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A user flow is a visual representation of the different paths a user can take within a product or a website. It’s an excellent user experience (UX) tool that allows designers to evaluate as well as optimize the UX of …View the full article

If you want to thrive at Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, this is the master bundle for you. Learn everything you need to go from zero to 100 with the Mastering Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop: Zero to Pro Bundle, now 97% off. Packed with nine courses and over 300 lessons, this bundle brings you everything you need to turn any raw shot into a stunning work of art. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced Adobe CC student, you'll get something out of these comprehensive and in-depth courses. Here are the best free Photoshop brushes, to go alongside your new knowledge. Get Creative Cloud Master in-depth concepts in Photoshop and Lightroom You'll learn crucial software tools and techniques and start editing photos and videos like a pro with some of the top photography program tools in the world. 27 hours of extensive content brings you step-by-step tutorials that will guide you through learning and mastering in-depth concepts in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. With plenty of features that empower you to create stunning visual content, you'll learn everything from adjustment layers to blending modes to make your raw images pop. You'll acquire new techniques and tips on controlling and fixing highlights and shadows using curves, figure out how color wheels works, learn best practices for adjustment layers using LUTs, and more. You'll also soon be proficient in Lightroom techniques such as color grading, skin retouching, final touch-ups, creating color profiles, and more, bringing out beautiful portraits for any type of project. The possibilities are endless. You will also gain certifications of completion for each course, making it a great asset to add to your portfolio and next endeavour. Hands-on exercises in each session will allow you to practise what you learn in real-time and also help you advance your workflow to edit images seamlessly, quickly, and flawlessly. 24/7 access to the content will let you come back time and time again to review each technique whenever you need guidance. While lifetime access to this bundle is priced at almost $2,000, The Mastering Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop: Zero to Pro Bundle is currently price-dropped to only $39.99 – that's 97 per cent off. Learn the latest and greatest in editing artistry and continue to grow your career in 2020. Read more: Lightroom vs Photoshop: What's the difference? How to add fonts in Photoshop 71 Photoshop shortcuts you need to know View the full article

Adobe has begun inviting users to beta test its upcoming iPad version of Illustrator CC. First announced in November, the app is due to be released sometime this year. Signup for the private beta opened alongside the announcement, and some Twitter users have now begun sharing screenshots of their invitations (below) to test the software. So if you've already signed up to the beta, you might want to check your email. Following the release of Photoshop for the iPad, Illustrator will be the next app designers are clamouring to install on their tablets – and perhaps even more reason enough for the currently uninitiated to purchase one of Apple's tablets (check out our best iPad deals if that sounds like you). Illustrator on the iPad was one of the big announcements from Adobe MAX 2019. Back then, we highlighted six super-cool features we couldn't wait to get to grips with, from manipulating symmetrical designs to accessing over 17k fonts. And with 2020's brand new iPad Pro now available (bringing a brand new processor and trackpad support to the device), Illustrator for iPad is sure to be one hell of a powerful tool. While few details have emerged from the beta's lucky invitees yet, MacRumours recently shared a hands-on video of the app in action: Adobe claims to have redesigned Illustrator "from the ground up" to take advantage of touch capabilities and the possibilities offered by the Apple Pencil. While this is an exciting prospect, we hope Adobe has learned a few lessons from the underwhelming launch of Photoshop for iPad. After promising the complete Photoshop experience, Adobe dropped a product that was missing several major features, leading to poor App Store reviews (take a look at our own Photoshop for iPad review). Still, Adobe promised to keep adding features to Photoshop for iPad – last month saw a huge update add long-awaited smart selection tools. Just how complete the Illustrator experience for iPad will be at launch remains to be seen, but we can't wait to try it out. If you haven't signed up yet, check out Adobe's Creative Cloud plans. Related articles: Illustrator alternatives: 6 of the best Adobe gives Creative Cloud users 2 months free - here's how to get it Adobe software list: Which apps do you need? View the full article

For many designers, the idea of pitching for work is something that terrifies them. If you want to land big projects, though, you're going to have to bite the bullet and pitch alongside other interested agencies. That's fine if you're a confident public speaker; the rest of us could use some encouragement and tips, however. Pitching isn't something that comes naturally to most designers; you might be able to create an inspiring mood board with ease, but when it comes to presenting your work to a room of strangers (or more likely at the moment, a video conference) you could find yourself flailing. With practice, you'll become more relaxed about every pitch, but to help you get there here are seven copper-bottomed tips that'll set you in good stead. Why creatives shouldn't pitch for free 01. Do your research Whatever great tips you pick up for delivering irresistible pitches, there's no escaping the fact that if you want to get it right, you're going to have to spend time up front doing your research. You need to know everything about the client, its product or service, who it's targeting, who its competitors are; all of that and much more before you can properly start building your proposal. There's no shortcut here, but doing your research properly will pay off handsomely; you should come out of it with the best possible understanding of what you need to do, and when it comes to the actual pitch you'll be able to confidently answer any questions the client has for you. 02. Get the right tools Even if you don't do PowerPoint, a presentation tool such as Prezi will help you get your ideas across Now more than ever, having the right tools to hand is an essential part of the pitching process. While you're putting your pitch together you're bound to need prototyping and moodboard tools, but what's really going to matter when it comes to the actual pitch meeting is having a presentation tool that can show off your ideas to best effect. Bear in mind that if you're pitching right now it's almost certainly going to be over a video conference rather than in person, and a well-prepared presentation is a must. Remember, though, that if you're presenting online you should take the time to familiarise yourself with whatever video conferencing platform you'll be using so that when the time comes you can share your presentation easily. Nobody likes to sit around awkwardly while someone's frantically trying to figure out how to make screen sharing work. 03. Go off-script if you need to Be prepared to think outside the brief so that you can come up with solutions that the client hasn't even considered Clients often think they know what they want, but you're the expert and you might well have a better idea of what they actually need. If you feel that the solution that would work best for a client goes outside of their brief without affecting the budget, make a case for it within your pitch; it could be the idea that tips the decision in your favour. And when it comes to the pitch itself, be prepared to deviate if necessary. Once you're talking with a potential client, their questions might suggest directions that you hadn't previously considered, even if you've done the most thorough research. If you can think on your feet during the pitch and throw out fresh solutions that aren't part of your prepared presentation, you're again demonstrating your suitability for the job. 04. Don't pitch for free It should hardly need saying, but in the current climate it needs reiterating: don't pitch for free. Budgets are likely to have taken a hit in these uncertain times, but the bottom line is that if you're preparing a pitch, you're putting in the hours to provide clients with creative solutions, and you need to be paid for your work. If a client's insistent that a free pitch is going to be worth it for the opportunity, you need to ask yourself if they really value your work and whether you really want to work with them. In most cases you should just walk away. 05. Forget about the opposition Chances are that a client's going to be talking to other agencies during the pitching process, and knowing that, you might start to worry about who the competition might be and what they're coming up with. That's only natural; all you can really do, though, is put it from your mind and concentrate on generating the best pitch you can. As Michael Johnson told Computer Arts back in 2013, "I used to get obsessed with who I was pitching against. The downside of that is that you start to second-guess how they would approach their presentation. You need to be like Arsenal Football Club. Arsenal will play like Arsenal – they won't change the way they play depending on who they're up against." Do your own thing rather than focusing on the other guys. 06. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse When it comes to the actual pitch you have just one chance to make the best possible impression, and to do that you're going to need to rehearse. If you've spent ages writing up and fine-tuning your pitch you're going to feel that you already know it inside-out; however if you want to turn your well-chosen words into a winning presentation then there's no substitute for rehearsal. Merely reading out your pitch is a dangerous game, especially if you're nervous about public speaking. You'll constantly have an eye on your written words and you won't be engaging with your audience. But if you take the time to read your pitch out loud, over and over, you'll soon become much more comfortable with its rhythms and you'll be able to deliver it in a much more confident and conversational manner; you'll also be able to deal with the inevitable questions and interruptions without feeling flustered. 07. Don't get disheartened if you're turned down Rejection's no fun but it's all part of the pitching business Even when you've done all the research, prepared a set of top-notch materials and delivered a cracking presentation, there's always the possibility that a potential client prefers someone else's pitch. And while nobody likes rejection, it's all part of the pitching business; you can't win 'em all. Don't take it personally; take it on the chin and move on. Also, don't feel that all your work's been wasted; keep everything on file because you'll almost certainly get a chance to re-use some of it in future pitches. Along the way you'll have generated ideas and approaches that could fit equally well with other clients, so make sure you have them to hand when the time comes. Related articles: How to be a better speaker: presenting and pitching tips 3 top tips for pitching over Skype 7 rules for creating the perfect pitch View the full article

