mirage design

Sometimes you want to create a particular theme or "feel" to something. Something that triggers an emotional response in the viewer. It can be an intimidating task trying to recreate what you see in your mind's eye, but with a little planning it's not as hard as you might think.

The key is to break things down into individual components.

For example, mirage design was recently asked to create an invitation with a "Midsummer Night's Dream" theme. The client (the local school swimming club) had a very clear idea of what they wanted - champagne in the background with words reflecting the theme of the evening sprinkled over the top with something down the bottom (but no clear idea what). So there were three very clear components required to the image.



At this point I have to confess my ignorance - I've never read A Midsummer Night's Dream (I've not even seen the movie!). So I did a little research on the net to get some idea of the plot and the setting. Once I'd done that, it was much easier to determine what that final component should be.

First the champagne. "Easy," I thought. A bottle of champagne, a large vase, lots of bits of tinfoil, marbles and bicarbonate soda later I had a couple of blurry images that were dark and seemingly useless! (Hey I never said I was a master photographer!)

Second the text. LOVE your thesaurus. It is your best friend and it never lies. It introduces you to words that you never even knew existed! A "Roman" style font was an obvious choice. Text done.

Lastly the feature element. We produced three samples here.

The first was a fairy on a lilly. Nice photo of a lilly that I had lying around (more successful than the champagne anyway) made that part easy. Trying to convince my twelve year old (tomboy) daughter to dress up as a fairy and have her photo taken was another matter. In the end I gave up and worked with an illustration. But the client felt the fairy in the illustration looked a little aggressive (okay so she did have a slightly Amazon look to her).

The second was a series of roman columns from a photo of a ruin. Not bad, but kind of floated on the page and left the whole thing looking a little bit "nothing".

Finally the solution we had been looking for was found right under our noses. There I was sneaking out the front for a moment of quiet at the school ball when I looked up to behold the front of Brisbane Town Hall. "Eureka!" I cried and started furiously snapping pictures. Unfortunately I was cold and shivering...you guessed it - blurry, dark images. But I had a secret weapon!

Photoshop. Now let me stress right now it is much better to start with a good image than to fix a bad one. But, when you have no option, you can create minor miracles with Photoshop and a little knowledge.

First some serious lightening of the champagne image and a pale yellow colour overlay to brighten it up and give it a golden shade (hey it was only cheap champagne after all). A little bit of cloning to fill in the gaps and to cover parts where the rising bubbles looked like little scratches and things were starting to look much better.

The image of the Town Hall got much the same treatment, only a lot of cutting and pasting to get rid of the bright red banners in the foreground. Then it was masked off from the night sky and the clock tower removed.

Finally the text. A simple Illustrator file exported into Photoshop.

The final result - a dreamy image that conveys the theme of the invitation (and I don't look like such a bad photographer after all!).

© mirage design. You may reproduce this article as long as you include the following information including the link:

By Jane Long of mirage design. Please visit www.miragedesign.com.au for additional articles and resources on marketing and design for small business.

Labels: image editing, photography

With so many companies choosing to produce their marketing and promotional material in-house, it is important to have a full understanding of the information you are working with. This article gives a brief overview of digital images and colour reproduction and their use in print and screen output.

Digital images are composed of one of two file types, reflecting two different technologies - vector files and bitmap files.

Vector Files

Vector files, also known as "object-oriented" files, plot images on a page using a point to point system, much like join-the-dots, using a horizontal and vertical axis to determine coordinates (x and y axis respectively). Points can be plotted in a straight line using two sets of coordinates or along a bezier path using four sets of coordinates. Bezier paths are used to plot an arc through a series of mathematical equations, allowing curved lines as well as straight lines. Vector files also plot simple shapes such as squares and circles.

You can scale a vector graphic up or down and the program recalculates the points and draws a line in between at the highest screen or print resolution. For this reason, vector files are considered to be "resolution independent". The fonts used by computers are also vector files, as you can see when you break the letters apart in a drawing program. Vector files have much smaller file sizes than bitmap images as there is less information required to be stored in the file (vector files plot specific points, bitmaps plot every point).

