Have you upgraded to Adobe CS4 yet?
I have to admit that I haven't. At release time I checked out all the 'new' features, and nothing rocked my boat. Then I got on with the job of using my tools (read: Creative Suite 3) and forgot all about the next generation.
This is the first time in years that I haven't been among the forefront of changers, and it had me thinking 'what's the fuss?' As a trainer and so-called 'expert' isn't it my sworn duty to keep right up with the very latest technology?
The answer is no. The fact is that the basics of all the programs (in the Suite) are pretty much the same year after year. In fact, the bulk of the people who read my newsletters, follow my courses and watch my videos are using older versions of the software than CS3. Furthermore, the bulk of 'issues' that I get from people who have made the upgrade are "where's the such-and-such tool?" or "how do I do this in CS4 - I had it perfected in CS3, but now it doesn't work!" In other words, the users who need help from the LATEST software versions need it to MIGRATE. Whereas the bulk of my followers want to know how to select stuff in Photoshop, or lay out graphics in Indesign, or draw stuff in Illustrator.
So, I won't be upgrading to CS4 in the near future, and in fact might skip this one altogether and see what awaits us in CS5.
First impressions count
There's an old saying; you never get a second chance at a first impression. For most companies that first impression is their website, a brochure or a business card. But many are failing on this most basic business principle.
The desktop publishing revolution of the '80s and the internet revolution of the '90s have enabled the small business to compete on even terms with the large corporation. Websites, brochures and business cards can all have the same appearance – whether offered by a 5000-employee company or a cottage industry in the back shed.
The only difference is DESIGN.
In reality, where the large company has the advantage is in the engagement of a professional design studio to ensure that their 'first impression' is professional and on a par with their competition. The smaller company, however, is likely to be tempted to do it themselves; with varying results.
I'f you're the employee of the kind of firm that gets its staff to create brochures in a word processor, at the very least you should upskill yourself and try to compete.
If you're a designer, or graphics person starting out, then this is a great source of business for you. Every time you see a shonky website or a poorly designed brochure, contact them and offer your services.
Take a trip on a Time Machine
One of the most basic rules for anyone who has any contact with computers whatsoever is to back up! This is something that of course we all do(!)
But there's more to it than preventing the catastrophic loss of data.
I have used the Time Machine function in MacOS 5 more often than I care to admit. If you're unfamiliar with this tool, it's an automatic backup of your entire computer (Mac) to a remote drive – either wireless or connected via USB. But more to the point, this is done EVERY HOUR.
How this affects an illustrator or designer is like this; imagine you open an old InDesign or Photoshop or Illustrator file in order to use some of its content, and by mistake you SAVE the file with unwanted changes. No problem; just restore it to the version in your Time Machine backup from an hour ago.
I have also mistakenly replaced the website files on my local drive with the ones on the remote server – by mistake! Once again, not a problem.
I have even collapsed a seriously layered Photoshop file into a single layer intending to SAVE AS a TIF file for production, and my rebellious fingers have punched CMMD-S before I could restrain them! As it happens, on this occasion the hourly backup had occurred only a few minutes before the catastrophe. So you guessed it...
I love my Time Machine. I have investigated an equivalent for PCs, but have only found software that works at server or network level, not on an individual machine. If anyone knows better, I'd appreciate a note to gary@theelectricartist.com
New format
Finally yoy may have noticed a new format to my newsletters. This is going to be a regular thing from now on, and I'd appreciate any feedback from my subscribers.
I'm also in the process of organising a decent Facebook profile and other social contacts.
Coming soon: I am bowing to pressure and will shortly be offering the individual books of the Learn Professional Computer Graphics & Digital Illustration course for sale. Note, however, that while purchasing a single book will be less expensive that whole course, the best value will still be in getting the lot.
Last days of the offer... http://tinyurl.com/lzer9w
I may also be offering some of the member-exclusive videos on the Electric Artist member's site for individual sale – once again as a result of numerous queries. There is a new series coming that will most likely be offered as separate videos or a complate package – but once again the membership will easily be the best deal.
You can check out the benefits of membership here...
http://tinyurl.com/m6av8o
Until next time...
Gary Crilley
The Electric Artist
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