Check out some of these online portfolio tools to help you promote your graphic design work.

CarbonMade

With over 42,000 artists and designers currently using its service, CarbonMade provides a great opportunity for you to design your own portfolio site in a JavaScript format. You don’t need any prior knowledge of coding or web design to use it, but you do get a clean canvas to use for your portfolio however you wish. It’s easy to use and update, and provides you with an easily recognizable and memorable web address.

Shadowness

This could be considered the “upscale” portfolio site. The Shadowness website itself is very sleek and sophisticated, and hosts some of the most talented and unique designers out there. While many people simply visit Shadowness for inspiration for their own work, some have signed up simply to be affiliated with such great artists and to receive feedback on their own work.

Coroflot

In this relatively simple portfolio site, you can upload your photos directly to your page. You can also write a bio in your About Me section and provide an email link to your page’s visitors who have taken an interest in your work. While the format for Coroflot is simple, it can improve your appearance on search engines, unlike a lot of Flash-based websites.

Behance

The Behance network is more than just an online portfolio tool. It is also a social networking site for graphic designers. Behance allows more than just photos; it is a multimedia site that allows you to arrange your work however you wish. You can share, comment on and collaborate on work with other artists in the network, most of whom are very open and willing to socialize with other artists, not to mention talented.

Viewbook

Viewbook can be defined in one word: simple. There isn’t much to this site, but it is enough for people who want their viewers to focus solely on their work. The free account allows for 100 images to be displayed, plus most of the features not on a paid account. It will also allow designers to embed their work from Viewbook on other websites and blogs to promote themselves.

While having an online portfolio is a key tool in helping get recognized, you can also increase your online presence through improving your appearance in search engines. Using companies like eVisibility can help your name become more prominent in search engines and help you become even more recognized as a graphic designer.

For too long I’ve put off learning Flash because I never liked the layout of the program, but I decided today that like it or not, flash is a very popular front-end development tool. Being a front-end developer it’s important to know every tool and technology to some extent and understand the inner workings of each technology and how to integrate them with other markup and programming. So let’s dive into some screenshots and descriptions and learn Adobe Flash.

Getting to know the program

Create a new Flash File (Actionscript 3.0)

• Create a new Flash File by going to File > New > Flash File (Actionscript 3.0)
• Change the document size and frame rate to your liking (Modify > Document), I used 640 x 310 and 18 fps
• Use the Rectangle tool and draw a rectangle on Layer 1 with the color you’d like
• Create any other layers or draw any other objects or place text. I created a text object on top of the rectangle
• Name “Layer 1″ to “Background” and create a new layer named “Code”
• Save the Document

Create a new Actionscript File

Paste in the code

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/* Blurry Lights Animation */
 
package Classes
{
	/* Import required classes */
 
	import flash.display.MovieClip;
	import flash.filters.BitmapFilter;
	import flash.filters.BlurFilter;
	import flash.events.Event;
 
	public class Lights extends MovieClip
	{
		/* Vars */
		private var lightsNumber:int;
		private var xSpeed:int;
		private var ySpeed:int;
		private var lightsDir:String;
		private var areaW:int;
		private var areaH:int;
		private var lights:Array = new Array();
 
		/* Main function */
		public function init(areaWidth:int, areaHeight:int, numberOfLights:int, lightSize:int, lightColor:uint, minimumScale:Number, hSpeed:int, vSpeed:int, dir:String, quality:int):void
		{
 
			/* Set variables */
			areaW = areaWidth;
			areaH = areaHeight;
			lightsNumber = numberOfLights;
			lightsDir = dir;
 
			/* Use a for to create the parameter-specified number of lights*/
			for (var i:int = 0; i < numberOfLights; i++)
			{
				/* Create the specified number of lights */
 
				var light:MovieClip = new MovieClip();
 
				/* Set random speed to x and y based on the params*/
 
				xSpeed = Math.floor((Math.random() * (hSpeed - -hSpeed + 1)) + -hSpeed);
				ySpeed = Math.round((Math.random() * vSpeed) + 0.5);
 
				light.xSpeed = xSpeed;
				light.ySpeed = ySpeed;
 
				/* Create lights */
 
				light.graphics.beginFill(lightColor);
				light.graphics.drawCircle(0, 0, lightSize / 2);
				light.graphics.endFill();
 
				/* Set a position based on the params specified */
 
				light.x = Math.floor(Math.random() * areaWidth);
				light.y = Math.floor(Math.random() * areaHeight);
 
