As a graphic / web designer, dealing with low-quality raster images sent by clients as logo files, or artwork they would like to use in their various designs can often be a huge pain.   I can’t tell you how many times a client sends me a small .jpg image of their logo on a gradient background, and then stares at me perplexed when I ask if they have an eps file, or at least a vector version, of their logo.

The truth of the matter is that most clients have no idea what you’re talking about when it comes to raster vs. vector graphics, pre-production, or any of the fun things we designers deal with on a daily basis.  Rightfully so, that’s why they come to us in the first place right?

Well, a tool has come along that may very well ease some of your woes.  http://vectormagic.stanford.edu/

This vector magic tool allows you to upload an image, which it then tries to convert into a complete vectorized image that can be tweaked, resized, color matched, etc.  It even lets you convert fully photographic images into vectors, with some interesting results.  I’ve tested it out with various different qualities of images, and was very surprised with how well it handled conversion of some files.  Of course, there are limitation, and it won’t work very well for really small images with a lot of fine detail, but it’s already saved my behind a few times.  Best of all?  IT’S FREE!

I stumbled upon this little site the other day. It serves a dual purpose, both to get people to bone up on their english vocabulary, while simultaneously raising help for hungry people worldwide. It’s a pretty cool, albeit strange, concept where you visit the site and answer english vocabulary related questions. For every question you answer correctly, the site will donate 10 grains of rice. The more you answer, the more rice you generate, the more free food goes to countries that need it. It works of advertising, as well, so be sure to click the little adverts at the bottom of the site for them when you’re finished playing.