Photoshop allows designers to create stunning materials, including direct mail and handouts, that effectively communicate a message. In this blog post, I am going to share my experience with using Photoshop and give you tips on how to make the software easier to navigate. We will explore the importance of stakeholders in the design process, how designs evolve from draft to final, and valuable tips for working in Photoshop.
The Importance of Stakeholders
Stakeholders are individuals or groups with a vested interest in an organization’s/company’s/project’s outcome. In the case of the University of Oklahoma Admissions and Recruitment project, I thought of a long list of stakeholders that I needed to reach out to. The primary audience I want to reach with this project are high school seniors. The University of Oklahoma Admissions and Recruitment department aims to reach out to high school seniors to provide them with valuable information about the university’s academic programs, campus life, and application process, helping these prospective students make informed decisions about their higher education journey and potentially choose OU as their destination for a bright future.
As the project progressed, I discovered a secondary audience I wanted to reach – the families of current, future and past OU scholars. OU Admissions and Recruitment seeks to engage with these families to foster a sense of community and support, ensuring that both students and their families are well-informed about the university’s resources, opportunities, and events. Engaging with this stakeholder enhances the overall college experience and promotes long-lasting connections with the institution.
Click here to read more about the importance of stakeholders in my previous blog post!
The Evolution of Design
Design is a long process and it evolves through drafts, reviews, and final revisions. When you are going through this process, it is important to keep these things in mind to ensure your project is successful:
Feedback from Stakeholders: The feedback received from prospective students and the families of OU scholars will be invaluable to this process. It helps the OU Admissions and Recruitment department identify which areas they need to improve upon. The feedback can be about anything, including refining the messaging, changing visual elements, and changing the medium. Be open to constructive criticism and use it to your advantage when completing projects.
Alignment with Brand: Consistency with the University of Oklahoma’s branding guidelines is essential when recruiting potential students. Ensuring that the design aligns with the university’s visual identity by using cohesive colors and fonts will contribute to the success of the project.
Tips for Working in Photoshop
Now, here are some valuable tips for using Photoshop to enhance your design skills!
Organize Layers: Keep your Photoshop projects well-organized by using layers. Name layers logically, group related elements, and label them for clarity. This can be confusing at first, so watch tutorials on how to utilize the functions of layers in Photoshop.
Utilize Shortcuts: Familiarize yourself with Photoshop keyboard shortcuts to streamline your workflow. They can save you a significant amount of time when performing common tasks like copying, pasting and just navigating through the software.
Experiment: Photoshop offers a wide range of tools and effects. Don’t be afraid to experiment and practice with them to expand your design skills. Try out different blending techniques, filters and layers to see how they can take your designs to the next level.
Seek Inspiration: Look online for design resources, websites, and other designers’ work for inspiration on your projects. When looking at other people’s work, analyze what you think makes certain designs effective and incorporate those elements into your projects.
When I was first getting started with Photoshop, I watched a tutorial for beginners to understand the basics. Click here to watch the same video!
Remember that design is a dynamic process that requires adaptability and an open mindset. Embrace feedback, align with branding guidelines, and never stop experimenting to enhance your design skills. By following these principles and utilizing Photoshop to its full potential, you can also create compelling visuals that will leave a lasting impact.
