How to make a simple custom Photoshop brush! Made easy. ( Updated )
Ever wanted to make your own Photoshop brush but never knew how? Fear not my design friend! This little tutorial will have you making your custom brushes in no time! ( hopefully ).
I have used these exact methods for various illustration and design projects over the years.
How to make a simple custom Photoshop brush – Answer Overview
An easy method to make a custom Photoshop brush is to either create your own shape or source a shape first. Once you have created your own shape by working with Black against White, you can use that selection to define a new custom brush. In short, you will need to make a selection around your shape and then “define brush preset” – this will then become your new brush.
You can use this method to make a wide selection of brush shapes, be it weave, denim, pencil, or any texture you can imagine.
Also, consider when making your custom Photoshop brush, how you would like it to flow and whether there are soft or hard edges. There is a wide variety of options you can experiment with when creating a custom brush in Photoshop.
How to make an easy Photoshop brush in 5 simple steps
Step 1 – Create The Brush Document
Photoshop Brush
1 ) Open Photoshop and create a new document – 300 x 300 px and 72 DPI for good measure, make sure the background is set to white. It should be noted that you can make this document larger or smaller but I tend to prefer working at a smaller scale.
If you prefer, you can copy the image above for free.
Step 2 – Draw Your Brush
2 ) Working in black and white (Shortcut ‘D’ for black and white), draw your brush shape in black in your new document.
Remember your brush shape needs to be dark /black when you come to creating your brush. For the sake of this tutorial, I have made mine a solid brush. See the black ‘blob’ above on the white background. That is the new brush being painted onto the new document in preparation.
Step 3 – Select Your Shape
3 ) Either by using the marquee tool or Apple + ‘a’ to select all (CTRL + A for windows) select your shape that is to become your brush. If the selection is active, you will see the ‘marching ants’ in Photoshop. If you have made your selection in preparation for the next stage, proceed to the next step!
Step 4 – Use Shape To Define a Brush
4 ) Go Edit > scroll down to ‘Define Brush Preset’ and click on it!
Step 5 – Name The Photoshop Brush
5 ) Label your brush, I called this one ‘blob’. Congratulations… it’s a blob!
Your new brush in the palette
Well done, you should now have designed your very own custom brush and saved it to your Brush library.
If you press F5 to look at your brush palette, you will see the brush you have just made at the bottom of your library. Why not open a new document and test out your newly created Photoshop tool, make ink splats, and draw faces.
This is just to set you on the path of making more awesome brushes.
Thank you for reading, if you would like some help with a project in Photoshop you can always drop me a line! Freelance Photoshopper!
For those who are interested in knowing more about my design process and workflow, this post is for you.
My creative graphic design process is explained in 7 easy-to-follow stages.
This post offers an inside look at how I approach design projects. From designing an eye-catching theme for a board game to creating a compelling landing page for a website, this step-by-step overview highlights my workflow and processes as a designer.
Design is a journey, and this is how I travel.
I advise anybody who is showing an active interest in working with me to take note of this post and try to read and consume as much of the information as possible. This post can also be hugely beneficial to those who have never worked with designers before and would like to understand the creative process.
I believe much of my design process is not too dissimilar to that of many other ‘creative’ and idea-based designers. However, I would also like to add that not all designers are the same. Our minds, education, and career paths can shape how we approach creative challenges.
I like to present myself as a ‘conceptual designer’ in a freelance and business setting. Offering ideas and solutions with a capable hand in delivering these ideas.
Having worked with a mixture of start-ups and companies with a history in product development, this has sculpted my approach and techniques when it comes to graphic design.
Does Graphic Design Have & Structure?
It should! Design for the most part, is applied and used in commercial environments. Be it for selling a product, an idea, or to convey some sort of message through the visual medium.
Graphic design can also play a pivotal part in the product itself. With this in mind, it should have some form of workflow and process and not be left to chaotic creativity alone. The creative process of design should, adhere to a structure that enables it to meet a brief with a precise outcome.
This need not inhibit creativity… On the contrary! A process can help the design with a mutually assured aim between the client setting the brief and the designer!
As an example, I have attached an image from the Aardman project were involved with. You can read more in the post.
My design process, whether for a board game, a crowdfunding campaign page, or digital content! Relies on a professional structure for both creating something that is ‘on brief’ and manages the project and client’s expectations in a piecemeal and controlled manner. As a designer and business owner, I try to avoid unexpected surprises.
My Creative Graphic Design Process – Table Of Contents
At these junctions, I encourage the client to approve what is shown and discussed before proceeding with the journey. You can imagine this as a fork in the road or a crossroads in which I will also act as a guide and sherpa. This method enables me to put my best foot forward and enables the design direction to remain focused. ( We don’t want to veer too far off the beaten path! )
Please see my information graphic for this stage of my creative design process!
