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When it comes to Apple's recently released Mac Pro wheels, it's fair to say we've made our feelings known – specifically about the price. At $100 each, or $699 for four (which makes perfect sense, right?), they add an eye-watering extra cost to an already eye-wateringly expensive machine. Well, don't dry your eyes just yet – someone has managed to find perhaps the most ridiculous use yet for the wheels, and it doesn't even involve the Mac Pro. (By the way, none of our current best computers for graphic design require wheels. Just saying). Say hello to the world's most expensive skateboard wheels. That's right, Braille Skateboarding has shared a video (below) in which said wheels (of fortune) are attached to a skateboard and then... skated on. With little success. To be fair, the skaters do manage to pull off a kickflip at one point, but other than that, the results are something akin to our first go on Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2 – underwhelming. At first, the wheels naturally pivot in various directions (leading to several falls), but even after some extra drilling to hold them in place, their weight ends up bending the rest of the board. In short, it doesn't really work. We have several questions, most of them being: why? Do we really live in a world where YouTubers will happily drop $699 on a set of computer wheels in order to create a below-par skateboard? It seems the answer is yes. But hey, who are we to judge? Braille Skateboarding currently has over 4.6M subscribers, so it clearly understands what its followers want (even if we don't). Believe it or not, the Braille Skateboarding team aren't the first YouTubers to use the wheels to make a skateboard. Unbox Therapy did something similar (above), albeit using part of the Mac Pro's body for the board. Not only was this even more expensive, but it was less successful (thanks again to the multi-directional wheels). What a time to be alive. Perhaps putting the wheels to such ineffective use is an apt, but expensive method of mocking the ridiculousness of Apple's 'invention'. As one YouTuber comments, "biggest waste of $700 for our entertainment". And we can't see Apple changing its ways any time soon – as the recent Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro showed, the company is on a roll when it comes to wildly expensive accessories. Looking for pro power at a more affordable price? Check out our best MacBook Pro deals below. No wheels required. Related articles: Apple's bendable MacBook will blow your mind Have we all been charging our MacBooks wrong? The best MacBook Pro alternatives for designers View the full article

If you're looking for a little distraction during these strange times, it doesn't come much better than a small, furry animal. Everyone has their favourite, but if dachshunds are your thing, you're in luck – there's new lifestyle brand in town dedicated to all things sausage dog, and its logo is bound to raise a smile – even if you're a cat person. Witzig, created by NY-based brand design studio ThoughtMatter and pet care coalition Kinship, is an online community just for dachshund fans. It's essentially a dachshund-themed shop and a dachshund-themed blog in one, but it features some truly adorable design work. Our favourite element has to be the Witzig logo itself (below), which contains a hidden dog. Perhaps we'll have to add that as an essential criteria for entering our best logos list. Spot the dog Along with the lovely logo, Witzig also contains some delightful illustrations. "We used an expressive illustration style that showed dachshund owners as reflections of their pets, including long legs, short legs, odd hair, and more," says ThoughtMatter's design director Sam Barbagiovanni. Whether dog owners actually resemble their pets is a research project we'd love to see, but for now we'll make do with these characterful depictions below. One of ThoughtMatter's delightful illustrations Is it a bit niche? Probably. But hey, fair play to ThoughtMatter and Kinship for spotting a sausage-shaped gap in the market and going for it. Next time we find ourselves in need of a dachshund-shaped vintage Japanese letter holder, we'll know exactly where to go. In fairness, the shop's items intended for the dogs themselves are perhaps a little more useful, such as food and harnesses. Some of the items available from Witzig's shop But even for those without a dog, or (heaven-forbid) a dog that isn't a dachshund, Witzig (which means 'witty' in German) is worth a visit. In the dog-eat-dog world of branding (and rebranding), it's nice to see something that was clearly a lot fun to make from scratch. “This project allowed us to really build a new and exciting brand from nothing,” says managing director Jesse McGuire. It made us smile – and that's exactly what we need right now. Related articles: This Penguin book cover generator is way more fun than it should be How to draw a dog Spot the dull superheroes in these optical illusion posters View the full article

If the flurry of lockdown creativity hasn't resulted in you writing your first novel (after all, we all have one in us), don't worry because you can fake it 'til you make it with this fun (unofficial) Penguin Cover Generator tool. Maybe seeing your finished novel will be all you need to get to writing the contents of the actual book, or perhaps simply seeing that prestigious cover will simply be a well-earned boost to your ego. Either way, it's super-easy to achieve with a few clicks and a minimal amount of imagination (or however much you're willing to dedicate to it, really). If you're in the mood for more book-related inspiration, here's our pick of the best web comics. Simply add your title and author name All you need is Nicholas Love's Penguin Cover Generator tool (which can be found here), an idea for a title (creative plot and character ideas are an optional extra that won't be included) and a picture. Upload the image, enter the title and the 'author' name, then fiddle with the size and dimensions until you're happy. Voila, you're a published author! Sort of. This process is familiar to our very own Daniel Piper, who created his own cover and uploaded it to Instagram recently. Cue much amusement, and some confusion from followers wanting to preorder the fictional book. If you don't fancy adding your own name to a novel, it's also a great way to reframe an existing book, as this Simpson-themed account proves: Or, it can simply be used as a witty meme format: So, whatever purpose you have for using it: personal satisfaction, meme-making or fooling others, this tool is a fun and creative – and perhaps inspirational – way to fill a few minutes. Or if you want to get your teeth into a creative project (here are some more of those), why not create a whole series? Then get to turning those mock-ups into a reality. Or don't. Read more: 4 lessons from the greatest illustrators ever 33 must-read graphic design books Illustrator alternatives: 6 of the best View the full article

