Graeagle resident Michael Clawson has been busy — running a business, designing websites, taking acclaimed photographs and, most recently, writing a book.

  The recent launch of Adobe’s Edge Animate program has given designers and developers a superior tool for creating websites, digital content and mobile apps.

  However, learning this new piece of software has been both overwhelming and frustrating when it comes to understanding the full potential of the program.

  Clawson and co-author Tom Green realized the need to provide designers and developers working with the new animation program a book that revealed a visible path to animation success.

  “Up until now, there have been very few resources to teach you step-by-step instructions for learning Animate. So we created this book for professionals new to Animate that had an interest in learning practical application behind every example,” said Clawson.

  “Animate is about to become a very important tool in the Web designer’s toolbox,” said Green.

  This latest “go-to” tech reference is a 10-chapter book loaded with detailed, yet simple examples of learning Adobe Edge Animate.

  Designers and developers who have worked with Flash or other Web design tools will find this book an excellent reference source.

  The examples for building an Animate presentation are not only clear and concise, but exhibit a practical application of the tool.

  “One of the major differences between this book and many others is in the teaching approach. Rather than spin and shrink boxes on a stage to demonstrate an animation technique, we heave an anvil on top of a rabbit so that it would be remembered more readily,” said Green. “Each exercise in the book was carefully planned and designed to present critical techniques in a memorable fashion.”

  “Foundation Edge Animate” guides designers and developers to the easiest path of delivering Animate creations to the Web and mobile devices.

  The book is available through several distribution channels including Amazon.com and the book publisher, Apress. The ISB number is 978-1-4302-4350-2.

  For more information about the authors, follow them on Twitter @tomgreen and @michaelclawson.

  Clawson is the “chief fish” at Big Fish Creations, an advertising and digital media company in Graeagle.

  His background began in Silicon Valley when Apple Computer and Adobe Systems first made their mark in desktop publishing.

  He was introduced to interactive media early in his career, then transitioned to production artist and, later, creator and lead principal of an interactive department at a major Nevada advertising agency.

  Specializing in branding across multiple media platforms, his diverse repertoire includes a hybrid combination of designer and developer with emphasis on graphic design,branding, photography and communication.

  As a speaker, Clawson has presented at several industry-specific conferences, including Adobe Max and Macworld. Clawson can be reached at michael@bigfishcreations.com.

  Green is a professor of interactive media in the School of Media Studies at the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Toronto, Canada.

  He has written 12 previous books on Adobe technologies and many articles for numerous magazines and websites, including Layers magazine, webdesign.tutsplus.com, Adobe Developer Center and Computer Arts.

  He has spoken at more than 40 conferences internationally, including Adobe MAX, National Association of Broadcasters, FITC, MX North, Digital Design World, TODCon, D2W and SparkEurope. Green is available at attom@tomontheweb.ca.