Digital art is a new platform in the creative world. If you’re new to the scene, you might wonder – is digital art worth anything? What contributes to the value of art that exists on the internet?

If you’re interested in learning more about digital art, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about five factors that contribute to the value of digital art. The more you know, the better your judgment when investing in digital art. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started.

Limited Versions

One of the factors that contribute to the value of digital art is the number of copies available. It might seem like there would be unlimited copies, but there aren’t.

The less of something available on the market, the more valuable it will be to the average investor.

NFTs are an excellent example of this craze. There is only one receipt for proof of purchase of each piece of digital art. If you pay for the copy, you are the only one who owns it until you relinquish the rights to the product. If you see a piece of digital art that costs a lot of money, consider how many versions of the image are available.

Artist

The artist is another factor in determining how much digital art is worth. If an artist is more well-known, their pieces tend to be worth more than those who don’t have any fans on their side. If you recognize the name, the piece is worth more.

An artist is well-known if:

• They garnered their fame from something else, such as singing
• They have a history of creating popular pieces
• They have a cult following

Some people have fame from before the digital world, while others gained it in the past few years. The artist has a large impact on the value. No one wants to own art that doesn’t have a name they can brag about to their friends.

Subject

The subject of the painting can also influence the price. If it’s something critical to society or pretty to look at, people are more likely to invest in an art piece.

Here are a few subjects that tend to make art valuable:

• Abstract creations
• Landscapes
• Unique modern designs
• Historical significance, current and past

These tend to sell the best. People want to invest in art they can relate to. If it has everything they want, the value goes up. People don’t just want beautiful art – they want something that matters to them.

Technique

The technique of the artist also contributes to the value. Did they use Photoshop for their design or did they use a stylus to create tiny dots on a page? What was their strategy for the creation of the product online?

Many don’t think about the technique, but those who determine the value of art do. Consider how the artist formed the painting to determine if digital art is worth anything to the creative world.

Buyer

Of course, the buyer has some say in if a piece of digital art is worth anything.

If they are willing to pay hundreds of dollars for a digital painting, it has value. This statement is especially true if the buyer is someone with high regard in the art world.

Art is always subjective. It’s tricky to determine what is worth it, but some people have more sway than others. If a famous art critic purchases the piece, it has some value, no matter how bad or silly it might be.

Final Thoughts

Digital art is a fascinating trend. There is an artist and a medium that creates the piece, but you don’t get a physical copy of the work. Still, there is value in digital art. The number of versions, artists, subjects, techniques, and opinions of the buyer contribute to the worth. These trends will shift over time.

We hope this information was helpful! Digital art is a new phenomenon, and it can be tricky to determine what makes one piece worth more than another. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Art is worth the value you give it. The more people love it, the more it will be worth. It’s up to you to determine what you love.

If you are new to streaming you want to gain as many followers as you can as quickly as you can to gain and keep recognition. You have been perusing other streamers’ sites and noticed that a great majority of them are using stream overlays. You may be wondering if stream overlays are really necessary or if can you still be successful without them.

To build a successful streaming business, it is not necessary to use stream overlays, however they do greatly increase your chance of attracting and keeping an audience. Stream overlays enhance your streams by creating a more professional look that viewers expect.

For more about using stream overlays and how you can gain more followers continue reading.

Stream Overlays – Necessary or Not?

In today’s world, everything is loud and flashy; individuals and companies are constantly trying to attract your attention and they are coming at you from every direction via multiple platforms.

Flashing signs as you drive down the road, flashing signs in storefront windows, flashing advertisements and pop-ups when you are online. Everywhere you look signs are trying to get you to do this and buy that so why not incorporate that into your live stream?

People have short attention spans so to keep them interested in what you are streaming overlays were created as a way to entertain viewers during potentially dull streaming moments.

If a viewer becomes bored with what they are watching you can bet they will quickly move on to the next site to find something better.

Simplicity Is Key When Using Stream Overlays

So as mentioned previously, stream overlays are not necessary to be successful but they sure do help. The trick with using stream overlays is to do it in a way that is not obnoxious and intrusive but rather just flashy or eye-catching enough to keep the viewers’ interest.

Referring back to the beginning of the paragraph regarding flashy signage everywhere we look; sometimes too much signage is a bad thing. People can become desensitized to what is flashing on the screen which works out to be about the same as if you were not using any overlays.

