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  • Top 10 Creative Projects of February 2021
    Teacher Design

    Top 10 Creative Projects of February 2021

    We put together the projects that received the most likes in February within the Domestika community Like every month, we showcase the 10 projects that have caught the Domestika community's attention and received the most likes and appreciation. They are the final projects created by students from all the different courses on offer and are a mix of assignments suggested by teachers and personal projects. All get to fill up this space with creativity. Among the most appreciated projects in February are illustrations and knitting pieces. Also, making a debut this month are some creative cake designers, which made it to the list with three impressive final projects. 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. Watercolour hummingbird, by Sarah Stokes (@sarah_stokes) This artist's wildlife work is inspired by her home environment in the countryside around Worcestershire, in the United Kingdom. This piece demonstrates many of the techniques Sarah teaches in her Domestika course, Artistic Watercolor Techniques for Illustrating Birds.

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  • How to Make Lifelike Paper Petals
    Craft

    How to Make Lifelike Paper Petals

    Learn this simple method for making 3D paper craft petals, with Eileen Handmade. Paper flowers capture the beauty of nature and survive a lot longer than your average bouquet. Eileen Ng (@eileen_handmade), also known as Eileen Handmade, is a craft artist and maker who has been creating floral installations for years. In this tip, she shares a simple technique to make paper petals with volume.

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  • Be Inspired to Create Amigurumi Characters with the Prince of Crochet
    Craft

    Be Inspired to Create Amigurumi Characters with the Prince of Crochet

    Crochet artist and character designer Marcelo Javier Cortés, a.k.a. Príncipe del Crochet, shares his favorite projects Crocheting is a hand knitting technique that is gaining interest among contemporary creatives. Starting in the craft of crochet is easy, and there are lots of possibilities. One of the most attractive projects you can do using a crochet hook is ‘amigurumi.’ You can create cute, three-dimensional characters by crocheting them as if you were sculpting with yarn.

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  • What It's Really Like To Be a Female Creative?
    Teacher Illustration

    What It's Really Like To Be a Female Creative?

    Get an inside look into the life of 15 amazing creators and artists and their creative processes The creative process is different from one person to another, and it can take many forms. From the very disciplined people to those who navigate by ear, a creative mind is always exploring new ways to express itself. The video series Domestika Diaries explores precisely how is really like to be creative in different disciplines. Next, we gathered a list of 15 exceptional female artists from all over the world, so you can get inspired and start your next project right now and learn from their tips to be more creative and translate your ideas into real work.

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  • Packaging Tutorial: How to Choose Your Materials
    Teacher Design

    Packaging Tutorial: How to Choose Your Materials

    Learn how to choose the best materials for your packaging designs, with packaging designer Marion Bretagne Good packaging must balance price, practicality, and aesthetics to best serve your product or your client. In this tutorial, artist and packaging designer Marion Bretagne shares her tips for finding and selecting the best materials for your packaging.

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  • The 4 Pillars of Constructive Advertising
    Marketing

    The 4 Pillars of Constructive Advertising

    What is constructive advertising and how to achieve it, according to copywriting expert Carla González Sooner or later, if you work in the field of advertising, these questions will pop-up in your head: does my work have any meaning? Can a publicist do more than just sell a product? Advertising has evolved over time. We went from a simple "buy now" to campaigns that help discover, deepen, and expand a brand's universe through concepts such as "values". In this context, we spoke with Carla González (@carlagoon), an advertising copywriter specializing in Branded Content and a Domestika teacher. We wanted to know what constructive advertising is and how it is made. We are talking about the kind of advertising that promotes values, takes a stance, and aims to benefit consumers and society. Carla, who has worked for brands such as IKEA, BMW, Vueling, Banco Sabadell, or Casio, shared some ideas and tips to rethink advertising as a business and our role within it.

