Month: September 2021

Webdesign Tips

How a Designer Might Create Timeless Designs

September 29, 2021 Jeremy Gillespie

We’ve all seen examples of classic design – work that gets talked about for months, years, and even decades after it has served its initial purpose.

Even people who have no idea what the original design was even used for will discuss its beauty, simplicity, and timelessness.

What goes into creating work of that caliber? Today, we’re going to explore some possible explanations and try to get an idea of how a designer might go about creating timeless designs.

Will It Be Timeless?

Some things might seem as though they will be instant classics. Then, without warning, they fade into obscurity and no one ever mentions them again.

Why does this happen? No one really knows for certain, but there are some possible explanations. The most important, in my opinion, is that the general public – not just the design community – either stopped caring about the design, or never cared enough in the first place.

Design is meant to change the way people interact with one another in the world, not just designers, but everyone. If it fails to do so and generate influence beyond the scope of the original brief, it will never become the classic it could be.

Glitch Mona Lisa by Dan Svetlichnyy

Design Marketing Problems

Public opinion is fickle, but it can be greatly influenced by the right advertisement. Brands like Coca-Cola, Apple, and Microsoft didn’t get to their current level of market dominance by chance.

Even great art like the Mona Lisa has been heavily promoted to be recognizable to a modern audience.

There were plenty of contemporary works that were just as popular in their day, and even some that were more so. But it was marketing that propelled the Mona Lisa, the Sistine Chapel, the statue of David, and other iconic works of the Renaissance to last as long in the public memory as they have.

To Trendy To Be True?

As I’ve said in the past, if something feels like a trend, it probably is. I’m not simply talking about phenomena that are currently all the rage, like neumorphism or previously flat design.

I’m talking about things that merely look cool without any underlying fundamentals to ground them. Such trends are destined to be one hit wonders, fading as the design world moves on to more solid ideas.

A good way to spot a trend that’s being milked purely for profit is to determine what the most respected members of the design community have to say about it.

If the ‘movers and shakers’ of design are constantly lambasting the trend then there’s a good chance it’s simply a throwaway fad. However, if they don’t have much to say or are even incorporating it into their own work, it’s probably a winner.

Neumorphic Radio Player App by Alexander Plyuto

No Good Designers Left?

A lot of designers complain that the current crop of design professionals are too caught up in trends and technology and are ignoring the fundamental principles of good design.

These designers tend to be older and may even feel a bit left out as the world seems to be embracing a completely foreign approach to design.

This happens every generation, with the old-timers complaining about ‘today’s kids’ and their apparent lack of respect for the profession.

I’m sure the designers from the 1940s and 50s griped about ‘whippersnappers’ in the 70s and 80s with their Rapidographs and floppy disks or…whatever.

It’s true that there are a lot more designers actively working now than there ever have been in the past.

But the number of talented designers who have a solid understanding of the fundamentals has not diminished. If anything, it has increased due to the larger pool of designers out there.

The likelihood that at least a handful of these designers will produce something lasting is very high, even though one might have to wade through a lot of junk to find it.

Rapidograph & Notebook by Harry Diaz

Timeless Doesn’t Equal Boring

Think that classic design is boring and behind the times? Think again. Every single designer is influenced by those who have come before them.

If you choose only recent, contemporary designers to be influenced by, you’ll only be regurgitating the most recent trends, which could hasten their demise and make all of your work look horribly dated.

Try heading to the library and flipping through examples of classic designs by the greats of the 20th century. You might even be surprised at how often (and how badly) those designers were ripped off by later copycats.

The post How a Designer Might Create Timeless Designs appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.jackpinewebdesign.com/?p=871

The Impossible Question: How Long Does It Take to Build a Website?

September 28, 2021 Jeremy Gillespie

Web designers get asked all sorts of questions. We’re queried for advice on aesthetics, marketing, technology – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Being an endless fountain of knowledge is just part of the job. 😉

Our answers tend to come from experience (or a quick search). Yet, there is one question that seems nearly impossible to answer. It has confounded even veteran freelance designers who dare to take it on: “How long will it take to build my website?”

It’s a perfectly reasonable question. One that should be simple enough to answer. At the same time, it’s loaded with uncertainty.

So much of the design and build processes are up in the air. Therefore, you might even hesitate to provide a guess as to the completion date. Unfortunately, that often clashes with a client’s need to nail down the specifics.