If there are too many things popping up on your stream people may be turned off and go to another site that focuses more on the subject matter at hand and not a bunch of flashy adverts. Using a combination of stream overlay types can also enhance your site.

For example, you can use an animated stream overlay on top of static overlays. Meaning you could have a border overlay to create the look you want and then layer an animated overlay on top to create movement and attract the eye.

Going back to the “too much of a good thing can be bad” theory, when using overlays it is important to be selective and only use an overlay that will benefit your site and the content you are streaming.

Simply plopping a bunch of flashy images all over the screen will generally turn people off from watching what you are streaming.

Content Matters More Than Flashiness

You have to remember when you are streaming, regardless of the subject matter, that the content is the most important aspect; without your quality content, there would be no viewers in the first place.

They are there to hear what you have to say and don’t want to be distracted by a bunch of nonsense. If you focus on putting out quality content your viewers will remain loyal.

When using stream overlays it is helpful to use things that are pertinent to the content you are streaming. Don’t use random graphics, text, or logos that don’t represent who you are and what you are doing.

Another issue that can come from using too many stream overlays is that they can end up blocking the view of what you are streaming.

That is a common mistake that many streamers make when trying to bring awareness to their site. Another faux pas to avoid is creating a logo that is too busy.

The more detail in a logo the more difficult it can be to view and once again it can cause sensory overload and the viewer may just block it out or switch to another channel.

Overlays Can Be Over Done – Moderation is Key

As you can see, when done correctly stream overlays will help you to attract and keep your viewer’s attention. Moderation and tasteful placement are key to making a stream overlay work for you.

Bloggers love to include images on their blogs, and book covers may be an area of interest for bloggers who want to write a book review. However, you do not want to get caught up in a copyright infringement case.

Book covers are copyrighted, but fair use allows you to use them because you provide your readers with analysis or criticism about the book. However, if you claimed the book cover belonged to you and used it for your book cover, it is copyright infringement.

Most images carry copyright. The person who has the copyright owns the image. Check out this article if you want to know if you can use book cover images on your blog.

Precisely What is Fair Use?

Fair use is the reproduction of any material that is copyrighted for a specific purpose. It could be:

• Commenting upon
• Criticizing or analyzing
• Education or research
• Making a parody of

You can do all these things without permission from the copyright owner. Fair use is protection from a claim of copyright infringement. It is allowed if you are using the material for one of the above purposes. Unfortunately, the rules concerning copyright infringement are not very clear.

There have been many courtroom battles trying to determine this, and there still are no definitive guidelines that are considered Gospel. The lawmakers and judges who decide what is fair use did not want to limit its meaning. It can be compared to attempting to define what free speech is. They wanted to make sure that it was open to interpretation.

When cover art is created for a book, the work becomes copyright protected. The copyright owner has the right to reproduce the book cover, create new books or works based on the cover, give out copies of the book to the public, display the cover publicly, and give these rights to any third party they want.

If you want to use a book cover on your blog, you need to consider whether it is fair use. Fair use can be commentary and criticism or parody. There is also a subtle line between a parody and satire. It may be easier to understand if you know more about the legal parameters of fair use.

Commentary or Criticism as Fair Use

You may be writing a book review or analyzing someone else’s work. Using a book cover can be fair use, depending on what you do with it. Commentary or criticism are both a part of fair use. Some examples include:

• A book review of a new mystery novel
• Using illustrations of a book to make a point
• Copying a few paragraphs of a text for a school lesson
• Showing off the books you are selling

You can make use of copyrighted material as long as you are not claiming it as your own. For example, using a book cover on your blog would be appropriate if you are reviewing the book because you are not calling the work your own. You are simply giving a synopsis and your opinion of it.

Parody as Fair Use

A parody imitates or ridicules someone’s work. It is typically done in a comedic fashion. A parody requires that you use the original work to be parodied. A parody uses the copyright-protected work to discuss that work.

However, it must be made clear that while parody is okay, satire is not. A parody aims for the initial work to make a point. A satire makes use of the original work to criticize something else entirely.   

Why Should You Use Book Cover on Your Blog?

From the viewpoint of a blogger, it would be advantageous to use a book cover if you are blogging a book review. People like to see pictures on blogs because it breaks up the text. A book review can be considered a product review, which requires a picture of the product. Book covers can be more memorable than the title or author, which helps sell the book.

