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Web2Fabric Connects Digital Designers with Providers of Digital Textile Printing Services

July 20, 2014

DESIGNERS. Could some of your brand clients benefit from the creative use of custom-designed textiles? If so, check out the new web2fabric app and website created by DPInnovations. They established the online community to link digital designers to print-service providers around the world who are using digital textile printing equipment to print hundreds of thousands of yards of fabric.

DPInnovations has been supplying software solutions to the digital textile industry for more than 10 years. One of their clients, Spoonflower, has proven that a digital textile printing business can be successful by focusing on providing small amounts of fabric to a high number of individuals, using the simplest form of dyes (pigments) for an acceptable color gamut and fastness. While contributing to the revival of U.S. textile manufacturing, Spoonflower has become the heart of a community. Their service brings joy to creative people around the world.

In recent years, digital textile printing equipment technology and inks have advanced to the point where it’s now feasible to reproduce deeper, brighter colors on longer runs of fabrics with better fastness. So, more textile companies now see the opportunity to sell custom-printed textiles directly to digital designers. These companies are experts in their fields, capable of printing different products than Spoonflower.

Web2Fabric doesn’t manufacture, print, or stock fabric. But their MESH technology allows you to set up your job online, and send the print-ready file directly to one of the digital fabric printing companies that uses software from DPInnovations.

LINKS

Web2Fabric

DPInnovations

Adobe Announces 14 New Versions of Creative Cloud Apps

June 18, 2014

One of the most compelling reasons to subscribe to Adobe Creative Cloud is that it provides continuing access to new features and apps. This is more important than ever, now that so many creatives are expected to be proficient in more than one discipline.

Today, Adobe announced 14 new versions of CC desktop applications, including Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Illustrator CC, Adobe Dreamweaver CC and Adobe Premiere Pro CC. The biggest Adobe software release since CS6, it also includes four new mobile apps, the immediate availability of creative hardware, updates to Creative Cloud services and new offerings for enterprise, education and photography customers.

Yesterday, Adobe announced that there are now over 2.3million Creative Cloud subscriptions. This far exceeds original projections when Adobe unveiled Creative Cloud two years ago.

“Our shift to Creative Cloud has given us a broad canvas on which to innovate like never before,” said David Wadhwani, senior vice president, Digital Media, Adobe. “We’ve taken bold steps with this milestone release, fast-tracking new features to industry-defining tools like Photoshop and InDesign, while introducing mobile apps that turn tablets into indispensable creative tools.”

The release serves a creative industry that is changing at a staggering pace. According to a new report “The New Creatives,” three in four creative professionals believe the industry has changed more in the past five years than the previous 50. About two thirds believe their role will significantly change in the next three years. Creatives cited new technologies as the top driving force behind the rapid change.

Mobile Apps Extend CC Desktop Workflows

Adobe launched three new mobile apps for iPad – Adobe Sketch, Adobe Line, and Adobe Photoshop Mix. They also began shipping new creative hardware called Adobe Ink, a new digital pen, and Adobe Slide, a new digital ruler. The mobile apps were developed using a new Adobe Creative SDK that unlocks over 30 years of Adobe innovation and makes it available on mobile devices for the first time.

These new apps are professional- grade quality but easy enough for anyone to use, similar to the recently launched Lightroom mobile for photographers and Adobe’s new animated video app for storytelling, Adobe Voice, which were also updated with this release. These powerful, yet easy-to-use apps add significant mobile capabilities to Creative Cloud, integrate workflows with the CC desktop apps and bring tablets into serious creative workflows for the first time.
New Versions of CC Desktop Apps

Beyond mobile innovation, the 2014 release of Creative Cloud includes dozens of new features in CC’s 14 desktop apps. (See the press release for specific details.)

The new CC desktop apps, mobile apps, and hardware are tightly integrated through Creative Cloud services. This integration helps liberate the creative process by enabling users to access and manage everything that makes up their creative profile – their files, photos, fonts, colors, community and more – from wherever they work.

Also introduced today is the new Creative Cloud app for iPhone and iPad that allows users to access and manage their files, assets, and more from their mobile device.