Today, we’ll look at the factors that can impact your project’s launch date. In addition, we’ll provide some tips for determining its length more accurately. Let’s get to work!

The Size and Scope of the Website

It stands to reason that, the larger the project, the more time it will take to complete. And there’s certainly some truth to that theory.

Both the sheer size and scope of a website can greatly impact the timeline. For example, building a site with a massive amount of content could require an equally large amount of work. Even a redesign of a content-heavy site might need a lot of massaging to get just right.

The same goes for functionality. As efficient as features like shopping carts are, they often need at least some level of customization. And if you need to build things from scratch, the time the trial-and-error process takes can be difficult to predict. There tends to be at least some uncertainty when it comes to coding.

The other part of the equation comes down to the available human resources. If you’re working as a solo freelancer, a large project can be a burden. Especially so if you are juggling multiple duties at once.

Availability of Content and Project Assets

Getting a website up and running is a two-way street. After all, designers and developers can only accomplish so much without a client’s active participation.

One of the major sticking points here tends to be content and other project assets. With some clients, waiting for these items to arrive can be the longest part of the process. It can be frustrating, as the situation can place an indefinite hold on progress.

There are several potential reasons for this type of delay. Sometimes, it’s a matter of an overwhelmed person with many other priorities. That leads them to seemingly disappear – just when it’s time to put the project to bed.

In other instances, it could be a lack of clear direction within the client’s organization. Design politics can lead to a vicious cycle where ideas are continuously debated and tossed aside.

The Synergy between Client and Designer

There’s something to be said about the relationship between clients and designers. A bad one will undoubtedly lead to an endless stream of revisions and misunderstandings. Yet, a good one can keep a project on the fast track to successful completion.

Developing a solid rapport is important. The ability for both sides to effectively communicate needs and ideas is a key to getting things done.

For example, setting clear expectations makes the job that much easier. When your client knows and understands what you need from them, they are more likely to deliver. Conversely, it’s also great to know what clients expect from us as well.

Being on the same page (or not) with clients has a lot to do with how much time it takes to complete a project. The more synergy you have, the greater the odds of an efficient process. Just something to keep in mind.

Your Other Commitments

For better or worse, none of us lives in a project bubble. Thus, it’s likely you have more than one website to focus on. This can be a major challenge when it comes to providing an accurate project timeline.

It’s not just a matter of having additional work to do. The other items we mentioned are relevant to all projects. Therefore, you might face a lot of uncertainty with regards to checking each website off of your to-do list.

One typical scenario: you’re waiting for a few clients to send you those missing project assets. And, of course, they all arrive at the same time. This leaves you scrambling to make progress on multiple fronts.

You’re either waiting for work or swamped with it. Sound familiar? Welcome to the rollercoaster that is freelancing!

Providing a More Accurate Project Timeline

With so many factors at play, it’s no wonder that the simplest question seems impossible to answer. The problem is that difficult as it may be, a fairly accurate answer is still a requirement.

The best way to arrive at an answer is through establishing a great line of communication – right from the very beginning. It starts by taking time to find out all you can about a client’s needs and wants. Try to uncover as much as possible now to avoid surprises later. Spell it all out in your proposal.

Clients also have to be aware of your needs and wants, as well. For instance, they need to know how important their role is in supplying project assets such as content. A severe delay in getting you those items can mean missing a targeted launch date.

There can still be unexpected roadblocks, and that will usually be the case. But there’s a chance to minimize them through early communication.

The next time you’re asked that oh-so-important question, bring up the factors mentioned above. Together, you’ll be able to come up with a solid answer.

The post The Impossible Question: How Long Does It Take to Build a Website? appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.jackpinewebdesign.com/?p=865

Webdesign Ideas

Brand Identity for Fine Grazing by BothFine Grazing are known…

September 28, 2021 Jeremy Gillespie

Brand Identity for Fine Grazing by Both

Fine Grazing are known for their high quality, design-led grazing tablescapes featuring ingredients from Melbourne’s leading food artisans.

Working closely with the Fine Grazing team, Both implemented a new approach to their brand positioning and narrative, exploring the boundaries of food and design. The resulting visual identity is both formal and unconventional, and seeks to extend the same level of attention to detail seen in their event tablescapes to the Fine Grazing at-home offering. As a part of the brand positioning, Both worked on the art direction of a series of images celebrating the ingredients that form the core of Fine Grazing’s ethos.