Considering this, authors and publishers may thank you for using the cover of their book on your blog instead of suing you. Part of being creative is the ability to use pictures and images on your blog. A book cover constitutes an image. Photographs and images add value to a blog and make it more interesting for the reader.

Is it Legal to Use a Book Cover on Your Blog?

You must keep in mind that bloggers can be and have been sued for using copyrighted images on their blogs, so there is some risk involved. It all depends on how the book cover is used. Fair use means that you can legally cite or incorporate copyrighted material into your blog, but do not take it as your own.

If you have questions regarding whether a photograph is copyrighted, reverse seek from the image. Right-click on the picture and choose “copy image address.” Paste it into Google Images. It will demonstrate for you where the image is used and where it came from.

A book cover has its copyright, separate and in addition to the copyright on the actual book. Fair use basically protects you from being sued. The risk of being sued for using a book cover in a book review is significantly low. If you want to be extremely careful, you can seek permission to use the book cover or secure a license, but it is unnecessary.

If you create something new from the book cover, like using the book cover to make your own, you may get sued. The only caveat is that fair use is determined case-by-case, which can confuse things. You just need to be aware of the context you are using the book cover, and you should be okay.

Conclusion 

Fair use allows you, the blogger, to use specific images on your blog, as long as it falls within the legal parameters of fair use. There is no strict definition of fair use, which can make it confusing, but when it comes to using book covers on your blog, exercise your best judgment.

Whether you are a photographer, a graphic designer, or you restore old pieces of art, there will more than likely come a point when you run into some lines that you feel should be darker. Luckily, there are several easy ways to darken lines in Photoshop.

Lines can be darkened in Photoshop in various ways, depending on the type of editing that is happening:

• Adjusting levels to darken lines across an entire image
• Using the Burn tool to darken specific lines
• Thickening lines in vector images to make them appear darker

Photoshop is a versatile editing program that allows for all different types of editing. Below, you find an easy walkthrough of three different ways to darken lines, so you’ll know what to do no matter which type of project you’re working on.

How To Make Lines Darker In Photoshop

Because Photoshop can be used for various types of editing, there are always several ways to achieve what you are trying to accomplish.

For example, the methods you take to darken lines in a photo aren’t the same steps you would take to darken the lines of a vector graphic or hand-drawn art piece. While some methods can be used in many instances, it’s best to choose the method that will give you the best results for your project type.

Darkening Lines in Photographs Using Levels

The Levels adjustment in photoshop is a quick and easy way to darken lines in an image. This manipulates the shadow, midtones, and highlights in a photo, giving you the ability to deepen contrast and help edges and lines stand out more.

To start, load up your document in Photoshop and open up Levels. Levels can be accessed from the Adjustments panel, represented by an icon that looked like a jagged line graph. You can also find Levels in the panel menu.

The Layers window should pop up on the right-hand side of your screen. You will see a line graph in the middle called a histogram, with three moveable arrows below:

• Black
• Gray
• White

To darken lines, you’ll want to focus on adjusting shadows and highlights. Drag the black and white Input Levels sliders towards the middle until they touch the first pixels of the histogram on either side.

This method is great for darkening lines in line art as well.

Making Lines Darker In Photos and Art With the Burn Tool

Sometimes, you want to darken certain lines in a photo, but not all of them. One way to do this is with the Burn tool.

The Burn tool allows you to selectively darken areas of an image by painting over them. This allows you more control over what you darken and how dark you make it. The more you paint over an area, the darker it gets.

To darken a line in a photo, grab the Burn tool from the tool by. This is represented by an icon that looks like a hand with the thumb touching the fingers to make an “O” shape.

Next, set your brush options in the options bar, and start to paint over the areas of the image that you want darker. Remember, the more you paint the darker it gets, so it’s best to go slow so you can achieve the best results.

How To Make Lines Thicker In Vector Graphics Using Photoshop

When it comes to working with vector images, sometimes it’s not that the line needs to be darker, but that it needs to be thicker to actually show up.

For example, let’s say you uploaded a design to Placeit to create a mockup, and the lines didn’t stand out as much as you’d like. You go to edit the design, but you realize the lines are already set to black. Instead of darkening the lines, try thickening them so that they appear darker when printed.

To do this, open the design in Photoshop and click on the layer with the line you want thick. Next, change the size of the line in the options bar and save the design.