Isolation has been made bearable for many by the efforts of the creative community and Quarantine Art Club is a wonderful example of this. Set up on Instagram by children's illustrator Carson Ellis, the daily challenges are a fun and unique way to stay connected – plus learn something new. Ellis' challenges range from more easily interpretable themes, such as 'garden' (see the image above) to specific skills, like 'continuous line contour drawing'. They've elicited an eclectic mix of responses, from children to professional artists. (Whatever your standard, it won't hurt to have a read of our art techniques post before dipping your artistic toe in.) The assignments often contain nuggets of creative wisdom, which could be valuable for your creative process, like assignment three (above), which explains how to use prompts to create new artwork. Our favourite response to this challenge came from Juli, with this super-fun "cat in a mini bikini, dancing ballet". Ellis also gives instruction on how to master a new artistic skill like continuous line contour drawing (see below). We love this poignant response, which goes back to basics with snail mail. Assignment Five: Treasure Map was inspired by Ellis' niece and nephew, and resulted in this Corona map. Whereas this response from Clark, aged 5, is super-imaginative. The project has engaged many in artistic expression, and the expert edge Ellis brings to the series provides unique insight into the creative process of an illustrator. We also love Noel Fielding's art club that's going on over on Twitter, which has some gloriously random results. Check out the rest of Carson Ellis' Quarantine Art Club over on her Instagram page, and find other assignments such as Self Portrait and Who Do You Love. Ellis' children's book, Home, also happens to be one of our favourite picture books – find out more in our rundown of the best picture books around. Read more: Illustrators depict their perfect self-isolation scenario The best pencils for colouring, drawing and sketching 20 phenomenally realistic pencil drawings View the full article

If you've found yourself scrolling mindlessly through Instagram more than normal lately, you're not alone. While you're on the platform, you may as well have a go at playing 'What font style are you?', Monotype's Instagram filter game. It only takes a minute or so and provides some light-hearted diversion. It works a little like the sorting hat in Harry Potter, in that there are only so many possible outcomes, and that the sorter is placed on your head – albeit virtually. The sorter then whizzes through a list of fonts until it lands on the one that it deems right for you. We tried it twice and we got Stencil, and then Global. We're pretty happy with that. If you want more Insta tricks, see our post on how to change the font in your Instagram bio, as well as our tips on boosting Instagram engagement. How do you get this Instagram filter to give it a go for yourself? You'll need to be on mobile first of all. The easiest way is to go to Monotype's Instagram page. There, click on the filters button, which is a smiley face (we didn't know that either). You'll get a video of the game in action; click 'Try it' and give it a go yourself. Make sure you hold down the button to record and don't just take a photo, as that won't work. Click on the smiley face tab to see the filter in action Monotype's filter is similar to another one doing the rounds, 'What font are you?'. The filter can be accessed from Elliotisacoolguy's page and works in exactly the same way. Some people, however, have not been too pleased with their chosen font: We think a one-off Comic Sans isn't too much to worry about, but if you get it across both games, you may need to do a little soul searching, or perhaps check out our list of free fonts for some more typography inspiration. Read more: The best monogram fonts 36 perfect font pairings Great free script fonts View the full article

