Logos are everywhere whether we notice them or not. Every book, magazine, food label, sign post, and internet website or ad contain them. What many people also don't realise is that all of these graphics—from the mundane to the spectacular—are the work of graphic designers, illustrators, and logo makers.

As the world has gotten more and more digital, the work of graphic designers has become more important and more pervasive. It is of course true that not all graphic design is created equal, and these days it's harder to stand out in the field because of the amount of people doing average or subpar design work. However, as with any field, there are some pioneers. Here are some of the most famous logo designers in history.

• Frank Mason Robinson- He may not have had the internet to help him, but Robinson—who was one of the early marketers for Coca Cola—created the brand's iconic typography by using a script called Spencerian on the soft drink bottles.

• Rob Janoff- It means something as a graphic designer when you can say that you created the logo for one of the most aesthetically celebrated companies in the world: Apple. Janoff designed the beloved logo in the late 1970s and the company has maintained it ever since.

• Milton Glaser- The ubiquitous “I Heart NY” t-shirts that can be bought on many New York street corners were actually designed by Glaser. Along with creating many other well-known logos, Glaser also co-founded New York Magazine

If you've never taken so much as a half-decent snap shot in your life but you're eager to get into photography, you are not alone. The creative pursuit of capturing images appeals to many people and with good reason. It is a fabulous creative outlet and a great way to enrich the way you view and experience the world around you.

As is the case with may creative pursuits, there is no right or wrong way to get into the field. If you possess amazing raw talent, you could very well find your way easily. However, this is by no means something to rely on; most people have to work hard at becoming proficient at capturing images. Here are some options for how to get training:

• Online course- While less hands on, online photography courses are good for anyone who has full time job or who does not live in an area that has photography courses nearby. There are numerous programs offering training, and some are better than others, so make sure you do your research and choose one that has plenty of resources and modules for you to choose from.

• Proper course- There are universities and arts colleges all over the world that offer training in photography. While this is the most expensive option, the benefits of receiving hands-on instruction with real professionals are immense. If you have the time and money to invest, taking a proper photography course is the most likely path to reach comprehensive photographic ability.

Digital media—a sector that includes science, technology and business for human expression, communication, social interaction and education—is growing faster than ever. Jobs in this field are a hot commodity, as many people seek a career that is both lucrative and creative. If you're looking for a job in digital media, it's vital to ensure that you have the right level of skills first. Building your portfolio and seeking feedback from people in your field are essential before you start look for jobs.

Once you do think you are ready, it can be very helpful to move to a city or part of the world that is particularly active in the digital media field. This can include places where major tech companies are headquartered, where there are a lot of creative individuals, or where industries such as entertainment require a lot of visual or design work. Here are some of the top cities for those that are seeking a digital media career.

• Silicon Valley- Home to tech giants like Apple, Google, Facebook, and Ebay, Silicon Valley is a hotbed of digital media creativity. If you make a move here, you're more likely to find a job in one of the region's many start-up companies before landing a job at one of the big giants.

• New York City- Known as the centre of traditional media in the US, it goes to follow that digital media would also have a strong representation in this east coast metropolis. Though it's home to many large media and entertainment firms, New York City is also big on the tech entrepreneurial spirit, making it the perfect place for anyone that's starting out.

The popularity of photography is continually increasing and causing digital cameras to become an essential item. No longer are experience and a vast portfolio of skills crucial to taking a good photo. And in some cases a sophisticated photo is not even the aim. More and more people are taking photos to save memories, share them with friends and capture special moments. With social media taking off it is even easier to share photos of anything and everything. With all that in mind the Kodak Easyshare Mini M200 is ideal for this kind of photographer.

