f you design for the web or print, whether you freelance, or work for a design firm, it’s always difficult to maintain a good level of productivity so we progress each and every day. Sometimes it can be difficult to produce work that requires constant creativity and energy, which is why it can only be done for much shorter hours than usual “work”.

From my personal experience, I’ve only ever got about 4 hours per day of pure work time. This means time that I’m actually producing something, such an article, or template design. The usual amount of time people ‘work’ during the day is about 8 hours, so I’m getting half of the time in doing productive work. To me, this is probably close to the zenith point, seeing as average people only get around 2-3 hours of solid work in per day in such an environment, even though technically I could be productive for the entire 8 hours.

If you’re like me, and looking for ways to get more out of each day (which seems to be passing faster and faster) then these are definitely tips for you.

1. Write a to-do list

To-do lists are a great way of planning exactly what needs doing on that day. Daily to-do lists need to be used in conjunction with weekly/monthly ones for maximum effectiveness. Every morning, sit down with a nice cup of tea and write down exactly what needs doing that day. It’s good to go a little overboard and try to push yourself, and even if you can’t get all of the tasks done in that day, still write them down. You can always move tasks to the next day if they’re not completed.

I have a container of small, square pieces of paper that act as my to-do lists, because I prefer having my lists in-front of me in reality, not virtually. If, however, you prefer not to clutter your desk up that little bit more, then there are always alternatives (such as Remember the Milk).

You could also experiment what times best for you to write up your to-do list. I prefer writing mine early in the morning, rather than late at night (to be used the next day).

2. Focus on the task at hand

It’s very easy to get distracted when working at a computer, because having access to the Internet means infinite amounts of entertainment and distractions. Once you have all the materials required to do a piece of work, deactivate your Internet adapter so you can’t get access to the Internet. Then, continue to work on the project at hand until you’ve got as much as you can done. I would also recommend you switch off any music, or other applications you may have running. Music actually causes your brain to drift into other realms of thought, so it’s not good practice to be actively listening to music whilst designing.

3. Work hard and enjoy yourself

This is very true, especially for those of us who are freelancers and are totally responsible for how long we work for. If we’ve managed to spend a few hours in a deep work cycle, at the end of it all, treat yourself a little. Whether that means sitting down with a book and a cup of your favorite hot chocolate, or going out for a game of football. I would recommend though, that you take your breaks away from the computer, and outside if you can – you don’t get much fresh air in-front of a monitor all day now, do you?

Conclusion

Designing is a creative, enlightening process, and can’t be treated like usual work. You can’t work the same hours and still be productive. Instead, focus on getting a few really great hours out of each day, and you’ll be moving forward to becoming more efficient and productive, and therefore earn more each year.

Slogans are memorable phrases often used in conjunction with company logos and in advertising campaigns.

They are claimed to be the most effective means of drawing attention to one or more aspects of a product or brand.But how often do you see “serving you since 1982? or a similarly canned slogan under a beautifully designed logo?

Too often.

In this post, we’ll discuss 5 essential tips on how to write a killer slogan and, if you feel you can’t manage it on your own, where to go to get them written for you.

At the end of these tips, you’ll find a selection of famous slogans as well as an interactive showcase of famous slogans.

Click here to read the full article.

Millions use Twitter to everyday. This article talks about how you can reach out to businesses and make connections.

So what does Twitter do for businesses?

So how does it work?

So how do businesses use Twitter?

To find out all this and more click here.

New song from Billy Talent. I personally think it’s the best one on this album.

In history, a CSS ninja is a warrior specially trained in a variety of xhtml and css techniques typically equipped with various web design/development tools.

Possible Symptoms

1. The first thing you look at on the site is the Source Code.

2. You’re extremely obsessed with xhtml/css validation

3. You get annoyed at sloppy code, and have the urge to re-write it even though the site doesn’t belong to you.

4. You live by the Semantics Bible.

5. You hate IE6 with a passion, possibly IE in general, and you wish it goes to hell.

6. Bad usability pisses you off and makes you want to yell at the designer of the site.

7. Have all kinds of web developer add-ons on your browser, where it starts looking like a space ship console.

8. You wish all browsers behaved the same and there was no such thing as cross-browser testing.

9. You talk to yourself when debugging and maybe drop a few ‘F’ Bombs here and there.

10. You’re personalized homepage is filled with developer/designer RSS feeds.

11. You don’t mind coding away till 4 in the morning.

12. Book marking sites become a part of daily life.

13. You start dreaming of CSS techniques.

14. You can type lines of CSS code faster than you can throw ninja stars.

15. When your spouse rolls their eyes at your lame CSS/Web jokes.

16. When your spouse has to compete against your computer and website.

17. When you IM other CSS ninjas to complain/criticize poorly designed sites.

18. Buy domain names left and right when you don’t even need them.

19. When you either laugh out loud or get really angry when visiting this site.

(Warning: Do not look in the source code if you have a weak heart or are pregnant, it may result in serious injuries).

