How is the world of invitations evolving as a whole?

Playful and Personal

If recent trends are any indication, then invitations will become even more personalized, offering greater self-expression and personal connections. Photo cards that double as keepsakes, invites featuring recipes or games, and other playful formats are all examples of more recent developments that point to a more diverse marketplace.

This type of movement is especially seen in the wedding invitation area. Couples choose to include more modern and personal touches to their invites, from handwritten notes to unique accessories and photo save the dates.

Tradition and Technology

Another big change to the world of invites and stationery is integration with technology, specifically with online tools. E-cards are popular, but if you want to make an impress nothing surpasses the tradition of a paper invitation.

With new online tools, customers no longer have to choose between software and stationery because these programs join technology like online RSVP tracking with the traditional mailed invitation. It’s truly the best of both worlds. A bride can design her invitation completely online, choosing paper quality, fonts, accessories, and wording, and have it sent to her house or straight to the guests.

She can also create the guest list online, monitor responses, remind unresponsive invitees, and share information with caterers and wedding planners via email.

The Next Step?

The future of invitations is created by using the past as a base and the present as inspiration.

Designers around the country and around the world are creating tomorrow’s invites, but they aren’t alone: customers are also shaping the development of design using online tools and their own imaginations. To be sure, it’s an exciting time in this industry, and with all the changes going on, you just have to wonder: “What’s next?”

The Basics

The twelve primary, secondary, and tertiary hues of the color wheel form the backbone of any combination; other colors are created by adding uneven proportions of pigment, or by mixing in black and white. Green, blue, and purple are known as cool colors, and red, orange, and yellow are warm colors.

For a tried and true color palette, you can always look to three simple combinations:

Monochromatic:

Use the same basic color, with different amounts of white or black in each hue.

Analogous:

Use a few colors that occupy the same portion of the color wheel, like blue-purple, purple, and red-purple.

Complementary:

Use two colors that are across from each other on the color wheel. Because you are using both warm and cool colors, there is more versatility in this type of combination.

Remember that color perception varies quite a bit depending on how muted or vibrant your colors are, the proportions of one color to the next, and the placement of your colors. For example, a square of orange placed against of field of red will read very differently when placed on a field of yellow.

Now that you’ve had a refresher on the building blocks of color theory, it’s time to get some inspiration for finding more diverse, unique, and meaningful color palettes.

1. The Grocery Store

Don’t just look at the food (although the produce section is a great resource); also look at the product packaging! Liquor labels and higher-end products are especially full of inspiration.

2. The Great Outdoors

Nature could be called the world’s first designer, so it’s fitting that her color combinations are always worth imitating. Take photographs to capture each moment of color. Then open up Photoshop, select five or six of the hues you see in a photo, and rearrange them into a swatch. You’ll be amazed by the endless variations you can find.

3. The Internet

To stay on the cutting edge of color trends, it’s usually best to turn to the web. Color inspiration can be found in so many different places. You’ll also find interactive color-choosing tools, or even trend reports on the next big color craze.

4. Posters and Magazines

The colors in ads are carefully chosen for their emotional content; use the results of other designers to enhance your own work! A flashy combination of red and yellows that you liked in action movie poster might be just the thing to reapply to the glitzy sports car illustration you’re working on.

5. Paint Chips

If you’re a fan of the hands-on approach, grab an armful of paint chips. This is an especially good idea if you find it easier to consider pure color combinations, without any of the distractions of proportion, shape, and other design elements.

Whatever method you use, the most important part of finding great color combinations is always being on the lookout. These resources are universally applicable, but if you keep an open mind and open eyes, you’ll be able to find inspiration anywhere you look.

The Hunger

Year: 1983

Top Gun

Year: 1986

Beverly Hills Cop 2

Year: 1987

Revenge

Year: 1990

Days of Thunder

Year: 1990

The Last Boy Scout

Year: 1991

True Romance

Year: 1993

Crimson Tide

Year: 1995

The Fan

Year: 1996

Enemy of the State

Year: 1998

Spy Game

Year: 2001

Man on Fire

Year: 2004

Domino

Year: 2005

DeJa Vu

Year: 2006

The Taking of Pelham 123

Year: 2009

Unstoppable

Year: 2010

Free for you to use and download are 18 various paper and cardboard textures.

