Jom Design

This tutorial is aimed so that you could be efficient in using the Adobe Photoshop especially time-efficiency. The more time that you save, the more design that you could do. This is because practice does matter. Let’s go!

1. Check you dpi (dot per inch)
Before you design, please make sure you have the right dpi value. Minimum dpi for printing is about 300dpi and 72 dpi for web designing. For more info click here.

2. Save you workspace
After a while, for some people, you will realize that you will not use all the windows. Mostly used is Layes, Actions, History, Navigator, etc. So, after you have set your default workspace, save it. Go to Window > Workspace > Save Workspace > (e.g. MyWorkspace > Save
This is quite important when your Adobe Photoshop went crazy and not displaying any windows at all. Not even tools. To load, just click Workspace and choose your saved workspace (e.g. MyWorkspace).

3. Know your shortcut
Know your shortcut. Some examples:

• Ctrl + A = Select All
• Ctrl + D = Deselect
• P = Pen Tool
• M = Marque Tool
• T = Text

When you have this habit, you will wonder how much time that you have saved.

4. Be creative and get organized
Master the basics (Brush, Eraser, Blending Options, Layer masks, Free Transform, etc) and the trick of the trades - layers, layers, layers (taken from Photoshop ® Secrets of the Pros). Get creative with them. That is simply what Pros are doing out there.
Next, get organized. Use the folder in the Layers window. Manage your layers properly so that you can edit whenever you fancy and drag your folder to a new file.

5. Use other softwares
Utilize your skills using other software such as 3D and import that file into Photoshop. That is simple the quickest way and efficient ever to create 3D effect design. Try it!

6. Ctrl + S (Save As)
This will truly save you a** when your computer suddenly jammed or even electricity cut off. Make a habit of pressing these two buttons so that you don’t have to re-design if thing goes wrong suddenly. Expect the unexpected.

7. Practice, practice, practice
When you practice a lot, you will be more efficient using Photoshop. Google for tutorial sites and give them a try. Who knows you will be writing up Photoshop tutorials someday.

Good luck!

*Download PDF version of this article.

by Mohd Rafie (http://mohdrafie.co.uk)

for Graphic Design Group Writing Project

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 at 11:29 am and is filed under GDWP. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.