Web design differs from print design in so many ways, yet employers and clients really expect that designers be able to manage both media with ease. The complexity of web standards, usability, accessibility and other best practices can make learning the web daunting…UNTIL NOW!

Really understand the process of designing for the web with this jargon-free introduction to the right way to make web pages. This one-day seminar provides a step-by-step introduction to the web design process. Originally designed to help print designers add web design to their skill set, this seminar will help anyone interested in how great web pages get built (with an emphasis on the best practices in the field).

Topics include: usability, accessibility, fright-free coding, process for developing goals for a web page, how to get a pixel perfect layout, and more!

Save the date to join Jim Conway, C2′s lead instructor and web/Flash alpha geek on Tuesday, July 14 from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Lunch on your own from 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm. Registration opens June 1 for this $99.00 seminar.

C2′s 100% fresh attitude will soon apply to the C2 web site, tagline and some fresh new marketing materials.

In June C2 will roll out the new site, designed to offer clients a better, more efficient experience for class registration and talent requests.

New C2 collateral designs crafted by C2 instructors Kevin Stohlmeyer and James Fritz will also be unveiled next month, all featuring the new tagline: C2, Your Shortcut to Success.

C2 strives to exceed client expectations through our training and talent placement services, and hope our new look and online interface do the same.

Shape Masks

You can use shapes created in Keynote to mask your image similar to a layer mask in Photoshop. First, create your shape, then using the Media Browser, drag the image onto the shape. You can then change the mask (scale, rotation, etc.) using the “Edit Mask” function. When finished, click outside your photo or on “Edit Mask” button to apply the mask.

Custom Keynote Themes

Before you hesitate upgrading to Adobe Photoshop CS4, take a look at this video and contemplate how far we’ve come in 19 years. (Yes Photoshop is 20 next year!) This is version 1.0 from 1990. The amazing advances from 1990 to today is one of the reasons I love what I do. (and you should too!). So sit back, take a relaxing breath and be happy that Adobe is coming out with better, faster, greater products for all of us to enjoy. Now go forth and upgrade.

In August 2008 the Creative Transitions Conference inspired participants to evolve into creative supergenuies in just 3 days. The CTC team knows professional development can’t stop there, so we’re bringing on the NEXT STEP in your evolution, the Creative Transitions Series ’09!

We identified three hot industry topics that will help supercharge your skills:

* Web Skills for Print Professionals
* Best Practices in HTML Email and Social Media Marketing Implementation
* Advanced InDesign Skills to Enhance Workflow and Efficiency

Each $99 session provides participants six hours of expert instruction and, as take-aways, video tutorials and printed reference materials.

C2 Events plans to expand the series to provide year-round professional development opportunities for creatives in Madison and Milwaukee. Our April C2 NYCU newletter will provide more details about the Creative Transitions Series ’09.

Having been a big advocate for Adobe Bridge over the years, I was shocked and sickened to discover this message when I started up my Bridge this morning.

As I am writing this, I am attending the first meeting of 2009 for the Milwaukee Adobe InDesign User Group. This made me think of the great opportunities for graphic designers, marketing gurus, and web heads to gather and share their creative mojo.

Typolution

20/20 and John Stossel tackles Graphic Design

Believe it or not, the Apple Macintosh turns 25 this Saturday. Everyone give a collective cheer for the two geniuses responsible for saving our creative lives.

This video submitted by the University of Washington showcases the first glimpse of a new project in collaboration with Adobe and the college. It is groundbreaking and will become the future of video manipulation as we know it. Very cool. 

With Fritz out of the office attending Adobe HQ in Seattle (sooo jealous!) I am posting the top 10 reasons why you should attend Photoshop World coming up in Boston this spring.

Just announced: Adobe is shipping Creative Suite 4 to domestic U.S. customers starting today! If you have chosen to be an early adopter and have ordered or will soon be ordering, let us know! We will be offering CS4 classes very soon and want to make sure everyone interested gets early notification. If you have any comments or questions about CS4, drop us a line via e-mail at info@c2gps.com and we will offer you some guidance.

Adobe Creative Suite 4 has finally been announced and C2 is here for you with Live Creative Suite 4 Launch Events. Our first event was Monday at the Eisner Museum in downtown Milwaukee and had a great turn out. Thanks to all who attended and a special thank you to Tom Petrillo, Steve Cronin, and Tim Plumer from Adobe for their presentations.

C2 Shout Outs: Spreading the C2 love for achievements in the lives of our talent and clients.

The C2 Talent Placement team congratulates the following C2 Talent and clients for finding one another. Best wishes for a prosperous future!

Tim Panicucci has joined Marx, McClellan & Thrun
Mike Driscoll in his new role as Junior Art Director at CI Design
Dan Oen on long-term assignment at EMD Chemical as a Graphic Designer
Paul Hammell is at Pentair Water as a Senior Graphic Designer
Joan Kersten for her new position as Senior Graphic Designer at Berger Boats in Manitowoc

Last night, C2 participated in the AMA/Ad2 Agency Crawl in the Third Ward. As part of our presentation, we showcased some websites that inspired our instructors. Here is a listing of sites mentioned in the presentation:

I’ve read a number of articles and reports that predict economic doom and gloom, while others say that the creative economy will weather the storm with little impact. I can’t predict what will happen, but I can share a few tactics which may keep you in the black.