1 ) Getting To Know The Client – Admin & Project Set Up
This is a crucial step in the process as with the rest of the steps. This also forms part of the pre-preparation stage.
This very first stage – which could easily be called step ‘0’ – is where all paperwork is signed, and documents are filled. It is all part of the grand plan.
In this step, I will also try to learn more about the client, their business intentions, and their project.
At this stage, I may or may not have already spoken to a client based on an initial discovery call. This call is to learn more about you or them, and whether I can help with the project.
From this call, I will either advise and offer my paid consultation service first, which can save money in the long term, or act as a bridge stage before the client fully commits to a project and budget. Or if they are ready, the steps will involve moving toward making a full project.
It is also important in this stage to discuss the matter of payment and when these payments need to be made.
Itemised examples of what will / may happen in this stage
Signing documents
Discussing what documentation needs to be created
Arranging payment and payment terms
Scope of work
Discussing copyright
And other administrative stages.
2 ) Collect Information, Research and Study Competition
After the correct paperwork is completed and signed, the in-depth creative stages of the design process can begin.
At this point, ask if you already have reference materials, images, fonts or pieces of relevant information for the project. I could also ask if you have any more research materials or ideas that could contribute to the design.,
In addition to this, I will likely carry out my own research to further buffer my inspiration and ideas.
I will also utilise this opportunity to study relevant competition to further guide my hand and thought process.
There are many synonyms I would like to use to describe this first phase of the design process. However, I feel the most accurate description would be ‘rough designs, iterations, or ideas‘.
You can also call it :
Sketching ideas, creating first roughs, hashing out ideas, getting ideas down on paper – any other associated wording to say ‘Rough’ ideas, and feeling my way through the early phase of a project. It is in this stage that I get into my stride of a project and immerse myself in the project.
Here are a couple of examples that my past clients were kind enough to allow me to use.
No design drafts at this stage are final or polished, nor am I precious about the proofs presented.
These first drafts are the foundational step in orienting the design direction of the project.
To further illustrate how this step works in the design process…
– With these early drafts, I will often refer to items on an art board with ‘A, B, C, D’. This is to help both me and the client to reference what design or designs we think are the strongest. It helps with communication.
Example 1 ) If ‘B’ is selected, I will then ‘develop ‘B’ and invest more time and energy to ‘make good’ that rough idea.
Example 2 ) Based on this early stage of creating rough designs, if a client says they like ‘B’ with elements of ‘D’ I will remain in this phase and create another idea based on that feedback. However, the more iterations created, the more time and budget are required. If there is more experimentation, this is likely to inflate time and budget, even more so if this is repeated a couple of times.
Creative Graphic Design Process – More examples of the ‘ideas phase’
To further illustrate this idea phase, here are some more samples of what can take place:-
Rough sketches and drawings on paper
Rough digital drawings
Scribbles ( Very, very early exploration of ideas )
Initial digital mock-ups ( as proof of concept )
Loose thumbnails ( small drawings )
A selection of ideas with labels
Annotated concepts showing reasoning
These are all tools and approaches required and used on a case-by-case basis for a client when working on a design project.
4 ) Developing the Initial Idea Towards A Final Design | Development
This phase is not unlike the 3rd phase on first appearances. There are, however, some key differences in this stage which ought to be mentioned.
1 idea is usually selected and developed ( built upon ). This is not the stage to be hashing out new ideas or rough ideas. If I do find myself or the client trying to create new ideas in this stage, I will inform them that I will need to roll back a step to do this.
I try to steer my clients into making idea decisions early!
As mentioned in stage 3. This is both for my own sanity and the clients, to control the flow and time frame of a project.
This is the stage of building upon the best idea and honing in on that particular idea, not to experiment with new ones. But in reality, eureka moments can come along! That is the nature of the creative journey.
2. simplify the differences between stages 3 and 4 :
Ideas generation = to create a range of rough ‘ideas’
Develop that idea = to improve one of the short-listed ideas
The Creative Graphic Design Process – Developing The Winning Idea!
1 idea was selected! That awesome idea for a cover, board game design, box, or something else. Now the sole focus is all in on that single idea. An idea in which all energy and concentration are now focused. The idea that is to be ‘developed’ – made good, in other words.
( Typically ) 1 idea has been short-listed and selected. This is based on client feedback and whether this idea adheres to the brief.
From here, I will take the rough design, either polish it and make good of the artwork for the final stages of the process.
Or
I will amend that design based on the feedback from the ideas stage. I will then present this to the client for approval.
Creative Graphic Design Process Scenario… Based On Past Experiences
I wanted to share a real scenario when explaining my creative graphic design process and spilling the proverbial beans. This is not an exact re-enactment. This fictionalised scenario.
Imagine the following :
Client: “ I really like A, not B. I like elements of idea C… is it possible to combine elements of both A, C and see where this leads?”