File formats

Vector file formats are generated by drawing programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand and CorelDRAW and include native file formats for these applications. EPS files (which can also be used to store bitmap files and indeed contain a bitmap preview of the vector file for use in on-screen placement), PICT files, WMF files and CGM files are also vector files, amongst others.


Bitmap Files
Bitmap files are used for images that require a full tonal range, such as photographs. There are four characteristics to bitmap files - resolution, dimensions, bit depth and colour model.

Resolution
Bitmap files are comprised of touching pixels or picture elements (squares of black, white, grey or colour) for every area of the image. The number of pixels in an image is known as the resolution. The resolution of the image directly affects the file size of the image; the higher the resolution, the larger the file sizes.

So how high should your resolution be? Screen images cannot be reproduced by monitors at a resolution higher than 72 dpi (dots per inch), so any resolution higher than that offers you no increase in image quality.

Images for print will vary in their resolution depending on the lpi (lines per inch or the space between printed dots on a page) at which it is to be printed, but as a general rule of thumb most printers use 300 dpi images to get a sharp, clear image.

Bit Depth
Bit depth determines how many tones or colours each pixel can have. If an image is set to a depth of one bit, each pixel can only have two states, black or white, zero or one. A depth of two bits adds two grey tones to the black and white, giving four levels in total. Eight-bit depth gives 256 levels of grey and can produce a smooth graduation from white to black without banding. Colour images use a series of eight bit channels to produce colour values. For example, RGB colour usually has a 24-bit depth (3 channels of 8 bits) and CMYK colour uses 32-bit depth (4 channels of 8 bits).

Colour model
As we have seen in the information on bit depth, each primary colour is produced as a grey-scale channel which, when combined with other primary channels, gives an approximation of full colour. Thus an RGB file contains three channels, a CMYK file has four channels, a greyscale file (which contains a single black channel) has one channel, etc. In addition to this many bitmap file formats allow you to store an alpha channel, a single bit channel that determines transparency in the file. The more channels in your file, the larger the file size will be. With this in mind it is sometimes easier to work with a low resolution RGB file until you are ready to print and then swap it for an identical high resolution CMYK file.

Scaling
If a bitmap image needs to be rescaled there are a number of factors to take into consideration. When the file is to be downscaled to a smaller size, the dots of colour become smaller (using more pixels per dot). This poses no problem with image quality, however the file size may now be unnecessarily high (larger file size than required). When the image is scaled up to a larger size, the dot of colour become larger (using more pixels per dot) and the image takes on a stepped looked known as aliasing or "jaggies". This can be avoided to a certain extent using interpolation of the pixels, where the computer determines what the colour of each pixel should be by sampling the neighbouring pixels and calculates an average. Ultimately, the best way to get a clear image at a larger scale is to rescan the original.

File formats
Bitmap file formats are generated by painting programs such as Adobe PhotoShop and Jasc Paint Shop Pro and include native file formats for these applications. TIFF, JPEG, GIF, BMP, PICT and EPS files are also bitmap files.


Colour Mode

Full colour
All colours the human eye can see are derived from red, blue and green. On-screen colours are created by combining these colours with varying intensity. White occurs when the intensity of each of these colours is equal. Black is an absence of these colours. This is called "additive colour". As the eye only sees in red green and blue, the problem in printing is reflecting these colours. To do this "subtractive colour" is used. Cyan absorbs red light, magenta absorbs green light and yellow absorbs blue light. White is the absence of colour and black is an equal mix of all three colours (though this is not a true black and printers use an additional black ink to add definition). Monitors use an RGB colour space (additive colour) to produce an approximation of full colour at a resolution of 72 dpi. Printers use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and blacK) inks (subtractive colour) at a resolution of 300 dpi to approximate full colour.

Spot colour
Spot colour is where one or more colours are specified for printing and can include metallic inks and varnishes. Spot colours can be screened and mixed to give the effect of additional colours and where less than four colours are used is cheaper than full colour printing. Colour matching is achieved by specifying ink from a proprietary colour matching system; the most common of these is the Pantone Colour Matching System. Colours are specified as PMS numbers and systems such as these ensure you will get an accurate reproduction of the colour that you want.

