Battery Icon Missing on Windows 10? Restore it

If you can’t see a battery icon on Windows 10's taskbar, it may be hidden or disabled. The icon should appear in Windows' system tray area, next to the time and date. If the battery icon is missing in Windows 10, try these methods to restore it.

How to Check If Battery Icon Is Hidden

If you can’t see a battery icon, the first thing to check is whether it is simply hidden.

01.Select the up arrow to the left of the system tray to reveal the hidden system tray icons. If you can see the battery icon here, continue with the following steps. Otherwise, try the next method.

02.Right-click anywhere on the taskbar to bring up the menu and select Taskbar settings.



Tip: Alternatively, select the Windows icon, then select Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.

03.In the Taskbar settings, scroll down to the Notification area and choose Select which icons appear on the taskbar.



04.Scroll down the list until you find the battery icon, which is called "Power." The reason you don't see the icon on the taskbar is it was turned off here. Select its toggle switch to set it to On.



 05.You should now see the battery icon in the taskbar.

How to Turn on Windows 10 Battery Icon If It's Missing

If, when you select the up arrow, the battery icon isn't in the group of hidden icons, it means you'll need to enable the battery icon.

01.Go into the Taskbar settings using one of the methods described above

02.Scroll down, then select Turn system icons on or off.



 03.Scroll down and select the Power toggle switch to turn it on.



 04.The battery icon should now appear. If it doesn’t, it may now just be hidden and you'll have to use the previous method to reveal it.

Tip: In the vast majority of cases, the above steps will work. If the battery icon is still missing, check and install any available Windows updates, restart your computer, then try the above steps again.

Disable and Re-enable Battery Hardware to Reveal Battery Icon

If the above steps don’t work, you can try to disable and re-enable battery hardware in the Windows Device Manager.

Warning: Ensure you are connected to external power before you start this process.

01.Press Windows key+X to bring up the Quick Access Menu, then select Device Manager.

02.In the Device Manager, select the Batteries category to expand it. There should be two items:

    .Microsoft AC Adapter
    .Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.


  

03.Right-click Microsoft AC Adapter and select Disable device.



 04.A warning will appear asking you if you’re sure you want to disable the device. Select Yes.



 05.Repeat steps 3 and 4 to disable the Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.

06. To re-enable the devices right-click each and select Enable device.



07.Restart your computer and the battery icon should appear.

NOTE: If the battery icon doesn’t appear, try the previous steps outlined above to check if the battery icon is hidden. Then, if needed, enable the battery icon.

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The Role of HTML & CSS in Web Design

If you are thinking about pursuing web design as either a career or a hobby, you must be able to do more than simply design a pretty page. Professional web designers are experts in programming and coding as well. The most talented web designers are those that can adequately balance both their creative and artistic sides with their love of technical coding.

As a web designer, there are plenty of different web design standards one must master. The two most important in the industry today are HTML and CSS. What are these methods all about and how much time and money will you need to invest in order to learn them?

What is HTML?

Since the early days of web design, HTML has been the standard for professional websites. It stands for Hypertext Markup Language and can be quite confusing to someone who has no experience using it. HTML is the language, or code, used to edit and position the text, images, frames and other web page elements. If you go to your web browser and select View and then Source – the code used to design that website is available for anyone to see.



Those who have used HTML will tell you that it is not difficult to learn. There are a few basic tags (codes) a designer has to learn and a simple webpage is at their fingertips. The more complex the HTML, the more you can do with a site.

Efforts have been made to dumb down the process even further so that anyone, even those who have no knowledge of HTML, can create their own website. These are typically called WYSIWYG (What you see if what you get) editors. They allow you to create a webpage without using code and the editor assumes what HTML you need and does the work for you. Some software programs now include an option to convert your document to HTML. These are great tools for newbies. Unfortunately, the processes of guessing what code you need breed mistakes and errors in design that can lead to further frustration.