We've seen loads of examples of the creative community coming together during these strange times, with online resources popping up left, right and centre to keep people inspired at home. And now, Affinity is offering not one, but 31 creative sessions as part of its Lockdown 2020 series. At 4pm every day in May, a new creative video is being dropped on Affinity's official YouTube channel, featuring insights and tutorials from artists, illustrators, designers, photographers and more. Naturally, they'll all be exploring how Affinity products fit into their creative workflows. And if you're an Adobe user, they might even tempt you to consider jumping ship – Affinity Photo is certainly one of our favourite Photoshop alternatives. The topics covered range from the broad (such as Ash Hewson's overview of the entire Affinity Suite, below) to the specific (How to create a vector skull, anyone?), meaning Affinity users of any ability will probably find a few videos for them. Its lineup of over thirty creatives (below) almost gives Affinity Lockdown 2020 something of a festival feel, and the videos are certainly offering a ray of sunshine to creatives stuck at home. "This is great!" one user comments, "I hope Affinity Creative Sessions continues as a thing past May. Nothing sells design software more than watching other professionals use it." A festival, without the mud or the crowds Affinity Lockdown 2020 isn't the company's only lockdown offering. It recently offered Affinity apps free for 3 months to all, as well as pledging to engage 100 artists with paid work amid the coronavirus pandemic. If you're looking for more inspiration during these strange times, take a look at our guide to the best free resources for creatives stuck at home. Related articles: Illustrator gives free drawing lessons to inspire kids Finesse your designs with this Photoshop Brush bundle The best digital art software for creatives in 2020 View the full article

As designers, we are often searching for that special way to add a finishing touch to a project. If you're a graphic designer, that may mean adding extra texture or a pop of color to your image. This High-Resolution Backgrounds Bundle brings you everything you need to add awesome elements to your latest designs or photos. Powered by creative bundle experts, Eldamar Studio, this extensive background bundle has over 7,500 hi-res HD backgrounds of all sorts, shapes, and sizes. You'll soon be on your way to finding the perfect extra component to add to your current designs or be inspired to create new works of art. If you need other options, see our pick of the best places to find stock art. And for more brilliant resources, here are the best tools for graphic designers around. Creative assets for personal and professional use Add new creative flair into your designs with a massive array of high-quality backgrounds and artistic textures. At 5,000p and 300dpi, each element is compatible with design and photography platforms such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and more. You'll get over 2,000 blurred backgrounds, over 1,000 gradient backgrounds, hundreds of polygon backgrounds, and more. Niche backgrounds in categories such as retro, abstract, vintage, grunge, and galaxy also come with the bundle, giving you endless options for the visual look you are seeking. Plus, each asset is customizable and available for usage on both digital and print mediums. You'll be able to search various themes, color swatches, and textures, allowing for versatile project assets to add to your current image library. Whether your next creative undertaking is personal or professional, you'll be equipped with a collection of elements to help add the finishing touch to your image. With a commercial license included and lifetime access available on all the backgrounds, you will never have to worry about usage rights or time-related issues for any of the assets. Compatible on Mac and PC, you'll be able to use each element over and over again and on any device. The possibilities are endless. While the 7,700+ High-Resolution Backgrounds Bundle is usually priced at $69, you can now add thousands of backgrounds to your collection for only $39. Bring new elements into your work and achieve your ultimate vision with thousands of unique design elements. Read more: Find free vector art online: the 20 best sites The best monitors for photo editing in 2020 31 brilliant vector art tutorials View the full article