Designer ( Me ): “I don’t see why not, I’m happy to send this version across, but it may take a bit of time to mend, and there is no saying if that will work. ”
As a side note, if I think something will look utterly terrible before doing it, I will often voice this – if they are willing to listen.
Client: “ Okay, let’s see what that leads!”
Designer: “Keep in mind that this may add to the cost. if you have more feedback as to why you feel that a mixture of the above applies, let me know.”
Client “Okay… see where it goes. I feel that X and Y work because they are closer to business intentions and, I plan to do X in 6 months.”
In this scenario, I will create another rough version to be sent to the client. Based on client feedback, I proceed from there. If the artwork is given a green light or some seal of approval. I will then take this to what is essentially the final creative stage.
5 ) Refine, Polish, Tweak ( Fine Tuning )
From the previous step, if the core of the work is ‘nearly there,’ I will then progress the design to completion.
This refining or fine-tuning stage may involve the following:-
Slight adjustments to the alignment of objects
Checking colours are as they should be
Minor tweaks to the visuals
Checking that images, etc, are embedded
The artwork is moving towards the steps for delivery
Morning towards file preparation
* Warning – THIS is not the stage for significant changes! *
The latter stages of a design project are not the time for last-minute changes, complete revisions, whims, or overhauls!
Doing so would require me or other designers with a similar design process to go back to stage 2 or 3 and restart from there.
This costs time and money, and big changes are best made at the start and middle, not the end.
So, don’t rewrite the brief at the end or partway through unless absolutely essential! This can be costly and can cause headaches for all concerned!
This is why I request written signs of approval for EACH stage of the creative journey. This is to mitigate and discourage knee-jerk decisions and changes at the 11th hour.
Any significant changes to the design, be it a concept, is in essence a roll-back… and will delay the project and incur costs.
Last-minute design changes happen but are best avoided for those who are conscious of cost.
Here are some reasons why, on rare occasions, this ‘does’ happen.
The client has had a change of heart
The client has new ideas they want to explore (late)
Another person of control has manifested late in the project
The client is listening to another person’s opinion ( or too many opinions )
Something has been realised later in the project, whereby it requires changes
This is the reality of professional design. Setbacks can also arise from various external factors outside both the client’s and designer’s control.
6 ) Final Draft For Approval ( What Is The Final Draft In Design? )
When referring to graphic design, the final draft will represent the final form and iteration of that particular design. The final green light!
A written sign of approval, such as ‘greenlit’, ‘complete’ ‘finalised’, or anything in written form to say they are explicit in their satisfaction with the work. Then it is the next step of packaging the design project for handover.
*For myself and as part of my professional service. I will require a client to give a sign of explicit written approval.
7 ) Package Deliverables – Give it to the client – Handover
The very last step in my creative graphic design process, and something that should be included if the process is to be told in full.
Packaging up your project and handover.
Handover will take place once I have been given the very last sign of approval, and my final invoice has been paid. Once this has all taken place, generally, I will ‘Zip’ the project assets that the client needs and transfer the final artwork to the client.
To further illustrate what this package may contain, it may resemble the following :
JPGs, PNGs, PDFs, Illustrator (AI ) Files, and Photoshop files (PSDs) to name a few. It will depend on what is written in the brief and what the client requires. This should be stipulated in the ‘specification and agreement’ at the start.
Question | Are there factors that can impact the design process?
My creative graphic design process, like other design processes, can have factors that impact it, as mentioned throughout this post. For example, if there are multiple parties involved in the approval, this can extend the budget required.
Change in project scope partway through a project can impact it, and very human factors can impact it. Such as a client being unable to pay, sickness, or general personal reasons from either party.
Final thoughts about my graphic design process
Avoiding misunderstandings is a priority. Both for my benefit and for the clients. As this post is to highlight and illustrate how my creative process works – I should also draw your attention to how the actual journey and design process can manifest in the real world.
The path is not a straight line…
It is more of a meandering path of process of elimination, whittling down the design ideas so only the strongest are left for selection.
You could also say it is reminiscent of a carving. You may begin with building up the materials and layers for the base form. Once this is set, it can be a case of reducing the form until the final artwork emerges.
How to fix broken text boxes in Indesign! Do not despair friend! This list of troubleshooting solutions offers a range of fixes, mends, and workarounds when editing text boxes in Indesign. Be it for card games, rulebooks or any other type of editorial design project that uses text boxes.
Whether you are a professional editor, a design tinkerer, or a new Indesign user! This list may have the solution you need to fix your Indesign woes.
Each answer has also been written in easy-to-follow, bite-sized chunks.
To fix your editorial woes in Indesign, you may need to investigate whether certain elements are locked or if there is structure and ordering issues in the document. Or is it a cluster of problems preventing you from editing your text.
How to fix broken text boxes in Indesign
Short and to the point. This article focuses solely on the ‘editing’, fixing and troubleshooting of text boxes problems in Indesign.
