Sunday, August 1, 2010

Home Decor - Guide to Wall Art

You may have the perfect furniture throughout your home, but still feel like there is something missing. It's probably the walls. Look at your walls. What's on them? If your answer is paint and a decorative border you are ignoring a major space in your home that could have a much more personal touch.

Wall art gives that personal touch. There are a variety of wall art options that you can choose from to show off a little style in every room of your home:

Paintings

If you are an art-lover at heart, you may want to bring one of your favorite paintings home from the gallery next time you are out and put it in your home. A painting is a way to get a very personal glimpse inside the owner of the home, as all pieces of art speak to the people who purchase them.

Tapestries

If you would like to add some art, but with a soft touch, to a room in your home, go no further than wall tapestries. While sometimes paintings and other wall art pieces are just a little too cold or stiff for a room, such as a dressing room or bedroom, tapestries are rich beautiful images that still retain a soft and supple feeling.

Photos

There are a variety of photos that can be put on a wall in your home. It could be you choose family photos to show off those you love and care for. Perhaps you prefer photos of the places you have been to recall your fun world travels.

The other option is to choose photos based on their artistic style. Photographers are capturing images of nearly every aspect of life and once framed on your wall these images can become the masterpiece that gets everyone talking.

Sculpture

While most people think sculptures belong on a table, there are plenty of other places you can put sculptures in your home. Some sculptures are made to be hung from a wall instead of set on a tabletop. Even your tabletop sculptures can have a place on your walls. There are plenty of individual wall shelves you can attach to the wall. There are even clear ones to make it seem as if your sculpture is floating on air.

Furniture pieces

Have too many books for your bookshelf? What about wanting a little corner nook to pretend you have escaped the rest of the world. This is what special wall-mounted furniture pieces can offer. From small bookshelves to tabletops that come out of the wall, there are plenty of artistically crafted furniture pieces that can fit the bill.

No matter what your home decorative theme and style, you can always add a few touches to really complete the look. Often these finishing touches come in the form of wall art pieces that add to the room's look as a whole as well as adding a bit of your personal creative taste at the same time.


Source : Ezinearticles

Western Art - Process Art - The Story of the Journey, Not the Destination

Process Art - The History
The exact origin of Process Art is considered to be somewhere around mid-1960s. Considering the human inquisitive disposition, it can be said that it originated around the time when the world was trying to understand the reasons behind their acts during and post the world wars. Process Art began in the Americas and Europe, spreading soon to the rest of the world. The Drip Paintings of the American painter Jackson Pollock (1912-56) are often credited with its onset.

The Details
Process Art is a revolutionary movement where creativity is the focus, rather than the form of art, such as paintings, sculpture, and pottery. It is concerned with the process going into forming an artwork. It is more of a ritual, a realization of performance, and the sense of pride. Process Art treats creativity as a beautiful journey and not as a means of obtaining a product in the form of a work of art. The most sought after themes in Process Art are change and transience, which are a driving force of life. Process Art involves improvisation, adaptability, change, and liberation. Use of materials, like wax, felt, and latex are more common than paint and colors, which emphasizes its ephemeral nature. In fact, it aims to laude nature and not represent the various forms of nature, which are often subject of the other art forms.

The Artists
Process artists often prefer anonymity to popularity. But, the fame achieved by great artists is always when they expected it the least. American sculptor Lynda Benglis (born 1941), British-Sri Lankan artist Chris Drury (born 1948), German-American sculptor Eva Hesse (1936-70), and American artist Bruce Nauman (born 1941) are often considered as the leaders of this art form. However, artists like Robert Morris (American - born 1931), Christopher Le Tyrell, and Alan Scarritt have also made a mark for themselves in the genre. Their masterly use of cutting, hanging, dropping, and other organic processes used to bring out the essence of Process Art.

The Art Works
Process artists accomplish their artwork by the use of perishable and transitory materials, such as dead rabbits, steam, fat, ice, cereal, sawdust, and grass. Its forms of shamanic and religious rituals, sand painting, sun dance, and other cultural forms are well known. However, the most famous Process artwork is the construction of a Vajrayana Buddhist Sand Mandala of the Medicine Buddha by the monks of Namgyal Monastery in Ithaca (2001), New York.

Source : Ezinearticles

Graphic Design Tools That Every Designer Should Know

Who designed the graphics on your favorite web page?

It was most likely done by a graphic designer.

Graphic designers, or graphic artists, create visual graphics that are intended to communicate a message to audiences. Designers create graphics for websites and games as well as film media. Graphic designers also use illustrations and photography to create layouts for print media. Marketing companies often call on graphic designers to help create promotional displays and brochures for products. Graphic artists can be trained at schools with graphic design programs and degrees can also be earned online. As with many fields, designers cannot complete their work without the proper tools. Below is a list of what is necessary for a designer to be successful.