				/* Add blur, we declare the var here to get a new blur w/every light */
 
				var b:int = Math.floor(Math.random() * 10) + 5;
 
				var blur:BitmapFilter = new BlurFilter(b,b,quality);
 
				var filterArray:Array = new Array(blur);
 
				light.filters = filterArray;
 
				/* Change alpha */
 
				light.alpha = Math.random() * 0.6 + 0.1;
 
				/* Scale */
 
				light.scaleX = Math.round(((Math.random() * (1 - minimumScale)) + minimumScale) * 100) / 100;
				light.scaleY = light.scaleX;
 
				/* Add the lights */
 
				addChild(light);
 
				/* Store lights in an array to use it later */
 
				lights.push(light);
 
				/* Check for lights direction */
 
				checkDirection();
			}
		}
 
		/* Check direction */
		private function checkDirection():void
		{
			for (var i:int = 0; i < lights.length; i++)
			{
				switch ( lightsDir )
				{
					case "up" :
 
						lights[i].addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, moveUp);
 
						break;
					case "down" :
 
						lights[i].addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, moveDown);
 
						break;
					case "right" :
 
						lights[i].addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, moveRight);
 
						break;
					case "left" :
 
						lights[i].addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, moveLeft);
 
						break;
					default :
 
						trace("Something weird just happened!");
				}
			}
		}
 
		/* Move Up function */
		private function moveUp(e:Event):void
		{
			e.target.x += e.target.xSpeed;
			e.target.y-=e.target.ySpeed;
 
			/* Reset light position, Y first, then X  */
 
			if (e.target.y + (e.target.height / 2) < 0)
			{
				e.target.y = areaH + (e.target.height / 2);
				e.target.x=Math.floor(Math.random()*areaW);
			}
 
			if ((e.target.x + e.target.width / 2) < 0 || (e.target.x - e.target.width / 2) > areaW)
			{
				e.target.y = areaH + (e.target.height / 2);
				e.target.x=Math.floor(Math.random()*areaW);
			}
		}
 
		/* Move Down function */
		private function moveDown(e:Event):void
		{
			e.target.x+=e.target.xSpeed;
			e.target.y+=e.target.ySpeed;
 
			/* Reset light position, Y first, then X */
 
			if (e.target.y - (e.target.height / 2) > areaH)
			{
				e.target.y = 0 - (e.target.height / 2);
				e.target.x=Math.floor(Math.random()*areaW);
			}
 
			if ((e.target.x + e.target.width / 2) < 0 || (e.target.x - e.target.width / 2) > areaW)
			{
				e.target.y = areaH + (e.target.height / 2);
				e.target.x=Math.floor(Math.random()*areaW);
			}
		}
 
		/* Move Right function */
		private function moveRight(e:Event):void
		{
			e.target.x+=e.target.ySpeed;
			e.target.y+=e.target.xSpeed;
 
			/* Reset light position, Y first, then X */
 
			if (e.target.y - (e.target.height / 2) > areaH || e.target.y + (e.target.height / 2) < 0)
			{
				e.target.x = 0 - (e.target.height / 2);
				e.target.y = Math.floor(Math.random()*areaH);
			}
 
			if ((e.target.x - e.target.width / 2) > areaW)
			{
				e.target.x = 0 - (e.target.height / 2);
				e.target.y = Math.floor(Math.random()*areaW);
			}
		}
 
		/* Move Left function */
		private function moveLeft(e:Event):void
		{
			e.target.x-=e.target.ySpeed;
			e.target.y-=e.target.xSpeed;
 
			/* Reset light position, Y first, then X */
 
			if (e.target.y - (e.target.height / 2) > areaH || e.target.y + (e.target.height / 2) < 0)
			{
				e.target.x = areaW + (e.target.width / 2);
				e.target.y=Math.floor(Math.random()*areaH);
			}
 
			if ((e.target.x + e.target.width / 2) < 0)
			{
				e.target.x = areaW + (e.target.width / 2);
				e.target.y=Math.floor(Math.random()*areaW);
			}
		}
	}
}

• Note the line “package Classes” near the top. This is the name of the folder that will contain your class file. Make sure you have this folder in the same directory as your other flash file and that the name of the folder matches the name of the package.
• Save the file inside your “Classes” directory

Add your Actions to your Flash File

You’ve created the ActionScript file and Lights class, now all you need to do is call that class and pass the parameters to the script. Do this by going to Window > Actions and pasting in the code. Save and preview / publish and you’re done!

import Classes.Lights;
 
  var light:Lights = new Lights();
 
  light.init(640, 310, 10, 300, 0xFFFFFF, 0.5, 1, 1, "up", 2);
 
  addChild(light);

Want more?

