When developing MPU and banner advertising in Flash, designers have to work within strict file size limits. Publishers usually limit the initial load to 30k or 40k (which doesn’t get you much) and sometimes allow a subsequent polite download of a further 50k or 60k (which doesn’t get you much more).

Below are some of the techniques and rules that designers should follow in order to reduce and minimise the file size of their Flash animations.

Avoid bitmap images

Try and use as few bitmap images and graphics as possible. Instead use vector graphics imported from Illustrator or drawn natively in Flash. Vectors have a much smaller footprint than bitmaps and are easier to manipulate and animate too.

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I have just published a new addition to my portfolio. Pinstripe Trader is a virtual stock market trading game Facebook application. Users are given £50,000 of virtual cash to invest in stocks and shares.

The game uses real data from the London Stock Exchange so as your investments change value in real life, that price is reflected in the game too. Each month the most successful trader wins a free iPod touch, and there are other goodies up for grabs too.

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Search engine optimisation (SEO) is something of a dark art practised only by highly trained ninja web gurus. We call them SEO consultants. Due to the highly secretive nature of their work, ordinary mortals often don’t know where to start when it comes to SEO.

A good SEO consultant can turn an obscure website buried in Google’s supplemental index into a money making enterprise. At a cost. However, there are many easy hits that web designers like you and I can and should be doing to their websites to improve search engine positioning.

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You’ve read the about me page, you’ve flicked through my portfolio, you’ve even had a good read of my other blog, miLienzo.com, and you still want to know more?

Over the weekend I was interviewed by Ian who authors the Digital Revolution blog. He gave me quite a grilling and has now published his findings on his own blog. To find out what he discovered head over and read his interview with me.

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Rather than add to the already filled-to-the-brim Digg bin of top 10 tips for web design, I thought it would be interesting to look at what YOU think are your top tips for web design.

Johnathon Longnecker in Top 10 tips for creating kick awesome websites says:

“Your web typography will set your design apart from other studios. Study optimum line heights, widths and look for inventive ways to guide the viewer through your layout only using CSS rules. Flash replacement (sIFR) is alright, but don’t overuse it.”

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I have been blogging for well over a year now and along the way I’ve discovered many fantastic design and creativity blogs. I’ve wanted to thank the authors for their commitment for a long time now, so consider this post an official tip of the hat and slap on the back from me.

Some of the blogs I list below I am an active commenter on and know the authors personally - others I am a silent but appreciative lurker. One thing all these blogs have in common is that in some way over the past twelve months they have inspired me.

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Commercial printers offer a range of different print processes suitable for different types of jobs. Each process has advantages and disadvantages over the others. In this article I look at each of the print processes and examine how they work and what their advantages are.

Lithographic press (litho)

Printing hasn’t really changed a great deal since Gutenburg gave us the printing press in 1468. Technology has allowed modern printing presses to produce millions of copies of a page in a single day, but the principle of applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon paper, thereby transferring an offset of an image, remains the same.

These days a printer creates a set of ‘plates’ which are used to press the image onto paper. There are initial costs involved in creating the plates and setting up the press. This means a litho job can be expensive and take time, but for large print runs it remains the most efficient process and also boasts superior quality and finish.

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These days social networking sites are ten a penny - everyones doing it and every day a new one seems to pop up. Whilst keeping on top of and active in the ever growing list of social networks can be a daunting task, if you focus your efforts in networks related to your niche then it can be massively rewarding and fun to participate.

There is a growing list of social networking sites specifically targeted at creatives and designers. These sites can be a great starting point for learning and developing your own skills, discovering design resources, simply inspiring you and of course connecting and networking with others.

Here are nine of the most popular design and creativity social design networks.

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When commissioning a designer or developer to assist with a web project, it is vital to write a constructive project brief. When a client takes the time to put their thoughts and aims to paper it helps both parties work together and get through the project as smoothly as possible.

A well thought-out brief allows the client to think about and formalise exactly what they want to achieve from the project. And a good brief will help the freelancer no end by providing a documented point of reference to work to.

By shining light on the project and communicating with each other as clearly as possible from the outset, important issues and questions can be addressed before the project begins. This ultimately ensures the client gets better value for their money.

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