Best of the Web – April 2009

Each month we scour the Internet in search of the best vector content on the web. April was another great month for the vector design community with tons of excellent tutorials, freebies, and articles to choose from. Take a moment to review some of our favorite picks for the month of April!

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  3D Lighted Text Effect

  You have probably learned by now that there is typically more than one way to achieve a particular effect. Some effects are easier done in Photoshop, some are better in Illustrator, and some can be done in both. In this slick tutorial from Transfuchsian you will learn how to create some really cool glowing 3D text using Illustrator’s 3D Extrude feature.

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  Create a Cute Easter Bunny Vector

  Easter may have already come and gone but this tutorial from Design Was Here is timeless. In this detailed tutorial, you will learn how to create a cute Easter Bunny that you can use next spring for your Easter design.

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  Design a Clean Corporate Website with Illustrator

  Most people don’t typically think of Illustrator when they think about web design, but what many people don’t know is that Illustrator can be a very powerful platform to create clean and precise website designs and wireframes. This tutorial from Spoonfed Design shows us how to create a clean corporate website design.

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  Create a Grid Based Resume/CV Layout in InDesign

  Are you considering an update to your resume? Wanting to break out of the mold and create a cool and unique resume of your own? This tutorial from Spoon Graphics shows how to use grids to create a resume in InDesign.

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  Saving Patterns in Illustrator, Pixelated Fonts, and More

  In response to some reader questions, Bittbox shows how to save a pattern in Illustrator, fix some anti-aliasing issues with type and even how to create a dotted line along a path with Illustrator using pattern brushes.

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  Gradient Mesh Flower

  The gradient mesh tool in Illustrator can be one of the most challenging and intimidating tools to learn in the whole software package. This tutorial from Vector Diary sheds some light on the techniques used to create photo-realistic vector images in Illustrator.

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(FREE!) Download Picks

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  Free Ecological Vector Design Elements

  In celebration of Earth Day, Snap 2 Objects released a stunning set of ecologically friendly vector design elements. Included in this set are trees, leaves, suns, recycle symbols, and several more elements to help with your green designs.

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  15 Grunge Vectors

  Destroying your designs can sometimes be as satisfying as creating them in the first place. This set of 15 grunge vectors from Think Design Blog are great if you are looking to add a bit of grunge to your vector designs.

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  Seamless Gothic Grunge Pattern

  Seamless patterns can be used in several ways. This free seamless pattern from Pattern Head is great for adding a worn look to your designs.

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  57 Exclusive Illustrator Multi-Colored Paint Brushes

  Creating paint smears in Illustrator can be a difficult task. This set of 57 exclusive multi-colored paint brushes from Vectips can be used to create realistic looking multi-colored vector paint strokes in Illustrator.

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  One Thousand Nights and One Vector Freebie

  Unique illustrations can sometimes be hard to find. This beautiful illustration of a horse is available in several variations and is free for download as an EPS file.

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  Design Battle: Vector vs. Raster

  What’s a vector graphic? What’s a raster graphic? What’s the difference and when is it appropriate to use them? This article from Design Was Here explains in detail what these file types are, their benefits, and when it is best to use them.

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  10 Principles of Successful Freelancers

  Running an effective freelance business is a learning process. Designers who have gained experience as an employee will still have plenty to learn about the business aspect of freelancing. This post from DesignM.ag looks at 10 principles that they have observed to be true of successful freelancers.

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  It’s Not the Recession, You Just Suck

  Sometimes instead of facing the facts, we distract ourselves with fabricated or unimportant news. This article from Outspoken Media encourages us to stop scapegoating the economy and start taking responsibility for our own destiny.

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  In Defense of Eye Candy

  Sometimes it’s the small details that make the difference between good design and bad. This article from A List Apart explains why a little eye candy in your designs can improve the user experience.

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  42 Questions Every Freelancer Should Ask Their Clients

  Freelance projects sometimes involve working with a person for an extended period of time. This article from Freelance Folder presents you with a list of 42 questions that you should ask your clients before you begin a project.

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