Free Graphic Designing Course || Lecrture 10 || Quick summary & Learn How to Make a GIF in Photoshop

Introduction to Graphic Design Course

Overview of the Course

• Disha introduces herself and states that this is the final lecture of the graphic design course focused on Photoshop basics.

• The lecture aims to equip students with essential skills for starting their graphic design journey, including creating social media posts.

Importance of Practice

• Emphasizes daily practice as crucial for improving design skills; mastery takes time and consistency.

• Invites feedback from viewers regarding a potential video on monetizing graphic design skills after learning Photoshop.

Photoshop Interface and Tools

Understanding the Interface

• Disha shares her screen to summarize key components of the Photoshop interface: toolbar, application bar, layer panel, character panel, and property panel.

Essential Tools for Designing

• Lists important tools such as move tool, lasso tool, marquee tool which are fundamental for starting designs.

Principles of Design

Key Principles Explained

• Discusses various principles of design:

• Contrast: Importance in color differentiation.

• Emphasis: Highlighting significant elements in a design.

• Balance: Ensuring visual stability in designs.

• Movement: Guiding viewer's eye through the composition.

• Repetition: Using consistent elements to create unity.

Elements of Design

Core Elements Identified

• Summarizes elements of design including points, lines, shapes, forms, textures, colors, values, and space.

• Explains how using these elements enhances visual appeal and effectiveness in designs.

Color Theory Basics

Understanding Color Relationships

• Introduces color theory with three types:

• Primary Colors: Red, blue, yellow.

• Secondary Colors: Created by mixing primary colors (e.g., red + yellow = orange).

• Tertiary Colors: Result from mixing primary and secondary colors (e.g., yellow + orange = yellowish-orange).

Typography in Design

Significance of Typography

• Highlights typography as a critical aspect of design that affects readability and emphasis within compositions.

• Examples provided show how effective typography can enhance marketing messages by highlighting key terms.

How to Create a GIF in Photoshop

Introduction to GIFs in Graphic Design

• The discussion begins with an overview of graphic design basics, specifically focusing on animated elements like GIFs used in web banners.

• A specific example is provided: a banner on an architecture and design website that features changing images, illustrating the use of GIFs.

Steps to Create a GIF

Setting Up the Project

• The process starts by creating a new file in Photoshop with dimensions matching the banner (1140x250 pixels).

• An initial image is placed into the project, which will serve as the first frame of the GIF.

Adding Images and Clipping Masks

• The first image is named "image one," and a clipping mask is applied to fit it within a drawn shape.

• Two additional images are added similarly, each converted into smart objects to maintain quality during transformations.

Incorporating Logos and Text

• A logo (LG logo in this case) is added and also converted into a smart object for quality preservation.

• Text elements are included, such as aligning text with the logo and creating a call-to-action (CTA), labeled "Learn More."

Finalizing the GIF Creation Process

Using Timeline Features

• To create the animation, users navigate to the timeline panel in Photoshop where they can choose between video timelines or frame animations.

• Frame animation is selected; timing for each frame's display duration can be adjusted according to preferences.

Configuring Frames for Animation

• Each frame's content is set up: image one appears first along with text/CTA, followed by transitions through images two and three at specified intervals.

• The play button allows users to preview their created GIF, confirming that images change as intended based on set timings.

Important Considerations

• Throughout the process, it's emphasized that layers not visible should have their 'eye' icon closed so they do not appear in frames where they're not needed. This ensures clarity in each step of animation creation.

How to Create a GIF and Build a Graphic Design Portfolio

Creating a GIF in Photoshop

• The visibility of layers in Photoshop is controlled by "opening" or "closing" their eyes. In the first frame, text layer, CTA layer, image two, and image three are not visible because their eyes are closed.

• To export the created GIF, use the shortcut Alt + Shift + Ctrl. Select the GIF option to save it for playback.

Building a Graphic Design Portfolio

• Behance is highlighted as an excellent platform for uploading creative work and seeking freelance opportunities. Searching for graphic design portfolios can provide inspiration.

• Key elements to include in a portfolio: personal information (like a picture), textures (e.g., rough texture from Freepik), and decorative elements like stars that can be customized with color changes and motion blur.

• It's important to showcase software proficiency (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator). Adding personal skills and layout examples enhances the portfolio's appeal.

Inspiration Sources for Graphic Design

• Continuous practice with design tools leads to improvement. Viewing various portfolios can inspire creativity and artistic presentation of work.

• Recommended sites for design inspiration include Behance, Pinterest, Site Inspire, and Awards. These platforms showcase trends in web design and other creative fields.

• Dribbble is another favorite site where designers can share their work; it also serves as a hiring platform. It features UI/UX designs along with mockups.

Utilizing AI Tools in Graphic Design

• Freepik offers options for generating images using AI tools. Leonardo AI is mentioned as another resource for creating images or videos through artificial intelligence capabilities.

Design Journey and Image Creation

Importance of Original Images

• The design journey involves creating original designs, which necessitates sourcing images and inspiration from specific platforms rather than using generic Google images for professional purposes.

• Using images from stock sites like Getty requires a subscription or payment due to copyright laws; unauthorized use of images can lead to legal issues.

Generating Images with AI

• Demonstration of generating an image using the AI tool Leonardo by inputting prompts (e.g., "football ground") and receiving multiple generated options within seconds.

• Users are encouraged to explore various sites for image generation, emphasizing the importance of finding useful resources.

Course Overview and Progression

• Recap of the course's progression, starting from basic Photoshop interface knowledge to more advanced tools such as layer panels and design techniques.

• Highlights include creating a basic design on the first day and progressing to more complex projects like a car social media post in later lectures.

Completion of Basic Training

• The instructor confirms that all essential basics of Adobe Photoshop have been covered, including tools like move tool, layer masking, and brush tool usage.

Future Learning Opportunities

• Announcement of plans for an advanced Photoshop course consisting of 10 live lectures aimed at deeper learning; interested participants can reach out via Instagram or comments.