graphics

What are graphics? Graphics are the visual elements or images that supplement typed text to make the message more clear or interesting. Graphics can help catch a readers eye to read the message or be used to help explain the meaning of a message. Graphics help portray your public image otherwise known as branding. Graphics may include: designs for print & web such as logos, letterhead, corporate stationary, business cards, newsletters, brochures, cd covers and much more. Anything that leaves your office should have a graphic design on it to promote your business or your goods and services.

how I create graphics

I usually borrow a few items/pictures that I'm looking for and tweak them ... and tweak them ... and tweak them ... and sleep on it ... and tweak a little more... until I get just the look I want.

For instance here is how I made the MySitesRock.com logo and the original images I started with.

Start with one nice looking electric guitar: the icon of Rock (guess I could have used Elvis). Rotate it. Change the guitar to an artistic pen drawing. Erase some of the neck. Insert the MySitesRock.com text on seperate layers. I chose the "computer" font to try to relate MySites to computers. I chose the "Rock" text/color from a Rock radio station that I would listen to every now and then when I was in college. (Rock 104 & UF). Then I added a motion blur to the guitar itself to make the text stand out as well as make it look like it was shaking. Finally needed a little more color to the guitar without directing your eye away from the text. So flip, transform, smudge, distort, add a color gradient and motion blur to the flames and you've got the MySitesRock.com logo.

I took these images and created the MySitesRock.com logo below.