iPhone released their Sketches application this fall that allows users to “sketch” on their Apple devices. Apple advertises the application as a way to keep digital notes on your iPhone or iPod touch simply by drawing on the screen using your fingers. However, Sketches has quickly been picked up by artists and taken to the next level. Today in Art recently wrote a post featuring some of the extraordinary works of art that are being digitally created using the application.

Here were a few of my favorites:

iCoke

Jorge Colombo iPhone Drawings

Traveling Salesman

With art going increasingly digital, one has to ask how long real canvas will be the traditional medium? The works above simulate brushstrokes, and if I may say so, do a really good job of it. Do you think that digital art will soon take over traditional methods? Is that a good thing?

Engaging presentations are crucial for successfully captivating an audience. You have a lot to say, and all of it is good. But while it’s easy to fill your slides with text, it can be challenging to visualize that text into a presentation that promotes your message. So we would like to share with you some inspiration and some fundamental presentation guidelines, both from our own portfolio and from  Slideshare, a San-Francisco based company that provides a platform for businesses and professionals to share their presentations online.

SlideShare recently announced winners for the ‘World’s Best Presentation of 2009′ and I have to say, the winning presentations certainly grab your attention. Among them are Dan Roam and Dr Tony Jones’ collaboration called “American Health Care: a 4-Napkin Explanation.” Voted as the winner of Slideshare’s Best Presentation of 2009. It’s clever, simple to understand and far shorter than reading the written health bills.

Let us know how we can help you improve your presentations. Check out our portfolio of completed projects.

Business Week's "The 21 Heroes of Data Visualization"

Turning information and complex concepts into intelligent design is part of what CGI interactive does daily. However, in the recent months, data visualization has become a greater topic of discussion.

In a recent article by BusinessWeek they profiled “21 Heroes of Data Visualization.” Included in this mix are Paul Prudence, Pedro Monteiro, and Brandon Martin-Anderson. Through data visualization they have been able to make maps, oil pricing, and sound frequencies look not just pretty…but pretty amazing. Not only are they appealing to the eye, but they hold valuable information. And it seems, this is just the beginning.

In recent weeks clients have been discussing the idea of data visualization and how they can integrate it into their marketing plans. Some recent examples I have seen include: http://www.wefeelfine.org/ and www.flickervision.com. Both of these sites apply data taken from the Internet and create a single hub of information through graphic representation.

Earlier this year, the talented creative team at CGI released the “Good Earth”. A site which takes inspiring news from around the world and presents it through a single, accessible platform: www.cgiinteractive.com/OurGoodEarth

Where do you see data visualization going in the next year? How can companies use it to start conversations about their brand and products?

In the past drop shadows were king. Everyone wanted a drop shadow, and why not?! Drop shadows make things look like they occupy a real space. Add a drop shadow—BANG—that’s popping right off the page now, right?! Well, that was before Reflection came to town. Reflection showed up, and announced, “This is how real space gets occupied in the future, where things are sleek, solid and modern.” We nodded, we agreed, we bowed to the new king.

Reflection was made popular by Apple computers starting with OSX a few years ago. I’d wager to say it’s only been the past year in which reflection has started to contend head-to-head with its Apple trend sibling, Drop Shadow. Reflection has climbed that steep road from custom Photoshop mask effect, to default customization option. It takes a long time for a design element to reach rock star, heart throb status. Clients used to chant, “We want Drop Shadow!” I hear that less and less these days. It’s more likely they are swooning over Reflection. Do we love Reflection for it’s brain, or just for it’s dashing good looks? How often do trends we use really make sense when we use them?

Reflection stole the spotlight from Drop Shadow. Drop, already delving through a rough divorce with former sweetheart, Ms.Gradient, has been rumored to be drawing up plans for revolution. Sources say Drop Shadow was seen last week, blueprints in hand, accompanied by Small Caps. Unsubstantiated gossip or a tell of things to come?

You may be wondering what Gradient has been up to since her fame skyrocketed in the beginning of the personal computer age. She fondly remembers those days when people wanted to stretch type and put crazy ol’ Gradient inside it. These things are generally somewhat taboo for designers now. First commandment from the Typography bible: Thou shall not distort typefaces.

Hmm, or maybe it’s more like guidelines.
In lieu of Reflection’s new fame and the fall of Drop Shadow’s golden age, the gradient has made a legitimate come back. Gradient went out, got a make over, lost some weight and she’s looks great! I used to see Gradient around and think to myself, “Poor ol’ Gradient, she’s just so dated.” Gradient now has style and class. Specifically, Gradient doesn’t just rainbow from color to color anymore. She has left the early 90s behind her! Gradient comes in at radial angles and adds a little depth to a color by transitioning from a bright, to a darker hue or value of a similar color.

We see examples of this in the CS3 and CS4 Adobe Suite designs and icons. NBC’s branding revamp makes use of large color areas fading to darker color in their ad campaigns and TV bugs. 

Gradient knows how to work a crowd! Gradient has proven an ability to be timeless, morphing with the times. When Gradient is used, she’s the backdrop anchor of a design. People may not chant her name because she doesn’t come down the red carpet with Reflection, but that is because she is the red carpet and she’s fading from cadmium red to deep maroon.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make those fancy reflective looking design elements using Adobe Illustrator, we’ve created a simple tutorial to broaden your skill set. Follow these steps for making a web 2.0 button and you’ll be on your way to impressing those special people in your design life. Enjoy!

Click to view full size:

How to make a web 2.0 button with Adobe Illustrator CS3