Matthew Estes

Design tips for effective communications • Appreciating everyday life • @ABPPAlabamaGov Communications Director

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

I’ve been fed up with Twitter for a while now, effectively making me uninterested in using it outside of a work setting.

So, of course, I’m a big fan of Threads! I actually say stuff over there. Come hang out?

https://t.co/HD56NjwKgh

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

Hey! You're gonna wanna see this! 👀

Better than bold; better than italics. Simple lines are the best way to draw the eye to important information, especially in an environment with lots of text. Make considerate use of them in your #design.
#designtwitter #webdesign #uidesign

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

@thegamingdiary Thank you! You’re so kind!

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

Drew some retro pixel art of my cat Kiki for fun. Never done this before, but I know there are some pixel art masters out in the audience. I welcome your constructive criticism.

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

What a mess! 😱 Easily make paint splashes all over the place by drawing a circle in Photoshop, then going crazy with the curvature pen tool. Add extra flair by adding small circle splashes around the design. Useful for more creative brands. #designtwitter #2dart

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

Anything worth saying is worth saying the exact same way over and over again. 💬

There's only one pixel-perfect way to make sure branding and titles stay put across years of #Photoshop docs. Duplicate layers, and keep page sizes consistent. #designtwitter #2dart #communications

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

Want to keep a clean design while keeping the audience on their toes? Try cutting a title using #Photoshop's polygonal lasso tool. It's been used effectively on book covers and, of course, the @netflix show "You." I wouldn't use it for most brands though. #designtwitter #2dart

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

Here's a throwback!📺
Evoking retro television styles uses nostalgia to get attention and communicate your message. In Photoshop, the 'add noise' filter, along with creative layer styles, can help craft a more convincing design. #designtwitter #graphicdesign #2dart

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

Here's a #Photoshop pro-tip! Know your #design font, but not sure which style? Test them all! Quickly cycle through styles by highlighting the field in the character pane and using the up and down keys. #designtwitter #communications #2dart

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

For the new year, is there a creative skill you’re planning to level up?

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

⚪️🔵 So many dots! ⚫️🟡

Make crazy patterns in #Photoshop with halftones, popular in #comicbooks, #animation and marketing.

Experiment using Filter > Pixelate > Color Halftones. Be sure to use clipping masks and a good screentone brush. #designtwitter #design #communications

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

Half of design is just organizing stuff, to be honest.

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

Make the right (or left, or middle) choices. ⌨️

Designs are complicated. Save lots of time in #Photoshop by aligning text layers as you make them. Doing so ensures won't break your #design when you make an edit.⏳
#designtwitter #communications

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

Make the right (or left, or middle) choices. ⌨️

Designs are complicated. Save lots of time in #Photoshop by aligning text layers as you make them. Doing so ensures won't break your #design when you make an edit.⏳
#designtwitter #communications

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

Put things in focus!👀
Graphics look good emphasized with the classic vignette, but can also be taken a step further using any dark image.

In #Photoshop, just hit the layer with a soft eraser and reduce opacity as desired. #designtwitter #design #communications

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

@DirectorCamWard Merry Christmas!

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

“Let’s jump in this pool!”
- Nobody 🥶
Merry Christmas from us! 🎄

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

@theWellRedMage 🟥 S Tier 🎄

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

@theWellRedMage Pixels matter.

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

My goal on Twitter is to inspire people to improve their creative craft, so I find the sudden appearance of the view counter alarming. I’m scared it will further reinforce the drive for competitiveness on the platform.

[Matthew Estes @mattestesdesign]

Good designs are felt emotionally.