Stockfresh is the newest royalty free stock photography websites with an ever growing portfolio of over 1.2 million gorgeous, impressive and practical stock photos at the most affordable price, all at the end of my fingertips. Stockfresh is a small team of internet professionals with nearly a decade of stock photography experience (stock.xchng and stockxpert).

As a designer you are in constant need of stock photos, vectors and graphic elements to use in your designs. Stockfresh focuses mainly on the ease of use, quality, simplicity and also their contributor commissions are among the highest in the industry. Their goal is to provide high quality stock photos, graphics and vector illustrations at affordable prices through a hassle-free, clean interface.

Services

Online since 2010, Stockfresh offers over 1.2 million high quality images and vectors for download with new stock photos added every day. Offering only standard and extended licenses only the file types offered by Stockfresh are JPG and Adobe Illustrator EPS.

You can buy photos using these payment methods : Paypal, WorldPay, Moneybookers and bank transfer.

International support is pretty well represented, Stockfresh being available in quite a few languages : English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese.

The prices for images are very affordable starting at 1$. Images can be bought through a credit system or via a subscription plan.

The images are organized in quite a few categories, 28 to be more precise so finding the right stuff is very easy.

The search function is pretty basic, but it has an advanced search option which can help you search by size, file type (photo, graphic element or vector file), by shape, subject position of color. Also there’s the option to exclude or to search by photographer. Where the search excels in their search options is after you complete the first keyword search. Stockfresh enables the buyer to further define their search through click boxes so that the search can be narrowed.

The Social Stockfresh

You can find Stockfresh some of the most popular social media services such as Facebook and Twitter.

• Stockfresh on Facebook
• Stockfresh on Twitter

For more info you can check out Stockfresh or browse through their most popular images.

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• Sizes : up to 1920 x 1200 px
• Download (nw)

More cool wallpapers

• 30 cool wallpapers for designers
• 35 Wicked Cool Wallpapers for Designers

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In this tutorial we will learn how to create a visually appealing mock advertisement for a bottle of water. We will utilize different types of brushes and effects to achieve the final look :

Step 1 Setup

Create a new canvas width the size of 600×1000 and fill it in black.

Step 2 Grab Your Photo

Next you should open up the photo that you will be using for your advertisement. I will be using a stock photo I got from photl.com. If you are a member you can download photos for free.

Step 3 Copy and Paste

Use the quick select tool or if you prefer using a different method, and select your bottle.

Copy and paste your image onto your black canvas. (Note: you may need to resize your image in order for it to fit on the background.)

Step 4 Highlight

Use a soft round brush and add white around the sides and bottom of your bottle. Remember to create a new layer for each step.

Set the layer mode to Overlay then change the opacity to 54%

Step 5 Add Splash

If you don’t have any now would be a great time to get yourself some water splash brushes. Once you have yourself your brushes create a new layer and start adding splashes around the bottom of the bottle. Try out different types of layer modes to see what you prefer. I am using Luminosity at 100% opacity ( I used white for my brush color).

Step 6 Mist/Fog

Now we want to add a misty like fog/glow element around the newly added splashes so use your soft round brush and add white around the top of our splashes.

Keep your layer mode Normal and move the opacity down to around 10%.

Step 7 Warp

Use the warp tool to modify the shape of your bottle. You don’t have to use the same shape that I am using, be creative.

Step 8 Reflection

We need to create a reflection in the water so duplicate your newly modified bottle then rotate it so that the top of the bottle is facing downwards. Do not forget to flip the image horizontal, if you don’t the reflection will be off. (Note: this layer should be above your water splashes).

Move the bottle down so that the bottom connects with the bottle of the original bottle layer.

Change the layer mode to Lighten and use the ripple effect to distort the reflection. Filter > Distort > Ripple.

Step 9 Splashes Up Top

Add more splashes around the top of the bottle. Create some coming out of the top as well (unless you have a closed cap bottle).

Step 10 Glow

Make a new layer and add a large white line down the middle of the bottle using the soft round brush. On the same layer make your brush smaller and choose a blue (or whatever color you want) and create another line down the bottle with the round brush tool so your image looks something like this.

Go to Filter> Blur> Motion Blur and set your settings to angle: 37 degrees and distance: 295 pixels

Change layer to Color Burn then go to your blending options and choose Outer Glow and change the blending mode to Linear Dodge (Add).