For the keen memory-catcher this camera is very useful. It is literally credit card sized, at 52-86-19mm and will fit perfectly into a pocket or handbag. It also has a nicely sized 2.5” screen and is so light that it seems like a toy model. Although many people praise cameras that take AA batteries because they never need charging, in reality they run out quickly and are significantly more expensive to run. The Kodak Easyshare comes with a Li-ion battery and a USB charger. On the front of the camera is a small mirror to enable self-portraits and there is also a share button, enabling a quick transfer to Facebook, Twitter and other social media.

The use of computer graphics to create special effects in films has changed significantly since it was first introduced. Images from the first Star Wars film in 1977 and the animals in Labyrinth from 1986 seem painfully simplistic and jarring if re-watched now. Of course they still hold the same charm that any revisited memory holds, but in comparison to the CGI that film lovers have become used to and even to expect, the early special effects are shocking to the eye.

Star Wars Episode IV – A New Hope was the first film to use the animated 3D wireframe graphic, which created the trench run sequence in the film. The first Alien film in 1979 also used the raster wireframe model for the landing scene. In 1986 the first CGI animal was seen in Labyrinth, with a flying owl featuring in the opening credits. In 1989 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was the first to show an all-digital composite, which was used for the rapid aging scene of Walter Donovan. While the progress may have been slow in comparison to the progression of recent years, these developments were startling to the unsuspecting audiences at the time.

*ding ding*. “Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, to observe this year's hot boxing match between Tumultuous Two-Dimensional and twitchy Three-D. The bets are hot, but who will prove victorious in this glorious battle of the titans?”

All right – overused boxing analogy aside, there are actually benefits to both two-dimensional and three-dimensional art forms. This is more a comparison, and less of a competition.

Firstly, there's the obvious – 2D art requires little more than something to draw on and something to draw with. For this reason, it's been around almost as long as Bruce Forsythe, with 2D artwork being created by ancient civilisations including the Aborigines, the Egyptians and the Greeks. It's also acclaimed as extremely potent and powerful, with some of the most famous images in the world being created with nothing more than pencil, paints and paper.

Three dimensional art, however, adds an additional layer of complexity to the equation. Shadows and light sources can be controlled with mathematical precision, allowing for a level of realism which cannot be exactly duplicated with two dimensional pieces. This is the case whether you're creating a sculpture from stone, or using 3D modelling software to build on your computer. This additional complexity has its price of course, and 3D art likely to be more expensive than 2D art.

Both 2D and 3D art has led to the production of award-winning computer games. For example, who would have thought that dropping variously-shaped 2D blocks to the right place at bottom of the screen in order to gain points would prove so addictive? The Monkey Island series has also won acclaim for its 2D style and beautiful art work. Similarly, the creation of Tomb Raider as one of the first award-winning games set in a 3D environment proves the mettle of 3D art in this field, and these days, most leading games take place in a 3D environment of some kind.

The art forms are certainly fairly equal when you boil down to it. But one advantage is that the power of observation is key to both of them, making them equally accessible to all artists. If you can do one, then you can at least try the other. And with a bit of practice, you'll end up proficient in both.

Most people wouldn't have a clue what to do with a 3D modelling program, although if it was a simple one like Metasequoia, they'd probably be able to work it out. Despite this, people see the results that such programs are capable of producing every single day – in TV adverts, television shows and computer games. In these mediums, 3D modelling is often used to create tremendous landscapes, realistic-looking creatures and fantastical environments.

These days, it is difficult to find a film that does not make use some kind of 3D computer-generated special effect. The later Star Wars films, for example, relied heavily on this form of technology to create droids, alien creatures and planetary surfaces. Similarly, The Lord of the Rings trilogy spent vast amounts of money on such effects, because there is literally no limit to what can be achieved – and achieved well. In days of old, the ‘man in the rubber alien suit' as pioneered on the BBC's Doctor Who always left the audience with a feeling of mild dissatisfaction. It is no wonder, then, that Doctor Who made use of things that were easy to portray convincingly onscreen, such as the Doctor's spaceship resembling a Police Telephone Box. In fact, their scariest monsters were incredibly simple to portray realistically – the Daleks resembled a tall domed bin with a skirt, and a plunger, eyestalk and ray gun attached.