What is CSS

CSS is a newer animal and is not as familiar to beginning web designers as HTML. CSS was created to allow designers to have even more creativity and control over their designs. Today there is more than just one type of Internet browser to design for and this can be tricky and time consuming for HTML designers. These saves users time, effort and most likely money when they are creating sites. Also, CSS encourages less effort by allowing designers to create style sheets. This means when an edit is made to one page, all other affected changes are automatically made. This keeps designers from having to make multiple edits for large, detailed websites.

 

HTML vs CSS

CSS is not really taking the place of HTML. It is generally used as an enhancement, not a substitute. HTML is still the perfect type of coding for the main structure of a site.

CSS excels when it comes to how a webpage will look. The outward appearance including backgrounds, colors, content and image placement can all be handled by CSS. Anyone who is familiar with the Microsoft Office version of style sheets has a good handle on the purpose of CSS.

While a webpage can certainly be accomplished still only using HTML, CSS allows designers to do things like set different page margins for all sides of a page, overlap words, better position page elements, and set a font for a whole table instead of just pieces. These make all seem like minor adjustments but these CSS tricks free up time for designers to worry more about overall layout, design and navigation.

Training

There are plenty of places where new designers can go to learn both HTML and CSS. If you are a manual type of student, the library has an abundance of tutorial manuals for these techniques. Any establishment that teaches computers classes will more than likely include these basic web approaches as well for the visual learners.

Of course, many a web designer learned their craft by simply jumping in and messing around. If you have the discipline, this hands-on method of learning is not only effective, but free.
With the popularity of today’s world wide web, it seems like everyone is designing a webpage these days. From the free online editors to full blown ecommerce Internet giants, there is a market and need for web design that is not going away any time soon. Whether you decide to take it slow and target small businesses or get serious and starts designing for large corporations, design fundamentals are the place to start your journey.

Adobe Photoshop: Tips and learning resources

Photoshop can be a frustrating, but also an enjoyable software program to learn or teach yourself. With a seemingly endless number of features, filters and plugins it can sometimes become somewhat overwhelming.


Indeed, Adobe's primary image editor is one of the only graphics tools that is used by a vast number of professions (graphic designers, web developers, photographers, pre-press and commercial printers, amongst others) for an almost endless variety of applications.

It is fair to say that few, if any, designers can claim to have mastered all of its techniques. Even the Adobe Photoshop help manual and the various third party teach yourself Photoshop books barely scratch the surface.

One of the most fascinating features about studying Photoshop is that you soon learn that it often provides a variety of different tools and techniques for achieving similar results. Indeed, experimenting with those techniques is often the best way of teaching yourself.

You never know what you are going to learn next about the program and this is one of the reasons why online tutorials can be so helpful. Not only can they offer immediate advice on solving problems, but they can sometimes also offer insights into new methods of creating old effects.

Adding shadows in Adobe Photoshop CS4

TIP : As with many design tips, there often many ways to apply a creative technique. A lot depends on the precise graphics project being attempted and the intended destination of that job.

Which software is best?
Which software is best? All four of the tools are more than capable of adding a drop shadow to design layouts. Deciding which application is best, can depend largely on personal preference, as well as the type of work being carried out.

Drop shadows in Adobe InDesign

Drop shadows in Adobe InDesign CS3 are quick and easy to apply.

1. Firstly, select the text or object. If selecting text, it is important to select the text box, rather than the line of text itself.

2. Right click on the mouse and, from the contextual menu, go to Effects and then Drop Shadow.

3. This will bring up the Effects dialog box which has numerous settings for fine tuning the drop shadow. Depending on whether an object or text has been selected, these settings may offer some different options.

4. To see the effect which each setting will have on the drop shadow, simply click the Preview checkbox.

5. Once finished, click OK.

Making drop shadows in Illustrator CS4

Some designers prefer to manually create custom drop shadows using variations of the gradient tool in Adobe Illustrator. This may be the best approach if you want to create directional shadows, or maintain more complex vector editable shadow effects.