The Fine Grazing stationery and packaging components utilize unconventional layouts to abstractly reflect the way in which grazing tables are often approached from many sides, and therefore viewed from different perspectives. Tactile finishes including delicate embossing and textured papers were selected to bring a sense of understated luxury to the at-home Fine Grazing experience.

T D B: instagram • twitter • facebook • newsletter • pinterest

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.jackpinewebdesign.com/?p=857

Webdesign Tips

Changing Hands: Should You Worry When a WordPress Plugin Has a New Owner?

September 28, 2021 Jeremy Gillespie

As human beings, we tend to be wary of change. This seems especially so when it comes to the products and services we use. That “new and improved” formula? No thanks – just give us the original, please.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that there has been a lot of grumbling in the WordPress community lately. A number of big-name WordPress plugins have changed hands. The content management system’s ecosystem has suddenly been shaken as vigorously as a snow globe.

A mix of designers, developers, and website owners have taken to social media to voice their concerns. They’re wondering how these transactions will impact both them and their clients. It’s an understandable reaction in a time of such uncertainty.

Many of us feel a personal stake in the plugins we use. Sometimes it’s difficult to separate the emotional aspect of a change from the rational. Still, those feelings can be based on unpleasant experiences from our past. The reality is that not every transition goes smoothly.

So, how much should you worry when a trusted WordPress plugin is under new ownership? Let’s try and make sense of it all. Along the way, I’ll add in a little personal perspective.

There Are Stories behind Every Move

Finding out that a plugin you rely on has been sold can feel like a punch to the gut. I can attest that, as a user, my first reaction tends to be one of dismay. I always wonder why such a thing would happen, why the developer couldn’t leave well-enough alone.

But each time a plugin is bought or sold, there’s a background story. And there are any number of reasons why someone would want to sell. Maybe the responsibilities have outgrown the original developer’s capacity to handle them. Perhaps there are family concerns. The opportunity to cash-in is also in play.

On the other side of the coin, the new owners have their own agenda. They might see this product as one that fits in nicely with their established offerings. Additionally, they may believe that their vision for the product is one that can fuel growth.

Whatever the specifics, it’s important to remember that it takes two sides to make these deals happen. One party wanted to buy, and the other was willing to sell.

And when a plugin author is willing to sell their creation, there is reason to think that it is perhaps in the best interest of the product. There is always the possibility that, without a sale, the long-term outlook for the plugin may be in jeopardy.

So, even though we may have wished for things to stay the same, they may well have changed anyway.

Waiting with Uncertainty

Among the biggest stressors that come with these transactions is the uncertainty over what will change and when it will happen. Unfortunately, new ownership doesn’t always provide immediate answers.

We may get assurances that things will stay “as-is” for the time being. Software licenses will still be valid, features x, y, and z will continue work. Yet, it still feels like impactful changes in these areas are inevitable.

Personally, my biggest concern tends to be pricing. Regardless of who owns a particular plugin, price increases are often part of the deal – I get it. If the product is great, I don’t mind paying a bit more over time.

But major changes in this area could be problematic for web designers and their clients. If you typically purchase a developer’s license to use on client sites, a higher price means passing that cost onward. And if the number of sites allowed per license changes, that could be another expensive headache to deal with.

Then, changes in both support policy and staff can be worrisome. We all want to know that support is there for us when we need them and can help in a timely manner. Thus, there’s concern about new ownership possibly cutting corners.

When it comes to features, users need to know that things will still work as expected. This is particularly important when it comes to third-party integrations.

For example, what if a plugin currently integrates with a product from a rival company – will it still be supported down the road? No one wants to have their choices limited by a corporate jousting match. The bigger these companies get, the more possibility for such situations to arise.

The Impact on Individual Websites

Ultimately, one wonders about the impact an acquisition will have on their own website. Particularly when a plugin is responsible for a major piece of a site’s core functionality. Add-ons like shopping carts, learning management systems (LMS) and membership managers come to mind.

People invest a lot of time and money into these types of websites. And the thought of having to swap out plugins is enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine.

