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File organization for designers can be tough since we work on so many different projects, with a variety of clients and teams. Each client has their own way of project management, too. It can be a lot to handle if …View the full article

Autodesk has released Maya 2020: the latest update on its 3D modelling, animation, visual effects and 3D rendering software. I've been using Maya for almost two decades now. I remember the days when you needed a Silicon Graphics machine to run it, which was expensive enough, but coupled with the price of a Maya licence you had to spend a small fortune. I'm not sure if the unobtainable price made it a more desirable application, but everyone I knew wanted to work with it. Thankfully, prices dropped over the years and now Maya is much more affordable, although many still think it's too expensive, especially when compared to other applications like Blender and Cinema 4D (both of which appear, along with Maya, on our guide to the best 3D modelling software). Since its early days, Autodesk has released updates annually. These usually saw new tools and features being added to its arsenal; these features were welcome additions, but were often aimed more at higher-end animation and simulation work. Over the past few years, maybe even longer, we have seen a shift in the direction Autodesk have taken with the updates. They are now more focused on improving existing systems and implementing features voted on by the community. This has transformed Maya into a much better, all-round application which continues to evolve and improve in a more focused way. With Maya 2020, Autodesk continue this trend of listening to their users to implement much-needed quality-of-life features. They also enlisted Blue Sky Studios to help mold the animation tools, which have also seen a huge upgrade in this release. Maya 2020: Features and performance Autodesk boast over 60 new animation features, with the biggest being improvements to the animation cache playback. Originally introduced in 2019, cache playback allowed animators to view their work in real time with little or no need for constant playblasts. This was the idea anyway, but it came with limitations. The first was a lack of dynamics support, so it couldn't be used alongside these systems. Image planes still relied on legacy systems, so they were slow and hogged memory, and it wasn't as efficient when used with dense geometry. These issues have all been addressed and make for a smoother experience. Dynamics support is included, using a new layered evaluation system. nParticles, nCloth and nBodies are now supported, with nHair, Bifrost FX and muscle systems coming later. High-resolution geometry or subdivision surface models that used Smooth Mesh were not efficient enough in 2019. They used a lot of memory and were slow to cache. In 2020, the base mesh is stored while smoothing is now handled on the GPU. Speaking of the GPU, another big update this year is Arnold 6 with full GPU rendering support, based on the NVIDIA OptiX ray-tracing engine. This has been in beta for a while but it's nice to see a full release. I've been using this more and more since I installed 2020 – it's so fast, although I am running an NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000 so I'm not sure how it would run on lower-end cards. I no longer need to render to see model and shader updates, as they are visible in the viewport in, almost, real time. Finally, Maya has the ability to retopologise the densest of models On the modelling side of things, Autodesk have given us Remesh and Retopology tools. "It's about time!" I hear you scream. When combined, these tools will enable clean, quad-based topology but it has limitations. As good as the resulting models are, there are no options to dictate edge flow, so for game art there would still be a lot of clean-up needed. Animators can now see past and future movement with the new ghosting preview tool It seems Autodesk are now taking full advantage of the GPU as it's being used on many other tools to help speed up workflow. The Proximity Wrap tool, which is new to Maya, is an advanced version of the Wrap tool. It too uses the GPU to help calculate how the influenced geometry manipulates the surface model, making for smoother interactions. I'm looking forward to experimenting with this on future facial rigs and custom muscle systems. With Maya 2020, animation has seen significant improvements, as has rigging While we are on the subject of rigging, another new addition I am personally excited about is the introduction of matrix-driven workflows. These are a series of nodes and attributes that make rigs cleaner and less cluttered. With the offsetParentMatrix attribute, constraints could be used less and less, meaning the art of rigging is more streamlined. The one issue I do have with the new rigging tools is they aren't backwards compatible. I have many clients who still use Maya 2017 and 2018, so for me, these shiny new nodes aren't an option just yet. Should you upgrade to Maya 2020? There is so much to be excited about with this release, and I haven't even covered the modelling and speed improvements. All in all, Maya 2020 is an essential upgrade if you're an animation studio. With all the new updates, it could save you a lot of time on your projects. This content originally appeared in 3D World magazine. Subscribe to 3D World here. Read more: 9 of the best free 3D apps View the full article

If you're anything like us, your mind has a tendency to wander at the best of times – not least while working from home. From Netflix and WhatsApp, to checking the contents of the fridge (again), it's hard to stay vigilant against the thousands of distractions begging for our attention. A wandering mind isn't always a bad thing for creatives, we might add, but if you need some focus right now, you're in luck. Not only is there an abundance of scientific research into how to avoid distraction, but a handy infographic (below) translates the science into nine easy steps to follow to help you stay focused. Check out our roundup of the best infographics – or if you want to create your own, take a look at our pick of the best infographic tools. Still with us? (There's nothing new in the fridge, we promise.) From simply grabbing a coffee to trying a hand yoga trick, Headway Capital's infographic is full of simple techniques to keep your mind focussed on the task at hand. Don't forget to check out our guide to working from home more productively if you want more healthy stay at home tips. Related articles Infographic reveals 50 huge logo design secrets 62 of the best infographics 6 ways to avoid distractions while working from home View the full article

