Essential Design Concepts and Photoshop Techniques
Design Project Deliverables and Phases
Typical Deliverables
Specifications, Sketches, Comps
Typical Phases
Planning and analysis, Designing, Building, Testing, Implementing or publishing
Color Theory
Color Space
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) – Additive system
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) – Subtractive system
Rendering Intent
How the colors eventually look
Soft Proof
A simulation of the printed output (like Print Preview)
Color Gamut
The range of colors that can be reproduced by a color model or device (e.g., RGB and CMYK)
Readability
Factors Affecting Readability
- Overusing Center Alignment
- All lowercase font
- Decorative font styles
- Lack of contrast between font and background
- Font size too small
Font Styles
Sans Serif
- Better for web usage
- Lacks decorative lines (serifs)
Serif
- Better for printed work
- Has decorative lines (serifs)
Color Channels
- CMYK: 4 channels
- RGB: 3 channels
- Grayscale: 1 channel
Design Principles and the Crop Tool
The crop tool can display overlays for:
- Rule of thirds
- Golden Spiral
- Golden Ratio
Client Feedback and Mockups
Mockups or comps are presented to clients for feedback before finalizing the design.
Copyright Terms
- Derivative Work: Based on or derived from an existing copyrighted work
- Copyright: Exclusive protection for original creative works
- Fair Use: Limited use of copyrighted material for educational purposes
- Intellectual Property: Creations of the mind, such as trademarks, patents, and trade secrets
Image Types and Terminology
Vectors
- Use mathematical equations to define images
- Maintain quality when resized
Image Terms
- Interpolation: Enlarging an image by adding pixels based on surrounding colors
- Upsampling: Increasing image size using data interpolation
- Downsampling: Decreasing image size using data removal
- Resolution: Measurement of an image’s detail on screen (e.g., pixels per inch)
Rasterization
Converting type, shapes, or smart objects into pixel-based images
CMYK Color Space and Printing
Designers may change the color space to CMYK to match the printer’s color system.
Smart Objects
Advantages
- Apply filters non-destructively
- Create a reference to an image, allowing for easy editing
Adobe Bridge
- Enables image sharing across Adobe programs
- Allows for photo gallery creation
Web Image Formats
JPG and PNG are commonly used for web images.
Scope Creep
Uncontrolled expansion of a project’s scope beyond its original objectives
Image Size Reduction
Flatten layers to reduce file size.
Bitmap/Raster Images
- Composed of pixels
- May appear pixelated when resized
Smart Objects
- Vector-based objects
- Allow for non-destructive editing
Camera Raw Files
- Contain unprocessed image data
- Saved with a .dng extension
Layers
Enable moving and editing images as separate objects
Grids and Rulers
Use the View menu to show grids and rulers.
Adjust measurements in Edit > Preferences.
Bitmap Color Limitations
Bitmaps typically support only 256 colors.
Document Options
- Open: Displays the image in a new window
- Place: Inserts the image into the current window
- Import: Used for video files and smart objects
Golden Ratio
A mathematical ratio found in nature, often used for creating aesthetically pleasing proportions
Exporting from Photoshop to Illustrator
Use File > Export > Export As to export files to Illustrator.
Changing Color Mode
Choose RGB for web images and CMYK for print.
Mockups and Project Initiation
Designers often present mockups before starting a project.
Adjustment Panel Filters
Filters in the Adjustment panel are non-destructive.
File Formats
- PSD: Photoshop Document
- JPG: Used for photography and web images
- GIF: Supports animation and limited colors
- PNG: Similar to JPG but supports transparency; PNG-24 can save slices
- TIFF: Raster/bitmap format often used with scanners
Non-Destructive Cooling Filter
The Adjustment panel’s Camera Raw Filter provides non-destructive color and cooling filters.
Auto Adjustments
- Auto options are available in the Edit and Image menus.
- Auto Blend and Auto Align are found in the Edit menu.
- Auto Contrast and Auto Tone are in the Image menu.
- The Adjustment panel offers non-destructive auto adjustments through Curves and Levels.
Text Spacing
- Leading: Controls line spacing (single, double, etc.)
- Kerning: Adjusts space between two specific letters
- Tracking: Similar to kerning but adjusts spacing throughout an entire word
Lasso Tool Limitations
The Lasso Tool cannot group objects on separate layers.
Project Manager Role
Project managers oversee teams, manage budgets, and ensure deadlines are met.
Selection and Hue Adjustment
Use the Select menu to make selections and the Adjustment panel to modify hue.
Saving for Web
Use File > Export > Save for Web to optimize images for web use.
Image Size Modification
Use Image > Image Size to resize images.
Uncheck the chain link icon to adjust dimensions independently.
Upsampling and downsampling options are available at the bottom of the Image Size dialog box.
Non-Destructive Black and White Conversion
The Adjustment panel offers non-destructive black and white conversion options.
Framing and Focus
Cropping helps frame the image and emphasize the focal point.
Design Principles
- Contrast: Creates visual interest through differences
- Repetition: Uses similar elements to create unity
- Alignment: Arranges elements in a deliberate way
- Proximity: Groups related elements together
- Harmony: Creates a sense of visual balance
Aligning Objects
Shift-select multiple objects, choose the Move tool, and use the options bar to align them.
Converting to Smart Object
Select the layer, then choose Layer > Smart Object > Convert to Smart Object.
Skewing Objects
Use Edit > Transform > Skew and adjust the options bar to skew objects.
Photoshop Tools
- Burn Tool: Darkens areas of an image
- Dodge Tool: Brightens areas of an image
- Sponge Tool: Saturates or desaturates colors
- Blur Tool: Softens or blurs areas of an image
- Sharpen Tool: Increases image clarity
- Smudge Tool: Blends pixels together
Layers Panel Features
- Smart object layers have a distinct icon with two small boxes.
- Opacity and Fill options control layer transparency.
- Blending modes affect how layers interact with underlying layers.
- The Add Layer Mask icon creates masks for hiding or revealing portions of a layer.
- The Adjustment Layer icon adds non-destructive adjustment layers.
- Icons for creating new groups and layers are located at the bottom of the panel.