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It's hard to find the time to improve your skills while working full-time. But if you happen to be at home due to the current circumstances, you may want to take advantage of this great bargain on a 40-hour course bundle offered by The School of Graphic Design. The classes guide you thoroughly through the processes and skills required to create incredible designs, while allowing you to dive deeper into the features of your design software (here's our roundup of free graphic design software, if you're in need of more). Here is just some of what's included: Graphic design masterclass: Beginner This course provides you with a basic foundation in branding and design. Not only will you learn about the process of creating things like logos and branding packages, but also layouts, composition and more. You will also use real-world projects to learn the intricacies of software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Mastering these tools should speed up your design workflow considerably. Get Creative Cloud Graphic design masterclass: Intermediate Building on what was covered in the beginner's class, this course will further develop your design skills in the Adobe Creative Suite. In fact, it assumes you have some basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator. You will learn more and gain more experience by completing an entire digital marketing campaign from start to finish. But this class addresses more than just improving your marketable skill set. It also dives into the practical aspects of running a business. You will learn how to price freelance projects and the best way to present your services to potential clients. Adobe CC masterclass: Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe XD, InDesign This class offers more than just the essentials of these popular design software programs. You will also review the fundamentals of good design for logos, websites, mobile apps and more. Graphic design mastery: The branding and design process Branding is one of the primary factors in marketing these days. Designers who are knowledgeable about branding provide a highly desirable added value to corporations. In this class, you get hands-on experience constructing a full design and branding package, including creating a 3D package design, as well as a working wireframe of web pages. Photoshop manipulation and editing masterclass This course is a deep dive into photo editing, retouching and manipulation. From spot healing to swapping heads, you will be replicating several projects the instructor has completed for real-world clients over a 14-year freelance career. The complete graphic design theory for beginners course The fundamentals of design in this course will provide you with a solid understanding that you can build on with more advanced skills and tools. In addition to the basics of color theory and composition, you will also learn about typography, user experience, current trends and more. Logo design mastery in Adobe Illustrator A company's logo is one of the most important elements of its brand, which means that logo design is an extremely valuable skill to have. This course covers all aspects of developing outstanding logos. Not only will you study logo design theory, the creative process and how to use Adobe Illustrator tools, but you will also learn about the practical details of how to work with clients and the best way to show off your work in a professional portfolio. Buying all of these courses individually would normally cost $1,400, so this is a chance to get your hands on a bargain. The School of Graphic Design Mastery Bundle is only $39, today. Read more: The best Photoshop tutorials How to Photoshop someone into a picture Adobe Software list: Which apps do you need? View the full article

Brands are responding to coronavirus in various ways, from offering free services to reminding people of the importance of social distancing. One trend that has emerged out of the latter is socially distanced versions of brand logos, with car manufacturer Audi the latest brand to join in. Posting a simple animation to its Twitter page, Audi's new socially distanced logo sees its usually interlocked rings (representing four manufacturers which merged in 1932) disconnecting, accompanied by the words 'keep distance'. The rings aren't exactly observing the two-metre rule, but the message is clear enough. But then things get a little confusing as the rings join back together, with text underneath that reads 'stay together'. We can see what Audi is trying to do. The idea, we think, being that if we observe social distancing rules, we will one day come back together and be closer than ever. Kudos to the brand for helping to try and spread the 'stay safe' message, however, in terms of encouraging people to remain distant from each other, it misses the mark somewhat. McDonald's apologises after tasteless logo change The animation ending after the rings disconnecting would have been a much clearer, more powerful message. Or maybe, as Twitter user @opiniontweets_ suggests, slightly different wording? Audi isn't the only car brand trying to promote social distancing. Volkswagen posted a similar clip to is YouTube channel, showing its famous V and W going their separate ways. Here's hoping brands are creating these new campaigns with the sole intention of promoting social distancing. However we can't help but think their time and money might be better spent looking at other ways to help the world deal with this crisis. Maybe they could follow the lead of the creative community, which has come out in force in support of each other. Don't miss our roundup of free online resources for artists and designers that are being offered amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Read more: Get 25% off Adobe Creative Cloud (for a limited time) Polaroid rebrand is an instant pick-me-up Apple gives Final Cut Pro X free for 3 months View the full article

mO2 is a real-time rendering system from Polish outfit, MotionVFX, that brings broadcast quality 3D animation directly within Final Cut Pro X and Apple Motion. It’s very much like Element3D for Adobe After Effects, but leverages the power of Apple’s Metal graphics system and is Mac only. The plugin is ideal if you need a fast turnaround for titles, stings, lower thirds, advertisements, logos, product shots or even a quick previz for a larger project. It outputs at broadcast quality, and can easily be incorporated with other elements, either as a separate composite or as a layer within the same project. mO2 comes bundled with a huge range of objects, materials, templates and behaviours to get you started, but you can also extrude text and SVG files, and import your own model files. Unlike Element 3D – which has received little love over the last few of years – mO2 is continually supported with new templates and model packs, including several that are free. (If you need some 3D inspiration, see our roundup of the best 3D art, or check out our post on the best 3D modelling software.) Get mO2 plugin What is mO2? mO2 is a plugin that integrates seamlessly inside Final Cut Pro X and Motion. It’s installed using MotionVFX’s dedicated mInstaller system, and is found under the Generators menu in both apps. You simply add it to a project, at which point it creates an empty scene with a default light, camera and backdrop, ready for you to add your own text, logo or objects. It acts just like a mini 3D app, enabling you to move and rotate scene elements, change the lighting, add materials and tweak the overall look. It works in real-time, negating the need for lengthy renders – in most cases it’ll export to a movie file in a few seconds. The plugin supports shadows, planar reflections, motion blur, depth of field, ambient occlusion, and has a host of post-processing effects such as bloom, lens dirt, chromatic aberration and vignetting. mO2 materials are based on PBR (physically based rendering), so with the right roughness/metallic texture maps, the results look suitably authentic. It also does transparent refractive materials too, for realistic glass and liquids. The most recent updates added alpha channel support and an opacity blend mode, enabling you to comp mO2 objects on top of background footage and add video elements within the scene. And because mO2 resides as a layer in FCP and Motion, you can always apply other effects on top, right inside the host app. Elements within mO2 can be animated using keyframes and behaviours, and it also has Instancers to duplicate your objects, creating complex sequences of swirling, spinning, scaling items. Why creatives need mO2 Instancers are used to create swarms of multiple elements from one single object, whose behaviour is controlled using Modifiers Everyone is after 3D content these days, but not everyone has the time or inclination to learn a 3D app like Maya, 3ds Max or Cinema 4D (though see our Maya tutorials if you want to give it a go). You may only need the occasional 3D logo, for compositing with other elements, while for some work – like product shots and packaging – a dedicated 3D app is complete overkill. While mO2 isn’t the complete solution to every 3D project, it only costs £155, and with Final Cut Pro X at £299 and Motion at a meagre £49, it’s a very affordable way of adding 3D to your pipeline. If you’ve moved away from After Effects due to Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription system, mO2 will ably replace Element 3D for your realtime 3D needs. Also, if your studio uses Cinema 4D for motion graphics, the plugin will happily load native C4D scene files, complete with keyframed animations, basic materials and MoGraph cloner objects, providing a fast route for final output. However there are some serious caveats: object deformations aren’t supported, so you’re limited to choreographing solid models, rather than things that stretch, squeeze and bend (although you can add some rudimentary deformation effects with MotionVFX’s other plugin, mPuppet). But that’s not to sell the plugin short: a quick look at the examples on the mO2 webpage shows just the kind of final quality you can expect – and it’s pretty damn good. How to use mO2 01. Get setup with mO2 mO2 is mainly controlled from the Inspector tab, but has some on-screen controls, plus libraries for models, materials, textures and environments We’re using Motion, but FCPX is an almost identical process. With a new project open, you add mO2 from the Generators menu, or open an mO2 template from the Project Browser. Click the Inspector tab to see mO2’s menu, and change the Transform icon to Adjust Item – this brings up the UI, with navigation tools, camera menu, post processes and so on. There’s no direct camera movement in the main canvas, so you have to use the pan, rotate and dolly tools – if you hold Shift, these operate with greater emphasis. To add an object, click on the Add icon, which enables you to load an object from the library, add some 3D text, extrude an SVG file or create an Instancer, light, null or camera. To add your own model, go Model > Import Model and select an OBJ, FBX, 3DS, glTF or C4D file. This is then stored in mO2’s own library until you delete it. All being well the model will be centred in the canvas, although you may have to switch cameras depending on how the imported scene was set up. You can interact directly with models, either by clicking on them in the viewport, or selecting them in the mO2 Inspector menu. A 3D gizmo lets you move, scale and rotate them (the rotate function is activated by clicking the tiny circles to bring up the P, B and B orbits), all of which can be keyframed. 02. Make adjustments in mO2 For this example, we chose the Soda Can project bundled in Cinema 4D’s Content Browser. It features a detailed can model, with water droplets and depth of field, and a single frame at 1920x1080 takes over 90 seconds to render (see image above) After some minor tweaks to the can model, we opened the scene in mO2, and made adjustments to try and match the C4D version. Things like white panels for reflections don’t work, so we added lights, and the can needed re-texturing, which was a relatively simple task of applying the texture map using Cylindrical mapping. We then added the built-in Aluminium material to the top and bottom, and toned down the Roughness a bit. To change the look of the scene (especially the metal and water droplets), you can switch to a different Environment, under Scene Settings. This alters the ambient lighting and reflections. It’s then just a matter of turning on depth of field and tweaking the render settings to suit. We added a simple camera move (the C4D project is static) and to preview this you either hit Play (Space bar) which plays back as fast as your GPU can handle it, or do a RAM preview (cmd + R), for a full-res, full-speed playback. To export as a movie, you go File > Share > Export Movie – a process which on our machine took about three seconds for 120 frames at 1920 x 1080. With render time frankly a non-issue, you can expend more effort on tweaking the look of the scene, adding additional animation and changing the lighting, backdrop gradient, post-process effects and so on. Every single tweak is shown in realtime, so experimenting is completely risk-free and painless. 03. Make final tweaks mO2 has plenty of uses from motion graphics to showcasing detailed models To finish off the scene, it’s a simple matter of adding another Group (Motion’s equivalent of After Effects comps), and applying effects, like light glints, colour LUTs, additional elements… whatever you need. mO2 isn’t a magic bullet: it still takes a bit of time and patience to set up scenes and get them looking how you like. But once you get used to its way of working, the sheer speed of achieving a good-looking end result becomes very addictive! Read more: Google's hidden AR tool will blow your mind Element 3D: What is it and how to use it How to Photoshop someone into a picture View the full article