For those who have come to this post from my ‘how to edit the text on your card artwork‘, this article may be perfect for helping you to navigate your Indesign headache!
Here are some problems and solutions I have written up from using Indesign over the years while editing cards and various editorial projects.
Jump Menu: How to fix broken text boxes in Indesign
One of the best ways to tackle the problem of why you can’t edit the text in your document is to adopt a piece-by-piece approach to finding out why!
This may seem overwhelming at first, but don’t be put off! Using a systematic and step-by-step approach to fix your text box will hopefully have you editing text before long. Ultimately, it does come down to what is causing the issue.
How to fix your broken, locked, or hidden text frame in your Indesign document. Most common causes:-
The text box or text frame may be locked
The text box is on a locked layer
A master page may be preventing you from editing your text
Your text box is behind or underneath something else
The layer stack needs adjusting
There is too much text for the text frame
Diagnosing Broken Text Boxes Causes In Indesign – Checklist
When investigating how to fix broken text boxes in Indesign, the process of elimination can be a great way to help you problem-solve. Use this checklist to see what could be causing the issue and then decide what action needs to be taken to fix the text box.
This checklist graphic is free to save to your desktop for future reference.
Core Issue & Frustration Number 1 – Why Can’t I Edit A Text Box In Indesign!?
I covered this question in a previous post ( editing card artwork ). For the sake of clarity, I have built upon that answer in this post in detail.
Some of the most likely reasons you cannot edit your text box in Indesign, is because the ‘text frame’ is either locked, the layer is locked, or you are trying to edit a page that is locked inside a master page template. Your textbox issue can also arise from a mixture of reasons mentioned prior, which can compound the problem further and make it trickier to diagnose and resolve.
When diagnosing the root cause of your text box problems in Indesign, avoid doing so by damaging your project if possible.
Working destructively as you investigate the cause of your textbox problems may resolve one problem but cause others in the process.
Examples of working destructively in Indesign
Damaging or ruining the master template page
If it is one text box you are trying to fix and edit on ‘one page’, don’t edit and ruin the master page to fix it! Doing so can make changes across all pages based on that master page. Take care when editing master pages.
Pulling everything out of the way to repair your text box
This is akin to metaphorical open heart surgery on your Indesign project. Sometimes, it is required, but try to avoid this approach if possible.
Working destructively, as mentioned above, should only be treated as a last resort instead of as a first action! Working in this way can cause more headaches and problems than the initial fix required for your text box.
Tip – When trying to resolve an issue such as to why you can’t edit a text box. It is always wise to work on a ‘child version’ or a copy of your document – especially if it was created by somebody else. This will keep the original intact in case you need to come back to it.
Why has the text box frozen while editing it?
A ‘frozen’ text box or an unresponsive text frame in Indesign can be caused by reasons inside or outside the program.
If the text box has ‘frozen’ or is only semi-responsive. This could be caused by hardware, software, or by the limitations of your computer. In short, Indesign doesn’t have enough resources to function correctly. Speaking as a Mac and PC user, this can cause lagging, freezing and ‘jittery’ behaviour in Indesign.
Here is a detailed breakdown of what can cause this unresponsiveness in Indesign :-
Your computer isn’t powerful enough to run Indesign
You have an old computer
Software updates may be required
Graphic card issues
Program conflicts
Strange compatibility issues
Not enough RAM
There could be a whole host of other technical and processing power issues causing the text box freeze. It may be best to speak to an IT professional to see if they can help. If this is not an option, please read on.
Buying new hardware, may not be a valid option for now… but this may not be the end of the road for a temporary fix.
These are inexpensive quick-fix solutions I have used when handling unresponsive or frozen text boxes in Indesign.
1 ) Fixing & Freezing Text Box – Freeing Ram / Processing Power
If it is a performance issue that is impacting Indesign, consider closing unnecessary applications to free RAM and processing power.
Based on my experience as a designer, I have found that closing processor-hungry programs can drastically increase the performance of other graphics-intense programs on an iMac,
For optimal performance, I will occasionally ‘only’ have Indesign running to allow all resources to pool into the program. Especially for bigger projects.
2 ) Fixing Freezing Indesign Text Boxes –The Browser Conflict
I would struggle to tell you the exact reason as to why this causes issues – that is a question for an IT professional. Browsers such as Firefox can cause conflicts with Indesign and other Creative Cloud applications when running on my older iMac. ( eg also causing my Wacom to freeze and stop working in Illustrator.)
A resolve I have found works for me when working on card games in Indesign: close my web browser – Firefox.
While Firefox is open, this can cause lagging or latency in Indesign. The best solution I have found is to close the web browser in the background for the duration of working in Adobe Indesign. Drastic and annoying, maybe, but needs must!
*I would love to know why this causes conflicts with Indesign and other Adobe Creative Cloud programs; sadly, I have no idea why!
