While web surfing last night, I found a fun site that’s a great resource for people who need to do quick photo editing or don’t have a photo-editing application at their disposal. The site is http://www.picnik.com. It’s a well-designed Flash based application that’s currently in beta and free! They plan to offer a premium version with enhanced features at some point, but the current version offers nice basic photo editing. The interface is simple. You can use your own photo and perform basic edits like crop, resize, red-eye removal, adjust colors, and more. There are also “Creative Tools” which allow you to apply filters like Sepia, Vignette, and Soften. This would also be a great tool in the workplace if your boss won’t spring for Photoshop. Check it out–it may be a sign of things to come…

As a designer, I’m always looking for good books and tutorials so I can keep up with all the latest software changes and design trends. I started out when print design was the only kind of design–when designers were just toying with the idea of computers. I actually remember a group of designers at a party laughing at the idea of computer design taking over–ouch. I hope they survived the transition. I think print production is a weak area for a lot of newer designers who are more accustomed to designing for the web. The other day I found the solution to this problem: Real World Print Production by Claudia McCue. This is a terrific book! It covers the print production basics and has some excellent software specific tips. The author really knows her subject and writes about it in an easy-to-read style. It’s infused with humor too–in the preface, she writes:

You know you’ve been in printing a long time if:

• Your grocery list has hanging indents
• Your driver’s license lists your eye color as PMS 5757
• Your shoe size is 6 1/2 plus 1/8-inch bleed
• You refer to painting your house as a two-color job
• You decide to write a book called Real World Print Production

Love it! If you can only afford one book on print production, this is it!