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New year, new goals! Start the year off right by learning new tools to make you stand out in 2020. With The 2020 Full Stack Digital Marketing Certification Bundle, you'll find new, improved techniques in digital marketing to make this your best year yet. If you're aiming to grow your business this year, you'll want to make sure your business cards stand out – here's our roundup of the best business card templates around. And read on to learn more about some of the helpful courses included in the bundle, that is currently priced at only $39, a whopping 98 per cent discount. Learn top search tools It's no secret that the job market can be extremely competitive (if you're looking for a new one, check out our design jobs board for new career opportunities around the globe). With these 12 comprehensive courses, you'll be equipped with everything you need to learn new skills and market yourself and your brand, no matter your goals for 2020. You'll have lifetime access to tutorials on Google Analytics, the most widely used tool to grow a business, and gain a full understanding of the platform to analyze real-time audience and behavior reports. Learn the ins and out of Amazon SEO and advertising, create an online advertising campaign with Google PPC Ads, choose the right keywords that rank the highest and bring traffic to your site, and so much more. This course will teach you how to get any business to be seen online and flourish to its full potential in no time. Explore the power of social media The complete courses on Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, and LinkedIn allow you to use the power of social platforms to convert awareness, engagement, and sales. A 72-lecture course will teach you the proper way to use your personal Facebook profile, business pages, and Facebook's paid marketing to promote your business in the most efficient way possible. You'll soon learn how to generate valuable leads with a few clicks, produce profitable videos that sell, learn how to grow your subscribers on YouTube quickly, and so much more, making your resume thrive with useful skills for your next endeavour. Learn best practice With hundreds of lectures and lessons on digital marketing tools such as Mailchimp, one of the leading email marketing platforms, you'll be able to design and plan creative content in the best way to bring the most buzz. You'll learn the principles and strategies that work for email marketing, push notifications, digital advertising, and more, plus have access to examples and exercises that implement them with real-world scenarios. The bundle will equip you with industry best practices to convert more leads, and you'll even earn a certification of completion after you finish each course. Access to The 2020 Full Stack Digital Marketing Certification Bundle is valued at over $2,000. For a limited time, this bundle is price-dropped to only $39, a saving of 98 per cent. With all the content available 24/7, you'll be able to effortlessly finesse your digital marketing skills and bring valuable growth to every project in 2020. Read more: How to grow your design business The best business card designs The biggest portfolio trends for 2020 View the full article

The Asus ProArt PA90 mini workstation is part of a recent trend towards custom-designed, compact PCs that are properly equipped with the right hardware to tackle the most heavy duty software tasks. Inside its cylindrical chassis is a workstation that would deliver impressive 3D performance even in a traditional PC case, only here it’s been precisely designed to squeeze a powerful PC specification into a case that measures 176 x 176 x 365mm. It bears more than a passing resemblance to Apple’s current ‘trash can’ Mac Pro, the ageing black cylinder version, and it fills the same niche. It’s perfect if you want to be able to get on with proper 3D design (why not check our Blender tutorials for advice in this area) but don’t have a lot of space, or are simply fed up with big black PC boxes. It can be placed under, on, or next to a desk without getting in the way, hidden in a corner, or in any unobtrusive place you can think of. Asus ProArt PA90: Hardware specs The PA90 comes equipped with a six or eight-core 9th-generation Intel processor, up to a Core i9-9900K running at 3.6 GHz (4.7 GHz max), up to 64GB of DDR4 memory, an Nvidia Quadro P2000 or P4000, space for both an M.2 SSD and a SATA SSD up to 512GB each, and a 2.5-inch hard disk up to 1TB. The components are liquid cooled with air expelled through a removable grille at the top that’s illuminated with blue LEDs when the PA90 is turned on, as well as via a grille at the back. The case feels chunky, weighing a solid 5.8kg. There are plenty of ports, although fewer than on a typical desktop motherboard: two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, four DisplayPort outputs and Ethernet at the back, with two USB-A ports adorn the front below the power switch. There are also connectors for a bundled Wi-Fi antenna. And there’s a major design bummer. It needs two external power supply bricks, one of which uses a standard IEC (kettle) power lead and the other a three-prong lead. And, all of this is yours for just £3090. Asus ProArt PA90: Graphics Although it’s called a Mini PC, it’s only the desktop footprint that’s small. The 36.5cm height is necessary for the hardware and cooling, and it means the PA90 stands taller than most mini PC cases. An issue with the idea of custom-designed workstations like the PA90 is that not all components can be upgraded. You can upgrade the memory and storage, but graphics card and processor upgrades are pretty much impossible. That’s understandable, but it detracts from the overall value, especially when you’re spending over £3,000 on a workstation. A related question is whether Asus will continue releasing future versions as new generations of graphics and processor hardware become available. The P4000 has recently been superseded by Nvidia’s Quadro RTX 4000 for example, and the 10/14nm 10th-generation Intel processors are on the way. If not, the specification will age badly, making the PA90 a relatively worse-value purchase as the hardware ages. The PA90 is a great specification for 3D, CAD, audio and video editing. The Core i9-9900K is a brilliant CPU, with its 4.7 GHz clock frequency and eight CPU cores making short work of single or multi-threaded tasks. Although the graphics performance falls about 25% short of the Quadro RTX 4000 we’ve recently tested in a full-sized desktop PC, it still put in a really fantastic showing in SPECviewperf 13, with results that beat other desktop towers equipped with the same GPU. The gap widens in the OpenCL LuxMark and CUDA ArionBench tests, where P4000 performance in the Asus ProArt PA90 is approximately 50% under the RTX 4000, which is to be expected. Asus ProArt PA90: Should you buy it? Noise was only noticeable when the graphics card whirred up quickly at the start of an intensive 3D test, but went back to near-silent again afterwards. This could be a killer feature – the PA90 is very quiet, which is valuable for environments that are sensitive to noise. But despite the stellar performance, this all comes at a very high price. Proprietary board designs with a custom case and cooling elevates the cost of the PA90 beyond that of a standard desktop PC with the same components. Therefore, it’s filling a relatively small niche – those who are willing to dig deep into their wallet for a capable 3D system that won’t take up too much space. Trouble is, the PA90 faces tough competition. Asus’ rival Corsair has announced a similar system, the Corsair One Pro i180, but the real challenge is from Mini-ITX systems that are sold by pretty much all independent vendors. These can be configured with similar hardware, including water cooling, processors with eight (or more) cores and even more high-end Quadro graphics cards, including the RTX series. Like the PA90, these systems are squeezed into astonishingly tiny cases, but unlike the PA90, are built from off-the-shelf components, meaning a cheaper overall cost and better upgradability. Given £3,000 to spend on a computer with diminutive dimensions, we’d prefer that route over the PA90. This article originally appeared in 3D World. Subscribe here. View the full article