However, new ownership in itself is not a reason to panic. While there may be a little bit of uncertainty amongst users, that doesn’t make it so with the plugin’s author. They (hopefully) have a plan to hit the ground running and gained plenty of insight into how things work. Even better if the original author, or some current maintainers, are still in the picture.

With that, you might reasonably expect a few minor hiccups during the transition. But there’s no rush to run away from your site’s current configuration. It’s OK to take some time to see how things play out.

It’s natural to have questions and concerns. In that case, the best thing to do is to reach out and try to get some answers.

And if you want to study up on alternative plugins, there’s no harm in doing so. Being prepared is always a positive.

A Deep Breath and Lots of Fresh Starts for the WordPress Community

At times, the pace of WordPress plugins changing hands has been dizzying. Just as we get word of one notable transaction, another one follows. That alone can feel overwhelming and sew a certain amount of concern within a community.

Plus, it’s disappointing that some well-known developers are moving on. They’ve built a high level of trust with their customers and brought something unique to the WordPress ecosystem. They will be missed.

Still, I think it’s important to keep things in perspective. No, not every acquisition is going to work out perfectly. Some may even fail. Yet, it’s in our interest as web professionals to try and view things objectively.

Therefore, I invite you all to take a collective deep breath (with a mask and six feet of distance, of course). Things have changed. But it’s up to us to make the most of it.

The post Changing Hands: Should You Worry When a WordPress Plugin Has a New Owner? appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

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The 10 Best Photoshop Action Sets for Creating the Bokeh Effect

The bokeh effect has a multitude of uses within digital art. It can be overused, sure. But it can also be simply stunning. Trying to recreate this look on your own would be a time-consuming task. Thank goodness for Photoshop actions, right?

What you’ll find here is a fantastic set of Photoshop actions that greatly simplify the process for making the bokeh effect. Most of these can be implemented with just one click and offer a wide range of stunning results.

It’s a good idea to try a few of these effects for yourself to see which would best serve your work. You’re certain to find something that works well, and that speaks to your specific needs. Now, without further delay, let’s jump right into the list!

More Actions: 3D Effects, Art Effects, B&W Effects, Cinema & Movie Effects, Comic & Cartoon Effects, Duotone Effects, Dispersion Effects, Double Exposure Effects, Glitch Effects, HDR Effects, Ligh Leak Effects, Retro & Vintage Effects, Sketch Effects, or Text Effects.

Dual Light Photoshop Actions

The Dual Light Photoshop Actions set creates a beautiful double light effect on any photo of your choosing and add smoke and bokeh effects. The final image is layered and can be customized in a wide number of ways. This action set also comes with 20 color presets.

Soft Focus Photoshop Actions

Another action set you might want to consider is the Soft Focus Photoshop Action. This one works quite simply. Just add it to a specific area of a photo that you want to remain in sharp focus, then play the Action. The end result is a soft focus on the rest of the image which provides a bokeh effect.

Bokeh Kit for Photoshop

The Bokeh Kit for Photoshop is another fantastic option. It’s minimal in effect but really cool and can transform your photographs in a variety of ways. This kit actually has a lot going for it, in that it’s not just a bokeh Photoshop action. It also comes with 8 bokeh gradients and 40 bokeh brushes to help give you more control over the end result.

Bokeh Bomb Creation Kit for Photoshop

Another great option is the Bokeh Bomb Creation Kit for Photoshop. It’s chock full tools and resources for adding bokeh effects to your photographs. This kit comes with eight smoke effects, fast rendering, and snapshot prerendering play. It’s also nondestructive, so you can revert an image back to your original photo if need be. Other features include 20 bokeh gradients and 180 bokeh overlays.

Holidays Bokeh Photoshop Action

You might always want to check out the Holidays Bokeh Photoshop Action set. This one comes with just one action file and one brush file and is supplemented by a thorough how-to file. It’s completely easy to use, non destructive and compatible with all of the latest versions of Photoshop.

Bokeh Photoshop Actions

This is another great option designed with selfies in mind. This Photoshop action works by turning your selfies or iPhone photos into professional-looking photos by adding a bokeh effect. The action has 10 color effects that you can use as well to further customize the finished product. A help file and video tutorial are also included for your convenience.

