#there's gonna be something worth tweaking and hopefully expanding on

[squid-ichorous]

my interest in starfield is like at least 99.9999% based in what the modding community might be able to do with it; if it ends up not being that robust and creative then the whole experience could fall short

[ramblyngrobyn]

Juvenile (Pkmn/Prsk crossover) Prologue notes extended

Okay! So! This is the start of a little big something I've been sitting on for a while. For the last several months (since at least April 2023) I've been occasionally poking at this ever-expanding AU in my phone's notes, adding ideas for story beats and things to do with the characters and world. I always figured I wouldn't actually turn this into a real thing and figured I'd just keep it to my own imagination but the brainworms eventually won, so here I am!

Uh, so I don't know how "good" this is gonna be? Hell even this first chapter I'm already worried that maybe I tried to do too much at once. As I was writing a lot of extra ideas hit me for how I could better build this as a solid foundation of the rest of the story. I wanted every scene to like, matter, yknow? It might just straight up be too long! But any time I considered cutting a scene just to make things more brief I was like "no, no, I need that part". I could have also cut it into multiple chapters but it's the same amount of content so like, what would the point be. If you're wondering, the break points for a 3-chapter version of this would have been Mafuyu showing up at Kanade's place and Kanade seeing the others off at the train station.

Right off the bat, the prologue is a bit different tonally and I wanna talk about that. There's not a super high saturation of Pokemon stuff in this opening! I hope that isn't too weird considering this is a Pokemon AU! I wanted to ease Kanade into it before dropping her in the deep end for the last chunk. When the next chapter hits, we’ll be in full on Poke-mode. This chapter also has a handful of more serious moments, which is par for the course since y'know, Niigo. I actually cut out or edited some bleaker moments because I thought they felt out of place, lol. It's gonna get a lot more consistently lighthearted from here, I promise! (Mostly!)

I have the broad strokes of this story outlined, both in written notes and a map that I scribbled out. I don't have all the details in-between locked in, I'm being flexible there, but I know where I want this to go and generally speaking what I want to do with the whole cast.

I'm not aiming for anything super profound with this, and I have no practical experience in long-form storytelling. Hopefully that doesn't bite me in the butt too hard. Going forward, some chapters might end up being mostly choreographed action, some might be the characters sitting around talking for a few thousand words. At the end of the day, this is just me having fun with my favorite characters in one of my favorite fictional words. I'm trying to not think so hard that I corner myself.

On that note, I think it's worth noting up front that this is very much my version of these characters in my version of Unova. Not in a "my fic don't like don't read" kind of way but like... you might not agree with every choice?

For the most part character origins will have to be built from the ground up, though as you can see from this first chapter I've tried to keep bits and pieces from canon that I think naturally fit. Niigo's origin story is honestly pretty easy to write and intuit around considering they first met remotely. And while I did do a lot of expositing in this opening I think that instead of every character getting an airtight, perfectly laid out backstory, I'll leave some things to the imagination.

As far as the laws of the Pokemon universe goes, it probably goes without saying that I definitely won't be following strict rules from the games. Some Pokemon might end up learning moves that aren't in their learnset, for example (or at least, if they make sense for the Mon in question). Some moves and abilities might have their function tweaked for this context, or I might go for a different interpretation of how the move manifests physically. There’ll be Pokemon that have more than literally four moves. Stuff like that. I'm inserting some headcanons, some ideas that I think fill in gaps in the world building, and there'll be a lot of changes to the design of the world. I joke to myself that this is a "post-globalism Unova", because there's some locations that are really different, a couple totally original locations, and Pokemon here that don't show up in Pokemon BW/2. You could call it "anime logic" if you want, I just think loosening the rules makes things more interesting and fun to write and read. 

One more little nugget: In case you didn't recognize it, the title is from the Jin song made for the Project Voltage collab! It's my favorite song so far from the crossover, it makes me feel so many things. It just felt like a perfect fit for this story vibes-wise, as well as a fun coincidence since I’d been imagining Kanade with an Eevee for months beforehand.

