DesignSkool

Art for Japan: Wallpapers and Poster downloads

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 12:56:00 +0000

After the devastating earthquakes and enormous tsunamis that shook Japan, the whole art world stands with the country which has been a cultural inspiration for millions around the globe. These are very few among the many, but being more thoughtful and artful found a place in the list. Even while the after tremors have disrupted the life of the people who have suffered the most, let these be an inspiration to the suffering and a motivation for the rest of us in extending our helping hands.

For you Japan....

Please write your comments and do add links to similar pics and posters. Our prayers are always with you Japan.

50+ Beautiful Arabic Typography Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 10:21:00 +0000

Haven't you been narrow minded to believe typography is a business of the western world and you are the sole person taking care of the field. So was mine until these pictures and posters caught my attention. Calligraphy and typography is not so well developed in any other language and I think there is no other language where it could be well applied. The beauty of these Arabic letters is mind blowing and the designs are well manipulated that even if you dont understand the language its sure to catch your glimpse. The artistry and creativity threaded in the Arabic letters is being unleashed in this post.

digg

Digg Digg

You might have noticed that I am getting more concentrated in the typography sector. Of course, manipulating the letters that you have been seeing for your entire life in such a way (in a manner which I can't even imagine) is extra-brilliant.

14 Mesmerising Calendar Artworks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 11:58:00 +0000

Before starting on the discussion, let me wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. 2011 is near and so is the designing business for special calendars. Introducing before you are a variety of innovative concepts and exquisite designs that is sure to make you catch your breaths. So enjoy the Christmas-New Year feast.

1. Pantone Calendar

2. Starry Calendar

3. Illustrative Vector Calendar 2011

4. Daylight Temperature Calendar

5. Alphadraft 2k11 Calendar

6. Zodiac Calendar

7. Calendar 2011: A different way to know your day

8. MultiCalendar 2011

9. How was your Day Calendar

10. Deskbox calendar

11. Lunar Calendar

12. Typography Calendar

13. Sao Paulo 2011 Calendar

14. Typo Calendar 2

Since I usually dont read the footer dialogues, i am too lazy writing one too. Do give links to the ones you have found and i am always willing to add them to the list.

25 Christmas Special Design Resources

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:10:00 +0000

Its Christmas time and holiday season again. So why not change your rusty wallpapers and have some fun designing one of your own. Let that be a card, a signature, a poster or anything as you please. What I would provide is a bit of inspiration and many a backgrounds to act as your work canvas.

1. Light Trail Xmas tree

2. Christmas stick Wallpaper download

3. Holiday Free Wallpaper download

4. Merry Christmas free Wallpaper

5. Santa Art Wallpaper

6. Ice Firs Blue Wallpaper download

7. Green Christmas

8. Frosted

9. Christmas Special HD Wallpapers

10. Windows XP Christmas

11. Christmas free wallpaper

12. Holidays Wallpaper

13. Crossmap Xmas wallpapers

14. Christmas lights wallpaper background

15. Christmas Special Icon set Download

Vu Nguyes prepares 10 beautiful Christmas icons for you to decorate your web according to the Christmas spirit.

16. Snow flake wallpaper

17. Xmas Red Wallpaper

18. Gift wrap background

19. Beautiful Christmas card design

20. Photoshop Brushes Xmas special

1stWebDesigner: 48 Snow, Ice, Snowflake and Christmas Brushes There are pine, ice, snowflake, snow and many different Christmas related brushes for every taste in this list.

Web Resouces Depot: Christmas Design Toolkit: Photoshop Brushes, Vector Images And Tutorials This is a giant design pack which includes Photoshop Christmas brushes, Free Christmas vectors, and Christmas-related Photoshop & Illustrator tutorials.

Observin: 23 Wonderful Winter Photoshop Tutorials & Brushes Observin has gathered these winter photoshop tutorials and brushes are the perfect way to spruce up your designs and get you in the holiday mood.

Toxel: 20 Free Christmas Photoshop Brush Sets A collection of free Christmas Photoshop brush sets that you can use to design something special during the holidays.

Photoshop Roadmap: 25 Nice Christmas Photoshop Tutorials and Brushes Photoshop Roadmap has compiled another nice selection of Christmas Photoshop tutorials and brushes. All the brushes featured on this article are free to use on personal, non-commercial, projects.

Gosublogger: 16 Photoshop Brush Set For Christmas This sets include xmas tree brushes , xmas ornaments brushes, xmas decoration brushes and other sets.