Part 2 – Fixing Text Frames Due To Locking – How to fix broken text boxes in Indesign
This section offers an in-depth breakdown of locking and unlocking particular elements of your Indesign document, specifically textboxes.
Locked ‘anything’ in Indesign can be some of the most frustrating and banal editorial headaches. Thankfully, as it is commonplace and the fixes can be relatively straightforward!
Textbox could be on a ‘locked layer’ – How to unlock layers
You can’t edit anything on a ‘locked’ layer in Indesign, including text frame / textboxes if they are on that locked layer!
Text frames placed on ‘locked layers’ must be unlocked to be edited.
If your layer is locked, this can be resolved by the following:-
In the ‘layers tab’ on your interface window. Check that the padlock is set from ‘on’ to ‘off. ‘
The ‘open’ or ‘closed’ padlock icon in your layers window represents whether that layer is locked or unlocked. ( See illustration below. )
Press the padlock on the corresponding layer to unlock it. Be mindful not to unlock something that should remain locked.
Your Text Frame Itself Could Be Locked – Unlock The Text Frame
The text frame itself could be locked. If this is the case, you will need to unlock it!
The solution to unlocking the text frame in your Indesign document can be relatively simple:
Go to –
Top menu ( top bar of your Indesign interface )
Check the drop-down for the ‘Object’
Select ‘Unlock all on spread’
If this was the reason as to why you couldn’t edit your text frame or select it, unlocking all of the spread may resolve the issue.
If this does not fix your issue, consider the options below.
Part 3 – Fixing Your Text Box in Indesign – Other ‘Non-Locking’ Issues
If your text box headaches are not due to locked text frames or locked layers, another culprit is likely at play.
Below are more troubleshooting solutions for mending your text boxes in Indesign, whether you are working on game card artwork, a rule book, or something else. These are alternative fixes.
Fixing half the text that had gone missing from the text box
The text box could be behind something else
You may need to ‘override’ the master page properties to access your textbox
You have checked whether or not your layer is locked, and it appears to be unlocked.
A potential culprit could be the ‘master page. ‘ The master page acts as the template and ‘rule maker’ for all pages in your document, from the position of your text boxes to titles to various other elements. Editorial designers can create multiple master pages if they are working with 3 or 4 types of pages.
Master pages are a great time-saving measure for large projects and are superb for making your desired pages or cards adhere to a consistent set of guidelines. But, if you are unfamiliar with them, they can seem to be an object of annoyance and obstruction.
There is a simple solution to edit the page or card without damaging the ‘master page. ‘
Try the following:-
Select the card or page from your pages panel ( all items are treated as a page in Indesign )
Right-click the page
Then select “Override Master Page Properties” as illustrated below
*Do not override and edit the ‘actual’ Master Template unless you intend for those changes to be applied to all pages of cards that are based on that master page. It can be easy to ruin your project if you do not practice care!
Make sure to keep a backup of your project. Making changes to the ‘master page’ ( master card ) will carry that change across all your pages or cards. Make sure to override only the page you want to edit and NOT THE MASTER PAGE! Unless that is your intention.
Half of the text is missing from the text frame, and now there is a little red square in the corner in Indesign!
If there is a little red square found at the bottom of your text frame, this is saying that not all of your text can fit in that single frame size. To remedy this in Indesign, there are a couple of fixes.
Your copy ( text ) needs to overflow into another text box, or that original text box needs to increase in size. This will allow more room for the text to show.
You can also consider scaling down the size of your font to allow all the text to fit.
Alternatively, you can reduce the amount of copy to fit into the text box in Indesign. However, this may not be a popular option when working with editors!
A final solution is to select that ‘little red box’ on the edge of your text frame and link it to another text frame! Allowing room for the hidden copy to flow into the second box. Doing so will show the rest of the missing text in the second text frame you have just linked to.
Keep in mind that this is more applicable if you are working on a project such as a rulebook; this may not be applicable to certain projects, such as editing cards for a game.
My text frame in Indesign is unlocked but appears stuck behind something ( It’s behind you! )
This can be an annoying and somewhat frustrating problem to have when trying to fix your text boxes. A simple case that your text frame in question is behind another object!
There is an object in front of your text box, be it another empty text box or an image frame. This prevents you from editing your primary text box properly. ( a design mess! )
There are a few simple ways to diagnose and remedy this problem.
If you can select other items in your Indesign document, be it card artwork, other text frames or images, this would infer that the project is still in working order.
If you can’t select any items on that particular page or card artwork, it could be the case that ‘all the items are locked. ‘
Alternatively, the page or card in question may need to break away from the master page by overriding the master page properties.
Lastly, if you can select other items on the page but can’t select a particular text frame you wish to edit, it could be the following :-
That textfame is locked
*The text frame is behind another object
The layers need reordering so that your text frame sits at the top/front of your layers
To reach your text frame in Indesign, you need to adjust the layer on which it is positioned or unlock the text frame itself.