The majority of us will be spending Easter at home this year, and so will be looking for ways to be entertained. Music is, of course, one great way form of entertainment, providing the answer when you need a soundtrack to blare out out while you dance around your living room, or something soothing to help you get to sleep. If you're not happy with your current music system, or aren't yet signed up to a digital service, then Amazon Music could be ideal for you. (And don't forget to get a pair of the best noise-cancelling headphones too.) The best thing about it is that right now there's a free trial for three whole months, so you can experiment with it, find out if all your favourite tunes are there (spoiler, they probably are) and then either continue the subscription, or cancel it without having spent a penny. Win win! Did we mention there are 50 million songs available? You can cancel at any time, but if you choose to keep the service once those free three months are over, then Amazon Music costs $9.99/£9.99 a month (or $7.99/£7.99 for Amazon Prime members). Which is still a bargain when you consider how much music you get access to. If you'd also like to spend the weekend lost in a good book, Amazon Kindle Unlimited is also currently free for two months to new customers too. The online library holds over a million books, magazines and audiobooks, which is sure to keep you entertained for hours. You don't even need a Kindle to get access, you can download books directly on to your PC, Mac, iOS or Android devices. Want Alexa to handle your new playlists? Or a Kindle to enjoy your new book? Amazon is currently offering big discounts on its device range – you can find all the best prices right here: View the full article

We like to think we're pretty knowledgeable when it comes to logos and branding, but as a new study has shown, drawing even the most recognisable logos from memory can be a tad harder than it looks. Vanmonster recently asked 100 members of the British public to draw several famous car logos from memory, and the results range from impressively accurate to hilariously off. They also serve as an interesting insight into which logo elements are ingrained into the public consciousness, and which are more forgettable than the manufacturers might like to think. For some of the most memorable logos ever, check out our best logos of all time. We'll start with perhaps the simplest logo on Vanmonster's list. Surely Audi's four intersecting rings (below) are impossible to forget? To be fair, the vast majority of entrants got this one right, and most slip-ups are at least ring-related (Audi's and the Olympics' rings are similar, we'll give them that). As for those towards the bottom-right (Vanmoster lists the drawings from 'most accurate' to 'least accurate'), a few seem to have mixed up Audi and the Avengers. They both begin with 'A', we guess. Most of these look about right On the other end of the spectrum, the Alfa Romeo logo is probably the most complex on the list. Unsurprising, then, that most got this one wrong. 74% of entrants forgot to include the red cross, 63% forgot the green snake and a whopping 75% didn't include the shield. Our favourites are probably the three 'least accurate': two question marks, and one which simply says, "animals of some sort". 100 very different Alfa Romeo logos As well as showing all 100 entries for each logo, Vanmonster includes a handy gallery showing us the original logo alongside the most and least accurate attempt. Below are the best and worst attempts at BMW's logo (which recently underwent its biggest design change in over 100 years). Umm.... You can find the rest of the entries on Vanmonster's website, with logos including Renault, Toyota, Ferrari and many more. One thing's for sure, just like when 150 Americans tried to draw various (non-vehicular) logos from memory, this car logo test proves that the simplest are the most memorable. It's easier to recall rings than flag-snake-shield combinations. Related articles: Where to find logo design inspiration Quiz: Can you identify these original car logos? TrueCar rebrand fails to reinvent the wheel View the full article

The best streaming services are useful all year round, but in recent months, they have become even more present in many people's lives. Deciding what to watch on TV used to be just a case of choosing between a few channels, but now, there's a plethora of streaming services available. So how do you decide which is the best streaming service for you? When choosing a streaming service, there are a few things to consider. The deciding factor for many will be cost, but there are also the variety and quality of content, number and type of devices available, quality of video – ie. is it in HD/4k or not (if you've got one of the best monitors and are using it to watch TV, you'll care about this one) and ease of use to consider. And then there's whether or not a particular show is on that service. (In our experience, the show that everyone is talking about is usually only available on the one streaming service you don't have.) The good news is that free trials are available for most streaming services, so you can always test out all the platforms before committing to the one/s you like best. If you happen to have a lot of time on your hands, you might even be able to binge your favourite show before the trial runs out. Here, we've rounded up the best services available right now, and outlined their pros and cons. Netflix has seeped its way into popular culture for a reason. It's got tons of content, both in terms of TV shows and films, is affordable and the chances are, your friends or colleagues have got it too and are likely to be talking about its latest 'trending' show. We also love the Netflix 'N' credits when it starts a show. While we think it is a fantastic start as a streaming service, it doesn't offer everything, and some content is already being pilfered from Netflix for other networks. What you get does also vary quite widely depending which country you are in. You've also got to wonder who is in charge of Netflix's categorisation and descriptions, it frequently mislabels hard-hitting dramas as 'comedies', and the descriptions manage to make most of the content sound the same. Because it's not that easy to browse too, finding something you actually want to watch can be tricky. Saying all that, we still love it. You just need to check out recommendations of what you want to watch (see our best Netflix shows) before you log on, or prepare to lose an hour scrolling. Disney Plus has stormed onto the streaming scene and made a huge impact. It's great value for money and has, as you'd expect, an array of classic and new Disney content. There are also all the Star Wars films, and content from the Marvel universe, National Geographic and Pixar. That's an awful lot of films and shows. On top of that, Disney Plus' mix of original content is already proving incredibly popular, The Mandalorian is just one of Disney Plus' offerings (and okay, we're maybe just mentioning it because we can't get enough of Baby Yoda). There's plenty more in the pipeline too, plus you can download any of the service's offerings for watching without WiFi. Overall, we think that Disney Plus is well worth the money, and has something for a range of ages and tastes. At the moment, there's a seven-day free trial on all of Disney Plus' content. Lots of people have Amazon Prime Video as part of their Amazon Prime package, as it is automatically included. But it is possible to buy just Amazon Prime Video if you want to. Should you bother? Well, Amazon Prime Video is similar in its offering to Netflix, there's a vast array of films, including hot new releases, and plenty of TV shows. Amazon doesn't have as many Originals as Netflix, but some of the ones it does have are well worth watching. Where Amazon Prime Video differs from Netflix is that not everything that you see within its somewhat confusing UI is included in your package, so just because a film appears when you search for it, doesn't mean that it is free. But if you're not too bothered about having the latest films, or don't mind renting or buying them when they are available occasionally, then Amazon Prime Video should suit you nicely. And if you've been considering signing up to Amazon Prime for a while, then the Video services could be the thing that convinces you. It's worth trying a free trial, at least. Hulu has a wide range of content, including shows from ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox, and one of the best things about it is the variety of plan options. You can have Hulu + Live TV, or add Disney Plus or ESPN Plus, for example. Like Amazon and Netflix, Hulu also does a pretty neat line of its own original shows – The Handmaid's Tale is just one. The most basic Hulu subscription is incredibly cheap for what you get, the only downside is that there are adverts. If you don't mind having scheduled snack breaks then this is fine, but if you want to watch TVs and movies without the commercials, then you'll have to pay for a slightly pricier plan. Even then, some of the most popular shows still have ads before and after they start. Saying that, it's still pretty cheap overall, there's a one month free trial, and the range of content that Hulu offers should satisfy most. Sling TV isn't like the other services on this list in that it isn't a Netflix-style approach to content, that is, collecting together lots of shows and films for people to watch from one place. No, Sling TV is a different way to watch TV, providing an alternative to cable channels. You can use it to watch live TV without having any cables or satellite dishes or any of the other stuff that you used to have to faff around with. It allows you to pause, rewind and fast-forward live TV on some (but not all) channels, and you can watch TV after it has aired. There are various options and add-ons available, depending on what channels you like. You'll have to have a pretty good internet connection for it to work, though and the user experience varies across devices. It's definitely worth giving the free trial a go though, because if it works for you, it's brilliant. Read more: 10 boxsets every designer should watch The best USB-C monitors right now The best language learning apps for creatives View the full article

