It wasn't until 1999 when I moved back to my hometown of Grand Haven that I inherited my first computer - from my roommate. On a whim he'd went out and bought a cheap desktop model at a wholesale computer store, but he barely used it and so I adopted it. My first computer obsession was chat rooms. I used to sit up till the wee hours chatting with people from all over the globe on MSN (this was when it was free; now you have to pay).
It was during one of these conversations that someone asked me if I could design some graphics for their web site. I'd spent most of my life using pencils and Bristol board to do artwork so I told this person I didn't have a clue how to do that on my computer. They laughed. I told them it wasn't polite to laugh at the virtually challenged. For some reason they found this even funnier, then they suggested I check out a graphics program called Photoshop.
Back then Google was in it's infancy and me being a total n00b I spent about an hour before locating a trial version of the program on the Adobe web site. I had dial-up then and so while I waited for the program to download I was able to do my dishes, take a shower, run to the store, and make something to eat. Once it was done and installed I got my first glimpse at the future of graphic design. I had no idea what to do but sit there and stare at it; the dang thing looked like Mission Control.
It took me about a month before I got up enough nerve to do anything with the program. I was totally green then and so I became instantly enamored by drop shadows and bevels. There is a great learning curve involved with Photoshop; it's a large and convoluted program that takes a great deal of patience, time, and practice. What helped me the most was joining up with as many design forums as I could find, asking questions, participating in threads, and sending e-mails to designers whose work I admire (Colin Smith, Al Ward, and Bert Monroy, to name a few). Naturally, over time, I learned the proper aesthetics of designing for the Web.
Below are some of the places that helped me along the way:
Mike's Sketch Pad - One of the first sites I found with many excellent tuts on Photoshop (and many other programs). Make sure to check out the Pen Tool tutorials. They can also be downloaded as PDFs to practice with at your leisure.
LVS Online - Affordable online classes with one-on-one instructor training on various programs. Their classes are six weeks long and only cost $25 ($20 for returning students) - an absolute bargain considering. I took a few Photoshop classes and I highly recommend them if you're new to that program.
The PhotoshopGuru's Handbook - The first design community I joined. Owner and webmaster Mark Larmand is an all-around incredible designer. He has lots of in-depth tutorials and a wonderful forum full of friendly folks.
PhotoshopCafe - The second design forum I got involved with and one of the most well known on the Web. A huge community of great folks run by award-winning designer Colin Smith.
Photoshop Tips & Tricks - The Design and Publishing Center featuring Photoshop 911 and the popular Photoshop Tips & Tricks.
Google - Probably one of my most indispensable tools. Learn it.
As Photoshop grew I grew along with it, and slowly the program became my virtual equivalent of pencils and Bristol board. Eventually I updated my roommate's computer until the only original component that remained was the floppy drive. Just this last winter I built my first computer and gave my old one to my Mom who is now learning to blog herself.
I now own Adobe Creative Suite and have begun to teach myself how to use Illustrator. I follow the same process I did with Photoshop; search the Web for tutorials, familiarize myself with the Tools and what each of them does, take an online class, buy a good book (Adobe's Classroom in a Book series is awesome), and oh yeah ... don't forget to practice.
Thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments.
It was during one of these conversations that someone asked me if I could design some graphics for their web site. I'd spent most of my life using pencils and Bristol board to do artwork so I told this person I didn't have a clue how to do that on my computer. They laughed. I told them it wasn't polite to laugh at the virtually challenged. For some reason they found this even funnier, then they suggested I check out a graphics program called Photoshop.
Back then Google was in it's infancy and me being a total n00b I spent about an hour before locating a trial version of the program on the Adobe web site. I had dial-up then and so while I waited for the program to download I was able to do my dishes, take a shower, run to the store, and make something to eat. Once it was done and installed I got my first glimpse at the future of graphic design. I had no idea what to do but sit there and stare at it; the dang thing looked like Mission Control.
It took me about a month before I got up enough nerve to do anything with the program. I was totally green then and so I became instantly enamored by drop shadows and bevels. There is a great learning curve involved with Photoshop; it's a large and convoluted program that takes a great deal of patience, time, and practice. What helped me the most was joining up with as many design forums as I could find, asking questions, participating in threads, and sending e-mails to designers whose work I admire (Colin Smith, Al Ward, and Bert Monroy, to name a few). Naturally, over time, I learned the proper aesthetics of designing for the Web.
Below are some of the places that helped me along the way:
Mike's Sketch Pad - One of the first sites I found with many excellent tuts on Photoshop (and many other programs). Make sure to check out the Pen Tool tutorials. They can also be downloaded as PDFs to practice with at your leisure.
LVS Online - Affordable online classes with one-on-one instructor training on various programs. Their classes are six weeks long and only cost $25 ($20 for returning students) - an absolute bargain considering. I took a few Photoshop classes and I highly recommend them if you're new to that program.
The PhotoshopGuru's Handbook - The first design community I joined. Owner and webmaster Mark Larmand is an all-around incredible designer. He has lots of in-depth tutorials and a wonderful forum full of friendly folks.
PhotoshopCafe - The second design forum I got involved with and one of the most well known on the Web. A huge community of great folks run by award-winning designer Colin Smith.
Photoshop Tips & Tricks - The Design and Publishing Center featuring Photoshop 911 and the popular Photoshop Tips & Tricks.
Google - Probably one of my most indispensable tools. Learn it.
As Photoshop grew I grew along with it, and slowly the program became my virtual equivalent of pencils and Bristol board. Eventually I updated my roommate's computer until the only original component that remained was the floppy drive. Just this last winter I built my first computer and gave my old one to my Mom who is now learning to blog herself.
I now own Adobe Creative Suite and have begun to teach myself how to use Illustrator. I follow the same process I did with Photoshop; search the Web for tutorials, familiarize myself with the Tools and what each of them does, take an online class, buy a good book (Adobe's Classroom in a Book series is awesome), and oh yeah ... don't forget to practice.
Thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments.
I find myself impaired when I try to use tutorials... I just lack the patience for them.. but I have the patience for Fireworks, and started learning it about three months ago... it takes a lot of hovering and clicking, but it is so incredibly worth ANY amount of time you spend on it... I would have thought you would use Fireworks since you're a graphic designer... I'm not entirely certain of the differences...
And I'm surprised you haven't a graphics tablet... they aren't all that expensive, and you, for one, would be able to do wonders with it (not like those completely undeserving people)...
Hi BH. Thanks for your comments. I never cared for Fireworks and as for a Wacom tablet that will have to wait until the day I can afford one.
Hello and welcome to TBODC! If you like the article you just read you can subscribe here to get updates via RSS or opt to have them sent directly to your inbox. I appreciate your feedback so please feel free to ...
Post a Comment