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  • 10 Easy Ideas to Get You Sketching
    Illustration

    10 Easy Ideas to Get You Sketching

    We select 10 projects that will help you to fill your sketchbook, whatever your drawing level Drawing is one of life’s greatest creative pleasures. However, many people are held back by self-doubt, under the impression that the quality of their sketches isn't good enough, or feeling like they’ve run out of ideas for a new project. Below, 10 Domestika teachers share easy and fun ideas for sketching projects. While our recommendation is to start them in a sketchbook, you only really need a piece of paper and a pencil to try them out. You'll see that you don't need to be an expert to get your hand moving and unleash your creativity. A love for silhouettes Find a couple of reference images. You can look them up on the internet, or better yet, find them in books, magazines, on postcards, or whatever you have around the house. They can be works of art or photographs; what’s important is that you feel a connection with the image. Now, look at the image. What shapes do you see? How are they distributed within the composition? Once you have a basic understanding of the shape of the image, draw its silhouette. In other words, draw the outline of the image first, then color in the space inside your shape. Learn more creative techniques with illustrator and designer Manuel Vargas in his course, Creative Sketchbooks for Illustration Projects.

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  • Draw Yourself: Paper Artist and Storyteller Karishma Chugani on her Multicultural Inspirations
    Teacher Illustration

    Draw Yourself: Paper Artist and Storyteller Karishma Chugani on her Multicultural Inspirations

    Karishma Chugani answers, and illustrates, questions about her creative life Karishma Chugani (@karishma_chugani) is an illustrator and paper artist who has authored and illustrated multiple books. Fascinated by storytelling, her work often plays with ancient and immersive narrative formats like theater books and story boxes. In this Draw Yourself, Chugani illustrates her journey with a pen, paper, and a pair of scissors, answering questions about her life and loves. From what inspires her and the places she’s from, to how she represents herself as a multi-armed goddess, Chugani demonstrates her talent for storytelling and narrative illustration.

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  • Afrofuturism: How Black Creatives Point to a Brighter Future
    Design

    Afrofuturism: How Black Creatives Point to a Brighter Future

    Learn what afrofuturism is and what it shows us about the power of fiction, imagination, and hope Before diving into what afrofuturism is, it’s worth looking at plain old futurism. It might sound like a made up concept from science fiction but that’s sort of the point: any theory about the future has to be built on fiction, as the future hasn’t happened yet. A futurist finds meaning in the future, imagining what might be possible when we get there. In literature, this act is often called speculative fiction. But futurism can be applied to a multitude of disciplines, from architecture to legislation. By using the future as a starting point, futurists can establish ideal worlds, ideas, and creations that incorporate their beliefs, prompting us to look at what might be possible, and what needs to be done to get there.

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  • Domestika Diary: Weekend Creative
    Marketing

    Domestika Diary: Weekend Creative

    Product photography and art direction duo Weekend Creative take us on a day in their life as they make their podcast, shoot photos, and visit the places that brought them together. Weekend Creative (@weekendcreative) is a creative duo made up of Arabela and Elle, who specialize in stop motion and playful and creative brand photography. The two of them have collaborated with the likes of Benefit, Camelbak, and Saint Jane. No matter what they’re working on, they demand just two things from a client: “you need to know how to have fun” and “you have to prefer the weekend.” In this Domestika Diary, you will see where the pair met, what they do, and why they work so well together.

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  • What was the Harlem Renaissance?
    Art

    What was the Harlem Renaissance?

    Learn about this cultural boom in African American history The Harlem Renaissance was a golden age of African American culture that took place during the early 20th century. It had a lasting impact both at home and overseas and set the stage for the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s in the United States. This cultural boom was fuelled by Black pride; Black artists’ determination to have authority over how the Black American experience was portrayed; and the belief that Black literature, Black art, Black theater, and Black music were forms of activism that promoted progressive politics and integration. Names often linked to this movement include Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, W. E. B. Du Bois, Josephine Baker, and Louis Armstrong.

