Giant Balloons

As a graphic designer, you are always searching for new inspirations and tools to improve your skills and speed up the design process. The online world now provides an array of design tools to improve your workflow and efficiency – putting more money in your pocket each month from satisfied clients. Here are the top 10 online design tools grouped by categories to improve your graphic design business.

Image Manipulation Websites

1) Aviary.com

Aviary.com is a powerful online resource offering image editing, vector editing and a variety of other tools. The website is well designed and is known for its user friendly format. While, as a graphic designer, you may not use certain portions of the website such as the music creator, most sections are very valuable for the design process.

2) GIMP.org

Another top online image manipulation program is GIMP.org. This website deserves a spot among the top online design tools because it features, among other things, image perspective manipulation, channel mixing, and cloning.

3) Pixlr.com

The Pixlr.com image editor is the last image manipulation program making the top 10 online design tools list. This program features an interface similar to top graphic design software applications and is very user friendly – making it a great resource for all experience levels.
Stock Photo Websites

4) iStockphoto.com

iStockphoto.com is widely used in the graphic design community and features an extensive stock graphic library. The cost per image on iStockphoto.com is higher than other stock photo websites but the image quality is worth the higher cost.

5) Bigstockphoto.com

Lower cost photos and illustrations are available on Bigstockphoto.com if you can’t afford more expensive stock image websites. The quality of images is still high and you can browse extensive image galleries. As with most stock photo websites, you must purchase a credit bundle before downloading your first graphic.

6) Shutterstock.com

Shutterstock.com is comparable in price and quality to iStockphoto.com and contains, among other resources, photos and illustrations. Browse graphics by category or keyword to quickly locate a particular subject.

7) Stock.xchng

If you are working on a tight design budget, Stock.xchng is a great option because it offers free stock images for download. While the image qualities are lower than fee based websites, it’s still a wonderful free resource.

Graphic Design Training






Lynda.com

As a graphic designer, you must always be acquiring new skills. The Lynda.com tutorial library offers top notch free and fee-based training videos on a variety of design software programs to aid in the learning process.

9) Kelbytraining.com

Another top training website is Kelbytraining.com which offers a variety of graphic design tutorials, DVDs, and books. This resource is constantly updated with the latest software tutorials and can be a great resource to stay on top of the graphic design field.

10) Tuts+

The Tuts+ network is the final online design tool earning a spot on the top 10 list. From vector tutorials to creative sessions, this resource offers a variety of learning materials to improve your graphic design skills.

To be successful designer, you must always learn new skills and try new things. Hopefully these top 10 online design tools will be helpful outlets for improving your graphic design skills.

Sonia Mansfield is the content editor for PsPrint and editor for the PsPrint Blog. She likes to write, do yoga and make nerdy “Star Wars” and “Simpsons” references. PsPrint is an online printing solutions company, which you can follow on Twitter and Facebook.

Do You Play The Lottery ?

I used to be a loyal player of my state lottery (The UK Lottery) for more than 12 years straight. I would have never missed a week, and like many I had my favour…

5 Low Cost Methods to Drive Traffic to Your Door!

1. Use a Giant Advertising Balloon.

A large 7 ft. in diameter helium advertising balloon can be purchased for as little as $269.00. It costs approximately $70 to fill the balloon with 180 cubic feet of helium and you are now on the map. Tether the helium balloon so it floats 120 ft. – 150 ft. above your business or event. People who may have passed by your location a thousand times and had never noticed you will now see you.

Drive Traffic with a big helium balloon.

2. Catch the Beat (and traffic) with an Inflatable Advertising Man.

You chose your location for the traffic count and visibility. Make that location work for you with an inexpensive inflatable advertising man. Sometimes called dancing balloons, dancing man balloons, dancing man inflatables, tube dancers and other names these floppy inflatables attract attention and customers. These can be purchased for as little as $399.00

Dancing Tube Balloon

Inflatable Dancing man

3. Take a Tip from Goodyear©

Look up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane – - – - It’s the Blimp. Most of us can not afford the $200K a month for a giant full size manned blimp but we can afford $461.00 for an advertising blimp. These helium filled advertising blimps are from 11 feet in length to 30 feet in length and can cost less than $500.00. Add you $35.00 of helium to the blimp and the crowds are seeing your blimp and your business! Fly your blimp between 100 feet and 150 feet above your location and you will get results!

Advertising Blimps Bring Business!

4. Blow Up Your Product or Mascot!

If you have a product or mascot that lends itself to being made into a giant sealed air inflatable replica – go for it!

These giant sealed air inflatables take advantage of the same technology as your air mattress but that is where the similarity ends. Prices range greatly in sealed air products depending on size and complexity. However, many 6ft. – 10ft. custom sealed air inflatables can be purchased in the $750 – $1500 price range. When you get your inflatable, inflate it with a small air inflator and tether in front of your location. If possible you can place it on the roof of your building. No helium, no electricity and put it just about anywhere!

Capture Attention with a giant sealed air replica.

5. Go Big, Really Big or Go Home!

Advertising inflatables can be rented almost anywhere. Advertising inflatables are giant, usually 25ft. tall or larger, figures, characters, animals, mascots or other forms. You can see everything from giant Aliens to Santa to Uncle Sam. These giant advertising inflatables are staked to the ground in front of your business or attached to your building’s roof. Some advertising inflatables can be rented for as little as $150/day or purchased for $4000 and up. An advertising inflatable can last for years if reasonable care is used in protecting it. The hundreds or thousands of vehicles passing your location each day will be certain to see you.

BIG BULL ATTRACTS ATTENTION

Great for Holiday Promotions!

If you want to drive traffic through the door give these giant balloons, blimps and inflatables a try. Combine two or more to see Giant Results!

5 Low Cost Methods to Drive Traffic to Your Door is a post from: Advertising Balloons

Related posts:

1. Eye Catching Advertising Balloons
2. Advertising Blimp Balloons
3. Inflatable Advertising Man