How to get started in Photoshop

I need to set up ads... and don't know where to start

Cindy from California, using Photoshop (any version) with Windows XP, writes in with:

[Quote:] I have a friend that is selling the little mail insert advertisements and she wants me to do/ create the adds and artwork for her. I had a class in Adobe Photoshop 5.5 about 5 years ago. However, I don't know what it entails to create the final product. Can you please give me some guidance on where I can get up to speed on this matter? Thank you for your time, Cindy

Photoshop 911:

We get quite a few requests like this -- and it is really not a "Photoshop" emergency question, but rather a graphic arts question. Such activities should require a bit of training in the field.

However, we'll give you a very quick bullet list of steps:

1: Establish primary basics

All projects such as this will have set parameters to work with. Get these from your "friend" prior to starting:
a) ad size
b) mechanical requirements (what the printer requires
c) Customer supplied copy (text)
d) customer supplied graphics (logos, products, etc.)

2: Set up the ad template

Open a new file and in the "New File" dialog set the size to the required ad size, and set the resolution to that required by the printer. ('b' above)

3: Create or Import Graphics

We'll assume the 'client' has pre-approved logos or graphics for you to work with. This should be incorporated into your Photoshop file on its own layer.
Start a new layer (Click the "new layer" button on the Layers Palette) and depending on what format the graphics are, drag-and-drop, copy/paste or otherwise import the graphics.

4: Import "client" supplied text

Open the client copy (text) in it's native program, or in a text editor. Copy it all.

Switch to Photoshop and select the Text tool (Tap "T") and click in the upper left-hand corner of the layout. A new Text layer will be created.

Paste in the text.

Now begin laying out the text by selecting it and changing its attributes in the Options bar. For text that gets separated, use CUT, and remove the selected text from that layer, then commit that layer (clicking the check mark in the far right of the Options bar) re-select the text tool and paste. The separated text will fall on a new layer for manipulation.

From there, you're pretty much on your own -- scaling photos or images to fit and work in the ad layout, sizing and styling the type and headlines; establishing the logo and identity.

Of course, all of the above are merely bare mechanics. You'll also need the other side of your brain to design effective ads. And before putting too much work into it, make sure you've discussed ideas and layouts with your 'client' -- you don't want to go through hours of work only to be rejected.

However, the best advice we can give you is to buy the Robin Williams Design Workshop by Robin Williams and John Tollett. It will take you from where you are today, to producing very good ads tomorrow. No, we're not even going to talk about price... if you're serious about the above, then you need this book immediately.

The book applies a similar set of makeovers to various types of design projects: logos, forms, newsletters, tables of contents, etc. In the final section, seven designers, including coauthor Tollett, break down the process that they went through on a job of their own.

Order it now: Robin Williams Design Workshop

If you can help, just comment below! Thank you!

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Comments

[nitesh bhattarai]

i want to learn adobe photoshop from begining so plz send me its tutorials on my email id this is my humbble request.

[bemka]

pls send me the file