Objective

To learn to Adobe Photoshop production techniques by example. To learn layout and web design techniques in Adobe Photoshop by recreating this front page and this inside page.

Discussion

Photoshop is often used by web designers as a layout tool to create "mockups" of screen shots for client approval prior to production. When using Photoshop as a layout tool, consider taking advantage of Photoshop's "smart objects" feature to retain the integrity and scalability of imported art. Having a visual mockup helps web developers in the coding process. A web mockup can also serve as a "contract proof" as any changes requested by the client during production can be chargeable.

See example of the entire process

Procedure

prepping the image

1. download starter files, examine downloaded files
2. open "front pix.jpg" in Photoshop, save as "front pix.psd"
3. practice Adobe navigation keyboard shortcuts: space = hand; space + cmd = zoom in; space + cmd + opt = zoom out; cmd + zero = fit in window
4. convert "background" layer to a normal layer (rename layer)
5. new layer "white", fill with white (cmd+DELETE), re-stack
6. magnetic lasso tool: silhouette figures (single-click a starting point; DELETE removes anchors; single-click adds an anchor; double-clicking will close the selection)
7. layer > layer mask > reveal selection (or click mask icon)
8. retouch selection: paint on mask
9. load selection: cmd+click on mask thumbnail
10. select > refine edge: radius=1, feather=1, smooth=?, contrast=?
11. layer > layer mask > delete (or RMB on mask thumbnail)
12. layer > layer mask > reveal selection (or click mask icon)
13. retouch name tag: remove "liz" with spot healing brush tool
14. magic wand tool: click white name tag
15. select > modify > expand (3px)
16. edit > fill: content aware (shift+DELETE)
17. clone stamp tool: clean up flaws
18. save "front pix.psd", close

laying out the front page

1. download blank browser chrome from designerstoolbox.com
2. open downloaded file in Photoshop, save as "kate-front.psd"
3. delete unneeded layers, delete live area
4. new layer "white", fill with white, restack
5. file > place "front pix.psd" (smart object)
6. file > place "kate logo.ai" (smart object)
7. open "kate.txt", copy links
8. paste link text in Photoshop
9. spec font: Futura Bold, 11pt, match confetti color
10. adjust layout
11. save, save as "kate-inside.psd"

laying out the inside page

1. open "inside pix.jpg" in Photoshop
2. convert "background" layer to a normal layer (rename layer)
3. save as "inside pix.psd", close
4. file > place "inside pix.psd" (smart object)
5. go to www.lipsum.com, generate some "greek" text
6. copy & paste text into Photoshop as a text frame (click & drag)
7. spec font: Verdana, 11/18, match dark blue
8. call-out: Georgia italic, 26/40, anti-aliasing=crisp, match green
9. links: match magenta & dark blue
10. initial cap: Georgia, 36pt, white
11. new layer "initial cap": draw magenta rectangle, rotate
12. new layer "box": draw green box, opacity=35%
13. restack layers, adjust layout
14. edit "inside pix.psd" layer (double-click)
15. crop tool: marquee crop area (hide cropped area)
16. save, close window (smart objects automatically updates)

grading

1. add your name and the exercise number on each page
2. make a JPEG of each page (file > save for web)
3. open the JPEG in Photoshop and print a proof for grading
4. file your graded proof in your Process Book for individual review