Rapid ARTs

The Four Key Components of a Great Web Design

// November 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // Techniques, Web

There’s a lot that goes into creating a web design, but I believe it can be broken down into four main components. If you’re able to execute on all four, you will have a hit web design on your hands. However, if you come up short on one, the entire design will suffer. That’s the challenge. All aspects of a great design must compliment each other while helping achieve the end goals of the website. In this article, I’ve broken down the four key components of a great web design with examples and resources. (more…)

Transparency: Benefits and Best Practices

// November 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // Techniques

When you visit a website of a business do you ever wonder who is behind that business? Being transparent online and in business has a plethora of benefits. Users gain trust and have the ability to see the human side of the business. The effects are incredible, from increasing sales to finding like minded clients.

Showing that your business is human can easily make you a stronger company. The benefits go two ways though. Not only is it great for your company but it is also beneficial for the user in may ways. In this post I will detail many examples of transparency around the web. As we go through each example I will explain why it is positive, how they have done it, and what it creates to benefit the user experience.

Build Internet

Sam and Zach of Build Internet lay it on the line. As soon as you open Build Internet’s homepage you see the two fellows behind the website greeting you. Click on their photo and be taken to the about page. This page has a larger version of their photo and ways to contact them on a personal level through twitter. This creates a personal connection between the viewer and the owners of the website.

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30+ Realistic Gadget Design Photoshop Tutorials

// November 25th, 2009 // No Comments » // Graphics, Techniques, Tutorials

There’s an ancient Chinese proverb that says “工欲善其事，必先利其器“; the direct English translation means “In order to do a good job, once must have a good tool.” When it comes to the design industry, the tool is Photoshop.

Photoshop is truly a designer’s best friend. It is used to design almost anything, be it icons, websites, photo enhancements, etc and the list goes on. In fact, in one of our earlier post Stunning Apple Concept Design, most of the gadgets were created with Photoshop too. It’s never a tough job learning how to create a gadget when you know the basics and the next thing you probably need is – good tutorials in conversational tone.

Here’s a list of 31 wonderful Photoshop Tutorials that gives you step by step tutorial how gadgets are created. Full list after jump
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50 Interactive Silverlight Applications

// November 21st, 2009 // No Comments » // Techniques

Microsoft Silverlight enables development of the next generation of Microsoft .NET-based media experiences and rich interactive applications (RIAs) for the Web. Silverlight is delivered as a cross-platform and cross-browser plug-in that exposes a programming framework and features that are a subset of the .NET Framework and Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF).

Silverlight offers rapid creation and delivery of sophisticated internet applications through a Web browser. Forged from technology used in over 100,000 companies and understood by over 4 million developers worldwide, Silverlight has the full support of Microsoft’s tools, technologies, and thriving partner ecosystem.

Today, we present 50 interactive Silverlight applications as sample to give you an overview as to what you can achieve with Silverlight.

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Twenty-eight ways to be a better designer

// May 16th, 2009 // No Comments » // Techniques

Success in the design industry relies on many different factors. There’s much more to it than just being able to make a pretty visual. Communication, self-promotion, technique and execution of the actual creative process are just a few of the many factors that come into play.

With success depending on so many elements it’s easy to lose track of the big picture. To keep you on top of your game we asked four established designers and illustrators to share their most valuable advice.
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