Brightum Soft Focus Photoshop Action

The Brightum Soft Focus Photoshop Action is definitely worth considering as well. This action works by creating soft focus and light effects on your photos. All you have to do is select on area then click play. From there, you can make adjustments to color, contrast, and gradients as well thanks to 10 color presets and well-organized layers.

Shimmer Photoshop Action

If you want to leave your viewers dazzled, the Shimmer Photoshop Action is a great option. This action works as follows: brush the area of the photo you want to add a sparkle effect to then click play. That’s it! The end result is bright area of the photo that draws the eye and looks like it’s shining with tiny pieces of glitter.

Circles Animation Photoshop Action

And check this one out! The Circles Animation Photoshop Action is a great one to add to your toolbox. With just one click, you can add soft focus light effects around The end specific area of a photo that you select. The end result is a sparkling effect that pulls in the eye.

Glory Photoshop Action

The Glory Photoshop Action is super easy to use. All you have to do is fill in your chosen subject with a color of your choice, select a light direction, then play the action. That’s it! You can select from 8 different light directions and the end result is non destructive as well so you can undo the effect if you don’t like how it turned out.

Magicum Studio Lights Photoshop Action

The last action on our list is the Dreamy Photoshop Action. This one adds firefly effects with soft focus to your images. Select the area you want to highlight and click play. That’s all there is to it. This action comes with 10 color presets, graphic elements, and it’s layered and organized for convenient use (and undoing, should the need arise).

How to Install Photoshop Actions

Download and unzip the action file
Launch Photoshop
Go to Window > Actions
Select Load Actions from the menu and go to the folder where you saved the unzipped action file to select it
The Action will now be installed
To use the newly installed action, locate it in the Action panel
Click the triangle to the left of the action name to see the list of available actions
Click the action you want to play and press the play button at the bottom of the Actions panel

We hope you enjoyed this list of the best Photoshop actions for creating the bokeh effect. Bokeh is versatile and relevant for a wide number of photographs and design choices. And in the end, after you’ve experimented with a few of the actions provided here, you’re bound to capture a look that fulfills your artistic preferences. Best of luck!

The post The 10 Best Photoshop Action Sets for Creating the Bokeh Effect appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Webdesign Ideas

10 Free Design Agency Web Templates for Photoshop

If you’re working on a website redesign for your creative agency, it pays off to have a few design resources stored on your computer that will help you speed up the design process. This includes web templates for Photoshop that you can use when you need inspiration.

In this roundup, we’ve gathered web templates that are perfect for design agencies and will help you complete the redesign concept in no time.

We also have free portfolio PSD templates, free landing page PSD templates, free eCommerce PSD templates and free blog & magazine PSD templates. If you’re looking for a complete PSD web template round-up, take a look at this post.

Evana – Creative Agency PSD Template

The Evana template starts off the roundup strong with its creative and feminine design. Although the template looks like it would work well for feminine websites, you can easily customize the design to use whatever colors you prefer.

Poseidon – Creative Portfolio & Agency PSD Template (Envato Elements)

The Poseidon template will not disappoint you as it comes with an impressive number of PSD files that will help you design not only the homepage for your agency website but also all the other important pages needed to win new clients.

MI Talent – Web Design Agency PSD Template

The MI Talent has a minimal and simple design paired with classic typography that gives it an upscale, timeless look. The template includes several PSD files that are well-organized for quick and easy editing.

Splashes Creative Agency Template (Envato Elements)

The Splashes is a unique and creative template, suitable for a wide variety of agency websites. Standout features include fresh and clean design and included HTML files so you can get your new website design live as fast as possible.

Piroll – Free Agency & Portfolio PSD Templates

This template has a modern look that provides great flexibility. You can use it for designer, photography, web agency and studio websites. The template comes with 5 PSD sample pages and well-organized layers.

Deck – Free Card-Style PSD Template

Try the Deck template if you’re looking for a unique layout for your agency website. This template has an interesting card-based layout and comes with 45 unique templates and more than 200 design elements.

Cesis – Creative Agency PSD Web Template

The Cesis template has a professional design with a corporate feel so don’t miss this one if that’s the style you prefer. The template is well-structured and includes layers that make it easy to customize this design.

Digital Design Agency Free PSD

The Digital Design Agency template has a fun and fresh design with pops of color that draw your visitors’ attention to your call to actions or important sections such as portfolio or contact. The template includes a fully editable Photoshop file.