You may also like these 20 Free Original Hi-Res Stained Paper Textures that I created.

The Textures On Flickr

You can preview all these textures in the Flickr set before you download any of the files below or simply use them directly from Flickr.

Download The Textures

(Rapidshare 22mb): rs-design-shard-old-paper-textures.zip
-OR-
(Mediafire 22mb): mf-design-shard-paper-textures.zip

Make a donation?

If you found these useful feel free to make a donation of any amount, it will encourage more freebies such as these, and im eternally greatfull for all your support!

Additional info:

• Scanner: Epson Perfection v500
• Quantity: 18 Images
• Resolution: 1600px by 2000px
• Contains: Various Brown & White Paper Textures

Usage Terms

Free to use for commercial and non commercial work no credit or link back needed, but please don’t redistribute or sell them as your own.

If you’re ready to move off Blogger and onto a web hosting service, you’ve probably got a lot of other things on your plate as well. The world of web hosting can be complex and confusing, but we’re looking out for you.

We know you want a simple solution tailored to your needs, and with great support services. We all do. But great web hosting is really different for every client.

We’ve done the research and found nine scenarios that are either red flags, or should be avoided altogether.

The One-Trick Pony

Before moving forward, companies must decide what they expect their website to be capable of accomplishing. By creating a list of essential criteria necessary for launch and growth, a road map of expectation outlines accountability for everyone. If a company can’t provide you with a clear plan, be prepared for a bumpy ride.

One Size Fits All

Credible web host companies allow customers to upgrade, downgrade and add or remove services quickly upon request. If a provider has strict rules and is slow to move, they are likely under-performing or don’t know how to best optimize their services.

You Get What You Pay For

If a hosting company’s website contains claims that are too good to be true – such as “free, unlimited web 261hosting” – that means it’s loaded with advertising jargon that could be misleading. Unlimited web hosting can be a reality; however, to maintain reputation and control, customers should purchase dedicated hosting. If you have a small- to medium-sized business, affordable shared plans are often available.

Trusting Joe Schmoe

Just because the guys you play golf with are happy with their hosting, doesn’t mean it will work for you. Skeptically peruse online testimonials and engage in extensive comparison shopping.

Don’t Forget The Fine Print

Have a knowledgeable member of your team take the time to systematically break down hosting provider services. Read the terms of service and the features of graphic design packages to avoid hidden limitations that may appear in the long run.

Being Charged Out The Nose

Web hosting payment plans are not complicated. Hosting is essentially a fixed-rate expense, so high variable costs are a red flag. If rates wildly fluctuate, cut the provider loose.

Rusty Bandwidth

Having enough bandwidth ensures life and utility for your site. If your web performance bottlenecks during heavy traffic, your users will be dissatisfied and leave. Often, they will not return, and will communicate to others their reason for not coming back. Site performance can be critical to your success, so make sure your host is reliable.

Too Many Cooks In The Kitchen

Trust those who are professionals in their trade. Work with a web company that specializes in web hosting. The company that sold you a domain is not necessarily well-versed in web hosting. Instead, find one that exclusively offers hosting services.

Support Goes Out Of The Window

When you submit a technical support ticket to the help desk, demand a quick response. If they can’t fix an issue quickly, then you shouldn’t be paying your web host to help you with any issues that may arise. Excellent customer service is non-negotiable.

We hope that helps. Good luck — it’s a digital jungle out there!

–Guest Post–

If you like these posters you can buy the prints over at the illustrators etsy Rowan Stocks Moore or even follow him on twiiter @rowansm

Let us know which you like most @designshard or in the comments below.

Download The Vector pack

Download Link: Download Now! (73mb – 12 Adobe Illustrator CS3 Files )
Preview: Jump to preview

This Vector Pack Was Inspired By

The below poster created by Double Merrick – as you can see the subtle textures used in the background create a realistic worn feel which hopefully the ones I’ve created replicate.

Vector Preview

Below are the vectors that are included in the pack – jump back to download link

Download The Vector pack

Download Link: Download Now! (73mb – 12 Adobe Illustrator CS3 Files )
Preview: Jump to preview

Something I Created

As a further example below is a poster that I created using these free vectors notably the distressed background – If this was ever printed I’m thinking gold foil!

