A Wireless Mouse for Graphic Designers!

Apple Magic Mouse

I have tried wireless mice before and they have never worked for me for design work, just too much lag or inconsistent performance when doing intricate Photoshop or other similar work. I have been waiting for Apple to design a new mouse that takes care of the Apple Mouse (previously Mighty Mouse) track ball gunking issue. I love the way the Mighty Mouse works when the track ball isn’t having issues but if it’s been a while I know the frustration is coming soon.

Well then Apple came out with the Magic Mouse and it is Magic! I bought one Friday at an Apple store after making sure I could return it if it doesn’t work for my design needs and was assured there is a 14 day return policy. As soon as I arrived home I set it up and downloaded the driver update. I then cranked up Photoshop and low and behold the Magic Mouse works great! Finally I’m completely happy with my mouse and it’s even wireless. I was beginning to wonder if anyone would ever come up with a wireless mouse that is useable for Graphic Design.

The purpose of this post is to inform others about a wireless mouse that in my opinion works for design work but I’m also liking the functionality of the touch sensitive surface and gestures.

Apple Magic Mouse gestures

Pleases take the poll below

Adobe Flash Catalyst, Can’t Wait!

I cannot wait till this is released! If your a non-coding designer type check this out!!

Screenshot from Adobe Labs Flash Catalyst intro movie.

Adobe Flash Catalyst is a new application that Adobe has been working on for some time. It allows designers to make interfaces in their graphics apps such as Photoshop or Illustrator and then take them into Catalyst to add motion animations and interactivity WITHOUT CODING!

2000-2008 AIGA|Aquent Salary Survey of Design Salaries

Current ( 2000-2008 ) design salary ranges in the United States. It’s very helpful to know what the salary range is for graphic design and to know where you are on the spectrum.

Flex, AIR, RIA, Thermo, What is this Stuff?

I’m not the code writing developer type so this is my simple understanding which I’m hoping is what some of you might need?

RIA stands for Rich Internet Applications. They are basically web applications that have some of the functionality of regular desktop applications. They can be developed using Flash, Flex (a framework that developers can use to build user interfaces with MXML and XML which is then compiled and turned into SWF file to run in Adobe Flash Player).

Adobe TV

A new resource to check out for Adobe CS3 tips!

Adobe TV looks like a pretty good start of something good. I have only watched a couple of videos so far but they were good and had some good CS3 tips. Like a YouTube channel for Adobe it looks like it will be a good tutorial resource. I’m glad that Adobe is heading this direction.

Design Tools Weekly Podcast

Design Tools WEEKLY is a free weekly design news podcast.
They also publish a monthly paid subscription newsletter, Design Tools Monthly, which contains all the design news that you would have to dig everywhere to find. You can download a free sample issue and I think you will find that it contains a lot of good information.

Coroflot – 2007 Design Salary Survey

Here’s a 2007 Design Salary Survey from Coroflot.com

Comment below if you have something of interest to add on this subject.

Pantone Goe System Unveiled

Pantone’s new Goe System adds 2,058 solid colors.
That’s 2,058 solid colors in addition to the current books.

More info from creativepro.com

- More info from Pantones site – (click image above to go to the Pantone site)

PANTONE® Goe^TM System

A new vision of color from inspiration to application, the PANTONE Goe System provides an extended range of 2,058 chromatically-arranged solid colors. Colors are easy to locate and specify using the GoeGuide^TM, adhesive-backed GoeSticks^TM or myPANTONE^TM palettes software. Create, archive and share color palettes using professional printed or digital palette cards.

Features:

Wide gamut of 2,058 solid colors

Ink mixing formulas and RGB values

Chromatically arranged color families

Ten Mixing Bases used to create Goe Colors

Colors printed with uniform ink film thicknesses using inks receptive to coatings

Intuitive naming system

Printed publications, digital and Web components

Color selection and palette building tools

Compatible with the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM®

Benefits:

Expanded range of solid colors choices

Easy to locate desired colors by chromatic arrangement or number

Inks are easily controlled onpress for improved color matching

Color data provided enables recreation onpress, onscreen or the Web

Provides professional tools for color presentation

Guide, chips or software formats offer flexible color selection options

Saves time when using auto-generated or Web-posted color palettes

Expanded color choices when selecting from both the Goe and PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM

x-rite to Purchase Pantone

x-rite “has entered into definitive agreement to purchase Pantone, Inc. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2007.”

from x-rite.com

graphic design