21. Free Photoshop Christmas Tutorial

22. PSD fan Christmas artwork resources

23. Christmas goodies, vectors, PNG

24. Xmas special Stock photos

25. Christmas font Designs

Again wishing all the readers a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year and hoping to see you all soon.

Short guide on Color mode selection

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 06:12:00 +0000

You might have across the RGB, CMYK mode and wondered what these are used for. I did not have any knowledge regarding these until one of the posters I designed was sent back citing the mode was wrong. And thus I decided to learn the valuable lesson about various modes of designing in Photoshop. Making it as simple as possible and condensing everything into a few lines, here is how you use it. (You can select the mode in the menu from Image>Mode).

RGB

Red, Green, Blue mode is used primarily for digital photos and those designated for computer screens like webpage graphics. Inkjet printers also use the same.

CMYK

So this is the one to select if you are doing the work for print purpose. All offset printing use this mode and so is for high-end inkjet printers.

Grayscale

This is the usual Black and white which can be used for both purposes mentioned above- printing and web-based images.

Indexed Color

This mode limits your color selection to 256 or a Color table. This is used for web-based images where the size of the image needs to be limited by saving it as GIF or PNG8 especially in case of buttons and banners.

Lab Color

Lab mode is used only when you need to use some filters like Sharpen filters (which will of course be prompted). We have to change the mode back to RGB or CMYK before saving the work.

Duotone

Meaning two color tones used throughout your image, it is used solely for commercial printing purposes, but not on inkjets.

Bitmap

Bitmap is simply Black and white and the difference is there are no gray tones in between as in grayscale. You can use it anywhere, but the image always looks so.

Multichannel

It is similar to duotone where premixed colors are used. It is used for commercial printing purposes and mainly for logo designing.

But always remember that changing from one color mode to another reduces the quality of your image and hence need to be done beforehand. Moreover, converting back to your original mode does not retain the original quality.

Exhaustive collection of Free Business Card PSD Template Downloads

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:42:00 +0000

This is one of the easiest thing in designing. But you can make it more complicated as your creative ideas grow. But it becomes too easier when you have the whole template with you. Just download these templates and you have your personal business card with you. Leave the contemporary styles and do the new and be the new. So without much talk, moving on to the designs.

Stylish Business Design
Layout Dimensions: 2.25×3.75 inches
Business Card Dimensions: 2×3.5 inches
Resolution: 300dpi

Seextwood Business card Template
3.5×2.5, 300Dpi, CMYK

Abstract Blue Business Card PSD

Business card Designer Template

Business Card with Calendar Template

Illustrator Design Template

Card Design Template

Minimalist Design Resource

Creative Business card Template Download

Technix Business Card Template

Crispy Business Card Design

Classy Card Design Template

Floral Designer Business Card Template Download

13 in one Business Card Template Download

Modern Tab Business Card Template

Construction Stripe Business Card Templates

Molten Chocolate Business Card Template

Construction Company Business Card Template

Exclusive Silver Design Business Card

Modern Grunge Business Card Design Template

Free Business Card PSD Download

Business Card PSD Minimalist Design

Grunge Business Card Template PSD

Abstract Hi-Tech VCard Design template

Simple Business Card Template Design

Green seamless design business card template

Beauty Salon VCard template PSD

Freelance Switch Business Card PSD

Cursive Vcard PSD Template

Corporate Business Card PSD Template

Business Card Photoshop Template

Free Business Card Photoshop PSD Template

Grunge Business card templates photoshop

Business Card Template PSD Design

Black and White Download PSD Template

Deviantart Download Design Template

Splat Business Card Design PSD

Revolutionary Visiting Card PSD Template

Hope this list is exhausting enough. I would have given you more, but time is not permitting. So research and find the rest of treasure chest.

More business card templates at
Inspired mag
Vandelay Design

Excellent Signatures and tutorial for creating them

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:36:00 +0000

Graphics on a smaller scale is graphic signatures. Hence it can be attempted by beginners as well as experts in the fields. How about giving a list of the signatures that I found wonderful from among the millions. And if you want to learn more about them, follow the links or this forum: Layeredgfx

Abstract Signature
Learn how to create a detailed signature using several filters and effects.

Abstract Walkthrough

Luminescent Lines
This technique is fairly simple and is a great way to create an abstract wallpaper or looks good integrated into another image.

