Designs By Mark - About My name is Mark Monciardini and I'm 27 years old. Grew up in California, I have left and now live in a small town alone, a town that definitely has a lot of bugs. I've had a huge interest in all types of media since I was young. I've assisted many teachers and taught computer media from little school on thru high school. I have a passion to help people learn easier and to make their life's better. I have dabbled with graphics since I was little but have had a bigger interest when the web started. I have also found it's one of the things I'm most comfortable with and I enjoy writing about. Designs By Mark Started in early 1998 as small graphics site with a little gallery, a few Photoshop tips and some cool links. I browsed the web a lot and saw some other cool graphic sites and got more ideas to build up my own a bit more. The responses I got from the visitors has motivated me to keep at it which includes making more tips, learning more about web design, the do's and don'ts and then giving it back to the readers to check out. During this time I've tried to develop more skills with Photoshop, graphic design and layouts from books and on the web. DBM is my home and my land. It's a one man project run by me. The goal is to help others learn and accomplish web design & graphic techniques with ease. It's the kind of site and communication that I have always wanted, and wanted to receive some time ago. DBM is about learning and inspiring within ourselves. It's a place to finally understand and not to be left out in the woods. A friendly place of caring and understanding is what you can find. Each visitor of DBM is treated like a Human being. And If I'm not doing my job, then write me a letter and set me straight. This current site is the third version of Designs By Mark, it was released on January 15 2000. Mr. Bug Who is Mr. Bug? What does he do? Well, he sort of takes care of the place when I'm not around. He will also check to see if you are being good. Sometimes Mr. Bug goes a little wild too. If you see a bad link or something that looks funny, well, just blame it on good old Mr. Bug. If you feel that he has been a little knuckle head, then you let me know and I'll give him a spankin'. My Bio! Name: Mark Monciardini (If you would like to know how it's pronounced click here). Date of birth: November 15, 1972 (27) Height: 6'3. so think twice about hunting me down now! Appearance: Some what silly and clumsy at times, but other then that I'd say pretty tall and handsome! Hobbies: Reading, working, writing, spending time with family and friends, trying to make people happy, making friends, driving, getting out of town, hanging out at Barnes & Noble, sleeping in late, thinking of new ideas and then more working again. Favorite Food!: I love food. I am a vegetarian so I do eat tons and tons of veggies and it makes me feel so good!, gotta love them. Mexican, Organic food, Veggie Sandwiches at Schlotzsky's Deli and too much caffeine free diet coke. Favorite Quote: "if you say you "can't", you're right, if you say you "can" you're right!"  - Anthony Robbins. Pic: Sister Theresa, Mom, me and Aunt Leen. Christmas '99 The DBM System OS: Windows 2000 Computer: Dual Pentium 400mhz, 256 megs of ram. Monitor: Sony Trinitron 19' running at 1280x1024 resolution. Keyboard: Logitech Deluxe 104. Mouse: Logitech Mouse Man, 4 button. Scanner: HP ScanJet 5100C. Printer: HP DeskJet 812c. Head Phones: AKG K 240. Gotta have those! Getting Comfy I want this to be comfortable for you and relaxing to stay, like you were sitting on a beach with a book on sunset or just wandering into some cozy fantasy or dream. This is your time to step away and rest your creative areas, though we can't always be creative 100% of the time, we need to rest those very special parts in us and relax. Thanks to some very special people My family: Dad, Mom & Theresa. My friends in Media: Dan Duskin at Studio 201, Matt Szubrycht at BM Productions, Rob Metzgar at Netscape, Scott Kelby at PhotoshopUser, Anson Vogt at phong.com and my web friends, Thank you. Publications Photoshop User May/June 1999 I'd like to thank Scott Kelby at NAPP for giving me the opportunity to write for Photoshop User Magazine, it was really a lot of fun. I wrote an article on how to make a cool Weathered Steel texture. For info on how to subscribe to Photoshop User, please visit The National Association Of Photoshop Professionals here. MacToday Magazine July/August 1999 Designs By Mark was featured in the "Graphics Web Watch" section of MacToday. Click here for a peak. It's the best Macintosh Graphic Magazine around. If you would like to check it out or subscribe, please visit their web site, here.   Please write me if you see Designs By Mark in any other publications. Site Info Traffic: 5200 Home page hits a day. Host: CommuniTech.net. Highly recommended. Server Space: 300megs Ad Company: Flycast. Great people. Files: 2898 Folders: 129 Designs By Mark © 1997 - 2000 Mark Monciardini All Rights Reserved.Only permitted Images and Material may be downloaded from this web site. Photoshop, Illustrator and Image Ready are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems, Inc.