The online videoconferencing service added Alex Stamos to the team and has also formed an expert advisory board to grapple with the pains of its COVID-19 growth spurt. View the full article

Tapplock catches heat for patched vulnerabilities -- because of its claims that its smart locks can't be hacked. View the full article

With much of the world's workforce now working from home, remote working tools have become hard to find. Video calls are now one of the very few ways folks can stay connected, so it's not hard to understand why webcams are currently in short supply. Luckily, most laptops, tablets and smartphones these days feature an in-built camera, which is more than sufficient to stay in touch with loved ones. But if you're a creative wanting to make a virtual pitch or showcase your artwork to clients in all its glory, a quality webcam will provide the video quality you need. (And if you're after more home office equipment, don't miss our round up of the best office chairs and best USB-C monitors too.) It might seem webcams are like gold dust at the moment, but fear not, some are still available. Here at Creative Bloq, we've found the online retailers that are still stocking webcams and you'll find our pick of the best webcams currently on sale below. It's worth noting that webcams are flying off the shelves right now, so some models may sell out quickly. But our clever little price comparison widget updates each 30 minutes to show you all the webcams still on sale, at the very best prices. Where to buy a webcam in the US If you're living in the US and struggling to find anywhere that still stocks webcams, you'll be pleased to hear there's still a number of models available at the following retailers: Best Buy - quality webcams from $50 Amazon - webcams from Logitech and more B&H Photo Video - top models at low prices Staples - quality devices for all budgets Dell- Professional webcams for under $100 Office Depot - the widest range of webcams still available Newegg - Top quality webcams for less But to save you scouring through the options, here are the best webcam deals currently available: Where to buy a webcam in the UK Webcams in the UK are in seriously short supply, but there's still a few around, you just need to know where to look. Here are a few of the best offers available right now: View the full article

With the sheer amount of 'quarantine content' doing the rounds these days, it's hard to know what's worth your time. From work from home guides to the dystopian daily onslaught that is the news, you'd be forgiven for never wanting to see words like 'quarantine' and 'isolation' again. But trust us, one look at the A-Z of Quarantine is bound to raise a knowing smile (perhaps even 26 of them). The A-Z of Quarantine is a simple yet beautifully designed website that uses the alphabet "to produce a living document of the minutiae of life under lockdown". It's a hugely relatable and humorous exploration of lockdown life, from 'Art' to 'Zoom'. "Instead of climbing the walls, you could paint them?" says the former entry, while the latter aptly describes Zoom as, "The tool you use to show your boss you’ve managed to get out of bed." Want to make your own beautiful website? Check out our favourite web design tools. A screenshot from the A-Z of Quarantine It helps that the website looks great. Accompanying copywriter Zosia Swidlicka's short but hilarious descriptions are a series of experimental animated letter forms using an AI-powered typeface by designer Barney McCann. These mesmerising letters are described as "the closest thing you can get to a computer’s handwriting." Sounds familiar Some of our favourite examples from the alphabet include 'C' for 'Cats' ("Learn from the best: stare out of the window for a few hours, clean behind your ears, and sleep when you’re tired; ideally across a nearby human’s keyboard"), 'K' for 'Kids' ("All that quality time they’re spending with your iPad") and 'O' for 'Old flames' ("When your ex thinks now’s the perfect time to get back in touch"). Swidlicka and McCann plan to update the A-Z periodically, as our experience of the "new normal" continues to change at such a dizzying rate. You can submit your own suggestions by commenting under each letter on the A-Z of Quarantine Instagram page (above). 'Whether you’re feeling bored, anxious or alone," says Swidlicka, "we hope this dystopian dictionary provides you with a moment of connection, or at the very least, distraction." Judging by the fact that we now want to send it to everybody we know, we think they hit the spot. Related articles: This artists' activity pack will keep you busy for days How not to live in creative isolation Iconic logos reimagined for the age of coronavirus View the full article

