Product Description

The 4x4 Project invited four leading web artists and designers to work together on the theme of Time and Stasis. Each artist was commissioned to create a new Flash movie, to explain the how and the why, and finally to swap files and remix each other's works.

The four authors: Jeremy Tai Abbett (suture), Arron Bleasdale (reforms), Karen Ingram (krening) and Francine Spiegel (tenderoni) are well known and respected for their groundbreaking web sites. All four authors are expert in combining Flash and Photoshop to create stunning effects, but there any similarity ends.

Jeremy Tai Abbett

Arron Bleasdale

Karen Ingram

Francine Spiegel

Between them, the four authors represent the vast diversity of styles and approaches possible when the time-based animation of Flash is combined with the static, layered images of Photoshop to create intricate, inventive, animated environments and reactive effects. Their detailed explanations of how each piece was created form an invaluable primer in a wide range of techniques and skills.

This book and the accompanying web site immerse the reader in the four phases of the 4x4 process:

Theory: personal accounts of the creative process, manifestos, diaries, mental sketchbooks, and associated ephemera

Time and Stasis: access to the finished original Flash movies online, and stunning artwork from the pieces presented in the book

Process: detailed, firsthand, technical descriptions of the creation of each piece, along with original source files on the web site

Noise and Interference: the four authors discuss, sample and remix each other's works

This book is one of a set of four which explores the creation of original artwork. If you feel strongly about the work you see here, there is a forum on friendsofED.com where you can offer your own review and hear what your peers have to say. The four books may be purchased individually (1903450454, 1903450462, 1903450470, 1903450489) - and they make a pretty cool picture when you lay them out together.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1386325 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Synopsis
An obsession of artists and writers alike, time is more than the mind can comfortably imagine or the voice can effectively explain; yet this is exactly why it is such an appealing theme for the artist. How do you represent time through graphic design? The challenge faced by graphic designers working on the Photoshop 4x4: Time/Stasis project pushed their creative talents to the limit. The toolset is familiar to every Photoshop user - members of the team might choose to use Gaussian blur effects, alpha layers or history brushes, import video stills or export images to Flash animations. This book, one of a set of four which explores the creation of original Photoshop artwork, is structured in four parts per author: art theory; technical tutorial; pictures and illustrations from sketchbook to finished project; peer review (where the other 3 artists working on the same theme review the work).

From the Publisher
Flash is all about time and turning the flatland of the HTML web into a truly vibrant environment. Combining Flash with Photoshop allows designers to create complex, detailed images within the sophistication of Flash animation.

This book is perfect for:

Photoshop designers interested in seeing how Photoshop can work with Flash.

Flash designers interested to see how Photoshop can enhance Flash design.

Any professional designer who is interested in seeing how admired artists create original artwork.

Anyone looking for inspiration or insight into the processes of recognised design masters.

Any designer interested in engaging in peer review.