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April 2021

  • Top 10 Creative Projects of March 2021
    Teacher Domestika

    Top 10 Creative Projects of March 2021

    We put together the projects that received the most likes in March within the Domestika community We kick off the new month by introducing you to the 10 favorite community projects for March. Final projects of courses from different disciplines, teachers' works and commissions are mixed in this space open to creativity. All of them different but with something in common: they are the projects that have received the most likes. In March, watercolor has had a lot of prominence, but also crochet and illustration. Nature has been one of the most inspiring themes and has also been the highlighted theme in other disciplines, such as packaging. And as for digital arts, a work done with the SketchUp design program stands out. To check their creative processes, click on the red titles. Don't forget to add your comment at the end of the article and let us know your favorite.

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  • 12 Online Courses for Creating Children’s Books
    Writing

    12 Online Courses for Creating Children’s Books

    Learn to create a range of illustrated books and albums with a little help from these experts in children’s and young adult literature International Children's Book Day is celebrated every year on April 2, which is also the same day that Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen was born. You are sure to have come across his works, such as The Ugly Duckling, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, and The Little Mermaid, which have also been made into films. This annual celebration aims to fuel children and young adults’ interest in books. Discovering original and inspiring stories on the page helps children and young adults to unleash their imaginations in the real world. These 12 online courses will help you to become an expert in children’s and YA literature and invent a unique language that combines words with illustrations. From picture books to theater books, the possibilities are endless. Creation of a Children's Picturebook, a course by Claudia Rueda When it comes to embarking on the creation of an illustrated children's book, it’s always better to seek out the advice of experts. Claudia Rueda is here to guide you, having published over thirty works and been nominated for important international awards such as the Hans Christian Andersen Award and Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. Learn how Claudia plans and elaborates a picture book from scratch, starting with the first idea to creating the layout and finalizing the project before delivering it to a publisher.

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  • What is Contemporary Art?
    Art

    What is Contemporary Art?

    Discover what characterizes contemporary art, and how it differs from modern art Given that there is no approach or style that makes a work of contemporary art easily identifiable, contemporary art is perhaps best defined by how difficult it is to define. Often conflated or confused with "modern art", the term “contemporary art” is sometimes misused. In this post, we explain the difference between modern and contemporary art and look back on the evolution of the latter up until the present day.

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  • The Louvre Shares a New Digital Database Compiling More Than 480,000 Artworks
    Art

    The Louvre Shares a New Digital Database Compiling More Than 480,000 Artworks

    “Collections” is the French museum's new initiative to digitize its 200-year history If you head to the Louvre's website right now, you will encounter the following message, "The Musée du Louvre remains closed until further notice." But while the French museum has closed its doors in the real world, it has thrown them wide open online. Since March 26th, this year, people all over the world have been granted access to a digital database compiling over 480,000 artworks, known as the “Collections” initiative. A revolutionary move that helps to make art history more accessible to all. While it was already possible to visit the museum virtually, the newly configured louvre.fr site now gives you first-hand access to all of the documentation compiled by the Louvre's curators for each piece. This means having access to 480,000 entries, including the images and objective details.

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  • How to Create an Expression Sheet for a Character You’ve Designed
    Illustration

    How to Create an Expression Sheet for a Character You’ve Designed

    An expression sheet is a way to get to know your character and show how they express themselves Designing a new character is not an easy task: you have an idea, you look for reference images, you sketch several versions... When you finally get to a satisfactory point, you have to work out how to convey emotion through their facial expressions and body language. To do so, Caio Martins (@caiorfmartins) recommends creating an expression sheet. This sheet will allow you to understand how your character behaves and looks from different angles in different moods. To create your expression sheet, sketch your character in several different poses. This will help you discover other aspects of your character's personality. Imagine what they look like from behind, sitting, or showing their profile when irritated, surprised, or happy!

