Happy New Year from Digital Design Cottage
Posted by Jennifer | December 31, 2006
Happy New Year to you all. Let’s hope it will be a happy, healthy and prosperous one for us all!
Jennifer
Useful Web Stuff : Free Grey Icons
Posted by Jennifer Farley | December 28, 2006
Here’s a nice set of icons, available for free download and probably most suitable for a more serious website or project, because they are all grey. They are cool though and nicely put together by the designer. The icons cover everything from arrows to “Ummm…A donut?” to Calendars and the earth, and my particular favourite, a blank postage stamp.
Update: They are now available in colour too!
Stop Sitting Up Straight
Posted by Jennifer Farley | December 8, 2006
Stop Sitting Up Straight!
For many of us, today’s workplace involves sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time. Even when I’m “finished” work I often find myself sitting in front of a pc or laptop. Conventional wisdom has told us that sitting up straight and not slouching is important. Having read this article over on Science Daily it seems avoiding slouching is still very important but it seems that sitting up straight should be avoided too!
The patients assumed three different sitting positions: a slouching position, in which the body is hunched forward (e.g., hunched over a desk or slouched over in front of a video game console); an upright 90-degree sitting position; and a “relaxed” position where the patient reclines backward 135 degrees while the feet remain on the floor. Measurements were taken of spinal angles and spinal disk height and movement across the different positions.
The patients assumed three different sitting positions: a slouching position, in which the body is hunched forward (e.g., hunched over a desk or slouched over in front of a video game console); an upright 90-degree sitting position; and a “relaxed” position where the patient reclines backward 135 degrees while the feet remain on the floor. Measurements were taken of spinal angles and spinal disk height and movement across the different positions.
Spinal disk movement occurs when weight-bearing strain is placed on the spine, causing the internal disk material to misalign. Disk movement was most pronounced with a 90-degree upright sitting posture. It was least pronounced with the 135-degree posture, indicating that less strain is placed on the spinal disks and associated muscles and tendons in a more relaxed sitting position.
The “slouch” position revealed a reduction in spinal disk height, signifying a high rate of wear and tear on the lowest two spinal levels. Across all measurements, the researchers concluded that the 135-degree position fared the best.
So I think a new 135 degree chair may need to be added to my Christmas list.
Photoshop Tip : Take the mouse and back away from the tool bar!
Posted by Jennifer | December 8, 2006
When I’m teaching Photoshop, or any of the other design software I always tell my students to make a concious effort to learn the shortcuts for the tools on the toolbar. Most of them are pretty straight forward as the shortcut key is the same as the first letter of the tool, for example E for Eraser, B for Brush.
When you’re using the Zoom tool there are a few really handy shortcuts that you can get into the habit of using. First hit Z on the keyboard instead of bringing your mouse over to the toolbar.
Once your Zoom tool is selected, you can click once to zoom in by a preset amount. Each time you click you will zoom in again by that preset amount.
Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) to zoom out.
By using these sorts of shortcuts your workflow speeds up enormously and it will really become second nature to you after a while.
Book Review : 100 Habits of Successful Graphic Designers
Posted by Jennifer | December 7, 2006
The business of design is divided up here into categories which include Education, Self-promotion, Partnerships and Dealing With Clients. Within each of these categories. designers explain their approach and sample of their work illustrate the process.
The aim of this book is to give advice about how to integrate the business world with the creative process (and not go mad). I found this book to be extremely helpful and also inspirational in terms of “pulling up my socks” and getting out there.
100 Habits of Successful Graphic Designers: Insider Secrets from Top Designers on Working Smart and Staying Creative
I would rate this book 4 out of 5.
Don’t forget to visit the Digital Design Cottage Bookshelf to see a wide range of Photoshop and Design related books.
Website Launch : MCOB Technology
Posted by Jennifer Farley | December 5, 2006
Laughing Lion Design has recently completed a re-design and website build for MCOB Technology.
MCOB Technology provides Sybase Training for Database Administrators and Developers. Thanks to Margaret and best of luck with the company.
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About
Hi, my name is Jennifer Farley and I am a designer and design instructor based in Ireland. Read more about Laughing Lion Design .