New CC Offerings For Enterprises, Educational Institutions, and Photographers

Adobe Creative Cloud for enterprise is an offering designed specifically for large-scale software deployments that works with other Adobe enterprise offerings such as Adobe Marketing Cloud, Acrobat, Adobe Anywhere, and Adobe Digital Publishing Suite. Updates include more services with collaboration and file storage, expanded options for deployment, and a new dashboard for managing users and entitlements.

For education, Adobe now has a device-based licensing offer for classrooms and labs, which allows multiple users to access software on a single device rather than tying it to an individual with an Adobe ID. This is critical in an environment where students come and go.

And for photography customers, Adobe has introduced a new Creative Cloud Photography Plan for $9.99 per month. Designed for anyone interested in photography, the new plan brings together Photoshop CC and Lightroom 5, as well as Lightroom’s mobile apps on the iPad and iPhone.

Pricing and Availability

Today’s updates to CC desktop tools are immediately available for download by Creative Cloud members as part of their membership at no additional cost. The new mobile apps are free to everyone.

To join Creative Cloud, special promotional pricing is available to existing customers who own Adobe Creative Suite 3 or later. Membership plans are available for individuals, students, teams,educational institutions, government agencies and enterprises.

LINKS

Press Release: Adobe Announces All New 2014 Release of Creative Cloud

Free trials of CC desktop apps

Pricing

Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan

Adobe Releases Report on “The New Creatives”

Museum Exhibit Will Raise Public Awareness of 3D Printing

June 7, 2014

An upcoming exhibition at the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) in Tampa, Florida looks like a terrific opportunity to get a better understanding of everything that is happening in the fast-developing field of 3D printing.

MOSI is a not-for-profit institution and educational resource dedicated to advancing public interest, knowledge, and understanding of science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). Starting June 14, they will host an exhibition entitled “3D Printing the Futurel” The exhibition will illustrate how 3D printing has the potential to reshape how we live, work, and play.

3D Printing the Future will include 3D-printed objects, live demonstrations, plus an in-depth look at how 3D printing technology works and how it can be used. At the exhibition, you will see 3D printers in action as you walk through immersive exhibits focusing on various applications of 3D printing.

3D Medicine: See 3D-printed medical objects, including 3D-printed body parts and prosthetics, and learn how 3D printing is revolutionizing the world of modern medicine.

3D Science & Technology: See how 3D printing is helping scientists and researchers working in some of the most remote places on Earth. Learn how 3D printing is being used to help solve crimes, build cars and houses, and send replacement tools to astronauts in space.

3D Archaeology See how archaeologists are using 3D scanning and printing to bring ancient artifacts to life in surprising detail and advance our understanding of ancient people, places and animals.

3D Everyday: Discover everything from 3D-printed furniture and toys to 3D-printed fashion and jewelry. This section will illustrate modern conveniences that 3D printing can provide in the future, such as being able to print a replacement part for a dishwasher or an extra place setting for unexpected dinner guests. See how the fashion industry is embracing 3D printing to create clothing, jewelry and accessories that are tailored just for you.

Hands-On 3D Workshop: In this area, you can draw with the world’s first 3D printing pen, and bridge the gap between the real and virtual worlds by building with 3D-printed Minecraft blocks. Families can even take part in an interactive story featuring 3D-printed models. This fun, imaginative story time will offer a glimpse of new ways to tap into the imagination of children through tangible story-themed play that they can design and print out.

3D Live Showcase This live stage show will feature a variety of fun and fascinating demonstrations, including interactive scanning, a 3D Music Jam Show with actual 3D-printed instruments, and step-by-step walk-throughs of the 3D printing process. This show celebrates the fruits of creativity and the “maker movement” using 3D printing.

LINKS

www.mosi.org.

Authors First Launches Contest for Novelists and Short Story Writers

June 3, 2014

Authors First, an online community for authors, is now accepting entries for their first annual novel-writing contest. The contest is open to all works of fiction over 40,000 words. The winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000, along with a publication contract from The Story Plant, an iPad Mini, and a year’s worth of Story Plant books. Five runners-up will also be chosen, each winning an iPad Mini loaded with a year’s worth of Story Plant books.

In addition to the novel contest, Authors First announced a short story contest for works of fiction 20,000 words and less. They will choose 20 winners, each of whom will be published in an Authors First anthology.

