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Steve Holmes: Energi Design & Nick La’s Abstract Chinese Phoenix

CATEGORIES: Living In Layers | RC | January 27, 2009

Happy Tuesday everyone. Today is going to be an inspiration laden day, so I figured I’d start with Energi Design. Energi Design is run by the incomparable Steve Holmes (who is also a columnist here at Layers Magazine). I was recently talking with Steve after a great series of seminars at Adobe Max, and it got me wanting to check out Energi design again. You can see their demo reel right on the front page, so make sure you visit their site and check it out. That will totally get you wanting to fire up After Effects and start playing!

I mention Steve Holmes and Energi Design because recently they started putting up a podcast showing off what they’re capable of doing with footage from Artbeats. The podcast is called Real World Footage Effects, and you can download it off the Artbeats website, or register with them via Itunes. It’s only been a few episodes and I’m hooked. That should get me off of the Ugly Betty, once and for all. I kid… I kid..

Abstract Chineese Phoenix by Nick La
Toronto-based designer Nick La has a step-by-step guide on how he worked on creating the beautiful Abstract Chinese phoenix, which was presented at the FOWD 2008 conference. I think it’s a great thing when you can sit in the co-pilot chair and watch someone do their thing. So many thanks to Nick for posting. Not to mention that the Web Designer Wall is an AWESOME place to visit for new ideas. Thanks Nick! Click on the link below to get to the post:

Nick La: Abstract Chinese Phoenix – Via Web Designer Wall

Animated Swirls in After Effects
Finally, speaking of Steve Holmes, we have a tutorial on playing with animated swirls in After effects take a look below:

“Animated swirls are all the rage in the motion graphics world, and there are some pretty cool things that can be done with them. But creating and animating such elements is really not as difficult and time-consuming as it would seem, even if the shapes are detailed and intricate. Bring on the swirls!”

Continue Reading this tutorial

Now that’s inspiration. Thanks for stopping in, everyone. We’ll see you guys tomorrow morning!

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