Welcome to design prep for brandgasm 101!
Welcome to design prep for brandgasm 101! I am so thrilled you are here and have decided to join us! I know you are going to truly get so much value from Brandgasm 101. Just imagine that next big idea you have and how great it will be to execute it right away, no waiting, no long emails to designers or copywriters. Just you! My philosophy when it comes to learning design is similar to teaching a toddler how to swim. You take the floaties off and tell them to move their arms and legs as fast as they can. Now, you aren’t a toddler (obviously), but you do need to get your feet wet and wade out into the deep end, so to speak. I don’t believe in long tutorials that teach you very specific design techniques. I believe in opening up Photoshop and fiddling around with it. Mostly this works because, if you figure something out on your own, you are way more likely to remember it. And that’s what I want you to get from this course: the ability to create anything you want, not just a few specific things. I want you to have a big, crazy, amazing idea and then be able to open up Photoshop and create a header for your new website. And, if you only know how to create a few things, you won’t be able to tap into your inherent creativity. If you are an entrepreneur and you desire to create and stamp your mark onto the world, then you are creative. End of story. Don’t argue with me. You are creative. Now, let’s channel that creativity of yours into beautiful marketing materials that will give you pride in what you are writing, selling, anything-ing. In these prep materials, I want you to learn the basics. These will be the building blocks for the entire course. Once you have these mastered, what you’ll learn in Brandgasm will be easily implemented and you’ll be able to create beautiful graphics on the fly. Alright, now, let’s dive in!
Step 1 - download photoshop If you are going to be creating graphics for your business, you’re going to need Photoshop. It’s quite unavoidable, at this point. You may use another program such as Gimp, but it will make following along in this specific course a little trickier. Photoshop is available on Adobe’s website. To download Photoshop, you have a few options available: 1. Download a 30 day free trial (this won’t last you throughout the course, but it will get you started.) 2. Purchase a one year subscription for $19.99/month. (You must commit to a year in order to get this price per month.) 3. Pay month to month on an as-needed basis for $29.99/month. 4. Purchase it outright for $699.00 It is important to note here that all screenshots and tutorials pertaining to Photoshop will be done using Photoshop CS6 on a Mac. (Since I’ve created these materials, there has been a release of a new version of Photoshop called Photoshop CC. It is relatively the same, so all sections and lessons will apply wonderfully!)
Step 2 - what you need to know Photoshop is one of the most robust programs that I’ve ever used. Frankly, I don’t use half (if not more) of what it’s capable of. This isn’t because I don’t know how; it’s because I don’t need most of the tools it offers. For Brandgasm 101, and to create beautiful and simple designs, you’ll need to know the following: • How to start a new document • How to create shapes (rectangles, squares, circles, etc.) • How to change the color of shapes • What Layers are and how to use the Layers Panel • How to create type and how to change the color, style, and attributes of type • How to use the Marquee tool to cut out pictures • How to use the Layer Styles panel That, folks, is all there is. Mastering those few things up there has been all I’ve needed to create beautiful designs. I will teach you a bit more than what’s up in that list, but for the most part, if you can have those few things down before we start, you’ll sail through the kit.
