Envato Tuts+ Tutorials |
- Photoshop Button Maker
- 10 Top Office Scene Animation Templates for After Effects
- 25 Best PowerPoint Slide Design Templates (PPT Downloads for 2021) + Video
- 25 Best Bar & Night Club Logo Design Ideas (Inspiration for 2021)
- Managing Remote Workers: How to Terminate Remote Employees
- How to Use Manual Camera Settings to Take Photos With Lightroom Mobile (Pro Mode)
- What Is a Keynote Speech? (+10 Speaker Tips to Deliver Powerfully)
- 22+ Free Minimalist Resume Templates (Word, InDesign, & More CV Designs)
- Mastering Calligraphy: How to Write in Gothic Script
- What is Content Strategy?
| Posted: 29 Jul 2021 10:17 AM PDT In this simple tutorial, we're going to create a clever little way of making little buttons using a couple of layers and one interchangeable image layer. Step 1:Start by drawing in a colored background. I've used dark brown/greys here and used a subtle radial gradient. Then in a new layer, draw a circle and fill it with a color. It doesn't matter what color you use; I've used green here.   Step 2:Next we are going to apply some layer styles. We're using two types of Inner Shadow (one using Inner shadow and one using Inner glow). Also we have a subtle Gradient Overlay and a Drop Shadow and a bit of Satin. I've chosen these to try to make the object look 3D by using shadows at the edges curving away and a radial gradient to make it look like light is hitting the middle. The satin is just to add a bit of extra something! Anyhow, rather than going through the exact settings, just download the source and right-click the layer to Copy Layer Style.   Step 3:This is what the circle looks like with the layer style applied, kind of cool!   Step 4:Next using the Circular Selection Tool, we draw an ellipse which is longer horizontally than it is vertically (as shown). Create a new layer and draw a radial gradient from white to transparent in it. Note that you want to drag the gradient so that total transparency occurs outside of the selection (i.e. the white part has a bit of a sharp cut off when the selection area ends). When you're done, rotate the ellipse by about 30 degrees. This is our main highlight.   Step 5:Now duplicate the highlight layer. Switch the first one's visibility off for a moment so you can see what you're doing, and then hold down Ctrl and click on the second highlight layer to select its pixels. Then hit the down and left arrows a few times and press delete. This should leave you with a thin bit of highlight (as shown).   Step 6:Switch your first highlight layer back on. Then duplicate the second highlight and rotate it down the bottom left as shown. And now you have your button style!   Step 7:So next we want to make the button interchangeable. To do that, we simply get the main green layer and set the Fill to 0% Fill is a bit like Opacity except that if you make something 0% Opacity then you make the layer styles transparent too, whereas if you make it 0% Fill, the layer styles are still visible. This is perfect for us because we get rid of the green, but still have everything we need to make our buttons. Now all we need to do is slot something underneath.   Step 8:So I grabbed a British flag and you can see it here underneath the button and how the 0% Fill is working.   Step 9:All you need to do is hit Ctrl and click on the circle layer to select that sized circle, then press Shift+Ctrl+I to invert the selection, go to the flag layer, and hit delete. And you're done! One button!   Step 10:I then created a few extra buttons using some random pictures. Oh and the "Button Maker" font I used is called "Dynamoe" in case you are wondering!      |
| 10 Top Office Scene Animation Templates for After Effects Posted: 29 Jul 2021 07:56 AM PDT Scene situations play out particular scenarios with animated characters, and you can change the colours to suit your video. In this article we'll show you ten of our favourite animation templates featuring office scenes from Envato Elements, where everything is included in a monthly subscription. Animate an Office Scene With Templates for After EffectsScene animations are normally in fun, 'flat' designs, with animation effects and backgrounds scaled down and simple. They're really easy to include in your video and are a really fast way to make an animated scenario in After Effects. 1. Freelance - Scene SituationFreelancers sit at various desks and tables in a variety of rooms, working on laptops. With a new 'work from home' ethos becoming normal, this scene situation is very timely. There's even a freelancer working at the beach. 2. Deadline - Scene SituationTime is tight with the deadline scene situation for After Effects. Urgency is reflected in animations like a clock on fire, an egg timer running and a stop watch, while the animated characters plan and make decisions.    3. Workplace rudeness - Scene SituationVarious situations reflecting impoliteness, with one animated character being rude to a colleague. There's even a character shown crying at their desk after an unpleasant encounter.    4. Coworking office - Scene SituationCo-workers type on laptops together in shared workspaces: at desks, on soft, comfortable chairs and even on a beanbag. Animations include typing on a computer or desktop, using a mobile phone or tablet, and chatting to each other.    5. Business - Scene SituationIntense conversations are the focus of this office-based scene situation for After Effects. Animations feature graphs, charts, icons for money and email, and much more.    6. Office management - Scene SituationThis scene situation animation features very important looking people going about their very serious management business with briefcases, pointing at charts and holding clipboards!    7. Business meeting - Scene SituationColleagues chat and work in this After Effects scene animation. Characters are seen examining charts, shaking hands, and putting on glasses to get down to some challenging work.    8. Self-Employment - Scene SituationA character has a virtual meeting via a laptop, work on their own from home and other locations, and chat with clients or other self-employed people.    9. Workspace - Scene SituationThis scene situation animation for After Effects highlights workspaces. From cosy beanbag chairs and big lamps, to more formal office spaces with desks and plants, there are a variety of scenes shown.    10. Office job - Scene SituationVarious scenarios of office life are animated in this scene situation, including examining graphs, having a meeting, and chatting with colleagues about work.    More Resources From EnvatoRead the Envato Video Marketing GuideBoost your video marketing skills with our comprehensive guide: You'll learn video marketing from start to finish, so that whether you're a novice or a pro, you'll learn some useful skills that will improve your next video. Download Free Video, Free Music, and Free Motion Graphics Templates From MixkitCheck out Mixkit for free stock videos, free stock music, and free templates for Adobe Premiere Pro. Yes, free! Make a Motion Graphics Video Online With PlaceItYou don't need professional software to create visually-appealing videos, you can make them right in your browser: PlaceIt is an online service with a video maker uses professionally-designed motion graphics templates. Envato Elements: Unlimited DownloadsEnvato Elements offers millions of stock items: photos, music, video clips, fonts, graphics templates of all sorts, video project templates for After Effects, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro and Motion, and creative courses from Envato Tuts+, all with a single subscription. More Templates for After Effects   |
| 25 Best PowerPoint Slide Design Templates (PPT Downloads for 2021) + Video Posted: 29 Jul 2021 07:02 AM PDT In today's instantly interconnected world, communication is more important than ever. No matter the subject, innovative PowerPoint presentation design is a must to carry your message to an audience.    In this article, we're going to focus on 25 of the best modern, trendy PowerPoint template designs. They're perfect for your presentations in 2021. Each PPT slide design helps you project a cool and professional image to your audience—before you ever say a word. Best PowerPoint Slide Design Templates on Envato Elements (With Unlimited Use)You can find hundreds of the best PowerPoint presentation templates on Envato Elements. This is a great offer where you can download as many as you want for one low price.    The best premium PowerPoint design slides we feature here from Envato Elements are designed for communicating your ideas efficiently. If you need the best PowerPoint design template that you can customize quickly, check out Elements. These ready-to-use templates have unique slide designs for PPT and great visuals to choose from. Use them to showcase the concepts in your PowerPoint presentation with pre-built slides for your:
A pre-built PowerPoint presentation slide design is a blueprint for success. Swiftly add your business ideas, insert your data, showcase your innovative solution, and craft exactly the slides you need to win the room. Just add your business ideas and key data to these already visually impactful business plan PPT slide designs. Quickly prep your business template, and you're ready to win over your audience.    10 Best PowerPoint Slide Designs (Video)Are you looking for the Best PowerPoint Slide Designs? Look no futher. We've got some of the of the best PowerPoint presentation designs listed in the video below: Do you want even more great PPT presentation slide designs to choose from? Browse through the list below for more options. 5 Best PowerPoint Slide Design Templates (From Envato Elements for 2021)Imagine you're presenting research findings to your college class. Or suppose you're a corporate executive pitching a concept in search of funding. No matter what you're presenting about and who you're presenting to, the goal is really the same: persuasion. By getting a favorable impression, you're seeking understanding, approval, and agreement. With pre-built PowerPoint slide design templates, leave styling to the professionals. You'll have more time to focus on your message. My favorite source for the best PowerPoint templates in 2021 is Envato Elements. Elements provides an incredible all-you-can-download resource for creatives, with a low monthly fee. Elements has such a huge selection. So, it really helps to have a starting point for choosing a PowerPoint slide design template. I've focused on five of the best below: 1. Evolution - Modern PowerPoint Template   When I'm choosing the bets slide design for a PPT, it's key to find one that offers a lot of creative flexibility. Evolution is a prime example. This sleek, modern PowerPoint design is geared toward those building a comprehensive slide deck in 2021. With a vast assortment of layouts, color options, and content placeholders, your work will become really simple. Simply download the template and insert your own content. This slide design in PowerPoint from Elements does the hard work for you. 2. ONE Modern PowerPoint Template   Nothing speaks to timeless elegance quite like the style of classic newsprint. Black and white colors provide stunning contrasts, with vivid images to illustrate the story. This vibe is captured perfectly by the ONE—one of the best PowerPoint templates from Elements. This template has all the modern touches you're looking for. Modern touches such as image placeholders, video, and collection of charts and graphs. Although it's almost 2021, some things never go out of fashion. This slide design in PowerPoint captures that perfectly right here. 3. BePro PowerPoint Business Template   BePro is a great starting point for anyone looking to build the best, cool presentation slides design for their business. This slide design download includes content placeholders built around stunning visualizations of data. Simply drop in your text, numbers, images, and graphics in this presentation slide design. You'll feel confident that your business is getting the portrayal it deserves. 4. Adren - PowerPoint Template   This PowerPoint slide design theme stands out with pastel colors and graphics inspired by nature. Similar in styling to a modern magazine, Adren allows you to envelop your PowerPoint slides in the true essence of style. Don't forget to check out the many slide layouts and animation options included to bring more customization to your presentation. There's no doubt that Adren is one of the best presentation slides design. 5. Kintel Modern Portfolio PowerPoint   With its unforgettable styling and bold fonts, Kintel is one of the best slide designs for PPT in 2021. The vibe is modern, yet rustic—this one's perfectly suited for showcasing art and all your other graphic design work. You'll also find hundreds of icons and dozens of uniquely themed slide layouts. It's up to you to choose what works best for your presentation slide design and transform your vision into reality. Envato Elements (Design Without Limits)   Envato Elements has a single compelling (all inclusive) offer: Sign up for Envato Elements and you get access to thousands of graphics and templates (with unlimited use). Choose between creative website themes to presentation slide deck templates, and more—all for one low price.    