If you are thickening lines in line art, you may need to use the stroke option. Simply grab the Magic Wand tool and select the lines you want to dark. Then click Edit, and select Stroke. From here you can change the width of the lines so they appear darker.

Final Thoughts

If lines appear small or faded, this can ruin the entire look of a design or image. Hopefully, these tips helped you find a solution for darkening lines in Photoshop, no matter what kind of project you are working on.

You’re not alone if you’re having trouble saving a GIF in Photoshop. This is a common problem that comes with an array of potential solutions. It depends on which save mode you are using.

If you can’t save a GIF in Photoshop, you should start by making sure that your file size is not too large. Also, you may need to change your format settings if you are using the Save For Web option. 

Find out how to save a GIF in Photoshop and much more in the article below. You’ll also find a host of tips and tools on how to make GIFs with ease. There’s a free tool online that makes it super easy to convert any MP4 or MOV video to a GIF.

Why You Can’t Save a GIF in Photoshop

There are several potential reasons why this is occurring. Scroll down to find out how you can quickly fix this.

There Is No GIF Option in “Save As”

You may have encountered the following problem in Photoshop. You go to “Save As”, but you don’t see GIF as an option in the format drop-down. This happens because you are using the wrong image mode.

To fix this:

• Pan to the File menu
• In the File menu go to  Image and then to Mode
• Change the mode to RGB or Indexed Color

Now you should be able to see GIF as one of the choices once you open up the Save As menu.

I Can’t Save It as a GIF in “Save for Web”

If you are not seeing GIF as an option in the Save For Web menu, do this:

• Pan towards the options on the right side of the screen.
• Make sure that the format drop menu is set to GIF
• If you don’t update this setting, then you will only be able to save in an RGB format (i.e JPG)

The File Size Is Too Large

Your file size is too large if all you see are the following options for file format: PSD, TIFF, or RAW. Fortunately, this problem can be resolved in a few quick steps.

For starters, make sure that you are choosing Save For Web from the File menu rather than Save As.

Once you have navigated to the Save As Web option:

• Choose GIF from the format options in the panel to the right and choose the desired compression setting.
• Click the Save button
• When the “Save As Optimized” window pops up, be sure to select an appropriate file name and location for the image.

At this point, the file should’ve been compressed enough so that you can save it as a GIF. If you are still encountering trouble, you may need to reduce the image size and resolution.

Why Do I Keep Getting a “Not Enough Memory” Error in Photoshop?

Users commonly report getting this weird error code when using the Save For Web feature. There are several potential ways to fix this problem: free up space in Photoshop, update to the latest version or let the app automatically manage memory space for you.

How to Free up Space in Photoshop

Close all the projects that you’re currently not working on. This should free up enough space to be able to save at least a few GIF files. 

Here’s how:

• Close out all the projects you’re not working on.
• Click on the Edit menu.
• Select Purge and then choose All for which projects to delete.

Update Photoshop

It’s also possible that this error is a result of you using an outdated version of Photoshop. Click on the Help menu and choose Updates. This simple step alone may be enough to resolve this issue.

To find updates in Photoshop, go to the Help menu. From there just scroll down until you see updates.

Let Photoshop Manage Your Memory for You

You can prevent your projects from taking up too much memory by allowing Photoshop to purge old projects for you. 

Do this:

• Go to the Windows Search Bar and type “regedit”. Hit Enter.
• Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Adobe\Photoshop
• Click on the version number of Photoshop you are using
• Right-click on an empty area in the pane on the right side
• Select New>DWORD(32-bit)

Name the new key OverridePhysicalMemoryMB. Then double-click on the key you just made and set the value data to whatever your computer’s max system memory is. Hit OK to finish.

Tips For Creating GIFs in Photoshop 

You can make it even easier to create and save GIFs in Photoshop with the below tips.

Use a Free Video to GIF Converter Online

One great tool for creating GIFs is the PlaceIt free online video to GIF converter.  You can convert videos that are saved in either MP4 or MOV format. Best of all, you do not need a subscription to use this service.

 The website does come with a subscription service, however, that gives you access to many features that’ll enhance your Photoshop experience.

GIF Story Maker Template for Instagram

One of the other features that PlaceIt has to offer is this. It’s a GIF Instagram Story Maker Template. Why settle for the basic, boring Instagram story maker? With this all you need to do is edit the text, select your background and you’re ready to go with a few clicks.

