustrator and can then be exported into Photoshop if needed. Vector based images are defined by mathematical equations and are resolution independent. Files are scalable to any size and therefore print at optimal definition at all times. In other words, vector based images can be enlarged to the infinite. Thus, you will never have problems of image quality with vectors (e.g. fonts are vectors. Logos are usually in vector format in order to facilitate different kinds of implementations/print sizes (on trucks, on letterhead, etc.)
Pixels are usually associated with Photoshop. Pixel based images are those constructed of pixels (picture elements) and are resolution dependent. A pixelated image will lose its quality if you enlarge it. Photos are pixelated images.
For more detailed explanations: read this page that explains the Difference Between Pixel and Vector-Based Graphics.
Vectors are usually created with Illustrator and can then be exported into Photoshop if needed. Vector based images are defined by mathematical equations and are resolution independent. Files are scalable to any size and therefore print at optimal definition at all times. In other words, vector based images can be enlarged to the infinite. Thus, you will never have problems of image quality with vectors (e.g. fonts are vectors. Logos are usually in vector format in order to facilitate different kinds of implementations/print sizes (on trucks, on letterhead, etc.)
Pixels are usually associated with Photoshop. Pixel based images are those constructed of pixels (picture elements) and are resolution dependent. A pixelated image will lose its quality if you enlarge it. Photos are pixelated images.
For more detailed explanations: read this page that explains the Difference Between Pixel and Vector-Based Graphics.
DOWNLOAD CD & DVD JACKET TEMPLATES
All templates are in .psd format (for Photoshop)
Visit http://www.wizbit.net/cd-dvd_production_faqs_artwork_specifications.htm for more template downloads. For other kinds of packaging, this website (BestDesignOptions) offers all kinds of vector templates to download for free.
Visit http://www.wizbit.net/cd-dvd_production_faqs_artwork_specifications.htm for more template downloads. For other kinds of packaging, this website (BestDesignOptions) offers all kinds of vector templates to download for free.
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Download template for DVD cover:
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Downlad template for Blu-Ray cover:
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Download template for Front CD cover:
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Download template for rear CD cover:
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HELPFUL WEBSITES - TUTORIALS & DOWNLOADS
There are hundreds of websites offering free tutorials and downloads to improve your skills and the capacities of your software. The following are just some of my favorites.
The links are organized as such: Link Name // Description // Keyword(s)
All links open in a new window.
The links are organized as such: Link Name // Description // Keyword(s)
All links open in a new window.
BLOGS, TIPS & MORE BY DESIGNERS
Youthedesigner // Blog, downloads and links
Marie&Julien // French graphic designers giving tips for freelancers + good tutorials for web 2.0 graphic design
Justcreative // A blog on creative design by a NYC designer - gives good tips
Demilked // Blog about Graphic Design and Photography
HOW Design // Magazine for designers that discuss all aspects of graphic design: the business side of the job, how to write your résumé, etc.
Vandelay Design // Blog, freebies
CreatesK8 // Blog about graphic design
Speckyboy // Online magazine
Brandigirlblog // Blog: tips for designers such as pricing, freebies, templates, etc.
Designrshub // A community that provides high quality design inspiration and resources
Youthedesigner // Blog, downloads and links
Marie&Julien // French graphic designers giving tips for freelancers + good tutorials for web 2.0 graphic design
Justcreative // A blog on creative design by a NYC designer - gives good tips
Demilked // Blog about Graphic Design and Photography
HOW Design // Magazine for designers that discuss all aspects of graphic design: the business side of the job, how to write your résumé, etc.
Vandelay Design // Blog, freebies
CreatesK8 // Blog about graphic design
Speckyboy // Online magazine
Brandigirlblog // Blog: tips for designers such as pricing, freebies, templates, etc.