That's right! Download as many professional templates and graphics as you want. Then customize them to fit any of your project needs. 20 Top PowerPoint PPT Slide Design Downloads (From GraphicRiver for 2021)While Elements is an incredible resource for creative projects, it isn't the only option Envato offers. GraphicRiver is another great choice for designs for PowerPoint slides. Rather than paying for a membership with unlimited downloads, GraphicRiver is pay-as-you-go. Find the best PPT slide design you 'd like to use. Buy it. And start filling it in.    GraphicRiver has countless incredible trendy and modern PPT slide designs for download. Here are 20 of my favorites. You'll definitely find the best slide design for PPT to use: 1. Seoul Business Proposal Presentation   20 unique and creative PowerPoint design slides give you the room to showcase trends. Trends such as data, and facts. This PowerPoint presentation slide set is easy and quick to customize. The Seoul PPT slide design also includes free fonts. 2. Govent - Creative Business Powerpoint Template Minimal PowerPoint Template   Govent is another great option for clean styling. One of the best things that sets this presentation slide design apart is the overlapping and interlocking elements. The vibrant contrast this inspires is sure to engage your audience. It's a frontrunner among the best PPT slide designs for 2021. 3. Decor - Furniture Presentation Template   Decor is one of the best PowerPoint slide designs for furniture. It includes everything from image placeholders, charts, and more. Even if you're giving a general presentation, chances are you'll find slides here that work for you. Remember to check out the dark mode theme to jazz up your slides even more. 4. Angle Multipurpose PowerPoint Template v1.5   Angle Multipurpose PowerPoint Template has 272 unique slides and 1088 total PPT slides. This slide design template comes with over 6500 icons and 300 premade color schemes. Easily use Angle for any purpose because of its multipurpose design. Its versatility make it one of the best presentation slides designs to use. 5. Proposal PowerPoint Animated   Proposal PowerPoint Animated is of the best PPT slide designs that also has animation. Some of the slide designs include vector maps, icons, tables, and graphs. This template comes with over 650 slides giving plenty of room to add your information into your presentation. Everything in this PowerPoint presentation design template is completely editable. 6. Beyond Multipurpose PowerPoint Template   Beyond Multipurpose PowerPoint Template has a PowerPoint slide design that can be used for any purpose that you need it for. This template comes with 186 unique slides and 744 total slides. Beyond has a good slide design for business purposes because of its professional look. Easily add an image by dragging and dropping an image into the image placeholder. 7. Getren Creative PowerPoint Template   This PPT slide design set for download includes 475+ slides for every purpose. The modern designs for PPT are editable and customizable, and include maps, infographics, and more. You'll wow your audience with these professional looking PowerPoint design slides. 8. Space PowerPoint Template   These PowerPoint design templates have a cool, modern look. It includes 45 master slides with 150 slide design templates. These best presentation slides designs are ideal for business infographics, company data presentations, and more. You'll find them easy to customize to match your branding and purpose. Space is one of the best PowerPoint slide layout templates. 9. Simplicity 3.1 - Premium and Easy to Edit Template   This template is the perfect choice if you want to keep your styling clean and simple. It's built in the minimalistic tradition to make your text pop. Optional bold color flashes bring emphasis to the many pre-built content placeholders. Its toned-down slide presentation design will keep your audience engaged during your presentation. 10. Business Proposal PowerPoint Template   This corporate-themed PowerPoint template is one of the best choices in this round-up for a proposal pitch deck. Pitch decks are used to pitch big ideas to investors and other interested parties. This template includes all the pre-built PPT slides designs needed for sharing vital details about your company in a sleek, professional style. 11. Massive X Presentation Template   Looking for total customization options, fun animations, and dynamic fonts? All can be found here, in this vector graphic-driven PowerPoint design theme. There are over 300 slides to choose from to hit just the right notes in your presentation. The high-resolution graphics ensure the presentation looks great, even on 4K and retina displays—ever more common in 2021 and beyond. 12. Stunning Company Profile PowerPoint Presentation Template   A corporate profile theme is well-suited for sharing general details about your business. This example encompasses a wide array of organizations with almost 8,000 PowerPoint slides and dozens of color themes. In the modern business environment, it pays to have the best PowerPoint design ready to roll out in a flash. Build one quickly with this professional theme. Just drop in your content and go. 13. Business Data 3 in 1 Pitch Deck Bundle   Another prime choice for business pitch decks, this PowerPoint presentation design includes some nifty special features. One example: device mockups. This template is perfect for app and software developers. The template allows you to illustrate your products as they'd appear on the screens of computers, tablets, and even watches. Once, such mockups would've required considerable creative prowess. Now, you can achieve them in seconds. 14. Ready - Pitch Deck Multipurpose PowerPoint Template   Another solid pitch deck option, Ready is customizable for many uses. Noteworthy are the industry and message-specific pitch deck slide design themes. Included are elevator speeches, problem and solution testimonials, marketing strategies, and competitive analyses. Those make this the best slide design for PPT business cases far more than mere pitch decks. 15. Wow Slides for PowerPoint   This 100+ slide theme features hundreds of custom icons, engaging animations, and sleek transitions. So, this pack of the best slide design for PPT can meet nearly every need. PSD files are included if you need edits to exacting specifications. 16. Project Status PowerPoint Presentation Template   If you're looking for bright, attractive slides, Project Status has some of the best PowerPoint design slides. These let you show the progress of your project, from conception to realization. Highlight milestones and achievements along the way. These designs for PPT are simple to customize for every business need. 17. Startup PowerPoint   The Startup PowerPoint template presentation slide design was designed with a business presentation look in mind. This template has over 100 unique PowerPoint slides. The Startup PowerPoint template comes with maps, infographics, and icons. 18. Unicorn Startup Pitch Deck   This PowerPoint slide design template is designed for an investors pitch. The Unicorn Startup Pitch Deck has such a good slide design that it can serve as an outline for your presentation. Three premade color schemes are included here, giving you the best slide designs for PPT. 19. Finset - Financial Business PowerPoint Template   The Finset template is a powerful and inspired evolution from minimalistic whitespace. The style is clean and elegant, but emptiness is filled by an emphasis on imagery. Cool yellow infographics and dynamic custom charts wrap your message in a trendy vibe of modern cool. 20. Booker - Business Presentation PowerPoint Template   This Booker is geared toward businesses and entrepreneurs eager to share their big idea. As a startup, potential investors need to know all they can. Most aren't willing to invest cash in unfamiliar or poorly explained ventures. With the Booker presentation slide design, you can get the money flowing. PowerPoint Presentation Design Challenges for 2021The problem in 2021 will be communication overload. The question for you, the presenter, becomes: "how do I stand out above the crowd and make my message heard?"    Use trendy, modern PowerPoint slide design templates. Using pre-designed PowerPoint slides saves you time and delivers an appealing presentation. But if you aren't a graphic designer, how can you create the best PowerPoint slide designs? The answer is to use pre-built PowerPoint presentation designs from Envato. They take the hard work out of building presentations. All you've got to do is choose one that fits your message and style, drop in your content, and give an epic presentation. How to Make Great PowerPoint Slide Designs FastWhen you choose one of our amazing PowerPoint presentation designs, you get professional layouts and styles. You don't need to have any graphic design experience to make beautiful PowerPoint slides of your own. Essentially, with presentation slide design templates all you've got to do is drop content onto pre-made slides. Envato slide designs already have flexible placeholders that scale and size your content perfectly.    Let's explore just how easy this is. We'll work in the Botany PowerPoint Presentation from Envato Elements and take a closer look at three specific slide designs. 1. The Title SlideIt's important to set the stage with great slide design right from the start. So, let's begin with slide 1: the title.    As you can see, this PPT slide design really consists of a few text boxes, along with an image placeholder in the middle. To customize, go ahead and click to select each text box. Then simply start typing your own words. It only takes a few seconds. You'll have your content inserted in no time. Next up, click on the image placeholder and browse to a photo stored on your computer. Click to insert it. PowerPoint will drop it right onto your slide. Even better—the placeholder on this beautiful template will ensure the photo is scaled to fit. Just like that, we've made an engaging title slide.    2. The Concept Slide   Slide 6 in this deck is a classic among PowerPoint slides: a simple text-and-photo layout. These drive many presentations by introducing a person, place, or idea through words and images. Once again, your job is easy, thanks to this Elements template. Begin by adding a new title and supporting paragraph over on the left side. Then, go ahead and click on each of the image placeholders to insert your own photos. Tip: you can also take a shortcut and simply drag and drop a photo onto the canvas! The placeholder will react just the same, sizing and scaling the image to fit the box.    3. The Mockup Slide   Slide 53 is a trendy PowerPoint slide design that you can use to show off your website or mobile app. It's called a device mockup. Featuring a 3D representation of a mobile phone, it really brings your product to life. The first steps are the same as above: adding your own text. Now it's time to build the mockup. The best way to do this is to capture a screenshot on an actual mobile phone. Then, copy it to your computer. At that point, it's simply a matter of adding the image, just like we've been doing. The Botany template mockup will overlay the screenshot on the phone's screen, making it an exact replica of a real device!    As you can see, with robust and powerful professional PowerPoint slide designs from Envato slide creation is easier and better than ever. You'll wow any audience, without having to spend a long time designing slides from scratch! 5 Quick PowerPoint (PPT) Slide Design TipsAs you can see, Envato has countless PowerPoint slide design templates to offer in 2021. But no matter which one you choose, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you build the best presentation possible. Here are some of my favorite PowerPoint presentation design tips. 1. Choose a Theme That Fits Your MessageBright colors and whimsical graphics might not fit a corporate pitch deck but might be ideal if you're talking to kids. Before making your choice, think about who you're presenting to and what message you're trying to convey.    By choosing a theme for your PowerPoint presentation design you'll pick a slide design template that works for your presentation ByBy choosing a theme for your PowerPoint Presentation design you'll pick a slide design template that works for your presentation. 2. Keep Your PowerPoint Slides CleanWhat looks good on your computer screen might turn into a cluttered mess on a giant wall projector. Be sure you use fonts that are large and clear enough to be readable from the back of a room. Less is more! Use PowerPoint slide designs that are clean and simplified. Avoid filling PPT slides with text and be sure chart labels are easy to see. 3. Avoid Dizzying AnimationsEven though PowerPoint's fancy animations and transitions might look cool to you, they can distract and annoy your audience. When changing slides, or animating objects onto a slide, it pays to keep things simple in your PowerPoint slide design.    