Monotones and Duotones
Most people think of black and white when they think of monotone colour, but any colour can be used instead of black. Consider sepia toned images in a dark brown or a dark blue to add extra dimension to the page without increasing costs. Or perhaps a duotone (an image with two colour channels) to add depth to the image. For more information on duotones consult the help files of your painting program (such as PhotoShop).

Web Images
With web images the biggest concerns are accurate colour reproduction and download times. Different platforms and different browsers reproduce colours differently so to be sure that your image is going to be reproduced accurately it is best to stick to the palette of 216 web-safe colours. Most graphics packages supply a palette of web safe colours or you can download one from the internet. The two most common file formats used for images on the Internet are GIF images and JPEG images. GIF images are limited to indexed colours and will step or dither between colours to get the desired colour effect. JPEG images are a better option for continuous tone images such as photographs and can be produced with varying compression to accommodate file sizes. Keep in mind, the more highly compressed the image the lower the image quality.

To get the best possible result from your images, it pays to understand how they work. This article has hopefully given you some insight into the basics of digital images but it really just scratches the surface. For more information on digital images, check out graphics books and websites such as dtg.com, ideabook.com or allgraphicdesign.com.

Resources

An Introduction to Digital Scanning - produced by Agfa-Gevaert Ltd
Concepts in Graphic Design, David A Holzgang and Lesley Strother, MIS Press
http://www.dtg.com
http://www.allgraphicdesign.com
http://www.ideabook.com

© mirage design. You may reproduce this article as long as you include the following information including the link:

By Jane Long of mirage design. Please visit www.miragedesign.com.au for additional articles and resources on marketing and design for small business.

Labels: graphic design, image editing, photography

We are proud to announce the release of the mirage design 2007 Christmas Card range and the 2008 Calendar range.

All designs are exclusive to mirage design and can be personalised with your company logo and personal message. All images on the cards and calendars are taken by myself and can be purchased as prints (calendar images only).

New designs will be added over the coming months so there's bound to be something there to please everyone or talk to us about a fully customised design.

Labels: calendars, christmas cards, digital art, photography

The mirage design print store is now open for business.

Click on the link below to view images now available as lustre, matte and glossy prints. Or perhaps you'd prefer a canvas or a mouse mat. Selected prints are also available as postcards, magnets, coasters and printed on cups so there's something for everyone.

Our gallery currently encompasses a range of landscape and still-life photography as well as fantasy photomanipulations. Please feel free to stop by and have a look. Remember to bookmark the page to check back for new works (which are going up all the time).

We'd love to hear what you think...

Visit our store

Here's a brief selection of some of the images you'll find...

Labels: digital art, photography

mirage design is proud to announce that we have recieved an Editor's Choice Award from the International Library of Photography for "Warrick - EH Holden Portrait". The image will be featured in the upcoming book Endless Journeys.

Copies of the image are now available at the mirage design print store (click here to go to the store) or for copies of the Deluxe Hardbound Edition of Endless Journeys, please contact us at prints@miragedesign.com.au.

Labels: photography

Make an impression on your clients this year with personalised Christmas cards featuring your company logo and personal message. Choose from one of our unique designs exclusive to mirage design or talk to us about a fully customised design.

Part of the proceeds from every card goes towards supporting the kids at Camp Quality.

Our Australian Beach Scene cards have been most popular this year but there's plenty to choose from to suit your particular needs. You can view the full selection on our website at www.miragedesign.com.au/christmas_cards.htm.



There have also been several enquiries for cards with no printing inside. As a single run there is not a lot of cost advantage in this but if there are several people wanting the same card I am prepared to look at combining runs to make it more economical for everyone. Please contact me via email at cards@miragedesign.com.au if you would be interested in this.

Labels: christmas cards, photography

What a nice surprise I received in the mail the other day! I had a letter from a company in America telling me one of my images had been selected as a semi-finalist in a world-wide photography competition (I dabble in photography and digital art as a hobby). The image is to be reproduced in a coffee-table style book and the final winner will be chosen later this year.

The letter was a timely reminder of something else I should be doing...

I've been meaning to submit some of my graphic design work for awards for some time but just haven't got around to it. It's something I know small businesses SHOULD do. To be able to display awards or certification helps build confidence with new clients, showing them that your work is esteemed by more than yourself and your grandma.