Abstract Background of Colored Bars
Short but attractive way to create a graphic for backgrounds, wallpapers, greeting cards, designs, and all that other good stuff.

Leopard Aurora Borealis
Not exactly the Mac OSX Leopard aurora wallpaper, but great effects to create something simillar.

Space Lighting effects
How to create a space scene with some nice Lighting Effects in 10 Steps.

Abstract image tutorial Create a beautiful and extraordinary effect with some simple steps.

Cool abstract background
Create abstract background from bubbles and waves.

abstract signature

Abstract Summer Illustration
Learn to create an illustration picturing the summer.

Swoshy lines
How to make an abstract ribbon-like effect using only Adobe Photoshop.

Abstract Energy Lines
How to create some energetic lines you can use to create more lively digital creations.

Easy Abstract Photoshop Tutorial
How to create a very simple abstract shape using a few brushes and effects.

The lightning effect

Intense Solar Flare (Filter) Effect

Signature tutorial Movement

Abstract Art Piece: "Lonium"
In this Photoshop tutorial we’ll be walking through the process of making an abstract artwork, using abstract 3D renders, textures, and more.

Light Rays
Create a fantastic light ray background texture

Abstract Background

Grungy Metal Texture
How to make some grungy metal with a star

Signature Backgrounds

Abstract Airbrushing

Wallpaper Effect
This tutorial walks you through steps in creating a warped effect that you can use to create artistic and profressional background and wallpapers.

Trendy Background Textures
Simple technique using brush strokes for making some trendy background

Digital Star Effect

Stripy Abstract Wallpaper
Simple effect that can come in really handy.

Magic light streak wallpaper in photoshop

Mac-type background
This tutorial is about making a "mac" style background.

Colourful swirl

Colorful Tornado

Firey Explosion
Spice up your space art with this explosive tutorial

Abstract Artsy Background

Please comment on the post and the ones you liked the most.

Facts and Figures through graphics: Interesting and inspiring infographics

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:13:00 +0000

Being presented as a part of my last post on newspaper, infographics needed a wider coverage and a bit of detailing. Since newspapers, web-portals and even governments are adopting it as a form of mass communication the question of relevance is unnecessary. Continuing on my inspiration season posts, do read this one or as a matter of fact just view this one. From the countless number of infographics here are the few I found which could be inspirational as well as useful.

American Presidents

Health: Obesity in US

So You Want to Watch Youtube?

Map of Non-Monogamy

Conversational Prism

Social Marketing Compass

History of iPhones

Cost of Spam

The Internet

Top World Cup Players on Facebook

15 Things to Know about Marijuana

16. Inception infographic

These have covered a lot of my blogspace and if these have not quenched your thirst, check out the other facts and figures through the list below.

ABSOLUTMATERIALIST

Mashable Infographics

Flickr Infographics

Blog of Francesco Mugnai

Newspaper Designs: The best of two worlds

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:14:00 +0000

I have never thought newspaper as a target for designing. But I understood that all my predispositions were misplaced when I recently came across a Behance article. It was about redesigning one of the popular newspapers which I read daily and spans whole 16 pages into a single page paper. Though I have ogled a lot about the projects for the architecture and designing students, I was really astonished with this creative endeavor (may be I haven't seen enough of the design web). Anyway please do have a look at the project: Behance:Express-Newspaper

As usual rest of my day was finished in finding the best of newspaper designs around the world and I have found a few. The ones that touched my tastes are listed here. Do comment on the ones you like and the ones you have found elsewhere.

1. De Morgen

Awarded the Europe's Best Designed Newspaper which can be called the Oscar in Newspaper design. The use of easily comprehensible graphics is adopted as you can see in the online newspaper from the site of this Flemish paper.

2. der Freitag

This bold and simple newspaper design was adjudged the best by SND. Click the link for the 3 best newspaper designs and the images for the inside pages.

And along are some of the winners in other categories and those who have entered the list: Periodic winners

3. Smalandsposten

From European Newspaper Awards.

4. „I“ informação

This was awarded in the tenth European Design Awards

Some others in the list are

5. Stuttgarter Zeitung

6. 24sata

Look at some of the other visualisations and infographics

Into visual story telling. Read more about it in the link provided.