Elegant fades and push animations ease content on and off the screen in a calm, non-distracting way. 4. Set a Clear GoalEach PPT slide should have a clear purpose. Be sure text aligns thematically with a slide title, and that charts and images have a clear relation to the content around them. Nothing is worse than a confused audience. Always remember that a PowerPoint presentation is meant to be a visual aid and not a puzzle! 5. Transform Text-Heavy Slides with InfographicsOne powerful way to slim down a slide is by using an infographic. An infographic combines information and graphics to explain concepts to the audience in a way that neither can do on their own.    Infographics come in all shapes and sizes. Many of the best slides templates that you source from Envato Elements will include impressive infographics. Use them to explain complex concepts. For even more design tips, check out this tutorial from Envato Tuts+: 5 PowerPoint Presentation Design Trends for 2021The best PowerPoint slide design templates push the envelope and don't fall back on the tried and true. When choosing the slide design that works best for you, make sure it uses the design trends that are popular in 2021: 1. Minimal Slide DesignMinimal PowerPoint slide design has been trending for the last couple of years, but it's not going anywhere in 2021. Cut down on the clutter and excessive animations and keep the focus on your content. The result is a cleaner and easier to follow presentation.    2. Show, Don't TellThis trend will help keep the focus on your content. Charts and graphs give you a visual boost when sharing data with your audience. Showing a visual will engage your audience more than just numbers ever will. They're a key part of good slide design.    3. Use Ultimate Gray and Illuminating YellowUsing the year's trendiest colors makes for great PPT slides. According to Pantone, there are two colors in 2021. The colors of the year are Utlimate Gray and Illuminating. Find PowerPoint PPT slide design templates for download that use this color and its shades to take good slide design to the next level. 4. Try Fancy FontsOne of the newest trends in the last couple of years has been the use of bold typography. And no, that doesn't mean Comic Sans. If you want to apply this trend, find fonts that make bold statements, and can support good slide design on their own. Improve the typography in your presentation in just a minute: 5. Isometric IllustrationsThis type of illustration takes a 3D model and puts it on a 2D surface. The result is very satisfying to look at and adds a modern touch to any presentation. You don't have to be an illustrator to apply this trend. Just choose from the PowerPoint slide layout templates that have isometric designs.    More PowerPoint Template Resources From Envato Tuts+Choosing the right PowerPoint slide for you from the thousands of PowerPoint slide layout templates out there is a great first step. But what do you do next? If you're new to the PowerPoint software or just want to brush up your skills, the Envato Tuts+ team has put together the ultimate guide for PowerPoint. Find more layouts, PowerPoint shortcuts, presentation tips, and more. Here's just a taste of the guide to get you started:
Where to Find the Best PowerPoint Presentation Design Templates in 2021 (Envato Elements vs GraphicRiver)Envato Elements and Graphic River feature stylish and professional PPT slides with high-quality designs. These templates are the best you can get in 2021. Which one is right for you, Envato Elements or GraphicRiver? What benefits does each one have? Let's take a look: 1. Key Benefits of Envato ElementsEnvato Elements is a subscription service where you pay a low monthly fee. By subscribing, you get unlimited slide design template downloads.    Download as many PowerPoint templates as you need. Use the templates that you download whenever you need a theme. Envato Elements provides more than just high-quality templates. You also get high-quality fonts, add-ons, and more. Envato Elements has thousands of high-quality, professionally designed templates. 2. Key Benefits of GraphicRiver   GraphicRiver is the top digital marketplace where you can buy single-use PowerPoint templates and graphics. It works as a pay as go model. When you need a PowerPoint slide template to use for a project right away, GraphicRiver is the best option. It's got more than template. It also has fonts, thousands of PowerPoint templates, and more. Your Choice (What's Right for You?)If you're a serial entrepreneur launching new brands regularly, a digital marketer with many projects to promote, or a graphic or web designer with many clients to serve, then Envato Elements offers a great bang for your buck. Sign up for Envato Elements now.    Or, if you need a single PowerPoint presentation template or another file type to download right now, then head over to GraphicRiver (or another Envato Market site) to find what you need. Frequently Asked Questions Answered (FAQs)PowerPoint is used by millions worldwide, but that doesn't mean that millions worldwide know its ins and outs. I've grabbed some of the most common questions about the program and answered them here to put any doubts you've got to rest. Let's dive in: 1. Can I Add Images to My Presentation?Images and videos are both key elements to appealing slide design. There are a couple of options for adding images to slides, including paste and insert. Here's more useful information on working with images so you can have an awesome PowerPoint slide presentation design: 2. How Do I Make a Chart in PowerPoint?PowerPoint slide design benefits from visualizing data. To make information easier to understand with a chart, click on the Insert tab, then click Chart within the Illustrations group. Our tutorial on graphs and charts in PowerPoint goes into even greater detail: 3. Should My PowerPoint Presentation Design Be Industry Specific?Many great PowerPoint slide layout templates are multipurpose and work fine. But if you don't use an industry specific PPT template, you'll probably miss out on great icons and visuals designed for the industry. 4. Can I Use Props While Presenting?Props are a unique way to complement some fun to good slide design. They can get a laugh and connect with your message. If you aren't comfortable with using props, there are other ways to spice up your presentation: 5. What Does Aspect Ratio Mean for PowerPoint?Aspect ratio is the ratio between width and height. If you see PowerPoint slide design templates with an aspect ratio of 4:3, that means there are four units of width to three units of height. This is important to know for the screen size you'll present on. Older screens are 4:3, while newer screens are 16:9. a 4:3 presentation on a 16:9 screen will have black bars on the left and right side of the presentation, which will make your slide design less appealing. Make sure you understand why you must know your presentation's aspect ratio: Learn More About Using PowerPointNo matter what type of presentation you're building, learning more about PowerPoint helps improve your results. When you're building PowerPoint slides, you've got to work quickly and efficiently. That frees up the time you need to build the best PowerPoint slide presentation design. On Envato Tuts+, we've built one of the deepest learning libraries for Microsoft PowerPoint. Use our resource, How to Use PowerPoint (Ultimate Tutorial Guide), to launch your learning path.
Download Our Free PDF eBook on Making Great PresentationsWe've got the perfect complement to a professional PowerPoint template. It'll help you learn how to write, design, and deliver great presentations. Download The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations now for FREE with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter. Get your ideas formed into a powerful presentation that'll move your audience.    Get a Head Start on Your Slide Design: Grab a Professional PowerPoint Template DesignIn 2021's hustle and bustle, you don't have the time and energy to build a PowerPoint presentation design from scratch. So, it pays to use pre-built slide design themes like these. Whether you choose Envato Elements unlimited slide design downloads or buy individual PowerPoint template designs from GraphicRiver, you'll find a plethora of dynamic slide templates at your fingertips. So, now it's time to get started! Download your favorites today and begin building trendy, modern presentations for 2021. Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Sarah Joy and Nathan Umoh. Sarah is a freelance instructor for Envato Tuts+. Nathan is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+.    |
| 25 Best Bar & Night Club Logo Design Ideas (Inspiration for 2021) Posted: 29 Jul 2021 07:00 AM PDT Bars and nightclubs: they're fun, popular, and deserve cool bar logos to attract crowds! If you work in one, you know how important marketing is. But what if you don't use design software and you need the best bar logo design for your business? Placeit is the best solution for you.    Use the Placeit logo maker to create a logo right in your browser. You don't need any software installed. The logo maker is easy to use online. We'll show you some of the top bar logo designs from Placeit, and we'll cover how to use the Placeit logo maker. But first, we'll show you some of the best bar logo templates from Envato Elements. 5 Cool Bar Logo Templates From Envato Elements (2021)Are you an experienced graphic or freelance designer? Do you use design software every day? Then Envato Elements is a great option for you. The subscription-based marketplace offers you unlimited logo templates, graphic templates, add-ons, and more. All for a low monthly fee.    Let's review a hand-picked selection of logo templates from Envato Elements. These bar logo designs are available with your subscription. 1. Brewing Logo Template (AI, EPS, PDF, JPG)   With so many new beer brands, beer logos are popular this year. This cool bar logo features a beer hop illustration and strong typography. If you need bar logo ideas, consider this one. The logo template is fully editable in Illustrator. 2. Wine Spot Bar Logo Design (AI, EPS)   Wine bars deserve nice bar logo designs. This bar logo is a clear indication you've arrived at the coolest wine bar in town. You can edit this 100% vector logo template in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. 3. Eagle Beer Logo Design (AI, EPS, PNG, JPG)   Are you looking for modern beer bar logo ideas? This is a cool beer logo that will look great everywhere. The 100% vector logo template is fully editable and uses free fonts. 4. Vintage Beach Bar Logo Design (AI, EPS, PDF)   Beach bars are some of the coolest places to hang out. Reflect that with a matching beach bar logo design. This logo template features a vintage beach illustration. Edit it to your liking in Adobe Illustrator. 5. Deer Nightclub Logo Template (AI, EPS, JPG)   Working on the newest night club logo? You need a fresh and modern nightclub logo template. This minimalist nightclub logo template will look fantastic. The logo template comes with well-organized layers, and it's fully editable in Illustrator. 20 Best Bar and Nightclub Logo Templates From Placeit (2021)With Placeit, you can build an eye-catching bar logo that's sure to draw in clients. You'll outsource design to the experts and get back to serving your loyal customers!    Use any of these bar logo templates on Placeit to start designing your own! Click on a template, add a few customizations, and download your finished logo. 1. Fresh Logo Template For a Cocktail BarWhether you're in the city or at the beach, cocktails bars are the place to visit. Bring in new clients with this trendy bar logo design. The cocktail bar logo template features a cool orange slice illustration framed on a square. The typography and colors put the bar logo design together. Remember you can edit all the details in the Placeit logo maker. 2. Cocktail Bar Logo Generator   Sleek electric graphics make this night club logo a star in its own right. Polished and refined, it's the perfect choice for a hip urban nightspot. If you need bar logo ideas, check out the cutting-edge fonts and striking contrast here. 3. Beach Bar Logo Maker   Running the hottest spot in town? Capture your essence with this warm, summery bar logo design. Select from a variety of tropically inspired graphics and pair them with your own custom color palettes in the logo maker online. 4. Neon Sports Bar Logo Design   Pints and pool tables are hallmarks of the casual nightlife scene. Use them to help you create your next sports bar logo design. This one is bold, fun, and looks great when featured in neon lights. 5. Biker Bar Logo Generator with Skull Ace Clipart   Biker bars are a special niche, and yours deserves a winning nightclub logo template. Dive into this rich offering and explore logos themed around all things motorcycle. And then combine the icon with gritty script fonts to bring your brand to life. 6. Cocktail Bar Logo Maker Online   In search of bar logo ideas? Remember how useful bright splashes of color can be. This bar logo maker delivers with a full set of customizable colors to build unique branding in seconds. 