1. Managing employee salary and benefits: It might be time to get creative with employee benefits. Some organizations, instead of offering a salary increase or raise, have decided to offer non-monetary bonuses which have an intangible value. These bonuses don’t impact fixed expenses and some can provide an immediate or long-term return on your investment.

a. Negotiate additional vacation time.
One day or one week, most employees will appreciate the flexibility extra time off affords
them.

ROI? A rested and relaxed employee who comes back to work ready to rock-and-roll. Happy staff are productive staff.

b. Provide professional development opportunities.

ROI? Depending on the training course the employee attends, it could mean increased productivity, efficiency or an increased understanding of the tools they use to complete billable work for clients. An example of this might be sending a print designer to some advanced software training at your favorite Adobe Authorized Training Center, C2. The employee picks up new skills which make them speedier and more efficient, allowing for better files to the printer and more billable projects being completed by that employee.

c. Cross-train employees.
This is an alternate method of providing professional development, although it’s an investment of internal staff time, as opposed to a one time fee for a continuing ed class or Adobe Authorized Training course.

ROI? Cross-trained employees add value to the business by being able to provide support in multiple areas of the business, and ultimately they benefit by broadening and adding depth to their own marketable skill set.

2. Manage projects with outsourcing: Hiring sucks! The time-consuming process can prove expensive when you add up all the time and money spent to find a good candidate. Step 1: write a good job description to attract the best candidates (those who will enhance the culture of the organization AND get the work done well). Step 2: post the job in a place the best candidate will see it and apply (Craig’s list and other free listings might not be enough). Step 3: sort though all the applications. Step 4: coordinate interviews and portfolio reviews, going back and forth with candidates and internal staff matching up calendars. Step 5: interview, portfolio review and skill assessment. Step 6: salary negotiation Step 7: make an offer and negotiate a start date. Don’t forget to inform all other applicants of their status and take down the job posting! WHEW!

a. Eliminate steps 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. Give your job description to a talent placement coordinator at a firm who outsources the type of talent you need…If you need a creative talent, you can call on C2! The placement coordinator should be someone who can provide you qualified candidates, set up interviews, negotiate rates and start date.

ROI? You only invest the time to interview and do a portfolio review. If you need someone FAST, a talent placement coordinator can find you the best candidate for your project and get them to your office right away. Hiring longer term? Try before you buy, temp to perm is a great way to go!

Keep your eyes on this blog, we’ll have more ideas and tactics for keeping you in the black posted here in the coming weeks!

The long-awaited, much-discussed beta of Adobe Photoshop Express is now available online. This is the next evolution for Adobe, taking the big leap forward into Rich Internet Applications. Not only can you now upload your photos onto the net and edit directly in your browser, there will also be an Adobe AIR based desktop version forthcoming.

Editing could not be easier, since Adobe has done the work for you. Please note that this is never going to replace the full version of PS, it is more focused on consumer use (mom & pop). The controls are easy to understand and the visual interface is damn sexy (even if the demo photos are not – ha).

Controls for basic corrections include Crop & Rotate, Auto Correct, Exposure (levels), Red-Eye Removal, Touchup (the healing tools), and Saturation.

Then there are “Tuning” controls – White Balance, Highlight, Fill Light, Sharpen or Soft Focus effects. Each of these begin to customize your photo.

The final set of tools are the Effects tools, which include Pop Color, Hue, Black and White, Tint, Sketch (preset filter gallery effects) and Distort.

After all is said and done, people can argue that this is “Photoshop Lite” or “for Dummies” but I think this is a great direction to take the Photoshop Family and expose the masses to what is possible using Adobe products, not only Photoshop but their Flex and Air applications as well.

April 10 is a fairly busy day in the industry – so if you’re not doing anything, you’ll have plenty of options!

Join the Business Marketing Association (and me & Erica) for the Bell Awards presentation from 5:00pm-9:00pm at The Italian Community Center. The event is great B-to-B networking, not to mention you’ll get to see who the leaders and innovators are this year.

Not fond of appetizers and socializing? Need something a bit more? Check out the Eisner Museum’s presentation – What Software? – and hear our panelists discuss how they created some of their favorite pieces and what software knowledge is a must. Moderated by C2′s Jim Conway. Panelists include Dan La Vigne of Freight Train, Jeremy Ampe & Michael Baldus of Full House and Jayne of The Daily Reporter. Pizza & beverages included!

Not in the mood to sit? Have a bunch of useless knowledge in your head? Then join Adworkers at Club Garibaldi starting at 7:00pm for Trivia Night. You’ll need a team of 3-5. C2′s Jim Simon, Kevin Stohlmeyer & Jim Fritz will be participating.

Before pouncing into blog world, there’s one significant item you’ll need to understand – you’ll need to keep up on searches. Blog comments are an opportunity to make amends or say thank you …

For instance, here’s a blog comment from Brad Winkler about an blog posting written by Russ Bickerstaff (read it here).

This is a blogging-good-practice. If you plan on launching a blog you should NOT monitor your comments. Instead, watch what people are saying. Make amends if they feel that something was not done ethically or in good-interest, and say thank you when they post something lovely.

This style of free-writing for your clients is the best interest for your company.