Use This if You’re a Streamer

Here’s how to make your stream stand out from the rest. Go to this website and scroll through the many animated logos, Twitch templates, and YouTube templates. If you’re having trouble brainstorming your viral moment, this is a good place to start.

You don’t necessarily need a subscription to enjoy this service either. Many of the templates are available for free and you can cancel a subscription anytime.

Final Thoughts

If you can’t save a GIF in Photoshop, the file size may be too large. You may need to clear up some space in the app or install the latest updates. Alternatively, you can set a few commands to allow Photoshop to automatically delete projects that are left unused for an extended time.

Some people have a natural ability to take what is in their minds and translate it onto paper, but you have never been one of those people. You see people using their tablets to create digital art and you are wondering if you need to know how to draw to create digital art.

You don’t have to be a world-class artist in order to draw digital art however if you wish to be successful the following skills will help you in your digital endeavors.

• Basic sketching skills
• Drawing characters and people
• Understanding shading, lighting, and colors

To learn more about what skills are needed in order to create digital art continue reading for helpful tips.

Traditional Drawing Methods Vs Digital Drawing

Regardless of whether or not you know how to draw, creating digital drawings is much different than creating a work of art on a traditional medium such as sketch paper or canvas. To create a digital drawing there are a few things you need to understand.

When using a digital surface and stylus pen to draw you need to get used to the following things:

• The feeling is different than writing on a piece of paper and it can take some time to get used to how everything works. For those who do have prior drawing knowledge and experience getting used to writing on a screen can be the largest adjustment. It just feels weird until you have learned how to hold the stylus and control all of the settings.

• The way you make your pen strokes and draw lines is different. When sketching on a pad you oftentimes have to go over a line more than one time but with a digital drawing surface, you have the ability to make one crisp clear line the first time.

• You have to get used to how pressure sensitivity works and how heavy to press. Pressing harder will generally give you a thicker, darker line whereas a lighter touch will give you a lighter, thinner line.

Pressure sensitivity settings can also be adjusted on the device and via an active stylus pen so that you are more accurate and get the line that you expect when you touch the stylus pen to the screen

• Properly scaling and sizing the image is different than drawing on a fixed surface size. On a piece of paper, you have one space to work with whereas a digital space can be made smaller or larger depending upon what you are trying to do.

Some people argue that you don’t have to have any prior drawing knowledge or art skills to create a digital drawing, they say that digital drawing is like any other skill and can be learned if practiced over time.

This argument does have some truth to it however the following knowledge and skills can give you a big boost in the learning department and help you to create your digital masterpiece in less time.

Things That Are Good To Know For Creating Digital Drawings

The list below discusses skills and items that are helpful to know if you wish to be successful when creating digital drawings.

General Artistic Knowledge

Basic drawing skills such as sketching people, objects, and shapes, and their relation to each other in space are extremely helpful. Understanding concepts such as how to create shading and dimension is an essential drawing skill.

Being able to create a well-composed drawing on paper will help you greatly while you learn to use the new technology that comes along with drawing on a digital surface.

Understanding Animation Skills

Although you may not consider the knowledge of animation to be necessary for drawing it can be quite helpful, especially when creating digital drawings which can oftentimes be rendered into a three-dimensional image.

Understanding how lighting and shading work to make an image stand out and look more realistic is a helpful skill to have.

Text and Typography

Many digital drawings and artwork incorporate text so having general typography knowledge can help you when it comes to choosing the right fonts and placement of text in your image.

Basic Skills Go A Long Way For Digital Drawings

Now you know that if you plan on creating digital art drawings it is necessary to have some basic drawing skills if you want to have any amount of success. The more you practice your drawing techniques on paper the better you will become digitally. Technology is advancing at warp speed and the more skills you have the better prepared you will be for what is to come.

For countless centuries artists have found that the best way to get their thoughts into ideas was through paper and pencil. If they preferred to paint, it could be created on a canvas with oil or water paint. Sculptures were made from whatever material the artist wanted to use, and many other artists used whatever they had on hand to create and blossom. Now, there is an even better way for all artists to develop. But, exactly how hard is it to do digital art?

Experts all agree that learning how to do digital art is challenging but not impossible. It becomes hard when you start trying to master it because there is so much to the process. An artist thinking they can bring the knowledge into the digital platforms and be great at it will be disappointed.

