Category: Resources

Free font: Baja-California

BittBox is a great resource for textures, fonts, tutorials and more. Normally I’m really good about checking the site out, but I apparently missed a font post from December of 2008. Shame on me! Baja California is a cool font, available absolutely free. The demo font contains full alphabet characters in upper and lower case. Because it’s a demo font, it doesn’t contain a full character set, but it’s perfect for headlines or highlight text in your designs.

VectorValley offers quality vector files free for download

There’s a renewed interest in using vector artwork in print and Web design the last year or so. Many years ago, we had to rely on a monthly subscription to some clip-art service. Thankfully we don’t have to wait any more. There are a plethora of sites dedicated to providing free vector art from talented artists from around the world. VectorValley is the latest site I’ve come across that offers quality vector art files compatible with Adobe Illustrator. The site is fairly new, but is growing. As with all such sites, be sure to check for licensing restrictions before using.

Hand-made fonts make a splash

I’m not much for gimmicky fonts. Sure, I like them, but I wouldn’t consider using them for anything beyond the family Christmas newsletter. But photo fonts are a different story. If done well, they can be creative, professional, and might be the cure for the creative cold-spell. HandMadeFonts is just what the doctor ordered. The site features over 100 photographic fonts. While some are cheesy at best, many are quite stunning, and might just fit in to your next project. Everything from lego pieces, baloons, and water drops to stitched leather, grass and animal fur. When you purchase these fonts, you’re actually not getting a font, you’re getting PSD files. Single fonts can be purchased using PayPal for as little as $13 each.

50 fantastic fabric textures

DESIGNM.AG has posted a showcase of 50 free fabric textures which can be used in your design projects. Textures can be quite handy for backgrounds or borders in your Photoshop files. Compilations like this I typically keep in a folder on an external hard drive so they’re readily available should the need arise.

Free cardboard textures

HighResolutionTextures.com has released four free cardboard textures for use in your next personal or commercial project (CreativeCommons Attribution License). There are plenty of other textures available on the site, so be sure you check them out, and subscribe to the RSS feed to be notified when more become available.