Franco

Photoshop Basics for
Beginners
Key Notes on Graphic Design

By
Franco Mwachande
Background Information
 Graphic design is the art of creating visual

content to communicate messages effectively.
 It involves combining text, images, colors, and
shapes to convey ideas or information.
 Whether it's for print, digital media, or
branding, graphic design plays a vital role in
modern communication.
Principles of Design
1. Balance
Achieving a visual equilibrium between elements.
Can be symmetrical (equal) or asymmetrical
(unequal but balanced).
2. Contrast
The difference between two elements (e.g., color,
size) that make certain aspects stand out.
3. Emphasis
Focusing attention on the most important part of
the design, often through contrast, size, or
positioning.
Alignment
Arranging elements in a way that makes
the design cohesive and orderly.
Graphic Design Tools
Adobe Photoshop: Best for photo manipulation, creating
digital artwork, and retouching.
Adobe Illustrator: Used for vector graphics, logos, and
illustrations that can be scaled without loss of quality.
Canva: A user-friendly, web-based tool for creating quick and
simple designs.
CorelDRAW**: Similar to Illustrator, widely used for print
design and vector art.
Figma: A collaborative tool primarily used for UI/UX design.
• Types of Graphic Design
Branding and Identity

Logos, business cards, and stationery that represent
a company's identity.
Web Design
Layouts, user interface (UI), and user experience
(UX) designs for websites and apps.
Print Design
Posters, flyers, brochures, and packaging.
Advertising
Creating visuals for marketing campaigns in print,
digital, or social media.
Motion Graphics
Animated design for videos or presentations.
Design Process
• Research:
• Understand the audience, purpose, and
requirements of the project.
• Brainstorming/Conceptualization:
• Generate ideas and sketch out initial concepts.
• Design Development
Create digital drafts using software
like Photoshop or Illustrator.
Feedback & Revision
Share the design with others for
feedback, and make adjustments.
Finalization
Complete the design and prepare
it for printing, publishing, or sharing.
Importance of Graphic Design
• Visual Communication
• Graphic design simplifies complex ideas and
information, making them easier to
understand.
• Brand Identity
• Strong design is crucial in shaping how a brand
is perceived.
• Marketing and Advertising
• Good design grabs attention and helps
communicate the value of a product or service.
1. Introduction to Photoshop
• Photoshop Interface:
• Familiarize yourself with the toolbar, menu bar, options
bar, and panels (like Layers, Color, and Properties).
• Creating a New Document:
• File > New, set dimensions, resolution (72 dpi for web,
300 dpi for print), and color mode (RGB for screen,
CMYK for print).
• Opening Files:
• File > Open or drag and drop images.
2. Layers
• What Are Layers:
• Layers stack images or objects in a file. Each layer can be edited
individually.
• Creating Layers:
• Use the Layers panel, or go to Layer > New > Layer. Always label
layers for organization.
• Types of Layers:
• Text, Image, Adjustment, Shape, and Smart Object layers
• Layer Blending Modes:
• Control how layers interact with one another (e.g., Multiply,
Overlay).
3. Selection Tool
• Marquee Tool:
• Selects rectangular or elliptical areas.
• Lasso Tool:
• Freehand selection; includes Polygonal and Magnetic Lasso for
more control.
• Magic Wand/Quick Selection Tool:
• Selects areas based on color. Adjust tolerance for more precision.
• Refining Selections:
• Use Select > Modify > Feather or Select > Refine Edge to
smooth out selections.
4. Basic Tools
• Move Tool:
• Moves selected elements or entire layers.
• Brush Tool:
• Used for painting; size, opacity, and hardness can be adjusted.
• Eraser Tool:
• Erases pixels on a layer.
• Clone Stamp Tool:
• Copies part of an image and pastes it elsewhere.
• Gradient Tool:
• Creates color transitions.
• Type Tool:
• Adds text to your design.
5. Transformation
• Free Transform:
• Edit > Free Transform (or Ctrl + T). Resize, rotate, flip,
or distort an image or layer.
• Warp Tool:
• Use to manipulate the shape of an object or image
(Edit > Transform > Warp).
6. Working with Text
• Text Tool:
• Click the ‘T’ icon to add text. Adjust size, font,
style in the options bar.
• Text Effects:
• Use blending options to add shadows, strokes, or
glows to text (right-click text layer > Blending
Options).
7. Color Adjustments
• Adjustment Layers:
• Non-destructive edits like Brightness/Contrast, Levels,
Curves, Hue/Saturation (Layer > New Adjustment Layer).
• Color Balance:
• Adjust the color tones to enhance or correct an image.
• Gradient Map:
• Map specific colors to highlights, mid-tones, and
shadows of an image.
8. Masking
• Layer Mask:
• Hides or reveals parts of a layer without erasing.
Black conceals, white reveals.
• Clipping Mask:
• Applies an effect or filter to a specific layer by
using the layer below as a mask.
9. Filters
• Basic Filters:
• Blur, Sharpen, Noise, and other effects to modify
images.
- Smart Filters:
• Apply filters non-destructively by converting layers to
Smart Objects first (Filter > Convert for Smart Filters).
10. Exporting and Saving
• Saving in Photoshop Format (PSD):
• Keeps layers intact for future editing.
• Exporting for Web/Print:
• File > Export > Save for Web (use JPEG or PNG for web, and TIFF
or PDF for print).
Questions and
Reflections!!!!
Thank you for your
attention

Franco

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Photoshop Basics for

Key Notes on Graphic Design

 Graphic design is the art of creating visual

Branding and Identity

• Keeps layers intact for future editing.

• Exporting for Web/Print:

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