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What draws us to Photoshop tutorials is how the authors were able to achieve a certain aesthetic effect on an image that looks like it should. It’s fun to discover that a magnificent ensemble is merely a product of different techniques. It’s a hackneyed truth, and yet being exposed to it is always a whole new experience.
However, there are times when beginners have a tendency to be too naive about graphic design. Many people treat Photoshop as they would any word processor. They think that simply following Photoshop tutorials can make them great designers. What they tend to forget is the fact that learning Photoshop implies a proper knowledge of the elements and principles of graphic design. If the elements are what give a design its integrity, the principles relevant to the “how” to use these elements.
The four principles of graphic design that apply to Photoshop are as follows:
Balance. Simply put, balance is the equal distribution of visual weight. It is determined by the size, tone, and depth of graphic and textual elements and how they interact within a piece. Color, value, size, shape, and texture have something to do with balance.
There are two basic types: symmetrical and asymmetrical. Symmetrical balance is when the elements are arranged evenly throughout the design. You can rarely find this type in Photoshop tutorials, as they lean a bit towards the edgy and conservative side of design. They don’t show much of a designer’s creativity as they value tradition and function. However, clients prefer symmetrical designs because they exude strength and stability.
Asymmetric balance is the arrangement of different graphic elements on each side of the page regardless of their symmetry. The important thing is that the weight of these two objects is still well balanced. Asymmetric creates more contrast and variety. Gives an illusion of movement across the page. His informality provokes emotion in the audience.
Rhythm. You read it right. There is rhythm in the field of visual arts. But no, that does not mean that simply by looking you can hear the emotions that the graphic elements evoke. It’s nothing like that. Visual rhythm just means that a certain element repeats and varies at regular intervals. It is achieved when you create a series of similar shapes evenly. That is what you call regular rhythm and it evokes a calm atmosphere. Rhythm is also achieved when you gradually place a larger item on an even larger one. This connotes consistency and strength. Abrupt changes in size and spacing create a livelier, more exciting beat. Watch them play in your favorite Photoshop tutorials.
Emphasis. This principle seems to be self-explanatory. Emphasis belongs to the technique of anticipating which graphic elements should attract the attention of the audience. It’s all about what stands out and what gets noticed first. You have to control the design elements to direct the audience’s eyes to what you think is important. It is not possible to focus on two or more graphic elements. That is defeating the purpose. In fact, that’s not even possible in communication theory books. In stories, one character will always stand out as the main character. The same applies in the visual arts.
Unit. We all like to talk about expanding our imagination and experimenting. Truth be told, it’s the easiest virtue to follow in graphic design. The hard part comes in putting things together. In Photoshop, you don’t use all the filters in a project and expect to create a respectable design. More is never good. The fewest elements you can use for the clearest message is the goal of the design.
The final effects employed in most of the Photoshop tutorials look wacky, one might say. But that’s only because the authors know how to distribute the elements where they belong. In the end, they were able to create a sense of unity and wholeness in the piece.
The key is consistency. Know your purpose and visualize your ideas. Execute keeping in mind that there is a technique for each effect and that learning is better than blindly following.