Kevin Shawley
Multimedia / Design / VFX Generalist
Tools for a Digital Creative
Today’s creative communication demands skill in a broad range of tools for a diverse media landscape. This includes high-end 2d and 3d software for digital design and VFX, web, writing and workspace tools for social marketing and creative collaboration.
The apps below are the tools I rely on the most for my work.
Tools for a Digital Creative
Today’s creative communication demands skill in a broad range of tools for a diverse media landscape. This includes high-end 2d and 3d software for digital design and VFX, web, writing and workspace tools for social marketing and creative collaboration.
The apps below are the tools I rely on the most for my work.
Tools for a Digital Creative
Today’s creative communication demands skill in a broad range of tools for a diverse media landscape. This includes high-end 2d and 3d software for digital design and VFX, web, writing and workspace tools for social marketing and creative collaboration.
The apps below are the tools I rely on the most for my work.
Photoshop
Raster Graphics
The image editing workhorse I’ve used since the beginning of my career for painting, removals and manipulation of both still images and video.
Photoshop
Raster Graphics
The image editing workhorse I’ve used since the beginning of my career for painting, removals and manipulation of both still images and video.
Illustrator
Vector Graphics
My program of choice for logo design, line art, signage or any place where vector graphics must be used for infinite scale or efficient file size.
Illustrator
Vector Graphics
My program of choice for logo design, line art, signage or any place where vector graphics must be used for infinite scale or efficient file size.
Premiere Pro
Video Editing
My go-to program for video editing, though I dabble in DaVinci Resolve when I have free time to explore.
Premiere Pro
Video Editing
My go-to program for video editing, though I dabble in DaVinci Resolve when I have free time to explore.
InDesign
Desktop Publishing
I originally learned desktop publishing with Aldus PageMaker before it was bought by Adobe and rebuilt from the ground up as InDesign.
InDesign
Desktop Publishing
I originally learned desktop publishing with Aldus PageMaker before it was bought by Adobe and rebuilt from the ground up as InDesign.
Framer
Web Design
My web design tool of choice for building sites with great functionality while not requiring heavy backend coding skills.
Framer
Web Design
My web design tool of choice for building sites with great functionality while not requiring heavy backend coding skills.
After Effects
2D/3D Compositing
After Effects and its many 3rd party plug-ins is the Adobe app I've used the most for VFX work over the years.
After Effects
2D/3D Compositing
After Effects and its many 3rd party plug-ins is the Adobe app I've used the most for VFX work over the years.
Houdini
3D VFX
I’ve been learning parts of this high-end VFX software off and on for several years. It is renowned for particle effects, fluid simulations and a procedural workflow.
Houdini
3D VFX
I’ve been learning parts of this high-end VFX software off and on for several years. It is renowned for particle effects, fluid simulations and a procedural workflow.
Unreal Engine
Real Time VFX / Game Engine
Far more than a gaming engine, this software now finds use in multiple creative industries, including archviz and realtime, on-set Hollywood VFX. I feel this is the future for digital artists desiring real-time iteration and has become the tool I have focused most recently on mastering.
Unreal Engine
Real Time VFX / Game Engine
Far more than a gaming engine, this software now finds use in multiple creative industries, including archviz and realtime, on-set Hollywood VFX. I feel this is the future for digital artists desiring real-time iteration and has become the tool I have focused most recently on mastering.
Blender
3D VFX
Given the broad use of Blender with Unreal Engine, there are limitless training resources available for both programs. A search of any question nearly always results in a solution, which has accelerated the learning of both programs.
Blender
3D VFX
Given the broad use of Blender with Unreal Engine, there are limitless training resources available for both programs. A search of any question nearly always results in a solution, which has accelerated the learning of both programs.
Mocha & Syntheyes
Tracking
Most of the shots on my VFX reel required some form of tracking. I use Mocha for 2d planar tracking and Syntheyes for more difficult 3d object or camera tracking.
Mocha & Syntheyes
Tracking
Most of the shots on my VFX reel required some form of tracking. I use Mocha for 2d planar tracking and Syntheyes for more difficult 3d object or camera tracking.
Final Draft & Scrivener
Writing
For creative writing, Scrivener is my choice for longer-form and Final Draft for scripts and formats suited to templates and autoformatting tools.
Final Draft & Scrivener
Writing
For creative writing, Scrivener is my choice for longer-form and Final Draft for scripts and formats suited to templates and autoformatting tools.
Google Docs
3D VFX
From slide shows and simple websites to receiving data from spreadsheets, I need to know how to use the tools my clients work with and it is often Google Workspace apps.
Google Docs
3D VFX
From slide shows and simple websites to receiving data from spreadsheets, I need to know how to use the tools my clients work with and it is often Google Workspace apps.
Operating Systems
I use both MacOS and Windows extensively and comfortably troubleshoot and resolve most OS-level issues I encounter.
Operating Systems
I use both MacOS and Windows extensively and comfortably troubleshoot and resolve most OS-level issues I encounter.