Surviving as a freelancer is challenging enough at the best of times, let alone during a pandemic. For many of us who've lost work and clients, the focus right now is on pivoting and finding new ways to earn money, but that's by no means easy. And being stuck at home makes things even harder, both practically and emotionally. At times like these, a friendly voice on a podcast can really help guide you, and put things in perspective. So here we've brought together nine recent episodes from our favourite freelance podcasts, all recorded during the lockdown era, and all dealing with the challenges that have come in its wake. You won't find a 'magic bullet' in any of these discussions that will restore your client base and income overnight. But what you will find is some helpful ideas and suggestions for making the best use of your new free time, and planning realistically for an uncertain future. For more helpful resources to help you keep your creative business on track, pandemic or not, see these brilliant ebooks or the best graphic design books. 01. Freelance Party Broadcast: How You Can Use Lockdown To Work On Your Business Alison Grade explains how to do a skills audit during lockdown Release date: 21 April Episode length: 27 minutes 21 seconds Short of time? Skip to 6 minutes 5 seconds Freelance Party Broadcast is a regular podcast brought to you by Freelance Corner, an online platform for UK freelancers. In this episode, hosts Faye and Jess chat with Alison Grade, author of The Freelance Bible, about how out-of-work freelancers can use the lockdown period to work on their businesses. Grade offers some great advice about doing a skills audit so you can reinvent yourself, position yourself differently and find better and more rewarding work when society emerges from lockdown. 02. The Fizzle Show: Locked Down with an Uncertain Future: How Entrepreneurs Are Surviving Release date: 14 April Episode length: 72 minutes 32 seconds Short of time?: Skip to 21 minutes 40 seconds Founded in 2013, Fizzle offers training, community and resources for freelancers, creatives and entrepreneurs. In this episode of its weekly podcast, Corbett Barr chats to Justin Jackson from Transistor.fm about how freelancers and entrepreneurs are surviving the lockdown, and what we can all be doing to make it through, both economically and psychologically. The two discuss how they have each navigated financial crises in the past, and what lessons they can draw from these experiences, at the same time as recognising the ways in which this current crisis offers wholly unique challenges. 03. The Freelancers’ Show: What Do You Do In An Unexpected Downturn? Petra Manos discusses how she's reacted to the loss of clients Release date: April 21 Episode length: 43 minutes 42 seconds Short of time?: Skip to 6 minutes 0 seconds With online retail becoming so much more important under lockdown, you’d think ecommerce specialists would be the last to lose work. But Petra Manos’ clients include hotels, beauty parlours and party suppliers, so she’s been suffering along with everybody else. In this episode of The Freelancers’ Show, a weekly discussion-based podcast, she talks about how she’s refocused her efforts onto content marketing during lockdown, and the panel discuss ideas for dealing with unexpected slowdowns in work. 04. The Daily Creative: Taking Time to Invest in Yourself Release date: 30 March Episode length: 16 minutes 35 seconds Short of time?: Skip to 6 minutes Hosted by Todd Henry, the Daily Creative podcast offers a quick daily idea, tip, or strategy to help you be better at what you do each day. In this episode, he notes that many of us suddenly have more time on our hands, which we could use to, as he puts it, "invest in ourselves and to plant seeds that will produce a harvest later". However, he argues, this is not going to happen unless we’re disciplined and thorough, and he explains how going into "monk mode" can make the difference between squandering our free time and making valuable use of it. 05. Creative Pep Talk: The Powerful Thing You Can Do When All Seems Lost Andy J. Pizza shares his motivational thoughts in this special episode Release date: 25 March Episode length: 1 hour 18 minutes Short of time?: Skip to 52 minutes 47 seconds Feeling down and like you don’t have the energy to be creative? Then maybe you need a motivational pep talk. And Andy J. Pizza, an illustrator for the likes of The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Nickelodeon, is ready to give you one in this episode of his weekly inspirational podcast. His lengthy monologue is highly personal, and doesn’t include anything approaching practical information. But it does feature a lot of insightful thoughts about how to find the "inner you" that you may have lost over the years, and light your creative spirit on fire again. 06. Beyond The Status Quo Podcast: How to Handle Losing Clients Release date: 20 April Episode length: 17 minutes 36 seconds Short of time?: Skip to 2 minutes 40 seconds In her weekly Beyond The Status Quo Podcast, Avani Miriyala offers short blasts of cheery, positive thinking for dream-chasing freelancers and entrepreneurs. But she’s not afraid to acknowledge the real challenges of achieving your goals, and in this episode she candidly discusses the impact losing a big client has had on her. She goes on to explain how she turned this around, and outlines four ways you can transform losing a client from a knockback into an opportunity. 07. DIFTK: When You've Just Left Your Job To Go Freelance, In The Middle Of A Global Crisis. Eek! Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland offer helpful advice on pivoting Release date: 1 May Episode length: 19 minutes Short of time?: Skip to 6 minutes 37 seconds Doing It For The Kids is a podcast for freelance parents trying to make flexible working work. In this episode, Frankie Tortora and Steve Folland respond to a question from photographer Hannah Brooke, who left her job to go freelance just as the pandemic was kicking off. They offer some helpful advice about pivoting, sending out the right messages to clients, and being well placed to take on new work when the lockdown ends. Although this is specific advice for a single freelancer in a specific situation, it’s likely you’ll find much wisdom here that applies to your own freelancing challenges. 08. Deliberate Freelancer: Pivoting And Finding Resilience Release date: 30 April Episode length: 33 minutes 48 seconds Short of time?: Skip to 21 minutes 20 seconds If all your usual clients aren’t hiring during lockdown, it’s time to start thinking about pivoting. But how do you actually go about that? In this episode of Deliberate Freelancer, a podcast aimed at helping freelancers build a successful business, Melanie Padgett Powers explains how she recently did so herself. Her process began with answering questions such as 'What new skills can I learn?', 'What am I really good at but haven’t been doing because I don’t love it?' and 'What do my clients need right now?' 09. Freelance Pod: Imposter Syndrome, Social Media and Getting Through A Pandemic Lockdown Suchandrika Chakrabarti discusses the challenge of imposter syndrome Release date: 30 April Episode length: 29 minutes 50 seconds Short of time?: Skip to 2 minutes 29 seconds Freelance Pod is an award-winning podcast sharing stories of news, creativity and the internet. In this episode, host Suchandrika Chakrabarti interviews author and psychologist Dr. Richard Orbé-Austin. The two discuss how imposter syndrome is becoming particularly problematic during the pandemic lockdown, and practical ways to rise above it and build your inner confidence. Read more: 10 free audiobooks to download today 5 ways NOT to be productive 10 brilliant ebooks that won't cost you a penny View the full article