The deadline for entering is September 30, 2014. The winner will be announced by December 1.

“We’re tremendously excited about this contest,” said Lou Aronica, President of Authors First. “We know from personal experience what it is like to put everything into your writing but still struggle to find a publisher to pay attention to you.”

Authors First was founded by New York Times bestselling author Lou Aronica, Tony and Pulitzer Award- winning Broadway veteran Mitchell Maxwell, and Aaron Brown, an international bestselling author who publishes under the name Ethan Cross.

“We created Authors First to share the wisdom we’ve gained collectively about writing over the years and to help writers learn from a group of fellow writers who care deeply about their craft,” said Aronica. “We created the contest because we want to give writers a forum for being discovered.”

Set up like a virtual writers’ conference, Authors First offers basic and intermediate instructional sessions on topics such as idea generation, character development, research, pitching, and the publishing business.. A Master Class level will be introduced this fall.

LINKS

About Authors First

Authors First Contests

Magazine Declares June Professional Artist Month

June 1, 2014

Professional Artist magazine provides independent visual artists with the strategies they need to make a living with their artwork. For the second year in a row, they have declared June “Professional Artist Month.”

Throughout the month, artists are invited to connect and interact with Professional Artist through activities, advice, giveaways and a dedicated art contest.

“The inaugural Professional Artist Month was such a success that we knew we had to build on that momentum for 2014,” Publisher Jannett Roberts said. “Last year, our focus was to bring our readers even more resources to empower them in their creative careers. This June, it’s all about celebrating these talented professionals and engaging with them on a deeper level.”

Highlights of the 2014 Professional Artist Month include:

“Art-Felt Words” e-cards: Free digital postcards to share with friends, family and fellow artists via email and social media
“SmART Advice” showcase: A collection of inspired insights, motivational messages and words of wisdom from readers all month long
“Portrait of a Professional Artist” contest: An opportunity for artists to have their work featured in an upcoming issue of Professional Artist magazine
Daily giveaways : 30 chances to win great prizes, plus a special Professional Artist Store coupon for all participants
Exclusive subscription offer: A limited-time deal that includes a set of three free digital pocket guides with the purchase of a one-year subscription to Professional Artist

Each issue of Professional Artist magazine presents practical business advice on subjects such as art marketing, art law, portfolio development, exhibition presentation, communication skills and sales techniques.

Articles to help artists feel encouraged and motivated are also featured, as well as a comprehensive list of calls to artists.

LINK

Professional Artist Magazine

Professional Artist Month Activities

Christie’s Says Online Services Expand the Base of Art Buyers

May 12, 2014

ARTISTS. Two news releases Christie’s posted online this year show how rapidly the online marketplace for art is expanding, even at the upper echelons.

In 2006, Christie’s was the first art business to launch online participation in live auctions. Over the past five years particularly, they have seen dramatic increases in the volume of lots purchased via its Christie’s LIVE platform. Christie’s launched their e-commerce platform in 2011 and has held 70 online art auctions.

A Record Year for Art Sales in 2013

In a January 22 press release, Christie’s reported that 2013 was a record-breaking year for art sales. Christie’s art sales topped $7.1 billion in 2013, a 16% increase from 2012.They attributed these gains partly to the expanding buyer base made possible by greater online accessibility.

While the $20.8 million that came from on-line only sales seems miniscule compared to the $5.9 million from live auctions and $1.19 billion in private sales, Christie’s regards their online sales as a key driver of attracting new buyers and increasing global accessibility to authenticated art and luxury goods.

“With 16% sales growth and 30% new buyers coming in 2013, Christie’s has succeeded again by focusing on the art and connecting it to the ever-increasing audience of enthusiasts and collectors,” said Christie’s CEO Steven P. Murphy. “We continue to see a surge in interest across categories and across the globe, fueled in large part by the online platform enabling greater connectivity between buyers, sellers and the objects of their pursuit. Our continuing goal is to provide more to our clients and to convene new clients to enjoy art, be it through auctions, exhibitions. or online.”

Plans to Expand Their Digital Engagement

In a May 6 press release, Christie’s announced plans to invest about $20 million in improving their online services. Technological and digital advancements will include infrastructure improvements, an enhanced client-service experience, and creative content and media endeavors.

