Resize an Image Using Photoshop

By Halstatt Pires

Photoshop is a wonderful tool for graphic design, web development and any other form of digital media creation. In this article, we discuss resizing an image using the program.

Photoshop has many uses and is a very powerful program with many different capabilities and functions. Photoshop can have a high learning curve and may be a little overwhelming at first because of all the different tools and options available to use, but I am sure you thought the same thing about learning to read. Now look at you, you are a pro.

As with any thing in life practice is the key to becoming better at things you don’t know or think are too difficult. Try not to become intimidated and don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment. Someone famous once said that learning from failure is the key to success.

While Photoshop may be a lot more program than you need to resize an image, it is an important function to learn because it is a common technique in digital media development. Why would you want to resize an image in the first place? There are numerous reasons, but the most common is to make photos fit on web pages or print material.

Ok, as for the actual steps involved in resizing an image here they are:

1. Open Adobe Photoshop and the photo you wish to resize.

2. Once you have your photo open navigate your mouse to the tool bar that runs along the top of the screen and click on “Image”.

3. Once you click on “Image” from the tool bar, a drop down menu will appear. Select “Image Size” from the drop down menu. A window should popup with the images properties.

4. Initially, for our intents and purposes we only want to pay attention to “Pixel Dimensions” in the popup window. You will see that you can control the width and height values of the image in the popup window. You should also see a drop down menu for selecting “pixels” or “percent”. Make sure pixels is the unit selected in both the width and height fields. Pixels are tiny dots of color that make up the photo. If you ever look at printed material under a magnifying glass you will notice that the image is made up of tiny dots of color. These tiny dots of color are analogous to what pixels are in a digital image.

5. Okay. Let’s pretend that the image you opened up at the start of this tutorial is very large, something like 2000 pixels wide by 1500 pixels in height and we want to resize the image to fit on a web page. Most web pages are somewhere around 800 pixels wide by some arbitrary height. The reason height is arbitrary is because it is determined by how much content appears on the page. Let’s say that we want the image to take up about half the width of the web page. To accomplish this we would change the pixel width value from 2000 to 400 pixels (which is half of 800 pixels, the width of the web page). Make sure that the “Constrain Proportions” option is checked so that the ratio between width and height is preserved and the image does not become distorted.

6. Click “OK” and save the newly resized version of your image. YOU’RE DONE!

You just resized your first photo using Photoshop and are now 100 times more advanced. Congratulations you are on your way to becoming a Photoshop master.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Halstatt_Pires
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Graphic Design & Branding - 3 Marketing Tips From a Pro

By Kate Garvey

Branding is the creation of a name, name layout and symbols or designs working together to represent a company. Good branding creates a lasting first impression that is unique and easily identifies your company. Ideally, branding should catch the consumer’s eye, make a good impression and provide potential consumers information about the services offered. A couple of well known corporations that effectively use branding are McDonalds--think golden arches and Macintosh--an apple with a missing bite. Even if your company is small or just forming, you still want to begin name recognition by incorporating branding during the early stages of business. When working with a graphic designer to create effective company branding, be sure to think about the whole picture. Please consider the following:

1. Your company name should inform the general public about your business. If you haven’t decided on a company name, take some time to think about all the services or products you sell or will be selling, and brainstorm names that will clearly identify what you do. Some good examples are Petsmart, Rooms to Go, Famous Footwear, and Carnival Cruises, etc. All of these companies use names that clearly identify what they do. They also provide a theme on the business. For example, smart consumers shop for pet needs at PetSmart, people in a hurry wanting a put-together look in furniture are drawn to Rooms to Go, when you need shoes buy the best at Famous Footwear, if you want to have a whole lot of fun, don’t just go on a cruise, go on a Carnival Cruise.

2. Keep your name and company design simple. Your company name should always be easy to read. Any symbols or logos, should support the name and not detract from it. Increase your awareness of how major corporations make it easy to read their company name and how the symbols used support the name. You can use the name to evoke a feeling, but it needs to be legible. For example Ashley Furniture uses an elegant style in their branding, whereas, Re/Max Real Estate uses an exciting bold look.

3. If you add a logo, symbol or picture, use something that will support your theme. If you run a catering business, it’s appropriate to have pictures of food or people celebrating with food. If own a fencing company, you may want to have part of your name appear with a fence-like texture. I realize this sounds obvious, but many times new business owners incorporate pictures that are personal and do not support their business. Don’t include your child’s picture, a pet photo, or family pictures, unless you own a business that services these areas. Try to be very objective about your logo or symbol. Does it really portray your business in the best possible way?

It may be helpful to consult with a graphic designer at the preliminary stage of your business development. They may be able to show samples that will help feed your creative juices.

Kate Garvey is a professional, freelance writer and may be reached at www.kategarvey.net . This article was courtesy of an interview with Graphic Designer, Jessica Dockter of L.E.E. Designs. For more information on graphic design please visit http://yvonneperry.net/Meet-the-Writers.htm#Jessica_Dockter .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kate_Garvey
http://EzineArticles.com/?Graphic-Design-and-Branding---3-Marketing-Tips-From-a-Pro&id=574751

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Lonnie has been a Graphic Designer since 1998. In 2003 he started his own business in graphic/web design. Visit Paragon Grafix to see his work.

At the end of 2006 Lonnie started a Home Based Business that has been growing very rapidly. To get more information on his home based business go to www.lonnieniver.ws

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Corporate Identity Colors

The personality of a company can be identified by the colors used in their logo. Each color gives off its own mood. This mood can either be positve or negative. By understanding the meaning of colors you can give your corporate identity a personality that is stimulating.

In design there are three catagories in which we place colors they are neutral, warm and cool. Neutral colors are considered non-colors because they are used more as a mixture to create other shades of colors. These neutral colors are known as Black, White, Gray, Beige and Brown. By mixing netural colors with other colors you can influence the positive and negative mood of your logo. We associate black with power, authority and often signifies assertiveness and formality. Also, remeber white is not considered as a color but as an absence of all colors and signifies purity and innocense.

Next, we have warm colors. In design we use these colors as attention getters because they stimulate the nervous system. Warm colors include; Red, Orange, Yellow, Yellow/Green and Purple. Haven't you ever ask yourself why red is used for stop signs or yellow for caution? It is because psycholoically you understand the importance of the color and react to it. Using Red will associated your corporate identity with intensity, strength and good fortune while yellow will promote visibility and danger.

The next catagory of colors give a sense of restfullnes. They are known as the Cool colors because they easy on the eyes. Cool colors include; Blue, Violet, Turquoise, Sea/Green, Green. Using a light blue can give your corporate identity a sense of peacefulness and tranquility but if you want to go for more trustworthiness and dependability use a darker blue.

Knowing and understanding the meaning of colors will help you give your corporate identity the personality that will influence the mood of your customers.

Copyright © 2006 Lonnie Niver, All rights reserved.