Commuters in London today may have noticed a major tube station looking a little different – Piccadilly station has been transformed into a Star Trek haven, complete with pun-tastic new name that we fully approve of. The enterprising new look is dedicated to Starfleet icon and franchise mainstay captain Jean-Luc Picard. The whole station has been given a makeover, from the Piccadilly roundels that have been replaced by Startfleet emblems, to the signage, which now reads 'Picardilly Station'. (For more ways to make a splash on a large scale, see our roundup of the best billboard advertising campaigns.) Get 39% off Adobe Creative Cloud (EMEA) The station takeover has been masterminded by Amazon Prime, in collaboration with Transport for London and Links Signs. It's all in order to create a buzz around the upcoming series Star Trek: Picard, which will be available on the popular streaming platform from 23 January. As you'd expect, it's only temporary – Trekkies who want to check out the intergalactic makeover will need to get there today or tomorrow (15 and 16 January). "The promotional overhaul allows Amazon to reach audiences to inform them about the release date in a creative way, celebrating a fictional character whose legacy will go down in history," says Paul Cox of Links Signs. "In the words of Captain Picard, we think it's really set to ‘engage’ the public!" The new series was unveiled at the recent New York Comic Con. It will focus on Captain Picard's later years, and see Sir Patrick Stewart returning to the iconic role. Check out the trailer above for a taste of what to expect. Read more: New Gucci logo is the most bizarre thing we've ever seen 27 top character design tips The best print adverts ever View the full article