Spring's finally rolling in, but the odds are that you're not really feeling it thanks to the Coronavirus lockdown. Outside the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing, but where's the fun in that when you're stuck inside? Even if you can't get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of Spring, you can always bring the season inside and add a Spring touch to your designs. If you're up to speed with your watercolour techniques you could paint your own brightly-coloured floral designs; for an easier time, though, we've found a selection of beautiful patterns that'll inject a bit of seasonal warmth into any project. The best free pattern generation tools 01. Mimosa and Camellia These mimosas and camellias will warm up any design Designed by Hala Kobrynska, Mimosa and Camellia is guaranteed to wake up your senses with its combination of bright yellow mimosas set against cream camellia flowers and dark green leaves and branches. This stunning pattern set comes with 23 seamless patterns, as well as a pair of JPGs with all the elements set against a white background, and if you want to roll your own patterns you also get 25 transparent PNG files, each containing a separate element. Mimosa and Camellia will cost you $15 for a personal licence, while a commercial licence will set you back just $25. 02. Pink Blossoms Here you get six different designs featuring pink blossoms Here's just the thing if you're not feeling in the pink right now. Volume 1 of Larysa Zabrotskaya's Watercolour Floral Patterns collection is all about the delicate pink blossoms, artfully arranged in high-resolution seamless patterns. There are six patterns supplied, both as JPGs and transparent PNGs, so if you're not sold on the white background you can add your own more colourful backing. A personal license will cost you $5, but you'll probably want to pay $6 for a commercial license. 03. Another Side A floral design seen from an unusual angle Providing a fun and intriguing twist on the usual floral pattern is Another Side, designed by Katerina Murysina. Instead of providing the standard view of Spring flowers, it shows them from a different angle, as if you were lying in a meadow and seeing them from below, with stems and leaves taking the forefront, as well as caterpillars, ants and snails. There are six colour schemes available, with prices starting at $39.75 each for both personal and commercial use. 04. Snipe Pattern This fab ornithological pattern's free to use The snipe is a medium sized wading bird recognisable by its long bill, which you might spot by a lakeside if you were allowed to go out at the moment. For now, though, you can enjoy the sight of it in the lovely Snipe Pattern from Vecteezy. You get a whole flock of snipes set against assorted foliage, rendered in nicely on-trend muted tones, and it's free to use as long as you provide attribution. 05. Spring Lily Flowers Colourful lilies make for a great Spring look Lilies have something of a funereal reputation, but they come to life in this Spring Lily Flowers pattern from woodhouse84 on Vectorstock. Here the lilies come in assorted vibrant shades instead of the usual white, and set against a near-black background they really stand out. This seamless vector pattern comes in both raster and vector formats, and prices start at $14.99 for a standard license that allows for most commercial uses. 06. Cherry Blossom Instantly evoke the feeling of Spring in Japan with this pattern For a distinctly Japanese take on Spring, check out Hala Kobrynska's Cherry Blossom design. The annual appearance of cherry blossom – or sakura – is a huge thing in Japan, and Kobrynska's vector interpretation of it is a sight to gladden the heart. There are 16 seamless high-resolution patterns included in this collection, in EPS, JPG, PDF and TIFF formats, and they'll cost you $19 for a personal license or $29 for the commercial version. 07. Spring Flowers We love this combination of spring flowers with a geometric design There's nothing like the sight of daffodils to evoke warm Spring feelings, especially if you live in the UK, and this Spring Flowers pattern, another design from woodhouse84, has plenty of them as well as other Spring blooms. We love the way that the warm yellow flowers are set against a black and white geometric pattern; it gives the whole design a fresh, lively feel. As with woodhouse84's other pattern, it comes in assorted formats and is available from $14.99. 08. Vector Floral Flowers and butterflies – what's not to love? Blooms and butterflies are a wonderfully Spring-like combination, and Vector Floral, a pattern from Freepik, puts them together beautifully. It uses silhouettes of butterflies and flowers, coloured in warm, earthy tones, and layers them to create an abstract seamless pattern that would make for a brilliant background. It's a premium resource from Freepik; subscribe from €7.50 per month to get it, as well as over two million other vector designs. Related articles: How to draw a rose Create a repeating pattern in Photoshop How to create repeat patterns in Illustrator View the full article

Novel hack allows an attacker to create a mouse-over in a PowerPoint file that triggers the installation of malware. View the full article

Hundreds of thousands of malware files are disguised as well-known social conferencing and collaboration apps. View the full article