If you're spending a lot of time at home and want to hone your creative skills, this new offer from Adobe might be of interest. Right now, residents of the US, Canada and Mexico can get 25% off an annual subscription to Creative Cloud until 5 April 2020. The price reduction applies to the complete Adobe Creative Cloud suite, which encompasses over 20 different apps. That includes all the big players – photo editing favourite Photoshop, digital artists' go-to Illustrator, video editing software Premiere Pro, web prototyping tool Adobe XD and motion effects creator After Effects. You'll also be able to explore the new additions to the Adobe family, tablet-based art app Adobe Fresco, and Photoshop on iPad. If you need any extra encouragement, remember that when you buy Adobe's full All Apps package you're also getting 100GB of cloud storage (with the option to upgrade to 10TB) and premium features like Adobe Portfolio, Adobe Fonts, and Adobe Spark. Created on Illustrator by Karan Singh The programmes are fully integrated, so you can switch between them (and jump from one device to another) seamlessly – whether you’re out and about or in the studio. Built-in templates help you jump-start your designs, while step-by-step tutorials will help you sharpen your skills and get up to speed quickly. This offer is available until the 5 April 2020, so sign up before then to get the discount. Already a CC customer? You can currently get two months free on your subscription – here's how. If you're not in the US, you can find any current deals in our dedicated Adobe Creative Cloud discount article, or you can find the best prices in your area below: Related articles: Top-class Photoshop tutorials to hone your skills The 13 best alternatives to Photoshop The best web hosting services for designers View the full article

To download the accompanying files for 3D World issue 259, simply click this link and a zip file will automatically download the content to your Mac or PC. If you've missed this issue or other editions of 3D World start a subscription. If you have any problems downloading this content, please email: rob.redman@futurenet.com Read more The best cities for 3D artists OctaneRender: A beginner's guide 3D art: 27 stunning examples to inspire you View the full article

Polaroid has reclaimed its original name and drawn on its previous visual identity in a rebrand that sees the instant film pioneer come full circle. Though you may not have noticed the existence of Polaroid Originals in the first place, this arm of the brand is officially no more. The entire company has now unified, in an explosion of colour, under the flagship brand name: Polaroid. To mark the occasion there's also a new camera, the Polaroid Now. The Polaroid Originals brand was created in 2017 when Netherlands-based group The Impossible Dream merged with Polaroid. This branch of the business continued to manufacture instant cameras, while Polaroid itself pursued non-camera related products. The rebrand aims to "give clarity to people" by unifying the brand under a singular identity that has analogue cameras at its heart. And the whole thing is a rainbow-filled explosion of cheerfulness we can't stop looking at. Need a new camera? Check out our pick of the best cameras for creatives. Or if you want to improve your photos, try our tips to boost your photography skills. The five-colour rainbow spectrum takes on a number of forms across the visual identity The new designs feature a dripping series of five-colour rainbow stripes under the Polaroid wordmark (which retains the original typography), plus a rainbow swooping down for the new cameras to bounce off. The rainbow spectrum iconography has been a core part of all Polaroid branding since the 1970s, (apart from a brief spell in the '90s when things went monochrome), and the Originals brand retained it, albeit in a somewhat minimalist version. But the new, unified Polaroid branding embraces the rainbow at a whole new level. "As this new decade marks a new chapter in the Polaroid story, it’s a moment for us to celebrate that heritage, while keeping our sights set on the future," says Polaroid CEO Oskar Smolokowski. "The new identity for 2020 reflects this, boldly reclaiming the colour spectrum as uniquely Polaroid." The Polaroid Now comes themed in different colours The Polaroid Now is an analogue camera for the modern age, with an improved autofocus system, longer battery life and accurate flash. Polaroid's renewed focus on the instant camera has repositioned the brand for a new era, tapping into the instant gratification modern consumers crave. Polaroid has acknowledged the timing of the rebrand launch, and plans to play a "meaningful role" during the Covid-19 crisis. The company wants to work with its supportive online community through its channels, to create content and share ideas to keep the creative vibe alive. And let's be honest, all that colour certainly helps bring a bit of cheer. Unlike recent logo redesigns from BMW and Nissan, Polaroid's makeover isn't all about going flat, which is quite refreshing. This celebration of brand heritage has a cool retro vibe that also feels totally up-to-date. You can check out the video above for Polaroid's logo evolution. Read more: The best camera for beginners in 2020 Smartphone photography: 6 expert tips How to use photography in design View the full article

