Photoshop is often considered the sine qua non of the digital design world. With advanced image manipulation capacities and an assortment of tools to suit equally diverse needs, Photoshop is finding its way into classrooms and workplaces alike. But for the amateur user, creating a masterpiece may not seem like such a walk in the park. This article will provide a concise procedure for designing a cover in seven easy steps.
- Open the image you would like to use by clicking File > Open. The image will appear to the left side of the Photoshop window. It will also appear as a Background Layer in the layers palette on the bottom right hand side of the screen.
- In order to adjust image properties, transform, or otherwise change some aspect of the image, a duplicate layer must be created. (The original layer is locked and cannot be altered.) Simply click Layer > Duplicate Layer. This option now enables layers to be flattened, grouped, and so on. The new layer will also appear with the background layer in the palette on the right, but it will not be locked.
- In order to modify the colour of the layer (from full colour to black & white, for instance), follow Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation. The user is then directed to a drop-down menu that enables him/her to create a separate layer specifically for moderating colour saturation. This tool can also be accessed using the “Adjustment” tab in the top left-hand corner of the formatting palette.
- The Adjustment tab also allows you to insert a photo filter onto the image (i.e. make it warmer or cooler). The colour of this photo filter can be altered by selecting a new hue from the palette (the higher the Density the more obvious this photo filter will become, and vise versa).
- Adding text is as simple as adding another layer. On the left hand side of the Photoshop window you will notice a vertical toolbar. Use the T symbol to select the text cursor, and position where desired. The text parameters (e.g. font, colour, indentation, size, kerning, etc.) can be modified using the formatting palette as well (top portion). This text box can be relocated by clicking on the cross-like symbol that appears beside it.
- In assuring that vulnerable parts of the image are not trimmed by the printer (especially details falling within the margin and bleed area around the outer edge of the picture), it may be necessary to resize or crop the image. To do this, simply select the original background’s duplicate layer from the formatting palette, then Edit > Transform > Scale. A small toolbar will appear above the image. In order to achieve uniform scale on both the Width and the Height, click the Maintain Aspect Ratio option (this should appear as a chain link symbol between W and Hboxes). Confirm or apply this change by clicking on the checkmark (ü) symbol to the right hand side of the Transform toolbar.
- If publishing a cover online, you must save the new image using a web- and print-friendly format. JPEG, PGN and GIF files are normally recommended for these kinds of projects (PDF may also be acceptable, but in this case should be reserved mainly for word documents). These particulars should be available on the self-publisher’s website.
These steps work well if using a single image. The process does not take into account any additional manipulation, including red-eye treatment, photo retouching, or otherwise, that may be necessary before initiating such a procedure as that detailed above. The ability to design your own cover, however, allows a self-publisher to dabble in some digital imaging while saving money that would otherwise be used to hire a professional cover designer. With a little patience, imagination, and the right software, you would be amazed what you can really do.
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