I recently read an article over at The Artistic Outlaw that reminded me what designers go through when freelancing. For those of you that are graphic designers out there, or provide some kind of a service, these 5 ways would come in pretty handy if they were actually honored by your clients. James made a valid point when he said that plenty of people write about becoming better at your job, but nobody writes about how clients can become better clients.

Wouldn't it be nice if the people that hired you actually let you do your job most of the time, and paid on time? Yes, it would.

Head on over and check out the article.

You can probably find a million other sources that'll tell you to "own the stage" and pretend like the presentation hall is your living room. The fact is that, it's not, and never will be. Yes, my approach to good public speaking is similar to others, but I aim to cover things that they don't - the things that don't get too much attention that are just as important.

Chances are, if you're looking to become a full time public speaker, you would be taking a few courses over at the local University. For those of you that want to learn to speak publicly for self improvement and to boost confidence in your speech, these tips may be for you... Continue reading after the jump.

Here is a tutorial that shows how to get a nice looking shadow behind the text, and a simple reflection below it. Albeit being a very simple tutorial, this skill can be applied to many advanced techniques for a very impressive outcome. Apple is notorious for their reflections on pretty much everything, but it's no secret how they do it!

If you have any questions on how to do something, a suggestion, or a general comment, don't hesitate to post in the comments section or contact me directly.

View the tutorial after the jump!

Here is a tutorial on how to create fancy looking text on a nice base and a background. One can use this technique for things like advertisements or layouts, or to just simply grow their Photoshop skills!

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments in general, don't hesitate to post in the comments.

View the tutorial after the jump!

It's surprising to me to see how many people actually don't keep a calendar, or at least some form of it. I don't mean iCal or some other calendar application on your computer, but rather, something in print, or at least on your Smartphone/PDA. I own an iPhone that I use to keep track of to-dos, events, meetings, and birthdays, but even that can't help me if I need to keep my long-term goals in tact.

When 2008 hit, I did something I've never done before; a long hand written list of tasks and goals to be achieved and accomplished all throughout the magnificent year. I have over 30 items on my list, mixed of both long term goals like improving my photography portfolio and my gadgets loot, and short term goals like obtaining my driver's license and purchasing a new computer. I stuck this list on the wall right above my 24 inch iMac, and I look at it every time I am on the computer, wake up, and go to bed just to remind me that I have work to do, and I better be on it!

I can happily say that I have slowly but progressively been checking off things as I go along, one of which was me launching this very blog, One Fused Life, once and for all! Staying on track is not an easy task - we humans aren't exactly built to be working machines right off the back. Here are a few tips on how to plan for things and not forget by periodically reminding yourself. More after the jump...

Chances are, if you're a consultant or some kind of a professional offering services, you have a business card. If not, you better be planning on getting/making one sooner than later. Business cards are an essential tool of communication, getting a job, setting a good impression, spreading the awareness of your existence, amongst many other things.

Okay, you may be wondering why the heck I'm writing about the importance of business cards because it's all obvious to you, but apparently, some people just don't get it! Business cards can make or break you. Whether you have one or not, or how good or bad it is, sets the first impression on the person you hand it to. Handing your business card to the other person and shaking hands is the first step of you being acknowledged, and creating a connection. More after the jump...

So I've been a bit busy with school, work, and all that good stuff, but I've put some things together to write up some Photoshop tutorials for you guys. So far, I am working on a tutorial to create really sleek reflections and shadowing, including some lighting tricks in the background. I am also working on a neat way to make a spotlight absorption effect with text.

There are definitely some more tricks on the way, both beginning and intermediate, and some advanced ones every now and then, too!