5.2.4 Automation

everywhere.tools

Collection of open-source tools for designers & creatives

Everywhere Tools is a collection of useful sources for designers. I spent time exploring some of the options linked on there. It was interesting getting to experiment and create random things without the intention of producing something final. I think as a designer I need to learn how to experiment and explore more without focusing too much on an end product, and this website was a useful stepping stone in getting closer to that point.

1. Gradientor

Gradientor

Gradientor is a free-to-use tool for drawing with gradients in a little bit silly way. Draw, adjust and save results as JPGs in up to 4k resolution. Have fun!

Gradientor is a tool which allows you to select a gradient colour palette then draw onto it to create random designs. I found that drawing through my mac trackpad was difficult, which gave me the idea to use my wacom graphics tablet to try and create a smoother design.

This is the result I had after drawing with my tablet. You can see that the lines are a lot smoother and I found it much easier drawing this way. Overall, this tool was fun to experiment with, and I think its great that you can save your creations.

2. Signal by synthymental

Signal by synthymental | everywhere.tools

Glitch effect tool for images and webcam video, by synthymental

everywhere.tools

Signal by synthymetal allows you to add a glitch effect to any image you upload. You can toggle the settings till you find a look you're happy with. I used random backgrounds I had saved from pinterest and the glitch made them look completely different. One issue I had with this website was that it was slow and when I toggled the effects it was very delayed and would take a while to apply the new settings.

3. Minimalier

Minimalier | everywhere.tools

Drawing app with a twist made by Studio Feixen. With every stroke you make, the program instantly generates hundreds of additional lines and dots that move across the screen like a swarm of ants. This playful system creates highly complex compositions, almost by accident.

everywhere.tools

Minimalier is a drawing app. With each stroke, the program generates numerous dots. I used my wacom tablet for this and found that the harder I pressed the pen down, more dots were generated. When I used my mac trackpad, the amount of dots always stayed the same.

Reflection

Overall I found this activity really useful as it gave me the opportunity to experiment without having to worry about an end goal. It also gave me the chance to consider how to involve other technologies I've been shown, which I did by using a wacom tablet. I feel like this has also influenced me to explore other technologies and websites that I am interested in, and experiment with those.