6 Photoshop Tips and Tricks That You Probably Don’t Know About
Written by Jacob Cass on Thursday, June 26, 2008 – 10:00 pm -
Here are 6 Adobe Photoshop tips and tricks that you probably don’t know about (I bet you don’t know at least one). This post comes after hearing the reactions from some of my fellow students in class when they found out about some of the options available that they never knew about.
1. Refining a selection
After you make a selection in Photoshop you can easily edit the selection using refine edge in the top toolbar. You must try this out, it is very useful!
2. Hidden Options Behind Arrows
I am amazed by how many people do not know about these tiny little arrows that hold so many more options! These tiny arrows are pretty much on every tool bar across the whole Adobe Suite. I assure these arrows will open you up to a whole new world.
3. Blending Options
If you right click on a layer in the layers toolbar, and then click blending options this will bring you to a whole vast array of effects that will keep you busy for hours. Use these options very sparingly.
4. Resist The Urge to use the filter gallery, especially the lens flare.
Not so much of a ‘tip’ but more ‘helpful advice’… but yes you heard me, do not use the filter gallery. Design is not filter effects and it never will be. Also please resist adding lens flare to your work, as well as rainbow gradients, embossed type and drop shadow unless you know how to use it well. You may want to check out 15 Signs Your a Bad Graphic Designer. NB. Rules can be broken.
5. Layer Blending Modes
Once you master the blending modes in Photoshop you can pretty much ‘own’ photoshop. Open up the layers palette, select a layer and click the downwards arrow where it says Normal. Try experimenting with different blending modes on different layers, put layers above or below other layers, change the opacity and so fourth and you will be amazed!
6. The best tip of all…
Practice. You can do this by doing tutorials or watching videos or experimenting on your own. Practice, practice, practice!
In my own personal experience I have found that if I find a design piece or style that I really like, I search the net and magazines for tutorials on how to recreate that effect and try to adapt it to my own personal project and style… I find this a great way to learn. Also if you ever need help, check out Adobes Help function in the programs and also write questions on forums (or blogs)… people will be more than happy to help you out!
Is this article worthy of a stumble or designfloat? 
How many of these did you know about?
The Best Graphic Design Articles from 34 Top Design Blogs as Chosen By The Authors Themselves
Written by Jacob Cass on Monday, April 21, 2008 – 10:27 pm -
I went around to the top graphic design blogs on the net and asked their authors to choose their best or most popular graphic design article that they have ever written and here are the results. I present to you…The Best Ever Graphic Design Articles as chosen by the authors themselves.
They are in no particular order but I have organised them into categories.
- Graphic Design
- Web Design
- Picture Based Posts
- Tutorials
- Other
- Thought Provoking Articles
Graphic Design
- 99 Graphic Design Resources ALL Designers Must Know from us at Just Creative Design
- The Dos and Dont’s of Colour from Inspiration Bit
- Top 50 Graphic Design Blogs from David Airey
- My Top 5 Biggest Freelancing Mistakes from Freelance Folder
- Best Logo Design Resources from Logo Design Love
- 8 Little Design Secrets from Leslie Tane Design
- How Can We Stop The Thieves from Elliot Jay Stocks
- How To Be A Design Superstar from Design Sojourn
Web Design
- The 25 Ways To Improve Your Site in 5 Minutes from Fadtastic
- Applying Hicks Law To Web Design from Alpha Blog Designs
- 101 CSS Techniques Of All Time from Noupe
- 77 Resources to Simplify Your Life as a Web Designer from Vandelay Design
- A Guide To Web Typography from I Love Typography
- Extensible CSS (A Series of articles) from Cameron Moll
- How to use WordPress to build a website with user-generated content from Creative Briefing
- Student Questions: What Should I Study To Become A Web Designer? from Positive Space Blog
Picture Based Posts
- 36 Beautiful Resume Ideas That Work from Job Mob
- Cool Business Cards from Inspiredology
- 20 Beautiful HDR Pictures from Adubzeedo
- Save The Earth from Mohdrafie
- Coffee Kiss from Design You Trust
- The Kotatsu - A Different Way Way of Thinking About Tables from Core77
Tutorials
- The One Page Graphic Design Portfolio Guide from You The Designer
- Vector Polishing Techniques from WebDesignerWall
- The Ultimate Guide To Designing with Black from Spoon Graphics
- Give Your Resume A Face Life from LifeClever
- Using the Blend tool and Distort Zig Zag Effect in Illustrator from Veerle
- Removing Wrinkles and Keepin’ It Real - How to use the Healing Brush and Patch Tools from Laughing Lion Design
Other
- The Art of Self Branding - from LeaLea Design
- Interview with Poster Designer Jason Munn - Small Stakes from GrainEdit
- Kick Butt Holiday Gifts For Designers from Bad Ass Ideas
- Recent Great Graphic Design Discoveries from Graphic Design Blog
- Wordpress as a CMS - Content Management System from Graphic Design Blog.co.uk
Thought Provoking Articles
- 99 Designs: Bullshit 2.0 - from Graphic Push
- What Do You Consider Good Design from Creative Curio
- Poynter’s Eye-Tracking Follies from Andy Rutledge
- You TOO Can become a graphic designer from The Graphic Mac
Best Graphic Design Blogs
Here is the list of all the graphic design blogs who partipated. Thank You!
