NOT BAD FOR SOMEONE WHO CAN’T DRAW…  AT ALL.

I don’t tell people I’m good with Photoshop.  I tell people I don’t suck at it.  Give me a blank canvas and an idea within my area of skill and I’ll probably come up with something decent.  The graphics on The Athletic Nerd certainly haven’t gotten worse as my Photoshop skills improved over the years.

XTRA | The Non-Artists Guide to Photoshop Addiction

Take the graphic above for example.  I was just messing around with different options for the upcoming 1000th post.  From a traditional design standpoint it’s probably garbage.  But I think it looks pretty cool considering I’ve been teaching myself in my spare time.  It’s definitely a step up from one of the original logo I posted on this blog:

Now, this is not a blog about Photoshop so why does Photoshop matter?  Because this blog is about the freedom of creativity.

WHAT DOES BASKETBALL HAVE TO DO WITH IT?

When I was growing up, we had a gravel basketball court in our back yard.  I loved that court.  I played out there for hours especially when something was on my mind.  It became my quiet place to do something I loved and think.  It was my escape.  Eventually, I moved away from home and I haven’t had access to a basketball court that offered the same peace and quiet I once knew.  Photoshop filled that void.  It’s my creative escape.  It’s where I go to think about screenwriting or life in general.  Photoshop is therapeutic.

XTRA | Photoshop Cures Writer’s Block

XTRA | Screenwriting Inspiration in Photoshop Magazines

I love looking back at my progress.  I’ve become a lot better at creating more detailed images.  Since this blog relaunched after The Summer of Screenwriting on September 15th, I’ve been adding and updating graphics.  Here are a few of my recent favorites.  Click any of them to be taken to that section of the website.

Today, I spent some time creating two new graphics.  The first is an updated REVIEWS logo that may or may not replace the old one.

I also created a new customizable ‘Features’ graphic that debuts in today’s Screenwriting post.  Speaking of which, check out this pointless screenwriting animation I did. I say pointless but I definitely had fun creating it.

XTRA | Confessions of a Wannabe Animator

Most of my inspiration comes from sports broadcasts.  I love when networks debut new looks.  I’m surrounded by sports at work everyday and every once in a while I see a graphic that looks achievable.  So I take a shot.  Sometimes it works out.  Sometimes it doesn’t.

The point is, I love this blog, I love to write screenplays and I LOVE movies.  But every once in a while, it’s nice to have a hobby that’s as pressure free as they come.

A BLANK CANVAS

The bonus to my Photoshop addiction is the benefits it brings to The Athletic Nerd.  I’ll never stop trying to make this site look as pretty as possible.  It’s an easy task to accomplish because it’s so much fun.