Mindfulness is a proven way to manage anxiety and stress better, and there’s never been a better time to try it. One of the easiest ways to practise mindfulness is digital colouring, and Adobe has teamed up with three amazing creatives to help you get started. Leading artists Hazel Mead, Martina Martian and Octavia Bromell have crafted nine beautiful templates for you to download today, totally free, courtesy of Adobe. Each template is unique and embraces the artist’s individual style. Check them out below, and once you’ve downloaded your favourites, you can open them up in either Adobe Fresco or Photoshop on iPad, and start colouring. (If you’re not sure how to get started, watch the short video at the end of this post to find out how to download the artists’ creations and get them set up in your chosen app.) 3 free colouring templates from Hazel Mead Digital illustrator Hazel Mead uses her playful approach and sense of humour to voice her beliefs and illustrate tough topics. In characteristic style, she’s created three brilliant colouring templates for you to download, each inspired by the theme of boredom. Download Hazel’s templates here 01. Boredom Bingo Summing up the frustration and sense of the surreal we’re all feeling right now, Hazel Mead’s Boredom Bingo is perfect for intricate digital colouring. 02. A Reading List Who wouldn’t love a reading room like this? Hazel Mead’s beguiling bookshelf scene is ideal for a restful session of digital colouring. 03. Greek Gods at Play Even the gods get bored, and this punchy illustration by Hazel Mead offers a fun and original scene for digital colouring enjoyment. 3 free colouring templates from Martina Martian Known for her beautiful and distinctive approach to illustrated quotes, Martina Martian’s art typically explores themes of empowerment and positivity. She’s created three uplifting and inspiring templates for Adobe’s campaign that will fill you with good vibes and an upbeat attitude. Download Martina’s templates here 04. Create for Creation’s Sake Art and creativity aren’t just about the finished product. It’s the process itself that’s most valuable; a sentiment elegantly depicted in this design by Martina Martian. 05. It’s Okay to Slow Down Try to do too much creatively, and you’ll soon burn out. Instead, follow Martina’s advice, as charmingly illustrated in this lovely design. 06. One Day at a Time No one knows what the future holds, least of all right now, so Martina’s artful and uplifting design is right on point. 3 free colouring templates from Octavia Bromell Octavia Bromell is an artist and mental health advocate who’s best known online as Tink. She herself finds release from anxiety through illustration, which combines analogue and digital and often feature houses and plants. Octavia has crafted three charming templates for Adobe’s campaign, which all focus on finding value in the little things. Download Octavia’s templates here 07. Diver This diving scene from Octavia is full of alluring undersea creatures, giving you free rein to play with colours creatively. 08. Cosy House This lovely house and garden scene celebrates the joys of everyday life, in Octavia’s inimitable style. 09. House Plants This funky collection of house plants is appealingly crafted for some mindful and uplifting colouring. How to use the templates Get more colouring templates at Adobe Stock! Once you’re done, you can share your creations with the community via the #colourwithadobe hashtag. And if you’re looking for further inspiration Adobe Stock has you covered, with plenty more great colouring templates to choose from: just search for ‘coloring pages’. Not joined Adobe Stock yet? You can get a 30-day free trial with no commitment needed, and you’ll even get 10 images free! View the full article

Important-rated EoP flaws made up the bulk of the CVEs; SharePoint continued its critical run with four worrying bugs. View the full article

Severe CSRF to XSS bugs open the door to code execution and complete website compromise. View the full article

Adobe patched 36 flaws, including critical vulnerabilities in Acrobat and Reader and its DNG Software Development Kit. View the full article

ESPN has revealed its Monday Night Football schedule for September onwards, and in the process reignited one of the most heated design debates of the year. While the main question on fans' lips is whether the NFL will even go ahead in September, ESPN's new graphic (below) has also reminded some fans just how unhappy they are with LA Rams' new logo. When the new logo was revealed in March, it was met with a barrage of ridicule. Some said it looked like a cheap morning news logo, others thought it resembled the Internet Explorer logo. And while the ESPN graphic features dozens of other team logos, it's LA Rams' that's drawing heat (again). Spoiler alert: it won't be entering our list of the best logos any time soon. Spot the unpopular logo By far the most common complaint is that it could be confused with another logo (thereby breaking one of our golden rules of logo design). And not just another logo, but a logo for another team. While the horn protruding from the 'A' looks silly enough as it is (can anyone else see a croissant?), it also rather resembles a giant 'C'. And with that, it could well be a logo for rival team LA Chargers. Probably not what LA Rams was intending. The previous logo (below) didn't feature the letters 'LA', instead focusing solely on the ram itself. "I'm sure it will be a surprise," LA Rams' chief operating officer Kevin Demoff told ESPN, "but lots of things are and I think it's a change that our fans will come to know and love over time." We won't hold our breath. The previous version of LA Rams' logo It almost goes without saying that a petition to scrap the logo has been set up – and in case you weren't sure how seriously fans take the logo of their beloved team, it describes the rebrand as "a dagger to the heart to a lot of die hard Rams fans". Yikes. At present, over 10,000 people agree. The debacle brings to mind Leeds United's similar logo in 2018 – its updated club crest became one of the most hated redesigns of all time and was duly scrapped. But if ESPN's new schedule graphic is anything to go by, it seems LA Chargers' (sorry, Rams') new logo is here to stay – twisting the "dagger" for many unhappy fans. Related articles: We love the new Cadbury logo – but is there a problem? Leaked Xbox Series X logo has zero personality 6 magnificently minimal logos View the full article