7. Minimalistic Bar Logo Template   As with any marketing image, your bar logo can benefit from minimalist design. You're trying to get attention, after all, and clean designs often do the trick. This logo template embraces simplicity with flexible text placeholders and a single icon in the middle. 8. Logo Maker for a Bar and Lounge   Bar logo design ideas often revolve around the specific type of nightspot you're running. But that doesn't mean individual templates can't fit many purposes. Such is the case here; every design element is totally adjustable, with only the simple style remaining constant. 9. American Sports Bar Logo Maker   Retro styling is a timeless theme for your sports bar logo design. As you build the finished product, picture your new logo on signs, pub glasses, shirts, hats, and more. It pays to find something that looks great anywhere, and this elegant beer logo gets the job done. 10. Karaoke Bar Logo Maker   Karaoke bars occupy a special place on the nightlife scene. That's why yours needs an awesome nightclub logo template to introduce to the world. Choose a pair of eclectic icons for a fun bit of contrast. Then introduce four different colors to really get the party started! 11. Night Club Logo Template   For a compelling night club logo, it's hard to top this custom design. No matter your audience or style, it's meant to jazz up any establishment. Modern fonts combined with abstract graphics in this nightclub logo template will attract audiences in droves. 12. Night Club Logo Generator   This nightclub logo template captures the best of ultra-modern style. Instead of relying on fancy icons, this one derives its creative vision from lines and angles. It's simple, no-nonsense, and the perfect tool if you're looking for night club logo inspiration. 13. 80s Night Club Logo Maker   In many ways, the 1980s were the golden age of disco and dance. Recapture the glory days with this funky, retro nightclub logo template. You'll find dozens of circle icons to perfectly outline your name and slogan in the Placeit logo maker. 14. Logo Maker for a Fancy Night Club   Seeking to elevate your nightclub game? Start with this sleek night club logo, featuring all the best in modern typography and contemporary styling. Let your name speak for itself with this sophisticated nightclub logo template. 15. Pub Logo Maker with Medieval Shields Graphics   Convey an old-world feel with this clubby pub logo. Icon options include swords, crests, armor, and more. Combine those with a full suite of custom text overlays and easy-to-edit backgrounds. 16. Logo Maker for Craft Breweries   Craft breweries are one of the hottest new types of bar, so it's key to leverage top branding. Start here with this dynamic beer logo. Be sure to select one of the stunning custom icons to become the new face of your brand. 17. Bar Logo Maker with a Circular Badge   Cool bar logos look great on pint glasses, signs, coasters, and more. Circular graphics, in particular, are a good fit. Use them to your advantage with this professional bar logo maker. Whatever you're pouring, this template lets you present it in style. 18. Bar Logo Maker for a Mexican Bar   If tequila is the name of your game, bring it front and center with this bar logo. Using a bar logo maker like this takes the guesswork out of building amazing branding. All you need is a name—the template will do all the hard work. 19. Beach Bar Logo Maker   Chill, sun-drenched graphics make up this incredible beach bar logo. Capture the spirit of lazy days by the waves, simply by dropping in your name and slogan. It's quick and easy, and it'll keep customers coming back for just one more. 20. Sports Bar and Grill Logo Design   A bar and grill logo design like this one tells the world what your bar and grill is all about. With rugged, sporty imagery, it keeps the focus on food and fun. Plus, it includes all the text placeholders you'll need to communicate your name, catchphrase, and even contact details. 5 Quick Tips to Create a Cool Bar Logo (With an Online Maker)We've looked at 20 compelling bar and night club logo design ideas from Placeit. Now, it's time to learn how to use them, right inside your web browser. 1. Select a Template That Fits Your BrandLet's try out option #17 from above, the Bar Logo Maker With a Circular Badge. When you click on the link, Placeit will take you to the online editing suite. Options are arrayed in menus on each side, and in the center, you'll see a big preview.    2. Add Your Name and SloganRight from the start, you should make the bar logo template your own. Start by adding your name and slogan. To do this, simply type over the text placeholders on the left side of the screen. You can also change the fonts and colors by using the drop-down arrows.    3. Change the Badges and IconsEach Placeit template is different, but all offer customization options for icons or badges. In this case, we can swap out both the center logo and the circular graphics. To do this, simply scroll through the content options on the right, and click on the thumbnails to select new ones.    4. Add Your Own BackgroundChanging the background color is a quick and easy way to mix up the entire look of your logo. To change it, click on the Background drop-down in the upper right. You can select a new color from the chooser or click More to dial in custom options. It's a must-do in your creative process.    5. Download and Use the Logo AnywhereThe best thing about Placeit is the flexibility it offers. You build your logo online, and then simply download a finished image file. To do this, click Download at the top of your screen. Follow the prompts, and in seconds you'll have your new logo ready to roll out.    Build Better Bar Logos With Top Design TipsOnce you've given your bar or nightclub a name, it's time to build a perfect custom logo. A few key features like these will help your bar logo stand out:
Thanks to custom bar logo inspirations from Placeit, you can create amazing logos in just a few clicks. All you've got to do is select a stunning night club logo template, drop in your content, and download the finished product. Discover More Amazing Logo Design ResourcesWe've covered some cool bar logo ideas from Envato Elements and from Placeit logo maker. If you need even more logo design inspiration, we've got these resources for you:
Create Your Bar & Night Club Logo TodayTurn to Envato for all your nightclub logo inspiration. Placeit enables the creation of stunning bar logos, right inside your web browser. Envato Elements unlocks more robust editing power, thanks to amazing custom logo templates that work with your preferred editing software. Whichever option you ultimately choose, you can be assured of bold style and winning value. The choices are yours, and your future lies wherever your imagination takes you. Get started building your bar logo now! Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Maria Villanueva. Maria is a staff writer with Envato Tuts+.    |
| Managing Remote Workers: How to Terminate Remote Employees Posted: 29 Jul 2021 06:55 AM PDT Remote work isn't going away anytime soon. Even though location-specific workplaces are opening up again and employees are returning to their offices, many positions will continue to be remote.
According to a recent FlexJobs article several companies like Atlassian, Dropbox, and Microsoft have decided to keep their workers either partly or completely remote for the foreseeable future. If you're managing remote workers, at some point, you're going to have to terminate one or more of them. Letting go of a team member is difficult enough in traditional work settings. Remote work arrangements can make the situation even harder. And many managers are unfamiliar with how to manage off-site employees and overcome their particular challenges. This can aggravate an already sensitive situation. This article will help you to set up guidelines and procedures specifically for letting remote workers go. You'll become aware of the issues and risks that apply to location-independent workers, and how to mitigate them. Communication, Productivity, and Other Challenges in a Remote Workplace.jpeg) .jpeg) .jpeg) Companies new to having off-site employees may wonder how to make sure remote workers are working. But some studies suggest that remote workers are more productive than on-site workers. A two-year study of over 800,000 Fortune 500 employees found that their productivity increased when they shifted to working from home. But remote work presents unique communication and other challenges that may lead to a dismissal or make a termination more complicated than it already is. These challenges include: 1. Working in SilosBecause employees in a distributed workforce have fewer opportunities to interact with each other, there's an increased tendency to work in silos. This means they lack visibility on what other team members are doing. This could explain why management is always looking to increase accountability for remote workers. The tendency to work in silos can also result in poor collaboration and innovation. 2. Asynchronous Communication and CollaborationWith people distributed in different locations and time zones, responses to messages may not be timely. This could delay the completion of tasks and projects, as workers spend a lot of time waiting on each other. Some remote employees may also have to attend virtual meetings that take place at times when they would normally be asleep. This could affect their performance both during the meeting and afterwards. .jpeg) .jpeg) .jpeg) 3. MiscommunicationCommunication when working remotely is always mediated. It takes place over video conferencing, email, messaging, or phone. These are simply not as effective as face-to-face communication. That's because remote workers don't have the benefit of sensing the nuances and more information provided by body language, voice inflection, and other non-verbal communication. It's easy for miscommunication to happen as a result. 4. IsolationRemote workers are more susceptible to feeling isolated and lonely. They no longer have the camaraderie that spontaneously develops among co-workers who interact in-person regularly. This could lead to reduced engagement and motivation on the job, which could further result in a drop in productivity. This also means that unemployment may be a bigger blow for remote workers than for office-based employees. As you can see, the challenges of remote work can lead to performance problems that may become grounds for termination. But if these problems are addressed, performance issues may be prevented from happening in the first place. Sometimes terminating an employee for performance reasons is unnecessary if the above problems are handled early. Issues for Companies That Have to Let Remote Workers Go in 2021Whether a termination takes place in an office-based or a distributed team, the best practices for letting go of employees remain the same. The following best practices are recommended for the termination of both location-specific and remote workers. But there may be special considerations for remote workers: 1. Keep It LegalReview the contract you have with the worker. It'll usually specify the termination notice, separation pay, and other items related to the termination of their employment. Also examine applicable laws to make sure you're meeting your legal obligations. For remote workers, generally, the applicable labor laws are the ones where the worker is physically located and performing the work—not where your business is located or registered. 2. Respect the Employee's DignityAlways treat everyone with dignity and respect. This means responding to the dismissed employee with empathy and compassion, even if they become hostile. Give them the time and space to process the termination and to get their affairs in order. Losing one's income and occupation has a big negative impact on their lives, as well as in the lives of their dependents. This is why job loss is considered one of the life's most stressful events. It's a recognized contributory factor to illness. Also be extra sensitive when using mediated communication if you can't deliver the bad news in person (more on this below). .jpeg) .jpeg) .jpeg) 3. Make Sure It's Not a Performance "Management" IssueAs we've seen above, remote work poses challenges that can undermine an employees' level of engagement, motivation, and performance. These challenges can be overcome with effective management. This includes tracking the employee's performance and giving feedback regularly. And if their performance is lacking, good management means working with them to come up with a plan to bring their performance up to par. If everything has been done but performance still fell below standard, then the termination shouldn't come as a surprise to the employee. It may even be mutually agreed upon, especially when other options have been explored to improve their work. 4. Off-board Properly and SecurelyMake sure your organization's projects will continue to hum along smoothly even after the termination. Have a continuity plan for handing off projects to team members who'll be taking over the work. Also make sure to keep your company safe.
