Design forum discussions – February 2007

The following are selected topics from the graphic design forums for the month of February. As ever we have tried to only select discussions that we feel may have some shelf life beyond the immediate. They may be quick solutions to graphics software problems, or long winded ongoing debates.

There are many new topics started every week and some have more longevity than others. Here we present some of the most interesting. But, of course, please feel free to go directly to the design forums and browse the full discussion list.

• Moving anchor points in Illustrator – moving anchor points and coloring in shapes in Adobe Illustrator.
• Design management – insight into creative management issues.
• Graphic design ethics – what are the codes of practice and our responsibilities as designers?
• Aperture versus Lightroom – Apple's photo management tool versus the recently released Adobe rival.
• Student design project – project to create a book on 'the death of cassette culture'.
• Laptop bags – any recommendations?
• Printing RGB quality with CMYK – is it possible?
• Effective strapline for brand – a designer asks for views on a new promotion.
• Contract for freelance designer – should a self employed contractor get a contract?
• Best font for a resume or a CV – what typeface to use for a resume?
• One color print design – discussing a one-color print job.
• Difference between advertising and graphic design – what are the distinctions?
• Dielines in brochure layout using InDesign – laying out a die line for pocket inserts.
• Uploading a Dreamweaver website – which directory to upload the files?
• What made you decide to become a designer? – graphic designer's talk about their inspiration.
• Dreamweaver and Illustrator CS crashing – often before the programs have even loaded.
• Setting up a design studio – what equipment to purchase for a SOHO design studio.
• The best graphic designer – student wants advice on becoming the the best ever.
• Exporting Freehand for the web – saving a Freehand file for use as a web banner.
• Upgrade G4 desktop or buy portable MacBook – is it worth trading in a desktop Mac for a portable?
• Most color accurate monitor for print design – which computer monitors are best for print design, LCD or CRT?
• International design students in the UK – how expensive is it to study and live?
• Do graphic designers need to be able to draw? – and the difference between a graphic artist and designer.
• Upgrade Mac or buy new one – is it worth buying a new Mac, or will a memory upgrade be enough to run Adobe CS2?
• Digital or printed resume – Is it better to email or post a CV?
• Laser or Inkjet printer? – which studio printer is most economical?
• Designers work environment – how important is where you work, to your creativity?
• Graphic designers upgrading to Vista – has anyone taken the plunge and upgraded to Windows Vista Yet?
• Why become a graphic designer? – what's so special about becoming a graphic designer?
• Problem with Dell monitor – monitor flickers from time to time on new PC, when using Photoshop.
• What PC for graphic design work – what sort of PC to purchase which will be able to handle adobe, macromedia, 3D software
• Windows won't boot after installing Adobe CS2 – operating system wont boot up after I installed the trial version of CS2.
• Pasting transparent background in Adobe Illustrator – can Illustrator handle an image that is partially transparent, or a raster image with holes in it?