As lives across the world are changed by the coronavirus pandemic, magazines face a number of dilemmas, such as dealing with cancelled events and shoots, and choosing what to cover when the world is talking about one thing. In response, Vogue Italia has revealed that its April cover will be blank, in tribute to victims of the virus. The cover was revealed on the magazine's Instagram page, along with a statement by editor-in-chief Emanuele Farneti explaining the decision. This is the first time in its history that the magazine will feature a blank white cover, and it's a bold statement from such a powerful title. Magazine covers are often a vehicle for risk-taking design work (take a look at some of the most controversial covers of all time). In his statement, Farneti reveals that the magazine dropped the other projects it was working on, because "its noblest tradition is never to look the other way." Farneti added, "To speak of anything else – while people are dying, doctors and nurses are risking their lives and the world is changing forever – is not the DNA of Vogue Italia." Looking for inspiration? Check out some of the best print ads ever. The cover, designed by Vogue Italia's creative director Ferdinando Verderi, represents respect and rebirth, as well as the uniforms of "those who put their own lives on the line to save ours". Farneti also says it harks back to the Great Depression of the 1930s, after which the colour white "was adopted for clothes as an expression of purity in the present, and of hope in the future." Farneti explains that he had three goals for the issue, which will be published on 10 April. He wanted to look beyond the turmoil and imagine a world "without indulging in self-pity", to be the first fashion publisher to create a "snapshot of this new world" (by gathering a community of artists stuck at home), and to publish the first plain white cover in the magazine's history. Vogue Italia's editor-in-chief, Emanuele Farneti While some brand responses have felt like opportunism (not least the influx of 'socially-distanced' logos shared by everyone from McDonald's to Audi), Vogue Italia's effort, while audacious, feels like a respectful message of both introspection and hope – especially considering Italy is reportedly one of the worst-hit countries by the virus. We can't help but wonder what will what the contents of the magazine will look like – will the various glossy ads be gone too, or is it business as usual inside? Still, the cover at least is a sensitive statement from Vogue Italia. "White is not surrender," says Farneti, but a blank sheet waiting to be written." Related articles: Iconic logos reimagined for the age of coronavirus Netflix concept ads will ruin your day Louis Vuitton's new campaign is gloriously retro View the full article

There could not be a better time than the present to find a new side hustle, or ramp up an existing one into a possible full-time career. If you feel like learning new skills could broaden your options, the 2020 Side Hustle Bundle offers a pretty wide range of choices for you to consider. Aspiring writers, this is your chance If you've been dreaming of becoming a freelance writer, but didn't know how or where to start, this is probably the information you were missing. In Freelance Writing 101, you'll discover how to find a writing niche that is both interesting and profitable. You'll also learn how to create a pitch that will be effective at helping you stand out in the multitude of pitches editors receive every day, to increase your chance of receiving a response. Generate revenue while you're sleeping with e-commerce Mercari is a new alternative to Amazon or eBay, and you can get in before the competition builds up. This Mercari Masterclass will help you understand the platform, tell you what sells best and for how much. You will learn all about how to research and list products, where to get free and cheap items to resell, and rank your store so that it's one of the first to come up when users search for products you carry. Hands-on learning to become a graphic designer The best way to learn is by doing, and 47 Photoshop Projects for Aspiring Graphic Designers will guide you through actual real-world projects using Adobe Photoshop. In addition to learning how to create and edit like a pro, you'll also find out how to jumpstart a freelance business and get to place over 40 designs on a free portfolio website. Learn the secrets to making six figures as a copywriter Write Like a Six-Figure a Year Copywriter in 2020 uses real-world examples to teach you the essentials of copywriting, then give you hands-on practice. Learn the effective writing processes, powerful words and popular formulas you should use, how to target your audience, three methods to breeze through a first draft and seven step-by-step processes for the valuable skill of writing the most effective headlines. Turn your ideas into audiobooks Audible is one of the quickest ways to earn money online, but getting an audiobook published on the platform can be tricky. In Audio Book Publishing, you'll learn how to use Adobe Audition to narrate audiobooks, then the simplest process to publish them and get initial sales on Audible. Become a successful creative freelancer Freelance Masterclass for Creatives covers both the artistic and practical aspects of turning your creative skills into a full-time career. You'll study the process of creating stories, but also WordPress template basics, finding clients, pricing your work and much, much more. Become a sought after speaker by learning storytelling In the Complete Storytelling course, a public speaking expert will break down all of the techniques necessary to become a captivating presenter and speaker. Now there's no reason you can't be a comfortable and skilled storyteller. You can get the 2020 Side Hustle Bundle today at a 97% discount, for only $34.66. Read more: 16 essential tools for graphic designers in 2020 Free online resources for creatives stuck at home The best cameras for kids in 2020 View the full article

New research used 3D printing technology to bypass fingerprint scanners, and tested it against Apple, Samsung and Microsoft mobile products. View the full article