5. Don't Forget the Employees Who Are StayingFinally, remember that terminations also affect the employees who are left behind. They may experience lower morale, caused by uncertainty and fear of being the next one to be dismissed. They're also losing a colleague or a friend. Plus, if they've had to absorb the terminated employee's responsibilities, they may experience increased pressure and stress. Make sure to inform the team about the termination while protecting the employee's privacy and dignity. Address the rest of your team's fears. Let them know what you're doing to ensure a smooth transition or turnover. How to Fire Employees RemotelyYou've taken the above considerations to heart and formulated plans for a smooth and secure off-boarding. Now you're ready to have that difficult conversation of telling a remote worker they're being let go. Here are specific pieces of advice for letting go of remote workers: 1. Choose High-Touch CommunicationIf at all possible, deliver the news in person. This is feasible for remote jobs within the same city or region as the company's headquarters. Arrange to speak in-person, because that shows more respect. It's also much easier to show empathy and to communicate more effectively when you're face-to-face. But if this isn't possible, then a video conference is the next best option. And if that isn't available, either, then speak over the phone. Terminating an employee through email should be the absolute last resort, if other, higher-touch modes of communication aren't possible. .jpeg) .jpeg) .jpeg) 2. Be Transparent in Your Communication Be honest about the reasons for the termination. If it's performance-related, be prepared with documentation of their performance reviews, key performance indicators (KPIs), and other ways you've been tracking performance. If the termination is due to financial reasons such as bankruptcy or insolvency, prepare to show your company's financials. Make sure they're easy to understand, even for a lay person. Be ready to answer any questions that may come up. 3. Inform the Worker About Off-boarding PlansDon't shock and upset terminated workers unnecessarily by removing their access to work-related platforms before you've spoken to them. Even if you must revoke access immediately after—or even during—your conversation (such as for security reasons), this is still better than giving them no heads up at all. 4. Brace Yourself for a Negative ImpactEven if you've been considerate and respectful, the terminated employee may still respond negatively to losing their job. Some may retaliate publicly, such as by bad-mouthing the company on social media. This is why it's a good idea to always check your social media mentions. (You should be doing this anyway, even if you haven't terminated employees). A disgruntled employee may also choose to take legal action against you and the company. As mentioned before, make sure your legal bases are covered. Hire a lawyer as necessary. .jpeg) .jpeg) .jpeg) 5. Be Gentle Yet FirmWhile you want to be gentle, you also need to be firm. Make it clear that the decision has already been made. The termination isn't up for discussion or negotiation. It may help to keep the conversation forward-looking, such as by talking about what happens next. You can also share what plans you've got to help them find their next position. Unemployment for Remote WorkersAnother important thing to consider when letting go of a remote worker is the unemployment benefits they may be entitled to. Unemployment benefits most likely depend on whether they're a remote employee or a remote contractor. Typically, unemployment for remote employees include a minimum notice period, severance pay, and/or unemployment benefits. For example, some laws require the employer to give a remote employee two weeks termination notice or termination pay in lieu of this notice period. But a remote contractor may not be entitled to any of these. .jpeg) .jpeg) .jpeg) Unemployment benefits for remote workers may also be affected by the reason for termination. When a remote employee is dismissed for cause—such as for the perpetration of fraud or theft, misconduct, or habitual neglect of duty—the employer is no longer obligated to provide termination notice and other severance benefits. Remember, laws differ for each country and region within each country, so refer to the appropriate government policies. Again, for remote workers, the applicable laws are the ones in effect where the worker resides. Below are links to employment and workplace policies in specific countries: Laws dictate the obligations employers have to terminated workers. But you can always do more as a gesture of goodwill, as your budget allows. For example, some companies continue to include former employees and contractors in their Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAPs provide counselling, online programs, articles, and other forms of support covering health, wellness, finances, etc. Other employers may also decide to give a bigger separation pay than what the law requires. They may even give severance pay to contractors. Learn More About Remote WorkersEffective management of remote workers may make termination unnecessary. But if not, an open and positive remote work environment helps make a termination go more smoothly for all parties concerned. The key is to always be nurturing a positive work culture that helps workers to be their happiest, most productive selves. Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group, has been quoted as saying:
If you need tips for managing remote workers, you may find these posts helpful in managing remote workers:
An Amicable Parting of WaysTerminating employees is never easy. Letting go of remote workers has its own complications. Even so, you can take steps to make the parting of ways as amicable as possible. Begin by ensuring you're following applicable employment and workplace laws. Always give the employee or contractor the respect you would like to be given if you were in their place. And, finally, be particularly sensitive to the peculiar needs remote workers have. You need human resources policies to help you navigate the intricacies of employee relations. These include policies and processes for firing remote workers. Have these in place before your company or organization needs them. Hopefully, the information in this post has given you a good place start.    |
| How to Use Manual Camera Settings to Take Photos With Lightroom Mobile (Pro Mode) Posted: 29 Jul 2021 06:51 AM PDT For all those times auto exposure mode just doesn't cut it, Adobe Lightroom Mobile has got you: Open the camera and set the file format to DNG to create those beautiful, high-resolution files, then tap professional mode, and start tinkering with the exposure settings to make your ideal image. In this tutorial, you'll learn the short, simple steps required to use the manual exposure settings in Lightroom Mobile. Check out the how-to to see Lightroom Mobile's manual exposure settings in action, and read the steps that follow. You'll learn how to create raw images that have the precise creative effect you desire.    How to Use Manual Exposure Settings with Lightroom Mobile's Raw CameraThe BasicsLightroom Mobile is a free app that lets you create, edit, and share high-quality images. Embedded Adobe Photoshop technology provides you with over 30 presets, allowing you to experiment with color, clarity, vignetting, and more—all for free. Upgrading to a Creative Cloud Photography plan gives you access to a few more editing options, as well as syncing across devices, a customized website, Photoshop, and cloud storage. Creative Cloud plans and pricing for individuals vary from $9.99/month to $79.49/month (or you can pay annually in one lump sum) and usually come packaged with other perks, apps and GBs of cloud storage. (Businesses, students & teachers, and schools & universities are offered other plans and pricing.) You can also try it out by activating a free seven-day trial. 1. Open Lightroom MobileTap the Lightroom Mobile icon on your phone. 2. Set the File Format to DNGTo ensure you're photographing in DNG—raw, uncompressed, high-resolution files that allow for the greatest latitude in editing—tap JPG. Then toggle to DNG. Check out our previous tutorial for more on Lightroom's DNG mode if you're curious, otherwise, carry on to the next step.    3. Set the Camera to Pro ModeTap Auto to the left of the shutter button. Then tap Professional.    4. Set the Exposure CompensationLighten or darken your image before you capture it. Tap Exp., then move the exposure slider accordingly. For negative exposure values, move the slider to the left, and for positive exposure values, move it to the right. Double tap Exp. to reset the exposure compensation to zero.    5. Set the Shutter SpeedAdjust the speed of your camera shutter. Tap Sec., then move the shutter speed slider to the right for slower shutter speeds (up to one second) and to the left for faster shutter speeds (up to 1/1,000). Double tap Sec to reset the shutter speed value to Auto.    6. Set the ISOAdjust your cameraphone's sensitivity to light. Tap ISO, then move the ISO slider to the right for high ISO values and to the left for low ISO values. Double tap ISO to reset the sensitivity value to Auto.    7. Set the White BalanceSelect your white balance according to the lighting conditions. Tap WB. Then select the icon from the options bar: AWB for automatic, the light bulb icon for Tungsten, the rectangular bulb icon for florescent, the sun icon for daylight, and the cloud icon for cloudy skies. Double tap WB to reset the white balance to Auto.    To customize the white balance, tap the dropper in the options bar. Then aim your device at a neutral colored surface to determine the white balance. Last, tap Checkmark to lock in the white balance.    8. Set the Focus DistanceTap [+]. Then move the focus distance slider to the right to increase the focus distance and to the left to decrease the focus distance. Double tap [+] to reset the focus distance to Auto.    9. Lock the Exposure SettingsAfter you customize your exposure settings, tap the lock icon at the bottom. The lock shuts and turns yellow when the settings have been locked. A brief notification at the top appears when the lock changes from locked to unlock, or vice versa.    10. Reset All SettingsTo return all of the exposure settings to their default, tap the arrow icon above Reset. A brief notification at the top appears when the settings have reset.    11. Show Highlight ClippingThis mode shows you a preview of where you image is over-exposed. First tap on the three dots on the upper right to view in the in-app camera options, and then tap the triangle icon.    Doing this provides a highlight clipping overlay of stripes in live camera mode on the areas that will be over-exposed based on the settings you chose. Great information to know before you make your image!    14. Enjoy the Creative Effect of Your Manual Exposure Settings!By manually adjusting the exposure settings, we were able to portray the cactus plant as if against a shadowless white seamless, rather than a cream-colored wall.    Shoot Using Manual SettingsGo the distance. Be particular. When automatic exposure settings don't result in the creative effect you're looking for, don't settle. These manual exposure adjustment options offer many of the same options in a "real" camera, so there's no excuse not to make your vision a reality. Keep Learning About Lightroom and PhotographyHere are a few more free tutorials and resources to help you study up on Lightroom and smartphone photography:
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| What Is a Keynote Speech? (+10 Speaker Tips to Deliver Powerfully) Posted: 29 Jul 2021 06:35 AM PDT Being asked to give a keynote speech can be a little intimidating, especially if you've never given one before. You may even be wondering: what is a keynote address?    Keynote speeches are important and being asked to give a keynote talk can be a great opportunity for you and your business. So, if you're asked, consider taking advantage of the opportunity. But first, you'll need to learn a little bit more about keynote speeches. In this short tutorial, we'll cover what you need to know about giving a keynote message. We'll provide you with a keynote address definition. We'll provide you with some good keynote speech examples. Plus, we'll cover ten tips to help you become a better keynote speaker. For valuable tips on how to create a top-notch presentation, be sure to download our free eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations. It'll help you master the complete presentation process.    What Is a Keynote Speech?So, you're probably wondering what a keynote speech is and how it differs from any other speech you might give. A keynote address is typically given to set the theme for an event. Examples might include the main speaker at business conference or even a guest speaker at a graduation. Keynote speakers are sometimes well-known figures or even celebrities. In other instances, depending upon the audience, they may just be someone who's very accomplished in their field. Keynote speakers are often paid for their services and a professional keynote speaker who is in demand can earn quite a bit. Even if you've never given a keynote message before, being asked to give one is both an honor and a great opportunity. Keynote speeches are usually based on the speaker's own experiences and knowledge. They can also include motivational and inspirational elements. Effective keynote speakers often make use of storytelling as well. But the most important factor for keynote message success is audience engagement. The keynote speaker needs to capture and hold the audience's attention and set the tone for the entire event. If you're trying to learn about a particular type of public speaking, hearing an example can help. One good example of a good keynote speech comes from Oprah Winfrey, who gave the keynote address at the 2018 commencement for the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. You can listen to her speech for yourself: For even more examples of effective speeches, many of which could serve as keynote addresses, study this roundup of some of my favorite Ted Talks: How to Make Your Presentation Stand Out With a SlideshowIf the keynote address you'll be giving will include a slideshow presentation, you need to make sure that slideshow is the best it can be. Part of making effective use of a slideshow is to make sure that your presentation design is attractive and eye-catching. Admittedly, this can be tough to do if you're not a professional designer. Fortunately, there's any easy way to create an engaging slideshow even if you're not a designer yourself. Envato Elements is a great way to find beautiful presentation templates for any need. These professionally designed templates will help your slideshow to really stand out. Plus, you'll be able download stock photos, WordPress and web templates, graphics, and more—all for a single flat rate! Download as much as you need as often as you need it. This is just the type of service a busy professional needs. But even if you're sure you're only going to give the one presentation and you don't need any of the other assets available through Envato Elements, we've still got you covered. You can purchase an affordable, one-time download of a professional slideshow template through GraphicRiver. Now that you know where to find good slideshow templates, you may be wondering which templates to pick. The template roundup below can help: Now that we've discussed how to use a slideshow for your keynote message, it's time to examine some tips for giving a better keynote speech. Speaker Tips for Giving a Keynote SpeechYou're pulling your keynote message together and you need to make sure it's effective. But it's been a while since you've given a speech, or maybe this is your first one. How can you make sure your speech is a success? Here are ten tips for public speakers that'll help you deliver a powerful keynote address: 1. Know Your AudienceUnderstanding your audience is vital for any public speaker, but it's especially important for keynote speakers since it's vital that they establish rapport with their audience and also because they set the tone for the entire event. So, as early in the speech preparation as possible, give some thought to who you'll speaking to. Tailor your speech to their needs and interests. Ask yourself these questions:
