xTrain Blog - - xTrain blog

Learning InDesign is so easy

2008-04-25T19:24:00Z

I just watched the Virgina Brodie and Shellie Hall InDesign classes. I never knew InDesign could be so easy! I’ve used other layout programs to make newsletters and papers. But seeing these two instructors travel through the ins and outs of designing in this program. Well it made it easier for me to learn. For example master pages rocks. The whole “smart” layers rocks my world because I can use filters and change up the graphic in one program and have it effect the other if I wish. Or not. I’d totally check out their classes or even say Chris Botellos and Illustrator because they of course work well together.

Type, Graphics, and Funky Design with Christ Botello

2008-04-21T19:25:00Z

Some of the most informative tips I have received thus far on working in Illustrator has come from the Chris Botello Class.

For example I can work with the color wheels and get complimentary colors because of the improvements made in CS3. Or how about using real life sketches that are scanned in and I get to digitized them for a logo? I feel the best for me was the Frida example. That was helpful beyond belief.

So my quick tip for the day, check out the Christ Botello Class (www.xtrain.com/chris) and catch his other amazing tips in his xTrain shows!

Designing, Painting and Drawing Like Pro's

2008-04-17T16:07:00Z

Start Designing, Drawing
or Painting Professionally Today!

Produce fun and exciting designs by increasing your skills with xTrain's surefire online training! Value priced at $19.99/mo or $199 per year you'll received the best online arts tutorials, lessons, and practice sessions available.

Are you ready to take your creativity to the next level? Enroll for 10% off our $19.99/mo plan. Your company's identity is an integral part of your business. Discover the different identity system mediums, such as logos, letterheads, business
cards and more, and learn the design process
behind them to help your company develop a successful identity system of its own.

Mahalo Daily: IDOL contest!

2008-04-15T16:58:00Z

So we do alot of things at xTrain, and one of them is to help spread the word of events going on with our instructors.

Today, please take a moment to Vote for Shellie Hall’s Mahalo Daily Video Entrance! She’s one of our very on instructors, a very TECHY girl and an all around fun chick to hang out with.

To vote, all you have to do is:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS0m0dn7WBg]

For more info go to pushingart.com

Training, Learning, Teaching, Doing: If you don’t use it, you will lose it.

2008-04-14T19:38:00Z

shh. Here’s a secret of the day. Ok not really but, today I felt the urge to write about – if you don’t use the knowledge you have – you will loose it.

Case #1:

4 yrs studying History yields a degree in History
Job out of College: Sales, profitable, however after 8 years it took a while to build wealth, if any.
After 12 years – how much do you think he will remember of his history studies?

Is this a profitable venture? Or would you spend $20 a month to continue your studies in history – even if you were working in sales?

Case #2:

Art student, photography major, graphic design minor. 5 yrs in school.
After 6 years of multiple jobs, an increase in pay from $20K to $55K
Does working in the field constitute as the only place to advance ones skills? No?

For the rest of the article go to www.pushingart.com

Adobe TV and Adobe Media Player launch with xTrain content

2008-04-11T20:08:00Z

Adobe just announced Adobe TV and Adobe Media player today. Adobe TV is your on-line source for expert insight and inspiration. Feed your passion for Adobe products with insider tips, innovative techniques, and behind-the-scenes tours. Get to know Adobe personalities by tuning in to Russell Brown Photoshop Laboratory. What you didn’t read on Digg – was that xTRAIN’s CONTENT is featured on Adobe TV! Silly! Go to tv.adobe.com to watch many of our shows!

For more information go to www.pushingart.com

xTrain Features Over 100 Free Shows on Adobe Systems’ New Ad

2008-04-11T19:58:00Z

xTrain Features Over 100 Free Shows on Adobe Systems’ New Adobe® TV & Media Player - Splash Media & xTrain are honored to be featured on AMP and tv.adobe.com

That’s Right – That’s the DIGG article that SAYS xTrain’s on Adobe TV!!!

for more details go to www.pushingart.com

the story of A graphic designer’s life, pro-bono work as a designer

2008-04-11T19:48:00Z

I stumbled upon this link using stumbleupon… It stopped, i laughed so HARD I cried… and I couldn’t believe how true this situation is….. I couldn’t figure out the website, so here’s the credit line: http://www.fukung.net/images/2674/designer.gif

I can’t tell you how many times people say – oh you’re an artist do something free for me. And I’m sitting there nieve enough to go sure why not…. And then, i spent my 10 years in the industry wondering where my time went… ok so it was more like the first 3 years i didn’t get it, 4 more years went by of picking and choosing free projects… and the last few… hell no, pay me, pay me up front, or forget it. I’m not going to waste my time trying to please you, trying to collect money from you – after my services are rendered… oh and btw – our company has a 90 day pay period.