The best laptops for 3D modelling might not be immediately obvious. Although PC hardware isn’t particularly complicated, it’s easy to overlook how the mountain of acronyms, code words and limitless combinations of different products could be seriously daunting for designers who aren’t technical experts. Prospective buyers have to dedicate time into researching whether or not a computer that catches their eye is any good with the software they use, and not every laptop is great at 3D. Until now, the design industry has lacked a single simple branding, intended to let buyers know that a laptop has a specification that guarantees great performance in creative software. That’s why Nvidia has stepped in with RTX Studio, a labelling and set of base specifications that guarantees great performance and an all-round experience when it comes to animation, graphic design, video and photo editing software. Nvidia has set the performance bar quite high. An RTX Studio laptop has to have a minimum of an Intel Core i7, 16GB of system memory, and a 512GB SSD. Minimum graphics requirements are a GeForce RTX 2060, Quadro RTX 3000 or higher, or a Titan RTX. It covers the display resolution as well, which can be no less than 1080p or 4K. With that in mind, here are what we think are the best laptops for 3D modelling right now. For other creative options, see our best laptops for graphic design and the best monitors to go with them. The Acer Concept D7 has some impressive specs: an Intel Core i7-9750H, GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q with 32GB of memory and 1TB PCIe SSD. Its colour coverage is fantastic, as has 100% Adobe RGB, something that makes a big difference when you're creating 3D work. It's also speedy, and has 2,944 shaders, 46 ray tracing cores and 368 Tensor Cores. Overall, it's a solid machine that works well for 3D work, and is good value for the specs you get. Some may find it a tad on the ugly side, though. Read our full Acer ConceptD 7 review. The specs of this six-core Intel Core i7-9750H with a GeFore RTX 2080 graphics card make it highly capable of high-end 3D modelling, as well as gaming. This laptop stands out because of the bright images its advanced 4K HDR AMOLED display show. There's also plenty of ports to be getting on with – an ethernet port plus three USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as an SD card reader. Again, this laptop isn't the prettiest, and some will find it on the brash side, but overall, it's a decent option for 3D modelling, although it can get noisy. Read our full Gigabyte Aero 15x review. The Razer Blade Advanced Model feels squarely aimed at creatives. The design is stark, minimal and pretty good-looking, and the internal specs aren't to be scoffed at either. The touch-sensitive screen is another selling point, it's colour accurate with 100% DCI-P3 coverage. The range of configurations is a little confusing, so make sure you double check exactly what you're looking for before you buy. The Razer Blade is superior to the other models in that it was silent while we were doing our 3D tests, it was also 10 per cent faster than the laptops above. Overall, it looks great, and sounds great, but it is more expensive than other similar laptops with the same amount of storage. Read our full Razer Blade Advanced Model review. Read more: The most powerful laptops The best data recovery software The best USB-C monitors View the full article

Last week, Microsoft unveiled a range of new Surface products, which means there's now some great deals surfacing (sorry) on the older but still brilliant models. The best one we've seen so far is this deal from Best Buy, which knocks a whopping $260 off a Surface Pro 7 and black Type Cover. That means this powerful combo can now be yours for just $699! The Surface Pro 7 has become a hugely popular option for creatives in recent years. Its power and stylish and super-portable design of the Surface Pro has earned it a firm spot in our pick of the best tablets with a stylus. Being able to run the full-fat version of Windows means it can also run popular creative software programs, like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, with ease. Apple sale: 13-inch MacBook Pro gets a HUGE $400 price cut We're not sure how long this great deal will last, so if you've been thinking about investing in a Surface Pro 7, now's the time to buy. And if you're still on the look out for fantastic deals, stay up to date with all announcements for the upcoming Amazon Prime Day. There's savings across the pond in the UK too, albeit more modest. Here is the best deal on the Surface Pro 7 in the UK right now: Not in the UK or US? You can still take advantage of some great Surface Pro 7 deals. Here are the best prices in your area: View the full article

Over the past two years, it's been my pleasure to edit one of my favourite magazines – the design and illustration title Computer Arts. For the past quarter century, it's inspired countless creatives to go freelance, to start up their own design events, and to pursue passionate careers in the creative industry. And yet, faced with the strains of faltering international distribution, reduced footfall at the newsstand, and a lack of advertising revenue, this month's issue of Computer Arts is the last. Although CA will no longer be able to champion vital new talent on the rise, or showcase the very best projects that the industry has to offer, its spirit will certainly live on in the industry-renowned Brand Impact Awards, currently set to celebrate the best branding in the world – and its seventh consecutive year – this 10 September 2020. Uniquely, the BIAs is the only branding-specific awards scheme that hones in to the craft of great brand creation, and with over 20 categories to enter, it's yearly entrants and winners reflect a comprehensive look at what's best in branding. Head over to the BIA site and get the most up-to-date information for this year's event. The very last issue if Computer Arts is currently on sale, until the end of May, but if you're feeling nostalgic, or just want its unique blend of creative content, you can order print back issues, or buy digital editions on your preferred platform. And of course, the passion for creative content and great design still lives on in Creative Bloq, so be sure to sign up to our newsletter (in the box on your right) to get your weekly creative fix. Related articles: Great savings when you subscribe to your favourite mags This is what Banksy working from home looks like 5 innovative ways creative agencies are coping with the lockdown View the full article

If you live in Europe, the Middle East or Africa, you're in luck. Photoshop has never been more affordable than with this incredible deal on Adobe's Photography Plan, which knocks a sweet 16% off super-popular apps like Photoshop for iPad and desktop, and Lightroom. That's means access to all this powerful photo editing software for less than £8/€10 per month! These powerful Adobe apps mean there need be no end to your creativity. Your projects will reflect the limitless possibilities that the precision editing and compositing tools deliver. These tools enable you to create stunning, multilayered artwork by combining images, play with colour and effects to elevate your images, move or remove objects within your images, and even turn photos into paintings or 3D objects. Not sure whether this plan is for you? Take a look at exactly what Adobe's Photography Plan offers: Lightroom CC for desktop and mobile photo editing Lightroom Classic CC for desktop-focused photo editing Photoshop CC on both desktop and iPad to transform your photos Spark Premium to create graphics, web pages and videos Adobe Portfolio to build showcase websites easily Adobe Fonts for all your font needs 20 GB of cloud storage to get you started Not in EMEA regions? Check out our other Adobe Creative Cloud discount post, which we update regularly with all the top offers. If you want access to the entire Adobe Creative Cloud suite, here are the best subscription deals in your area: Read more: How to make a photo collage in Photoshop Photoshop 2020 review The best alternatives to Photoshop View the full article