I may run out of steam eventually, but I'm publishing this first chapter because I'm currently feeling fired up about it. Even if the current enthusiasm wanes over time this'll be here for me to poke with an update whenever I want.

I'd love for you to join me on this silly journey, and I hope you can enjoy it!

[armadaderaj]

The Sky in Your Eyes

Day 1: Photographer/Model au  @francisandtheworldweek

Pairing: (pre) Gerfra

Characters: France, Hungary, Germany, Prussia

Rating: T for language

Word count: 1219

Summary: Three years after the Great War, Germany is struggling to honor the Treaty of Versailles. France retaliates with military force. Stuck in the midst of the turbulent times are a particular German photographer and a French solider fresh from the front. 

Note: Not exactly a traditional photographer/model au. I decided to interpret and stretch the prompt a bit, hope I still did it justice

                                                                                                December 12, 1917

Lud,

     Congratulations on your new job, bud! Told you that newspaper would have to be crazy if they didn’t take you! When I get back you better be throwing an awesome party to celebrate. I expect lots of beer and women. Can’t forget the women, kiddo. And the wurst! The food here is trash but what can you expect I guess. Can’t wait to get home, but that’s gonna take a while. In the mean time, you take care of yourself, Lud. Work hard at your job and avoid the draft at all costs. The war is not all what is seems. Till next time little brother, and thanks for those cigarettes!

-Gil

                                                                                                       March 8, 1921 

It had only been four years, and the words were already fading. Not that it really mattered anymore. Ludwig had memorized them long back. 

His eyes traced along the curves of the horrendous writing, looking over the crumpled letter once more before folding it gingerly. He exhaled softly, tucking it inside his vest pocket before pulling his boots and coat on. A cursory glance around his shabby excuse for a room revealed he had forgotten his cap and his beloved camera. He scooped the two things up, placing the former upon his head before running out of the door. 

Taking the steps two at a time, he descended to the ground floor, rushing out the door and into the crisp morning air. Sadly, this morning he had no time to enjoy the weather. He had already spent too much time with his letter, and now he was going to be late for work. 

“Extra! Extra! Hear all about Germany’s failure to pay the Allied reparations!”

“This bread was not nearly so much last time!”

“Madam, I cannot control the value of the money! Now will you pay or will I have to make you leave?”

Ludwig kept his gaze averted from the lives surrounding him, each one with a sob story of their own, all alike due to one reason. The war.

It had ruined Germany. And continued to do so. As if the lives it had already took were not enough. Ludwig pulled his cap down further, quickening his pace, glancing up only when he knew he had made it to the publishing house. 

He had counted the steps. 

He slipped into the little building, immediately tackled by his partner. “Ludwig! You’re finally here!”

Prying the excited Hungarian off of him was a bit more difficult than he expected but he managed. “Yes. Sorry for being late, Eliz-Daniel” he quickly corrected. “Did the boss notice?” He glanced over the sharply dressed w- man in trousers and a button up, her feminine figure hidden under the larger clothing. 

“Oh he noticed awhile back!” Eliza snickered. “He said he’d fire you the moment you showed up!”

Ludwig cursed under his breath. Shit, right when he was going to be promoted too.

“But don’t worry Luddy! I just told him you were out on an assignment and he was okay with it,” Eliza chirped, smile so bright it could break her face probably. 

It took a few moments to understand what Eliza had stated, especially in Ludwig’s frazzled brain, but once he did he did not feel relieved. “What assignment did you tell him I was on?” he asked, afraid to know.

“Oh just that you were investigating some of the brothels in town.” Eliza flashed him an innocent smile.

Ludwig groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Why?”

“What do you mean why? It’s for your own good! You needed an excuse, and I gave you one! No need to thank me! That’s what friends do!” Eliza linked arms with Ludwig pulling him along out of the publishing house. Ludwig sighed in resignation.

“What’s the assignment today?”

“Oh just the usual. The economy’s terrible, the reparations are so hard to pay, the Republic is unstable, all that,” Eliza replied with a wave of her hand as she looked around at all the people. “It’s a bit boring don’t you think Ludwig? The same old thing always.” 

The same old miserable thing.

“Wonder when it’ll get better,” the Hungarian murmured.

