MAXON Unveils CINEMA 4D Release 13

August 1, 2011

Category: Useful tools

Next Generation Simplifies Character Animation, Adds Stereographic Capabilities and Physical Rendering.

Today, MAXON announced CINEMA 4D Release 13, the next generation of its industry- leading 3D motion graphics, visual effects, painting, and rendering software application. With all new character tools, integrated stereographic capabilities, stream-lined multi-artist collaboration and physical rendering, CINEMA 4D Release 13 builds on the company’s 25-year legacy of enabling digital content creators around the world to produce highly engaging content quickly and easily for a variety of industries.

Check out the full article

No Comments | Tags: 3D, C4D, Cinema 4D

7 Free Cloud Based Apps Every Designer Needs to Use

July 12, 2011

Category: Articles, Useful tools

Everyday is a battle to get your work done on time, on budget and to the highest standards possible. To increase your productivity you need to inlist the help of other applications and services to fight beside you on the front lines. Here is a list of resources we use on a daily basis that keeps our team on target.

Dropbox - Dropbox allows you to easily transfer files between you and your clients, sync files between your different workstations, backup important files and create public links to share with the world. Go get your free 2GB account today and start integrating cloud based storage into your workflow. You will soon wonder how you lived without it.
Skype - Forget MSN and ICQ! Skype is the leading tool to interact with your clients, associates and friends. With features like video calling, screen sharing and group calling, this is way better than what any landline could ever offer.
Evernote – Gone are the days of scrapbooks full of clippings, print outs and notes. Evernote is your digital scrapbook and filing cabinet that captures anything you want and keeps it organized using notebooks, notes, titles, tags and web links. Start storing your text, images, webpages, audio recordings and video clips with a free account.
CloudApp - Quickly share images, links, music, videos and files with a drag and drop of a mouse click. This small application will take your piece of media, upload it to the web and create a shortened URL that points directly to it. Plus it keeps track of clicks! Could we ask for anything easier?
Wunderlist - Life is a list and Wunderlist keeps them up to date across platforms and devices. You will not be disappointed with the rich features this simple application possesses.
MailChimp - This is your one stop shop for all of your mailing list needs. It has every feature you would ever want in a mailing list service and a ton of extras. Don’t bother trying the other services out there because this one is the best!
Twitter - As the online world becomes more social, so must you! Start building a social network using Twitter and get immersed into this new form of communication. Feel free to add us now! @jmdesign

The applications we are gravitating towards are those that sync with the cloud. To stay nibble and mobile we need tools that are accesible from any Internet enabled device so our data, networks and communites go where we go.

No Comments | Tags: cloud apps, designers, tools

Top 7 Motion Graphic Design Demo Reel Mistakes

July 4, 2011

Category: Articles

We see a lot of demo reels roll through our doors and we see the same mistakes happen over and over again. Here are the top 7 mistakes we see regularly.

Using template material – Come on designers! Stop using material in your reels that is not your own. If you can buy it, download it or learn it in a tutorial it should not go into your reel, no matter how cool that sparkly lens flare looks. You may fool the average consumer, but any design firm or agency can sniff someone else’s design work in your reel from a mile away.
It is so long we fell asleep - Your reel should be no longer than a minute. Only put work in your reel that shows that you have the skills and the experience to get the job done right. If it is outdated, poorly designed or doesn’t show well than don’t put it in your reel. The purpose of your demo reel is to get more work, not deter it.
Poor render quality – You could have the best work in the business, but if it doesn’t show well than you will have a hard time landing that big contract. If you work in HD then render in HD! Who doesn’t love watching great reels in 720 HD at fullscreen? When you output your reel at standard def or lower it demonstrates that you lack the care for quality and preservation of detail.
Who made this? - We hate coming across great reels and having to hunt and peck to determine who made it. Open or close your reel with your contact information. This could include your name, email, website and phone number.
Lacks presentation skills – When we look at reels we look at everything and take it into consideration when we hire. This includes your website design, branding, video quality, typography, color theory, communication and overall professionalism. We also snoop past your reel if it is linked to a Vimeo account, Twitter feed, YouTube account, website or blog. Make sure your links, sites and accounts are squeaky clean. The more professional you look, the more likely we will trust you with our cherished clients.
Stale hard bread – Just the other day we were sent a reel with a date that was four years old! In the design industry four years is like four decades. Especially when it comes to motion graphics. As times passes, design style change and your level of craftsmanship should be improved . Your reel should be updated yearly and only contain your most current and best looking work.
Flat out lying - Not too long ago we received a resume from a designer who stated they had twenty years of experience in motion graphics and After Effects. We found this hard to believe because the most early seedlings of After Effects weren’t born more than 18 years ago. Nonetheless we gave the designer the benefit of the doubt and let his reel do the talking. If his reel could speak it would say, “I’m an average designer that lacks creativity, style and experience.” Let’s just say they never got a call back from us. In short don’t lie. It will be obvious your a fake when we watch your reel or past work examples.

For more tips on creating a better motion design reel check out “Five Steps to a Better Motion Demo Reel” by GSG.

No Comments | Tags: demo reels, designers, how to, learning, tips

BG Renderer v2 Walkthrough

May 31, 2011

Category: Useful tools

Lloyd Alvarez made this plug-in and you can go buy it here:
http://aescripts.com/bg-renderer/

No Comments | Tags: aescripts.com, After Effects, plugins, rendering

JMDesign 2011 Demo Reel

April 12, 2011

Category: News

No Comments | Tags: 3D, After Effects, C4D, Cinema 4D, demo reel, Designer, professional, Video, web links

After Effects Tutorial: Thor Trailer Titles

March 15, 2011

Category: Tutorials

Check out this great tutorial by Chris Torroza of Fretless Media.

No Comments | Tags: 3D Text, After Effects, Chris Torroza, Fretless Media, Lightning

AE Tutorial – Composition Window

March 7, 2011

Category: Tutorials

Learn the ins and outs of the Composition Window in Adobe After Effects. This tutorial well help you understand all the buttons and menus available in this window.

Tutorial by Jeff McIntosh from JMDesign:
jmdesignco.com

JMDesign on Twitter:
twitter.com/jmdesign