Are you working on a project but struggling to find the perfect brush texture in the current Adobe Photoshop brush library? You've come to the right place. Start creating the ideal finishing brushstrokes for all your photos or graphics with the complete 1000+ Awesome Photoshop Brushes Bundle, now price-dropped to only $18.99. Although it may seem like a daunting task, creating unique treatments to add to your photos is not as far fetched or time consuming as you may think. Whether you're a professional photographer/designer or you're just starting your career in design, this bundle brings you over 1,000 hand drawn brushstrokes that have been carefully digitally transferred into an easy to use ARB format. Compatible with Adobe Photoshop CS4 or later and Photoshop Elements, each brush will bring endless possibilities to your creative tool kit. See here for our pick of the best free Photoshop brushes. Plus, these are the best laptops for Photoshop right now. The sky's the limit With over 300 paintbrushes, over 20 brushstrokes, 60 skin brushes, over 40 unique frames, and more, you'll be equipped with an endless amount of assets to complement any image. Whether you're looking to add a final touch to wedding invitations, jazz up your digital marketing assets, add texture to your social media graphics, or refine your latest photo project, this bundle brings you a vast array of creative options. Best yet, each high-quality brush is available in various colors and textures and can be used for both digital and print projects of all sizes. The sky's the limit. A wide variety of Photoshop ready perfect brushes will accompany you into your next creative undertaking and offers new possibilities for personal or commercial use. With a standard extended license included, and lifetime access available on all the brushes, you will never have to worry about usage rights or time-related issues for any of the assets. Compatible with Mac and PC devices, you'll be able to use each element over and over again for various purposes. The bundle also includes customer support, allowing for easy access to a team of professionals at Eldamar Studio whenever a question arises. The 1000+ Awesome Photoshop Brushes Bundle has been selling for $39 but is currently reduced even further, to only $18.99. It's certainly a great way to bring new elements into your graphic design work and create something inspirational. Get started on the next phase of your professional career with thousands of unique design brushes that will help you create one-of-a-kind images that pop. Read more: Top-class Photoshop tutorials to try The best digital art software for creatives in 2020 Photoshop shortcuts you need to know View the full article

Noma Bar is king of the optical illusion, and he's recently used his talents to create a series of optical illusion posters encouraging people to be 'boring heroes', and stay indoors. The posters were created in collaboration with McCann New York, McCann Health New York and medicine company Mucinex. The series shows people in their homes lounging around, reading books, listening to music and using their phones, and these images are all cleverly combined with images of more traditional superheroes. The posters are simple yet effective, and are definitely up there with some of our favourite poster designs. Who knew having a nap could be so heroic? "The science shows that staying in isn’t exciting, but it does save lives," says Mucinex vice president of marketing Claudine Patel. "So much more than simple words, these vivid and original visuals invite consumers to show off their superhero creds by donning capes and masks and have more fun while performing mundane tasks, such as vacuuming, making a sandwich or simply taking a nap." While the illustrations don't actually include anyone vaccuming or making a sandwich, which is a bit disappointing – we'd have liked to have seen those images incorporated with the superhero silhouettes – the clean illustrations manage to celebrate the mundane, while showing that medical messaging doesn't have to be dull. They also show that Israeli-born illustrator Noma Bar can create an optical illusion out of pretty much anything. You can see more of the illustrations on Mucinex's Instagram page. Read more: The best print ads ever Modern tech gets a retro makeover in spoof ads Facebook dark mode for desktop is (properly) here View the full article

CVE-2020-9315 and CVE-2020-9314 in iPlanet version 7 will not receive patches. View the full article

If you're looking for the best Memorial Day 2020 deals, you've come to the right place. The special day is almost upon us (it falls on Monday 25 May this year), and with it there are some great savings on wish-list hardware that you may usually only dream of being able to afford. There are some huge savings on laptops, tablets, graphics tablets and monitors. Below we've compiled the very best deals on the best hardware out there for the weeks leading up to the official Memorial Day 2020 celebrations. Whether it's Dell, B&H Photo, Amazon or Apple, we've scoured the internet for the very best bargains from the most trusted retailers, on the models and makes that we know you'll want. Below is a list of the best Memorial Day sales currently going on, and then we've picked out some standout deals from various retailers. And as the deals change, and items go out of stock, we'll update the deals leading up to the big weekend, so it's worth you making a note of this page. This will be the last US sale event until Amazon Prime Day 2020, so be sure to make the most of the deals while they last! The best Memorial Day deals at a glance Dell – up to $250 off its brilliant XPS range of laptops Best Buy – save up to $250 on TVs, laptops, appliances and more HP – weekly deals on laptops, desktops, monitors and more B&H Photo – deals on laptops for creatives, with up to $300 off Tomtops – up to 52% off a huge range of accessories Huion – great entry level graphic tablets for all abilities Adorama – laptops, monitors and more with up to $300 savings Our pick of the best Memorial Day deals around When is Memorial Day 2020? As well as being the unofficial start to summer, Memorial Day has been an American federal holiday that falls on the last Monday in May since the 19th century. It is a day that honours everyone who died while serving in the US military. This year Memorial Day is on Monday 25 May. When do the Memorial Day 2020 sales start? Many Memorial Day sales begin a whole week before the bank holiday, some won't begin in earnest until the weekend before. However, if you bookmark this page, we will be updating all the sales that we find from now until the end of the sales, usually at midnight on Memorial Day. It is the biggest sales event until Amazon Prime, so it's the perfect time to snap up a great saving if you don't want to wait until later this year. Related articles: Apple sale: 13-inch MacBook Pro gets a HUGE $400 price cut Shocking new iPhone 12 leaks suggest big design changes Create stunning designs with the big design graphic bundle View the full article