Step 3 - prep tutorials The absolute best guide to Photoshop I have ever found (for free) is on SitePoint. The article is here and it will give you a great overview of the tools and features of Photoshop. Additionally, Adobe has its own area where it offers free tutorials from experts. Most of the topics they cover are not important to what we’re going to be working on. Here are a few that will help you get better acquainted with the program (you don’t need to watch all of these; just watch the ones on the topic[s] think you need the most help on). Watch in any order you prefer. You may want to get a handle on Layers first, but then the rest can be learned in any order: • Layers 101 • Backgrounds vs. Layers • Type 101 • Selection 101 • Overview of Filters • Understanding Pixels Additional Resources • Introduction to Layer Styles (psdtuts+) • A Comprehensive Guide to the Type Tool (psdtuts+)
Step 4 - time to paddle Alright, so now you’ve done your research. You’ve downloaded Photoshop (that took forever, right?!) and you are ready to start messing around with it. So, I’m going to give you some tasks. If you can get these down and feel comfortable within them, then you will be more than ready to start Brandgasm 101. (Please do not feel discouraged if you don’t get these mastered on the first try. What will help you the most here is to try something and then undo it, then try again. The best way to master a program like Photoshop is to practice at it.) • Create a new document that is 1024px wide by 300px high in RGB color mode • Set up your workspace by making sure your Layers Panel, Type Panel, and Toolbar are all visible • Go to View > Show > Smart Guides // Make sure Smart Guides are checked. (Smart Guides will help you to line up your layers by showing where they intersect.) • Now, create a rectangle shape that covers the entire background of the document • Change the color of the shape (any color will do) • Add a line of text (use your first and last name) • Change the text size, font and color of your name • Add a drop shadow to your name using Layer Styles (hint: double click the Type layer to bring up the Layer Styles for it) • Create a paragraph of text and type in a short description of yourself • Open up a picture of yourself in another window • Use the circular Marquee tool to cut out your face into a circle (hint: when drawing the selection, hold the Shift key to create a perfect circle) • Copy the selection of your face • Paste it into the document with your name • Position the text and the description together and to the right • Move the picture to the left • How’d you do?
Step 5 - keep practicing I know this may seem daunting at first. What are layers!? How do I move the type!? Believe me, I get that. Like I’ve said many times before: I started right where you are starting. The good news is that, after ten years of working with Photoshop, I can tell you with absolute certainty that if you master the tools I’ve pointed out in this document, then you will be able to create a wide variety of designs. There are certainly more advanced techniques, but those are the icing on the cake once you know Photoshop like it’s the back of your hand. What I encourage you to do between now and when you dive into the kit is to open up Photoshop at least once a day and fiddle around with it. Type your name. Change the color of your name. Draw shapes. Play around with the Layer Styles. Add pictures into a document and apply a filter. Give yourself a task like creating a header or designing your favorite quote or something similar to that. If you don’t know how to do something or you’re stuck, Google it. This is exactly what I used to do when I was learning. Because, truly, if you know how to work with type, layers, and shapes, you have an endless amount of creativity you can channel using just those few tools. These are the basics and, like anything else, this is where we all have to start. The kit itself will be more structured and will include tangible lessons that will further your design work. In the kit, you’ll learn how to take these tools you have practiced and transform them into professional and impressive designs. Every single designer I’ve spoken with has said that the number one most important thing they’ve done during the pursuit of beautiful design is to try, practice, undo, and repeat. Take your time with it. Give yourself time to understand and get familiar with the program. Then, start diving into the kit and you’ll be off to the races! Best & Great Luck!
Jamie Varon
Step 1 - download photoshop If you are going to be creating graphics for your business, you’re going to need Photoshop. It’s quite unavoidable, at this point. You may use another program such as Gimp, but it will make following along in this specific course a little trickier. Photoshop is available on Adobe’s website. To download Photoshop, you have a few options available: 1. Download a 30 day free trial (this won’t last you throughout the course, but it will get you started.) 2. Purchase a one year subscription for $19.99/month. (You must commit to a year in order to get this price per month.) 3. Pay month to month on an as-needed basis for $29.99/month. 4. Purchase it outright for $699.00 It is important to note here that all screenshots and tutorials pertaining to Photoshop will be done using Photoshop CS6 on a Mac. (Since I’ve created these materials, there has been a release of a new version of Photoshop called Photoshop CC. It is relatively the same, so all sections and lessons will apply wonderfully!)
Step 2 - what you need to know Photoshop is one of the most robust programs that I’ve ever used. Frankly, I don’t use half (if not more) of what it’s capable of. This isn’t because I don’t know how; it’s because I don’t need most of the tools it offers. For Brandgasm 101, and to create beautiful and simple designs, you’ll need to know the following: • How to start a new document • How to create shapes (rectangles, squares, circles, etc.) • How to change the color of shapes • What Layers are and how to use the Layers Panel • How to create type and how to change the color, style, and attributes of type • How to use the Marquee tool to cut out pictures • How to use the Layer Styles panel That, folks, is all there is. Mastering those few things up there has been all I’ve needed to create beautiful designs. I will teach you a bit more than what’s up in that list, but for the most part, if you can have those few things down before we start, you’ll sail through the kit.
