Friday, May 15, 2009

Recent CS4 Updates

(this is a repost from John Nack at http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/)

In case you've missed it, the CS4 versions of Flash, Fireworks, and InDesign have received updates in the last couple of weeks.

  • Flash PM Richard Galvan lists the issues addressed in the Flash release, including performance problems & crashes.
  • InDesign's 6.0.2 update (download for Mac, Win) includes the cumulative fixes from the 6.0.1 update (posted in February). For a list of fixes, check out its release notes (PDF), plus info on previous updates.
  • Of the Fireworks update, newly minted Fireworks PM Bruce Bowman writes, "This updater fixes the most common bugs that we know about in Fireworks CS4, including numerous text shifting problems, stability issues on Mac and Windows, and bugs related to pasting text from Microsoft Office applications. The team would like to thank you for your patience as we developed this updater." Here are the full release notes (PDF).

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Web Design for Print Designers Made Easy

Web design differs from print design in so many ways, yet employers and clients really expect that designers be able to manage both media with ease. The complexity of web standards, usability, accessibility and other best practices can make learning the web daunting...UNTIL NOW!

Really understand the process of designing for the web with this jargon-free introduction to the right way to make web pages. This one-day seminar provides a step-by-step introduction to the web design process. Originally designed to help print designers add web design to their skill set, this seminar will help anyone interested in how great web pages get built (with an emphasis on the best practices in the field).

Topics include: usability, accessibility, fright-free coding, process for developing goals for a web page, how to get a pixel perfect layout, and more!

Save the date to join Jim Conway, C2's lead instructor and web/Flash alpha geek on Tuesday, July 14 from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Lunch on your own from 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm. Registration opens June 1 for this $99.00 seminar.

Coming soon to C2!

C2's 100% fresh attitude will soon apply to the C2 web site, tagline and some fresh new marketing materials.

In June C2 will roll out the new site, designed to offer clients a better, more efficient experience for class registration and talent requests.

New C2 collateral designs crafted by C2 instructors Kevin Stohlmeyer and James Fritz will also be unveiled next month, all featuring the new tagline: C2, Your Shortcut to Success.

C2 strives to exceed client expectations through our training and talent placement services, and hope our new look and online interface do the same.

Apple Keynote Tips and Tricks

Shape Masks

You can use shapes created in Keynote to mask your image similar to a layer mask in Photoshop. First, create your shape, then using the Media Browser, drag the image onto the shape. You can then change the mask (scale, rotation, etc.) using the "Edit Mask" function. When finished, click outside your photo or on "Edit Mask" button to apply the mask.

Custom Keynote Themes
Online resources, such as keynoteuser.com, offer great custom themes for the beginner. Advanced users can create their own from scratch. Keep in mind that there is one trick. Never build your theme on a slide. Instead build your theme on a master slide. To see all your master slides, drag the divider down under the "Themes" window. This will reveal all the masters. Click one and go nuts. 

Importing Photoshop?

YES! In keynote, I am amazed at the diverse file formats that Keynote can accept, including layered, unflattened, wonderful Photoshop files. I use these to build my own custom theme backgrounds (see above). 

Audio files
One thing I am always asked when it comes to Keynote is how to create a continuous soundtrack for a presentation, or a looped track. Here's how:

In the Inspector panel, click the document inspector button, then choose "audio". Then either choose a track from itunes or drag an audio file from the finder into the audio panel. Here is the crux of the soundtrack - to make the audio file play through repeatedly while the presentation is running, choose "loop" from the pop-out drawer in the audio panel. 

The other issue to keep in mind is that this is a linked file, therefore it must go with your slideshow or it wont play. Here's a simple remedy - when saving your document, make sure to select “copy audio and movies into document” in the Save dialog box . This will embed your audio files and movies. 

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

We can't do it alone... C2 Partners, a love note

Every business has partners, sometimes known as business resources or valued vendors. I wanted to take a few minutes to both ENDORSE and thank our partners, our trusted and valued business resources. If you ever need support/advice/service in their area of expertise, don't hesitate to contact them directly or ask me to make an introduction.

In alphabetical order:

Big Shoes Network - need a job? an internship? a resource for marketing, advertising or design in the midwest? Look no further. Jeff and Martha Carrigan have created an on-line networking empire! We love that BIG Shoes Network!