If an attacker can get his hands on a Thunderbolt-equipped device for five minutes, he can launch a new data-stealing attack called "Thunderspy." View the full article

Whether you're a seasoned photographer, or just starting on your photography journey, there's a big chance that your images look different on the computer screen to real life. Cue HDR technology. HDR Projects 7 Professional: Photo Editing Software has everything you need get the best out of your photos, and for only $39.99. Voted one of the top HDR (high-dynamic range) software bundles in 2020 by CaptainKimo.com, this 7th edition jam-packed editing software brings you colour correcting techniques used by some of the most talented photographers in the industry. Want more image-editing options? These are the best alternatives to Photoshop around right now, and here are the best laptops for photo editing in 2020. The software will do all the work No matter your level of expertise, you'll gain access to valuable tools and the ability to load your images into the quality-enhancing HDR project interface. The program will do all the work and help you achieve correctly exposed images with remarkable contrast and detail. You'll gain access to over 100 image suggestions to find the one you like best for your project, and you'll learn to align your image according to the subject type. You'll also be exposed to colour-exact tone mapping for bright and realistic colour, digital colour filters, optimal image lighting, retina tone mapping, and so much more. Be on your way to bringing out more brilliant highlights and a more extensive range of colour details to your photos, all with just a few steps in post-production. Lifetime access to the software allows you to come back and edit each image, or set of images, whenever a new photo or project comes up – and can even be accessed on up to two devices at a time. Compatible with both Mac and Window systems, you'll be able to use the HDR Projects 7 Professional: Photo Editing software as a standalone version or with the creative software apps Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. With powerful 4k support to the program interface and updates to the software included, you'll gain access to the latest versions. You could start saving valuable time and energy flawlessly transforming your photos. While the HDR Projects 7 Professional: Photo Editing Software is typically valued at $100, you can currently edit your photos like a pro for only $39.99 (that's 59 per cent off). Get started on producing high-quality final images with your photo collections and showcase your best creative work yet. Read more: The 6 best laptops for Photoshop in 2020 61 top-class Photoshop tutorials to try Video editing software: The 17 best tools for 2020 View the full article

Tasty iPhone 12 leaks have been coming thick and fast recently, with most adding up to give us a fuller picture of what's in store. But the most recent wave of information contains a bit of a shocker that changes a fundamental part of the design: the size. It turns out that the entry-level iPhone 12 will be significantly smaller than anticipated by previous renders. According to YouTube account EverythingApplePro (real name Filip Koroy), it'll be as small as 5.4-inches – the smallest model seen since 2016's iPhone SE. And its bezel-less design (it seems that the notch rumours were bang on) means the compact model will be pretty much all-screen, which would certainly be great for using the best photo editing apps. But that's not all there is to discover about the new range of iPhone 12s. Hold tight. The expected product range of four new iPhone models EverythingApplePro has confirmed a bunch of other specs to get your teeth into, but recent intel makes it clear that some of the techier features won't apply to all four (rumoured) models, and will only be present in the top-of-the-line Pro (6.1-inch) or Pro Max (6.7-inch) handsets. So you'll need to be prepared to fork out if you want it all. ProMotion display technology is one of those elements, a feature that brings the refresh rate up to 120Hz – in line with an iPad. This would make certain tasks – gaming, for example – a dream. Sounds great, we hear you say, but what about the battery life? Well, Apple has thought of that, and it looks like the phone will intelligently respond to your performed task – switching between 60Hz and 120Hz to preserve your battery. Phew. And the battery is set to increase dramatically in size, anyway, to over 4,400 mAh. For scale, that's a quite a leap from the 3,969 mAh battery of the iPhone 11 Pro Max. So you won't need to worry about that OLED screen going blank at the worst possible time. A much-improved camera is in store, too. The iPhone 12 is set to have two to three times better autofocus, 3x optical zoom (downgraded to 2x for the entry-level 5.4-inch model), and a LIDAR depth sensor for improved AR experiences (again, only on the high-spec models but this may not worry most). In fact, the camera is apparently so improved that it's slowing down the product launch due to its super-involved testing needs. We can only imagine it'll be worth it. Face ID – which has been discussed a lot recently due to Apple's face mask 'fix' – will be improved, with a smaller sensor but wider recognition angles (so you can hold your phone in different ways when unlocking it using your face), and smarter recognition algorithms, too. And, the Pro Max may even have in-screen Touch ID as well, giving you more options if your face is temporally unavailable. Screenshots shared on Twitter of how the car key tech design might look One of the wildest updates over the last few days is the progression of digital car key technology (see above for how that might look on an iPhone). The Car Connectivity Consortium has published its 2.0 specification for digital car keys, and made it available to its members – including Apple. We have to say though, while it would be super convenient, this leaves your phone with the responsibility of your bank cards, communication, and now, car access. For those already skittish about losing their phones, the future will be even more fraught with anxiety. Anyway, whether or not you're organised enough to enjoy it, it's long been understood that Apple intends to make this feature a central part of iOS 14. Since that release is around the corner – and the iPhone 11 already includes the necessary U1 chip and Ultra Wideband support – we wouldn't be surprised if this feature was included in the flagship iPhone 12 models. There's a lot to digest there, and we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for more iPhone drama as it unfolds before the release date – which is, as yet, unknown. And remember, nothing is certain with Apple rumours, as we saw with the recent release of the iPhone 11 SE, which dished up its own size-related surprises. If you've been hankering after an iPhone right now, you can check out today's best deals below. Read more: The best Apple Pencil deals for 2020 Apple's bendable MacBook will blow your mind The best video editing apps in 2020 View the full article

