Squidoodling Artwork for your Lens and Group

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 51 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #7,034 in DIY, #181,373 overall

Want a Hand with that Crayon Box?

I'm very happy to help with small bits of art for my fellow Lensmasters and Groupmasters. (Not a Lensmaster? Become one!)

I work with the Squidoo Design Group, so a request placed to that group may end up on my desk from there.

That also means that a request placed to that group should not be placed directly to me.

Group Artwork Request and an IMPORTANT Warning 

Don't borrow the artwork and call it your own. If you would like your artwork BASED on one of these, that's quite easily done. Just make sure your request asks for a MOD to [title]. I've posted an example request to show you how to do this.

If I have done artwork for you, please make sure that you have actually downloaded your artwork and hosted it on your own server. The Designs By Fern version will no longer be available after September 18. 2007.

If your artwork is removed and you have no local copy, please contact me to make arrangements to receive your originals.

Group Artwork: MAKE A DIFFERENCE 

Request: MOD to IMAD





See it in action

Group Artwork: PLEXOGRAPHY 

Request: MOD to PLEXOGRAPHY





See it in action

Group Artwork: SOCIAL NETWORKING 

Request: MOD to SOCNET2.0





See it in action

Group is disbanded

Group Artwork: LENSMASTER SOUP 

Request: MOD to LENSOUP

Transparent GIF set:


Group Artwork: WORLD OF THE KRITARD 




Group is inactive.

Group Artwork: GEEKENFODDER 


Group Artwork: WARRIOR WOMEN 


DIY Approach to Logo Making 

In the mood to do it yourself but just haven't found the right method? Personally I recommend Adobe Photoshop CS3, my personal favorite for doing almost anything with graphics design. Notice I say 'almost' - I turn to other programs like Adobe Illustrator for vector work and Bryce for landscape and scene work. But for all intents and purposes, you can get a long way down the road with Adobe Photoshop CS3 all by itself.
Adobe Photoshop CS3 [OLD VERSION]

Adobe Photoshop CS3 [OLD VERSION]

Adobe Photoshop CS3 software accelerates your path from imagination to imagery. Ideal for photographers, graphic designers, and web designers, the professional standard delivers new features such as automatic layer alignment and blending that enable advanced compositing. Live filters boost the comprehensive, nondestructive editing toolset for increased flexibility. And a streamlined interface and new timesaving tools make your work flow faster.

Amazon Price: $659.99 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

Great References for Photoshop 

There was a time when I would have recommended reading the manual and helpfiles with a piece of software and been relatively confident that that was the best place to turn. However, I've been proven wrong more times than I care to admit, and recognize that there are scads of aftermarket books and tutorials for Photoshop that are much easier to follow than the reference manual. I've always really liked the '... For Dummies' guide books, and this is no exception.
Photoshop CS3 All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

Photoshop CS3 All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

by: Barbara Obermeier

Whether you're new to Photoshop, want to take your skills up a notch, or want to quickly master the new features and enhancements in Photoshop CS3, you've come to the right place. Nine easy-to-follow minibooks cover Photoshop fundamentals plus the newest tools and techniques. "Putting It Together" exercises give you hands-on experience.

Amazon Price: $26.39 (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

What Happens When... 

if I ask for a logo, what goes on?

First I look at your group page or lens as it is right now, reading things thoroughly and making a few educated guesses about how things would look in your mind.

If I can't come up with a mental image rapidly, I send you an email or mesage asking for some input. Once I've received your response, it's off to the drawing board...

... almost

What Happens THEN...? 

You almost made it to the drawing board...

Well, yes, but it's not time to draw.

Once I get your responses, I head into the big bin of existing similar groups (if I can find any) to see what approach they have taken. This is important - I don't want to copy any other group's look and feel, so this tells me what design directions to AVOID. Once I've done that, it's off to the drawing board...

... almost

Still Not Drawing? How Come? 

You should be drawing something by now, Casey.. no?

Well, yes.. but it's still not time to draw.

In the past few decades of working in the graphic arts, I've collected a gazillion stock art and clip art collections, most of which have never seen daylight. Those lurk behind the scenes, waiting for the right project to show up. At this point, I go through a half dozen or so catalogs and collections, gathering together a package of what I like to call inspiration elements. I may not use them in this project, but I will look at them to keep my focus.

So, with my inspiration elements at hand, it's off to th e drawing board...

... almost

(bored yet?)

WHAT?! Still not to the @#^% Drawing Board?? 

Confession time...

Well, yes.. but I don't own a drawing board.

Instead, I turn to my handy dandy iMac Intel Core Duo, plug my Wacom drawing tablet into a USB port, and get to work.

Wacom Power! 

For when you really want to make tracks

About half the time, I work on graphics with little more than Photoshop and my trackball. However, when I need a fine touch, I turn to my USB pen tablet. The control I get with this pressure sensitive device is superb, and it took only a few tries to master its highly intuitive approach. Whether you're serious about turning out quality graphics or just want a totally cool way to doodle or sign your name electronically, this is the way to go. I pronounce it 'way-calm,' and after you've used it for a few minutes, you'll see why.
Wacom Graphire4 6x8 USB Tablet (Blue)

Wacom Graphire4 6x8 USB Tablet (Blue)

Whether you're an artist, graphic designer, or business person, the Wacom Graphire4 6x8 USB Tablet can make your life a lot easier and more productive. Using the Graphire4's unique pressure-sensitive wireless pen and tablet, you can mark up Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF documents with your handwritten comments, edit and enhance your digital photos, quickly create original digital art work, add handwritten notes to your PowerPoint presentations, write your e-mail messages by hand, and much more

Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009) Buy Now

Where's My STUFF!? 

That depends. If you asked for artwork through the Design Group, then I will have posted a link to it in the Out Box section. You should follow that link and see the artwork, then send me a message accepting it.

If you have changes, instead of accepting the art, use that message to let me know what changes you want.

If you requested artwork from -here-, then look in the Out Box here, and find your link. Follow that link to look at the artwork and retrieve it. If you have changes, send me a message through this lens.

I keep a status report on Design Group. If you're in a panic to get something done, and I have not yet started on your artwork, send a message to Janusz through that group page.

If You're SERIOUS about Photoshop 

Don't pass this up

I've been using Photoshop for years, and there is still TONS of stuff I don't know about it. Lucky for me (and now for you as well), Dennis Plucinik has done a lot of the dirty investigative work for both of us, and has produced an absolutely MANDATORY advanced photoshop tutorial collection. Go visit, bookmark, study, gasp in amazement. This is a resource you do not want to be without, as you venture into the nooks and crannies of Photoshop of any rev level.

Place your Request Here! 

All orders subject to time, availability, clarity, crayons

Here's how:

I would like some art for [group name] at [full group URL]
I need (select from below)
[ x ] complete set
[ x ] group header banner (see below)*
[ x ] 100x100 (good for logo work)
[ x ] 80x80 (good for module work)
[ x ] 50x50 (great for personal gifting)

[ x ] MOD of [group name from above]

[ x ] URGENT - Please prioritize - I'm in a mad hurry

See my post for an example of what gets my attention.

* for my group banners, I use 725x125 and have found that works well. The width can be up to 730 and you can make it as tall as you need. Please be reasonable and realistic - this is for free, after all. If you need large projects and suites, buttons, site designs and the like, I work on a contract, job or hourly rate. Contact me directly for quotes, proposals, prototyping and rates.

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