Designrshub // A community that provides high quality design inspiration and resources
FOR INSPIRATION
BlueBlots // A website gathering links and showcasing digital artists' works. Worth taking a look at
Logo of the day // A place to go for logo design inspiration
Cuban Council // Design studio // Logo design
Logo Design Love // A website devoted to the design of logos and brand identities
Manhattan Color Palette // Small colorful photos of Manhattan
Book Cover Archive // Book covers by designers
HDR Photography // Photography
Thedieline // Package design
BlueBlots // A website gathering links and showcasing digital artists' works. Worth taking a look at
Logo of the day // A place to go for logo design inspiration
Cuban Council // Design studio // Logo design
Logo Design Love // A website devoted to the design of logos and brand identities
Manhattan Color Palette // Small colorful photos of Manhattan
Book Cover Archive // Book covers by designers
HDR Photography // Photography
Thedieline // Package design
TUTORIALS
Photoshop support Tutorials // Photoshop Tutorials
BlueBlots // Photoshop Tutorials, CSS3 design, Blog, Wordpress themes, download vectors, brushes
My Photoshop Brushes // Everything for Photoshop: brushes, patterns, styles, gradients, tutorials
Adobe TV // Create cover and title page for ePub in InDesign
Adobe TV // All channels
Spoon Graphics // Blog, Illustrator & Photoshop tutorials, freebies
Turning Turnip // Web Design and imaging specialists // Web Design, Photoshop tutorials, resources
Tutoriaux Photoshop // Photoshop CS 3 Tutorials - In French only
Cellwebdesign // Tutorials for web design, design, Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
Photoshop support Tutorials // Photoshop Tutorials
BlueBlots // Photoshop Tutorials, CSS3 design, Blog, Wordpress themes, download vectors, brushes
My Photoshop Brushes // Everything for Photoshop: brushes, patterns, styles, gradients, tutorials
Adobe TV // Create cover and title page for ePub in InDesign
Adobe TV // All channels
Spoon Graphics // Blog, Illustrator & Photoshop tutorials, freebies
Turning Turnip // Web Design and imaging specialists // Web Design, Photoshop tutorials, resources
Tutoriaux Photoshop // Photoshop CS 3 Tutorials - In French only
Cellwebdesign // Tutorials for web design, design, Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign
BRUSHES, VECTORS, ACTIONS & MORE
Statica // by a professional graphic designer, download brushes, fonts & more // Brushes, fonts
Brusheezy // Free brushes for all versions of Photoshop // Brushes
123freebrushes // Brushes
Naldzgraphics // Brushes and more
Deviantart // Community where artists share their artwork and creations, some are available for download // Brushes, Photoshop actions
Brushking // Brushes
Spoongraphics // Brushes, vectors
Easy Vectors // Stock vectors // Vectors
Tutoriaux Photoshop // In French only. Visit this page of the website to download brushes // Brushes
Vector Stock // Free vector downloads // Vectors
Freepik // Free photo and vector search engine // Photos, vectors
Vector Junky // Vectors
Orname // Vectors
Cool Vectors // Vectors
Demilked // Blog about Graphic Design and Photography // Vectors
VectorsDownload // Stock Vector downloads // Vectors
Bittbox // Downloads, textures, fonts, brushes
Shutterstock // Stock photos, vectors, illustrations
Vandelay Design // Blog, freebies, textures // Textures
Turning Turnip // Photoshop actions
Trip Wire Magazine // Photoshop actions
CreatesK8 // Blog about graphic design // Illustrator, vectors
Speckyboy // Online magazine // List of Best Vector Resources
Diart Brush Studio // Design Studio // Brushes
Best Design Options // Blog // Vectors, Textures, Packaging, templates, brushes
Pink Moustache // Blog about vectors
All Silhouettes // Vectors
All Free Download // Vectors, Patterns, Brushes, Website templates, Gradients, etc.
Myphotoshopbrushes // Everything for Photoshop: styles and gradients, patterns, brushes, etc.
PSdeluxe // Tutorials, freebies, icons
Noupe // Resource for Illustrator files, CSS, Ajax, Wordpress, Photography, wallpaper, advice for freelance designers
Statica // by a professional graphic designer, download brushes, fonts & more // Brushes, fonts
Brusheezy // Free brushes for all versions of Photoshop // Brushes
123freebrushes // Brushes
Naldzgraphics // Brushes and more
Deviantart // Community where artists share their artwork and creations, some are available for download // Brushes, Photoshop actions
Brushking // Brushes
Spoongraphics // Brushes, vectors
Easy Vectors // Stock vectors // Vectors
Tutoriaux Photoshop // In French only. Visit this page of the website to download brushes // Brushes
Vector Stock // Free vector downloads // Vectors
Freepik // Free photo and vector search engine // Photos, vectors
Vector Junky // Vectors
Orname // Vectors
Cool Vectors // Vectors
Demilked // Blog about Graphic Design and Photography // Vectors
VectorsDownload // Stock Vector downloads // Vectors
Bittbox // Downloads, textures, fonts, brushes
Shutterstock // Stock photos, vectors, illustrations
Vandelay Design // Blog, freebies, textures // Textures
Turning Turnip // Photoshop actions
Trip Wire Magazine // Photoshop actions
CreatesK8 // Blog about graphic design // Illustrator, vectors
Speckyboy // Online magazine // List of Best Vector Resources
Diart Brush Studio // Design Studio // Brushes
Best Design Options // Blog // Vectors, Textures, Packaging, templates, brushes
Pink Moustache // Blog about vectors
All Silhouettes // Vectors
All Free Download // Vectors, Patterns, Brushes, Website templates, Gradients, etc.