Bill McGinnis - Bill is the guy who says NO! Until he says yes! He serves as C2's strategic & financial advisor. He facilitates meetings, advises on hiring, interviewing and on-going employee evaluation, compensation and professional development. He helps us budget (saying NO more frequently than yes, but that's why we're still here!), provides long-range strategic planning and short term crisis management as needed. He's our one-man board of advisors. Bill usually takes on bigger fish than C2, we're thrilled and lucky to have him on the team.

Burton & Mayer - Brett & Steve Waterhouse do an incredible job! From the start they've exceeded our expectations, getting jobs done on short notice or connecting us with clients. They're rock stars and I cannot say enough about the level of genuine care and over-the-top service they've provided to our business since our inception in 2004.

DigiCopy
- Paul Otero owns the local branches of Digicopy. As a former Apple guru he trained his staff well. Martje and the crew at the Erie Street location really know the hardware and software needed to get short run jobs done FAST and right! If you need to hit a quick copy place, look no further!

Fairway Promotions - We love our green C2 pens, hopefully you have one on your desk right now! Dale Tegtmeier is our preferred purveyor of chatckes! We like to call him the Chatckes King of Milwaukee. If you can put a logo on it, he can make it happen!

K2PR - Kathryn Wellner serves as our public relations pro, getting us placement in local, regional and national publications. We have a stack of clippings attributed to her hard work. She reps clients that need TV and radio appearances, as well as trade show and other media placement. Even though we're small potatoes compared to some of her clients, she always makes us feel like we're her number ONE priority. She's responsive, talented and well connected.

Locatelli and Company - CPAs to the STARS, that's Jim Locatelli and his band of brainiacs. Jim, Sheri and Chris all make our life at C2 easier, helping us with budgets, taxes and guiding us through the fun challenges of business ownership. AND, they throw a heck of an after-tax party, reason enough to become a client! L & C serve several advertising, marketing and design firms, so they know our biz, our clients and are an invaluable resource to us.

MC Services - As one of the only purveyors of Apple Certified training, the pros at MC Services are both stellar trainers for Apple network support and FileMaker Pro training, they act as consultants in both areas as well. Duane Maas is an experienced technician and instructor, as well as a dedicated Brewer's fan! We're thrilled to have them on our roster of partners.

Park Bank - Jack Walden isn't just a banker, he and the people at Park Bank are supportive allies and friends. They really understand the needs of creative businesses and many of our clients are their clients. They've played an integral role in helping us grow!

Proven Direct - With brilliant new space on Canal Street, the team at Proven Direct has become an invaluable event partner for C2. They put incredible thought and care into their build-out, this 5S lean, green digital printing operation often hosts C2 and Adobe User Groups in their new auditorium on the 2nd level. They share both their space and expertise regularly and we appreciate them greatly! Thanks to Mike Limbach, Dave Hess and Rick Bauer for all the support.

Sells
- James "Jimmy" Wamser and Robert Hammen know Adobe and Apple software at expert levels and we're thrilled to have them as a training partner. When it comes to network and pre-press technology they're the answer. The Wams (as we affectionately call him) is an Adobe Certified Instructor with certifications in Acrobat, Photoshop and InDesign, while Robert is positively certifiable, boasting several Apple certs: Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist, Apple Certified Technical Coordinator, Apple Certified Systems Administrator.

Stamm Business Technologies - Dave Stamm has put together an incredible team of Apple and PC network pros offering the best cross-platform, IT/network support available. They service several creative firms and the internal design/advertising/marketing departments of some of Milwaukee's top companies. They understand the unique challenges of font related technologies, RIPs, Adobe and Quark software, etc. We partner with them regularly, sending our clients to them with hardware and network challenges. Stamm's crew always gets RAVE reviews.

The Eisner - We love The Eisner...and we show it every year at their I LOVE THE EISNER event, also known as the XO (kiss hug). Join us at the XO every February and show this industry gem YOUR love, or just pop into see an exhibit or catch an industry speaker. We've used their amazing space for seminars, meetings, classes over the last 6 years, clients alway leave impressed. We appreciate the ever-evolving exhibits, Cori Coffman and Katie Sorenson's professionalism and dedication to both the museum and industry. The Eisner always needs volunteers...contact C2 or The Eisner for details!