Statistics included in the release show why Christie’s is eager to expand their digital presence.

In 2013, Christies.com experienced a 19 percent increase in visitors. The site attracted 20.6 million unique visitors from more than 100 countries. The number of mobile viewers was up 42 percent in 2013.

“The global audience for art is increasing, museum attendance has increased again, and the art market is continuing to grow. This is in part driven by digital accessibility of art and imagery”, said Murphy in a panel discussion at Atlantic Ideas Live in New York. “Not long ago, our New York sales catalog would be viewed by a few thousand catalog subscribers four weeks before the sale. Now more than a million visitors view the works online.”

“This online accessibility combined with ever increasing visitor numbers to our public exhibitions has shifted the dynamic,” observed Murphy. “This has also fundamentally impacted the value of the original object itself, as the experience of standing in front of the picture and owning it has become even more powerful.”

In the press release Christie’s confirmed that 48 percent of all client registrations are now facilitated digitally. Plus, 45 percent of buyers in online-only sales in 2013 were new to Christie’s. One in five buyers in the online-only sales is under the age of 45.

About Christie’s

Founded in 1766, Christie’s is the world’s leading art business. Christie’s offers about 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photographs, collectibles, and wine. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million.

LINKS

Press Release: Christie’s Announces New $20 Million Investment as Digital Engagement Drives Growth in the Art Market

Press Release: Expanding Buyer Base Drives Record Year at Christie’s

Infographic: Expanding Buyer Base Drives Record Year at Christie’s

BookBaby Helps Authors Sell E-Books Directly to Readers

May 7, 2014

WRITERS. With the opening of BookShop, BookBaby is writing a whole new chapter in self publishing. BookBaby authors can now sell their e-books directly to readers through their own free BookShop e-commerce webpage. As an author, you can earn more money per sale and get paid faster than ever before.

If you are a BookBaby author, you can now sell ePub and .mobi versions of your e-books directly to readers and earn 85% of the gross selling price. You can still link fans to your e-book on popular retail sites such as iBooks, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and others.

Plus, instead of holding onto e-book revenues for weeks or months, BookBaby pays its authors within one week of the sale.

“It’s very simple. BookShop pays more and pays fast. Faster than anyone else,” said BookBaby’s Chief Marketing Officer Steven Spatz, “That’s what every author is looking for. For example if you sell an e-book for ten bucks on a Friday, you’ll see $8.50 show up in your account the following Monday. No other company gets money back to its authors like BookBaby.”

BookShop is free to every BookBaby author, including writers who are now taking advantage of the company’s new free eBook publishing package. Authors can upload ePub files directly to BookBaby for worldwide eBook distribution without any upfront costs.

BookShop is the latest addition to BookBaby’s fast-growing list of products and services to help authors find success in the marketplace. “It used to be that writers were thrilled just to have their manuscripts turned into an eBook and listed for sale on Amazon,” said Spatz. “But for today’s independent author, literary success requires a lot more than just great file conversion and retail distribution.”

“BookBaby’s new motto is ‘publish, promote and sell.’ While we’ll always help our authors publish books, they also need the opportunity to promote and sell their books. We’ve given our BookBaby authors exactly that with BookPromoTM and now BookShop.”

BookPromo Services

Last year, BookBaby introduced BookPromo, a free promotiona BookBaby BookPromo l service for all BookBaby authors, Users of BookBaby’s BookPromo services receive:

BookBaby and CD Baby

BookBaby is the sister company to CD Baby, the world’s largest online distributor of independent music. Founded as a garage start-up in 1998, CD Baby has grown to become a trusted name in the independent music business, paying over a quarter billion dollars to over 300,000 artists worldwide. BookBaby is following in the footsteps of its corporate sibling by helping independent authors realize their literary dreams. “With CD Baby we’ve brought musicians and fans directly together,” said Spatz. “BookBaby and BookShop are going to do exactly the same for authors and readers.”

BookBaby distributes e-books in more than 185 countries through 11+ online retail stores, including Amazon, Apple, and Barnes & Noble, BookBaby’s full array of services includes e-book formatting, cover design, and short-run book printing.

LINKS

BookBaby BookShop

BookBaby BookPromo

About BookBaby