Myphotoshopbrushes // Everything for Photoshop: styles and gradients, patterns, brushes, etc.
PSdeluxe // Tutorials, freebies, icons
Noupe // Resource for Illustrator files, CSS, Ajax, Wordpress, Photography, wallpaper, advice for freelance designers
WEBSITE CREATION & WEB DESIGN
DesignShack // HTLM Design Templates for newsletters // Newsletter design
DesignShack // Blog about graphic design, emphasis on web design and branding // Logo, Branding, web design
Weebly // Create your own website, free, without ads, in a few very easy steps // Website creation
DivTag Templates // Add-ons and templates for Weebly websites // Website improvement
Zoho Sites // Create your own website // Website creation
Crevado // Create your free online portfolio // Portfolio
Turning Turnip // Web Design and imaging specialists // Web Design, Photoshop tutorials, resources
Alex King // By a Web Developer // CSS Themes, Wordpress
Forum // Q&A about CSS customization // Discussion Boards, Web design
Tizag // Web, Scripting, Flash, SEO tutorials // HTML and CSS
The Lining Canvas // Basic HTML Coding // Website creation
W3Schools // Tutorials for website creation: HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, References // Website creation
Jimdo // Create a professional website easily. Portfolio friendly // Website creation
Trip Wire Magazine // Online magazine for Web professionals
Creativebloq // Online magazine about design and web // This page leads to a list of the best training online resources to learn web design
Mozilla developers // Introduction to HTML, attributes list, elements reference, etc. // Good for quick reference
DesignShack // HTLM Design Templates for newsletters // Newsletter design
DesignShack // Blog about graphic design, emphasis on web design and branding // Logo, Branding, web design
Weebly // Create your own website, free, without ads, in a few very easy steps // Website creation
DivTag Templates // Add-ons and templates for Weebly websites // Website improvement
Zoho Sites // Create your own website // Website creation
Crevado // Create your free online portfolio // Portfolio
Turning Turnip // Web Design and imaging specialists // Web Design, Photoshop tutorials, resources
Alex King // By a Web Developer // CSS Themes, Wordpress
Forum // Q&A about CSS customization // Discussion Boards, Web design
Tizag // Web, Scripting, Flash, SEO tutorials // HTML and CSS
The Lining Canvas // Basic HTML Coding // Website creation
W3Schools // Tutorials for website creation: HTML5, CSS3, Javascript, References // Website creation
Jimdo // Create a professional website easily. Portfolio friendly // Website creation
Trip Wire Magazine // Online magazine for Web professionals
Creativebloq // Online magazine about design and web // This page leads to a list of the best training online resources to learn web design
Mozilla developers // Introduction to HTML, attributes list, elements reference, etc. // Good for quick reference
DOWNLOAD FONTS
DaFont.com
http://www.houseoflime.com/
Quality basic fonts from instantshift
1001 Free Fonts
Fontspace
UrbanFonts
Fontstruct
FontSquirrel
Ubuntu Font Family
Statica.com
waldenfont.com
FontBros.com
Fontsner.com
To install new fonts, simply open the .ttf (or .otf on macs) file and once on the Font Preview screen, click the Install button at the top left of the window. For further help installing fonts, visit this page.
DaFont.com
http://www.houseoflime.com/
Quality basic fonts from instantshift
1001 Free Fonts
Fontspace
UrbanFonts
Fontstruct
FontSquirrel
Ubuntu Font Family
Statica.com
waldenfont.com
FontBros.com
Fontsner.com
To install new fonts, simply open the .ttf (or .otf on macs) file and once on the Font Preview screen, click the Install button at the top left of the window. For further help installing fonts, visit this page.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS (IN THE UNITED STATES)
AIGA // Publishes information, available at a nominal fee, regarding pricing; has local chapters
American Advertising Federation // Publishes a quarterly publication, American Advertising, that covers many business issues
Graphic Artists Guild Handbook // Helps with pricing, ethical guidelines, and more
AIGA // Publishes information, available at a nominal fee, regarding pricing; has local chapters
American Advertising Federation // Publishes a quarterly publication, American Advertising, that covers many business issues
Graphic Artists Guild Handbook // Helps with pricing, ethical guidelines, and more
WHERE CAN YOU HOST YOUR FILES?
For large files, use dropbox (you can host up to 2GB for free), wetransfer (2Gb free), or Depositfiles (10GB)
For photo hosting: Imageshack, Flickr
For other formats (i.e. .zip or .rar files): sendspace, hotfile
For photo hosting: Imageshack, Flickr
For other formats (i.e. .zip or .rar files): sendspace, hotfile
