Showing posts with label Happy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Happy. Show all posts

Saturday, May 23, 2015

10 Reasons to be a Happy Designer Today (Hint: Freebies Inside!)

Sitting idle browsing through random channels on a Sunday? Why not take some time out to check out our 10 resourceful freebies that can be a saving grace for some (we promise it would be a lot and not just some) of your upcoming projects?


From web marketing templates to colorful typeface, these freebies are a complete must-have. Download them all!


Free Invoice Template in HTML with Auto Calculations


1

Sending an invoice is the happy part of doing any business. But most freelancers (and even some companies) completely ignore the layout. The result is a jumbled mess of information and unclear number.


With this invoice template you not only maintain a more professional look with aligned text and impressive layout, but the information can be sectioned to show cost breakup. The total amount due is highlighted and there’s no need for manual entry of basic information.


And that’s not all. The auto calculation part ensures cent percent accuracy and the HTML format makes editing and sending the invoice relatively hassle-free.


Free Download


Beautiful TriColore Scalable Free Typeface


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Colorful is good unless you love noir. The tricolored typeface gives you the creative freedom to do more than just use them as font. Use them in infographics and brochures or in the backdrop of a befitting web page, you are spoilt for choice.


Since this is a typeface and if you want to use them as fonts to write with, a basic vector editing app should help with that. Also, the typeface is free for personal and commercial usage except in case of reselling.


Free Download


48 free social media icons


3

Just like social media websites are the most frequented, social media icons too are the most popular icon set in blog and web designing. What can you do with this set of 49 social media icons you may ask?


Well for starters, you can really have fun with it! Put them to bring a colorful freshness to a website or include them in brochures and invites. Icons are versatile in usage and social media icons are no different. This addition to your resources would prove helpful in a lot of projects. The 32 pixel images are available in two formats: .PSD and .PNG.


Free Download


Vector Stars Pack


4

Here’s a Star Wars pack, okay it’s a Vector Stars pack that mightn’t feature light sabers or a trip to the Death Star but it’s packed with classic and contemporary styled stars that comes handy when you are building websites for clients. There’s an indispensible need for stars for websites with a feedback rating system.


The stars can also be featured on the background of web pages or be included in brochures, adverts and posters. As an instantly downloadable vector pack, this set of stars is available in .AI .EPS .GIF and .PSD formats.


Free Download


35 Thin Line Icons


5

Versatility could well be a synonym for line icons. These are so widely used that it’s easy to miss out on them. From battery icons to arrows, these thin line icons visually communicate the message in the most minimalistic way.


If you work a lot on graphic designing, you can create a nuanced visual by subtly including these icons. Churn your creative juices and find a perfect fit for the icons. Either way don’t forget to stock up on these line icons for future use.


Free Download


Add Magic to Your Photos with 8 Free Photoshop Actions


6

There’s more to a picture than correct lighting or ISO sensitivity. In fact what dramatically influences the end result is not a well-shot picture but a well-edited one. That’s what transitions a fairly good picture to a breathtaking one.


And you can do all of that with just a few clicks. Check out the 8 Photoshop actions for ulterior photo manipulation to bring out the best in every click. Enhance your picture or age them, there’s a lot to be done.


These actions are available in two variants- for both Photoshop (CS 4+) and Photoshop (PSE11+).


Free Download


Hipster & Retro Icon Set


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Love it or hate it, the hipster trend is here to stay. The 60s black-rimmed glasses to tasteful hats and macho beards, chances of you using this set of hipster and retro icon are high. Include them in themed party invites or channel Hendrix or Lenon in your next blog post on these legends.


The hand drawn vectors come in a multitude of variety to make up for the complete picture. Your clients will love this addition to their similar themed website. Licensed for commercial and persona, usage, there are in total 47 different icons.


Free Download


33 Web Marketing Templates


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Whether yours is a startup or an established e-commerce business, there’s no way you can undermine the importance and influence of web marketing. From harnessing the potential of Instagram through visually attracting prospect to connecting with the industry’s who’s who on LinkedIn, there is a growing need to get your web marketing strategies right.


And if you are some with zero to limited knowledge of web marketing and its domino effect on your sales, these web marketing templates will both give you the requisite knowledge to go about strategizing web marketing procedures plus it will do most of the work for you.


The brainchild of Adam Franklin and Toby Jenkins, the set contains 33 templates in total.


Free Download


Seamless Pack of Vector Patterns


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The right pattern can up the quotient of any background. Use these vector seamless patterns to create the perfect web page, henna inspired borders, theme invites, printed cards, and even for fabric printing.


An effortless way to beautify your work and thrill your clients! The patterns – available in 78 different designs- are up for instant download.


