Photoshop trick for smoothing a model’s skin

This is a quick technique to even out blemishes in a model’s skin. I came across this by accident but I think it’s a really good way to instantly make people pictures look more eye-catching and professional. It also has the effect of brightening and adding contrast.
Very simple. Get the layer you want to work [...]

Sierra boxes and amaray cases for CD and DVD packaging

Here (above) are three sierra boxes I did for a music creation software company.
Also in this product range I did a DVD disc label, manual, jewel case and amaray case which are housed, obviously, in the sierra box. The sierra box was also printed with a spot UV or varnish which give the pictorial elements [...]

How to make CDs and DVDs in Illustrator

This took me a while to figure out! The object is to get the gradient mesh to radiate out of the centre of a circle and that’s not as straightforward as you might expect. Anyway, this is a good one.
To start with something easy – draw a circle. Select the circle tool and drag diagonally, [...]

How to web 2.0 your logo

After I had designed a vector logo for a client, I was asked to web 2.0-ify it.
This is what I did. The “Toby Beresford” and the cogs are on separate layers in Photoshop. Individually I set the Layer Styles of Gradient Overlay and Bevel and Emboss.
The Gradient Overlays are the same on both layers. I [...]

Two tips for design inspiration

Keep it simple
Steal

Keep your designs simple
OK! This is easier said than done but this is paramount. If you want to live a happy life, keep it as simple as possible. If you want to do a good design… you get the picture!
Take this photograph of 60s fashion model Twiggy by Barry Lategan, for example. He [...]