Read more of the programming side

and some of them sold at $300 or more such as this custom design (all done in pen mind you).

There were hundreds of people in and out all night, creating so much opportunity to network with other creatives in the Denver area. Nick and I happened to be at the event as volunteers, but we had so much fun, I wouldn’t even consider it work. We were assigned the role of outdoor security and setup which meant we helped setup ramps and lights for the Yellow Designs Stunt Team, and I also took a ton of pictures.

Overall, Nick and I made some new friends at Yellow Designs and managed to even make a few business contacts unintentionally. You can see the rest of the night was just goofing off, as the last performance was finished and we were wrapping up the night. Can’t wait to get involved with Bordo Bello again next year!

Valentines Day Fonts

Valentines Day Graphics (vector)

Valentines Day Wallpapers

Or go a whole new direction completely and lose the plume:

What are your thoughts?

Love it or hate it, I re-designed the Chosen Development website. I was growing tired of the Organic theme that I had developed for it originally. Even though it was highly creative and artistic, it was too busy and the colors were too bleh. I decided to go with a VERY simple layout, color scheme and dark, web 2.0 style. This a typical style for me, but I’m proud of that. Chosen development consists mostly of the work of myself and my business partner, Shane and he loves the new design as well. I’ve also integrated our new Creative Brief Interview so that we can automate the initial research and gathering phase.

So check it out, and give me some feedback either way!

Night Royale

View or Download

Simply Ornate

View or Download

Several3

View or Download

Zeke 1.0

View or Download

Night Transition

View or Download

JS Box

Check out the demo site to view and download

Brilliance

View or Download

PocketT

View or Download

Overstand

View or Download

• Chosen Logo Design
• How to Design a Logo Pt1
• Why logo design does not cost $5.00
• Would you buy a logo from Walmart

Many people want to know how to design a logo from start to finish. Let me address first, that logo design is not something that should be taken lightly and doesn’t come cheap. Not everyone can be as fortunate as Nike and get an effective logo for only $35. In fact, designing a highly effective logo takes expertise in many fields including advertising, marketing, and design.

This post is intended to help young and ambitious designers with resources to research, conceptualize, and design a logo. If you’re a business looking to hire a logo designer, you can hire me through my graphic design company, which offers full company branding as well as internet marketing and advertising.

Identify and Brainstorm

Before getting into the concept stage of logo design, you must first identify who your client is, what branding (if any) they have, and what demographic their business is targeting. These are all going to be crucial to the design and development of a logo.

To get started with the tools you’ll need to design, you need to identify the colors, fonts, icons, and images that will best represent the client. If they have a brand already you won’t have much difficulty doing this. However, if you’re starting from scratch, you’ll need to do some research just to setup your workspace in photoshop or illustrator.

Logo Color

Start with a color scheme and browse around for a while on colourlovers.com and ask yourself while you browse what is the demographic the client is targeting? I usually go by age, sex, and location to get started.

Age

Targeting Young Children and Parents
Start by looking at pastel colors (soft, chalky colors), because babies and children are viewed as fragile and gentle.

Targeting Children and Teenagers
Try heavy contrasts (neon pinks, greens, blues, black), just look at any typical teenager’s myspace and you’ll see what I mean

Targeting Young Adults
Try the primary colors with different lightness/darkness and contrast (light blue and white on dark blue for example)

Targeting Middle Aged Adults and Older
Try soft and dark (beige, grays, retro). Pretty much match the style that was popular when they were young adults

Location

Then look at demographic by location to determine an even narrower selection of colors, often times you have to think backwards of what society has taught you, and stereotype people. Cultures can be very different and have different trends and styles that are attractive. Compare Japan to the US for example, and you’ll see a huge difference in color preference and design.

Logo Shape

Next identify iconography. This is actually easiest to do with finding words that relate to the client. For example, pretend Nike needed a brand and the “swoosh” didn’t exist. In this phase I would identify words that relate to their business to use as a base for iconography:

Words Relating to the Company Name and Services:

• Running / Movement / Fast / Motion
• Sports / Tennis / Soccer / Football / Basketball / Baseball / Hockey
• Greek Gods / Victory / Active / Fast / Strength
• Shoes / Shirts / Apparel / Equipment

Finally identify font. Typography for a business is almost as important or sometimes IS the logo design. Occasionally this phase comes AFTER the logo design, but if it’s easy to identify in the beginning then do so.

Check back in to read the next part of the series How to Design a Logo, which will cover the actual Logo Design. For more reading on logo design, check out How to design a logo by Jacob Cass.