Free Download


Free UI Kit with a stylish and modern look


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More like a cheat sheet to creating the perfect user interface when you’re bogged with work. Save time without compromising on either the aesthetics or the functionality.


The UI kit comes equipped with all the basic requirements such as blogging, typography, service and requirements and so much more. All you need to do it just add to cart and download via the link that will be mailed to you.


Free Download


Happy Freebie Day!



10 Reasons to be a Happy Designer Today (Hint: Freebies Inside!)

Thursday, May 21, 2015

"Make It Pop!" Five Ways to Up Design Impact and Make Clients Happy

“Make it Pop” is probably the most feared, incomprehensible and downright horrible phrases in the English language. Designer English, that is. Clients often use the phrase “make it pop” when a logo or marketing design is close, but not quite at the level of “punch” they are looking for. “Make it pop” generally refers to making a logo or design brighter, larger, more prominent or giving it higher levels of contrast. In short, the client is looking for more impact from the design. While designers know what “making it pop” means, they may not always be sure about the most effective and efficient route to making it happen. Here are five targeted ways to make designs “pop” and ultimately make clients happy.


1. Dial up the color intensity


“Making it pop” may require minimal work, especially if the client indicates that they are pleased with the overall design and font choices. If this is the case, play with existing color hues and intensities. Try more saturated and vibrant tones, being mindful of bringing out contrast in key areas to draw the eye around the design appropriately.


hsb


Available in the Adobe color picker, the HSB (hue, saturation, and brightness) color model is based on the way the human eye sees color. Try increasing the S (saturation) percentage next time you are trying to dial up a color’s intensity.


2. Try different color combinations


If the client is less satisfied with the overall color direction, change it up; take the logo or design in three or four completely different color directions for the client’s review.



Browse_Palettes____COLOURlovers


Colourlovers.com can help any designer find an attractive palette while sourcing inspiration from thousands of designers around the world.


3. Play with text hierarchy


When a client asks a designer to “make it pop” they may actually just want part of the included text to appear more prominent than others. Try changing around the font sizes in the piece to experiment with text hierarchy; doing so could be just what’s needed to bring the perfect amount of “pop.”


bbqflyers


Don’t be afraid to experiment. Gauge the importance of specific words in your design and play around with their size and prominence. In this example, we’re experimenting with a summer flyer by shifting emphasis on the words BBQ, summer, party and the event date.


4. Try out a different typographic scheme


It’s possible that the current font selection just isn’t the right fit for the information or message the piece is trying to convey.


typecast


Try using Typecast.com to experiment with different font combinations and see how the changes affect the message being shared.




5. Introduce mockups


Sometimes a really great piece just doesn’t impact the client because it looks flat and unconvincing on the page or computer screen. Fortunately, designers can play with their imagination by inserting designs on a mockup product or scene to help give it a real-world context. Creative Market designers have created an amazing collection of mockup templates that can help make any logo or design really “pop.” Here are some of our top sellers:


50 Logo Mockups Bundle


The mockup templates in the 50 Logo Mockups Bundle allow designers to show their logos on real-life products like clothing, bottles, signage settings and more.


   


Branding Mockups Bundle


The professional photos in these templates allow designers to make their designs and logos truly pop with over 250 items and a variety of angles and perspectives to punch up the realism.


   


Magazine Mockup Pack


The Magazine Mockup Pack includes 12 standard view scenes along with seven close view scenes that can be fully customized for view, proportion, shadows, background texture and lighting.


   


100 Signs & Facades Mockups


For designers specializing in outdoor sign design, this pack of templates allows signage to be viewed from a variety of angles on glass, awnings, brick, marquee-style signs and more.


   



Helping an existing design “pop” can be a simple task; however, becoming more efficient at finding the best route for the optimal amount of “pop” takes practice. The use of intuition along with gaining experience in the design world will help. Try these five key techniques and let us know if they help overcome your next “make it pop” situation.



Products Seen In This Post:


      



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"Make It Pop!" Five Ways to Up Design Impact and Make Clients Happy

Monday, March 23, 2015

15 Things Incredibly Happy Creatives Do

The stereotype in our culture about artists—brooding and sensitive people dressed in black—is not applicable to all of us. While some do fit this mold, plenty of creatives are happy as can be. Misery doesn’t necessarily make someone a better artist, so why not choose happiness instead? In this post, we are sharing 15 things that creative people do to keep their moods lighter and days happier. We’ve also selected a few quotes from some of our favorite creatives on Instagram to inspire you to be your happiest self:


1. Set Boundaries


Artists value freedom from the working world, but setting some rules for your creative time and space will improve the quality of your work. Happy creatives set a regular schedule to work with little to no distraction. They kindly inform clients, friends and colleagues about the best way/time to reach them.




