I can get down with this.

The design community is subject to the cycle of trends just as much as any other community. I hate trends and think that they lower the creative ceiling. (At least being a slave to said trends).

One of my favorite things going around is custom lettering and attention to typography. It seems to be almost a fight against the many years ruled by the king Helvetica. Now do not misunderstand. I love Helvetica and use it a decent amount myself. But it is great to see a change coming to the current status quo.

Many hand lettering is done on paper, sketching out letters, inking and refining the lines. Then importing the finished letters/type into Illustrator and vectoring the logo making is crisp, clean and highly usable since it is now a vector. Now you have all the tools available to you in the digital realm to make changes and edits to further explore the mark you are creating. All while preserving the handmade look of the original drawing at the same time. 

This really speaks to my background. I grew up drawing and am pretty handy with a pencil and pen. So being able to combine these two worlds to create unique logos and types is really a dream come true.

To see larger companies start embracing this look and breaking from the blocky, sans serif type choices is refreshing.

I would love to see this not as a trend that is destined to die. But more like another tool to add to the toolbox. Offering another look and possibility when working on brainstorming sessions.

Make better Photoshop selections.

One thing that has really pushed my photo editing and manipulation game to the next level is my ability to select exactly what I want and need.

Those little "marching ants" is what is keep you back from some exemplary work. Even with the best typographical, composition, color theory and illustration skills. If you are making crap selections for your photography then it will painfully show through.

A lot of young designers do not put enough practice into selections simply because it is hard and tedious. Do not get me wrong, it sure can be. Understanding photo resolution, how the selection lines interact with the pixels, how to adjust your feathering, which tools are used to create the best selections needs etc. It can be pretty daunting for a newbie, let alone someone who has been at it for awhile. But with many hours of practice it is well worth the pay off.

The basic selection tools are a great way to get started. Practicing with how everything interacts with one another will help you build a quality foundation. Just getting good at those is an accomplishment.

If you want to step up your game you can learn how to use layer masks. I used masks for awhile but I found it bothersome and lacking the exactitude that I wanted and needed. At least for my liking. So i ditched that for the tried and true pen tool.

Being able to control exactly where the pen line goes has helped me create perfect selections for any type of editing need.

I cannot stress taking the time to learn the pen tool, how to use the anchors and get your ants marching just right.

But maybe you like the other tools better, maybe you have a way that is different then my own. That is wonderful. Whatever you find yourself enjoying the most is the best tool for the job.

Make amazing selections and do some beautiful edits.

Learn the pen tool!!

Something short and sweet for any designer, graphics junky or person who uses the Adobe software for anything.

If you want to take your abilities and talents to the next level, it is imperative to learn the pen tool. I grew up with a background in fine arts and have always been very handy with a pencil or anything you put in my hand. When I made the transition to computers, I found myself feeling cooped up and uncomfortable not being able to make the same images I can with my hands.

Now don't get me wrong, there are still times and places where I use my hand ability to create and draw whatever I am making. But then I scan it and do the editing digitally to finish a logo, illustration or whatever it may be.

When using a vector program, there is no replacing the ability to create your own vector illustrations or being able to redraw and vector hand drawn illustrations you scanned. This can send you talents and worth sky high since hand illustration is a dying form often not utilized.

When working in Photoshop, the pen tool is still hands down my favorite way to make my selections. Being able to control a line exactly how I need it in order to make selections is imperative for professional quality photo-manipulations. Once you understand the pen tool, mix that with a good understanding of feathering and image resolution and you have a wonderful bases for making pixel perfect selections.

Learn the pen tool and master it!