Search Results For: images

The Lowdown on :before and :after in CSS

CSS / 7 Aug 2019

The Lowdown on :before and :after in CSS

We previously took a look at :active, an extremely handy pseudo-class selector that can be used to create some awesome mouse-down effects. Today we’re going to take a step back and explore some other “pseudo” items, this time we’ll be looking at the pseudo-elements :before and :after.

You’re probably beginning to see these used all over the web in advanced CSS examples so you might as well jump in and learn to use them yourself.

What is a pseudo-element and how does it differ from a pseud-class? Why do pseudo-elements sometimes have one colon and sometimes have two?

How are :before and :after implemented in CSS? What are some ways that developers all over the web are using these tools to perform amazing feats of modern coding?

Read on to find out.

What Are Photoshop Actions? (+ 15 Useful Examples)

Photoshop Actions / 7 Aug 2019

What Are Photoshop Actions? (+ 15 Useful Examples)

Photoshop Actions might be one of the best tools you aren’t taking advantage of. Simply, a Photoshop Action is a sequence of things done to an image in the editing process that you can save and use repeatedly. Actions can be great for batch editing, saving bulk files, and almost any process that could be made faster by recording and repeating.

So, what are Photoshop Actions and how do you make the most of them? Their use case can be so varied and extensive, it’s often hard to know where to start.

Read on to learn more about what Photoshop Actions are, where they’re stored on your computer, and where to download them from.

5 Really Useful Responsive Web Design Patterns

UX Design / 30 Jul 2019

5 Really Useful Responsive Web Design Patterns

Responsive web design requires a very different way of thinking about layout that is both challenging and exciting. The art of layout was already complex enough for the centuries that it was defined by fixed elements, now things are becoming exponentially more complicated as layouts become increasingly adaptive.

To help reprogram your brain to consider layouts in new ways, we’re going to take a look at some interesting responsive design patterns that are being implemented by talented designers all over the web.

How to Print a Brochure: 3 Options Compared

Brochure Templates / 29 Jul 2019

How to Print a Brochure: 3 Options Compared

You’ve designed a brochure. Now what? With so many printing options out there, how do you know what option is best? The decision can depend on budget, paper, and printing needs, turnaround time, as well as other factors. And not all print options are created equal.

Today, we’re going to compare three different option for printing a brochure so that your design can shine on paper.

Make sure to click through the examples as well, for some more images of beautifully printed brochures! Or, browse through our complete guide on how to design a brochure.

How to Find or Create Your Brand Personality

Business / 24 Jul 2019

How to Find or Create Your Brand Personality

What is the personality of your brand? No, it’s not a trick question. Is your brand formal or spunky or socially conscious?

Identifying and defining the identity and personality of your brand is crucial.

Even if you don’t define it, some sort of personality (even of the multiple variety) will come through. So it’s best to think about it now. The last thing you want is anyone else getting any say in how exactly your brand is defined.

Who do you want your brand to be?

Mobile First Design: Why It’s Great and Why It Sucks

Mobile / 23 Jul 2019

Mobile First Design: Why It’s Great and Why It Sucks

Historically, most web designers and their clients have approached the desktop side of any project first, while leaving the mobile part as a secondary goal that gets accomplished later. Even with the rise of responsive design, many of us begin with the “full size” site and work our way down.

There’s a growing trend in the industry though to flip this workflow on its head and actually begin with mobile considerations and then work up to a larger desktop version.

Why would you ever approach a project this way? What are some of the pros and cons of this strategy? Read on to find out!

50 Shades of Black: Effective Use of No Color

Graphics / 18 Jul 2019

50 Shades of Black: Effective Use of No Color

A few years ago, there was a debate stirring on the web about black. Ian Storm Taylor’s “Never Use Black” was shared and tweeted and read by designers all over the world.

You can debate whether you should use black or not all day long. But the reality is that you will use black. Every designer does – by choosing or not.

So it’s best to understand the color and how to use it properly in a variety of design projects.

After Effects Templates

After Effects templates can help you take the application to the next level with overlays, lower thirds, logo reveals, title sequences, and more.

It’s a great way to get more from the application in a way that saves time and makes life easy for you. Whether you’re wanting to create an entirely new video or add something special to an existing project.

Our series covers how to use After Effects templates, where to find them, and collects some of our favorite templates for all manner of different uses and scenarios!

Read the Feature →

5 Quick Google Slides Tips & Tricks

Google Slides Themes / 1 Jul 2019

5 Quick Google Slides Tips & Tricks

If you aren’t using it already, Google Slides might quickly become one of your favorite tools. For anyone with a Google account, the presentation software is included to use completely free of charge.

It’s packed with tools to help you make great presentations with ease, and it supports downloadable templates to help you get started fast.

Make the most of this presentation tool with these tips and tricks that make Google Slides that much more functional!

How to Create Actions in Photoshop in 5 Minutes

Photoshop Actions / 19 Jun 2019

How to Create Actions in Photoshop in 5 Minutes

A Photoshop action can save time and effort when you perform some of the same edits and tasks repeatedly. You can record almost any command into an action that you can replay for later use on different files.

Here, we have step-by-step instructions so you can learn how to create actions in Photoshop. (It really only takes five minutes.)

In no time at all, you’ll have a helpful Photoshop action that can save you time every day!

Keynote Templates

Keynote, part of Apple’s iWork suite, is a presentation tool for the pros. With beautiful layout tools and typography, it can give your presentation an edge. This Keynote feature covers tips for using the app, giving stand-out presentations, as well as beautiful Keynote templates and themes.

Keynote has everything you need to create sleek presentations with layout tools and typography that’s made with design in mind.

It allows users to create presentations that look sleek without a lot of design capability. The tools are easy and intuitive. The slide navigator includes options for designing slides with different layouts, animations, fonts and you can even bring in presentations from other software.

But how to do you make the most of this tool? Keynote templates can be one of the quickest ways to start using keynote to its full potential right away.

Read the Feature →

15+ Best Free Tumblr Themes

Tumblr Themes / 6 Jun 2019

15+ Best Free Tumblr Themes

If you’re setting up a new blog or a website on Tumblr and want to make your website look unique and stand out from the crowd with a creative theme, we’ve got you covered. In this post, we feature some of the best free Tumblr themes you can use to make a professional website on the microblogging platform.

Tumblr is one of the best platforms for making a blog. In addition to being completely free to use, Tumblr also offers highly customizable options that allow you to set up custom domains, custom theme designs, and more to personalize your website to your preference.

Since it’s a free platform, there are thousands of free and premium themes available on Tumblr. But it can be difficult to find the best, most effective, regularly updated, and properly functioning themes in this vast collection. That’s where we come in. Check out our curated collection to find a great free theme for your new Tumblr website.