A new year means if not out with the old, then at least in with the new. And that means it's the perfect opportunity to refresh your portfolio. To take a moment to check the fundamentals are in order, ensure it's up-to-date and includes only your best work, and there are no lurking errors that need to be fixed. Once all that's done, it's time to think about new tweaks and changes you can make to keep things looking fresh as we enter a new decade. In this article, we look at some of the latest trends in portfolio design that you can use to get your own portfolio looking razor-sharp in 2020. For some best-in-class inspiration, check out some of our favourite portfolio examples. 01. Break the grid Kwok Yin Mak’s asymmetrical portfolio surprises the viewer Offering a fresh and unexpected layout will grab a visitor's attention from the outset and shows your creativity. One great way to do that is to break free from conventional layouts with more open composition, asymmetrical grids or unusual text orientations that surprise the viewer. The horizontal, asymmetrical design of New York-based designer Kwok Yin Mak's portfolio includes menus in unusual places, moving elements, cursor effects and information spread all over the site. It leaves visitors surprised and even slightly disorientated at first, but in a very pleasing way that encourages you to explore more. Looped horizontal scrolling allows you to take in the whole site easily, white space keeps it clean, and clicks take you zipping across the page. The effect is all the more arresting for the beautiful blend of English and Chinese text in different orientations, showing how a bilingual site can work. Home Societe keeps things classy within its asymmetrical layout If you like this style, the business site Home Societe provides another inspiring example of how a horizontal, asymmetrical layout can make a big impact. For a more conventional approach but with elements of asymmetry, agency site Wokine uses a split screen to generate interest. 02. Go bold Olivier Guilleux presents bold colours and type, and even an image of himself No designer could have failed to note the popularity of big and bold colours and type in 2019. It’s a trend set to continue in the new year and with many prospects looking to emulate the style, it makes sense to show you speak the language. Beefed up type and saturated colours helps shout your portfolio claims loud and proud. Graphic designer Danilo De Marco makes maximum impact with large Neue Haas Unica type, which switches from black to electric green when the cursor moves over it. Tobias Ahlin uses big one-word headlines to clearly demarcate different the sections of his portfolio, and digital designer Thibaud Allie uses hugely oversized type that's impossible to ignore. You can't miss Danilo De Marco's outsize lettering and fluoro colour palette Olivier Guilleux puts the focus on his name with big type and a colour gradient, but also a bold image of his own face – we love the animated quiff that blows in the wind. Elsewhere, web designers like interactive developer Vincent Saisset are giving bold display text even more character with 3D, animated or manipulated fonts that make the letters seem alive. 03. Cut straight to the goods Peter Komierowski sets straight about showing his work The online world is a crowded space. We can sometimes feel we're in a virtual arms race of clever text and cursor effects. So sometimes a simple and straight-to-the-point approach can make viewers sit up and take notice. For a portfolio, that means showing the best examples of your work upfront. While flashy effects can make an impact, sometimes getting straight to the goods can be a relief for a prospective client. Illustrator and visual designer Peter Komierowski‘s portfolio takes us straight to a simple single-page collection of the logos he’s designed. It might feel like a cold introduction, but there's a link to the About section, where we find a natural-looking photograph and a down-to-earth personal description. The portfolio works well because it shows us what Peter does first, and if we like what we see and want to know more, it's backed up with a presentation that makes him seem like a guy we'd like to work with. 04. Create a video Dan Paris’ video showreel makes for an effective portfolio background In 2020, audiences want information more quickly than ever, which means video content is fast becoming a must for communication in any field. Creating a showreel is an obvious choice for animators and motion designers, even if it’s simply an embedded video like this showreel by Derek Panke. But designers of all kinds can take advantage of the power of video. It can make an impact on a portfolio as a background behind text as shown by Dan Paris, while agency showreels are becoming increasingly cinematic. French agency Septime Creation's showreel runs through UI designs for everything from video games to finance, accompanied by a bombastic film trailer soundtrack. For UI designers, video can show the experience of their work in a way that screenshots can’t capture. But still graphics can also be effectively presented in a showreel, like in this annual recap by 3rd floor shown above. Video is also a way to tell your story, where you’ve been and how you’ve evolved, or how you work in an engaging way, like in this example from Beauvoir. 05. Combine elements in collages Brand Affair stands out afar with 3D images on a flat background Flat design has been huge in recent years, and the trend now is to combine it with more realistic 3D imagery. Including this combination of elements in your portfolio is a great way to refresh things and show you're on trend for 2020. Russian agency Brand Affair uses the combination to stand out from the other animals out there, with 3D images of a flamingo, a giraffe and a chameleon floating on a flat background. Web design duo Dose Media offer more subtle edits on the image of themselves on their portfolio site. 06. Add a strong personal message Gloria Lo makes a personal statement that links to different sections of her portfolio Competition for the best design roles is so intense now that in 2020 you need to stand out not only in visual presentation but also in personality. More designers are opting for more personal pitches that sell their character, interests and story as well as their creative talents. If you can, say something about your ethos, attitude or overall world vision, to get hired for how you create as well as what you create. UI designer Vera Chen‘s profile uses a small text intervention to make a clear statement about how she sees her work: "I create better experience for users people". With her portfolio's simple colour palette and ample white space, the statement stands out. Frontend developer Iuri de Paula talks us through his CV step by step, and Gloria Lo makes an interactive statement by turning the four key verbs that describe what she does into links to different sections of her portfolio. Done with humour or simplicity, a meaningful personal introduction can make a memorable impact. 07. Go progressive Build in Amsterdam uses a PWA to offer the sleek UX of a native app It takes more work than building a standard responsive website, but for web designers in particular, 2020 may be the moment to consider making your profile a progressive web application. Touted by many as the future of the internet, progressive web apps (PWAs) are lightning fast and beautifully engaging. PWAs run on web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) like regular web apps but use JavaScript Service workers to provide the high performance and rich experience of native mobile apps, including almost instant feature likes push notifications and other extras that deliver great UX. Sticky headers and floating menus and navigation buttons can make your site more engaging as well as easy to use. The other advantage is that with more prospective clients opting for DIY drag and drop site builders, offering PWAs is a way to stay ahead. And there’s no better way to show a client why they should consider a PWA for their own website than being able to say "my website is a PWA", and providing it as an example of what can be done. Digital agency Build in Amsterdam’s PWA portfolio site offers the sleek user experience of a native app in which the case study feels like you're entering a new portal. Web designer Daniel Spatzek's portfolio site incorporates many of the elements mentioned above, including big type, a strong personal message and a surprising layout. The fact the site is a super smooth PWA makes the experience all the more impressive for visiting prospective clients. Read more: 7 colour trends to watch in 2020 The top design trends for 2020 The biggest portfolio trends in 2020 View the full article