The vulnerability can be exploited to reveal limited traffic data including a device’s IP address. View the full article

The BBC has launched a series of videos using clips from classic comedies to communicate a simple message to the public: "Seriously, stay at home". The beeb has managed to find impressively appropriate clips from four beloved shows (The Mighty Boosh, I'm Alan Partridge, The Thick of It and Miranda) to tell us all to stay indoors to slow the spread of coronavirus. Appearing on BBC television and social media, the ads feature humorous scenes on the theme of isolation or staying at home. For example, the clip from I’m Alan Partridge (below) shows Alan preparing for a James Bond-a-thon in his caravan, with a hilariously strict timetable ("1:15 - Goldfinger, strawberry Nesquik, fishcakes"). The ad ends with the text: "Set a routine to get through staying in". If you're looking for more advertising inspiration, check out our best print ads ever. The clip from the Mighty Boosh, meanwhile, features the Isolation song from the episode The Legend of Milky Joe, in which Howard and Vince become stranded on a desert island with only some rather sinister coconuts for company. Boosh fans have no doubt been singing this to each other for days: Next up is a hilariously appropriate clip (below) from political satire The Thick of It, featuring Peter Capaldi's famously foul-mouthed Malcolm Tucker telling his staff: "Right people, listen up. It’s a fucking lockdown right now. This is the fucking Shawshank Redemption, right, but with more tunnelling through shit and no fucking redemption." While the other three clips will appear between shows on TV, this one remains, thanks to the language, online-only. And finally, a clip from Miranda (below) features her conducting a piece of classical music for an orchestra of kitchen utensils and groceries, after telling the viewer, "previously in my life, I've proved that living alone can be genuine fun". The four ads are an entertaining way of getting across a serious message – and ending a comedy clip with the word 'seriously' is a smart way of bringing that home. The appropriateness of each clip is impressive (who knew so many comedies made explicit references to isolation and lockdowns?) but of course, the BBC has a rich history of programming to delve into. While not every brand's response to coronavirus has been a success (such as McDonald's recently-deleted social distancing logo), this is a simple but effective offering from the BBC, as well as a reminder that there's lots of classic comedy available to cheer us up while we're all stuck at home. Related articles: Illustrator gives free drawing lessons to inspire kids stuck at home Iconic logos reimagined for the age of coronavirus Controversial BBC competition produces some incredible fan art View the full article