Free Creative Studio Website PSD Template

This free Creative Studio Website template includes both Photoshop and Illustrator formats. The template has a dark color scheme which gives it a sophisticated look and feel but you can easily customize it to match your brand.

Startuply – Design Agency Landing Page PSD Template

The Startuply is a perfect choice if all you want is a simple but creative landing page. Customize this template with your brand’s colors and fonts and make sure to include all the information about your portfolio, contact information, and agency history.

Cesis Creative Agency Free PSD Template

This minimal and unique PSD template comes with 8 different page templates so you can design your entire agency website. The template is based on 1920px screen and 1170 grid system and includes stunning full-screen components.

Free Agency Landing Page PSD

The Free Agency Landing Page features a modern design with an interesting color scheme and clean typography. You’ll find several PSD files that are well-organized for quick editing.

Coming up with a perfect design for your creative agency can be time-consuming. Save time with one of the premade web templates for Photoshop so you can get the initial design out of the way and focus on bringing your website to life.

The post 10 Free Design Agency Web Templates for Photoshop appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Webdesign Tips

10 Free Beautifully Designed Brochure Templates for Adobe InDesign

If you want to appeal to a wider audience, putting together a brochure can really help. And what better way to create a brochure than by using free brochure templates for Adobe InDesign?

These templates make it so easy to promote your business, services, or products — or even just spread valuable information — without having to go through the hassle of creating a template or brochure from scratch.

The ease-of-use factor, plus the convenience of just having to fill in blank fields, is what really pushes these InDesign templates over the top.

So go ahead and check out this collection of free brochure templates for Adobe InDesign. You’re certain to find something that suits your company or project.

You might also like… Free InDesign Proposal Templates, Free InDesign Resume Templates, Free Portfolio & Lookbook InDesign Templates and Free Magazine & Editorial InDesign Templates.

Corporate Bi-Fold InDesign Brochure Template

The Bi-Fold Corporate InDesign template is an excellent choice for those looking for fast results with minimal edits required. It’s built professionally with a fully-layered design and it can be used for multiple purposes. And since it’s easy to add custom text and images, you can export this template to a high-quality PDF in a matter of minutes.

Interior Design Brochure Template (Envato Elements)

With an easy-to-customize layout and eye-catching sample imagery, the Interior Design Brochure Template provides all the standard features you’d expect from a professional brochure: 30mm bleed, A4 & US Letter sizes, and free font and icon font support while maintaining a modern edge. Drag and drop photos to 12 custom pages.

Soft & Clean Square InDesign Brochure Template

If you’re looking to keep your brochure’s design clean and simple, the Soft and Clean Square InDesign Brochure Template ought to do the trick. Add a custom logo and text to 8-full color pages. The perfect choice for corporate brochures that need to stand out from the rest.

Stylish Fashion Lookbook Brochure (Envato Elements)

The Stylish Fashion Lookbook Brochure Template has a delicate air of sophistication without being overstated. This template is deal for fashion spreads thanks to a generous 14-page design, well-organized layers, and 1-click color changes. It’s print-ready and immediately elevates your content.

Colorful Tri-Fold Brochure Template (Envato Elements)

Your nursery, preschool, after school activity, or playgroup will thrive with this brochure template. Though designed with marketed to parents in mind, this brochure template is a colorful trifold that could be used for a brochure in any industry that requires a striking design and pops of color.

Tri-Fold Hotel InDesign Brochure Template

Promote a bed and breakfast, a hotel, or a weekend getaway with this Tri-Fold Hotel InDesign Brochure Template. This template is easy to customize. Just drag-and-drop in your photos, add your text, swap out colors, and you’ll be good to go. It also comes with the Cardo-Regular font, and has been adapted for use in massage and salon service industries as well.

Bi-Fold Business Brochure Template (Envato Elements)

This elegant and modern bifold brochure is perfect for any corporate setting, which covers a wide range of businesses. It’s also recommended for publishing and annual reports. Even company profiles can make use of this template. It has just two page designs but sometimes that’s all you need to get the job done. Sometimes, simple is better, and this brochure template does simple well.

Futuristic Event Posters Set for InDesign

What a cool design this template offers! The Futuristic Event Posters Set for InDesign can be adapted for brochures easily and is easy-to-edit and customize with your own text and images on the fly. It sports an A3, tabloid layout, is fully print-ready, and can make any event or announcement more than stand out.

