Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢

Banging design tips to improve your business and get noticed |
Graphic Design Fundamentals
• Colour Theory
• Typography
• Sketching
🪖

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

I'm challenging myself to design 100 posters by the end of the year.

Follow along for progress and updates.

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

Have you ever committed to something in the moment, then immediately asked yourself, "What have I let myself in for?"

That's exactly what I did during my first week at Uni.

Along with 19 other new students, I'd allowed myself to be talked into joining the University Parachute Club.

Our first parachute jump was scheduled for that weekend!

Squashed into the mini bus for the drive to the parachute centre, I met people who'd soon become some of my closest friends.

The training was fun, but as the time to board the plane approached, the doubts and nerves set in. Would I really be able to go through with it?

The plane took off and made a steep climb to 3,500 feet. The door of the plane was opened. The wind rushed in. My mouth was dry and my palms sweaty. I was terrified.

My heart raced as I approached the door. The roar of the engine deafening. The instructor tapped me on the shoulder. I jumped. Time stood still. It was such an exhilarating feeling.

Suddenly the parachute opened. The wind and noise of the engine were replaced with calm and tranquility. I felt relief. And as I began floating down all my fears quickly disappeared. This wasn't so bad after all.

Back on the ground I laughed to myself. "What had I let myself in for?" Apparently, one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences of my life.

An experience that had seemed so daunting at first gave me a strong sense of courage and a realisation that I could face my fears.

How often do we let fear hold us back from potential life changing experiences?

Please share in the comments one 'crazy' decisions you made that lead to an experience that changed your life?

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

@_SaritaCarey Thank you, Sarita.

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

So I've joined Maria Tokar's Poster Design Secrets 3.0 course.

Here's my first assignment. A poster for a podcast using halftones.

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

Today's poster: Clarissa.

Poster 105

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

Santa (the one from the uncanny valley mall)

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

@Dubedesigns_ Thank you. Hope you're having a good Christmas.

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

A Christmas angel.

It's a cross between Icarus and an albatross and kind of in the style of Basquiat.

Many happy returns.

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

Another seasonal poster.

Having some fun with the brush tool in Photoshop.

Many happy returns to everyone.

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

@dmitriy_dzendo Yeah, but you're a professional, so paid resources will provide you with the better quality that you require.

For blaggards like me, free resources suit my budget better.

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

@JoshABrown_ Some people seem to get really scientific about this.

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

@ItsKrisKriz 2013? You must have been about 9 years old them 🤣

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

@Phil_W_UK From my normal day job; yes.

From creating content; no f*cking way, baby.

Gonna ramp it up till I go back on the 4th Jan.

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

@Jamayal 1996 in Turkey the exchange rate passed 200,000 Turkish Lire to the GB Pound.

1 million got you a decent night out

but you'd need more if you wanted a kebab on the way home.

It's all relative.

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

@Jamayal 1996 in Turkey the exchange rate passed 200,000 Turkish Lire to the GB Pound.

1 million got you a decent night out

but you'd need more if you wanted a kebab on the way home.

It's all relative.

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

And now for something slightly different.

Thanks to @_SaritaCarey for suggesting I make some seasonal posters.

Here goes...

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

@ChrisBarnes3D Thank you for your support, Chris.

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

At the beginning of October I challenged myself to create 100 posters before the end of the year.

Today, this is my 100th poster

Poster 100 / 100

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

@parislaw Thank you, Paris.

[Simon Dowdney | Grafik Fundamentals 🚢 @SimonDowdney]

@angelinesoonami Thank you, Angeline.

I've learned a lot, but I can't think of anything I've learned about myself, yet.

If I think of something I'll let you know.