Step 3 - prep tutorials The absolute best guide to Photoshop I have ever found (for free) is on SitePoint. The article is here and it will give you a great overview of the tools and features of Photoshop. Additionally, Adobe has its own area where it offers free tutorials from experts. Most of the topics they cover are not important to what we’re going to be working on. Here are a few that will help you get better acquainted with the program (you don’t need to watch all of these; just watch the ones on the topic[s] think you need the most help on). Watch in any order you prefer. You may want to get a handle on Layers first, but then the rest can be learned in any order: • Layers 101 • Backgrounds vs. Layers • Type 101 • Selection 101 • Overview of Filters • Understanding Pixels Additional Resources • Introduction to Layer Styles (psdtuts+) • A Comprehensive Guide to the Type Tool (psdtuts+)
Step 4 - time to paddle Alright, so now you’ve done your research. You’ve downloaded Photoshop (that took forever, right?!) and you are ready to start messing around with it. So, I’m going to give you some tasks. If you can get these down and feel comfortable within them, then you will be more than ready to start Brandgasm 101. (Please do not feel discouraged if you don’t get these mastered on the first try. What will help you the most here is to try something and then undo it, then try again. The best way to master a program like Photoshop is to practice at it.) • Create a new document that is 1024px wide by 300px high in RGB color mode • Set up your workspace by making sure your Layers Panel, Type Panel, and Toolbar are all visible • Go to View > Show > Smart Guides // Make sure Smart Guides are checked. (Smart Guides will help you to line up your layers by showing where they intersect.) • Now, create a rectangle shape that covers the entire background of the document • Change the color of the shape (any color will do) • Add a line of text (use your first and last name) • Change the text size, font and color of your name • Add a drop shadow to your name using Layer Styles (hint: double click the Type layer to bring up the Layer Styles for it) • Create a paragraph of text and type in a short description of yourself • Open up a picture of yourself in another window • Use the circular Marquee tool to cut out your face into a circle (hint: when drawing the selection, hold the Shift key to create a perfect circle) • Copy the selection of your face • Paste it into the document with your name • Position the text and the description together and to the right • Move the picture to the left • How’d you do?
Step 5 - keep practicing I know this may seem daunting at first. What are layers!? How do I move the type!? Believe me, I get that. Like I’ve said many times before: I started right where you are starting. The good news is that, after ten years of working with Photoshop, I can tell you with absolute certainty that if you master the tools I’ve pointed out in this document, then you will be able to create a wide variety of designs. There are certainly more advanced techniques, but those are the icing on the cake once you know Photoshop like it’s the back of your hand. What I encourage you to do between now and when you dive into the kit is to open up Photoshop at least once a day and fiddle around with it. Type your name. Change the color of your name. Draw shapes. Play around with the Layer Styles. Add pictures into a document and apply a filter. Give yourself a task like creating a header or designing your favorite quote or something similar to that. If you don’t know how to do something or you’re stuck, Google it. This is exactly what I used to do when I was learning. Because, truly, if you know how to work with type, layers, and shapes, you have an endless amount of creativity you can channel using just those few tools. These are the basics and, like anything else, this is where we all have to start. The kit itself will be more structured and will include tangible lessons that will further your design work. In the kit, you’ll learn how to take these tools you have practiced and transform them into professional and impressive designs. Every single designer I’ve spoken with has said that the number one most important thing they’ve done during the pursuit of beautiful design is to try, practice, undo, and repeat. Take your time with it. Give yourself time to understand and get familiar with the program. Then, start diving into the kit and you’ll be off to the races! Best & Great Luck!
Jamie Varon