Let me know if you find them useful either on twitter @designshard or in the comments below, thanks in advance.

These paper textures were scanned from an old manuscript that I bought – They have been scanned in at a high resolution and would be ideal for any project that requires a vintage look and feel.

You may also like these 20 Free Original Hi-Res Stained Paper Textures that I created.

The Textures On Flickr

You can preview all these textures in the Flickr set before you download any of the files below or simply use them directly from Flickr, the choice is yours.

Download The Textures (Rapidshare) (6mb Zip File)

rs-design-shard-old-paper-textures.zip

Download The Textures (Mediafire) (6mb Zip File)

mf-design-shard-old-paper-textures.zip

Make a donation?

If you found these useful feel free to make a donation of any amount, it will encourage more freebies such as these, and im eternally greatfull for all your support!

Additional info:

• Scanner: Epson Perfection 3490
• Quantity: 8 Images
• Resolution: 2000px by 2752px
• Contains: Old Brown Paper Textures

Usage Terms

Free to use for commercial and non commercial work no credit or link back needed, but please don’t redistribute or sell them as your own.

London 2012 OLYMPIC Posters

Rachel Whiteread – LOndOn 2O12

While Rachel Whiteread is best known for her sculptural work, drawing has always remained a critical part of her practice. She has described drawing as being like a diary of her work, whilst memory remains a key theme. For her print, she has composed a pattern of overlapping rings in the Olympic colours. The rings explore the emblem of the Olympic Games, and also represent marks left by drinking bottles or glasses. They act as memories of a social gathering, such as the athletes in the stadium during the opening ceremony or the spectators of the Olympic Games. [Wikipedia Entry]

Howard Hodgkin – Swimming

Howard Hodgkin describes his paintings as representational pictures of emotional situations. For his Olympic print Hodgkin has created Swimming – a deep, swirling mass of blue flooding across the page. In the darkest area of colour the outline of a figure can be made out as if pushing off after a tumble turn. The fluidity of the brushstrokes perfectly captures the movement of water and the sensation of swimming. [Wikipedia Entry]

Martin Creed – Work No. 1273

Martin Creed imposes simple rules on his creativity. He might create a painting using only paintbrushes bought in a multi-pack, or make only one mark a day with the same felt-tip pen until the whole paper surface is covered. Repetition, stacks, and intervals are familiar motifs in his work, along with ascending and descending structures. For Work No.1273, Creed has made five single brush marks using a palette derived from the Olympic colours. The marks are arranged in an ascending form that seems to represent an extended podium offering places beyond first, second and third. Creed’s image can be seen as expressing respect for the excellence of all competing Olympic sportsmen and women. [Wikipedia Entry]

Anthea Hamilton – Divers

Anthea Hamilton creates narrative environments through sculptural assemblage and collage. Her work in part is informed by the history of physical prowess and representations of the human, especially female, body. In Divers the poised legs seem to capture a gymnastic pose or show, perhaps a synchronised swimmer diver holding a balletic position. Interestingly, the only Olympic sport exclusively contested by women is synchronised swimming. Divers evokes the engaging theatricality of synchronised swimming, perhaps the most artistically challenging sport of the London 2012 Olympic Games. [Website Bio]

Chris Ofili – For the Unknown Runner

Chris Ofili creates paintings inspired by personal experience, race, folklore, biblical narrative, and, for the last few years the island of Trinidad where he lives. In For the Unknown Runner a figure, somewhere between super-athlete and mythical being, sprints past a watching crowd. The figure is framed by a vase motif – a reference to the Ancient Olympic Games, which provided an arena for artistic and cultural expression as well as sporting excellence. For the Unknown Runner is a powerful dedication to both Olympic history and the future stars of the London 2012 Games.
[Wikipedia Entry]

Bridget Riley – Rose Rose

Bridget Riley is one of the most original painters of our time and is celebrated for her optically vibrant paintings. By manipulating relationships between colours and shapes, she creates illusions of movement and light. For her Olympic print, Riley has arranged colours in horizontal stripes, indicating the direction of athletic tracks or swimming lanes. The relationships between the colours create a sensation of movement capturing the energy of sport and the Olympic Games.
[Wikipedia Entry]