The best Lego Architecture sets celebrate both the iconic designs of famous buildings, and the modular nature (and even whimsy) of Lego. The best Lego Architecture sets all make excellent display pieces, sitting on your desk or shelves as a testament to the damn good taste you have in both building design and ways to to while away the hours. Like many of the best Lego sets for adults, these can be quite fiddly, fitting in ludicrous amount of detail in some places. But in the case of the city skyline series, they're still not too overly involved as builds – you can finish them over the course of an evening, and they won't take up the whole kitchen table. The Lego Architecture sets of individual locations tend to have a lot more pieces, and take longer to complete, but they also make for satisfying projects to finish, with big and striking results to display. We've ranked the best Lego Architecture sets here, to help you decide which deserves a space on your desk. What we're looking for is a mixture of inventiveness in the Lego medium, models that honour the original structures, and choices of buildings that inspire us. (Also don't miss our extra bonus building section at the end of this guide: jump straight to the buildings here). Also read: The best Lego City sets The best Lego Architecture sets This set is a double design masterpiece, not only giving an astoundingly faithful recreation of the architecture at the base of the Statue of Liberty, but also somehow mimicking the flowing shape of her copper cloak in smooth plastic. Standing 44cm/17in tall when complete, it looks eye-grabbing in the best possible way on the shelf. The colours have been carefully matched to the real thing. Plus, if you're going to have an impressive Lego showpiece, it's nice to have one with Lady Liberty's welcoming principles. This is our favourite of all Lego's skyline Architecture sets because it feels like does the most with the medium. On the left, you have a series of great buildings from the city, including the old of Coit Tower, the modern of the Transamerica Pyramid, and the medium of 555 California Street. Adorably, though, you've also got the steep hill of San Francisco's famous streets, complete with a little red brick evoking the trams. But the really clever part is the Golden Gate bridge, which has its two towers at different heights, to give a it the look of stretching off into the distance (even going to far as to put the second bridge tower behind the little Alcatraz island in the middle). It looks absolutely brilliant, and brings a smile every time we see it. It's like, how much more loving architectural detail could you cram into this space? And the answer is: none. From the intricate front of the National Gallery (which has a hidden interior, incidentally, with art in!), to the fountains and sculpture plinths, to the four lions, to the trees and lampposts and double decker buses, all to scale, this set has it all. It looks so busy, in the best way – it looks full. Bustling, even with no figures in it. As mini dioramas go, it's one of our favourites Lego has ever done. You want great buildings? Here's New York. We've got the second appearance of the Statue of Liberty, this time in clever micro-figure form (without a torch, alas, the only failing of this set). The other buildings look excellent – there's the instantly recognisable texture of the Empire Statue, the Chrysler's iconic peak, and we love the scale you get of One World Trade Center's size. The Flatiron Building is maybe the cleverest design here, using round single-stud pieces at the front to create its wedge shape. This is maybe the Lego Architecture skyline set that best captures the looks of the buildings with little compromise, though there is some very hot competition. Much like the San Francisco set above, this really has fun with its concept, mixing buildings and locales in a way that's deeply satisfying. Again, it's also a lovely mix of the new (the Tokyo Skytree, Cocoon Tower and Tokyo Big Sight) and the traditional (cherry trees and a pagoda). And with Mount Fuji looking over it all, which is the kind of thoughtful touch that really elevates the best of these sets. The final flourish is the collection of vibrant, translucent Lego for Shibuya Crossing, bring the jungle of neon to your desk in spirit. With its orderly and pleasing increase in the size of the building, a rich mix of architectural styles, and a nice set of colours, this has a good claim to be the most aesthetically pleasing of the skyline sets. It certainly comes across that way in photos and from a distance – the only reason it's not higher on the list is that it doesn't look quite as good in person – the joins are just a little too prominent (as compared to the fidelity of the New York set, say). But it's still an excellent set, for all the reasons given above, and then more if you love Shanghai. Again, the combination of traditional buildings (Longhua Pagoda, Chenghuang Miao Temple), the modern (World Financial Center, Shanhai Tower), and the unique (Oriental Pearl Tower). It's a bit of a shame than Jin Mao Tower didn't make it in, considering its neighbours did, but you can't have it all. This thing is monolithic. It's impressive in a way that few Lego sets achieve. It's imposing, at 55cm/21in tall – the tallest Lego Architecture set so far. And it's a beautiful, faultless recreation of the building. So why isn’t it higher on this list? As stunning as it is, the clever part of using Lego to mirror the look of the real thing is the ‘grille’ pieces, and this is the same trick used in the New York skyline set further up this list, just on a much larger scale. Now, obviously, we're not saying you shouldn't get it. If you look at it and desire it, you will not be disappointed one iota. But when the deals are right, you can get two of the skyline sets for the same price (including New York), and we'd be tempted to do that. Though we would still desperately covet it. This set absolutely nails its smaller buildings, and we really love it for that. The Grand Palais' clear roof and intricate front are ingeniously made, the Louvre's pyramid is perfect, the little Parisien houses are adorable, the Arc is a triumph, and there's even a hint of Champs Elysees. The Eiffel Tower is a little divisive – we think it's actually a really impressive bit of Lego engineering to make it look good at this scale, but in real life, it does look a little bitty, which it honestly pains us to say. As with all the sets here, though, not bad by any means – just not quite the verisimilitude of others. We're not convinced by the inclusion of Tour Montparnasse, though – Tour First and Tour Majunga are both much more interesting designs. The only reason this isn’t higher is that, again, it’s one that looks better in pictures than in real life. The Burj Al Arab is fantastic, as are the Jumeirah Emirates Towers. The Frame feels like a bit of a cheat given that it's simply a Lego door frame finished in fold, but you can hardly fault the result, so touché. But while the Burj Khalifa is a show-stopper in pictures or from across the room, it looks a little bitty as you get close. The construction of it quite ingenious, and we hold our hands up (as ever) to the skill of Lego’s designers, but we just find other sets here more pleasing in practice. While the miniature versions of all the buildings here are excellent, we can’t help feeling that while many other sets celebrate buildings old and new, here we’ve only got some (admitted) classics, and with just the London Eye representing the new. You might say that the Paris set does this as well, but that has more buildings in it, whereas this is limited to only four (we're counting Nelson's Column and the National Gallery as one). A Lego Gherkin or Shard feels like a slam dunk. Still, this is one that actually looks better in person than it does in pictures, though, so if you like what's visible here, definitely don't hesitate to buy – it also tends to be one of the cheapest here. Fun note: if you were lucky enough to grab the Creator Expert Big Ben and Creator Expert Tower Bridge when they were available, and the Trafalgar Square from further up this list, you could recreate most of this little setup in giant scale. You would need to devote half a room to that, though. We love 50 per cent of this set, but the other half leaves us relatively cold compared to the other skylines in this list. Listen, Bellagio and its fountains? YES Luxor's ridiculous, opulent monuments? YES. Las Vegas sign? YES, OF COURSE. Wynn Encore? Hmmm. Stratosphere Tower? Like, okay, but in a city of bonkers buildings, it's not the most interesting design. And isn’t the Freemont Street Experience really more of an indoors thing? We know recreating Frank Gehry's Lou Ruvo Centre this scale would be… challenging, to say the least, but we just feel that there are more inspiring buildings in Las Vegas, even if the brown look of the Wynn is certainly recognisable. It’s still more than worth it for that lovely Bellagio front, and its little fountains. Bonus! More beautiful real Lego buildings These may not technically be Lego Architecture sets, but if you have an interest in Lego making beautiful versions of real buildings, these can't be ignored. This is of the most famous Lego sets among collectors, because it was the largest set ever made in terms of number of pieces for a long time – until the Lego Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series Millenium Falcon beat it a couple of years ago. It's a huge set that goes to great lengths to recreate the curved windows and domes, and transparent elements give light the right 'glow' through it. If you've got the space (and the time – it's a real monster of a build), this is a great exploration of how bitty pieces come together to form a beautiful final result. Stadiums have always been places that include incredible structural engineering, and often wear it on their metaphorical sleeves, and that's the case here too – not only does this 1:600 scale set pack in details that are important to fans of Manchester United, but it includes all the visible architecture that makes this 110-year-old marvel hold together. We admit, it may not carry quite as much majesty for non-United fans, but the care that's gone into its details is still a marvel, from the players' tunnel to the statues to the careful placement of every beam, to the mini team coach that sits outside. Buy Lego Creator Expert Old Trafford from the Lego Store online for £249.99 Read more: The best Lego Harry Potter sets The Knight Bus Lego review The best social media schedulers View the full article