If you know nothing about your audience, try asking the contact person who invited you to speak. 2. Do Your ResearchIf you've been asked to give a keynote speech, there's a good chance that you're already quite familiar with your topic. But don't take that knowledge for granted. Double-check your facts. Also, look for recent developments and include any relevant updates to your material. Pay special attention to information that'll be useful to your listeners. 3. Tell a StoryStorytelling is a great way to connect with an audience. If you've got personal experiences that your audience can relate to turning those into a story can often help engage your audience. Even if you don't have personal experiences, you may be able to share the experiences of others. For example, sharing the story of how a client successfully overcame an obstacle may inspire your listeners—especially if they've faced a similar obstacle. 4. Consider Giving an Interactive PresentationAdding an interactive element to your keynote message is another way to capture your audience's attention. There are several types of interactive elements you can add including getting audience feedback in real-time and incorporating a Q&A session into your presentation. To learn more about interactive presentations, review this tutorial: 5. Practice Your SpeechLike any other speech you might give, you should practice a keynote speech until you're very familiar with the material. Strive to know your speech topic so well that you could talk about it without your notes if you needed to. As you practice, use your presentation notes or outline as a prompt rather than reading your speech. If possible, practice the speech in front of a friend or family member who's willing to provide feedback. The following tutorial includes a checklist for practicing a speech that could be helpful: 6. Overcome Your FearDoes the idea of getting in front of an audience and talking make you uncomfortable? Well, you're certainly not alone. Studies from the National Institute of Health (and other sources) have shown that as much as 77% of the general public may fear public speaking. With a keynote message the fear and pressure is sometimes greater since the presentation is such an integral part of the event. Fortunately, there are methods you can use to overcome the fear of public speak ranging from positive self-talk to body language and more. In the tutorial below you'll discover over 20 ways to fight the fear of public speaking: 7. Stay Focused on Your GoalIf you're giving a speech, it's easy to become distracted. Unfortunately, if you stray too far from your topic you're likely to lose the interest of your listeners. This is where your speaker notes can be particularly helpful. Make sure that your speaker notes are visible (and use a large enough font that you can read them easily). If you do lose your pace or feel you've gone off topic, don't be afraid of a brief pause while you check your outline. You can learn more about creating speaker notes to your presentation tool in these short tutorials:
8. Be BriefAvoid overexplaining the topic of your keynote address. You can do this by stating each point once followed by your supporting detail for that point (including slides and other visual aids). Next, summarize the point and move on to the next point. If you expected the audience to react to a point and they don't respond in the manner you expected, resist the temptation to go back over the point. Finally, when your presentation is complete you can restate the main purpose of your talk. Being brief and being focused matter and the audience will appreciate you for it. 9. Get Enough SleepYou probably already suspect that you're not at your best when you go without sleep. Now science supports what you've always suspected—lack of sleep negatively impacts your performance. So, do your best to get a good night's sleep before your keynote talk. But that may be easier said than done--especially if you're at a business conference where there's a temptation to stay up late socializing and visiting with colleagues and potential clients. There are some practical steps you can take, even when you're traveling, to improve your sleep. You'll find some of those steps in this tutorial: 10. Share It OnlineOnce your keynote address is over, you can still benefit from it. One way to do that is to share your speech online. Sharing your speech online helps you to reach a larger audience than you initially spoke too. There are a number of ways to share your speech online, including:
To learn more about sharing your keynote address, study these tutorials:
Make Great Presentations (Free PDF eBook Download)We also have the perfect complement to this tutorial, which will walk you through the complete presentation process. Learn how to write your presentation, design it like a pro, and prepare it to present powerfully.    Download our new eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations. It's available for free with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter. Your TakeawaysYou've just been given a keynote definition and some examples of great keynote speeches to follow. Now that you understand what a keynote address is and why it's important, you'll want to make your keynote message as good as possible. Even if you've never given a speech before, you can use the speaker tips in this article to give the best keynote address that you can. Once you've finished your keynote presentation, don't forget to share it for maximum impact. If you've enjoyed the tips in this tutorial, you may also enjoy our Fundamentals of Public Speaking Learning Guide. Have you given a keynote speech? What tips or advice would you add for others? Editorial Note: This content was originally published in 2018. We're sharing it again because our editors have determined that this information is still accurate and relevant.    |
| 22+ Free Minimalist Resume Templates (Word, InDesign, & More CV Designs) Posted: 29 Jul 2021 05:55 AM PDT A minimalist resume can help you land your dream job in 2021. A minimalist resume usually features a clean and uncluttered design. That makes it easy to focus on the important information. But, creating a minimalist resume from scratch each time you send in your application is time-consuming.    A better option is to use a minimalist resume template. The main advantage of using a template is that it already has all the necessary sections and the basic layout in place. So, all you've got to do is add in your information. There are many free minimalist resume templates for Word available online and today, and we'll show you the best of them. But, first, take a look at some of the premium examples of minimal resume designs that are available on Envato Elements and GraphicRiver in 2021. Find Premium Minimalist Resume Templates on Envato ElementsPremium minimalist resume templates. They allow you to make a more polished resume because they've got more design and customization options. A great place to start your search for a premium minimalist resume template is Envato Elements. Envato Elements has a compelling offer. Your subscription allows you to download unlimited resume templates as well as other designer assets. That's right! For a low monthly fee, download resume templates, fonts, stock photos, icons, patterns, themes, and so much more. This means that you can download a different resume template for each job application and tailor it to the application. Take a look at a few examples of premium minimalist resume designs we've got available on Envato Elements: 1. Minimalist Resume Template   This minimalist resume template for Word is modern and very stylish. It's got neat and organized sections for all your information. The layout uses white space well and it comes in A4 print size. Edit the skills and hobbies section for an excellent visual touch. It'd be hard to find a minimalist CV template Word free download that matches up to this quality. 2. Minimalist Modern Resume Template.jpg) .jpg) .jpg) The first template on the list features a modern and minimalist resume design. Use it for any type of job application and comes with a matching cover letter and a portfolio that you can use to showcase your skills. Customize the template in Adobe illustrator. 3. Minimalist CV Template - Simple Resume Template   The Minimal CV Template is a simple resume and CV template that features beautiful typography and subtle pops of color. You'll also get a matching cover letter. Edit the minimalist resume template in Microsoft Word and Google Docs. A minimalist resume template Word free download will struggle to match up with this. 4. Minimal Resume CV Template - Clean Resume and CV Template   This minimalist resume template is a great example of using color as an accent. It uses a two-column minimal resume design so you can easily organize the information on your resume. Edit the template in Illustrator so you can personalize this minimal CV design. 5. Minimalist Resume CV Template   Have a look at this minimalist modern resume template. It's simple and clean yet vibrant and eye-catching. The boxed sections serve as excellent frames for your skills and experience. The colors can be edited, and so can the small box for the QR code. Design this clever is rare to find in a minimalist resume template free download. Cool Minimalist Resume Templates From GraphicRiverThe Envato Elements marketplace is filled with premium, minimalist Word resume templates that come with your subscription. But if you prefer buying items on an individual basis, then you'll want to swing by GraphicRiver. This marketplace has thousands of minimalist resume templates that you can buy individually. Here are a few top choices: 1. Minimalist Resume Template   Here's a versatile minimalist resume that will help you on your job hunt. The soft colors add a nice pop to your CV and they're completely editable. You can add a nice professional headshot quickly to this minimalist resume template. If you want an alternative to a free minimalist resume template for Word, you'll want to try this one. 2. Clean and Minimalist Resume   Neat, organized, and clean are all words that describe this minimalist resume template for Word. It comes with a cover letter that shares the same modern layout as the CV template. This option is easy to edit and is completely print-ready. Just add in your information and get it sent out to recruiters and hiring managers. 3. Get Minimal - Minimalist CV Resume Template.jpg) .jpg) .jpg) The Get Minimal resume template is a great choice if you're applying for a corporate position. It features a modern blue and white color scheme and can be edited in InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Try it instead of a minimalist resume template free download. 4. Minimalist Resume - Fresh Resume Template.jpg) .jpg) .jpg) The Minimal Resume template has a two-column, fresh design. It makes your resume very legible and aesthetically pleasing. You also get a matching cover letter design. Edit this minimalist resume template in Photoshop and Word. 5. Minimalist Modern Resume Template   This minimalist Word resume template rounds out our list of premium CV designs. It features a professional two-column layout and organized sections. You'll also get a matching cover letter. The files can be edited in either Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop. If you want a premium alternative to a minimalist CV template Word free download, check out this option. The above is just a small sample of all the beautiful templates we've got available on our marketplaces. If you need more inspiration, take a look at our collection of 29+ Modern Resume Templates With Clean (Elegant) CV Designs (2021). 22+ Free Modern Resume CV Templates to Download in 2021As mentioned earlier, a free minimalist CV template for Word is a good starting point if you're new to the process of job hunting. .jpg) .jpg) .jpg) Before you start hunting for free minimal resume CV designs online, check out our premium offerings. They're well-designed and come at no cost to you. Here's the deal:
We also have professionally designed minimalist resume template free downloads in these posts:
Are you still looking for a free minimalist resume template for Word? Here are some of the best free minimalist resume templates available from around the web: 1. Chronological Resume (Traditional Design)   Here's a free minimalist resume template for Word that allows you to make a good first impression. It's a minimalist resume template free download that comes from Microsoft. 2. Free Simple Resume TemplateThis free minimalist resume template for Word comes from Microsoft Office and it's a good choice if you want to put the focus on your skills first. Edit the template using MS Word. 3. Free Clean Resume With Minimalist DesignConsider this free resume template if you're a student or fresh out of college and applying for jobs. The minimalist CV template Word free download features a simple design with a focus on your education. 4. Free Simple Resume CV TemplateThis minimalist resume template free download makes it easy for your resume to stand out thanks to the photographic header area. Easily change this into a colored section or leave it white. Edit the template in Illustrator and Photoshop. 5. Free Minimalist CV Resume Template   This minimalist resume template free download on our list uses sections to organize your information. Edit the free minimal resume template with Word or Google Docs. 6. Free Minimalist Resume TemplateIf you're looking for a more elegant design, this free minimalist resume template for Word fits the bill. The minimalist Word resume template features clean typography and can also be edited with InDesign. 7. Free Clean Teacher's Resume TemplateThis free minimalist modern resume template is designed for teachers. It has a two-column design that you can edit in Microsoft Word. 8. Free Resume Template - Origin ThemeThe Origin Theme is a minimalist Word resume template that's free. It's got a minimal resume design. Your contact information and resume body is split into different sections. 9. Free Minimal Resume Template   Try this minimalist CV template Word free download is for if you want a resume that stands out yet isn't too cluttered or overwhelming. The template includes creative use of color and a profile photo to add visual interest to your resume. 10. Free Minimalist Resume CV TemplateThe free minimalist CV resume template for Word has a timeless design and uses classic serif fonts. This makes the template look more elegant. You can also customize the fonts and colors using InDesign or Photoshop. 11. Free Simple CV TemplateThis free minimalist resume and CV template for Word has a simple design. It also includes a matching cover letter. Customize it to your liking using Illustrator, Word or InDesign. 12. Simple Free Resume TemplateConsider this minimalist modern resume template that's free if you want a simple, yet classic design. It uses a two-column layout. Easily change colors and fonts. This minimalist modern resume template editable using Photoshop. 