Macro Photography (Truly Inspirational)

Things I managed to accomplish…
I have passed my courses (database courses I was taking to enhance my web skilllzzzz) with ‘flying’ colours and couldn’t be happier. And to think I thought I might’ve failed, that’s a big leap. Thank God :). Next step, start putting that to practice.

I managed to run for 30 mins straight! That’s right, I’m a brick house!

I also finally got around to finalizing my name change, before our one year anniversary!

So things are flowing, pretty well. Good motion happening here :).

Anyways, more inspiration coming from Smashing Magazine’s latest (one of them) article. The colours and details were just too gorgeous to pass by. I can only hope to get a camera that can capture detail like this, one day.To learn more about the photographers, click on the images. Except the bubbly one by Sophie, I couldn’t find any link to that one. If anyone knows a link, please let me know and I would be happy to add in in.

by Chan Chen

by Lux Tenebra

by Sophie (Don't really have a link for this one, but would love to have one, if any of you know of one for this artist)

by Kristina Buceatchi

by Justin Dotson

by Kristina Buceatchi

Projects starting to smell? Get that Contract signed next time!!!

Its been a few days since I have posted anything up, yes I know. I’ve been busy trying to get projects done and out. Through the course of this time, I’ve noticed a recurring trend in our creative filed. A trend that seems to have been embraced by us designers as the norm, when in fact it isn’t. A paragraph I came across regarding this point,

“Working without the benefit of having a signed contract can result not only in the designer not being paid but also possible litigation after things have gone wrong. Of course, graphic designers are blessed with a number of wonderful skills and talents but unfortunately business savvy is not always one of them. Too many times, graphic designers fear that asking a client to sign a contract will sabotage the air of trust and goodwill between them and the client and result in a losing the project. This fear is sometimes reinforced by actual experiences with reluctant clients who seem perfectly willing to give a graphic designer a project but openly balk at signing a contract.”

As a designer, I can attest to that statement, especially in my beginning years. Then one day it dawned on me (as I was signing a contract that stated I would be paying $30/month to Rogers for a span of 2 years)…how is this any different from the contracts designers present? Atleast designers present contracts that cover both the client and designer, but these phone contracts just make sure the company gets their money. So why do we designers feel uncomfortable presenting the client with a ‘contract’ a.k.a working guidelines and standards? After all its their means of bread and butter, paying bills etc.

Few things to consider before committing to a project.

- What happens if, for some reasons beyond both parties’ control, the project is abruptly terminated? Designer might’ve spent hours on the project, with nothing to show for in the end, all because they didn’t secure themselves, by stating guidelines from the beginning.

- Keep the relationship strictly business. Getting into personal details might make things complicated, should things go wrong with the project. If a friend requires services similar to what I offer, I graciously point them in the direction of a fellow designer, if I feel it could jeopardize our relationship.

- Treat all clients with the same professionalism. Introduce the contract. Don’t differentiate because John is the son of the lil old lady next door to you who bakes you cookies every Sunday. Do the best you can, maintain your professional boundaries. You’ll get more respect.

“Contracts are not there to be set in stone. Your contract is not written in a tablet of stone, it’s meant to be a meeting of the minds and a point at which both parties agree and feel comfortable going forward to do business. Don’t make the mistake of working without a contract. If a client is completely against the idea of signing/using ANY contract, you are not missing anything by walking away from the project. Chances are they have no intention of paying you anyway!

Be smart, be reasonable and remember “only one thing matters in this life … get them to sign on the line that is dotted.”

Use your judgement and decide if it’s worth taking on that project, without a contract.

Collection of Vogue Magazine Covers…over the years…

More wedding gowns and dresses…i love it!

Wayyy Cool Photoshop Backgrounds

Hey hey hey, it’s been over a week. Am I slacking? I recently downloaded the new Mozilla and now I can’t have my del.icio.us on the top bar anymore So I must resort to writing myself notes here and posting links here too…..geeez.

COOL PHOTOSHOP BACKGROUNDS!!!

Some more Graphic Design humor

Summer has left I saw it this morning…all the kids lined up waiting for the school bus. Thats never a good sign….means snow is around the corner! But atleast I had a fab long weekend in Jersey!!! Oh yea, tax free shopping, baby!

Now that I am back, it’s the count down to the weekend….alll over again. lol

Wedding Cake Vector Illustrations :)

I am still on vector mode. And so to keep the flow going, here are a few wedding cake vectors. Please, they are not for resale or purchase. Feel FREE to use. I like to see how ppl can get creative, so if you could send a link to the final product or something, I would sooo lo0o0ve it!

Have a great day!

Download here!

Wedding Cake Vectors by Claricegomes.com

Wedding Gowns In Vogue

Illustrator Crazy

Lately I have been using a lot of Illustrations in my work. I really like the whole damask type designs. They are intricate, elegant and somehow really appeal to me. If I could I probably would paint my walls something like that!

However, I am trying to broaden my likes, try newer things, and find other options, that might be just as elegant.

During on of my online neighborhood scouts, I came across this awesome post on Vector Illustration: 60+ Illustrator Tutorials, Tips and Best Practices

!!! A lot of them look interesting. Just looking at the colours get me all hyped up. So check it out if you are looking to learn some cool things about Illustrator.

One Exam Done & Some Cool Findings

So one exam is done! I feel sort of free. Writing code on a piece of paper so much harder than typing it out on a computer screen…takes serious coding skill!

So, during one of my many adventures on the web, I came across these everyday items designed in a unique and intriguing way.

A strange canapé designed by Lila Jang

USB Buddies

Mus2, designed by Artemy Lebedev