Sony has revealed its upcoming PS5 controller named DualSense, and it's the most radical departure ever for a PlayStation controller design. Unveiled in a blog post on PlayStation's website, DualSense's headline features involve (as the name might suggest) the senses – particularly touch, with new haptic feedback vibrations. Sounds like it'll feel good, but does it look good? Er, we're not keen. It's been a rocky road for the new system so far design-wise. The PS5 logo reveal was met with disdain in January, and the new controller hasn't fared much better. Fans are unhappy with the white colour as well as the lack of colour-coded buttons. Several Twitter users have pointed out that the new, rounded design looks more like an Xbox controller, while others think it resembles a helmet (keep scrolling to see mockups). You don't need a PlayStation to start gaming. Check out our best iPad deals to get your hands on the powerful gaming tablet. Definitely not the controller's 'good side' With its bloated shape, the DualSense doesn't exactly scream 'first-party' design to us. Ditching the iconic, svelte silhouette of the original in favour of this rounded affair creates the impression of a knock-off that wasn't allowed to use the official shape. And then there's the headache-inducing black-and-white colour scheme which, along with those all-grey buttons, looks like it'll make for a navigational nightmare. And does the touchpad really need to be the size of a small island? All that white space makes the whole thing look unnecessarily large. Sony acknowledges the changes in its blog post. “DualSense marks a radical departure from our previous controller offerings," says Sony's CEO, Jim Ryan. "Traditionally our base controllers have a single colour", adds Playstation's senior vice president Hideaki Nishino. "As you can see, we went a different direction this time around, and decided on a two-toned design." While no explanation is given for the decision, we're told that Sony went through hundreds of concepts and mockups – we dread to think what they look like. Twitter was quick to pounce on the DualSense design, with various memes quickly appearing (below). One user even slapped a MadCatz logo on it to emphasise how unofficial it looks. In terms of tech, along with its refined haptic feedback, DualSense includes a built-in microphone for talking to friends without a headset, and the 'Share' button has been renamed 'Create'. Sony promises to reveal more on that later, but claims it will "create epic gameplay content to share with the world". It's not all bad news on the design front, though. One Twitter user shared a mockup (above) of how the controller would look if it ditched the two-tone design in favour of a more traditional all-black appearance. This was met with an overwhelmingly positive response, with many claiming that it looks "much better" (although several replies suggest the colour-coded buttons still need to make a comeback). Sony typically releases several colour variations of its PlayStation controllers, so we may yet see a more attractive option. Sony is yet to reveal the design of the PS5 itself, but we're bracing ourselves for the results. Still, if it's a powerful enough system, perhaps most gamers won't mind how it looks. Indeed, Sony seems to be favouring function over form with this generation the PlayStation. Of its controller, the brand says it wants gamers "to forget its even in their hands!" Sounds like a good thing to us. Can't wait for the PS5? Check out the best PS4 deals below. Related articles: New PlayStation ad has a gruesome surprise Designer unmasks the secret of the new PS5 logo The PS5 logo we all wanted is here View the full article