*Or move the text frame to the front of your pile.
‘Is‘ your text frame behind something else?
Moving the object that blocks your textbox to the front or back is a simple fix. But, at first if it appears that nothing appears to be moving. Consider this:-
2 – Check that your text box is not under a layer ( this differs from being behind an object on the same layer ).
3 – Check that it is not locked in some other manner
If you think your object is potentially stuck on a layer or underneath another layer, read the following.
How to fix a text box stuck behind something in Indesign – solution
If your text frame or text box is placed ‘under’ another layer, this can be a reason as to why it appears stuck behind something else.
Solution: Consider reordering your layers so that the layer with the text box is at the front of the stack. Re-ordering the layers may enable you to edit your textame or textbox without further conflict or issue.
Having your layers stacked incorrectly can prevent you from editing what you need to due to the object in question being beneath another layer. The layer in front of your text box may also have editable content, which further exacerbates the problem of not being able to edit your text.
You can adjust your layers manually via the layers window by moving the layer that the text box is on up and down the stack.
How to fix a text box if it is behind an object on the same layer in Indesign
If you keep selecting an object that appears to be in the way or on the top of your textbox, consider moving the offending object towards the back. ( and shout at it for good measure to vent your rage! You may, however, have to say sorry to colleagues.)
Simple fix.
You can change the arrangement of objects by right-clicking and selecting ‘arrange’ from the menu. Then select either ‘send to back’ or ‘send backward’.
Play with the object arrangement until the text frame is exposed and accessible.
Try sending the obstructing object to the back, exposing the text box you are trying to edit.
Bonus Tip – crude yet effective hack – digging for your textbox!
A last resort. If all else fails when trying to fix an arrangement textbox issue in your Indesign project, a somewhat destructive investigation of your textbox may help identify the issue.
In essence, this resembles digging your textbox or text frame out from the rest of the page content so that you may identify and fix the issue. But this method comes with consequences.
Tecniques: Move the offending object or objects that are obstructing your text box to one side for the short term. You can always move these off your card artwork or rulebook for safekeeping. It may be wise to take a screen grab so you can remember where everything has been placed.
If your textbox is stuck behind another text box or image frame in Indesign, this may help in identifying the issue.
*This method will only work if something is blocking your text frame and it’s not as a result of the text frame being locked.This is also a destructive way of problem-solving.
If you can now select the text box, this signals a few things to you:
You can select the text box and move it – it’s probably not locked or on a locked layer.
If you can move the textbox around, this would infer the issue resides either in the layers or the object is behind something.
If it is the latter, experiment with ‘layer order’ or ‘object arrangement’ by sending the object blocking your text box to the back. Or investigate the layer order.
Hopefully, the solutions above will help you fix your broken or dysfunctional text boxes in Indesign. If you have found this post helpful, feel free to share and save it to our faves for future reference.
Here is the list of contents you can cross-reference again while you are troubleshooting the issues:-
Jump Menu: How to fix broken text boxes in Indesign
** Reference – In this post, ‘text box’ and ‘text frame’ are 2 of the same thing in this document for clarity. ( Fixing broken text boxes in indesign )
Helpful related links when working on game cards, rules, or Indesign in general – How to fix broken text boxes in Indesign
Example logo design projects. From tech to healthcare, to British design, to small businesses, this list shows a handful of my identity design projects I have worked on over the years.
This list of logo projects has been compiled together to showcase a variety of logos in the hopes of inspiring any would-be logo designers or for those looking to hire a logo designer. The majority of these logos have been created on behalf of my clients, both freelance and while at my former place of full-time employment.
All the logos in this post were designed by me but are copyrighted to their respective owners, no stealing or lifting these logos from this post please!
When I embark on a project, I’m rooting for my client to succeed!
Example Logo Design Projects – About This List
Each logo represents a unique story. From healthcare to technology to gifting, to retail. When assigned to work on this specific faucet of branding, I try my best to both adhere to a brief and offer something unique and creative to my clients. A logo needs to not only be memorable for all the right reasons, but it also needs to function across various applications.
Here are some questions I will ask myself or my client when I create a logo – ( As a rough example. )
What service can I offer that a robot can’t?
Have I tried to grasp what the client is really working towards?
What part of a narrative will this logo form?
Will what I have produced work in multiple cases and scenarios?
Can the logo work in Print and Web? Does it need to?
When designing a logo, I try to be empathetic towards my clients’ business intentions and needs. One of the biggest challenges is both consulting a client and trying to prevent the client from using their personal tastes in clouding their professional judgment. A logo is not an ‘art’ project for most, it is the visual spearhead of their brand. It needs to be professional and say the right words.
When I embark on a project, I’m rooting for my client to succeed!