7. Seattle Times: Mariner's Makeover

Shooters Touch

8. O Independente

9. The Oregonian

10. Die Zeit

11. San Jose Mercury News

12. The Guardian

13. Aripaev

14. Hartford Courant

15. Dubai Express

16. The Rzeczpospolita

18. Politiken

The links provided in the above lists would be useful in browsing through some of the best designed newspapers in the world. It is a fact that European newspapers are better off when it comes to designing and usage of infographics though the rest of the world is catching up.

20 Awesome Text Effect with PSD and Tutorials

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 09:06:00 +0000

Always thought about modifying your logo, banner or poster. Here are a few simple steps by which you can change the just simple looks. Those creative artists have done everything for you, you just need to follow suit as per the instructions provided. Take up the challenge and it will never leave your time unworthy. I have read most of my basic Photoshop and Flash lessons just by redoing those instruction may be a number of times till everything works out. Click the links and go to the websites.

1. Rusty Text

Rusty Text Text Effect tutorial

2. Bloody vein text

Bloody vein Text Effect Tutorial

3. Watercolor Text

Watercolor Text Effect Tutorial

4. Supernatural Text

Supernatural Text Effect Tutorial

5. Text in Stitches

Text in Stitches Text Effect Tutorial

6. Transformer Text Effect

Transformer Text Effect Tutorial

7. Wood Inlay Text

Wood Inlay Text Effect Tutorial

8. Patriotic Text

Patriotic Text Effect Tutorial

9. 3D Text Effect

3D Text Effect Tutorial

10. Vanity License Plate

Vanity License Plate

11. Destructive Black & White Lettering

Destructive Black and White Lettering Text Effect Tuts

12. Light and Shade Lettering

Light and Shade Lettering Text Effect Tuts

13. Retro Wavy Text

Retro Wave Text Effect Tutorials

14. Glassy Text Effect

Glassy Text Effect Tutorial

15. Stitched Label

Stitched Label Tutorial

16. Floral Type Design

Floral Type Design with PSD files tutorial

17. 4D Text Effect

4D Text Effect

18. Splashing Ocean Text

Splashing Ocean Text Effect Tutorials

19. Splashing Water Text

Splashing Water Text Effect Tuts

20. Ultra Shining Text Effect

Ultrashining Text effect Tutorials

21. 3D Text Effect

Download Elegant 32 Text Effect PSD and tutorial

That would be enough a trial for about a week or so. Rest of my selections would be soon on the blog and do wait for it and subscribe for it. Thanks for being a part of my blog.

The Art of War: Hiroshima Day Special

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 08:51:00 +0000

August 6th, 1945. The date is etched in our minds and without much introduction travel through these images and photographs which tell the story of a people, of generations, of a war, of a rebirth, of a revenge and of the world. They will tell you that graphics can speak and graphics can act. Click on the images for links to the original sites.

Choose the best among these and also send your inspiring ideas and anti-war posters.

25 Selected Typography Design Sets

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 06:50:00 +0000

Typography is in itself a revolution and in general one in the field of designing, and meanwhile a revolution is currently going on inside the typography sector too. The ideas and inspirations has been ever circulating with widespread digitalisation of the designs. I would like to share with you few of the most revolutionary ideas in the typography sector. Play with the words, but ultimately select the best. Click on the images for the links.

With this trip round the globe all my predispositions and prejudices are no more. And I wondered how these people were spending their time generously just for writing 4 letters on the screen. But these things of beauty are a joy forever.

Hand Written Free Fonts: 15 Best Selections

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:20:00 +0000

With the advent of the digital graphics, nothing have gained as much importance as typography. It has been reigning over the rest of graphic media through this decade. It has been helvetica, helvetica and helvetica that you have been seeing all the while.

What about a altogether different concept. Handwritten fonts are rarely used and good ones are rare to find too. So wouldn't it be better if I try to share a few of the best handwritten fonts available?

1. Allie writing

Download Allie Writing

2. Big Mister C

Download BigMisterC

3. Breakfast at Michy's

Download Breakfast at Michy’s

4. Child's Play

Download Child’s Play

5. Daniel

Download Daniel

6. Dear Joe Five Casual

Download Dear Joe Five Casual

7. Honey I stole your Jumper

Download Honey I Stole Your Jumper

8. Jenny

Download Jenny

9. Jinky

Download Jinky

10. Journal

Download Journal

11.Nathan's Notations

Download Nathan’s Notations

12. Next

Download Next

13. Popstar Autograph

Download PopStar Autograph

14. Saginaw

Download Saginaw

15. Two Turtle Doves

Download Two Turtle Doves

Sorry, its been a while since I have posted. Surely, within a week the posts would be regular and much more frequent than you could ever expect. Please do comment and give suggestions regarding the post.