If you missed all the January sales, never fear. Today Adobe has launched an amazing deal, shaving a huge 39% off an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for users in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The price reduction applies to the complete Adobe Creative Cloud suite, which encompasses over 20 different apps. That includes all the big players – photo editing favourite Photoshop, digital artists' go-to Illustrator, video editing software Premiere Pro, web prototyping tool Adobe XD and motion effects creator After Effects. You'll also be able to explore the new additions to the Adobe family, tablet-based art app Adobe Fresco, and Photoshop on iPad. If you need any extra encouragement, remember that when you buy Adobe's full All Apps package you're also getting 100GB of cloud storage (with the option to upgrade to 10TB) and premium features like Adobe Portfolio, Adobe Fonts, and Adobe Spark. Created on Illustrator by Karan Singh The programmes are fully integrated, so you can switch between them (and jump from one device to another) seamlessly – whether you’re out and about or in the studio. Built-in templates help you jump-start your designs, while step-by-step tutorials will help you sharpen your skills and get up to speed quickly. Not in EMEA regions? Be sure to check out our dedicated Adobe Creative Cloud discount page for all the best offers in your area. Related articles: Top-class Photoshop tutorials to hone your skills The 13 best alternatives to Photoshop The best web hosting services for designers View the full article

Superhero fan art is no new thing. From Spiderman and Wolverine to the Hulk and DeadPool, these popular characters have been reimagined by artists in all manner of ways over the years. But just when we think we've seen it all, a project like Bathroom Heroes comes along. The brainchild of artist JP "Pat" Huddleston, this series of illustrations depicts how superheroes might look while using the bathroom; and, more importantly, how they might manage their superpowers. This is the first 'superheroes in the bathroom' series we've seen, and while we don't really want to imagine anyone on the loo, we can't help but love the original take on such beloved characters. (Don't miss our character design tips article if you're in need of a little help with your own designs). Click the image to enlarge There's no denying the illustrative skill here from Huddleston, but what makes the series stand out is the level of attention to detail and humour weaved in.Each character’s personality traits have been explored just the right amount (these images are safe for work, thankfully), and put to good use. Just a glimpse of Wolverine's claws while he's sitting on the toilet was enough to make us shudder (imagine those slipping out at the wrong moment, yeesh), but that reaction quickly turned to laughter when we noticed the Deadpool-themed pants. Genius. Speaking of Deadpool, we weren't surprised to see the anti-hero engrossed in Playboy while doing his business, and the unicorn plushie has made us love him all the more. Batman, it seems, prefers to spend this private time flicking through an issue of Wonder Woman. Never going to happen, Caped Crusader. This whole series has hit on a winning recipe by combining a bucketload of talent and fun. You can see the full series of cheeky prints, which are also available to purchase, over on the Huddlestaff store. The question is, which character will soon be gracing your bathroom wall? For more superhero fan art, you can also check out our recent post on your favourite superheroes reimagined by 3D artists. Read more: An artist's guide to using reference images: 13 essential tips The best art easels in 2020 6 quick tips to improve your brush pen drawing View the full article

A new infographic runs down the biggest logo design trends from 2019 moving into 2020, complete with best-in-class examples to explore. This infographic is the final design in a three-part series on logo trends, and it goes beyond the basics to home in on more advanced techniques and experimental designs we're starting to see more and more of. For more inspiring data visualisation, check out our roundup of the best infographics – or if you feel inspired to create your own, explore our pick of the best infographic tools. Trends featured range from the experimental (glitched, generative and sliced-up logos) to the playful (animal-themed and pattern-based logos) to fresh versions of classic concepts (vintage and layered logo designs) and everything in-between. These logo design trends are the kind you'll have noticed coming from experimental design studios, but are likely to hit the mainstream this year. For a more in-depth look at what's going on in the world of branding, see our article on six huge logo trends 2019. Alternatively, check out the infographic below. Click anywhere on the image to see the full-sized version. [Infographic via LogoDesignGuru.com] Read more: 9 productivity mistakes you're making in the first 10 mins of your day Interactive Witcher map is truly a thing of beauty New Gucci logo is the most bizarre thing we've ever seen View the full article

The software giant patched 300+ bugs in its quarterly update. View the full article

The flaw, in Intel VTune Profiler, could enable privilege escalation. View the full article

Magecart groups using automated infection scans infected the site, which was running outdated Magento software. View the full article

January Patch Tuesday tackles 50 bugs, with eight rated critical, all as it pushes out its last regular Windows 7 patches. View the full article

The cloud-focused program will pay out $10,000 as its top reward. View the full article