When I Create Logos…
I try to avoid the tickbox solution that barely serves its intended purpose. A cheap solution is fine in the beginning, I get it! I would probably do the same if I were to try and save money. But this approach can only go so far with creating a strong logo.
A cheap price can mean cheap standards and that money that you thought you saved may end up being spent again on a revamp of your logo 2 months later! Remember that!
I would also like to add that when creating logos, I try to avoid turning brands into an innuendo, even if somewhat funny.
As they say, there is no bad publicity – apparently!
Example Logo Design Projects | Primary Industries
The examples in this logo showcase reflect a range of industries in which I have been involved as a brand and logo designer.
From healthcare initiatives to celebrating British design and innovation, I have worked on a variety of logos in technology, retail, and gifting markets. More on this below!
A Logo For A Developer – Acrobyte
Branding must reflect the personality and service offered by that company, individual, or charity. The same goes to those who work in IT, Tech, or Software Development.
A logo needs to be indicative that the person or company is part of a certain industry. In this particular instance – development ( coding ).
For this logo, I went for a clean, smart, and playful vibe that was reflective of the client and his service. To achieve this ‘vibe’ I used geometric shapes, sharp lines, and parts of ‘code’ to construct the image – a simplified robot face.
This was not the first intention, as the brief was quite open-ended, it came about after developing these ideas.
I used brackets ‘< >’ to represent the contours of friendly robotic expression. < – ? – >
The final design was a comfortable balance between sharpness, simplicity, and playfulness. Reflecting both the technical expertise, professionalism, and problem-solving capabilities of Acrobyte.
Here are some more examples of the journey.
Designing For The NHS: A Logo For A Dietitian
One particularly meaningful project involved myself creating a logo for a dietitian in the NHS ( my specifics of their role could be off).
Given the sensitive and essential role that our healthcare plays, this design called for a touch that was both professional and approachable.
I wanted the logo to convey health, trust, and approachability.
As with the other example logo design projects in this post, I have tried to include some of the design process.
Logo Celebrating British Design & Innovation
This British design logo was created as a hallmark to celebrate British design. This badge was used on packaging as a point of pride and to highlight that the product was ‘designed’ in Britain.
The logo needed to capture the essence of something quintessential British while offering a modern and contemporary look. To achieve this, I playfully adopted the path of using ye-olde British stereotypes, or at least how we perceived by other cultures in 1900’s Britain.
Bowler hats, Big moustache, you may think I am describing a Shoreditch hipster! This is actually fine also, but when creating this I was tickling heritage aspects of British innovation.
My logo design was but a few pen strokes away from having a monocle, of which I’m sure I experimented with – or perhaps my colleague designer did – it was a while ago!
Designing Brand Identities For Businesses
Beyond industry-specific projects, I’ve enjoyed working with small to medium-sized brands that need their stories to be told through their logo.
I’ve tried to capture; character, charm, memorability, and versatility. When creating a logo as an example, I aim to create a logo that works for a client across a variety of layers and mediums.
People will judge your business on the logo more than they realise or care to consider.
Example Logo Design Projects | MADKATZ
To round off my list of example logo design projects, I have decided to add this somewhat wacky and quirky piece, a design that I felt was unique to this day.
This project was used across a range of small-scale merchandise I used to sell after attending the Cumbria Institute of the Arts. Some of these drawings were created by hand! Scanned and then adjusted in a graphics program!
In hindsight, I feel it still has a non-clean human feel to it. Suitable for some businesses and sectors.
My Example Logo Design Projects – Process Snapshot
When working with a client both old and new, my creative design process is typically the same.
With logo design, it starts with me trying to gain an understanding of what the client’s brand values are – the message they are trying to convey, and where they want to be. A logo alone won’t necessarily guarantee the success of a business, but the logo is important when you are trying to build a recognisable brand. People will judge your business on the logo more than they realise or care to consider.
A logo, when applied to a business, is in part about capturing a certain distinct narrative in a concise mark – a representation of that brand and what it stands for. These marks can be representational of; origin stories, ideals, goods and services, sectors, private of public, or what that company stands for
The logo can be the forefront of their brand – the tip of the spearhead but the ‘brand’ isn’t strictly speaking just the logo.
This is an overview of how I will approach a logo design project for a client.
Example | My At Glance Logo Design Process
Given a detailed brief
Research + study of competition
Ideation
Develop the best idea or ideas
Finalise
Deploy or send across
Payments can also be made in milestones or in a large lump sum.
You may also be interested in reading more about the Graphic Design Process in this post.
Summary ~ Crafting Unique Identities For Every Client
Whether it’s healthcare, tech, heritage, or small business branding, every project is unique. My goal as a designer is to create logos that aren’t just visually appealing but also meaningful and relevant to the business to which they belong.
Each logo tells a story, reflecting the essence of the brand while offering something fresh and engaging to the audience.
Over the years, I’ve found that the key to effective logo design lies in the balance of creativity, functionality and making it adaptable across different media and platforms.