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  • Superflat: How Murakami’s Popular Art Movement Emerged
    Art

    Superflat: How Murakami’s Popular Art Movement Emerged

    Pop art is experiencing a revival in Japan thanks to Takashi Murakami Takashi Murakami is a celebrated contemporary Japanese artist. In the early 90s, he rejected modern Japanese art, claiming it was boring and elitist. Instead, he took an interest in post-war Japanese pop culture, in particular the subculture known as Otaku, which also refers to people with a passion for anime, manga, and cosplay. Over a decade, Murakami researched this culture, learning about its relationship with mid-20th century Pop Art and traditional Japanese art, and coined a term that referred to the flat (2D) form associated with Asian graphics, fine arts, and pop culture, as well as Japan’s cultural aesthetic: Superflat. This postmodern art movement was created by a generation of artists born after World War II. It draws on external influences that are reinterpreted to connect with Japanese identity.

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March 2021

  • Silenced Bodies: The Photographer Capturing Female Beauty
    Photography

    Silenced Bodies: The Photographer Capturing Female Beauty

    Photographer Alba Duque explores the concept of beauty in her book of female portraits Alba Duque (@albaduque_ ) is a photographer and art director from Barcelona specializing in commercial photography and portraits. She is an expert in taking beautiful photos that highlight products, personalities, and lifestyles. Given that she has come to know the professional world of poses and post-production tricks so well, Alba decided to develop a book of portraits that explores beauty beyond the idealized bodies that feature so heavily in her commissioned work. Why? Because we are what we see, and in her book, there is so much female beauty to see.

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  • We Talk to Serafim Mendes, Graphic Designer and Winner of Domestika Scholarships 2017
    Design

    We Talk to Serafim Mendes, Graphic Designer and Winner of Domestika Scholarships 2017

    One of the 2017 winners, Serafim Mendes how he’s evolved as a designer thanks to Domestika's 50-course scholarship Serafim Mendes (@serafimmendes) is a young Portuguese designer who is passionate about 3D design and likes to experiment with different textures and materials to create pieces full of color and present different perspectives. Aside from already having participated in the 36 Days of Type challenge, in 2017, he was crowned a winner of Domestika Scholarships. We caught up with Serafim to discuss his career, his progress over the last four years, the influence the scholarship has had on his work, and any advice he would give to those who are starting out and want to participate in the third edition of Domestika Scholarships.

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  • After Effects Tips to Speed Up Your Workflow
    PLUS Teacher 3D & Animation

    After Effects Tips to Speed Up Your Workflow

    Do you want to speed up your workflow in After Effects? Check out these tips from expert Borja Holke You probably already know that Adobe After Effects, one of the best post production and motion graphics software on the market, adds final touches to videos, images, and graphic design pieces. In addition, you can use this software to add movement to your lettering, typography, and illustration projects and help your portfolio stand out from the crowd.

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  • Curious Minds Podcast: What do a DC Villain and Marilyn Monroe Have in Common?
    Design

    Curious Minds Podcast: What do a DC Villain and Marilyn Monroe Have in Common?

    Discover why we use patterns and what they have to say with Curious Minds, an original podcast by Domestika Curious Minds is an original podcast by Domestika that explores the curiosities and untold histories of the creative world. Each week we’ll bring you a new episode, interviewing experts and creatives as we dive into the unusual origins of the images, patterns, and designs we take for granted. Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

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  • Get Inspired by These 7 Incredible Female Typographers
    Typography, Calligraphy and Lettering

    Get Inspired by These 7 Incredible Female Typographers

    Discover these stereotype-defying women and their creations It's a well-known problem. History often forgets, ignores, or downright omits women's contributions to the field of typography. From their role in developing the first printing presses to the design of modern-day typesets, great women have always stood out in the design world, creating beautiful fonts we commonly use now. Here are 7 of those women who have shaped this fascinating discipline throughout history. Zuzana Licko Czech Republic / United States Notable fonts: Mrs. Eaves, Philosophy, Lo-Res. Zuzana cofounded Emigre Graphics in the 80s, famous for publishing a magazine with the same name dedicated to typography. One of the firsts to adopt the Macintosh, her company is dedicated to traditional and experimental fonts. Five of her fonts now belong to the MoMA design collection, and you can use them in your projects if you have an Adobe license. Find them here.