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  • 20 Free Elements to Add to Your Portraits in Procreate
    PLUS Teacher Illustration

    20 Free Elements to Add to Your Portraits in Procreate

    Combine letters and abstract elements in your digital illustrations with Samuel Rodríguez Procreate has become an essential tool for today’s digital artists. Its ease of use and infinite possibilities mean that you can create something to be proud of no matter what your illustration level. Samuel Rodriguez (@samrodriguezart) is a renowned California-based artist who swapped analog techniques for an iPad Pro and Procreate, using the tools to develop stunning portraits filled with bold colors, abstract designs, and an original style.

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  • Free Pattern to Make a Nordic Crochet Vest
    Teacher Craft

    Free Pattern to Make a Nordic Crochet Vest

    Learn how to make a vest, step by step, with this pattern in three different sizes created by Ali Maravillas Do you want to crochet with your own hands? Choosing an inspiring pattern is essential for you to find (and keep) your motivation levels high. To help you on your way, Nordic-style crochet designer and yarnbomber Alicia Recio Rodríguez (@AliMaravillas) shares her pattern for knitting a Hygge vest. One of those pieces that never go out of style, the vest's cozy, light, and cool design will keep you crocheting for hours and hours.

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  • What Is a Press Release and How to Write One
    Marketing

    What Is a Press Release and How to Write One

    Learn how and when to use this essential communication tool In life and business, the saying "out of sight, out of mind" applies. Today, in a world where the information lifespan is measured in seconds, standing out and remaining relevant is one of the biggest challenges for companies and public figures and creatives launching their own projects. One way to be noticed is to consolidate your presence in the media, and press releases are the best way to do it. But, what exactly is a press release, and how do you write one?

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  • How Photography Fought to Become an Art
    Photography

    How Photography Fought to Become an Art

    Despite transforming the world, photography has always had to prove itself worthy of being called art Photography was struck upon by a collection of inventors across Europe, almost simultaneously. However, it is most commonly attributed to Louis Daguerre. The French government acquired the rights to his creation in 1839 and gave them away to the world. Since then, photography has struggled to be considered equal to painting and sculpture. While the world rushed to get their photo taken, the art world turned its nose up at the technology, refusing to accept that a camera could facilitate artistic expression. Watch the video below to learn how artists, innovators, journalists, and business people won photography the status it deserves, and how a science that changed the world in a flash, had to change art before art accepted it.

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  • DIY Tutorial: How to Preserve Dried Flowers in Resin Jewelry
    Teacher Craft

    DIY Tutorial: How to Preserve Dried Flowers in Resin Jewelry

    Learn how to preserve dried flowers in resin to create jewelry, with Mia Winston-Hart Epoxy resin makes it possible to mold real flowers into beautiful pieces of art and jewelry that can last a lifetime. Educator and designer Mia Winston-Hart (@miawinstonhart) has made a name for herself by creating one-of-a-kind pieces with epoxy resin. In this tutorial, she shares how you can use it to create your own jewelry with dried flowers.

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  • 12 Essential Apps to Prepare Your Presentations
    Web & App Design

    12 Essential Apps to Prepare Your Presentations

    Discover the best programs to make your next presentation a success Almost all social media professionals need, at least sporadically, to prepare presentations for coworkers, clients, or followers. One of the fundamental requirements for effective presentation is to transmit the content in a clear, concise, and captivating way. It is also essential to understand how we process information to arrive at the best visual solution possible. Katya Kovalenko (@katyakovalenko) is a designer who helps companies highlight their products' purpose through graphic visualizations. By combining a simple analytical and aesthetic approach, she tells visual stories based on data. In this post, Katya lists the essential tools you'll need to make your next presentation a success.

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  • Complete Guide to Anime and Manga Terms
    Illustration

    Complete Guide to Anime and Manga Terms

    This glossary explains the different terms related to Japanese animation and comic genres If you're looking to venture into the world of Japanese manga and anime but don't quite know where to begin, this guide is for you! Whether you’re on the hunt for a new favorite series or movie, or you want to learn how to illustrate your own comics inspired by these styles, getting to grips with some of the most commonly used terms is sure to help you discover what suits your tastes and needs. Anime vs. Manga Manga is the name given to graphic novels and comics from Japan, or those that adhere to this school of illustration. The term means "improvised images.”