Designing the soccer craze: The few best

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:27:00 +0000

Formally included in the Brazil fans in the college, we had a lot to do in order to cope up with the fanfare of the Argentineans. Being a Brazil fan is easy, but being a designing enthusiast as well as a Brazil fan is not. It was a rather difficult task checking out the web some high quality images for preparing some posters and ultimately I had to give up. But meanwhile, I had come across a few graphic websites which offer a few better opportunities and collections. The best may not have been yet found out, but ideas and inspiration still glows behind them. A collection of designs, rendering, signatures, PSDs, wallpapers all exclusively for sports...

Sports GFX

This was the best I came across. Have a look at some of the collections. Large PSD packs are waiting for you at sportsGFX.

Wallpaper Gallery

Exquisite collection of wallpapers. Not just soccer.

PSD-Dream

Here are a collection of renders in sports, movies and a few more categories. Quality compromised, but better than many...

And now a few places where you can search and search and search and skip through the pages to find the right one...

Heroturko

Lord of Design

If you have come across anything still beautiful please provide the link. Surely, it will be published with acknowledgements.

16 Handpicked Architectural Wonders at Shanghai World Expo 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 May 2010 08:21:00 +0000

Fascinated by a TV news featuring Shanghai World Expo 2010, I had been exploring the country pavilions which are marvelous symbols of architectural beauty. With a theme of 'Better City, Better Life', most of them are one better than other. Though I have not yet intended to feature architecture in this design portfolio, it would be a crime not featuring these beautiful models. Check out the best of Shanghai and vote and comment for your best.

Turkey: Cradle of Civilization
featuring one of the first man built settlements and dams.

China: The Crown of the East
Interlocking Wooden Brackets, the architectural style of the Orient.

Malaysia: One Malaysia- City Harmonious Living
A tour through the landscape of Malaysia

India: Cities of Harmony
Rural and Urban confluence with inspiration from Buddhists stupas by Emperor Asoka. (featuring 360 degree screen)

Romania: Green City
The green apple highlighting green, health and city.

Sweden: Spirit of Innovation
Reflecting the cross on the national flag.

Israel: Innovation for better life
One of the best. A journey through Whispering Garden, Hall of Light and Hall of Innovations.

New Zealand: the Maori Story of Creation
Wedge shaped pavilion with a 1.8 tonne jade in its heart.

Japan: Breathing Organism
Harmony between the human heart and technology

UAE: Sand Dune country
Featuring a marvellous sand dune sculptural design.

France: The Sensual City
Floating with greenery

Denmark: the Little Mermaid
Inspired by the Little Mermaid statue in Denmark

Italy: Pick up sticks
20 modules inspired by the game

Bahrain: Small is beautiful
An arc shaped island

United Kingdom: the Seed Cathedral
Wrappers fallen off revealing the jewel

Spain: The basket
A hand weaved wicker basket

These are structurally as well as in concept dreamlike creations. But the fact that these would be brought down to sticks after the expo is nightmarish.

7 Step Transparency Effect Poster Design Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 May 2010 20:05:00 +0000

I would love to share one of my recent creations with you. It was a poster for the release of a magazine in our college. Though not so perfect in any sense, it was a work which took just several minutes from a day. And I believe it is not that bad either.

So I had earlier decided that my next poster or brochure would be something based on the transparency effect. The inspiration behind this was the simple picture shown below, just the difference in its tones. It was much more beautiful than what I had done (but I had to move on with a theme background for the magazine).

The steps are simple

Choose a background which suits your idea
Make necessary corrections (especially make it bright)
Draw a black colored rectangular area of your choice over the background after creating a new layer
In the ‘Layers window’, adjust the transparency of the square
Now pen down your texts over the translucent region
‘Merge down’ the text layer to the translucent rectangular layer (from Layer menu tab)
Using the ‘Magic wand’ and ‘Delete’ button cut out the letter so that the background layers are visible through it (thinks there would be better solutions to this problem. But after all, I am not an expert in Photoshop)

Now you have got your poster ready to be pasted

This especially works better if the background is colored bright enough. Dark backgrounds work better with a grey translucent bar. This simple poster can save a lot of your time, without compromising on the design part. I invite any better ideas like this or suggestions regarding that text editing as I have been learning Photoshop only through trial and error. I don’t think I need to provide the PSD, since these 7 steps are much easier than you can imagine. But you can download the background image from here...

