Carrie Cousins

Software / 15 Apr 2020

How to Install Photoshop Plugins (In 2 Minutes!)

An Adobe Photoshop plugin is a tool that can shave time off projects in the popular photo editing tool. Here’s a quick guide on how to install Photoshop plugins in just a couple of minutes.

There are plugins that do almost anything, and can quickly become a seamless part of your workflow. Adobe’s Camera Raw plugin is used by photographers everywhere, for example.

Installing a plugin seems to keep getting easier all the time. You can follow manual steps or click to add plugins right from Photoshop.

Either method takes less than 2 minutes and almost anyone can do it.

Inspiration / 13 Apr 2020

10 “Random Act of Kindness” Ideas for Designers

Sometimes it’s the little things that can bring a smile and make your day. More than ever these random acts of kindness are needed to help get your community (and the world) through tough times.

As a designer, you can use your creative ability to spread kindness. Your skills give you a unique way to brighten someone’s day, help a local business or charity, and make a difference.

Not sure where to start? We have a few ideas that you can borrow, add your creative flair to, and use to spread kindness and happiness.

Keep smiling!

Software / 8 Apr 2020

20 Must-Have Apps + Tools for New Remote Workers

If you are new to this whole work-from-home thing, don’t fret. The right tools and apps can make it a lot less stressful, and we’re here to help with everything from productivity apps, to office plants!

Working from home might be a little different for newly minted remote workers, but you can do it.

Here’s a guide packed with resources to make it easier, and help you cope with this unusual transition that so many people are having to go through.

Business / 6 Apr 2020

10 Tips for Working From Home With Kids

If “work from home” wasn’t part of your vocabulary or company culture two months ago, it very well could be now. An increasing number of people across industries have set their online status to WFH.

And while some have glorified working from home, others find it to be distracting and awkward, especially with children in the home. But there are some things you can do to make it easier.

Establishing a working from home routine for you and your kids is the key to long-term success. You need clear boundaries and a little flexibility (even if it does seem like an oxymoron) to keep your home and work life running smoothly. Here are 10 tips to get you on the right track.

Business / 1 Apr 2020

7 Tips to Improve Your E-Commerce Website Design

When it comes to selling online, you probably know that security and quality items are key components of your shop. The design of your online store can matter too.

You want to create a design aesthetic that’s easy to navigate and leads users to items they want to buy with the ability to check out quickly.

A solid e-commerce website design can actually help you increase sales because it makes shopping easy. Here are seven tips to help you create an even better online store, with examples of online stores that rock.

Trends / 30 Mar 2020

Design Trend: Mono Gradients

Monotone color palettes have always been popular. It’s a classic colour scheme that never really goes out of style. Most recently, we’ve seen plenty of white or dark monotone palettes dominate this style.

But there’s a new take on monotone colors that’s trending: mono gradients. Here’s a look at the trend and how designers are making the most of it.

We’re sharing different examples of mono gradients in action, and sharing tips for how you can use it in your own designs.

Trends / 25 Mar 2020

Design Trend: 3D Geometry

Three-dimensional shapes and geometry add depth and visual interest to the digital space. Maybe that’s why this is a trending website design technique.

While 3D elements in web design aren’t new, using geometry and geometric shapes to create this effect is beginning to explode. It can be a fun and interesting way to make elements seem to jump off the screen for website visitors.

Here’s a look at the trend with some examples to get you thinking about how this design trend (and these techniques) might work in your projects.

Business / 23 Mar 2020

7 Tips for Developing a Website Redesign Strategy

With the average lifespan of a website being somewhere between 3 and 5 years, chances are that you’ll have a website redesign project soon (if you aren’t already working on one.)

The foundation of a solid redesign is strategy. What do you (or your client) hope to get out of the redesign? Why is the change being made? What does success look like?

Answer these questions and it will help bring the design together. Plus, we have a few more tips for developing a website redesign strategy. (Take note of the images in this post, they are pretty nifty website designs from the Design Shack gallery.)

Reviews / 20 Mar 2020

Create a Seamless and Secure Business Experience With Teamstack

As your team grows there has to be a better way of managing passwords and user accounts. It’s called Teamstack, a simple and convenient identity management solution for businesses of any size.

Teamstack is a cloud identity and access management platform that provides your workforce with secure, convenient access. It works with 500+ applications, greatly simplifying the entire process.

Teamstack provides cloud identity management that’s easy use and works with tools you already have installed on your computer.

Here’s a look at the tool and how it can work for you.

Instagram Templates / 18 Mar 2020

Instagram Story Design: 7 Pro Tips & Ideas

If you aren’t designing Instagram Stories, it might be time to start. More than 500 million people use the vertical format on the social media channel every day.

Stories are fun, they allow for creativity, and this is a place where you can really showcase your design skills to a social media audience.

It’s a little different from some of the other ways you’ve probably used social in the past. Here’s a guide to help you post Instagram Stories like a pro, with examples and ideas to help you see our advice in practice.

Graphics / 16 Mar 2020

What Is Storytelling in Design? 10 Tips & Examples

Storytelling. It’s one of those buzzwords that is connected to website design and marketing. It seems to be the linchpin that holds these efforts together.

But what does good storytelling in design look like? Why is storytelling such an important element of design projects?

Let’s take a look at some examples of amazing storytelling and how you can apply those concepts to your projects.

Trends / 11 Mar 2020

Design Trend: Neumorphism

Is the next big thing in website and app design neumorphism? It’s a design trend (named as a mashup of the words new and skeuomorphism) that’s growing in popularity. People seem to either love it or hate it, but it’s interesting enough that Cult of Mac recently pushed an article posing the question: “Is neumorphism the big new look for iOS 14?”

We won’t know the answer for a little while yet, but the trend is gaining traction, particularly on Dribbble, where we see many design trends launch.

Here’s a look a neumorphism to help you get an idea of what it is (and isn’t) so the trend doesn’t pass you by.