13. Free Black and White Resume TemplateThis free minimalist resume template features a modern, minimal and bold design. It uses different colored backgrounds to distinguish between different sections. This minimalist resume template free download a nice option if you're looking for a minimal CV design. 14. Free Clean Resume Template   If you're looking for a dark option with a minimalist design, consider this minimalist resume template free download. Edit it to your liking in InDesign. 15. Free Resume Template With a Minimal DesignThis free resume template has a minimalist design and can be edited in Illustrator. The template comes in four different color schemes that can be customized to match your style. 16. Free Minimalist Resume DesignThis resume template has a two-column design and you can easily add your photo to make it stand out more. The minimalist resume template free download includes a matching cover letter and can be edited using Photoshop. 17. Free Minimalist Student Resume Templates for WordTry one of these minimalist resume template for Word free downloads if you want a CV that'll make you stand out. If you're a recent grad, these options are available to you. 18. Free Minimalist Resume DesignThis minimalist resume template for free download comes with table and outline layouts. Choose the style that suits you and the position best. 19. Free Minimalist Resume Template With Black Tie Design   This minimalist resume template free download has a header with decorative ornaments and clean design. It stacks the different resume sections and is easy to customize. Edit this minimal CV design in Word. 20. Free Minimalist CV Resume Design ExamplesChoose from a number of minimalist resume template free downloads here. Use them for any type of job application. These minimalist modern resume templates are easy to edit in Word. 21. Subtle Creativity Free ResumeThis minimalist resume template free download has a simple and clean design with two columns. Edit the template in Word and change the fonts and colors to your liking. 22. Minimalist Customer Service Resume Designs for WordThese minimalist resume template Word free downloads are made for customer service positions. Each resume CV design can be customized to fit the role and company you're interested in. 23. Free Minimalist Resume Design - Fresh TakeHere's the last of our suggested clean resume templates for free. It uses subtle color accents and has organized sections. The headings are easy to spot and your resume will be easy to read. How to Customize Your Minimalist CV TemplateHere are some tips on how to customize your minimalist CV template. For this section, we'll be working with the premium template, CV Resume R83, from Envato Elements:    Download the template to follow along. Or, use the instructions below to customize your own minimalist CV resume template. Here's what page #1 of the minimalist CV resume that we'll be using in the tutorial looks like. There have been no edits made to this page.    Let's start customizing this minimalist resume design: 1. Change Object ColorsTo change the object's color, click on the object that you want to change the color of. Next, click on the Shape Format tab. Click on the arrow next to the Shape Fill button. Clicking on this arrow causes a color menu to drop-down. Select the color that you want to change the object to from the menu.    2. Insert a PictureTo insert a picture in your minimalist CV template, click on the Insert tab. After you click on the Insert tab click on the Insert Picture button. This will cause a menu to drop down. Select the option based on where your picture is located. Once you find the picture that you want to use, double click.    3. Save Your Resume as a PDFTo save your minimal resume template as a PDF click File and Save As. Then click on the file Format menu. This causes a menu to drop down. From the drop-down menu click on the PDF option.    4. Change the FontSelect the text that you want to change. You'll know it's selected when it's highlighted. On the Home tab there's a Font menu. Select the font that you want.    Change the Font ColorFirst, highlight the text that you want to change the color of. Next click on the Home tab. Then select the Font Color button. Then choose the color that you want to change your font to.    5 Benefits of Using Premium Minimal Resume CV Templates (In 2021)A minimalist CV template is one option you can use, but it's a great one. While we went through more than 20 free resumes, sometimes professional is better. There are many reasons why you should choose a premium minimalist CV template. Let's look at five of them:
Benefits of Envato Elements (The Power of Unlimited Use)   Envato Elements is a unique bargain. The subscription that includes thousands of great resume templates for a single flat-rate price. Sign up for Envato Elements. You'll get access to thousands of unlimited use graphics and templates. There's everything from web themes to photos to minimalist resume designs, and more—all for one low price. 5 Minimalist Resume Design TipsYou've seen all the available templates that you can download for free. Now, here are a few basic tips that'll help you create a great resume that'll get you noticed: 1. Avoid ClutterThe most important tip when it comes to resume design is to avoid clutter. Keep the information down to the absolute essentials as this won't only make your resume easier to read, it'll also make it look less cluttered. 2. Use Legible and Clean FontsSince you want your resume to be easy to read, you'll want to stick to legible and clean fonts. This means using a standard serif or sans-serif is a much better option than using script or decorative fonts.    3. Use Different Font Sizes to Create HierarchyYour resume will look more aesthetically pleasing if you use different font sizes to create a hierarchy. For example, your section titles should be slightly bigger than the rest of your text. You can also experiment with font weights or using italics. 4. Be Conservative With ColorsColor can make different parts of your resume stand out but be careful not to go overboard with it. Use it as an accent rather than a background color.    5. Use Columns to Organize Your ResumeLastly, consider using columns to organize your resume. A two-column minimal resume design separates your contact information from other sections. Learn more about how to create a great resume in the Tuts+ ultimate resume guide. 5 Minimalist Resume Design Trends for 2021Here are some design trends for minimalist resume templates: 1. Use Infographics to Show DataIt's best to add data to your resume to show your accomplishments. Instead of just having a list of numbers show them in infographics. Using infographics is a creative way to show data on your minimalist resume template. Infographics are easier for the reader to read than a list of numbers.    2. Have a Pop of ColorAdding a pop of color to your minimalist resume stand out. There are two ways that you can add a pop of color that's on-trend. The first is to make your resume all one color with a black font instead of black and white. This makes your resume stand out among the other resumes. The second is using color to highlight important words or sections. 3. Have a Lot of Negative SpaceNegative space is the unused space on your minimalist cv template. Keeping that negative space empty will make sure that you don't overcrowd your resume template. When there's too much on your template it can look sloppy. Not only does it look sloppy it can make it hard for the reader to know what the important information is.    4. Only Use One-PageOne-page minimalist resumes are on-trend right now. Most places expect you to have a one-page resume unless you're in the creative industry and need to show your portfolio. If your resume is more than one page and you're not in the creative industry, then you need to cut out some information off your resume. 5. Simple FontA simple and readable font on your minimalist resume template is a common trend. This is important because you want to make your resume easy to read. If you aren't sure about the font then you should probably use a different one. If your resume isn't easy to read, they can move on to the next resume.    Even More Resume CV Template OptionsA minimal CV design is a great choice, but there are other resume template options. If you want to look at alternatives to the minimalist resume format, we've got you covered. Have a look at what else you can choose from. Whatever you decide, you can make it yours:
Common Minimalist Resume Questions Answered (FAQ)If you still have questions about putting together your minimalist resume, you're probably not the only one. That's why I've rounded up some of the most common questions about the minimalist resume format so you can start yours with confidence: 1. What Sections Should Go First on My Resume?Your experience and related skills are what hiring managers are looking for. Place these sections at the top half of your resume. You'll also want to have a personal introduction so they can get to know you. We've got a guide for introductions if you aren't sure about how to write one: 2. What Color Paper Is Best?You should stick to the white paper for your resume. Colored borders are fine, but colored paper can make you stand out in the wrong way. Let your experience and skills do the talking, not the paper. 3. Should I Put a Photo on My Resume?You definitely can use a photo if it's a professional headshot or looks professional. Keep in mind that it can expose you to hiring discrimination. But, a truly great organization will only judge you on your ability and personality, not your appearance. 4. Which Resume Type Is Best for Me?There are three types of resumes: functional, chronological, and combination. They all serve their purpose, but we've made the case for using a functional resume. Here are some writing tips to get yours started: 5. What Can Make My Minimalist Resume Stand Out?Having a personal website that supplements your physical resume is a creative way to be unique. We've rounded up the best personal website templates if you're interested: Learn More About Making Professional Resumes in 2021Whether you've got a minimalist CV template or not, you can learn about how to make a great professional resume. The Envato Tuts+ editors and writers have been putting together a comprehensive guide to making resumes. It'll be your go-to while making your minimalist resume. Here are just a few of the many gems on making resumes from the link above:
Create a Modern Resume With the Help of Resume TemplatesThanks to modern resume templates in 2021, you can easily create a perfect resume in a matter of hours and start sending it out the very same day. If you're just getting started with your job search, using a free and simple resume template is a good place to start. But if you're a seasoned pro or if you simply want more customization options and features, then a premium minimalist CV template is the way to go. Take a look at our premium minimalist resume templates on Envato Elements and GraphicRiver. You can create your modern minimalist resume today. Editorial Note: This post has been updated with contributions from Sarah Joy and Nathan Umoh. Sarah is a freelance instructor for Envato Tuts+. Nathan is a staff writher with Envato Tuts+.    |
| Mastering Calligraphy: How to Write in Gothic Script Posted: 29 Jul 2021 03:35 AM PDT    In this "Mastering Calligraphy" lesson, we'll be learning what is by far the hardest font but also the most impressive: Gothic Script. This font is a bit different than the others because it's made up of so many small strokes. However, the letters are very similar in construction so once you have a few down, you can do the rest easily! And if you're looking for Gothic calligraphy fonts for your digital projects, we've got some of the best for you.    Scroll down after this Gothic calligraphy tutorial. We've got a selection of premium Gothic calligraphy fonts from Envato Elements. What You Will Learn in This Gothic Calligraphy Tutorial
What You'll Need  
1. Review the Introduction LessonBefore we dive into Gothic Script, let's warm up our hands. We're going to go back to the basics and add a few strokes unique to this type of calligraphy. Step 1Print out four or five of the practice sheets on a nice cardstock or Bristol paper. Step 2Practice the basic downward serif/connecting strokes for one or two lines to warm up. For the downward serif stroke, place your pen nib at a 45-degree angle above the dashed line. (For now, we're making the stroke above the dashed line, but it can be made anywhere, as you'll soon see.) Then drag your pen downward at a diagonal to the right. You should have a wide pen stroke on the paper.    Step 3Practice making the downward serif stroke a few times.    Step 4Let's learn the upward serif/connecting stroke. Place your pen tip again at a 45-degree angle (this time on the bottom line) and drag your pen upward and to the right. You should have a very thin pen stroke on the paper.    Step 5Practice making the upward serif stroke a few times.    Now we're ready to start. In this lesson on mastering calligraphy, we're going to learn the extremely fancy alphabet called Gothic Script. 2. Gothic Script Lowercase Alphabet   Let's take a look at the Gothic Script alphabet. As you can see, it's an extremely fancy and intricate alphabet. Each of the Gothic calligraphy letters is made up of many small strokes. I've learned this alphabet from several instructors, and each does it differently. So the best thing to do is to look at the way the strokes go and, as you practice each letter, decide which order you prefer to draw the strokes. The blue arrows above show the directions of the pen strokes, and the numbers below tell you how many strokes make up each letter. We're going to start with the lowercase alphabet and break it up into two sections: those that start with a downward serif and those that start with an upward serif. Print out a copy of the Gothic calligraphy alphabet above so that you have it handy for reference. 3. Downward Serif Lowercase LettersStep 1The Gothic calligraphy letters b, f, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, p, r, t, u, v, x, and y all begin with the downward serif/connecting stroke. I would recommend sketching out the letters using your pencil first to feel more comfortable. Then you can simply follow the pencil lines with your pen.    Step 2Let's start with the "u" since it's easiest. Place your pen tip just above the dashed line at a 45-degree angle. Drag your pen downward at an angle to the dashed line. Now make a normal downward stroke to just above the bottom line. Lift your pen tip and put it down again at the end of your last line but at a 45-degree angle. Make another downward serif stroke to the bottom line. This one will be slightly longer than the first one. Now lift your pen tip again and place it above the dashed line to the right of where you last ended. Make a small downward serif stroke to the dashed line. Then draw a normal downward stroke to just above the bottom line. Make another small downward serif stroke to the bottom line. Placing your pen tip at a 45-degree angle at the bottom of your first series of lines, draw an upward/connecting serif to the second set. This is the bottom of your "u". Make another upward serif at the end of the "u". Take a deep breath because you just made your first Gothic Script "u".    Step 3Repeat the process of making the letter "u" two or three times so that you get the feel of it. You can see how it's made of many basic strokes. Many letters, such as the m, n, v, w, and y are very similar to the "u". Once you have the "u" down, it's easy to see how other letters are made. After all, it's just a lot of connecting strokes and straight lines.    