- Creative Curio
- Graphic Push
- The Graphic Mac
- Andy Rutledge
- Graphic Design Blog
- Bad Ass Ideas
- GrainEdit
- Veerle
- You The Designer
- Spoon Graphics
- LifeClever
- Design You Trust
- Job Mob
- Adubzeedo
- Inspiredology
- Mohdrafie
- Fadtastic
- Alpha Blog Designs
- Noupe
- I Love Typography
- Vandelay Design
- Cameron Moll
- Laughing Lion Design
- Creative Briefing
- Positive Space Blog
- Inspiration Bit
- Logo Design Love
- Design Sojourn
- David Airey
- Freelance Folder
- Elliot Jay Stocks
- LeaLea Design
- Core77
- Leslie Tane Design
- Just Creative Design (Don’t forget us!)
I know there are many many more great blogs out there so please leave a comment with a link to the best blog article you have ever written - it doesn’t have to be related to design.
The best mouse for Designers and Web Addicts
Written by Jacob Cass on Thursday, March 13, 2008 – 7:54 pm -
So you want to know what is the best mouse for designers and/or web addicts? Well on the weekend I bought the Logitech MX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse, something that has been on my wish list for a few months and I believe it is the best mouse for designers and/or web addicts…
The best feature that differs this mouse from any other is the ergonomics and how it fits into your hand - it fits pretty much like a glove, its so perfect! It’s the perfect weight and is super comfortable, perfect for a graphic designer or web addict who never leaves the computer.
The next best thing would have to be the scroll wheel which glides through pages depending on how fast or hard you flick the wheel - this is so so so cool, I repeat, so cool. A great demo of this function and on the whole mouse can be found on this 2 min video.
The next best feature of the mouse would be the buttons on the side of the mouse (see pic at top) which allows you to scroll through your applications with your fingers instead of using Alt+Tab. There is also another handy search button on the top of the mouse which means you can search documents or the net with just a click! Really useful!
It also comes with a stand to recharge the batteries on 
The only downfall of this beauty is the price tag and it is for right handers only. It is currently averaging AUD $90 on eBay or USD $50 or you can get it from the official Logitech website for USD $99.For the full overview check out the official Logitech website.
You may also be interested in what other things graphic designers would like - ie. for a birthday or Christmas.
What type of mouse (or tablet) do you use?
DON’T MISS: The Best Graphic Design Articles from February 2008
Written by Jacob Cass on Friday, February 29, 2008 – 5:53 pm -
Here is a monthly round up of the best graphic design articles from around the blogosphere this February. The articles are sorted into the categories; freelancing, graphic design, web design and various.
You can check out January’s Best Articles if you missed it last month. You could also check out the best March graphic design articles.
Freelancing
- 5 Reasons why you must reinvest in your business
If you read just one article of all the following, I would say to read this one… a long but very valuable read.
- 10 Tips for getting started as a freelancer
Some quick tips on how to get started to become a freelancer, also useful for people all ready freelancing.
- How To Get Paid Freelance Work While Still A Design Student
This was a guest article I wrote for Freelance Folder which received a huge response.
