I have been working as an in-house designer for a technology business in San Diego, CA for the last 5 years. I also own a freelance design business (Titan Strides Creative) and of course host and produce the two podcasts weekly. Because of these jobs, I am experienced in many different disciplines including print design, web design, multimedia, video production, 3-D animation and more.

I started Rookie Designer mainly due to curiosity of the new technology of podcasting. When I chose the topic, I never imagined that I would be affecting the lives of designers all over the world, but that is what it has become. So many times, I receive emails from strangers about how I helped them get a job, or inspired them out of a creative rut. It doesn't get much better than that for me! About a half-year into Rookie Designer, I decided to start Quicktips for designers, which is a "screen-sharing" podcast that allows viewers to see what I'm doing in each design application. This "screencast" has taken off and doubled Rookie Designer in downloads.

I suppose I always envisioned a career in education... eventually, but I have been enjoying every minute of the podcasting experiment. I talk about my experiences in the field and relate it to lessons that many can benefit from. Because I never saw it getting to this point, I really have no set goals or expectations. One avenue I still have yet to develop is that of interviews with industry figures. I completed one great two-part discussion about typography with Ken Barber but that is where it stopped. Basically I will continue on as long as the audience can benefit from it.

In Rookie Designer we discuss more theory than specific details of the software. That is more the nature of Quicktips. Using the Mac application Snapz Pro X, I record all the actions on my screen into a Quicktime movie that is available for download from the blog or the accompanying feed. So far, in the first 47 episodes of Quicktips, 20 either deal specifically with Photoshop, or include it in a workflow with other apps. Photoshop is a vital tool that all designers use, whether they create print, web, 3-D, video or multimedia, so I try to include it whenever possible. I myself would describe it as the most powerful application I have ever used (with the only possible exception being Maya).

People should download these podcasts because they are free references. There is no better reason than that! I always justify the lessons taught in this way: If you're a beginner, there's a lot you can learn from someone like me, even though I've only been in the business a short time. If you're a "pro" there are still fundamental lessons that are most likely overlooked on a daily basis. Re-learning, or brushing up on these lessons will make you an even more dynamic pro. As designers, we can never know enough. The business and its tools evolve every day and we need some way to keep up. This is one more way.

They're all free and he likes dogs. How can you beat that? Go and start downloading!

Rookie Designer
See the world of graphic and multimedia design through the eyes of a beginner, and acquire the skills necessary to become a veteran designer. Discussions include design techniques, workflow solutions, business practices, application specific tips and tutorials, and general graphic and multimedia topics.

Quicktips For Designers
Covers many of the major titles in professional graphic, web and media design software in a video tutorial format. Includes tips, techniques and best practices to enhance your design workflow and knowledge of the applications.

Here are links to the blog pages that host the PS CS3 video tutorials:
Quicktips 43 - Photoshop CS3 First Look
Quicktips 44 - PS CS3 Quick Selections
Quicktips 46 - PS CS3 Vanishing Point

For a list of Photoshop podcasts, see our Podcast Directory
For tutorial sites see our Photoshop Tutorials Page.
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Photoshop CS3 Upgrade Options And Bundles From The Adobe Store

Photoshop CS3 Extended is ideal for film, video, and multimedia pros and for graphic and web designers using 3D and motion. Get the full version for US $999, or upgrade for US $349. The standard version of Photoshop CS3 is available for US $649, or as an upgrade for US $199. See all upgrade options at the Adobe Store. See our CS3 Resource Center for free Photoshop CS3 tutorials.

Photoshop Extended is also available as part of Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium, which combines all-new CS3 versions of Photoshop, Flash Pro, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat 8 Pro. Upgrade options for customers in Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Asia can be found at the Adobe International Store.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Available At The Adobe Store

There are tons of new features in Adobe Lightroom 1.0 that you won't find in the beta version. From Clone and Healing functionality to metadata browsing, you'll be able to free-up post-processing time like never before. Get it now at the Adobe Store. Customers in Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Asia can find special pricing and offers at the Adobe International Store. For free Lightroom tutorials see our Lightroom tutorials page.

Special Offer - Fluid Mask - Photoshop Masking Plugin

Fluid Mask is based on breakthrough segmentation technology inspired by the way the eye, optic nerve and brain perform visual processing. When an image is loaded, Fluid Mask's segmentation engine analyses the distribution of colors, finding the natural groups within the image. Together with information calculated about edges, gradients and textures, a model is constructed which divides the images into objects.

Vertus Software is offering Fluid Mask at the special 'friends and partner' discounted rate. This is an exclusive offer to visitors of PhotoshopSupport.com. To qualify, visit the Fluid Mask Discount Price page. Find out more about Fluid Mask on our special Fluid Mask Page.

SiteGrinder Photoshop Plugin - Create Websites Instantly

There often seems to be a strict division of labor within the world of web design and development. Creative professionals tend to stick to the Photoshop domain, while those well-versed in scripting are left to the task of implementing their work. Indeed, the two realms are quite different from each other, to which any of us even vaguely familiar with either can easily attest.

Essentially, Photoshop is a no-holds-barred design studio, offering the artist a seemingly endless array of creative options. On the other hand, HTML, CSS, Java and the like follow strict rules of engagement, requiring the developer to take any number of esoteric concerns into consideration in order to ensure that designs are properly displayed on the web.

Turn Photoshop Into A Complete Web Design Tool
SiteGrinder seeks to bridge this gap between design and development. Basically, this program turns Photoshop into an easy-to-use and fully functional web design tool. With SiteGrinder, designers will now have the freedom to totally let their creativity loose and then, without skipping a beat, transfer their designs to the web. Bringing esthetic concerns together with more practical considerations, this program is an amazingly powerful tool that would make a fantastic addition to any web designer's bag of tricks.

Generate Your Web Pages Directly From Photoshop
By generating web pages directly from Photoshop, you'll be able to spend much more time on the creative end of the spectrum, since you'll know right off the bat how well particular designs will translate to the web. No more going back to the Photoshop drawing board after getting a phone call from your development team, telling you that what you had envisioned doesn't have a chance of being displayed on the web. You can immediately visually and interactively test your designs, which permits you to then make changes to either esthetics or functions while it's still relatively early on in the design process.

Pricing and Availability
Mac OS X and Windows versions of the SiteGrinder unlockable demo are available now via download. SiteGrinder can be ordered from Media Lab's online store.

Photoshop CS3 Book - CS3 Essential Skills - By Mark Galer And Philip Andrews

Brimming with beautiful pictures, Photoshop CS3 Essential Skills guides you through a project-based, progressive curriculum so that you can build all the essential skills to enhance photographs creatively and professionally with Photoshop CS3. If you are an aspiring professional, enthusiastic amateur photographer, or a student learning photography, digital imaging, art and design, or design graphics, you'll be amazed at the stunning results you can achieve. A DVD is included free.