Industry groups and magazines are often a good place to start when looking for competitions to enter. And of course, you can find many competitions online. But don't expect miracles. Any competition worth it's reputation isn't going to give out kudos to just anyone and most of them have an entry fee or particular format you must conform to so make sure you feel your piece is worthy before entering.

And if you DO win...make sure everyone knows it. Use it as an opportunity to touch base with your customers. For those of you like me who are a little shy (don't laugh!) when it comes to marketing their services, it's a good introduction line. A good reason to make contact and remind them that you're there for them. You could invite them to celebrate with you by offering a discount or invite them to a special event.

So consider my announcement a prompt for YOU to take action! And get to work on that masterpiece.

BTW
If you'd like to take a look at my winning entry you can view it and the rest of the gallery (so far!!) here.

© mirage design. You may reproduce this article as long as you include the following information including the link:

By Jane Long of mirage design. Please visit www.miragedesign.com.au for additional articles and resources on marketing and design for small business.

Labels: graphic design, marketing, photography

I've recently discovered a site where you can load up your images and showcase them to the world! The site, Deviant Art, also allows viewers to purchase prints of the images on canvas, gloss or matte stock.

I've been wanting to get some of my personal work into the public forum for some time and have now created a Deviant Art account at jane-mirage.deviantart.com. Please feel free to browse and leave your comments.

At this stage I only have deviations (viewable artworks) in my gallery (not prints). Feeling a little nervous about it all and waiting to see if there is much demand for them.(Edit: prints are now available for selected works)

If you would like to purchase prints from any of my gallery items, please email me and I will make them available as prints.

Labels: digital art, photography

mirage design is proud to announce the release of our first ever Christmas Card Collection.
Make an impression with your clients this Christmas with these unique cards featuring your company logo and personal message inside.




To see more designs, view larger versions of the cards and for pricing and orders please visit our mirage design Personalised Christmas Cards page.

Expect to see some additional designs over the coming weeks. If you would like to be informed about new design samples, please subscribe to our newsletter.

Labels: christmas cards, marketing, photography

Whilst visiting friends near Warrick in SE Queensland recently I spotted a couple of old EH Holdens rusting in a paddock.

I'm sure my friends thought I was mad but I was fascinated with the colours and patterns in the rust of the car bodies (and the flowering weed growing out of the engine bay of one of them!). So the next morning I got up early (despite a serious hangover) and was lucky enough to catch a light fog just beginning to clear in the winter sun...

Labels: photography

Well blink and the year's almost gone and Christmas is now creeping up fast. This year I decided to get organised and do something I've been trying to do for the last couple of years - design and sell Christmas cards.

The last couple of years I've made a half-hearted attempt at a design, then given up. I have a couple of issues with the whole thing really...

Firstly I'm not religious so I find it challenging to produce designs that still have meaning for me as well as the general public. Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-Christmas. I still think Christmas should be celebrated as a significant social event and should be a time to give and be thankful for what you have.

Over the years I've done stars, trees and Santas on the cards I send to clients but this year I wanted to expand the whole idea to produce a marketable product. So finding the right concepts was always going to be a key element of this project.

The second hold-up in my previous attempts involved the question of how much I invest in advance. Because I'm doing the design I only need to worry about the cost of printing, but what quantities should I allow for?

Ultimately I just knew I had to stop procrastinating and DO IT! (yes I did shout at myself - sometimes I need a little shove). I'm going to pre-print smaller quantities and take advance orders as early as I can to try to gauge the market.

So, posting my thoughts here will keep me committed to seeing it through. I've already completed two designs and am half way through a third. I've also started getting printing prices. Expect to see further info on this project here shortly.

So what are YOU doing about your Christmas marketing? Now is the time to get in and start planning how you can best use this opportunity to build a better relationship with your clients. Do you send a gift to your clients each year? A card? A calendar?

A card is a quick and simple way to say that you remember them and value their custom. A personal note written inside demonstrates that you are prepared to treat them as more than their account number. This helps to build a level of communication and trust between you and the client, the byproduct of which is often increased sales or a better way of working to support each other.

Jane

Labels: christmas cards, photography