Web domain giant GoDaddy has a new logo and brand message. This dramatic redesign represents a new (and welcome) direction for the web hosting company, which was previously operating behind a somewhat quirky brand image, full of personality but projecting a confused aesthetic. One of our recommended web hosting services, GoDaddy has been operating since 1997 and is now entering a new era that aims to put all the focus on its users. Announced today in the above tweet, the new logo, known as the 'Go' is an interlocking G and O. The design steers in the same direction as the recent rebrand at airbnb, with a friendly, curvy heart-like shape and minimal noise. The new GoDaddy logo was created by GoDaddy's internal design team in collaboration with external branding firms Codo and Lippincott. The curvy logo is a world away from the kooky cartoon head of old (previous incarnations of the logo design) Many would say a new look is overdue for GoDaddy, which rose to popularity accompanied by an unsettling, in-your-face cartoon head. This icon was removed from the brand's website in 2018, and since then, GoDaddy has been operating without a logo, relying solely on its wordmark. The new logo marks a welcome shift in positioning for the company, and seeks to create a completely different kind of emotional response. The new website covers the real-life stories of the 'Everyday Entrepreneurs' that use the service Along with the new logo and identity comes a new website and new advertising campaigns, both of which are sleek, sparse and devoid of the sales pitches and cartoon images of old. The 'everyday entrepreneurs' mentioned in the brand message are at the centre of the new advertising strategy, which features real-life GoDaddy users telling their stories. The new billboards display the new brand aesthetic, which aims to 'get out of the way' of the user's journey "It represents the entrepreneurial spirit," GoDaddy chief brand officer Cameron Scott told Fast Company. "All of our customers have an idea, and they all have initiative. We are there to say, ‘We’re here with you for your first step. We’re here with you for your next step. And we’ve got your back every step of the way." The brand message clearly aims to be uplifting, but the wording (on the tweet at least) comes across as – dare we say it – a little bit twee. However, GoDaddy is deadly serious in its crossover to the new brand identity. The brand was conscious that is own personality was getting in the way of the user's story, and the streamlined design and user-centred message aims to put the customer firmly back in the driver's seat. GoDaddy is bucking the recent rebrand trend (see Reebok and Warner Bros), which has been to refresh rather than rebrand, to build on brand history with the aim of strengthening public attachment. But since the public doesn't have the same sort of emotional attachment to GoDaddy, a change in direction is definitely welcome in this case. Read more: Has branding become boring? The 6 best branding books right now Are trends any good for branding? View the full article

Overall Adobe patched nine flaws in Illustrator CC and Experience Manager. View the full article

If you're loving Netflix fantasy drama the series The Witcher, but can't quite get your head around what seems like a constantly jumping timeline, we have a solution. You need to check out the beautifully crafted 'Map of the Continent', the official companion website to the series. The site is packed with snippets of extra information that enhance the characters' back stories and draw you further into the world of the Witcher. However, what makes the site so enticing is the visual presentation. The site is a treasure trove of beautiful design elements, smart and engaging interactivity and CSS animation, all of which come together to provide a storytelling experience of the highest order. Drag the timeline to reveal key plotline points and event information The timeline is split into four tracks dedicated to different story elements: users can follow leading characters, Geralt, Yennefer or Ciri, or explore the general history of the magical world. All four tracks converge when the timeline is dragged to 1250, the birth of Ciri. Key points along the timeline animate to inform the user there is something to read: a pop-up window slides up to reveal an event, and more usefully for Witcher-lovers, what episode and what year a key plotline occurs in. Enhancing the timeline and embellishing the whole storytelling experience is a dynamic map that uses animation to add atmosphere by reflecting the weather. The map might boast a familiar feel as its underlying code is very much part of the Google Maps experience. Zoom in, zoom out and drag to wherever you want to go on the map. Search for information about your favourite characters Google's influence doesn't stop here. A well-timed, animated slide-out side panel reveals a search omnibox giving fans quick access to Witcher information when they want it. Completing the picture is the classic hamburger menu icon to reveal the essential company information. The Witcher's 'Map of the Continent' website is a perfect example of how to bring different media together to create a complete and compelling storytelling experience. The site uses subtle and smart UI animations to engage users, and give users the information they want. It borrows from well-known everyday elements (like Google Maps) to ensure an intuitive and vastly enjoyable experience. Visit the Witcher interactive map to explore for yourself. Learn how to build better JavaScript at GenerateJS Join us in April 2020 with our lineup of JavaScript superstars at GenerateJS – the conference helping you build better JavaScript. Book now at generateconf.com Read more: Epic ocean visualisation is strangely addictive 30 Chrome extensions for web designers and devs How to animate with the mo.js library View the full article

New year, new web design trends. We are already starting to see some design elements that will be hot in 2020 (and maybe beyond). Most of these trending web design themes are continuations of things that have been building in …View the full article

