I'm Skotto Robotto and I'll be doing an ongoing "column" here on ways that bands, promoters, and the like can create their own posters, packaging and all that jazz.My first installment is going to focus on getting started with no cash or schooling provided you have access to an o.k. computer and maybe some will. We are gonna cover software, resources and tutorials to turn you into a diy design superstar on the slim.
1. Image Creation/ Editing Software
One of the most common things I hear is "I don't have Photoshop". Photoshop is over-rated and you don't need it. Enter The Gimp! The Gimp is an open source development that was originally created for Linux users who were bummed cause they didn't have the option to run Photoshop at all. Users liked it, popularity grew, and now The Gimp runs on Windows and OSX. Did I mention that it's FREE!? Yeah, it's totally free, it's really good and I use it just as much as I use Photoshop. Download it :: http://www.gimp.org/
Also, if you are looking for a free Illustrator alternative for vector creation that is awesome. Download the Sun Microsytems OpenOffice suite. Open Office includes a program called Draw and it RIPS. The cool thing about Draw over Illustrator is that novice users can get right to making cool shit cause it's easy to use. This vector editor is no slouch. Download it :: http://www.openoffice.org/
2. Fonts And Source Material
Fonts are essential and it's difficult to find free shit that is of any good use. You may notice in most "pro" designed stuff that the fonts are usually clean and simple, lots of the time san-serif. The fonts designers tend to go to time and time again are Helvitica, Avant Garde, Universe, Swiss, Franklin Gothic etc. Look through design mags, get an eye for them and try to download someones free shitty version at Font Empire. Oh, I forgot to mention that the rad fonts that everybody uses are totally not free and turbo expensive. Visit :: http://www.themeworld.com/fonts/index.html
If you want to be real awesome learn about kerning, leading, line height etc. Shit helps huge!
For source images you have 3 options; draw/ paint/ scan, take a wicked photo with your cell phone or sign up at stock.xchng. You can use these images without copyright issues and there are lots of good jams to pick from. I say never use Google Images but some people are into that. Some people are also stupid. Visit :: http://www.sxc.hu/
3. Get a Clue
Having at least an idea about how people do things usually helps tons. I constantly look for educational resource and tutorials to keep me shitting fresh. If you don't already know, Youtube is freaking amazing! Almost anything you want to know, just search it, and BOOM! If you want to get going with The Gimp software you just downloaded for free, type "using the gimp" in the search bar and it's all there. Visit :: http://ca.youtube.com/
Computer Arts Magazine has shitloads of advanced tutorials that rule the world. Visit :: http://www.computerarts.co.uk/home
Books and magazines are usually not free unless your local library rips and stocks good shit. Never under estimate books and magazines.
4. Make Stuff
The bottom line is to actually start and maybe even finish something. The more you do it the better you will get. For me punk has always been about being resourceful, creative, and individual in your expression. Graphic art and packaging design when married with music, especially stuff from under the punk umbrella, is an awesome creative arena where everything can really connect and be expressive.
In my next piece I'll talk about printing. Peace! S
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