COMPUTER

Most of today's graphics are computer-based so this component is absolutely critical in graphic design. The computer is not only essential for designing graphics but it is also necessary for business purposes and is needed for email and communication. Computers are used to create illustrations, write copy for websites and publications, editing photos and designing layouts. Deciding which computer to purchase can be challenging but Apple's "Mac" is preferred by many designers because of their graphic capabilities.

SOFTWARE

Your computer can't design anything until it is told to, and this is where the software comes in. Software programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator help create and edit photos and images. Designers who specialize in website creation may use editors such as Macromedia Dreamweaver or Microsoft FrontPage to create sophisticated web pages with rich color and content. Time management and project tracking software is also essential for the business end of design.

BOOKS

Graphic designers are constantly learning and refining their craft. It is helpful for designers to build their own library of graphic design books. These publications can be used for technical assistance, business tips, or for inspiration when needed. You may also consider attending a graphic design school for specialized training.

OTHER CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS

One of the most important resources that a graphic designer can have is other peers in the field. Professionals can critique the work of others while receiving information and tips on their own projects. Complex assignments may require collaborating with other designers, and having someone to brainstorm with can create the best ideas.

Source : Ezinearticles

What Makes Good Graphic Design?

The question of what makes good graphic design is one that cannot be answered simply or succinctly as there are a myriad of factors and variables to consider when it comes to the colourful world of both art and design.

While art is more open to personal interpretation and considered to be a subjective matter, graphic design is instead used to serve a distinct purpose, whether it's selling a product or promoting a person, place, or thing, or whatever the case may be.

Good graphic design begins, of course, with a good graphic designer as well as a clear picture of the goal or message that's meant to be conveyed. A designer must know how to do a number of different things in order to create a final product that gets results including being skilled in typography, page layout and chromatics.

Graphic designers must be not only artists, but also highly professional individuals who pay great attention to detail while understanding what their client is trying to achieve. Any effective graphic design is created by first considering the target audience. Will the imagery used appeal to the specific group or groups of people you're trying to reach? And, equally as important, is the message that is being conveyed clear and easy to understand?

Good graphic design is the result of the designer having the ability to imagine themselves as an average member of the target market. Does the design motivate? Inspire? Grab one's attention? Does it follow with the client's existing branding or image? And, is the text easy to see and read?

When photography is a part of the equation, good graphic design includes images that are crystal clear and free from any pixelisation or unintentional blurred edging. Pictures should be original and unique, and ideas should be presented in a professional manner relevant to the product's main message or purpose. The colours used in photos should complement the rest of the project's image, tying into the overall design while perhaps using a contrasting hue for prominence.

Colour, of course, is absolutely imperative to any type of design, especially so in the realm of graphic design where logos and product branding are at the forefront of competitive industries. Perhaps one of the very best aspects regarding the use of colour in design is that it can be used to suggest and inspire a great number of feelings and emotions. Colours have an intensely powerful effect on the human mind, either alone or in any one of the endless combinations possible.

In the entertainment industry, graphic design is an integral part of not only the scenery and visual effects, but also in contributing to the storytelling aspect of the piece. It can become invaluable when it comes to promoting a new product, film or television programme using posters, flyers, direct mail, TV and radio spots, t-shirts, toys, or other promotional means.

And finally, good graphic design can speak volumes, visually telling an entire story without ever actually "saying" a single word. Whether it's for optimising sales, increasing brand or company awareness or introducing a new product, effective graphic design is something that is continually in great demand.


Source : Ezinearticles

The Use of Graphic Design in Many Fields Such As Websites, Animation and So On

What is a graphic design?
Graphic design can be referred to any discipline of art and the visual communication that is present. Graphic design is a representation of symbols, images and words in a combination. Graphic design has a tendency to create the ideas in a visual representation. A graphic designer may use effects such as typography, visual arts and page layout to produce the best result.

Graphic design is used both in the communication creation and the products that is created. Graphic design is used in various fields. For example in website design it is used in Logo designs, Package design, Various illustrations, Business cards, Stationery, Brochures, Website designs, Banner designs, Animated graphic designs and more. Graphic design is widely use in logo design and animated graphic design nowadays.

Nowadays graphic designers are hired to bring out the innovative thoughts into action. Graphic designers play a vast role in bringing out the mechanism into a realistic image. Graphic designers is also used in greeting cards sector too as many companies search for the card in the competitive world.

Use of 3D design in animation
3D design is a three dimensional representation of geometric dimension. 3D designs are different 2D designs but both of them have some similarities. 3D designs and 2D designs depend on the same algorithm, vector graphics and raster graphics. At times 3D techniques are used by 2D designs too for the adverse effect of lightening and more. Most of the times 3D computer graphics are called as 3D models too. A 3D model is a three dimensional mathematical representation. To create a real 3D world one has to follow three major steps to be done in a perfect manner.

