Review and Demonstration of Information Technology for Artists


Presentation to the Chicago Pastel Painters at the Chicago Public Library

by Joe Vangsness   2-23-08


Creating, Editing and Managing Images

            Acquire Images

                        Camera options

                                    Film or slide - 35mm point & shoot, 35mm SLR

                                    Digital - digital point & shoot, digital SLR

                        Scanning film or slides

                                    Flat bed scanner with attachment, dedicated film/slide scanner

                                    Take you film/slides to a photo service to be scanned


            Editing and managing images

                        Purpose of the digital image:  web page, email, high quality print

                        Digital file formats -  jpg, tiff, gif, raw, psd


            Digital Workflow Process

                        Acquire the image - Camera, Scanner or Web

                        Save the original image and make a copy to work on

                        Determine the purpose of the images:

                                    For viewing the images on a monitor

                                    For submitting images on a cdrom to another party

                                    To print a high quality photo print

                        Work on your image - Resize, Crop, Edit

           

                        Free Tools:

                                    Image Resizer from Microsoft.com. It is part of MS Power Toys.

                                    (www.microsoft.com,search on Power Toys)

                                    Picasa is a photo editor you can download from Google.com.

                        Tools that are not free:

                                    Adobe Photoshop Elements is an image editor designer for consumer use.

                                    Adobe Photoshop is an image editor that is used by professionals.

                                    Panoramic photography - Panorama Factory software

                        Saving images

                                    File type, image size, resolution depends on the purpose of the image

                                    For example, an image on a screen:            jpg, 500x700 pixels, 72 dpi

                                    For example, a high quality print:                  jpg, 1700x2550 pixels, 300dpi

                        Save to a cdrom using WinXP

                                    Select image, edit copy, select the cdrom, edit paste, then

                                    Write these images to the cdrom

                                    Or, use one of the programs for creating cdroms, dvd's

                        Emailing images

                                    Use ImageResizer to create the right size, or not

                                    Insert into the body of the email, or, attach to the email


Printing options

            Create your own prints - Inkjet printers - printing resolution, estimated life of print

            Take your work to a local print service

            Send your images to a web based service

            Post your images on a web photo sharing service

            Create your own book, brochure etc on www.blurb.com


Software for Managing Your Information

            What information to manage

                        Artwork - name, size, medium, cost, price, status

                        Supplies

                        Contacts - Friends, clients, vendors, suppliers, prospects, associations, galleries

                        Schedule - Events, shows, demonstrations, deadlines

                       

            Software

                        Working Artist

                        eArtist

                        ACT! or MS Outlook


How to Create Your Own Newsletters, Brochures or Greeting Cards

            Use word processing software

                        MS Word

                        Corel WordPerfect

                        Sun Star Office

                        OpenOffice

            Use graphic design software

                        MS Publisher

                        Adobe Pagemaker

                        Adobe InDesign

                        QuarkXpress


Effective Internet use

            To obtain information   

                        Google search

                        www.wetcanvas.com   


Web Site Options and Considerations

            Options

Build your own website using web design tools like Dreamweaver, Frontpage, Seamonkey         

                        Hire a web designer

                        Use a service that creates websites for artists

                        Put your work on a free website for artists, www.absolutearts.com

                        Create a blog for your work

                        Join an organization that will include your work

           

            Web design considerations

                        Purpose and goals

                        Target users or profiles

                        Internet Marketing Strategy

                        Five rules of web design by Shari Thurow in Search Engine Visibility

                                    Easy to Read

                                    Easy to Navigate

                                    Easy to Find

                                    Consistent in Layout & Navigation

                                    Quick to Download                   
                        Search Engine Optimization

                        Google pagerank


Resources for Products, Services & Education

Books

How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist by Caroll Michels

                        The Business of Being an Artist by Daniel Grant

                        designing web graphics by Lynda Weinman

                        The New Rules of Marketing & PR by David Meerman Scott        

       Education

                        Chicago Computer Society  www.ccs.org

                        Community Colleges - Truman College Web Design Program

                        Community Art Centers - Hyde Park Art Center, Evanston Art Center

                        Chicago Dept of Cultural Affairs – Artists at Work Forums


Using Technology to Market Your Work

            Put your work on websites

            Your own website

            Newsletter

            Brochure

            Use an email address with your domain - example: jim@jimsmithart.com          

 

_________________________________________________________________________________

Joe Vangsness

Vangsness Consulting Inc.

833 W. Chicago Ave. Ste 204

Chicago, IL 60622

(312) 455-1126

jv@vangsness.com

www.vangsness.com