- What to do when you have nothing to do as a freelancer.
For the 0.0001% of you out there, this one is for you!
- How to become a more environmentally friendly freelancer / designer
Protect our environment using these steps.
- 5 Downsides of working at home
A newcomer to the blogging world, Verne Ho outlines some of the downsides of working at home. A good read.
- 25 Ways To Become An Effective Freelancer
A list of ways to improve your freelancing skills, a must read.
- 7 Reasons why you shouldn’t charge by the hour
A great list of reasons why you shouldn’t being using this style of payment. Very valid reasons! - 20 more resources for freelancers
Still hungry for more great freelancing posts? Here is 20 more. - Identifying the ProBono Client
How to identify a pro bono client along with tips, no-nos, and a discussion on the benefits and draw backs of pro bono work.
Graphic Design
- 70 of the Best Logo Design Resources
David lists 70 of the best logo design resources on his blog Logo Design Love.
- Veerles What is Graphic Design Poster Competetiton
I didn’t enter this as I found out about it too late but there was some awesome awesome prizes and a huge response (430+ comments). Check out the winners.
- You Thought We Wouldn’t Notice
This is an old website (not from February) that deserves a mention as they were my source for popular 22 plagiarised graphic design rip offs post.
- The Logo Design Process of Top Graphic Designers
Want to learn the secrets of logo design from the professionals? Look no further.
- How To Create Your Own Vector Cartoon Character
A great step by step tutorial from Chris. This came in very useful. - Logo Design Love Awards
A competition to uncover the most effective blog logos amongst today’s popular blogs. I believe there is 1 day left to enter from the time of me writing. Be quick!
- Spice Up Your Business Card
This is a surefire way to get more business just by improving your business card.
- Drunken Munkey Photoshop Tutorial Character Design
Another tutorial, this time in photoshop, this is truly inspirational!
- Online Business Is All about transparency
I enjoyed this article from David as it gave a great insight into the business practice of not hiding things.
- The One Page Graphic Design Portfolio Guide
You have all seen those portfolio pages with a persons work all on one page, well this is how to do that step by step.
- 22 Graphic Design Plagiarised Rip Offs
Another popular post from JCD with a huge response. Check it Out!
- Customise Illustrator for maximum efficiency
Move around your palettes to make a more productive work flow. Great for all levels.
- U-Printing International Poster Design Comp
Win an iPhone and other great prizes in the poster comp! It is about to start.
- $5000 Prize Giveaway Graphic Design Group Writing Project
Hosted on this blog, you definitly should not have missed this one.
- 99 Websites ALL Designers should know about
A hugely popular post listing 99 resources that all designers should know about.
Web Design
- Grid and Column Designs
A list of some great websites that use an underlying grid structure in their design.
- Finding the perfect webhost for you and your clients
This will appeal to bloggers and web designers out there
- 25 Beautifully Coloured Website Designs
Showcases 25 great colourful websites in a social-media-friendly manner.
- 11 ways to get exposure as a web designer
Another one from Vandelay webdesign. This can also be applied to designers in general.
- 53 Steps to follow if you want to become a web designer
Very easy to follow 53 step guide to become a successful web designer.
- 25 Visually Stunning Header Graphics
This was a great inspirational post for those who are thinking of improving their blog header design. (I like mine).
Various
- Brian Gardners Wordpress Theme Contest
Win a holiday on a cruise to the Bahamas just by advertising Brian Gardner’s new theme!
- How To Set Up A SideBlog
I have wanted to get onto this, this is a tutorial on how to make a mini blog for your main blog so you can post smaller articles. Not so much a graphic design article but useful to blogging designers.
- Stunning Photography that inspired me to learn photography
30 creative photos that are very much worth looking at. - Is Your Blog C.R.A.P?
This was a guest article I wrote for dailyblogtips outlining the 4 basics principles of design.
Viviens Social Media Project project has now been extended for one more month! Learn more about social media and its benefits in this massive project.
Hope you enjoyed the list. Is there any others that you really enjoyed this month?
99 Sites ALL Designers Must Know About
Written by Jacob Cass on Monday, February 25, 2008 – 3:59 pm -
Below is a list of 99+ graphic design resources, in English and (and a few other languages), that all designers must know about.
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