Ludwig didn’t reply, looking ahead as the two roamed the streets, steps falling in sync. 

A strange tremor ran through the ground. At first Ludwig dismissed it at his imagination. But it only grew. The vibrations of footsteps quaked through the streets below them, and Ludwig stopped, moving neither foot. The footsteps continued despite his halt. He looked up only to see the same puzzled expression upon Eliza’s face. “Eli-”

Blue. Out of the corner of his eye he saw blue. Ludwig turned his head to be overwhelmed by the color. Clad in blue cloaks and red trousers, men marched down the streets of Düsseldorf, guns poised upon their backs and helmets gleaming in the sun. 

“The French...”

Ludwig turned back to see Eliza watching with wide eyes. He glanced around to see the rest of the native crowd ogling at the newcomers, some even hanging out of their windows to see what was the commotion. He soon enough directed his attention back to the men, walking down Germany’s streets...As if they owned them. Ludwig’s blood boiled in a rage, and he clenched his fists as Eliza nudged him. “Quick! Take pictures!” 

“You want me to take pictures of invaders?!” he hissed.

“They’re for the newspaper Ludwig!” Eliza insisted, nudging Ludwig. 

Ludwig grit his teeth and raised his camera. His finger lay poised on the button, the only thing stopping him was his own hesitation and anger. 

Bastards. Scum. As if he’d take a picture of those fucking sons of-

Click

No more hesitation perhaps. Certainly not as the German straightened, looking up from the lens to see the exact thing that had captured his hesitation and rendered him hopeless. 

Blue. But a better blue than those hideous uniforms. No this blue was more like that of the sky and the sea, free and spirited. And gold. Hidden beneath that cursed helmet, but Ludwig could still make it out. 

He was talking to the soldier next to him, laughing at something he said and shaking his head. And all Ludwig could do was stare as the man moved in front of him adjusting the strap of his gun slightly. 

He felt a sharp jab in his side and a hissed word of pictures. He brought the camera up again, but this time he didn’t hesitate. 

The sea of blue flowed through the streets and out of sight, taking the golden soldier with them, leaving Ludwig behind with a camera in hand and that dazzling smile in mind.

Ludwig didn’t know for how long he stared after that color but soon he was shaken back to reality. Literally.

“Earth to Lud! Are you functioning? Hello?” 

Ludwig blinked. “What?”

Eliza snorted. “Man, you’re really out of it. Come on, we have to get back to the publishing house to get this story down.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him back in the direction they came. “Process those pictures quick, Lud cause we’re going to need them.” 

Ludwig glanced down at his camera. Yes they certainly would be needing them. He needed to find him again. That Frenchman with the sky in his eyes.

Author’s Note(s): 

- According to the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was to pay hefty reparations to the Allies in both money and raw materials. Due to the heavy burden the reparations placed on the country, Germany repeatedly could not pay it’s dues, and according to the Treaty, the Allies were able to impose military sanctions should Germany default on the payments. So on March 8, 1921, the French sent in troops to the towns of Duisburg, Ruhrort and Düsseldorf. This would eventually expand into the full on occupation of the Ruhr by 1923, and while France managed to get the raw resources they needed from the occupation, it was Germany who gained sympathy from the world thanks to their passive resistance and the spread of news. But by 1923, the hyperinflation of German currency (the mark) that began in 1918 had reached ridiculous levels with one dollar being worth 4.2 trillion marks, making the situation even more grim. (Note-this is just a general overview of the occupation, there are far more details and complications than this, but this is a general overview that will hopefully help explain the background for this piece)

- I know there’s a lot of unanswered questions in here like what happened to Gil? Why’s Eliza dressed up as a man? Will Ludwig ever find the mysterious Frenchman? Well I’m planning on making this a multi chapter fic and continuing it past this event, but that really depends on how much time I’ll have. Should I is the question

- So I know the prompt was photographer/model au, but I wanted to tweak it a bit, so I guess Francis is a model? Just an unwitting one at the moment XD. Hope that’s alright. Remember kids, in modern day it’s just creepy if you take pictures of people and in some cases illegal

[sneedesign-blog]

Advice For Web Designers When Expanding To Print

Do you have a proven expertise in web, but want to expand your design services to include print? If you do it right, you can fulfill almost any design request, which could expand your customer-base. This was the case when a design colleague who is a fantastic web developer asked if I had any tips that could help expand his business to include print; especially color matching. I eagerly responded by firing off an email that included about nine years worth of first-hand print knowledge gained by working with great printers (and some not-so-great). This seemed to help him tremendously; hopefully it can help you too.