London 2012 Paralympic Posters

Tracey Emin – Birds 2012

Tracey Emin shares her life, beliefs and feelings through her work with compassion and wit. Emin took the Paralympic values of Inspiration and Determination as the starting point for her print and created what she describes as a ‘love letter’. Two small birds, delicately perched on branches, appear to kiss beneath the words ‘You inspire me with Your determination And I love you’. The Agitos floats below them like feathers or leaves falling from the tree. Birds have frequently appeared in Emin’s drawings to symbolise freedom and strength, whilst her use of handwritten text expresses personal thoughts and emotions. Her print is an inspiring dedication to the Paralympic Games and athletes. [Wikipedia Entry]

Sarah Morris – Big Ben 2012

Since the mid-1990s Sarah Morris has been creating complex, geometric, abstract paintings derived from cityscapes and architectural detail, origami patterns and signs and symbols. To celebrate the Paralympic Games coming to London Morris has created an abstract representation of one of the city’s most iconic landmarks – Big Ben. The grids and vivid colours create a sense of dynamism and also evoke images of athletic tracks, swimming lanes, and field markings. [Wikipedia Entry]

Fiona Banner – Superhuman Nude

Fiona Banner creates nude studies from life, transcribing physical scenarios into verbal descriptions. These ‘wordscapes’ define the shapes and forms of the body as well as fleeting moments such as the tension in a second of shared eye contact, or a nervous finger tapping. Banner’s print is a nude study of a Paralympic Athlete. The title alludes to the extraordinary physicality of this body. She focuses on strength and physicality but also on the fragility of a human awaiting competition. Banner says ‘I liked the idea of comparing the athlete to a superhero, with some extraordinary prosthetic gift. Looking at an athlete naked made them powerful and vulnerable at once.’ [Wikipedia Entry]

Michael Craig-Martin – GO

Michael Craig-Martin combines quotidian objects such as light bulbs, chairs, and umbrellas with everyday words. His pairing of language and image is based on both familiar and unexpected associations. In combining the word GO with a stopwatch Craig-Martin conveys with a sense of immediacy the excitement and anticipation experienced in the moments before the starter pistol is fired, and the roar of the crowd as they encourage their favourite athlete towards the finish line. [Wikipedia Entry]

Gary Hume – Capital

Gary Hume creates paintings with distinctive colour palettes, reduced imagery, and rich surfaces. Hume has abstracted elements from an image of a wheelchair-tennis player, combining them with foliage and a soft and subtle colour palette. The large, circular form represents the wheel of the wheelchair and the black tennis ball hangs suspended in space, with the tennis racquet poised to smash the ball across the net. The large circular form can also be seen as a mouth cheering from the audience. Hume has created an aspirational image celebrating summer sport in London. [Wikipedia Entry]

Bob and Roberta Smith – LOVE

Bob and Roberta Smith use the immediacy of language to create hand-painted signs on pieces of found wood. These signs – painted in the style of community action banners, street signs, and fun fair posters – relay direct and often humorous messages. Taking the values of the Paralympic Games as a starting point, Bob and Roberta Smith propose the core elements of the athlete experience: courage, inspiration, love, and of course sweat. [Wikipedia Entry]

Which do you like?

For me it has to be Fiona Banner’s – Superhuman Nude it’s all about the words that paint the picture, although not very striking it certainly adds a different thought provoking twist to the Olympics.

Credits – Words & Images

Guardian, Telegraph, Tate, BBC, London2012

Mediafire Download (3.22MB Zip File)

Download Free Vector Pack – Paint Splatters Vol 1 (see the preview below)

Usage Terms

Free to use for commercial and non commercial work no credit or link back needed, but please don’t redistribute or sell them as your own.

Additional info:

• Scanner: Epson Perfection 3490
• Quantity: 8 .EPS files (Illustrator CS2+)
• Resolution: Vector
• Contains: Paint Splatters Vol 1

Make a donation?

If you found these useful feel free to make a donation of any amount, it will encourage more freebies such as these, and im eternally greatfull for all your support!