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  • How Can Artists Tokenize Their Work and Enter the New Crypto Art Market?
    Art

    How Can Artists Tokenize Their Work and Enter the New Crypto Art Market?

    Digital artists share their experiences selling NFT artworks on the new digital art market Over the last month, you have probably heard a lot about the possibility of tokenizing your art. Doing this means turning your work into an NFT (non-fungible token), which allows you to verify the originality of the piece and therefore access a huge emerging market. The emergence of new digital art galleries–or marketplaces–that permit you to buy and sell original digital artworks has greatly aroused the interest of digital artists around the world. But what are NFTs, how are they created, and above all, how do you access these galleries? Three artists from the Domestika community who have ventured into the world of crypto art answer all of our questions and share their own experiences.

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  • What Is Eco-design and How to Apply It to Your Products
    Design

    What Is Eco-design and How to Apply It to Your Products

    Learn the difference between eco-design and sustainable design and how the creative industry can reduce its impact on the environment Did you know that 80% of a product's environmental impact can be reduced at the design stage? Eco-design was conceived by experts who became aware of the consequences their products were having on the environment. Eco-design can be defined in many ways: eco-friendly, green, sustainable, conscientious, ethical, and responsible. Tati Guimarães (@tati_guimaraes), an eco-designer of products and packaging from Brazil, believes the best definition is 'circular design.'

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  • 5 Maps and 5 (Very Different) Views of the World
    Teacher Design

    5 Maps and 5 (Very Different) Views of the World

    In recent decades, designers, mathematicians, and cartographers have tried to redesign the world as we know it Except for flat-earthers, there is a more or less generalized consensus on Earth's shape. It's a geoid—an imperfect sphere—and an ellipsoid, slightly elliptical and flattened at the poles. Representing these features on a two-dimensional plane is, in itself, a considerable challenge. Doing so reliably is a problem that has puzzled cartographers, geographers, and illustrators for centuries. But some have decided to get to work and created different representations of the world that, with greater or lesser success, help us locate continents, islands, oceans, and countries. More often than not, they do so serving specific political and social interests, too. 1. The Mercator projection The most famous planisphere, whose variants continue to be used, for example, by Google Maps, is the one devised by Gerhard Kramer (in Latin, Gerardus Mercator). He was born in what is now called Belgium during the 16th century and introduced the so-called Mercator projection in 1569. In addition to the remarkable wealth of detail in the continents' design, this projection has a characteristic that has contributed decisively to its adoption in many countries: it places Europe at the center of the world and presents it larger than it really is.

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  • 8 Online Upcycling Courses for Creating and Repairing Garments
    Fashion

    8 Online Upcycling Courses for Creating and Repairing Garments

    Upcycle your garments with the help of fashion experts, using crocheting, embroidery, and other techniques Upcycling is a topical concept in society nowadays. It is tightly linked to the ecological movement, as we strive to safeguard the planet and preserve its resources. In fashion, this trend encourages us to increase the lifespan of our clothes by repurposing their designs. We can apply various techniques to create new designs using all sorts of material. These eight courses that we have selected for you will demonstrate the many faces of upcycling. If you are into textiles and have some time and imagination, you’ll be in for a treat while learning with these experts. They will teach you to repair or create new garments with these super creative tools. Embroidery: Clothing Repair, a course by Ofelia & Antelmo Are you familiar with the ‘visible mending’ technique? Find out how you can fix any unused or damaged clothing piece with Gabriela Martínez, a specialist in embroidery and textile art. The founder of the Ofelia & Antelmo project will teach you techniques and tips for embroidering and creating patches. In her course, she shows you how to create garments sustainably.