The differences between the talent off the digital screen, and the talent on it, are substantial. You will basically be learning how to be an artist from scratch. Your thought processes will easily convert to on-screen work, which will help you out. Let’s dig into the subject a little more to help you see the main differences and how you can overcome them.

Why Is Digital Art Hard?

A skilled artist will find that bringing that expertise to the digital world will not be easy. It is an entirely different skill set you must learn, making it a complicated task for most. The great thing is that the way you think and respond to those thoughts will be the same process. All those years of creating digital platforms will benefit you in at least one specific way.

But that is all you should take from traditional art forms to the digital tablet linked to the computer through drawing software. There are some significant differences in the transition that you need to be aware of.

Thought Process

The one major obstacle you will have deals with the thought processes when trying to put an idea to a tablet. Looking at the drawing tablet will not do you any good, so you need to learn how to draw with your hand while watching the creation on the computer screen. This is very hard at first but becomes second nature with a bit of practice.

Texture Is Hard to Replicate

If you are used to painting on a canvas, you have felt the texture of the painting after it has dried. The texture can make the picture stand out in specific areas you want to emphasize. Digital renderings will not give you that texture because it is on a computer screen.

Online Exposure

It is said that drawing on a digital platform is much more forgiving because you can delete it with the sweep of a pen or push a button. This feature will also be the cause of exposing weaknesses in your art. The issues that could be covered up or blended in on the canvas or wall cannot be treated the same way on a digital platform.

Different to Traditional Art Techniques

The younger generations of artists will find it much easier to transition to a digital platform. The older you are, the longer you have been using traditional ways. This will make it harder for you to convert because it is so different.

Digital art is as hard as you make it. If you take the time to learn the process from the ground up, you will find that it is not as hard as you may have thought. It is all in the mind, so if you go into the learning process thinking it is too hard, you will be hard-pressed to get through the transition smoothly.

Conclusion

It may seem like a daunting endeavor to take on, but in the end, it will be well worth it. You can do so many incredible things with a digital art program. When you mess up, just delete the mistake instead of starting over from scratch and keep going.

Plus, the features that are included in many of the programs will simply blow you away. Digital platforms offer more choices, such as making numerous duplicates of the same piece of art. Or, better yet, you can send it as a digital file and let them download and print it if they want to. Either way, you have original art that can be viewed by as many people as you want it to be seen by.

Online streaming has taken over the world. Many people across the world enjoy streaming themselves playing video games online, and even more people enjoy watching them do so. One thing that sets the most successful streamers apart is having a stream overlay. If you’re considering commissioning a custom stream overlay from a graphic designer, you may be wondering how much it will cost.

Generally, custom stream overlays cost between $20-$300 to have made. However, the exact cost will vary greatly based on the designer you work with and the complexity of your design. The most complex designs from experienced designers can cost up to $500.

Below, we’ll discuss more information on the cost of having a stream overlay designed by a graphic artist. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know!

How Much Do Stream Overlays Cost?

Stream overlays have become more and more popular among the most successful streamers. These overlays are only visible to you as the streamer, meaning that no one watching your stream will be able to see them. Depending on the complexity of your design, your overlay can include different graphics that give you information about your stream.

Some of these might include:

• Stream alerts
• Screens
• Transitions
• Event lists
• Animations

If you’re looking to streamline your experience and begin streaming like a true professional, you may consider hiring a designer to create a custom stream overlay. But first, you need to know how much you should expect to spend.

The price of a custom stream overlay can vary greatly based on the designer you choose and the complexity of your design. Some may cost as little as $20, while other designers may charge you as much as $500. Generally, however, the price range falls between $20-$300.

Before you choose a designer to work on your custom overlay, ask them about their pricing structure. Some designers charge by the hours they spend creating your overlay, while others will give you a fixed price.

If you want a particularly complex design with many panels or animations, it’s probably best to work with a designer who charges a fixed price. If your design is relatively simple, working with a designer who charges by the hour may be more economical.

Is It Worth It to Buy a Stream Overlay?

Today, many of the most successful streamers on Twitch work with a stream overlay to see important information about how their streams are going.