The example logo design projects displayed in this post are copyright property of their respective owners and businesses. Please do not share or copy any of the content on this page for commercial purposes or without prior consent from myself or the respective owners.
If you feel that this post was interesting please do share a link on social media, or – read more on building a brand story.
Testimonial:-
“Jimm created the logo for my web agency, (Acrobyte Ltd) from a very abstract idea. The process for the final logo – which I love – was smooth and timely. He is creative, friendly and excellent at communicating the pros and cons of early designs through to a polished logo for my website.”
During lockdown, a client commissioned me to create the visual design and hard copy prototype of their dice game. This post shares all of my processes and stages used to help create the packaging mockup, as well as some of the details involved in creating a prototype physical game.
To share the journey, let us begin with what the game was supposed to be!
“ I wanted the would be buyer to feel excited by what they see. Enough so that they may even take the game to the till to buy!”
What is ‘Eager Elephants’?
Based on the initial instructions that were supplied to me by the client, ‘Eager Elephants’ was a dice game directed toward children and families. Although only in its earliest stages, the game was to be a reasonable size for a shelf, educational, and fun.
The hard copy prototype was to take that idea closer to reality.
It was a dice game that encouraged children to think creatively and problem-solve. But I must confess, I was not involved in creating the game mechanics – the rules are now hazy.
What Is a Prototype Sample Game? ( Alpha Prototype )
In this case, the ‘prototype sample game’ was the first draft sample to stress test how the game played and looked in real life.
This copy also offered a detailed look into what the final packaging may appear. This was not the beta sample or pre-release sample.
This alpha prototype was an early production copy. Below is a photograph of the sample product.
Here is more on my part in the project.
Creating the Box Lid & Cover Design – Graphic Design
One of my main roles in this project was to create the cover artwork for the box lid.
The cover artwork needed to set the tone for a game and excite those who picked the game up.
The design needed to appeal to an audience: Young Children, Mums, Dads and Families.
With that in mind, I tried to imagine the would-be customer handling the game on the shelf.
Prototype Sample Game | Cover artwork
What was the game about?
Who is this game for?
Would my children, grandkids, or whomever be excited by this game?
With some of those base questions, I then considered ‘the how’.
Although this was only an early sample, I still had the idea in my mind that this would become a real game. When handling the game, I wanted the potential buyer to feel excited by the game and potentially purchase this from my client. This is exactly how I would want to think about this game.
When designing a piece of packaging or cover artwork, I try to put myself in the shoes of the client. When working on a design project, I try to avoid pressing my tastes onto a piece of design, this can cloud a customer’s first approach to a project. Ultimately, it will be the end customer and purchaser that will be the product.
Not me, not the client, the customer.
I wanted the would-be buyers to feel excited by what they saw. Enough so that they may even take the game to the till to buy!
*I was not involved in creating elephant illustrations FYI.
Creating the Box Bottom / Back For the Prototype
Purely aesthetic, I wanted to create a contrast in colour that complemented the already bright yellow on the box. In this example, I used a blue.
Soft on the eyes and a great background colour, it still made it easy for any customer to pick up the box and scan the content that was written on the back.
The contents, bar code, and conformity were designed by me in such a way as to make it the box easier to navigate and find useful information.
As with the top. I worked with pre-existing cutter guides.
Graphic Design For The Rules & Scoresheet
If truth be told, my part in creating a scoresheet was considerably lighter than the rest of the project. Much of the score sheet had already been considered, I just added the finishing touches helped in getting it printed, and added that final sugar coating.
Helping The Client To Get The Prototype Sample Manufactured
Another key stage for this assignment was for me act as both the guide and intermediary for getting the prototype manufactured. A daunting process, even for those with experience!
After I had run through the stages and processes with the client, I set about getting the artwork print-ready.
Once the core aesthetic was complete, this is what followed:-
Getting Prototype Sample Game Ready For Print
Finalising artwork
Colour-proofing and checking artwork
Working closely with the manufacturer and adhering to their rules and guides
Making sure the artwork is positioned correctly within the dielines and templates
Packaging design assets and sending this to print
After the prototype was manufactured the sample was sent directly to me to quality check the product before passing it across to the client. After this sample is checked by myself and notes taken, I will then send the product to the client. I also retained a sample for future reference
For clarity, I want to be clear on what stages and processes I wasn’t involved in this project. Please read below.
I didn’t work on the elephant drawings
Although I am an illustrator, as well as a designer. I did not create the elephant illustrations. These were supplied before I got to work on the graphic design. The credits are mentioned on the packaging box.
Game mechanics
I have been commissioned to come up with game mechanics on previous projects, but this was not the case for this project. I was commissioned to create the visual design, packaging, and sample of this project.
If you are interested in seeing how I have been involved in working in-game mechanics in the past, this post may be of interest. Testing game mechanics.
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