InDesign Product Brochure Template

If you have a specific product you want to promote and catch attention for, this InDesign Product Brochure Template will do the job and then some. This free offering offers a four-page layout with three content pages and front and rear designs. It’s simple, yet bold, allowing for full-page photography and/or pull quotes.

Blue Business Brochure Layout (Envato Elements)

What a lovely template this is! The Blue Business Brochure Layout template is subdued and cool, yet absolutely ready to showcase your latest endeavor, promotion, or work. It’s easy to rearrange things as you see fit to accommodate your images and text. And it comes with 12 unique pages, so you’re certain to find a configuration that works for you.

Green Swirls Tri-Fold Menu/Brochure Template

This template is stylish and free-flowing, perfect for naturally-inclined businesses, restaurants, spas, and more. This is perfect for highlight menus or menus of services in a succinct way that gets your point across without overwhelming readers. Think brochures you get for local restaurants on your screen door — only better.

InDesign Industry Trifold Brochure Template

For corporate or industry-based businesses (like coal, oil, or electrical companies) this brochure template will fit the bill. Its simple trifold layout makes it easy to present info about your business in a succinct way, but still offers enough details to engage. Everything is fully customizable and it’s print-ready.

InDesign Tri-Fold Brochure Template

Promote your travel agency, booking agency, or time-share with this travel-inspired trifold brochure template. It can be used for any industry, really, and offers appealing vector images as a part of the deal. This free template can be customized easily and is ready-to-print as soon as you’re done designing.

Retro Christmas Brochure Template

When the festive time is upon us, sometimes it’s nice to embrace it whole-heartedly in your business promotions. This Retro Christmas Brochure Template is great for promoting flash sales, or for simply adding a retro holiday touch to any company’s products, services, or other offerings. This brochure template is print-ready and can be modified to suit any business.

So you see? There are plenty of brochure template options here to help you put together a stunning brochure no matter the industry you’re in. This collection of freebies are so good you can professionally present your company with ease. Which is just pretty great, if you ask us.

The post 10 Free Beautifully Designed Brochure Templates for Adobe InDesign appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

10 Free Slideshow & Gallery Templates for Adobe After Effects in 2021

Slideshows are a great way to grab your audience’s attention. Whether you’re making a business presentation or want a unique way to preserve precious moments, a slideshow can help you make it more memorable.

That’s why in this article, we’ve selected the best After Effects slideshow and gallery templates that will help you create a stunning video presentation.

You might also like our collection of the 10 Best Slideshow & Gallery Templates for After Effects

More free After Effects templates: Titles, Animated Icons, Logo Reveals, Animated Fonts, Lower Thirds, Intros, and Openers.

Contact Sheet Slideshow Free After Effects Template (Free)

Use this Contact Sheet Slideshow if you want a creative way to present your employees or team members. The template includes 10 placeholder images and you can easily add more if you need them.

Old Slideshow Free After Effects Template (Free)

The Old Slideshow template is another great choice if you’re looking for a retro-style gallery or slideshow. The template comes with full color control so you can easily customize the colors and drop in your photos.

Wall Slideshow (with Envato Elements)

Try the Wall Slideshow if you want a cool-looking, modern gallery to display your family photos and albums. The template is easy to customize and comes with full color control.

Modern Zoom Telescopic Slideshow After Effects Template (Free)

This Modern Zoom Telescopic Slideshow Video features a unique zoom effect pictured through a telescopic transition. You will also find multiple light leaks with sleek camera motion and a grand total of 6 image placeholders.

Clean Slideshow After Effects Templates (Free)

If you want a clean slideshow that you can use to present your family photos or if you need a clean slideshow for a corporate project, the Clean Slideshow template is the right choice. It features a stylish design, simple text animations, and smooth transitioning effects.

Slideshow Constructor for After Effects (with Envato Elements)

The first template on this list features a vintage-style slideshow of polaroids. It’s a great choice if you want to combine all your photos and create a truly unique photo album.

Free Parallax Scrolling Slideshow After Effects Template (Free)

Parallax is an extremely popular animation effect used in a number of websites. Thanks to this template, you can use it in your videos as well. This template contains 9 image or video placeholders, and 9 text placeholders.

