Testing the possibilities and realities of doing graphic design and typography, using a range of Free Software tools.
In 2003, Constant organised a session on editing and designing webcontent using Free, Libre and Open Source Software. Artists and designers could try Gimp, Scribus and Sodipodi (now Inkscape). For the occasion, a special Linux distribution was developed (Rollmops) that facilitated the install of various FLOSS design tools. “NoFlash is an effort to propagate the use of free software among artists, elaborate processes of creative collaboration and propose new formats for exhibiting digital artworks.”
http://archive.constantvzw.org/events/vj7_archives/cat_engnoflash_workshops_presentations.php
http://constantvzw.org/site/Rollmops.html
In 2006, OSP was initiated as a (temporary) attempt to test out whether it was possible to run a design practice on Free, Libre and Open Source software. Since 2013 OSP has become its own association, independent from Constant.
http://osp.kitchen/
http://ospublish.constantvzw.org/blog
http://constantvzw.org/site/-Open-source-publishing,4,4-.html
http://snelting.domainepublic.net/category/affiliation-cat/osp
Every year Constant commissions another designer or design collective using Free, Libre and Open Source tools, to work on the two-monthly flyers for Constant_V:
http://constantvzw.org/site/Design-files.html
http://constantvzw.org/site/Designing-Constant_V-Ecran-Papier,2960.html
http://ecranpapier.be/
Books with an Attitude are published by Constant, made with 100% Free and Open Source and published under open content licenses.
http://books.constantvzw.org/
http://constantvzw.org/site/-Books-with-an-Attitude,209-.html
http://constantvzw.org/site/Books-with-an-attitude-FLAT,3044.html
“The Libre Graphics Meeting (LGM) is an annual meeting on free and open source software for graphics. Held yearly since 2006 the Libre Graphics Meeting aims to attract developers, artists and professionals who use and improve free and open source software graphics applications. LGM promotes discussions amongst software developers, users, and the large intersection of those two categories.”
Constant has hosted this international meeting twice: 2010 (Brussels) and 2013 (Madrid).
http://constantvzw.org/site/LGM2013-Future-Tools.html
http://constantvzw.org/site/Support-the-Libre-Graphics-Meeting.html
http://libregraphicsmeeting.org/
“The Libre Graphics Research Unit is a traveling lab where new ideas for creative tools are developed. The Research Unit is an initiative of four European media-labs actively engaged in Free/Libre and Open Source Software and Free Culture. This cross-disciplinary project involves artists, designers and programmers and is developed in dialogue with the Libre Graphics community.”
With: Piksel (NO), WORM (NL), Medialab Prado (ES).
http://constantvzw.org/site/-Libre-Graphics-Research-Unit-.html
http://snelting.domainepublic.net/category/affiliation-cat/lgru
http://lgru.net/
Reflections on choosing Free, Libre and Open Source Software for design work
http://ospublish.constantvzw.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/awkward_gestures.pdf
Compilation of interviews on using and producing Free Software for typography, lay-out and design.
http://conversations.tools/
http://constantvzw.org/site/Conversations.html