7 Extra ordinary Artists and 36 Paper artworks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:20:00 +0000

Paper artwork is something one thinks of a sheer waste of time and possibly an unwelcome source of revenue (rather cheap). But designing is taking into new forms with origami paving way for these colors and curves. These do find their place in the charts of excellence and among the cover designs of books and albums. Creating an idea and designing it with paper, I believe, needs courage in addition to creativity.

I am actually afraid as the undo key is not available here and much of my efforts may go in vain if I try one of these. The X-factors should play the perfect role to make it come attractive. The fact is that you can find much unattractive ones in the net. So selecting the best is simple but rather time consuming, though only a few create such ones. So here are a few selection of mine.

1. Yulia Brodskaya at Artyulia

2. Carlo Giovani and at Flickr

3. Andrea Russo Papercraft at Flickr

4. Jen Stark

5. Boveylee

6. Zim and Zou

7. Charles Clary of Paper Extravaganza

These artworks would not be of any use unless they find their right place. The ones featured above have been covered enough. So do forward your artworks and popularize them.

Concept Design Backgrounds: Grunge Designs too

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 10:17:00 +0000

Here are my second set of concept design backgrounds that would surely be of use to you. Stain it, spill your paints, airbrush it and take it to the horizon to experiment with your art work. Without blah..blah... download it..

Thanks to PSD graphics for the pretty good designs.

1. Scratches: Dark grunge

Download scratched retro backgrounds

2. Abstract Pixel Waves: Concept Background

Download abstract pixel wave concept

3. Clouds concept backgrounds

Download cloud concept backgrounds Green clouds, Blue sky, Purple sky

4. Stars Background Designs

Download Stars background designs

Hope you have found this post useful...

40 Must See India Photography: Colours and Culture

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:50:00 +0000

Going through the Smashing Magazine Edition of the India special photography series, I thought it would not be a crime copying the idea and creating a similar post. After all I am an Indian and I have seen enough of it to introduce before my readers. India for centuries have been believed to be the land of fakirs lying on nail beds, street magicians and snake charmers. But I have never been able to witness any of these so called 'common' sites in my entire life. Here are the colors and culture of India that makes it all too attractive and important to me. Celebrate.

Lets start the journey

The Sikh fervor

Village hut

Holy Waters

Buddha Smiles Here

Roof top Clothes line: NGC

Durgapuja More from Suvomoymitra

Humayun's Tomb from Vagabondish

More than Indian by Steve McCurry (must visit)

Kite Eye View of India: BBC

A narrow view: Symbol Photography

The Fortress

The Indian Daily Adventure

Rock fort: NGC

Yaga: Chloe Esteve

Kathakali Trainees: NGC

Burnt with Colors

The Himalayan Adventure: Thanks to my friend Shiyas Bashardeen

Riding the fort

Virgin Island: Andaman

An Elephantine Bath: Kerala

Chattrapati Sivaji at Night

Varadarajasamy Temple

Juma Masjid Delhi: Voted as the third most beautiful

Lamayuru Gompa: Above the skies

An Indian Wedding

India Incredibly ours

The Munnar Hills: The southern abodes

Kerala Fishing Trip

Diwali: The Festival of Lights

Chinese Fishing Nets at Kochi

Chirrapunji: The monsoon heartland

The Lotus Temple

Cricket: The most popular religion here

A Temple Shrine

And what without the Taj

Though I am not at all satisfied with the number of photos, its high time to stop here. Surely continuing as another series. Do check out the National Geographic Channel India photography page.

Eyjafjallajokull: The key press photography imagery

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 18:58:00 +0000

Art is creativity. Art is contemporary. And art gets meaning when it means something to the observer. So here are a series of photos which are extra-ordinarily brilliant in every sense it is. The photographs of the most recent eruption of the volcano in Eyjafjallajokuli (sorry, if it is mispelled), Iceland is an attempt to take news photography into greater heights.
So if you got stranded in some airports or in your rooms with your flights cancelled, do take your spare time in checking these photographs which might cool down your mind a little in spite of the heated eruption and lava.
But do take care of your lungs and throat as the WHO has issued a health warning regarding respiratory problems.
Linking to the original article with a sample picture.