For the rest of the article go to www.pushingart.com

xTrain + YouTube + Adobe TV Launch

2008-04-10T20:15:00Z

You can only have so much fun while doing multiple press releases… so Jennifer & Tabitha… They made sure they had fun… check em out!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnpcaMMnmcs]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgckKlRDwBg]

For more info go to www.pushingart.com

Adobe TV + Youtube + xTrain's Jennifer & Tabitha

2008-04-10T15:12:00Z

There comes a time when the studio isn't necessary to have fun... and sitting back with our laptops is more interesting and inspirational for those... creative moments...

Tabitha & Jennifer present:

Adobe TV launches today!

2008-04-09T20:08:00Z

So excited ADOBE has put MANY xTrain videos on their tv.adobe.com!!!!!

Excerpt from our press release: xTrain is proud to announce its new featured partnership on Adobe Systems’ new Adobe TV site. The new site features over 100 training segments from xTrain that include topics such as photography, graphic design, video, web developing and design, business and more. We are honored to be teaming up with such a significant leader in the software and technology industry, as we believe it will enable both our companies to deliver high-end education to a broad spectrum of Adobe software users.

For more information go to www.pushingart.com

xTrain Created Fantastic Shows for Adobe TV!

2008-04-09T14:10:00Z

xTrain is proud to announce its new featured partnership on Adobe Systems’ new Adobe TV site. The new site features over 100 training segments from xTrain that include topics such as photography, graphic design, video, web developing and design, business and more. We are honored to be teaming up with such a significant leader in the software and technology industry, as we believe it will enable both our companies to deliver high-end education to a broad spectrum of Adobe software users.

xTrain Features Over 100 Free Shows on Adobe Systems' New Adobe® TV New Adobe TV programs showcase world-class xTrain training programs

Dallas, TX (April 9, 2008) – xTrain.com, a leader in online video training for photography, media, arts, and design, announces today that the company has licensed over 100 training segments that will be featured on Adobe TV. In addition, xTrain’s parent company Splash Media LP, an innovator and market leader of online content communications and training, and producer of xTrain content, has created original programming content for the Adobe TV audience of creative professionals.

Launched today, Adobe TV features four channels of original series programming and content created and produced by xTrain and Splash Media. These channels provide entertaining and expert instructional videos for photographers, designers, video professionals and developers.

xTrain Photoshop & Photography Our philosophy at xTrain is to provide quality training for a well-rounded photographer. From the shutter snap to the business print; planning, shooting, editing, and business skills are all embraced from a professional standpoint.

xTrain Digital Arts & Designs xTrain focuses on the entire atmosphere of learning for an artist. Whether in art, production, marketing or even business, our goal is to teach creative professionals how to take their creative skills to the next level.

xTrain Web Development xTrain provides insightful training that encompasses all phases of web development, from proposals and planning, to execution of high-quality marketing, personal websites, business sites and more.

“We are extremely excited to be able to share xTrain classes with Adobe customers on these numerous educational shows,” said Jeremy Vest, president and founder of xTrain. “Teaming up with such a significant leader in the software and technology industry will enable both of our companies to deliver high-end education to a broad spectrum of Adobe software users.”

Initially, there are approximately 100 Adobe TV shows created and produced by xTrain in Splash Media’s high-end multi-million dollar video production studios. Newly-launched Adobe TV will allow customers of Adobe Systems Incorporated’s full range of software products to watch training and tutorials on demand anytime they want. Expert video tutorials are available immediately online at http://tv.adobe.com and as a channel in the new Adobe® Media Player.

An initial set of classes from xTrain will include: Adobe Lightroom Library Module Class by Rob Sheppard, Drawing Female Portraits by Ron Lemen, Anyone Can Master Layers by Rob Sheppard, Processing HDR Files by Ben Willmore, InDesign CS3: Advanced and Fun by Shellie Hall and Video Blogging by Giovanni Gallucci. All classes can be found at xTrain's Adobe Page.