Step 11 Sparkles

Get some speckled/sparkle/glitter type brushes and add them around the bottle. Use the blending options and choose outer glow just like we did in the previous step, you can pick which layer mode you like best. (Note: Make sure you create the reflection for your sparkles just like you did for the bottle).

Step 12 Darken

To make our bottle darker and give it a glassy like look create a new layer fill it in black and turn the layer mode to Overlay.

Step 13 Add Text

Add your text and logos, tweak any settings you might want to fix then you are all done.

By CrazyLeaf Design Blog

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Webmaster Deals is a great website where you can find a bundle of digital design deals at amazing prices. If you are not familiar with these kind of websites, basically here’s what’s it about : Webmaster Deals offers digital design goodies, such as stock photos, vectors, WordPress themes, Photoshop brushes, textures, styles for sale with a huge discount, usually between 50 and 95%.

How does it work

The process is fairly simple. All you have to do is to make your purchase and you will receive your goodies on your Paypal email address within 20 minutes. No account is needed.

Webmaster Deals also offers you the possibility to add your own deals or to become an affiliate. If you have a design bundle you can sell it through their website. Be prepared to offer a considerable discount from the normal price, though. As an affiliate you will receive a 20% commission on each referral with a minimum weekly payout of 10$.

Don’t miss these deals

1000 stock photos for 9$

If you do a lot of design work you probably need a lot of stock images. In this deal you will find 1000 Stock Photos for an amazing price: $9.

500+ Love Vector Files – Valentine’s Vectors

Download 500+ Valentine vector files in AI + JPG format. Use them for personal or commercial purposes.

Floral Brushes with High Resolution PNG

Floral Brushes can be used almost on different graphic design, from large prints to scrapbooking.

You can also look on the Free-Deals sections where you can find another great downloads.

Website : webmaster-deals.com

Newsletter : Subscribe to Webmaster-Deals and you will receive a bonus of over 7000 Free resources for web designers.

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The sponsor

DesignModo is a great resource of informative material for designers, web developers, graphic artists or just curious folks looking for inspiration. We provide design, web development and art-oriented articles and we promote the works of talented artists from all over the world.

How did we choose the winner

Well, for the first time ever we have as many prizes as there are participants, so everybody’s a winner.

The Winners

• 87studios
• Thomas
• MohammadWasiullah
• Kylara73
• Raoul van Kammen
• Gautam Krishnan
• Yuni Ardita Sari Dewi

The winners will be notified by email so he can claim their prize. A big thanks to all who participated and don’t forget to subscribe to the RSS feed if you didn’t already.

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A user is not a technical aristocrat as a web designer or a developer is and is basically looking for a swift, simple and sorted and effective way run across the web site. One of the conundrums that a designer faces is to strike a balance between impressive looking web sites, high on designs and appeal, and its simplicity and usability. The dilemma sure is infuriating but the rule of thumb which must be complied with is – design should not come at the cost of the comprehensibility and usability of the web site.

Tip 1 : Good Navigation

It is imperative that the flow from one page to another comes as naturally as possible. Along with that, there has to be continuity and consistency in the design of various pages. Even if the design is changing, it must only appear as a natural evolution from on particular design to another. Thus, if you are spending time designing the web application, spend time linking the various pages together and developing a good navigation structure of the website.

The dissemination of the information in your web site must appear as if it is being woven in a continuous thread. Thus the design of the web site, especially the homepage must not be intimidating to the users, rather give them an impression that it is simplified yet creative. List all the important pages clearly, so that the user can easily move from on point to another.

The dissemination of the information in your web site must appear as if it is being woven in a continuous thread. Thus the design of the web site, especially the homepage must not be intimidating to the users, rather give them an impression that it is simplified yet creative. List all the important pages clearly, so that the user can easily move from on point to another.

Tip 2 : Get the Tag Line Right

The present times asks for everyone to be creative and witty and be able to present themselves and market their products in an effective way. One of the most under rated aspects of the web site is the tag line. One may tend to feel that a tag line is not really a necessary and one can just use any tried and tested clichéd line for the same, but that is where the mistake exists, my friend.

In order to be registering a great deal of impression on the visitors, it is important that you come up with a unique tag line for your website. Though a user may / may not ignore the absence of the tag line for your website, but a creative, crisp, concise, well crafted and a witty tag line has the option of attracting the visitors, influencing the psychological forces ruling their minds and touching their psyche enough to influence them to consider the website.