Some of the information an overlay can provide you with includes:

• Chat logs
• Stream status
• Viewer counts

If you want to break into the world of professional streaming, having an overlay is a must. It will help you stand out among other streamers and curate a more tailored, professional presence for your viewers.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that your overlay will not be visible to anyone other than you. So, if you do choose to purchase a custom overlay, make sure you keep this in mind as you determine how much you want to spend.

Can I Make My Own Stream Overlay?

If you want a stream overlay but don’t want to spend any money on one, you have a couple of options. You could download a free pre-made overlay, or you could make your own.

There are many programs you can use to create your own stream overlay. Some of your options include:

• GIMP
• Placeit.net (pre-made templates)
• Photoshop

GIMP is a free program you can download onto your computer to design a stream overlay. Photoshop is another popular program, but it requires a monthly subscription. Both require you to create a custom stream overlay from scratch.

Make Your Own Stream Overlay Using Placeit

If you’d like to customize a stream overlay template to fit your gaming style, consider using Placeit.net. Just visit the website and search for “stream overlays” or “Twitch overlays” to find a range of free, customizable, and downloadable templates.

Using Placeit.net, you can customize your template right on the website using their free design options, then download and use it when you’re done. While GIMP and Photoshop are ideal for anyone with a decent amount of graphic design experience, Placeit.net is more appropriate for inexperienced designers who just want to create a stream overlay.

Making your own stream overlay comes with many benefits. You can get exactly what you want without spending any money or waiting on edits, and if you get good enough at it, you could even begin creating them for others to make a little extra money!

Final Thoughts

Depending on who you work with, the cost of having a stream overlay can vary greatly. It could cost as little as $20, or you could pay up to $500 for an intricate design.

If you don’t want to pay for a stream overlay, you could always download one of the free pre-made options available online, or you could download a graphic design program and attempt to make your own.

It is not uncommon for people to use other companies’ logos for various reasons, however, it is very common for people to encounter legal problems when using a logo without the proper permission. If you wish to avoid said legal issues you may be wondering how you can ask a company permission to use their logo. 

To learn how to legally obtain the necessary permission to use a company’s logo in your work, continue reading for information that may keep you out of court.

How to Ask For Permission to Use a Company’s Logo

People use other companies’ logos for various reasons such as to advertise that they are selling a particular product or brand on their website or perhaps just mentioning it in a review.

Regardless of why you wish to use another company’s logo, it is important that you have the necessary permission if you want to avoid legal issues.

The following list gives a step-by-step explanation of how you can obtain the permission you need to use a company’s logo without getting into trouble.

Have a Plan and Confirm That Permission is Necessary

Your first course of action when using a company’s logo is to find out if you truly need permission to use the logo. It is important that you have a clear plan and know what you want to use the logo for and where it will be used.

Common reasons why people use other companies’ logos are:

1. They are a retailer selling other companies’ products and wish to use the logo as an advertisement that they are carrying a particular item
2. They are reviewing a product and wish to use the logo to show which product they are discussing
3. They are giving a presentation that discusses a particular company or product and want to use it as a visual graphic
4. They are using it in an academic setting or to create a PowerPoint presentation

There are some cases in which you may be permitted to use the logo without asking the owner but it is important to understand if this exception applies to your situation.

Generally, the exception applies when people are using a company’s logo for academic/reference use or if the logo is considered public domain. Public domain refers to any works that have been published prior to the year 1924.

You must first state your intentions; what do you plan on using the logo for? Will you be making any money from the use of the logo? These are all important questions that need to be answered before moving on to the next step.

Locate Trademark Owner

Once you have determined that you do in fact need permission to use the logo as intended it is time to locate the owner of the trademark. This can sometimes be difficult but in most cases, this information can easily be obtained by visiting the company’s website.

The best way to locate the rightful owner is to try visiting the information page on the company’s website. The information page will have a way to call, email, or snail mail the company so you can find out who owns the right to the owner.

State Your Case and Ask for Usage Permission

Now that you have the proper contact information it is time to contact the owner and ask for permission to use their logo.

It is imperative that you clearly state why you wish to use it and how you plan on using the logo. If the owner of the logo permits you to use the logo as you intend the next step is to find out if they want financial compensation and work out a payment agreement.

Cover Your Assets

The final and most important step after obtaining the necessary permission from the owner of the logo is to have a written contract stating everything that you have agreed upon.

Failing to do so can result in legal issues down the road if there is ever a dispute. Having written permission and a contract that clearly details exactly how you intend on using the logo will ensure that all parties are happy and no negative implications can occur.