But if that level of precise control is not necessary, there is a simpler one-stop approach to creating drop-shadows in Illustrator CS4.

1. Select the object or text box.
2. Go to the Effect menu.
3. Go to Stylize and then select Drop Shadow.
4. A Drop Shadow dialog box will appear which allows some limited editing of the drop shadow.
5. Once finished, click OK.

Adding shadows in Adobe Photoshop CS4

One of Adobe Photoshop's strengths is its use of layers. Using Photoshop layers, a designer can probably find several ways to manually create different drop shadow effects. One of the easiest, however, is described here:

1. Create a new layer, or work with an object on a transparent Photoshop layer. (Trying to create a drop shadow on the default background layer is probably not advisable).

2. In the layer palette, select Blending Options. This can be done either by double clicking on the layer icon or, by right clicking on the icon and selecting Blending Options. The latter is often best when adding drop shadows to text in Photoshop.

3. A Layer Style dialog box will appear with a number of Styles. However, In this case we are interested in the Drop Shadow options, so we can select that check box.

4. This then allows a number of options for adjusting the structure of the drop shadow, including blending modes, opacity, angles and so on.

5. Once complete, click OK.

Do you know Photoshop - CS5 -- HDRI [High-dynamic-range imaging]

In image processing, computer graphics, and photography, high-dynamic-range imaging (HDRI or just HDR) is a set of techniques that allow a greater dynamic range of luminance between the lightest and darkest areas of an image than current standard digital imaging techniques or photographic methods. This wide dynamic range allows HDR images to more accurately represent the range of intensity levels found in real scenes, ranging from direct sunlight to faint starlight.


The two main sources of HDR imagery are computer renderings and merging of multiple photographs, the latter of which in turn are individually referred to as low dynamic range (LDR) or standard dynamic range (SDR) photographs.

Tone-mapping techniques, which reduce overall contrast to facilitate display of HDR images on devices with lower dynamic range, can be applied to produce images with preserved or exaggerated local contrast for artistic effect.

Example

             Photographs

–4 stops

–2 stops

+2 stops

+4 stops

Merged to HDR then reduced to LDR

Simple contrast reduction

Local tone mapping

Practice Graphic Design Projects . . . . .

Personal design projects are a great way to find creative inspiration and practice design and software techniques. Without worrying about client demands, they allow you to fully express yourself through design. For the same reason, you may also find yourself creating version after version... but nonetheless, they are often a fun activity and can result in some work for your portfolio.

If a movie was made about your life, what would the movie poster look like? If you wrote an autobiography (or someone wrote a book about you), what would the cover look like? For this exercise, create a movie poster or book cover for a film or story about your life.

Take as much time as you like, and share whatever you like, whether it be a sketch or finished product. Please include some background on your design process, thoughts behind your design decisions, and the software and techniques you used to complete the work.

Reply to Blog with your Opinion.

Tips to improve as a graphic designer

Graphic design is a field that is quickly changing, both creatively and technically, and while it is easy to get caught up in learning new technical skills, it is just as important to focus improving and pushing the limits of our creativity.

While in design school, it was easy to surround myself with inspiration and engage in activities that helped my understanding of effective design. Once I graduated I feared losing it, since I was no longer surrounded by a learning environment. I made it a point to continue educating myself as much as possible and become more active in the field of design. I was determined not to let my designs grow stagnant, but rather transgress and improve with time. Here are a few tips, exercises and practices that have help me continue learning, strengthen creativity and become an all around better designer.

 

Become a collector

Each time you see a design that inspires you, collect it, bring it home and file it away. I have hundreds of brochures, posters and other collateral that I have collected over the years that is stacked away in folders and boxes that I can quickly access – great source of inspiration when needed. Even Starbucks gives out creative weekly mini-newspapers.

 

Buy books

Having an extensive book collection is always essential to learning. I try buying a new book at least every 2 weeks that range from inspirational, educational and technical topics.