Videography is quickly becoming a valuable skill in all kinds of industries. If you want to master a new skill this month, these 10 comprehensive videography courses can help. Ease your way in by learning the basics or brush up on what you already know. Each bundle will give you tips and tricks for popular video editing programs such as Final Cut Pro, Adobe After Effects, and Camtasia (see our roundup of the best video editing software for more on this. You can grab this bundle today for only $29.99. If you're looking to learn how to promote your brand through video, you've come to the right place. With over 45 hours of instruction, you'll be able to speed up your learning with tutorials for the video production software currently used in the industry. Although the software itself is not included in this bundle, the step-by-step instructions will guide you through the different equipment used to film videos for all sorts of projects. You'll learn how to create catchy and professional video intros for your brand in After Effects and take your video marketing to the next level with Camtasia 9, a software favorite for creating video tutorials and presentations directly via screencast, Microsoft PowerPoint, or Google. With 24/7 access to the content, you'll be able to come back whenever you need it. The best computer for video editing in 2020 Looking for ways to make your videos for your latest project stand out? Improve your presentations by learning to create professional motion graphics and visual effects. This bundle includes step-by-step guides for Adobe After Effects CC, the industry-standard tool for adding motion to your graphic designs and content (for more of these, explore our roundup of top After Effects tutorials). You'll learn how to animate infographics, and add music to your motion graphics. With over 80 lessons, you'll learn how to create real-world projects, with features such as lower thirds and bumpers, and use video effects and presets to speed up workflow. You don't need to hire a professional to do this for you — you'll soon be able to tackle it yourself. The idea of editing your video needn't fill you with dread, either. Get help for professional-level editing with Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro and more, and learn everything you need to start editing – no previous knowledge or video editing experience required. You’ll be able to master transitions and learn how to sync separate audio and video files together. By the end of the training, you’ll know how to correct and grade the colours of your videos to give them greater style, fix or hide additional video footage, export your videos for high-quality playback on any device, and so much more. While a lifetime membership to The Complete Videography Bundle: Beginner to Expert is valued at $1,990, it is currently price-dropped to only $29.99. It's certainly a great way to kick off your videography skills and get started on producing and editing impactful videos for projects of all sizes. Read more: The best laptops for video editing in 2019 Designers go wild for minimalist UNO concept design These unmissable iPad Pro deals are the best you'll see View the full article

Gucci has caused a social media splash by presenting an updated logo on its Facebook page... and it's quite something. The unusual font, which looks an awful lot like a young child's handwriting, is tied to the luxury brand's Fall Winter 2020 Men’s Collection, which is to be debuted today. The new-look logo has resulted in some controversy plus a whole lot of noise. Facebook and Instagram users, in particular across Vietnam, have updated their own avatars to a similar handwritten font (to get a similar look, see our pick of the best handwriting fonts). Let's find out why Gucci has chosen such unusual styling for its new collection. Accompanying promo material uses the same font It all began three days ago when Gucci updated its Facebook page (with 18 million followers) with the new logo and accompanying images announcing the collection using the same handwritten font. The scratchy, fountain pen-esque scrawl is imperfect, with blots, wobbles and discrepancies in character size and orientation so there's no surprise that the collection it accompanies is heavily linked to childhood. Gucci posted a series of teaser posts about the campaign (see the video below), which has the tagline 'Rave Like You Are Five' and is actually inspired by children's birthday parties. The font is based on a typical French child's handwriting. Vietnamese children also learn to write in this style, which is apparently why the image has gone viral in Vietnam. Alessandro Michele, Gucci's current creative director, masterminded the campaign, which also includes event invitations inspired by the embellished birthday party invitations the children of nobility sent to their friends (below). The reactions across social media have been mixed. The outright joy sparked for the Vietnamese audience is somewhat countered by other reactions, with user Nguyen Tran Sung commenting: "When you haven't paid salaries for your designers yet. Consequences!!!" This sentiment was echoed by Ngoc Anh, who wrote: "Thanks for hiring my 2-year-old cousin for this design! 🤣🤣🤣" But, more positively, Lianne Nguyen commented: "Looking forward to seeing the collection and how it coordinates with this campaign! I'm imagining a bold step towards sth pure and vintage [sic]". And a profound angle from Nguyễn Hà theorises: "When things are highly complicated we do often wish for simplicity." Gucci's usual logo, from which the new look is quite a departure It's certainly an unusual choice for Gucci, and a huge departure from its usual logo (above). The design could translate in more than one way on the catwalk – though the handwritten choice does sing of simplicity, it is also a playful choice. And the connotations of a children's party nod to a more frivolous angle, as do the retro party images that accompany it. That a handwritten style can be interpreted in such different ways is a fascinating insight into typography and branding (for more insights take a look at our roundup of the hottest typography trends for 2020). We look forward to seeing how the design relates to the collection itself. Read more: 4 of this year's must-know typography trends 5 top typography tutorials 15 top typography resources View the full article

Want to get your hands on a shiny, brand new iPad Pro, but don’t want to pay full price? Then you need to check out the trio of deals we have found for you today on Amazon's US site. There are three fantastic iPads on offer. You can go all out and get yourself a top of the range iPad Pro 12.9" model with a whopping 512GB of storage and save yourself nearly $200: it now costs just $1149.99. Alternatively, you can go for 256GB of storage on a 12.9" iPad Pro and still get change out of $1000. Or, if you're looking for a slightly smaller Apple tablet why not try out the iPad Pro 11" model with 256GB of storage for under $800 and save yourself $149? The iPad Pro is a great tool for designers, illustrators, artists and creatives thanks to its edge-to-edge liquid retina screen with anti-reflective coating, powerful A12X processor and 4K video recording. Plus, team up the power and portability of the iPad Pro with some of the best drawing apps for the iPad and an Apple Pencil and you really do have the ultimate portable creative tool. Unmissable iPad Pro deals Good deals and impressive discounts (like the ones above) on the iPad Pro don't come along often, so you really need to take advantage while you can. And, why not choose yourself something from the impressive range of iPad accessories available to keep your iPad Pro shiny and new. Not in the US? Here are some of the best iPad Pro prices in the UK. View the full article