Step 4Let's try a harder letter: k. The "k" starts the same as the "u" but at the top line. This time, your downward stroke goes all the way to just above the bottom line, where you finish it off with a downward serif stroke. Lift your pen and place it at a 45-degree angle on the dashed line. Make a long upward serif stroke. This is the top of your "k". Now make a downward serif stroke that meets the dashed line. Lifting your pen, place it again at a 45-degree angle on the main downward stroke of the "k", a bit below where your last upward stroke started. Make another upward serif stroke to connect with the bottom of your last stroke. Now place your pen at a 45-degree angle in the middle of that last line, and draw a downward stroke at an angle to just above the bottom line. Finish off this fancy "k" with one last upward serif at the end of the leg you were drawing. Look how fancy that letter "k" is.    Step 5Repeat the process of making the letter "k" two or three times so that you get the feel of it.    Step 6Slowly make your way through the rest of the downward serif stroke lowercase letters, using the guide of the strokes as a reference. 4. Serif Stroke Lowercase LettersStep 1The Gothic calligraphy letters a, c, d, e, g, o, q, s, and z all begin with the upward serif/connecting stroke. I would recommend sketching out the letters using your pencil first to feel more comfortable. Then you can simply follow the pencil lines with your pen.    Step 2Let's start with the letter "c" since it's easiest. Put your pen tip down just above the dashed line at a 45-degree angle, and make an upward serif stroke. Put your pen back down horizontally on the dashed line, and make a regular downward stroke to just above the bottom line. Then make a downward serif stroke to the bottom line. Let's top this "c" off with some fancy ends. So keeping your pen where it was, turn it to 45 degrees and make an upward serif stroke to finish off the bottom of the "c". Now we just need to top off the "c". Place your pen at a 45-degree angle at the end of your very first upward serif stroke, and draw a horizontal line to the right. Woohoo! You have a "c".    Step 3Repeat the process of making the letter "c" two or three times so that you get the feel of it.    Step 4Now we're going to expand on that "c" and make a "g". Start by making a "c", but this time draw the last horizontal line a bit longer. Then, place your pen tip horizontally on the line that you've just drawn, a little to the left of the end of it, and make a downward stroke that goes past the bottom line. This is the tail of the "g". Now we're just going to make it a little fancier with a downward serif stroke and an upward serif stroke to make the hook on the end of the tail of the "g". Not too hard, right?  Step 5Practice making a few more Gothic "g" letters until you feel comfortable making them. Many letters like the "o" and "q" are very similar to the "g" and "c", so once you know how to make these, the rest are simple.    Step 6Slowly make your way through the rest of the downward serif stroke lowercase letters, using the guide of the strokes as a reference. 5. Write the Lowercase AlphabetNow that you've written each letter multiple times, it's time to put it all together and write out the alphabet.    6. Looking at the Gothic Script Uppercase Alphabet   The uppercase alphabet always plays by different rules and is generally much more elaborate. The curved strokes are much bigger, and the downward strokes have a bit more flair. Besides that, the Gothic Script uppercase letters have a special stroke: the skinny downward stroke. I highly recommend sketching out the letters using your pencil first to feel more comfortable. Then you can simply follow the pencil lines with your pen. Step 1Let's start by learning the skinny downward stroke. Instead of putting your pen tip down horizontally or at a 45-degree angle, turn it so that the flat of it runs vertically. Then draw the pen down the page. You should get a very skinny straight line.  Step 2Practice making this new stroke a few times.    7. Write the Uppercase LettersSince most of the letters begin with the upward serif stroke, I didn't divide the alphabet into groups. Instead, we'll simply work our way through it, using the guide above to see how many strokes each letter is made of and what direction the strokes go. Step 1We'll start with the letter "p". Place your pen tip just below the top line and draw an upward serif stroke to meet the top line. Now make a downward stroke past the bottom line. Lift your pen and place it on the last stroke just below the top line at a 45-degree angle, and make another upward serif stroke to the top line. Drag your pen out and to the right. Then make a downward stroke, curving it to the left once you pass the dashed line to connect and then go past the first big downward stroke. We're nearly done! Now we just need to make it even fancier with a skinny downward stroke near our first downward stroke. A short stroke in the space between the skinny stroke and the long curved one, and then another two strokes like that on the thick down stroke to the left.  Step 2Practice making a few more Gothic uppercase "p" letters until you feel comfortable making them. Most of the capital letters start with a small upward serif stroke so once you have this one down, the rest are much easier. Letters like the "p" include "b", "l", "n", "r", "t", "u", "x", and "z".    Step 3Okay, now the other type of uppercase letters are those which start with a longer upward serif stroke. These letters include the "c", "e", "f", "g", "h", "m", "o", "q", and "s". So we're going to start with an easy one: the "o". Start with a longer upward serif stroke that reaches the top line. Then make a mostly horizontal stroke to the right. You just made the top of the "o". Now put your pen tip horizontally at the end of the stroke you just made, and make a downward stroke. Stop just before you reach the bottom line. Now lift up your pen and put it again horizontally down below and slightly to the left of your first upward serif stroke. Make a curved downward stroke that goes down to the bottom line and then curves up slightly to meet the end of your last line. You've now made the bottom of the "o". It's nearly complete! Okay, now lift up your pen and put it at the start of your first upward serif stroke. Make a downward stroke that reaches the dashed line, curving it just at the end toward the left side of the "o". Now all you have to do is make a skinny downward stroke just left of the middle of the "o". Woohoo! The "o" is complete!   Step 4Practice making a few more Gothic uppercase "o" letters. Now that you have the "o" and the "p" under your belt, you can handle the rest!    Step 5Slowly make your way through the rest of the uppercase letters, using the guide of the strokes as a reference. 8. Write the Uppercase Gothic ScriptNow that you've written each letter multiple times, it's time to put it all together and write out the alphabet.    9. Putting It All TogetherLet's write something a bit more exciting! You've Just Mastered the Gothic Script!This font is by far the hardest one to learn, but it's definitely the fanciest and most impressive. Each letter is made up of lots of tiny strokes that come together to make very angular letters. However, once you make each letter a few times, you can start to see the patterns that connect the "c" to the "d" to the "g". Gothic Script is great for invitations and very formal events. 5 Top Gothic Calligraphy Fonts From Envato ElementsNow you know how to do the Gothic calligraphy alphabet. Next up, let's see some cool Gothic calligraphy fonts from Envato Elements. If you're a digital creator or graphic designer, you'll love our subscription-based marketplace. For a low monthly fee, enjoy unlimited downloads of the best Gothic calligraphy fonts. You can also get unlimited premium fonts, graphic templates, actions and presets, and more. Let's see some Gothic and blackletter fonts from Envato Elements: 1. Cattedrale: Gothic Blackletter Font (OTF, TTF)   Cattedrale is a popular Gothic blackletter font. If you want Gothic calligraphy fonts for digital projects, definitely check this out. This Gothic font includes four different styles plus ornaments, symbols, and multilingual support. 2. Acude: Victorian Gothic Font (OTF, TTF, WOFF)   Are you looking for a modern Victorian Gothic font? Check out Acude. This decorative blackletter font is perfect for creative projects. It includes tons of glyphs, alternates, ligatures, and PUA encoded characters. 3. Rozex: Bold Decorative Gothic Font (OTF, TTF, WOFF)   Rozex is a blackletter font that combines a bold look and a medieval Gothic style. These Gothic calligraphy letters also include web fonts and vector fonts. You'll get alternate characters and ligatures in this cool Gothic font. 4. Cambridge: Bold Decorative Gothic Font (OTF, TTF, WOFF)   If you're looking for Gothic calligraphy fonts with bold styles, this is for you. Cambridge features web fonts and alternate characters. Try this cool Gothic blackletter font for your next project. 5. Blackey: Bold Decorative Gothic Blackletter Font (OTF, TTF, WOFF)   Blackey is a classic Gothic blackletter font that combines modern and classic calligraphy with nice alternates. This blackletter font includes web fonts, ligatures, and multilingual support. Discover More Gothic Calligraphy Fonts and ResourcesI hope you've enjoyed this Gothic calligraphy tutorial. Following the cool Gothic calligraphy fonts from Envato Elements, I'm sure you'd like to discover more awesome calligraphy fonts and resources:
Get Your Gothic Calligraphy Fonts Today!This has been a selection of premium resources perfect for the avid designer. For more Gothic fonts, visit Envato Elements and let us know your favorites in the comments below! Happy creating!    |
| Posted: 29 Jul 2021 02:34 AM PDT When you visit a website or use an app you're consuming content. You're having an experience (good or bad) with a company and brand. You're on some point of a customer journey, whether that's being a prospective, current or loyal customer. You will have a need and the organisation should meet that need with content. It could be that you:
Whether or not an organisation meets those needs will largely be influenced by the content they've published and you have found or interacted with. This is where content strategy plays a key role.    What is Content Strategy?To address what content strategy is, let's start with what it isn't. These are some common skills and disciplines that content strategy often gets conflated with. Content strategy isn't:
Those things have an important place in an organisation's content ecosystem but they also leap to the doing. A few years ago lots of search results around content strategy would surface articles that were focused on companies publishing enormous amounts of content. It became a scary norm for organisation's to focus on quantity and not quality. There was a lot of noise being generated and a clear lack of strategy.    In her article, New Thinking: Brain Traffic's Content Strategy Quad, Kristina Halvorson defines content strategy as:
It's one sentence but represents a lot of work and also difficult conversations, organisational transformation and changing the culture of a workplace too. Having a content strategy will help to define who is responsible for content, what the workflow will be to deliver content from idea through to publishing, measurement and maintenance. A content strategy will be a north star for an organisation and ensure they are publishing the right content in the right place at the right time for their audiences. In the example content strategy from Content Design London, they include a section on substance which lists all of the content formats that an organisation has, plus what success is and what the review cycle is.    There isn't a one size fits all template for a content strategy - what's needed will be guided by organisational goals and audience needs. Creating content for both of those is the sweet spot. Content as an AssetWhen content is achieving a business goal, meeting a user need (or ideally both) it is an asset. A thinking tool to help you find the ideal place of meeting business objectives and user tasks is the core model. When content isn't an asset for a business it means content isn't:
There could also be inconsistencies, style issues and a lack of standards for content too. Content can be detrimental to a business because it is intrinsically linked to brand perception and therefore trust, loyalty and advocacy. What Happens When There's no Strategy?Not having a content strategy means there will be a lack of clarity on roles and responsibilities involved with content, and unclear or no workflow and processes. There are also no guardrails when it comes to publishing rights and no standardisation across silos, departments and a decentralised organisation. Content must be an asset but it isn't always given the resources needed. Content strategy as a 'thing' can be hard to sell into an organisation because it isn't very tangible. Stakeholders like deliverables, which often gets precedent over outcomes. Content strategy is a long term process that will fundamentally change how a business operates. Conversations about content are really conversations about organisational insecurities, challenges, conflicts and culture. A content strategy won't be able to fix everything, and certainly not quickly, but it is the start of putting content at the centre of a product or service. Content Disciplines, Job Titles, and RolesContent strategy isn't the only part of the puzzle. There are so many different job titles for content roles and also titles for different expertise and disciplines of content as an industry. There is content design, content marketing, content operations and content engineering. There's also UX writing and niches carved within the wider titles such as product content strategy. Depending on your source of information, these disciplines can be one and the same, entirely different, or different but with some overlap.    In his article, the maturing content discipline, John Collins brilliantly articulates his thoughts on what these different roles are and how they may fit together. Some global organisations have changed entire team names from content strategists to content designers, for example. But content strategy is still needed. An organisation must know what they're saying, who to, how, where, when etc. It all comes back to strategy. Your (content) strategy will define what you need to do to meet the required objectives. Is a Content Strategy All I Need?No. It's a brilliant starting point and a necessary one but a content strategy will introduce a myriad of other tools, processes and needs that are about long term success. Some of the elements you may also need include:
There may also be a separate content marketing strategy and a social media strategy that are components of the overall content strategy. The details and nuances of your content strategy will be informed by your business goals and audience needs. But regardless of the scope and specifics, a content strategy will guide an organisation long term in planning, creating, publishing and governing their content. It will ensure any and all content published serves a purpose with an audience in mind. A content strategy can help prioritise content and manage conflicting agendas. It will take a lot of work to understand the mechanics of an organisation and the people they serve but what's uncovered will directly impact the content strategy that's created and implemented. Learn More About Content StrategyNow we've covered "what is content strategy?" why not expand your knowledge and dive into content marketing, what acceptance criteria is, and how to work within a content team:
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