Creating Goals

Today is the last day of 2011 and it's been a wacky year from pop culture to the more and more designs. Tomorrow is the beginning of the end of the world, if you happen to believe that sort of thing. Either way people tend to start resolutions for the new year, that's all fine and dandy, but how many people follow through. Resolutions are kind of a joke, because it's a fantasy. You can start a goal anytime, but once you title it a "resolution" it becomes hard to follow through. Let's just keep it simple and not create a new word for it.

I did have a goal sometime before 2010 that in 2011 I will create "365 days of creativity".  Originally I wanted to post it on my blog and then I realized I preferred to keep my personal project personal and only share what I felt like. It was something I want to accomplish on my own and I did enjoy sharing it, but besides it being difficult to post everyday, it was something I wanted to do for myself. I felt like there was some added pressure to share with the world what I've done and I don't know who really wanted to see it. I had fun doing pursuing it and trying to get better, which is great. Having fun achieving your goals is important. I know some goals suck, but you can try.

What was important about my goal or any other goal I have in particular is writing my goal down. Writing down your goals and having it visible is crucial in reminding you to achieve it. About a month ago I picked up a dry erase board to write down my goals, I'm not saying you should get one, but having it on a post it on your fridge or some where visible is important. Chances of you achieving after your goal when you see it everyday will be a lot higher than when you don't.

I hope your new goals in the future go very well for you. Whether you're trying to improve as a designer, businessman, becoming a road scholar, losing weight, whatever it may be, just focus and get on trucking.

-Joe Baron

A multilayered photoshop surreal portrait

Digital Arts Online has a tutorial from Rob Shields. Rob takes us through how he composited The Rose, his contribution to the Restoration phase, using a mixture of photographic and painted elements. He also explains how you can achieve more organic portraiture when you’re working digitally. The tutorial covers digital painting techniques and gives some advice on colour and composition, as well as different effects that will help to integrate your physical work into the digital world.

Click here to read the tutorial

Just My Type by Luke Lucas

Luke Lucas created this and submitted it for the Go Font Yourself exhibition. View more of his typography designs here http://www.behance.net/Luke_Lucas

Close up:

Passionately Curious

 

I'm not sure who put this together, but this quote should be shared. 

Dave Tevenal: Tattoo Flash

David Tevenal: Tattoo Flash from Seanie G Productions on Vimeo.


A quick montage giving some insight on how artist David Tevenal does his tattoo flash. This is badass, well at least I think so.


 Check out Dave Tevenal's website here: davetattoos.com


Music: Dodge & Fuski - Python
facebook.com/dodgeandfuski

Inspiration: Liam Brazier

Liam Brazier does a very good job of creating illustrations with geometric shapes. His work remind of stained glass windows through the shapes and the vibrant colors. If you wish to see more of Liam Brazier's art then click here to view his portfolio.

 

 

Inspiration: Chris King

Here are some art done by fulltime illustrator Chris King. You can view his portfolio here http://www.chriskingillustration.com/ He also has a couple prints available for sale like the image above here

15+ Illustrator Tutorials on retro effects & vintage lettering

Vector Tuts has compiled a list of vintage & retro effect tutorials from across the web. If you're looking to add some more tools in your design toolbox, check it out.

Click here to view

AppSumo + Sticker Mule Die Cut Stickers Sale

Daily deal site for designers AppSumo has a new deal up for anyone interested in die cut stickers. They teamed up with Sticker Mule to create 50 3"x3" die cut stickers for only $29. That's a pretty good deal for die cut stickers. I have personally used StickerMule.com and there stickers are made of real good quality. The Statue of Liberty Gangsta stickers for Branded Baron was made from Sticker Mule

Make sure you sign up, so you can see the deal and the daily deals that App Sumo provides you. Check out the Sticker Mule deal and the other deals here http://www.appsumo.com/sticker-mule-holiday-special/

Vintage Wooden Photoshop Brush

 

Download these Vintage Wooden Photoshop brush at Creative Nerds.

Pencil vs Camera by Ben Heine

More work like this on Ben Heine's website http://www.benheine.com/

Most beloved street art photos of 2011

Street Art Utopia provided 106 beloved street art photos. Some of them are really good showcasing talent, creativity, and a touch of wit. The ones I am showing on my blog are some of my favorite ones. You can look through the photos by visiting Street Art Utopia's site here.

Click on the photos to enlarge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Branded Baron Buttons

Great for last minute gifts and stocking stuffers. Buy yours for $.50 at http://www.brandedbaron.com
Choose between the Ace of Spades and the Crown buttons. The missile buttons are sold out.

Art by Cody Vrosh

Here is some work by Cody Vrosh and if you would like, they can be purchased at Cody's etsy store.

 

 

Video: Control tonality w/ Photoshop's Black & White filter

Control tonality with Photoshop's Black & White filter from Computer Arts on Vimeo.

How to Motivate Yourself: 14 Easy Ways

Inc.com provides you a list of 14 ways to keep you motivated. Read the article by clicking here

Zombie Wrapping Paper by Think Geek

ThinkGeek.com has some interesting and cool items for sale. If you're looking for something to get that's definitely out of the ordinary,  I suggest checking them out. Zombies and vampires have been all the rave recently, but only one has their own wrapping paper. The zombie wrapping paper is $5.99 plus shipping, which you can choose, and it makes the present much more special when its next to all those traditional Christmas wrapped gifts. The quality of the paper is quite nice too and I had to order some more of them. It comes in 4 20" x 24" sheets and I feel like it's worth it. If you have any issue Think Geek's customer service is nice and very helpful.

T-shirt Sketchbook now available

If you're looking for a creative Christmas gift or even something for yourself, the t-shirt sketchbook is a good one. Pukka/Dank manufactured this t-shirt sketchbook that contains 170 pages for you to get your creative juices flowing. You may not have to be a t-shirt designer, but it'll be fun doodling all over while helping you get into your zone. For $15, I say it's worth it, but then again I love sketchbooks and fill them up pretty quickly.

Purchase the T-shirt Sketchbook here: http://www.pukkadank.com/products/t-shirt-sketchbook