An estimated 30 million presentations are given every day in offices around the world. Judging from articles like "PowerPoint is Evil" (Wired) and "PowerPoint Makes You Dumb" (New York Times), which have been appearing in recent years, most of these presentations are probably not having the hoped-for effect. Jeff Van West wants to change all that. In Effective Presentations, Jeff will help transform your style and technique so that you will be making an impact with your dynamic presentations in no time. Jeff will teach you a structured yet flexible system to take you from concept, through design and development, and into delivery. In this video-based tutorial, Jeff tackles the complete process - from defining your mission and weaving a story, to the on-screen options for presenting data, selecting images, and integrating sound. Jeff also covers proven skills and techniques that will help prepare you to present. Exercise files accompany the training videos, allowing you to follow along and learn at your own pace.

Architectural interiors pose special challenges for the illustrator or concept artist. This lesson takes the viewer on a two hour demo showing techniques used to address such complex issues as perspective sketch painting, shot composition, lighting and cinematography, and architectural design. One of the industry’s top designers will take you step-by-step through the creation of a digital illustration of an interior architectural scene, from initial rough sketch through to final rendering.

The skills required to dramatically, accurately and quickly depict aircraft and spacecraft are of immense value to any concept designer. In this demonstration, a digital illustration is created from start to finish and is accompanied by insightful commentary on such subjects as digital sketching, aircraft and ship design, and a wide variety of rendering techniques. The demo documents the entire process as one of the industry’s top concept artists starts with a rough sketch and takes the viewer through to the final aircraft painting.

In this lecture, one of the industry’s top concept designers takes you step-by-step through the creation of a dramatic digital rendering showcasing historically based architecture in a dramatic battle scene. Shown are all the steps involved in the creation of a finished illustration from a blank canvas, as the painting is executed in real-time. Special attention is given to the fundamentals of composition with theatrical yet realistic lighting and techniques for the creation of a cinematic illustration.

Ryan’s demo takes the viewer step-by-step through the creation of a digital illustration of a design for a moody futuristic cityscape, from blank-page through to final rendering. Topics illustrated range from shot layout and composition to the use of color and atmosphere to create drama and establish scale. Using industry standard programs, the techniques Ryan demonstrates in the creation of a dynamic, convincing, and colorful digital painting are essential for any concept artist to have. The DVD covers all aspects of the process, from design inception, research and cinematography, through to advanced and effective techniques for completing the finished digital painting.