Asking Permission Saves You From Begging For Forgiveness

As you can see, it is not a difficult process to get the necessary permission to use a company’s logo. By taking a few simple steps to ask for the rights to use a logo you can save yourself a lot of headaches and money. It is always better to preserve your reputation and ask permission than to find out later that you have broken the law.

Canva is an excellent way to create for your brand, but it can cause headaches if blocked from your network. The platform’s functionality makes it useful and often a critical part of the creation process. So why is Canva blocked from your network, and how do you fix it?

Canva being blocked could come down to a few different fixes, each with its process for solving the problem. These issues could take some know-how that some people might not have. Don’t let that stop you from getting back to work! Read on and learn why Canva is blocked on your network and how to fix it.

How to Fix Canva When it is Blocked on Your Network

A certain level of panic can set in for people when items lose functionality or simple tasks aren’t so simple. Canva is easier to use, so the stakes aren’t as high when things go wrong. There are steps to take when things aren’t going your way, and by checking the network settings, you get a firm grasp of what to do next.

Checking the Status Page is the Best Place to Start

A great thing about Canva is that they keep it simple. They have a status page that immediately tells you if their website is experiencing issues

A few things that are updated on the Canva status page are:

• Mobile – One of the most important things to check is the status of the mobile version of Canva. Mobile traffic is where the market is going, and if the mobile side of the equation is down, there will be problems using Canva on your iPad or tablet.
• Web – The primary way to use Canva is on your computer. It lets you see much more of the designs you are using and lets you zoom in if you use a mouse. The web is also where you will get the best view of the designs.
• Past Errors – Something unique that Canva does that other companies don’t do is keep a listing of problems they have seen on the platform. Companies often cover up these past errors, but Canva leaves them out for people who may be experiencing them.

Canva wants to help fix any problems you might be having. They have a fantastic status page that allows them to inform users about all the issues they have had and if the servers are operating correctly.

Inspect the Router and Local Wifi Connection

Another possible problem is the internet could be out, or your connection could be compromised. When there is no internet, you will not be able to access any of the functional parts of Canva or save your progress. This is an easy fix that only takes time and a little patience to work out.

The ways to check your wifi connection are:

• Computer – The computer will be the first stop on your search for wifi connection. By checking the top right hand corner of your screen, you can determine if the signal is strong enough by checking the wifi chevron or lines. Then, by clicking on the wifi icon, you could get a window that allows you to repair without further work.
• Router – If the signal on your wifi is tanking, checking the router is another place you can go. The tower will have flashing lights that will let you know if there are problems. The critical thing to look for is a red flashing light that indicates internet problems. If the lights on the router are flashing, you just need to restart and try again.

The wifi can be a problem that is out of your hands. You could simply have to wait it out if there are connection problems at the front end or an outage. There’s nothing to fear as long as you don’t begin to delete pages; you should be able to jump back in where you left off when the service returns.

The Minimum Requirements for the Platform Could Hold You Back

Another thing that could be hampering the functionality of Canva is that the computer you are using could have minimum requirements that are not met. These minimum standards are solid material that can be found by checking the specs on Canva’s website. If your computer doesn’t meet these standards, you can guarantee a loss in functionality.

A couple of things that the minimum requirements could impact are:

• Site Functionality – The biggest problem that the minimum requirements could impact is the site’s functionality. It will force the most important parts of the site not to populate when your computer navigates to the page. For example, the number of templates and fonts inside won’t load if you don’t meet the minimum requirements.
• Web Sockets – A bit of information that could keep the site from working correctly is called a web socket. It is a section in the data stream that allows outgoing and incoming communication to meet up. These could be cut off, like cookies, and hamper what you can do with the Canva platform.

The minimum requirements aren’t something that can be overtaken. You must have a computer that works at or above them to get the great functionality you know. If not, there will be definite problems, and you could have a long day on your hands.

Conclusion

Canva being blocked on your network is a problem that can be easily solved. There are only a few things to check that will let you know your Canva status. Wifi is essential as the site could not load correctly and restrict access to your files. Another thing to check is the minimum requirements for your computer or laptop.

Functionality can be hampered by processes inside a machine that doesn’t meet the minimum requirements. Therefore, you should take the time to address any wifi and requirement issues if you expect to work with Canva.