Check out Boston globe

6 Steps to Place a Picture in a Blog Post

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:31:00 +0000

When you have created the blog of your choice and written down the articles, the next thing that worries you would be the image in the post. Images pose an important means of attraction towards your blog post and hence should be given more importance than your post itself. Copying it from the source of your article is unworthy, when you can provide a new idea of your own.

1. Try working your creativity and make some humor out of it. Finding the idea would be more difficult than finding the right image. You have tons of these suiting any of your search criteria readymade for any situation. These custom made images can add a unique feeling to your blog and even the individuality you needed.

2. Resources for stock images: These are some of the copyright free image stock sites from where you can get the photos and images you need.
Flickr Creative Commons search: http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/
Photobucket: http://photobucket.com/findstuff/
Stock Exchange: http://www.sxc.hu/
Stockvault: http://www.stockvault.net/

3. Got your picture, now in order to increase the speed of loading there are a few options- for blogger users upload it in picassa, others in their own servers. Linking the image to another site would make some of your pictures blank when they remove the originals. Putting up the smallest thumbnail sized images would make the site load faster (clicking over it would take you to the original size).

4. The basic principle of picture placement is that the overall appearance of the blog should retain the interest of the reader. So here are a few good rules

Small images are better aligned to left or right. With large chunks of text, the image better goes to right and if the text is minimal left would seem worthy.
Large wide single images are best positioned in the top-center before the text for the post begins. It should instill a suspense in the readers and you can get them read the rest.
Large multiple images are better placed at the center, though left would also be great. (never right)
For news blogs it’s better to include a caption below the image as the pic itself may speak for you.

5. Editing the image before uploading is something you and me are reluctant with. But if you add that extra touch that makes it different from the rest of the ones, netizens will find that you are all too serious about your blog.

6. ALT tag of the image is something which gives the images their unique identity. If you do not put it there is no harm, but no use of course. Search engines find the images with this code (and actually, a major part of my traffic comes from image search) and so are the users who have blocked the images or using text based html browsers (especially when used by disabled users). The title tag pop-ups when you put your pointer over the image.
You may either put the tag in the Caption option provided while uploading/editing the image. In blogger this can be got by clicking the image button after selection.
Another way is to get the html code of the post and type something inside the quotes after finding or adding this html code (alt=”” and title=””) which is simple. The same thing can be applied to the pics of your blog template.

Not trying with these may seriously cripple your blog or website when it comes to search engine optimization and crawling. So take care of these from now on at least.

There would be many a readers who are not interested in reading a whole blog post, for those pictures will be more quenchable. Do not discard this group, as most of us belong to this category.
If you have any further ideas, you are welcome to comment about it and it will surely find its place in the post itself.

Stunning Rainbow Effect to Photos: Photoshop tutorials

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:13:00 +0000

Wouldn't you like to add an awesome rainbow to your photos. A simple but effective tutorial would guide you through all the steps. Its easier than ever before.

This photoshop tutorial would be more effective if you try on the sample image they had provided. And later you can try on your own. Get on...

This tutorial is from Photoshop Essentials

Logo Design Competitions: Date extended

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 18:36:00 +0000

This is an opportunity at hand for you designers. Switch on the bulb and get yourself into action designing the most worthwhile of your creations.
Mediabistro logo awards 2010 has extended its entry last date to April 30.
Meanwhile I am just checking into some of the best entries in the list.

The competition is not tight as you can see from the number of entries, but the media partners are one of my favorite abduzeedo may the glory be to you.

Check out the website MEDIABISTRO

Graffiti concept design backgrounds & wallpapers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:10:00 +0000

I had been collecting wallpapers and design backgrounds for about a year or so. And I believe it has some of the best I found over the net. Well, it would be unworthy if I dont share it with you, since using them is just my distant dreams. More than just wallpapers, these could be creatively used to make your face or ideas come lively over the screen or print.
And I hope you could also grab many of these ideas too as they are innovative and too attractive not to have a look at them. So check out and comment. Download link below

Download from Designskool at deviantart
The thumbnail size was reduced to ease the loading of the blog. Do share it with your friends.

Knit your dreams: Free fabric texture design concepts

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:09:00 +0000

Here are a few wonders woven out of thread and these would be more beautiful in your posters and designs if used with the right sense of creativity. Try out them and download as these may not be there forever. Check out the links for the full-sized and do comment and share the post.

Old Fabric

Still older

Not So...

Blue Denim

Fabric

Guatemalan weave

Silk

Threaded

Towel