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  • 10 Key Tips for Editing a Fashion Magazine or Blog
    Writing

    10 Key Tips for Editing a Fashion Magazine or Blog

    Learn some basic tips to perfect the content of a creative magazine Content, editing, and consistency are at the root of a project's success. They help it to stand out in the digital world but aren’t always easy to achieve. Creative director Pedro Saldías (@pesaldias) has managed to successfully combine all those elements in his many innovative fashion, art, and design projects. Specialized in digital marketing, storytelling, and branded content, in his 10 years of experience, Pedro has developed work for Dolce & Gabbana, Tiffany & Co, among others. To develop editorial formats, use the following 10 tips he has set as a guideline to help you create relevant content and make the most of social media.

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  • Creating Iconic Editorial Covers: Carlos Rodríguez Casado
    Illustration

    Creating Iconic Editorial Covers: Carlos Rodríguez Casado

    We look back on the most important moments from Carlos’ professional career, such as winning a gold medal at the ÑH 2020 Awards The achievements of Carlos Rodríguez Casado (@carlosrodriguezcasado) will make your jaw drop. His cartoons have been published in magazines such as Interviú, Jot Down, El Jueves, and Líbero, as well as other international publications. His work can often be spotted in the Spanish national newspaper, El Mundo, portraying personalities from the world of politics, with his drawings often appearing on front pages. Recently, he won the gold medal at the ÑH 2020 Awards, which celebrates journalistic design across media titles in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. We caught up with Carlos, who is also a Domestika teacher, to discuss his profession, his favorite projects, and the path he took to become a professional illustrator. He also talks about his dreams, such as getting to illustrate one of The New Yorker’s legendary covers and the determination it takes to keep making a living doing what he loves. That, he insists, he discovered very early on.

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  • What Are Anamorphic and Spherical Lenses?
    Film & Video

    What Are Anamorphic and Spherical Lenses?

    Discover the differences between these popular lenses used by filmmakers since the 50s What tools we use to capture a story on film will depend on the story we want to tell, the look we want to create, and how we want our audience to interpret the images on screen. David Curto (@davidcurto) is a director of photography who has worked with clients such as CAT Footwear, Carrefour, and Ford. He has also shot music videos and collaborated on feature films, including Samir Oliveros’s "Bad Lucky Goat” and the Netflix series “The Neighbor”. In this blog post, David explains the differences between anamorphic and spherical lenses. Not only do these different lenses have their own practical features, but they also produce unique effects that can result in highly stylized shots and impact an audience on a subconscious level.

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  • 10 Food Photographers and Stylists To Follow on Instagram
    Photography

    10 Food Photographers and Stylists To Follow on Instagram

    Photographer Alfonso Acedo recommends some of his favorite culinary photographers, food stylists, and home economists Technology never stops evolving, but we have not yet invented a way to send scents through Instagram. That means that sight is the sense that photographers and food stylists must stimulate to make a particular dish or drink appetizing. Alfonso Acedo (@altheo) is one of those professionals who parks the lens of his camera at the dinner table, turning gastronomy into his muse and delighting our senses with mouthwatering compositions. His work is exquisite, but we are hungry for more, so we asked him to recommend some of the food stylists we need to follow on Instagram. Warning: don't read this post on an empty stomach.

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  • Basic Tattooing Materials for Putting Together Your First Kit
    Illustration

    Basic Tattooing Materials for Putting Together Your First Kit

    What essential items to include in your tattoo kit from day one Tattooing is not just any art. Not only does it require incredible precision, given that the results can’t (easily) be erased, but maximum hygiene and sanitary care. Every tattoo artist must get to know their tools and products inside out to achieve great results and take care of their clients in the best way possible. Polilla (@polillatattoo) is a tattoo artist and digital designer who has her own studio in Santiago de Chile. One by one, she talks us through the different items that make up a basic tattoo kit and what we should keep in mind when assembling our own.

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