 Read design-related blogs

I can’t stress enough how much information I have learned by reading other great designers blogs. The web in an invaluable resource of information – take advantage of it and actually use it!

Start a design blog

Having started this blog only a couple months ago, I have found it to be extremely useful and educational for myself. It has made me more aware of the design community and more analytical of my own work.

 

Join and be active in the design community

 

As a freelance designer, joining the online design community is a must. Not only does it keep you up-to-date in the design world, but is also great for feedback and critique. Being your own boss is great, but not having anyone to answer to as a freelancer also has it’s down sides. No one to criticize your work and help you improve.

 

Take lots of photos

 

Solves the problem of not being able to take home designs you like – Camera phones are great for this kind of thing. Just snap a photo and file it away for later. I use Evernote for this type of thing; pictures of building designs, textures, shapes of shadows on walls. Basically anything that interests me from a design stand point.

Create fake projects

 

Whenever I find myself with free time (which is getting less and less lately) I create fake projects. Create a fake brand for a company. Design a logo, stationary, brochure, website – the whole nine yards. It’s good to do this once in awhile because it keeps design fun and let’s your creativity run wild without limitations. It’s often easy to get caught in a rut when clients start dictating and your work no longer becomes “yours”.

Redo other people’s design]

 

Don’t want to create a fake brand to design? Try redesigning other people’s projects. This help’s you evaluate what “they” did wrong and what you could do better.

Redo your old designs

 

I know what it feels like to look at your early days of design and think “Oh my! What was I thinking?! I need to get rid of that immediately”, but is important to keep that work. It will help you see if you’re moving forward and improving your skills. Instead of throwing away or deleting old projects, try reworking them.

Attend lectures

 

Every few months I make it a point to attend lectures of other designers speaking at local schools and universities. Always learn a new thing or two.

 

Network with other designers

 

Attending lectures is a great way to meet other designers. I always try to search out the designers that have more experience and talent than I do. I know – it’s hard to admit someone else is better than you, but networking with people of higher skill levels will push you to work harder and learn more.

 

Take classes

 

Many local college allow you to register for classes without enrolling full-time. It will not only teach you some new things technically, but also put you back in a classroom of your peers.

Interview other designers and studios

 

A year ago, a friend of mine, started a ‘national studio tour‘ where he toured and interviewed with over 100 different design studios. He said the experience was amazing and learned so much by asking questions that design school could have never answered. He also met a valuable useful contacts ;)

Travel

 

Every time I travel to another country, I come back feeling extremely inspired. I usually find myself designing all day for a few weeks straight. Experiencing new cultures and seeing their artwork, opens your mind to a whole new world. Just wish I could travel more!

 

Learn something new

 

Whenever I am in a creative slump I try something new or do something completely unrelated to design. Getting your mind off things and into something new, usually has a funny way of working itself back around.

 

Grab a sketchbook

 

Helps you work through ideas quickly and without limitations of design software. Has made a HUGE difference in my designs.

Creating a Graphic Design Resume Tips

Many graphic design colleges instruct their graduating students on the appropriate content, outline, and presentation for their portfolios as they prepare to enter the market.  This is great! This is important! But, it’s not all you need.  With equal attention to detail, recall your academic and work experiences and attack your professional resume.

Every Little Detail

Just as graphic design schools weed out applicants by reviewing their stats, an employer typically scans your resume before opening your portfolio.  The last thing you want to do is ruin your chances with a typo or an overlooked design flaw.  Let’s start with the paper. Choose something that fits your personality, but nothing over the top. Typically a white or cream color on a thicker stock can help distinguish your resume from the others.
Next, as you detail your history, remember that you are applying for a graphic design position. This is a chance to showcase your talents! Use a more advanced program than Word for composing your resume, and play with the format and fonts.

The Content

Aside from your name and contact information, include the following in your resume:

Education information
Work experience
Software skills
Awards and publications
References
There are a few bits of personal information to avoid including. Most employers are not impressed by the general “objective.”  This often answers a question they would rather ask you in person, and simply seems hokey.  Also, avoid listing interests or experiences that are not relevant to design. Employers often see this as filler, not substance.

