How to convert paths into shapes in Illustrator

Here's something I learnt recently that I got REALLY excited about! So many times I have struggled with paths in Illustrator and just didn't know how to make them into shapes. Until now!

Take the below image as an example. I was trying to make a laptop icon. I wanted to use the Shape Builder tool to cut out the laptop and have the white circle as the icon. I made the laptop using the Rounded Rectangle shape tool and used the Pen tool to draw the cord.

How to select all text in Illustrator

Here's something I thought I wouldn't need to know in Illustrator. A little while ago I was working on an illustration for a document. This diagram had numerous individual pieces of text. I eventually needed to select all. Here's how to do it without choosing each individually. 

How to stop hyphenation in InDesign

InDesign is a powerful tool. I truly believe I have only scratched the surface of understanding it's capabilities for digital publishing. However; there are some things in InDesign which perplex me. One of these is it's enthusiasm for hyphenation.

How to transfer layers to a new document in Photoshop

Adobe products are renowned for their flexibility and versatility. Whatever you want to do, Adobe most likely has an answer.

Say you are trying to get the same effects from Photoshop into a new Photoshop document. Well, there's a solution for that. And you guessed it; it's simple once you know how!

Inserting Placeholder Text in InDesign

And we're back!

I had to take a little break from posting for the past few weeks as my lovely HP Desktop broke. I still don't understand how it was fixed (as it kind of fixed itself) but it is fixed and that is the main thing! And none of my progams or work has been lost so I am a very happy bunny altogether!

Here is a little InDesign tip to get us back into the swing of things.

Technical Difficulties

Unfortunately, I broke my computer the other week. I did this by messing around with the resolution because I was trying to install something. Lesson learnt. So now I have to go get it fixed but it is a big HP tower with a big HP monitor so it's not so easy to cart around. Anyway, this is why my posts are slipping! :(

Although, I have been learning about SVGs or Scalable Vector Graphics recently. Take a look at my Twitter feed to see what I've been looking at!

What I do in work all day!

Recently, the Library held a Library Staff Day. The purpose of this day was for staff to connect with each other and view insights into colleagues' work. An important part of this day were the posters. A handful of staff were asked to produce a poster about their work or a particular project they have been involved in. I was chosen and here is my poster below. I think it really illustrates exactly what I do from day to day in my job assisting the Library's Outreach team. 

How to type on an arc and flip text in Illustrator

Yet another issue I had to look up twice. Recently I have been making posters in Illustrator which require text on an arc. This is very simple to do once you know how. 

How to crop artwork when exporting from Illustrator

Here's something else that was driving me nuts in work! A few days ago I was attempting to export my Illustrator file from Illustrator to a JPEG. However, when exported; the JPEG would include objects outside of the artboard, resulting in monstrosities like this below.

Melanie Simpson wins Graduate of the Year 2013

I, Melanie Simpson became Senior College Dun Laoghaire's Graduate Diploma in Creative Multimedia's Graduate of the Year 2013 on the 29th of November 2013. I was awarded in University College Dublin's O'Reilly Hall at my graduation ceremony. 

Every month the Library publishes a Staff Social Bulletin. I wrote a small article about my award which featured in the December edition. This piece follows below.