Facebook on desktop has had a new look for a while for some, but the new design is now available to everyone. And that new look involves a feature that's become increasingly popular over the last year or so: dark mode. Dark mode is popular because it helps to minimise screen glare, doesn't gobble up your battery, and can help ease tired eyes. Plenty of apps have already implemented a dark mode option (see our how to turn on Instagram's Dark Mode and how to activate Slack's Dark Mode), so without a dark mode, Facebook desktop felt a little, well, stuck in the dark ages. But not anymore. How to turn on Facebook Dark Mode It's pretty simple to turn on Facebook's dark mode. Go to Settings, accessed by the downward facing arrow at the top-right of your screen, then scroll down until you see the dark mode toggle, which you can turn on and off. Toggle to activate Dark mode You can also switch back to 'classic Facebook' in Settings, although this option will undoubtedly not be around forever. Facebook claims that its new design will help you "find what you're looking for faster" thanks to its streamlined navigation. It says that finding groups, games and videos has never been easier. We beg to differ. Perhaps it's just us, but we increasingly find Facebook more and more irritating and bloated to use. This is probably because there are so many options and things you can now do inside the app that it feels harder to find them all, and there's no option to hide the ones you never use (ie. gaming, or marketplace). At least now, when we're scrolling around the homepage wondering where on earth that group we used to belong to has disappeared to, we can do so without hurting our eyes. Read more: Facebook tests customisable profile colours and it looks BAD 18 of the best Android apps Dark mode finally comes to Facebook (kind of) View the full article

Are you looking for design elements to compliment your current graphic design asset library? Are you seeking quality images but don't want to spend tonnes of money? You've come to the right place. With over 15,000 resources, the Big Design Graphic Bundle brings you everything you need to finesse your digital design skills and take your work to the next level. Best yet, you can get access to it all for just $29. In our visual world, graphic design is quickly becoming an essential skill for creatives of all kinds and in all sorts of industries. It's no secret that every brand's visual look and feel needs its own unique identity to draw in the right audience. Need to edit images on the move? Check out our pick of the best photo apps. Or improve your Photoshop skills with this rundown of top Photoshop tutorials. Access thousands of design elements With thousands of design elements included in this kit, you'll soon find that extra component to add to your current design, or be inspired to create new works of art. Whether you're a seasoned professional or you are just starting your journey as a graphic designer, you're bound to get something out of this robust bundle to apply to your next project. Take your creativity to new heights with over 500 unique Adobe Photoshop brushes (see here for more Photoshop brushes), more than 200 distinctive backgrounds, thousands of gradient elements in all shades and colors, and more. Each asset is customizable, so you can adapt it to fit the needs of your latest project. You'll be able to search from various themes, color swatches, and textures, allowing for versatile project assets to add to your current image library. Get Photoshop-ready resources A wide variety of Photoshop-ready resources will guide you into your next creative undertaking and allow for new possibilities for personal or professional use. With a commercial license included and lifetime access available on all the content, you will never have to worry about usage rights or time-related issues for any of the assets. Compatible with Mac, PC, and Linux, you'll be able to use each element over and over again and on any device. The sky's the limit. While the Big Design Graphic Bundle has been selling for $39, it is currently price-dropped even further to only $29. It's certainly a great way to kick-off your graphic design needs and bring new elements into your work. Get started on the next phase of your professional career with thousands of unique design elements to help you create stunning graphics. Read more: The best laptops for photo editing in 2020 Alternatives to Photoshop: 13 of the best 71 Photoshop shortcuts you need to know View the full article

The arrival of Apple's new 13-inch MacBook Pro 2020 earlier this month means we're now seeing some great deals on the 2019 version of the powerful laptop. The best we've seen so far is a deal from B&H Photo, where the 2019 13-inch MacBook Pro is on sale for $1,099. That's an impressive $200 saving, and currently the lowest price around on this particular 128GB model. If you'd prefer a more roomy device, B&H also has the 256GB 13-inch MacBook Pro reduced to $1,199 – an even more impressive $300 off. The MacBook Pro is one of the most powerful laptops around, something that makes it a firm favourite among the creative community. It's 13.3-inch Retina display allows you to see and show off design work in all its glory, and the 8th Gen Intel Core processor can handle even the most complex of creative tasks. The B&H Photo sale doesn't stop at MacBooks, it's also got some great discounts on iPads. The best deal sees a late 2018 11-inch iPad Pro on sale for just $799 (a $150 saving). These impressive discounts are only on until stocks lasts, so don't delay. If you love a good deal, be sure to bookmark on Amazon Prime Day 2020 where we hope to see even more great Apple offers. Browse MacBooks and iPads at Apple.com MacBook deals: iPad deal: Outside the US? Here are the best offers on these and similar devices in your area: View the full article