Ever since the lockdown began, creatives have been sharing ideas online about how to fill their downtime. There's been an abundance of people offering free classes and courses – you can see some of our favourites in our free online resources post. But what if none of these ideas float your boat, and you’re still searching for fun and enriching ways to fill your empty hours? Here, we suggest seven low-cost or free ways to make use of your downtime that you might not have thought of. 01. Upcycle your clothes Follow fashion designer Christopher Raeburn's guide to upcycling your clothes Right now, our options for buying new clothes are pretty restricted. So if you want a new look, why not rummage through your wardrobe for something old and tired, and bring it back to life with a bit of upcycling? Even if the results don’t go to plan, it can be a fun way to kill time, especially if you get the kids involved. You could, for instance, try tie-dying old T-shirts, socks, etc to give them a new lease of life: you can find guidance for this on Dylon’s website (other dye brands are, of course, available). If you can use a sewing machine, meanwhile, check out these more advanced upcycling tutorials, created by sustainable fashion designer Christopher Raeburn. Who knows, you might get the bug, and make upcycling the new normal in your household, saving you tons of money over time. 02. Make your own electronic music Groovebox allows you to create electronic music on iOS for free Have you always dreamed of making your own music, but never actually had time to sit down and learn an instrument? Well the good news is that there are plenty of free online apps that let you make your own electronic music without any skills whatsoever; all you need is a bit of imagination. A lightweight but fun place for newbies to start is Typatone, which generates musical sequences based on the letters that you type. It’s all very intuitive, and although limited, it could be all you need to, say, create a short jingle or audio logo for your podcast. More importantly, it will help you get a feel for where you’d like to go next with your music making. For more powerful, yet still free, apps we’d recommend giving the following a try. Pattern Sketch is a basic but impressive drum machine, while Online Sequencer allows you to create a sequence using piano, drums and guitar sounds in mere minutes. And at the more advanced end of the scale, Groovebox for iOS is a mobile music studio based around cool synths and drum machines. 03. Study the philosophers What is the meaning of life? How can I be a better person? Will I ever be truly happy? Those might be questions you’ve never had time for before. But if you’ve found yourself aimlessly staring at the walls in recent weeks, they may well have popped into your head and been bouncing around your brain ever since. The good news is that there are answers to be found, by studying the great philosophers. They aren’t necessarily answers that will satisfy you, or that you’ll necessarily agree with, but they will start you thinking about life and existence in a more informed way, and equip you better to come to your own conclusions. Unless you’re particularly academic, though, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend you dive straight into source texts like Plato’s Republic or Spinoza’s Ethics, because without a strong grasp of the historical and cultural context they were written in, it will probably all be a bit baffling. Better to start with a good overview, such as Think: A Compelling Introduction to Philosophy by Simon Blackburn or A Little History of Philosophy by Nigel Warburton. If those sound too 'heavy', there are also lighter alternatives that will still give you a good grounding in philosophy. We’d recommend Derren Brown’s Happy: Why More or Less Everything is Absolutely Fine, an “anti self-help book” that focuses on how understanding philosophy can help you to be happy; Sophie’s World, a children’s fantasy novel about a girl learning about the philosophers; or Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar, which helps you grasp philosophy through jokes. And if you're skint? All of these books, bar the last, are available as audio books on Audible, which is currently offering a 30-day free trial. 04. Stream live theatre The Metropolitan Opera is streaming a different opera every night during the crisis So far, lockdown has proved a powerful spur to watch the best Netflix shows or sign up to Disney Plus. But you can reach a point where you’ve had enough of conventional TV and movies, so you might want to change things up a little and stream a theatre show. Yes, you’re still technically watching TV, but the atmosphere of the live stage really is a change of pace and atmosphere, and the best performances come close to making you forget you’re not there in person. Whats on Stage has a list of free streams that it's constantly updating, and you'll find something for everyone here, from Shakespeare's Globe to the Edinburgh Fringe. Obviously, all of these performances were captured before the lockdown, but if you’re craving that 'live' experience, you can get it in part by joining live streams from the National Theatre on YouTube every Thursday, which include Q&As with the cast and creative teams afterwards. (Further streams are available to UK state-funded teachers and pupils). Alternatively, if opera’s your bag, check out the nightly live streams by New York’s Metropolitan Opera. Yes, the performances themselves aren’t live, but knowing that viewers around the world will be watching en masse at the same time does provide a nice feeling of communal activity, at a time where we’re all physically separate. 05. Download a free colouring book Tad Carpenter is one of many top-class illustrators who's contributed to Counter-Print’s new colouring book, which is free to download Colouring books for adults have become a huge phenomenon in the last 10 years, offering both stress relief and visual inspiration, and now's the perfect time to give them a try. You don’t even need to spend any money, because in the last few weeks a ton of downloadable colouring books have been created and released for free to help people through lockdown. Top of our list is Counter-Print’s new colouring book made up of contributions from some of the world’s best illustrators, including Malika Favre, Anthony Burrill, Bethan Woollvin, Eva Dijkstra, Jay Cover, Marco Oggian, Miller Goodman, Paul Thurlby, Sigrid Calon, Tad Carpenter and Zipeng Zhu. It’s completely free to download here. Public art bodies around the world are also providing downloadable colouring pages, including The Getty, the Smithsonian, the Toronto Public Library and the National Library of France, as well as universities like the University of Minnesota, the University of British Columbia Library and the University Of Melbourne. You can find a comprehensive list here, and also check out the #colorourcollection hashtag on social media. 06. Share your art process on Twitch Vivisartservice is one of many artists streaming her process on Twitch Live streaming platform Twitch is best known by gamers, but that's not all the service has to offer. It's also increasingly becoming a place where artists share their process live, and interact with the community via the superior live chat facilities. So if you like the idea of sharing your skills with others, building an online community of fans and followers, and ultimately making money from tips, subscriptions and sales of your art, it has many possibilities to offer. Like any unfamiliar social network, of course, Twitch takes some time to get used to. So lockdown could be the perfect opportunity to invest time watching other artists' channels, and joining in conversations, to give you a feel for what's possible and what might work for you. 07. Take an Ivy League course You can take Princeton University's course in Buddhism and Modern Psychology with Robert Wright for free, via Coursera Few of us will ever have the chance to attend one of the world’s elite universities, such as Harvard or Yale, in person. But did you know that you can take online courses from these institutions, without paying a penny? In fact, there are 450 Ivy League courses you can take online right now for free, in Computer Science, Data Science, Programming, Humanities, Business, Art & Design, Science, Social Sciences, Health & Medicine, Engineering, Mathematics, Education & Teaching, and Personal Development. Class Central founder Dhawal Shah has compiled this handy guide to what they are and how to access them. On the other side of the Atlantic, too, you can find high quality courses for free from the UK’s Open University and Ireland’s eCollege platform. Read more: Adobe software list: Which apps do you need? You'll want to join this joyful Instagram art club Illustrator gives free drawing classes to kids stuck at home View the full article

We’re big fans of Studio Ghibli’s weird and wonderful output, from the enchanting Spirited Away to the beautiful yet tragic Grave of the Fireflies. In a world of digital effects, its mostly hand-drawn aesthetics are a breath of fresh air, and offer an escape from the real world that's particularly welcome right now. So we were super-excited to discover an exclusive four-part documentary on the studio's co-founder Hayao Miyazaki has just been made completely free to stream online. Originally released in 2019 by Japanese broadcaster NHK, 10 Years With Hayao Miyazaki chronicles the life and creative process of the legendary Japanese animator. (We can't all be Hayao Miyazaki, but we can certainly direct you to some great how to draw tutorials if you're eager to learn). Check out the trailer for the documentary below. Try Disney Plus for free for 7 days! The documentary was over a decade in the making. Starting in 2088, Miyazaki allowed a single documentary filmmaker to shadow him at work as he devised what would become his blockbuster, Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. As well as exploring his creative process, the documentary sheds some light on Miyazaki's personal life. We see the filmmaker butting heads with his son, Goro as they work together on 2011's From Up on Poppy Hill. The documentary is a fascinating insight into the mind and process of a filmmaking legend, and a must for Studio Ghibli fans – or anybody with an interest in animation. Stream it for free over on the NHK website. Whether you're an old or new Ghibli fan, the studio's filmography is almost guaranteed to spirit you away with its kaleidoscopic visuals and fantastical plots. Thank goodness, then, the whole lot is now available to stream on Netflix. The films have been arriving on the platform over the last few months, with the final seven dropping on 1st April – which means there are over twenty now available for your viewing pleasure. While this sadly doesn't apply to users in the USA and Canada, don't despair – all of the Studio Ghibli films are scheduled to appear on HBO Max when the new streaming service launches next month. Whether we really need a new streaming service is a question for another time – but those 21 Studio Ghibli definitely make it a more enchanting proposition. Related articles: 11 top animation tools for digital artists Netflix wins rights to Studio Ghibli films 24 cool CSS animation examples to recreate View the full article

