Testing PHP locally in Flash using Mac OS X Leopard

I was working on a project that uses PHP to generate a directory listing of images for use in a Flash slideshow. After working on it for a bit, I realized how annoying it was to have to keep uploading the files to a server every time I wanted to test it.

Create an Abstract Background in Illustrator CS3

Theater Profile Background

Blended Objects are a quick way to create unique backgrounds. When you use the Blend tool you can create smooth transitions between objects. Recently, we created an audacious design for a new web site called Theaterprofile.com. We wanted to capture the essence of the theater by using color and motion in the background. We used Illustrator CS3 and its various tools such as Blends, Gradients, and the Mesh Tool to create this one-of-a-kind background.

Illustrator graphics to After Effects animation

When it came time to create a new animation for our homepage, we decided to go with bold, fun and eye-catching. Our talented designer Beth came up with the graphic treatments for each section. I was then given these as layered Illustrator files and animated them in After Effects. After exporting them to .mov files, they were converted to FLV video.

Collage & Color in Web Design

What is a collage? A collage is a form of art that uses paper, ribbon, newspaper, photographs, art work, and hand-made materials. How does collaging and color influence web design?

CSS Fixed / Liquid Layout Trick

When creating an HTML page there are various layouts like fixed, liquid, hybrid, or elastic. Each page has it’s pros and cons. Recently, we built a fixed layout that needed to be changed to a liquid layout. This would require rebuilding the entire site. We compromised to make a Fixed/Liquid Layout.

Pros: 
1.Maintains the design aesthetics.
2.The text remains readable and fixed.
3.The layout will appear identical in all browsers.
4.Easy to implement.

Cons:
1.A reader with a mobile phone will have to scroll laterally.
2.If the user increases the text size the text may render incorrectly.

Conceptualizing a Successful Logo

My Sketching Process for Seeds to Green

I am currently working on a new logo design for a site we are building.
Getting started is the hardest part. The most important things to keep in mind when designing a logo are:

• Keep it simple so it will be memorable
• Represent your clients company/business and branding
• Design for you audience.
• Make the logo scalable

The big O

Elect this man

Jersey Boys video billboard on display in Chicago

We recently created a new video animation for the incredibly successful show Jersey Boys. This video features motion graphics to let visitors know about the show and give them the ability to download a specially formatted version of the video to their cell phones. The video is prominently displayed at the Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago, which is a major terminal on the Metra rail line.

Pass an Event from .AS file to Flash Movie

An important part of being able to quickly create small Flash applications, is to be able to combine the use of custom classes (.as files), and code that is embedded in the Flash timeline through the use of custom events. 

Embedding Assets in Flex

Just working on another fun project here, and I thought that I would share something that I don’t see alot of Flex developers doing out there. That is organizing your image assests into asset classes as constants. It’s an easy way to keep everything organized, and reduce your overhead, because you can creatre classes that encapsulate a skin or graphics set for a particular task. If you want to learn how read on…