For 25 years, Adobe Systems Incorporated’s award-winning software and technologies have redefined business, entertainment and personal communications by setting new standards for producing and delivering content that engages people virtually anywhere and at anytime. From rich images in print, video and film to dynamic digital content for a variety of media, Adobe is one of the world’s largest and most diversified software companies.

About Adobe Systems Incorporated

Adobe is the world’s leading provider of software solutions to create, manage, and deliver high-impact, reliable digital content. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

About Splash Media

Splash Media LP is a Dallas-based media and technology company that develops online, customized Internet television networks for corporate communications and training. Splash Media utilizes its state-of-the-art television studios to quickly produce and deliver rich media content. Splash Media offers an innovative, convenient and efficient solution for communicating with and training associates across the world, via the Internet. Splash Media’s current online networks include TSTN.com as well as Splash Stream Solutions for private-label corporate networks. For more information, please visit Splashmedia's Web Site.

About xTrain

xTrain provides the world's premiere on-line training experience. The xTrain online training library appeals to a wide segment of the desktop publishing and digital imaging marketplace, from digital professionals to students, hobbyists, and Fortune 1000 companies. The growing online video training library utilizes industry-leading instructors, authors, and experts.

CONTACT: 

Jeremy Vest

xTrain, President

972-392-6700

972-387-4830 (Fax)

Press_relations@xtrain.com

Press Releases and Information: http://news.xtrain.com.

Steve Rosenbaum/Leigh Nofi

S.I.R. Marketing Communications, Inc.

Phone: 631-757-5665

E-mail: sir@sironline.com or leighnofi@sironline.com

# # #

© 2008 xTrain. All rights reserved. xTrain and the xTrain logo are registerd trademarks in the United States, and all are the property of xTrain. Adobe and Photoshop are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Shellie Hall’s in the Studio!

2008-03-28T20:25:00Z

Just wanted to drop everyone a note that while we’ve been concentrating on marketing and getting myself healthy again… we’re still doing really cool shows such as 2 new courses with Shellie Hall – focusing on InDesign.

As always she rocks!

Check out www.xtrain.com/shellie for details of current live courses and when today’s studio shoot gets done, then you’ll be able to see these great Q2ID and ID Portfolio courses!!

Additionally – if you haven’t heard about a new documentary of High Tech Women – then you really need to check out TechGirlz.com

Want more from Shellie? Hey you need to see CreativePro.com where you can find weekly videos of creative industry news. Hey.. and if you want to find the creative side of Shellie, she runs ducktypedigital.com and getcreative.com

For more details go to www.pushingart.com

Going back to work after a job loss, change, or just getting out of school

2008-03-15T20:47:00Z

At xTrain, we know what it’s like to find a job in today’s market. We we green around the collars when the .com bust happened. Being aspiring artist, my husband and I were hit hard. So here are some tips that I have for you….

There’s plenty of resources out there for job hunting… For example, monster.com, careerbuilder, hotjobs.com etc. But then there are specialty groups online that are either consulting firms or geared to local art jobs, for us we use the Dallas Society of Visual Communications… http://www.dsvc.org this has local job listings that are usually paid listings that the person who’s hiring recognizes these guys have the best network for local talent.

But did you know you could find jobs on Myspace & Linked in?

Be warey of any job that requires money up front. A head hunter may, but usually if your go with aplacement agency that’s legit they will have a client that will pay it on top of your salary.

For more details go to www.pushingart.com

Why is Photoshop & Photo Retouching Important

2008-03-10T00:01:00Z

The world is full of people who love to take pictures. As we travel, fellowship with friends and family, or have other important experiences, we love to have pictures to share with each other and with the world. Everyone that takes pictures has also likely experienced frustrations with having taken an important picture, whether it’s a great scene while on a vacation, a group portrait, or just a casual snapshot, that just doesn’t turn out great. As important as these documented memories can be, I am still appalled by how often people will simply trash the picture, assuming it’s ruined and completely unfixable. This is such a tragedy! Everyone should know how to touch up pictures, as many of these images can be salvaged without a hint of bad lighting, glare, blurriness or the like. At xTrain, classes such as Ben Wilmore’s Enhancement class or The Russell Brown Show series can help users recover pictures that have fallen prey to such negative external influences. So don’t just toss an important memorable picture because you think it’s ruined, learn how to recover it and save it so you can look back on your memories for years to come!