Bold Slideshow (with Envato Elements)

Try the Bold Slideshow if you want a bold and colorful look. This template includes a detailed help file, full color control so you can easily customize the colors to match your brand, and editable text layers.

Modern Tile Slideshow (Free)

The Modern Tile Slideshow is a great choice for professional and corporate videos. The slideshow template features a unique, tiled look and a 3D tile drop down effect to reveal your images and transition between them in 3D. The template also includes multiple light leaks.

Free Dynamic Colorful Slideshow After Effects Template (Free)

This dynamic template features a modern and colorful style paired with minimal typography. It’s a great choice for both business and personal video slideshows. The template includes 23 media placeholders, 19 editable text layers and an intelligent color controller.

Stylish Spinning Columns Slideshow After Effects Template (Free)

Consider the Stylish Spinning Columns Slideshow Template if you’re working on a high-end project. The template features 6 image placeholders paired with a modern spinning column transition effect and multiple light leaks.

Travel Slideshow (with Envato Elements)

This versatile template features an upbeat and cinematic style based on the popular travel intro trend. The template is easy to update and customize to suit your individual styles.

Free Elegant Slideshow After Effects Template (Free)

This After Effects template is perfect for corporate and business slideshows. The template features elegant slide transitions and includes a number of placeholder images. You can easily add more and customize text and colors to match your brand.

Free After Effects Slideshow Templates (Free)

In this template, you will find 14 image placeholders that are arranged in a stunning grid layout. You can easily adjust the colors thanks to the intelligent color controller and replace the text with your own.

Fast Slides Free After Effects Slideshow Template (Free)

Use this template if you’re working a video that could use a fast-moving animation. This slideshow would be perfect at the beginning of a video to introduce different concepts that will be addressed in the video.

Creative Slideshow (with Envato Elements)

This Creative Slideshow template features a dynamic, fast-paced animation style and bold typography. The template would be perfect for a corporate video presentation and includes full color control as well as editable text layers.

Conclusion

Adding a slideshow to the beginning of your video can be a great way to give a preview of what you will talk about in the video. You can also use slideshows in the middle of the video to introduce a new segment or as a personal collage of your favorite moments.

This collection is a great starting point that you can use as an inspiration or to find the perfect After Effects slideshow template for your project.

The post 10 Free Slideshow & Gallery Templates for Adobe After Effects in 2021 appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

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Weekly News for Designers № 611

September 24, 2021 Jeremy Gillespie

Welcome to the W3C design system – A look at how the W3C’s design system is structured. You can even download templates for use in your own projects.

How to Work With Both Good & Bad Design Clients – How to determine which clients are worth the trouble and which ones you should just skip over.

CSS Container Query Units – Experimenting with CSS container queries using different units.

Paper to HTML Converter – Check out an experimental prototype that aims to render scientific papers in HTML.

Doodle Ipsum – Create custom doodles for use on your project prototypes, etc.

10 WordPress Plugins to Help Improve Website Accessibility – A wide selection of tools to help us meet the challenges of accessibility.

Purity UI Dashboard – Grab a copy of this free ReactJS Dashboard based on Chakra UI.

Koloicons – A fully-customizable library of 3,000+ free SVG icons.

Mechanic – An open-source framework that makes it easy to create custom, web-based design tools that export design assets right in your browser.

Clients Make Too Many UX Decisions. Here’s How to Stop Them. – Tips for inviting client feedback while keeping them at a safe distance from UX.

iPod.js – This JavaScript app uses the familiar iPod Classic UI and pairs it with the ability to connect with popular streaming services.

Basic Pattern Repository – A collection of simple and seamless SVG patterns that you can copy and paste into projects.

Faust.js, the Framework For Headless WordPress – Take a peek at WPEngine’s new headless WordPress framework.

Grainy Gradients – Learn how to create noise effects with CSS and SVG.

Tips for Improving the Core Web Vitals of Your WordPress Website – Optimize your site’s performance and stay in Google’s good graces.

iPhone 13 Mockup (FREE) – Add the latest iPhone to your device mockup collection with this free Figma file.

Create Content That Targets Your Existing Design Clients – Write informative content that is sure to pique your client’s interest.

Tove – This new WordPress theme takes advantage of Full Site Editing (FSE) and the Gutenberg block editor.

The post Weekly News for Designers № 611 appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.