20. You read this whole article and thought I was writing about YOU.

Feel free to add any other serious symptoms of CSS Ninjaosis.

Article from sohtanaka.com

Theatrical trailer of the Movie on Michael Jackson This is it. Watch the exclusive trailer.

Warner Bros. Pictures has set Guy Ritchie to direct Lobo, a live action adaptation of the DC Comics title about an alien interstellar bounty hunter, reports Variety.

Don Payne wrote the most recent script draft, and Joel Silver, Akiva Goldsman and Andrew Rona will produce. The film is a co-production between Silver Pictures and Weed Road.

In the film, says the trade, Lobo will be a seven-foot tall, blue(gray)-skinned, indestructible and heavily muscled anti-hero who drives a pimped out motorcycle, and lands on Earth in search of four fugitives who are bent on wreaking havoc. Lobo teams with a small town teenaged girl to stop the creatures.

Production on Lobo begins early next year. The studio is aiming for a PG-13 rating.

Source:Variety

ComingSoon.net attended the D23 Expo on Sunday where Disney•Pixar’s John Lasseter talked about the Ant-Man rumor and gave an interesting response to a question about The Incredibles 2.

Following his presentation this morning at Anaheim’s D23 Expo, John Lasseter held a press conference, fielding questions about upcoming projects, including dismissing a rumor that Pixar may be looking at Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and offering a sly “no comment” on potential sequels to other Pixar properties.

“I had met all the folks from Marvel a couple of times and they’re terrific,” says Lasseter, a man of few words regarding Pixar’s interest in Marvel properties, “The whole ‘Ant-Man’ thing is just a rumor.”

Lasseter also played it coy with another question, asking whether or not the future might hold sequels to Monsters, Inc. or The Incredibles.

“That’s a great question,” says Lasseter, “Unfortunately, I can’t answer that question… We’re very excited about the ones that we’ve announced.”

You can get all of ComingSoon.net’s updates from D23 here!

IMAX Corporation and Columbia Pictures today announced that the highly-anticipated action-adventure Spider-Man 4, will be released to IMAX(R) theatres simultaneously with the film’s worldwide release on May 5, 2011. The fourth installment of the successful “Spider-Man” franchise, based on the Marvel Comicbook character, will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. The film will be distributed by Columbia Pictures domestically and by Sony Pictures Releasing International overseas.

To date, the “Spider-Man” motion pictures have generated more than $2.5 billion in worldwide box office receipts.

“The last two ‘Spider-Man’ releases have been available in IMAX theaters, and we’re very much looking forward to our return to a wider IMAX theatre network with this exciting new chapter in the continuing adventures of Spider-Man,” said Rory Bruer, President, Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures Releasing. “The addition of so many new IMAX locations will give even more fans of Spider-Man an opportunity to experience the action and adventure in a unique way.”

“‘Spider-Man’ continues to be one of the world’s most popular motion picture franchises, and we are very excited to include the latest chapter as part of our 2011 slate,” said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. “Our network has grown significantly and we continue to roll-out new theatres virtually every week, giving more moviegoers the opportunity to experience the movie in IMAX.”

“We’re so excited to once again work with our friends at Columbia Pictures, Sony and Marvel to bring this beloved superhero back to IMAX theatres,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “The ‘Spider-Man’ franchise has been so important to the growth of our network and fan base over the years and we’re certainly looking forward to re-teaming with the entire cast and production team to bring this next chapter to moviegoers worldwide.”

Spider-Man 4 will reunite director Sam Raimi with stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. The screenplay is currently being adapted by Gary Ross. Producers are Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, Todd Black and Grant Curtis. Executive producers are Stan Lee, Todd Hallowell and Josh Donen.

The IMAX release will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

Source:Columbia Pictures