Using Photoshop Actions to save time
A friend of mine taught me this invaluable tool this week, and I believe it is worth sharing. For those of you who haven’t been introduced to the actions palette in Photoshop, here we go – a basic lesson in saving time…
If you have lots of images, and you want to, for example, resize them all to the same dimension, the actions palette can do all this for you in a few easy steps. You won’t have to do the same thing over and over again on 200 images.
Open one of the images you want to resize. And open the actions palette (Window > Actions, or Alt+F9). Now press the ‘create new action’ button in the bottom bar of the actions palette. You will have to name your new action, and press record. Any changes that you make to this image, will now be recorded. You will notice the red recording button on the actions palette is turned on. You can stop it at any moment with the square button, and turn it on again. Photoshop will save the history of your actions. Resize, change colour, even save for web! Do whatever you want, but remember that these actions are meant to have the same effect on all the coming images. When you’re satisfied, save and close your image and stop recording. Now open the next image, and simply press the play button on the actions palette. Everything you’ve just done, will be repeated on this image! It is amazing, and really does save a lot of time…
Choosing a graphic designer
For those of you looking to hire a graphic designer, there are a few things to take into consideration.
Many printing companies offer graphic design services. Sometimes however their main focus is still the actual printing and not graphic design. They tend to be cheaper alternatives, but sometimes lack the skills of trained graphic design professionals.
Always ask for a graphic design portfolio, especially of the type of work you are looking to procure. This will immediately give you an idea of their design talent.
Further, when you have a shortlist of design companies, ask them what their project schedule is looking like. Be sure that they can handle your deadline, especially if you are under pressure to complete a print job.
Specialised design agencies does not have to be large companies. Smaller agencies tend to have faster turnaround time on design jobs and are more willing to make a good impression to secure ongoing work.
Your graphic designer does not have to be local! The Internet is a wonderful place to find talent. Also remember that if a designer's site comes up top in Google for your search it is not a clear indication of the fact that they may be good designers. Take your time, if you have the liberty. Artwork can be delivered via email or the internet to a local printer and you'll be able to save on agency fees with regards to printers.
Agency fees are not an outright evil though, because your design company has to spend time on administering the printing process. It comes with the territory.
Never go for the cheapest option, except if their portfolio satisfy your needs. You will eventually build confidence in fishing out who can suit your needs.
Start designing as soon as possible
As with anything else, design skills are easier to learn when a person is still young. The school-going generation of today is more computer literate than their moms and dads were at that age. It may be true that many parents now work with computers eight hours a day, but the kids learned to speak the language of computers with their first steps.
They could play computer games before the first time they were even introduced to scrabble. It is a language like any… the earlier you begin to speak it, the easier it will be. Rather than letting them play games all day long, we should introduce them to Photoshop or any other image editing or drawing program. They can fool their way around, and maybe create something spectacular!
The formal training can come later. Just imagine what design would be ten years from now if this generation kids start their first formal design job with ten years design experience already on their sleeves…
Design Websites
From a recent post in the Graphic Design Forum I came accross a few cool websites about everything design. Here's the list of design websites:
Let me know if you find more great design websites!