With a well crafted tag line, you get option of adequately explaining to the users, what exactly the web site is all about. Thus, get the message right, with the help of a good and interesting tag line.

Tip 3 : Site Search Option

Search option is the ultimate guide of the users to scan through your web site and reach out at any object / page of the web site as they want. Thus, a good option which lie with the web site designers to increase the usability of the web site is providing a search option.

A good search option gives the ultimate freedom to the users to scan through the web site and reach wherever you want in no time. Users find it really amusing to use these search options and is a sure shot way to increase the usability of the web site.

Tip 4 : Less Flash and Heavy Graphics

Using a lot of Flash for a smooth and tranquilizing web site is a very tempting option, but then it has its adverse effects on the performance and loading time of the web site.

Any element which makes the website heavy and causes delay in its loading time on the various web browsers must be avoided, in order to make the web site user friendly and effective.

Surely Flash and other graphics makes the web site astonishing and amazing but then if a Flash based web site is taking to long to download, what really makes you think a user will show all the virtuous patience in the world and site and wait as it get down loaded on the browser, and not stray away from the website?

Thus, though use Flash and graphics, because it is required to give the internet users a visual treat but do not be tempted to over use it. Use the Flash and graphics but only when it is required and absolutely called for, don’t just use it all over the web site.

Tip 5 : Site Maps

Site maps are a very professional and systematic way to organize the web site and provide a synopsis and a quick run through across the web site. This of course has a great deal of positive impact on the web site and give provides a concise understanding of the web site and exactly it is about, to the users.

By providing the site maps, you bring the architecture and logical organization of the web site to everyone who flocks at the web site and thus they can easily navigate across, understand and use the web site.

For a clear, concise understanding of the web site, site maps are a very significant tool available with the web developers and designers.

Tip 6 : Good Content is the Key

Content is the back bone of the web site. Not only is the entire process of internet marketing solely dependent on the content written in the web site but internet users also require substantial pieces of information before trusting the web site alone. For the information that an internet user requires, the content plays an important role, thus it is imperative, that to have a good web site, one must fill in with good quality content which is informative and at the same time written with great style and language. Also use good and browser friendly fonts, to represent the content on the website, and keep the same updated for SEO benefits.

Tip 7 : Solicit Meaningful Feedback

A web designer / developer can not afford to be self indulgent in the present day time. Thus always keep yourself open for a constructive feedback from the visitors. Solicit visitors’ feedback and reply on same as and when applicable. This by itself adds on to the popularity of the website and gives you a poignant option to learn and correct any mistakes.

All of the above tips may appear to be quite tedious and frivolous at the same time, but do not lose your focus. Remember it is your capability to pay heed to such little intricate details, which separates the design of a self indulgent amateur from the design of a seasoned, well groomed and learned professional.

About the author

Rachel Watson is an ambitious and self motivated professional, working as a senior marketing executive with ValueCoders, a complete Offshore IT Outsourcing company providing specialized Web Site Development services.

By CrazyLeaf Design Blog

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This article is part of our “Weekly Design Inspiration” series. We are showcasing  once a week cool and inspirational designs submitted that week in the CrazyLeaf Web Gallery. If you think your website belongs here, you can submit it for review (nw).

Life Could Be Better

VDezignStudio

Bleep

Tom Pain

Vonnda

135design

Remind

Tom Cash

Graphiste Inspiree

Neolab

For more design inspiration check out our web gallery (or the rss feed).

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Details : 2 columns, right sidebar, large article image custom field , 3 column footer, Flickr and Twitter integration.

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The sponsor

The sponsor for this giveaway is InkyDeals a great website providing daily deals for creative professionals.

How did we choose the winner

Well, for the first time ever we have as many prizes as there are participants, so everybody’s a winner.

The Winners

• MoniqueHasana
• Yuni Ardita Sari Dewi
• Esakiganesh
• Roos
• Elena

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Michal Sycz is a talented designer based in Warsaw, Poland. His areas of specialization include: illustration, web design, print design, branding, interactive and social media.

Website : noeeko.com (nw)
Facebook : facebook.com/Noeeko (nw)
Behance : be.net/noeeko (nw)

By CrazyLeaf Design Blog

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