Creating a stand-out portfolio is essential to increasing your job options.  Just don’t forget that piece of paper that tells future employers who’s behind the work.

While working on net, there are so many things which make us loose our concentration and it becomes more difficult if you are a freelance graphic designer. The overly hyped social media has made it more challenging to achieve maximum targets in limited time. Don’t get me wrong when I blame “social media” here, I have given my reasons below Actually, I personally believe social media to be a huge world and one can easily be lost once in the territory. As a graphic designer, I have an idea how easily Graphic designers get distracted, failing to give best results. Therefore, today I bring some useful tips to help you keep yourself focused and more productive. In a typical job, it is not that difficult to keep attentive but for freelancers it is very tough to stay dedicated and be on schedule. Here I have to confess that many times I end day dreaming, failing to achieve my targets Still, I am working hard to make improvements and would like to share this list of tips which I aim to follow. Not to forget, many times graphic designers follow crazy tips to be creative. Therefore, don’t stick to this list and share your innovative ways to be productive. Let’s begin here:

1 ) Line up all your tasks: Before you open your laptop, pick up a piece of paper and a pen. Roughly list down your tasks. Don’t forget to prioritize your to-do-list, so you know clearly which things should be taken care first. The biggest disadvantage of not having a task list is that you spend all day working on things that seem to be benefiting your business, but in the end you realize that you are not focused in the right direction. 2 ) Finish your pending work: For me this tip is the most effective and important one…rather than starting new assignments, try to complete your pending tasks before you start with a new task. The biggest responsibility as a freelancer is to finish all your projects on time….grabbing number of projects at the same time, can get you into trouble.  3 ) Explore your most energetic hours: One cannot be active and creative round the clock. There are certain hours when we are able to give our best performance in short span of time. Explore yourself and try to identify your most energetic hours. Early morning when you are not in real work mood, start with tasks that are less demanding mentally. Save your most energetic hours for your important projects. 4 ) A nap or lunch break won’t harm: No book of rules recommend working non-stop to be productive and efficient. After working for consistent hours, there is no harm if you take a short nap or go for a walk to regain your senses. Don’t be harsh with yourself; be flexible with the changing circumstances around. 5 ) Fix an alarm to buzz you: Place a huge alarm clock on your work desk to ring you when it’s winding time. Always fix a dead line for yourself and make it a target to finish up your work within the time assigned. This way you will know which project takes most of your time, so then you can readjust it with other errands. 6 ) Define time for social media: Social media is the most happening thing on the net and one of the biggest resources to get tons of traffic. It always happens with me that once I begin with the social media, I completely lose my check on time and usually end up reading interesting blog posts, with my work left incomplete. So always beware, confine your social media to limited time. 7 ) Multitasking: There are so many different things to do, therefore it’s better to categorize them. Try to do bigger projects first and line up similar things aside to be done all at once. In short, divide your day into small parts and be clear when to do what. Don’t dedicate your full day to a single project…try getting smaller things done along with an important project. 8 ) List your resources of research: We all have some timeless resources which always strike you with creative ideas. Always bookmark these resources of your daily use and have them on your desktop so that every time you don’t have to waste your time searching them. 9 ) Checking Emails:Limit your time for checking and replying emails, networking with friends: Checking email many times throughout the day may lead to more time than necessary. Maintaining email boxes, is a never ending work for freelancers. Getting a little bit behind for a few days can quickly lead to an unmanageable amount of email. Therefore, do check your emails regularly but restrict yourself to limited time. 10 ) Eat healthy and exercise regularly: One of the biggest disadvantage of working as a freelancer is that we get very irresponsible with our eating habits and body maintenance. If we are into any 9 to 5 job, we make an adjustment to stop by the gym on our way back. However, working from home makes you careless about yourself. Don’t forget, you will be more productive and creative if you are healthy.

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