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A first impression counts in almost all situations, and email marketing is no exception. While some may think that this impression is primarily produced by the design and content displayed inside the most viewed part of the email newsletter, this …View the full article

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These might be strange times, but the Apple rumour mill certainly hasn't stopped for breath. From iPhone 12 concepts to the will-they-won't-they drama of the still unannounced budget iPhone 9, there's been no shortage of speculation among Apple fans over the past few weeks. And today is no exception, with an intriguing iOS 14 concept design thrown into the ring. 9to5Mac reported over the weekend that Apple is working on the first ever widgets for the iOS home screen, and UX designer Parker Ortolani has mocked up a beautiful concept to show us all what these could look like. Ortolani has imagined a framework for developers called Springkit, which would allow them to create three types of home screen view for apps: the standard static icon, a live version of the icon which can display (you guessed it) live information, and a new, full size widget. Looking for iOS apps? Check out our best iPhone apps for designers. Click top right corner to enlarge image In Ortolani's example (above), the Weather app is now a live icon (the size of two standard icons), displaying live weather conditions, while the Activity app is now a full-size widget spanning the length of the entire screen with daily exercise information (we might 'forget' to activate that one). Also according to 9to5Mac, Apple is planning a few changes to the home screen with iOS 14. As well as widgets, it is also working on more wallpaper features including the option to blur the existing wallpaper on the home screen view (while maintaining the original on the lock screen). This makes sense – a busy wallpaper can make navigating icons a little confusing. A leaked screenshot of iOS 14's wallpaper selection screen As with all Apple rumours, it remains to be seen whether these upgrades will see the light of day, but it's always fun to speculate in the meantime. Last week, we saw a brilliant iPhone 12 concept, which did away with the notch completely. And let's not forget, as shown by the recently-announced iPad Pro Magic Keyboard with built-in trackpad, rumours can sometimes become reality. Related articles: iPhone 11 Pro review 25 stunning iOS app icon designs How to make an app for iOS, Android or desktop View the full article

Learning how to draw perspective correctly could change your entire drawing process. Whether drawing traditionally with pencil and paper, or digitally using a graphics tablet, I still construct even the most complicated scenes entirely using the draughting techniques of the horizon line and vanishing points that most people will have learnt in art class. This might seem strangely over-complicated, when it's so easy to quickly mock up a basic version of the scene using 3D modelling programs to guide your drawing, but when you set out a perspective drawing by hand, you give yourself some flexibility in interpreting the method. In following and often slightly bending these rules, you enrich the narrative composition of the image by adding depth, drama and atmosphere. Here are some of the methods that I use most frequently, including one-point perspective and two-point perspective. Also read our guide to the art techniques you need to know, and our roundup of the best how to draw tutorials. The final image, based on the initial perspective drawing above This article was originally published in issue 301 of Computer Arts magazine. Buy issue 301. Read more: The essential guide to foreshortening in art Google's art app turns you into a masterpiece The best pencils for colouring, drawing and sketching View the full article

With people around the world staying at home in order to slow the spread of coronavirus, we've seen lots of brilliant responses from the creative community over the past few weeks. From online drawing lessons to free software, there are now tons of ways to stay inspired at home. And now, Colchester's Firstsite gallery has brought together a crack team of UK artists for a series of activity packs called Art is Where the Home is. The first activity pack is now available to download, and features creative prompts and activities from twelve artists including Antony Gormley, Gillian Wearing and Jeremy Deller. Perhaps the most immediately apparent thing about the document is that it looks like a work of art itself. With its stark, monochrome design, we can certainly tell that this was produced by a gallery. But don't worry, as well as looking beautiful, the pack was clearly designed to be accessible and fun – particularly for children. You don't need any artistic experience to take part (although you should definitely check out our how to draw tutorials if you're keen to learn). The front cover of the activity pack The pack begins with series of prompts (below) from Jeremy Deller, inviting budding artists to "close your eyes and draw a self-portrait", "write a poem in praise of the toilet roll," and more. Things get even craftier elsewhere, with Anthony Gormley offering a lesson in paper chain-making, and Michael Landy encouraging us to build a tower of toilet roll squares because "the grown-ups have bought too much". Many of the activities are guaranteed to raise a smile, such as Gillian Landy's (below), in which we are given template of somebody holding a sign, and asked to draw our own face and write a positive message "to cheer someone up". A few of Jeremy Deller's prompts The packs are designed to be dipped into as you please: "You can choose to do one or two of them, or all of them," the introduction reads. "You can do them on your own or with other people, morning, noon or night." Budding artists are encouraged to share their work online, either with Firstsite's social media accounts, or via its online studio. "Cheer someone up by filling in the blank sign with encouraging words and draw your face on top" - Gillian Wearing It's truly heartening to see so many so many artists continue to inspire creativity while we're all stuck at home – we've put together a list of the best free resources you can enjoy during this time. If the first pack is anything to go by, Firstsite and its artists' offering will be enough to keep people busy and creative for days. You can download the first Art is Where the Home is activity pack on the gallery's website. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're off to write a poem in praise of the toilet roll. Related articles: Netflix concept ads will ruin your day Iconic logos reimagined for the age of coronavirus Illustrator gives free drawing lessons to inspire kids stuck at home View the full article