Using Photoshop for Web Design

Photoshop plays a big role in website design. This Adobe program is used to create website mockups, logos, and even wireframes. If you’re looking to get into web design, knowing Photoshop is a must. Here are some tips of ours for using Photoshop for web design.

1. Use a Grid

You should definitely use a grid system when designing anything in Photoshop. It gives your design structure. It also ensures that your proportions are correct throughout the design.

2. Consider the entire page

When designing, keep the entire page in mind — not just the part that you are working on. One good practice is to place all of your Photoshop elements on the canvas before you commit things to a certain spot. Getting a rough picture of the final project ensures that you’ll make smart decisions later on.

3. Use Text Wrap

Text Wrap, which is mostly used in InDesign, can actually be used in Photoshop as well. There is no direct tool for it, but with a few keyboard shortcuts it can be done. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to do it.

4. Stay Organized in your Layers

When you start building layers upon layers, things can sometimes get confusing. If you use Ctrl/Command+G, you can group layers together. Headers, footers, navigation, and other static components should be grouped together. This can save you time and trouble.

5. Be Consistent in Design

Consistency is key. Text should be the same color, but possibly in varying shades. Pages should be the same color as well. If each page you have is a new color, people will be thrown off or overwhelmed.

Now you know some useful tips for using Photoshop for web design. Some of these tips may be a bit obvious, but it’s good to remember nonetheless. Overall, Photoshop isn’t too hard to learn, but it can be hard to master. Hopefully your skills improve with these suggestions.