The issue lies in underlying reference software used by multiple cable-modem manufacturers to create device firmware. View the full article

Over 25,000 servers globally are vulnerable to the critical Citrix remote code execution vulnerability. View the full article

Designer Warleson Oliveira has created a concept design for card game UNO, and its beautiful simplicity is proving very popular on social media. The new design for the classic game is a personal project by Oliveira, who is based in Brazil. He's taken the bright colours of the original cards, and placed them on a dark background, creating a kind of UNO Dark Mode. He's also simplified and streamlined the logo, as well as the symbols on the cards.There's even a stylish new box – a nifty piece of packaging design that gives the project that extra edge. Who wants a game? As personal projects go, it's a good one. It's a fully considered idea and all the different elements of the game have been thought of. Oliveira has even made some neat little animations, which he shared on social media (see below). Perhaps not surprisingly, designers around the globe have reacted positively, with many suggesting Oliveira should talk to Mattel, who sell the game, about getting it produced. Others want to buy the designs, and are asking where they can do so. Although the current UNO design is iconic, there have been updates over time. An UNO Braille set was released at the end of last year, and there are also several other versions of the game, including colour blind accessible UNO, UNO Emoji and UNO Finding Dory. Who knew. UNO Braille and the classic UNO sets Perhaps if enough people get in touch with Mattel, UNO Dark Mode may become a thing, and we'll all start pulling sexy looking black boxes out of our bags, ready for a game of UNO in the pub. In the meantime, you can see more about the project and share your appreciation with the designer on the project's Behance page. Read more: 11 amazing concept tips for client work Is this Paris Olympics 2024 concept better than the original design? Retro gaming stamps are an 8-bit nostalgic hit View the full article

Typography is a central part of graphic design so you'll want to stay on top of what's hot with fonts right now. According to a popular graphic design YouTube account, 2020 is going to see innovation and modernisation in typography, bringing the use of fonts hurtling into the new decade (for our pick of the best fonts for designers, see our list of professional fonts). Tom Satori, a designer with almost a decade of experience, has put together a handy video explaining the typography trends of 2020, including how to use them and pitfalls to watch out for. So, let's dive in and take a look at the four font stylings to put to use in the coming year. 01. Bold and heavy fonts Satori advises that the first typography trend will be to go big and bold. "The heavy use of typography can act as a focal point and draw in a viewer as a visual starting point on your design," he says. Satori mentions that it's important to choose the right font family and suggests you adhere to two rules. First, keep the heavy fonts to just a short phrase or a few words or you risk overcrowding, and secondly, contrast the heavy typography with thinner fonts, as it makes the overall design more visually appealing. 02. Typography to create shapes Using typography to create 2D and 3D shapes is about to kick off in graphic design. Satori stresses that it's important to make sure that use of shape fits the design brief, and isn't a random choice that just drops a shape into your design without a reason or "just because it looks cool". And don't just focus on the use of shape. "Make sure you adhere to other design principles while incorporating this trend," Satori advises. "So use things like balance, focal points, contrast and so forth." 03. Maxi typography The maxi trend is all about attention seeking. "This actually has been a trend in 2019," says Satori. "Maxi is the use of typography that is so bold and heavy that it sometimes bleeds off the page, and it really takes centre-stage as a focal point." You can create intrigue and interest with the font becoming obscured by other parts of the design, Satori suggests, and it's important to remember that the maxi typography should always be flat – with zero gradient and no 3D elements. 04. Semi-transparent use of text over design A good choice for busy designs, the semi-transparent text works to blend the composition and stay a prominent element of the design. "It's a nice way to tie everything together and, again, a choice of bold font here is a good move," says Satori. Satori rounds off the video, which you can watch above, with a quiz to help cement that knowledge in your design brain. The video is a great continuation of the hottest typography trends from the end of last year, with some fresh insight. You can check out more of the designer's work on his YouTube channel, Satori Graphics. Read more: 50 top typography tutorials The ultimate typography cheat sheet Invaluable online typography tools View the full article

Let’s collaborate! With the Postcards 2.9 release, there’s a new collaboration feature. Now you can use one Postcards subscription with colleagues and build an email template with your team.View the full article

