The Before & After Collection
The Before & After Collection Members-Only Video: Getting Started with Premiere Generating Vector Patterns in Illustrator How to Be a Better Designer: Be a…
The Before & After Archive
Welcome to the CreativePro archive of Before & After magazine articles.
Published from 1990–2014, Before & After magazine was the gold standard for educational material aimed at professional graphic designers and anyone else who wanted to learn “how to design cool stuff.”
Since the articles focused on design principles and techniques instead specific software, they are “evergreen” and just as relevant today as when they were first published.
You can read about the history of the Before & After magazine, and its founder, John McWade, in this article.
CreativePro members enjoy full access to download Before & After articles in PDF format, which preserves the original look and feel of the magazine.
The shorter design tips are available free to all.
The Before & After Collection
John McWade’s treasury of design instruction finds a new home at CreativePro.
Before&After: Make Desktop Holiday Cards
Members OnlyIf you need to make your own quick and easy holiday card, this one fits the bill beautifully.
Before&After Design Tip: Use a Ghosted Logo to Make a Great Notepad
This small notepad shows off your logo and lets your reader interact with it slowly.
Before&After: Gestalt Theory: Continuation
Members OnlyLearn how to use Gestalt theory to explain visual connections.
Before&After: Design From a Creative Brief
Members OnlyTo know if you’ve reached a design goal, you must first know what the goal is. The creative brief lets you start answering that.
Before&After: Gestalt Theory: Equilibrium
Members OnlyEquilibrium gives your design elements rest, stability, and permanence.
Before&After: Design a Card the Easy Way
Members OnlyA photo and one block of type are all it takes to make a beautiful business card.
Before&After: Design a Flier That Sells
Members OnlyThe key to an advertisement that sells is simple: Keep all eyes on the product.
Before&After: Draw Great Visual Instructions
Members OnlyHave something to demonstrate or explain? Don’t say it; show it!
Before&After: Design a Chalkboard Web Banner
Members OnlyHandwriting on a strong design element makes a powerful, simple statement.
Before&After: How to Use that Typeface
Members OnlyThat font you just learned about won’t work just anywhere; it has a style that needs to be complemented. Here’s how to work to…