These days, television and film producers do not need to rely upon a good props department, as monsters can be created out of thin air. They can be any shape, any size and you can have any number of them, which allows the writers much more scope for their imaginations.

Computer games are perhaps the most representative of how far 3D modelling can take you. Entire worlds can be sculpted using the program, and as proved in the first 3D games – Tomb Raider, Duke Nuken etc – it can make for a whole new gaming experience, with realistic lighting and shadows, genuinely frightening enemies and simply the ability to move in three dimensions leading to much more intricate level design.

Many people find that breaking into the world of graphic design is a good deal more complex than they originally thought; and this can be seen by the fact that there are hundreds of online courses, manuals, instructional materials, and tutorials for those desirous of learning graphic design. Those interested in learning about it will find that the following tutorials will be the best for them to learn graphic design online.

It is a generally accepted fact that Photoshop is the best graphic design program, and the PSD Tuts website offers tutorials on everything Photoshop. For the most comprehensive list of tutorials on Photoshop online, you cannot find more excellent resources than on PSD Tuts.

Despite the strange name of the website, users will find that the blog offers one of the most extensive ranges of tips on graphic design and tutorials, as well as a host of links to samples of quality design on the Web.

Those interested in learning about the Adobe Creative Suite will find that the comprehensive information available on both Photoshop and Illustrator on the Loon Design website will help them to study everything they need to know about these two powerful programs.

Run by a 17 year old graphic design whiz, the Photoshop Star blog contains tips, tricks, and tutorials on all things Photoshop.

In continuation from the last post on the best graphic design tutorials online:

This website contains a long list of well-made and clearly presented tutorials for anyone wanting to learn Photoshop, whether advanced or beginner.

Pixel Mana contains not only a long list of tutorials on graphic design, but includes a wide variety of free resources for those new to the world of graphic design.

Computer Arts is a magazine produced in the UK, and it is dedicated entirely to graphic design. The magazine is available for purchase around the world, but free tutorials and materials can be downloaded from the websites. The tutorials are simply the PDF file versions of those found in the magazine, but they are an excellent resource for those looking for information on graphic design.

Those looking for inspiration for their graphic design will find the content posted on the Web Design Wall website will contain a host of the latest trends and design ideas, as well as a long list of short tutorials to help make understanding Photoshop and graphic design easy.

Veerle is one of the most popular blogs dedicated to graphic design, and the extensive selection of tips and tricks found on the blog will be an invaluable resource for any graphic designer.

While web design is not strictly considered graphic design by many experts, there are many elements of web design that require knowledge in graphic design. The Net Tuts website is made by the experts of PSD Tuts, and the website contains a host of tips and tricks on the graphic elements of web design.

Those looking to get into the field of motion graphics find that video editing programs play a central role in their profession. Finding the best video editing software is important, especially for those who are just starting out. Those looking to commence their career in video motion graphics will find that there are a number of free video editing programs that will enable them to work with motion graphics free of cost:

This program comes installed with Windows XP, and it is perfect for those who are just getting their careers in video editing off the ground. The program is easy to use, upgraded, and comes with a number of add-ons that make it one of the best free video editing programs on the market.

Macintosh fans will find that the iMovie software accompanying every Apple computer will be easy to use as they get started with video editing. As with all Apple products, the iMovie software has a number of excellent features that make the program a perfect investment even for beginners, and the add-ons make it much more user friendly for those who purchase a new Mac computer.

This software functions with both Mac and PC, and it comes with all of the basic audio and video editing functions needed. While the program may be complex to learn at the beginning, it will be one of the best programs once users get the hang of it.

Many have found that the Wax software is one of the most flexible programs to use for video editing, and it is excellent software that professionals and amateurs alike have found incredibly effective.