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  • Best Cameras For Starting Out in Architectural Photography
    Photography

    Best Cameras For Starting Out in Architectural Photography

    What cameras and lenses do you need to take quality images of houses, buildings, other and structures? The focus of architectural photography is to show the shapes and spaces of different structures. Its objective is to beautifully capture the designs through quality images, and as a specialty, it has unique characteristics. If you are interested in architectural photography, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the tools you’ll need for this demanding profession, which requires accuracy and discipline to achieve good results. Photographer Jesús Granada (@jesusgranada), who has been commissioned by over 700 architectural studios and offices to capture their ideas in photo format, shares different equipment options to consider according to your budget and expectations. These are the essential tools you’ll need to get started in architectural photography:

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  • 5 Free Online Craft Classes: Essential Materials for Beginners
    Teacher Craft

    5 Free Online Craft Classes: Essential Materials for Beginners

    Discover the essential materials you’ll need to start out in the world of crafts Crafts are an excellent starting point for developing your artistic potential, besides helping you improve your concentration, self-esteem, and attention to detail. Embroidery, needle felting, amigurumi, or crocheting are all good options to achieve those goals and exploiting your creativity. Creative processes and results can differ from person to person. Some people follow routines and others only create when inspired, but all have something in common: a creative mind continuously looking for new ways of expression.

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  • What Is a Circular Economy and How to Apply It to Graphic Design
    Design

    What Is a Circular Economy and How to Apply It to Graphic Design

    Discover how graphic design can help a brand move from a linear to a circular economy The current paradigm of linear economic models might be coming to an end. That's what experts like creative director and graphic designer Núria Vila Punzano (@nuriavilapunzano) think. Today, she will help us understand what exactly a circular economy is and how graphic design can help brands embrace it. A circular economy is a strategy that tries to reduce both the use of raw materials and the production of waste. With a linear economy, what we usually do is extract, create, and then throw away after use. What a circular economy proposes is to create, use, and then recycle.

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  • Essential Crochet Materials
    Craft

    Essential Crochet Materials

    Interested in learning this technique? Here's everything you will need to get started Crochet has made a strong comeback over recent years. Not only has this technique been revived, but new exponents have given it a modern twist. Alicia Recio Rodríguez (@alimaravillas) is part of a group of creators who have managed to put their stamp on their work which they share on social media. There, her work has attracted lots of people who are eager to learn her techniques. If you are also keen to make something with your own hands and develop your unique style, Alicia lists the basic materials that you will need to start crocheting:

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  • Why You, As a Creative, Should Use TikTok
    Marketing

    Why You, As a Creative, Should Use TikTok

    If you haven't already joined the fastest growing social network in the world, find out what you’re missing TikTok has quickly become one of the most popular social media platforms globally. It’s positioned itself as an essential space to build brands, especially your own. Fast, bold, creative, and funny language often scares those who are trying to find a way to embrace it, especially if they are shy or feel like they are not in the appropriate age-group. However, if you work in the creative field, there are many reasons why TikTok deserves to be included in your social strategy. Today, the photographer, Domestika teacher, and influencer THAT ICELANDIC GUY (@arnulfur) will share some of them.

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  • Discover Inuit Artist Kenojuak Ashevak
    Art

    Discover Inuit Artist Kenojuak Ashevak

    We celebrate the enchanted art and life of this remarkable female artist Kenojuak Ashevak was born in an igloo in an Inuit camp in 1927. She became one of Canada's most celebrated graphic artists, collecting multiple honors and achievements until she died in 2013. The daughter of an Inuit hunter and fur trader, she grew up traveling from camp to camp in Arctic Quebec. When she was 19, she married Johnniebo Ashevak, a local Inuit hunter who developed artistic talents in his own right and sometimes collaborated with her on projects. In the late 1950s, both Kenojuak and Johnniebo experimented with carving and drawing.

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  • How to Start Your Own Art Collection at Home
    Teacher Art

    How to Start Your Own Art Collection at Home

    Everything you always wanted to know about amateur art collecting from illustrator Manuel Bueno You might think that art collectors are people with huge bank accounts who live in big mansions and buy their art at auctions just to pass the time. But art is not just for the one-percenters, nor should it be limited to museums. You can also turn your personal space into a place where all kinds of art fit right in. That's why we spoke with the graphic designer, printmaker, and illustrator Manuel Bueno Botello (@buenobueno), who has experience in the world of collecting, both for professional and personal purposes.

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