Copyright - DesignRainbow

For the inceptive artist, it can be maintained that there is no greater resource than the imagination. However, when that artist makes the transposition into the digital realm, there is undoubtedly no greater resource than the tutorial - whether by step-by-step instruction or recorded production, the skills necessary to convert the insight of the artist into digital splendor must be painstakingly and arduously acquired.

That being posited, if there was such a website that not only hosted graphic design and imaging tutorials along with some of the most awe-inspiring examples of what could be acheived with the mastery of said skills, the upstart graphic designer could set well on his path to prodigy. One such website is Worth1000.com - not only does is the site replete with tomes of graphic design knowledge for both basic and advanced users, but in addition to the knowledge base, and in adherence to the age-old Wildean adage "life imitates art", Worth1000.com hosts some of the most convincing digital and traditional iterations of life's ultimate envy.

Touting itself as "the top creative contest site in the world", Worth1000.com offers a myriad of imaging effects criteria, and, judging from a great number of these entries, one would find themselves hard-pressed to refute the claim. With contest titles ranging from "Celebrity Neanderthal" to "Armored Animals", the denizens of the wide world of digital/graphic art and design are put to the task to test their hand cursors at forging the most creatively captivating variations they can envision. After thoroughly visiting a number of their contest entries and galleries, you'd wonder if those other classmates you don't remember from your second-grade graduation weren't actually Photoshopped in.

-Lauren Strudwick