To be realistic create a virtual 3D world, determine which part has to be shown and determine how many pixels should be shown on screen so that the whole image looks like a realistic image. An object that contains the height, depth and width is called a 3D computer graphics. Most of the 3D graphics that are created are of the motion type. The 3D computer graphics software is mainly used in the games and also in creating the motion pictures.

How can a logo are used in a web page?
A logo is a symbol that represents a company or an organization. This representation forms the foundation for the corporate identity. A logo can be simply defined as a name, symbol, emblem or other graphic element. A logo is basically designed for easy and defined recognition of a targeted market. A logo is the vision to your company. Peoples are very responsive for the logos and they validate their meaning.


Source : Ezinearticles

Why Are Graphic Designers Important?

Graphic design is becoming an increasingly important and lucrative field. However, not everyone understands just why graphic designers are so important in our world. Though it may seem like a very specialized area of study, graphic design covers a wide array of different aspects of different types of industries.

Graphic design is the process of visual communication through a combination of art and technology. Anything from billboards and clothing designs to product labels and logos require the expertise of graphic designers. This field involves not only images, but writing as well. Typography designs are an extremely important aspect of this job.

The advertisement industry probably utilizes designers more than any other type of business out there. In order to entice consumers into buying their product, many companies need one to create interesting artwork. A proper utilization of space in the relationship between image and typography is extremely important in the advertising industry. They can also be employed to make product labels that look exciting and make and clear and understandable presentation of the product.

Magazines also require the expertise of a good graphic designer. In order to convince consumers to read their product, magazines must have a creative, attractive, and usable publication model. It must be pleasing to the eye and easy to both read and browse through. This can also help sell the products that support the magazine, an essential part of the operation of a publication. They also help to edit model photos to the magazine editor's specific requirements.

Campaigners also make good use of those with expertise in the field of graphic design. Whether it be a campaign for a political candidate or a worthy cause, getting a message across is always important. A designer has the skill set to use attractive images that are pleasing to the eye and create catchy slogans to convince viewers to be a part of the cause. Because graphic design images are so versatile, these slogans and images can be printed on nearly anything like signs, billboards, t-shirts, and buttons.

Graphic designers use fun and creative ways to convey a message to an audience. Whether that audience be a consumer group or a political party, it is always important to get the proper message across. The use of imagery and typography combined in a practical and attractive way can help any business to promote their product.


Source : Ezinearticles

Dental Office Marketing Design - Try Disney and Warner Brothers Art to Decorate Your Practice Halls

"Art of Dentistry" the other meaning

If you Google "dental art", you will find that most references have to do with the actual science of dentistry. That is, the skills and information one needs to perfect the art of fixing teeth. That, along with the art of applying knowledge used for cosmetic dentistry. In these examples, "dental" is the subject which is like "an art". Conversely, in this article "art" is the subject and "dental" is the predicate. This lesser used construct is ironically filled with a richness of culture and substance that can surprisingly out shine its homonym phrase.

This genre of artwork has its roots way back in the in the early years of art reproduction. Etchings, photos and lithographs of early dental procedures, waiting rooms and dental offices from over 100 years ago, exist out there in the world today and probably decorated the walls of dental offices of the early 20th century. Today, we are in the midst of a major movement of dental art collecting that started in the early 1990's, when legendary Warner Brothers animator Chuck Jones released his now famous six-piece limited edition hand painted cel series. This series starred Dr. Bugs Bunny DDS in hilarious dental situations. Dr. Bunny together with his animated cohorts struck a major cord with dentists and ultimately their patients in a way that opened the flood gates for other cartoon studio artists to begin creating their own dental artwork.

For the doctor, this cartoon artwork was, among other things, a vehicle to portray his good sense of humor, and show their patients the lighter side of dentistry. As Charles Fazzino interestingly said it could precisely be "the dental profession is an art form in itself" that fuels the attraction. Or maybe it could also be the art brings cheerfulness and relaxation into a visit that is frequently dreaded, for many.

There are at least 60 different known, dental related, limited edition, cartoon studio, works of art in existence today. They easily make up the majority of all the limited edition dental art. They have all been created by several various different studio certified artists. This collection is fascinatingly unique because it combines many various elements, such as: visual beauty, technologically advanced methods of art reproduction, dental humor, famous TV and cinematic cartoon characters and a very pronounced collectible displaying ability, all into one.

There have been many other artists (besides those associated with the cartoon studios) that have created dental related works. The artworks of Warhol, Goddard, Dali and Falbo, for example and just to name a few, are all prominent today and all have very interesting digressions from the 60 cartoon pieces. Interesting too, are collectible prints made from illustration artworks like Herman and Parisi who created dental art in comic strip style.

Source : Ezinearticles