Being a creative is simultaneously one of the most frustrating and fulfilling things in the world. Whether you stretch your creative muscles as part of your career or simply work part-time as a hobbyist, there are few things more satisfying than a job well done, and at the other end of the spectrum, few things more infuriating than creative block. The way the traditional workplace is structured doesn’t really help matters, either. The drudgery of the nine-to-five isn’t exactly conducive to creative expression. It doesn’t exactly get the juices flowing, nor does it mesh particularly well with how most of us function. What that means for you is that you’ll need to take a few extra steps to take command of your own workflow. You’ll need to understand your own unique approach to your craft, and use that to inform the tools, strategies, and techniques you apply. And we can help. Here’s how you can better access your inner well of imagination, and a few ways ASUS can help you do so. 01. Optimise your workspace... The ProArt PA90 is one of the most compact machines on the market A chaotic or impersonal office can be one of the biggest killers of productivity – and therefore creativity – you’ll ever encounter. Your workspace should be where you’re at your most inspired. It should be where you go when you do your best work. If it’s not that, then there’s something very wrong. There are a few pieces of advice to offer here. First, take steps to reduce clutter as much as possible. If something doesn’t serve a purpose, it has no place in your office. That doesn’t mean throw out your personal decor, of course. But you might want to take a look at your PC. While some people enjoy the aesthetic of bulky, cumbersome desktop towers, the amount of space they take up is usually better spent on other things – like more monitors, for instance. A dual (or even triple) monitor setup can vastly improve your workflow, allowing you to pull up multiple reference sources, collaborate with colleagues, and ultimately make working at your desk more comfortable. Here’s where ASUS comes in. The ISV-certified ProArt PA90 Mini PC is one of the most compact desktop rigs on the market. And it packs a lot of power into a small and elegant package, with a NVIDIA Quadro P4000 graphics card with the capacity to run multiple high-resolution displays. As part of the Quadro line, the P4000 is designed for graphical precision, making it great for 3D model renders and engineering applications. The ProArt Display PA32UCX monitor, meanwhile, is the perfect replacement for any drab, low-resolution displays you may currently struggle with. It’s the world’s first 32-inch 4K monitor, equipped with mini-LED backlighting and support for multiple HDR formats including Dolby Vision. For graphic designers especially, it offers industry-leading colour fidelity, for the brightest whites and the deepest blacks. 02....But know that inspiration can strike at any time Create on the go with the ProArt StudioBook Pro 17 Of course, you already know that you’re not always going to be at your desk when an idea worms its way into your mind. You might be relaxing at home, kicking back at a coffee shop or off on a camping trip. While you certainly could cart around a pen and paper with you, it’s a lot more efficient to have a portable workspace. ASUS offers two of note, depending on your needs. The first, designed for consumers and professionals alike, is the ZenBook Pro Duo. A laptop designed for multitasking on the go, this is in many ways the laptop of tomorrow, with an innovative design that incorporates two screens. Even better, the second is a full-width touchscreen that works with the main display. This allows you to view multiple programs across the two displays, or bust out a stylus for drawing. The ProArt StudioBook Pro 17, meanwhile, is designed more with professionals in mind. As with the ProArt PA90, it incorporates an Nvidia Quadro graphics card – the RTX 3000 to be precise. This gives the 17-inch laptop the necessary power to tackle virtually any project you need it to, no matter where you are on the road. It’s also fully ISV-certified, so it can be easily loaded up with all the applications you need for the workplace. 03. Understand your creative cadence One of the most important details you need to know about being a creator is that it’s a deeply personal thing. Everyone’s creative process is a little different, everyone works at a different cadence. Some people are night owls, and find themselves awash in inspiration only when the moon is high in the sky. Some people can’t focus unless they’ve got smooth jazz playing in the background. Others get their best ideas right after a workout, or with a stiff drink in hand. Disregard any advice about the best time to immerse yourself in your projects, and throw away the concept that there’s one single way to be productive. Figure out what works for you specifically – what inspires you and when you do your best work. 04. Give yourself time to think Is it time you tidied up your desk? Or got yourself a ZenBook Pro Duo? Perhaps the only universal rule about creativity is that it takes time. It’s inadvisable (and probably impossible) to be in a creative mindset 24/7. You need the opportunity to step back from a project every now and then. Start slotting that time into your schedule. Set hard boundaries in terms of when, where, and how you’ll engage in your craft, and stick to them. It might feel like you’re getting less done by working less, but you aren’t – you’re simply giving yourself time and space to breathe and excel. Again, it’s important to note that these boundaries vary by the individual. If you’re passionate enough that you want to dive into what you do 24/7, that’s great. You do you (although don't forget to sleep). 05. Experiment with software Unless you’re working with a very specific set of guidelines – for instance, a client requires that you work within a particular software platform – it’s important not to put any limits on the software you use. Adobe Photoshop isn’t the only graphic design tool on the market. WordPress is not the only content management system, and Airtable is not the only project management tool Just as you should give yourself time to experiment and grow as a creative, you should also take the time to explore potential additions (or alternatives) to what you already have in your toolkit. You might well come across an app that makes you wonder how you lived without it. 06. Remember that work is a mindset, not a place Working in a creative profession can be simultaneously incredibly frustrating and immensely rewarding. It’s the nature of what we do. But by understanding your workflow, using the right software, and equipping yourself with the necessary tools, you can help ensure that it’s more frequently the latter rather than the former. Learn more about how ASUS can support your creative drive via the ASUS website. View the full article