2. Give Back


Blissful creatives support others. Whether it’s as big as funding a friend’s Kickstarter or simply saying that you like their work, encouragement goes far.






A photo posted by Rachael (@rachmills) on Feb 11, 2015 at 7:03pm PST




3. Surround Themselves with Other Happy Creatives


Creatives that prioritize their happiness seek out like-minded people in their area. Try to find events that interest you and mingle with the crowd. In 2015, we’re sponsoring Dribbble Meetups all around the world. You’re more than welcome to attend the next meetup near you.




4. Find Time For Passions


Days can fill up fast with work, school and other life events. Happy creatives open up their schedule to pursue different passions. Carving out a special time to create might seem like a feat, but it will positively impact your work and life.






A photo posted by Rachael (@rachmills) on Mar 13, 2015 at 7:25pm PDT




5. Grow Spiritually


Spirituality is reflection, contemplation and meditation on the larger questions in life. Without a consistent spiritual practice, whatever that might look like for you, the routine can easily drain your energy. Happy creatives engage in some sort of soul-searching activity that adds meaning to everyday life.






A photo posted by Abbey Sy (@abbeysy) on Feb 12, 2015 at 11:10pm PST




6. Take Care of Themselves


Good health and personal care will make you feel and perform better. Go to the doctor for regular checkups, brush your teeth, eat healthy, and pamper yourself.




7. Find Time to Rest


Happy creatives maintain a consistent sleep routine to recharge their minds. Even night owls can find a way to ensure that they get enough hours of sleep. When working, try to take a break every once in a while and feel free to do something mindless.




8. Avoid Drama


Toxic people fuel toxic work. Create a peaceful environment by keeping honest, hard-working allies close and saying goodbye to the rest.






A photo posted by Abbey Sy (@abbeysy) on Mar 9, 2015 at 2:40am PDT




9. Stick to a Plan


Set real, concrete goals and stick to them. It’s easy to let time get away from you. While a deadline does come with inherent pressure, nothing feels better than meeting a goal, especially if that goal is also a long-held dream.




10. Don’t Let Failure Define Them


Failing is an inevitable result of creative experimentation, and happy creatives know it. It happens to the best of us. Instead of fretting about those failures, accept them as incremental steps in your progress and learn from them.




11. Know Their Strengths


Have you ever heard the phrase “Jack of all trades, king of none”? Ambition and multitasking are great attributes, but they will drive you crazy unless you focus. Try to stick with your strengths, no matter how scattered your passions may be.




12. Put Themselves in Others’ Shoes


Empathy is beneficial to your happiness as well as your art. When you relate to another person by imagining yourself in their life, you gain invaluable insight.






A photo posted by Sean McCabe (@seanwes) on May 25, 2013 at 4:52pm PDT




13. Open Up to New Things


Nothing can kill creativity and happiness faster than banality. Make sure that you’re trying out not only new creative techniques, but also novel activities outside the office. Go visit exotic restaurants, catch up on new TV shows and movies, and experience unfamiliar music. The best artists consume as much as possible.




14. Avoid Comparison


Success is one of the most subjective elements of life–there will always be someone better than you and there will always be someone better than them. Stay focused on your own progress instead of how others are succeeding or failing. All flowers bloom in different cycles and patterns, which keeps life interesting and beautiful.




15. Enjoy the Little Moments


“Stop and smell the roses” is a time-honored adage for a reason. Learn to enjoy everything in your life, starting with the simplest joys. Appreciate your successes, no matter how small they seem.




True happiness doesn’t happen overnight. However, incorporating these 15 tips into your regular routine will set you on the path to bliss. Develop these good habits and enjoy a happy creative life.



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15 Things Incredibly Happy Creatives Do

Friday, December 5, 2014

Happy Cyber Monday! Claim Your 20% Discount Before It"s Too Late

Let’s be honest, the Monday after Thanksgiving is rough! Those of us in the U.S. are still recovering from several days of eating far too much pie and turkey, and now we’re forced to return to work a few pounds heavier, counting the days until Christmas break. Fortunately, we’ve got the perfect cure for your post-Thanksgiving blues: a 20% discount on any Creative Market purchase.


How to Save 20%


To receive your 20% discount, just head over to the Cyber Monday page and click the “Redeem My 20% Discount” button.


cybermonday-1


Use It or Lose It!


This deal is only valid on Cyber Monday, so you’ll have until midnight PST to redeem your discount code. Once you’re out of time, this opportunity is gone for good!


What Will You Get?


This is the perfect chance to cash in and buy that Creative Market product that’s at the top of your wish list. Leave a comment below and let us know what you’re getting.



Happy Cyber Monday! Claim Your 20% Discount Before It"s Too Late