The idea of augmenting reality (AR) has been around for decades, but it’s only recently becoming an increasingly mainstream technology with tangible uses, from entertainment to marketing. The tools for building AR experiences are constantly developing, and now platforms such as Spark AR Studio are bringing easy-to-create AR to the social media generation. Here, Lorna Burrows, Head of Content at Immersive Studios, takes a look at how Spark AR is changing the face of augmented reality. For other useful kit for your web design toolbox, see our roundup of the best web design tools around. Get Spark AR What is Spark AR? Spark AR is now open for all to try Spark AR is a studio tool from Facebook that allows users to create their own AR effects for mobile. First launched in 2017, Facebook continues to add capabilities to the platform – most recently, adding in analytics for Instagram and Facebook campaigns. Compatible for Mac and Windows, the AR platform is comparable to tools such as Sketch or Photoshop – only this is for augmented reality. Prior to this summer, anyone could use Spark AR Studio to create custom AR effects, but if you wanted them to go live on platforms such as Instagram, you had to belong to the beta programme. However, now everyone can have a go at creating their own AR effects and publishing them online. What can Spark AR do? Spark has a host of features and learning guides Spark AR enables you to create your own AR effects for mobile using a suite of tools – from patching to animation. What’s more, you don’t have to be a technical genius to be able to use it. It allows you to: Create your own AR effects, with or without a technical background Import your own 3D files and sounds Build with or without code With a host of features and learning guides, it’s a good tool for professional creators (such as studios like ours), as well as personal users. For example, Spark AR enables you to insert your own 3D objects into a project, change their properties and add interactivity, logic and animation. However, if you don’t have your own 3D models, Spark AR provides a vast range of ready-made 3D objects in the AR library. Why is this important? AR technology is becoming more accessible and fun Platforms like Spark AR demonstrate how mixed-reality technology is becoming more mainstream – more accessible, useful and fun. Spark AR enables you to create anything from a face filter to interactive AR games, and social media gives it a wide-ranging audience. Meanwhile, the importance of marketing via social media goes without saying. Instagram has over 500 million daily users and is ever-growing in popularity, with advertisers reporting four times as much engagement on Instagram as Facebook. Spark AR enables brands to be both more creative and more engaging, while taking advantage of detailed metrics, including total impressions, captures and shares – giving insights into how their audience responds to AR. At Immersive Studios, we’ve been creating AR experiences for clients for over four years now and tools like Spark are both significant and exciting in that they are bringing AR quickly and easily to the mass market. It shows how the technology is evolving – both in terms of ease and capability, as well as audience and user demographic – meaning AR is naturally becoming more widespread. Spark AR is an efficient and versatile way to create AR experiences and it widens the playing field – allowing anyone with an interest in AR to access essential functions. For us as a business, it gives us more tools for our arsenal. For those interested in visual effects and 3D experiences, it gives you a platform to explore for yourself. This article was originally published in issue 253 of 3D World, the world's best-selling magazine for CG artists. Buy issue 253 or subscribe to 3D World. Read more: Google's hidden VR tool will blow your mind WebAR: All you need to know about the next big thing 8 golden rules for AR design View the full article

Creatives all over the world are adapting to a new way of life, and the support flooding in from the design community is awe-inspiring. Finances are a cause of concern for many at this difficult time, and in an effort to help, we've seen a number of services offered for free (here's our round up of free resources currently available). Apple is the latest company to get on board, currently offering Final Cut Pro X free for 90 days – voted by us as one of the best video editing software programmes around. Final Cut Pro previously came with a free 30-day trial, but Apple has extended this amid the Covid-19 outbreak. All you need to do is fill in the form to get access to Final Cut Pro X (version 10.4.8) for your Mac; simply enter your name, email address, click download and voila! Users already on a Final Cut Pro trial are eligible to extend to the 90-day offer too. Adobe gives Creative Cloud users 2 months free - here's how to get it In addition to this, Apple is also due to launch, for the first time ever, a free trial on its music production suite Logic Pro X. Set to go live in the next few days, there's no word on when either of these trial offers will end, however the word is Apple will switch back to a 30-day trial for both apps after a limited period. An Apple statement read: “We hope customers who are home and looking for something new to master will try out these free trials and start making some awesome new beats with Logic Pro X or create some amazing videos with Final Cut Pro X." This offer could potentially help creatives make some big savings over the next few months, which will come as very welcome news. If you're in need of some new hardware to get going with this software, you can save on Apple devices too with these unbeatable prices: View the full article

If you're looking for ways to earn money at home as a creative, you're certainly not alone. These uncertain times are affecting every part of our lives, and creatives everywhere are worrying about the impact the Covid-19 pandemic will have on their finances. Cancelled events and commercial shutdown have had a particular effect on creatives, so you may want to find an alternative (or extra) source of income until life returns to normal. We've put together a list of ways you can use your creative skills to earn yourself money without leaving the house. We've shelved any ideas that would require the post office, too. Read on for six ideas that could help you make money from the comfort of your home. For more ideas to keep you busy, you can make sure your graphic design tools are bang up-to-date, or check out these free online resources for artists and designers. 01. Sell snaps to stock websites If you have an image library packed full of stunning photos that haven't seen the light of day, you could put them to good use. Stock websites will pay you for your photographs, which could be anything from holiday snaps to wildlife photography. There are a bunch of different stock photo sites to approach, with commission rates averaging at about 25% (some more, some less). Try Getty Images, Shutterstock and Dreamstime to get you started. It's not a way to make income to live on, but many photographers find it a fun way to make some extra money each month. Note: We aren't encouraging anyone to head out with their camera in search of new shots, this only applies to photos you've already taken that are gathering dust in the depths of your computer. 02. Sell digital prints on Etsy or Instagram Creatives sell digital content on Etsy Etsy isn't just for selling crafts, you can also sell digital files for download. Creatives can take advantage of this by putting their graphic design talents to good use and selling prints and illustrations digitally. You could offer different formats, such as wall posters that can be printed out, or offer selections of beautiful cards for people to send to their loved ones. Instagram is also a great place for selling your digital art, using Shopify, the online shopping platform. A beautifully curated Instagram feed is a great shop window, and the more engagement and followers you have, the more you're likely to sell. Cast your net further by following our tips to boost Instagram engagement. 03. Start teaching online classes There's been an explosion of free content online in recent days, aimed at kids and adults stuck inside. But you don't have to keep it all free. Creatives have a wealth of desirable skills that people at home will be keen to learn, so why not create content for online education websites like Udemy or Skillshare? You can sell your courses to the people taking advantage of all this inside time to learn new things. All you need is a decent smartphone camera to film yourself teaching. There are thousands of courses already uploaded, which cover creative topics from photography to web design, and you could join the mix. Just make sure you think about what unique insight you can offer. If you find the idea a little daunting, check out our public speaking tips. 04. Set up a Patreon Patreon enables supporters to subscribe to your work Patreon is a fundraising platform that supports artists through regular and reliable income from supporters. In exchange for benefits such as exclusive content, involvement in your creations or insight into your creative process, supporters pay a monthly subscription. It creates a wonderful sense of community and benefits art-lovers and creatives alike. If this is something that interests you, you can find out how to get more out of Patreon in our article. 05. Make and sell fonts Create and sell your own fonts If lettering is your bag, why not create your very own font to sell? There are a few different routes to take with selling your own fonts. First, you could approach a type foundry like YouWorkForThem. They will work with you to refine your fonts, complete font families and provide customer support, as well as other services. They will then give you a cut of any sales made. Or, you could sell your own font through a font retailer like MyFonts. They won't provide any service other than a platform to sell your fonts, but they do only accept fonts of a certain quality. Find out more about the font-selling process here. 06. Get yourself ready This is also a great time to get all those jobs done you haven't quite got round to. Putting the work in now may mean increased revenue later. Creating a stunning website, for example, which is ready to go for when the world is back up and running (you can find a top website builder with our pick of the best). Or working on that portfolio (for help, see tweaks you can make to bring it up to date for 2020 and some brilliant portfolio examples). Or, set about creating pieces you can sell later. Whether you're an artist, designer or maker, these days spent inside can be fruitful, meaning you'll have a stock of creations ready to sell in days ahead. Read more: How to make money on Pinterest as a creative The best online art galleries for at-home inspiration The best art books for 2020 View the full article

