Game on!
One of the most popular game machines in the world is Microsoft’s Xbox 360. Gamers enjoy untold hours of entertainment exploring new worlds, fighting bad guys, and playing casual arcade games.
If you’ve ever dreamed about producing your own video game, you have a chance at fame and fortune by entering Microsoft’s Dream.Build.Play video game design contest.
According to Microsoft:
“To earn your spot in the Dream.Build.Play universe, bring your dream-world to life by creating an outstanding, playable game for Xbox 360 using XNA Game Studio 4.0…
“Whatever your style - whatever your dream - it’s time to unleash your creativity and show what you’ve got!”
Contest Parameters
Your game must be developed using Microsoft’s XNA Game Studio 4.0 software. Your game should be fun and exciting. Microsoft is especially looking for games in the action and adventure genres.
According to Microsoft game entries will be judged according to the following criteria:
* Fun factor (40%) - A key indicator will be the desire to keep playing
* Innovation (30%) - Based on how creative and technically unique your game is
* Production quality (30%) - Make your game world as polished as possible
Entries must be developed for English speaking individuals. Certain restrictions apply to whom or who may not enter this contest. You must register on the official contest site before you can enter this competition.
Please see complete guidelines and rules for more information.
Prizes
There are four cash awards:
* Grand prize: $40,000
* 1st prize: $20,000
* 2nd prize: $10,000
* 3rd prize: $5,000
Winners will also be given the chance to sign up for a publishing contract with Xbox LIVE. Winning games will also be featured on the Xbox Live Marketplace.
Contest links and additional information
The deadline for registration is May 17, 2011. You cannot enter unless you are officially registered. The deadline for submitting your game candidate is June 11, 2011.
These links provide more contest information:
Official contest site
Full contest rules and guidelines
Registration form
Free download XNA Game Studio 4.0
Graphic Design school and video games
Video game graphics and artwork have never been more realistic and cutting-edge than today. 3D programs such as Maya and LightWave 3D allow artists and illustrators to bring their drawings to life in video games.
Attending graphic design school is one of the first steps you can take in order to learn about layout, computer assisted art programs, design theory and application, and many other related courses.
Speak with a graphic design college representative and find out how graphic design can help you in your career development.
| 7 February 2008 | to | 22 February 2008 |
American Illustration and American Photography – the award winning, large format, beautifully designed and printed hardcover annuals offer high visibility and recognition where it matters most. Both are the exclusive source for assignment and commissioned work.
Your work will be seen by a jury made up of top creative professionals, art directors, photo editors, art buyers, gallerists, and publishers.
Selected images appear in the books one-image-per-page with an index that includes all creative credits and contact information. In addition to the annuals, juried images appear on the AI-AP web site, which attracts over 200 unique visitors per day.
Images remain on the site for life, allowing artists to create an archived portfolio of winning images that can be viewed by potential clients. And we can quickly update your contact information at no extra charge.
Inclusion in the book places you in the highest ranks of your profession.
For entry details, please visit the site.
Author Eileen Gould teaches readers how to build houses, design living spaces and tackle home improvement projects of all kinds in her new book, “Eye on Design: Seven Steps to Getting Started on Your Construction and Design Projects.”
This comprehensive how-to book includes simple ideas for design and construction projects for homes, offices, major companies and retail spaces. From people who want to make changes to their space but simply can’t afford it to do-it-yourself types, this book will provide guidance and helpful hints for everyone interested in design and construction.
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I just received my HOW Design newsletter, where they offered a copy of the book, Fingerprint: The Art of Using Handmade Elements in Graphic Design. While I try to support HOW as much as possible, I would suggest - when you want to order a top-notch book like the one shown here - that you shop around for the best price. While HOW offers a 20% discount for the book (total $28), you can currently purchase the same book for 31% off at Amazon ($24.15 new - save even more on used books!).
How did I miss this one? I’ve Got a Human in my Throat: Create MORE Optical Delusions with Adobe Photoshop was brought to my attention because it was produced by Worth1000.com, a place where you can find hundreds, nay - thousands of the greatest humorous and thought-provoking photoshop/digital pieces of artwork around. This time, through this book, you learn how to create humorous images and art through the use of these shake-your-head in disbelief images. Organized into three sections, basic through more advanced Photoshop tools and capabilities are introduced and source images are included on the accompanying CD so that you can follow along with each tutorial.
If you haven’t visited Worth1000.com, go now. It’s is a highly-popular, Photoshop-based graphic design web site that sponsors numerous Photoshop art contests, many of which feature humorous, spoof, and surreal images.
Since I’ve written an E-book on Photoshop, folks often ask me which book I thought was the best for my research. After browsing through tons (literally! These books are heavy!) of books about Photoshop CS2, I’ll have to admit that Photoshop CS2 Bible is the best. Some came in close in creativity and in bending the CS2 envelope; but, for pure learning ability and clarity, this book beats the band. You won’t need to take a class, spend time in seminars, or blow your cash on anything else but this book. You’ll keep it at your right hand from day one.