Color Matching

Color matching is difficult and varies from printer to printer. The only way to consistently hit a color is by using Pantone colors on an offset press; however, this is costly and only recommended for large quantity jobs. With low-quantity digital printing, you’re at the mercy of the printer and how often it’s maintenance and calibrated. Having a print shop you trust is also very important. I’ve had print shops drop the ball completely, but I’ve also had trustworthy printers go above and beyond. Trial and error is key; once you deal with enough print vendors, you’ll be able to differentiate the shady one’s from the ones that care about quality and customer service.

You Get What You Pay For

If you’re looking for the cheapest digital printer because that’s all you can afford, you’ll most likely not love the end result—no matter how good your design. There’s not a lot of profit margin on low-quantity digital prints, so little care is put into color calibrated / matching or quality. I’ve felt that my small jobs were neglected because the printer just wanted to get them out of the way in order to make time and room for the bigger jobs. Not fair, but I get it…and if this happens, don’t be afraid to call them out on it. I like to build relationships with printers who do quality work and go above and beyond, and drop a few hints that I’m a designer that expects work of a certain quality. Sometimes just letting them know that you’re not gonna take any shit will go a long way, and they’ll pull out the extra stops to ensure that the finished result is of the highest quality. I use the same printer for everything because they do stellar work cost-efficiently, they respect me, and in return I trust their judgment. Go above and beyond the call of duty, and I’ll keep feeding you files to print.

The paper stock you use will affect the color as well. Glossy, coated stock makes the color more vibrant (since it sits on the surface), while matte, uncoated or textured stock absorbs the ink which decreases color vibrancy.

The Press-Check is Your God-Given Right!

Your printer should always allow you to do what’s known as a press-check; meaning, you can be there when they print the job so you can sign off and approve the first test sheet to ensure that the color and quality is to your satisfaction. Printers love printing botched print jobs, because they make twice as much money when you have to reprint it. But to protect yourself you are entitled as a customer to see a hard-copy proof before he hits print. Even if it’s just one super-large banner, he can run off a small section of it in-advance (and free of charge) for you to see how his printer will produce the color. It is at that time that you compare it to your swatch book, and if it is off he can calibrate the printer to hit that color. He should be having you sign off on proofs before printing anyway. If he’s not offering them, ask for a hard-copy proof. It’s standard practice and just lazy (or deceitful) on his part. 

Also, any good printer has the capability to adjust the 4-color process digital printer to hit a PMS color. I print a lot of low-quantity business cards that I designed with a PMS color in mind, but it’s not economical to run 500 business cards on an offset press; so they print our cards digitally, and created a custom print profile setting where the tweaked and calibrated the color to consistently hit a PMS equivalent every single time. Don’t let your printer tell you this is not possible; It is.

And do yourself a favor, get yourself a Pantone Formula Guide . That could be the cause of many headaches for you as you’re arbitrarily sampling colors with the eyedropper in an RGB color space, and wondering why the color is off. As you’re well aware, the monitor is RGB and print is CMYK. Computer monitors do a mediocre job at representing CMYK colors on screen, but it will never be accurate (if your monitor hasn’t been color calibrated recently, you can throw all hopes of getting even close to a color-matched print). Your best bet is to get a Pantone swatch book that shows you pantone colors, compared to their CMYK equivalents.

His Response was classic: “Did I just get schooled? I think I just got schooled?!?!”

There you have it; 13 years of print experience dumped out in one email with my old friend and design colleague. this seemed to help him tremendously, hopefully you get something out of it tool. Feel free to email me or leave a comment if you have any questions or would like to argue instead. Till next time…