CVE-2020-10245, a heap-based buffer overflow that rates 10 out of 10 in severity, exists in the CODESYS web server and takes little skill to exploit. View the full article

The malware, the work of a new APT called TwoSail Junk, allows deep surveillance and total control over iOS devices. View the full article

We all love a bit of nostalgia every now and then, and retro product designs are a surefire way to have us hankering for simpler times. That's no doubt why Classicbot's latest Kickstarter campaign has been a runaway success. iBoy is a tribute to "the beloved iconic mp3 player that changed it all" (we think we know which one Classicbot means), and while the desktop accessory doesn't play music, it does feature an adorable smiling face, and removable arms and legs – because why not? The iBoy figure is the brainchild of Classicbot designer, Philip Lee. It is 100 per cent free of electronic parts or functions, but the clickwheel is both rotatable and clickable, making it "the perfect fiddle toy for when you're bored or stressed". And the optional magnetic arms, legs and earphones allow for a variety of poses. Classicbot is kind enough to offer a few suggestions (below). The original iPod remains one of Apple's most iconic designs, despite having long been replaced by products like the iPhone and iPad (check out our best cheap iPad deals in you're in the market for a new tablet). We don't remember our iPod being able to do this While iBoy's original Kickstarter target was £7,400, it's on course to smash a stretch goal of £20,000. If it hits that target, Classicbot will offer a brand new colour option (below), based on the famous red and black U2 Edition iPod released in 2007. Those who have already pledged for iBoy will have the option to swap their order for this edition. iBoy's U2 Edition Classicbot was born out of "a soft spot for product designs from the '80s and '90s", and the iBoy isn't the only one of its retro Apple-based collectibles. Check out its website to find other nostalgic figures based on models such as the iMac G3 and even the original Macintosh. Now if you'll excuse us, we're off to search the attic for our original iPod. Related articles Want to own Apple's original rainbow logo? iPhone 11 Pro review Apple reveals new iPad Pro (but we're more excited by the Magic Keyboard) View the full article

You may naively believe that an eye-catching subject line and killer copy is enough when it comes to email marketing; however, everything begins with email deliverability and avoiding spam/junk folders. The success of an email marketing campaign depends on the …View the full article

If you're looking to beef up your resume, make a career change, or expand on your coding foundation, it may be time to start learning the most in-demand coding language in the US with The Absolute Python Programming Certification Bundle, now only $29.99. Wanting to up your web design game? Try our roundup of the best web design tools around. Familiarise yourself with Python Every new skill starts with acquiring the basics. With over 130 lessons and content available 24/7, you'll start your programming journey with an introduction to Python training. You'll learn the fundamentals of Python and soak up basic concepts such as how to manipulate strings in Python, learning flow control and file processing on the platform, and so much more. With real-world exercises, you'll be able to practise what you learn comprehensively. Enhance your data analytical skills Are you looking to use your Python skills for data analytics? If so, this course is for you. With access to over 40 lessons, you'll start by learning how to use Jupyter Notebook, a leading tool for writing, testing, and sharing quick Python programs that are essential in analytical positions. This course will also teach you how to use NumPy, a library for Python that makes working with arrays and matrices much more efficient, and pandas, a software library, which facilitates analysing and manipulating data. You'll also master simple data visualisation techniques with Matplotlib, a plotting library for Python and NumPy, and put your newly acquired skills to the test. Go from beginner to expert You've got the basics down, and now it's time to amp it up. Designed to take students to the next level in Python expertise, this course will teach you advanced techniques in the map and filter lambda functions, sorting, expressions, databases, object-oriented coding, and more. With over 90 lectures, you'll be exposed to hands-on exercises that will take your skills to new heights. You'll even be rewarded with a certification of completion, bringing valuable skills to your résumé. Usually $600, you'll learn the leading general-purpose language that is Python for only $29.99! Bring on the learning with The Absolute Python Programming Certification Bundle and start up a career as a developer from the comfort of your home. *Prices subject to change. Read more: 6 huge web design trends for 2020 Write HTML code faster The best monospace fonts for coding View the full article

The world is a strange place right now, and creatives across the world are finding ways to adjust to the current way of life imposed by social distancing. But while it's great to use this time to throw yourself into a new project, there are moments when all we need is a calming distraction from the world around us – and we've found just the thing. Photographer and painter Walker Boyes has begun posting an incredibly simple series of videos to his Instagram page, in which he mixes paint. That's it. As Boyes says in the first video's caption, seeing the colours slowly transform is "just something enjoyable to watch" – and sometimes, that's all we need. We've been staring at the first clip, SUNSHINE (below), for hours. Inspired to pick up your own brushes? Check out our must-know painting techniques. And it seems that the calming clips are just the tonic for viewers on Instagram. "So satisfying!!!" says one follower, while another adds, "So much better than anything to do with Covid-19. Bless you!!!" The simple videos are even inspiring others to follow suit: "These videos have inspired me to finally break out the oil set I bought two years ago. I've been to intimidated up until now!" says @rogers.spencer. We love the latest video, FOREST GREEN: As well as painting and photography, Utah-based Boyes also works with embroidery. A series of flower studies can be found on his website, and they're almost as meditative as the paint-mixing videos. Little things like this are keeping us calm right now – take a look at some of the simple pleasures we can't wait to revisit when things are back to normal. We feel calmer already We're loving seeing examples of creativity in the face of adversity right now, from a huge collaborative artwork by French illustrators, to free drawing lessons for kids stuck at home. But right now, all we want to do is watch Boyes' colours slowly transforming into other colours. So if you need another moment of calm, here's one more for good measure: Related articles: Canvas painting for beginners: Top tips 10 oil painting techniques to transform your artwork Essential art supplies for painting: everything you need to get started View the full article