Layer Mask In Photoshop CS4

Making a Mask layer is pretty easy with Photoshop CS4.

First make a selection of the area you would like to mask. Using your selection tool of choice for this post I will be using the Quick Selection tool.

Using this tool I quickly select the image of the bird.
I then open the mask tab and click on “Select Pixel Mask”

If you selected the background instead of the object to mask you many need to hit the invert button.

You now have a layer mask.

To add to or take away from that mask click on the layer and select the mask.

Using your paint brush tool you can use black to Mask more or White to remove the mask.

Create a Grass Brush - Adobe Illustraitor

A great solution to creating grass quickly is using the brushes in Illustrator. This method is taken from “ The Adobe Illustrator CS4 WOW! Book” Pages 158-159

1. First use the pen tool and draw a blade of grass.

2. Make 2 copies of the blade

3. Set one to be shadow and make it slightly larger,
Set one for the main tone
Set one for the highlight Make it smaller

4. Using the direct point select and other tools merge the three items into one stacked blade.

5. Select this 3 layered object and drag it to the brushes pallet. Select New Art Brush

6. In the art brush options name your brush and make sure your method says Tints and Shades.

7.With this new brush use the paint brush tool and draw several paths.

8. Using the Options of Selected object button at the bottom of the brushes pallet

Make adjustments to your blades of grass to make the more random. Mainly Flip directions on some and click proportional.

9. Next you create a pattern brush from this path.
Select the blades you just created and adjusted and drag the selection to the brushes pallet. Select New Pattern Brush.

10. Select OK in the Pattern Brush Options. Leave Defaults

Make sure you have your new pattern brush selected and then with the paintbrush draw a few paths about the same size. And you will have grass.

Applied for grass in gray-scale illustration .

This blog entry is resourced from:

Typographic Hierarchy - Back Label

How can the use of type styles (bold, regular, italic, caps, etc.), size variation, orientation, and arrangement effect the look and feel of the packaging graphics?

By using different type styles a designer is able to lead the viewer to the key items and organize the information by creating a framework on the label and therefore establishing typographic hierarchy. In this wine bottle sample you see the bold, san serif, all capitol font really pops and draws the eye first on the white label. The word “Chardonnay” is the second thing you see as it is a larger font and quite bold. The smaller thinner fonts are still seen, but it is more of a sublet element. The type styles aid in creating personality and a voice for the product.

http://www.thedieline.com/.a/6a00d8345250f069e2013481be3a94970c-800wi

Resources:
Packaging Design Successful Product Branding from Concept to Shelf Chapter 5
http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2010/05/back-label-wine.html#more

Experimental Typography - Back Label

How can Packaging Designers utilize interesting and experimental typography within their packaging graphics while still conforming to industry standards?

Package designers must use “out-of-the-box” thinking to increase interest and push experimental typography with packaging design graphics. It is innovative and creative use of typography that makes a package stand out from the competitors visual noise. In analyzing the typography sites, I found this label for a bottle of wine. “Back Label”

http://www.thedieline.com/.a/6a00d8345250f069e2013481be3a94970c-800wi

I found the label to be completely different and something I had never seen before. It is so simple and inexpensive yet meets the criteria for the product. Using the distortion of the actual bottle and fluid was a very creative way to draw the consumer’s attention and move a basic san serif font to look more dynamic. Even better, they negative space the text created in reverse on the back label adds to the great design. In this design I think the designer could have even taken it a step further and done the same type application to the type of wine “chardonnay”. Overall, the big picture is very simple typography used in a creative way to create a very unique look for this product.

Resources:
http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2010/05/back-label-wine.html#more

Photoshop CS4 Classroom in a book

If you have

















or

















I totally suggest this book! This is a great Photoshop self-teach book. I used it at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh!

Typography Smoke Effect

An incredible collection of smoke typography samples.
Great collection thank you technologytosoftware.com!
Check it out!!!
Marvelous Smoke Typography For Your Design Needs

One of my favorites!

Some Great Typography books. I suggest the first one!

Awesome Typography Posters

AWESOME SITE FOR TYPOGRAPHY SAMPLES. 

Thank you  DESIGN SHARD!

Inspiring Grunge Style Big Typography Posters

There is something special about these hand picked posters. A certain style that is unique and makes them stand out. Those are big typography posters, with a grunge edge and a retro touch. Typically with big fonts, straight lines, round curves, dark colors and grunge textures.

http://www.designshard.com/inspiration/inspiring-grunge-style-big-typography-posters/comment-page-2/#comment-6034

Typography, Color & Imagry Develop Branding

How are typography, color and imagery used to develop brand recognition?
Consistent use of typography, color and imagery is key to creating brand awareness. Many people know their product simply by the consistent color used. Our brains actually identify color quicker than they recognize imagery. Color also has many physiological aspects to it as well. Certain colors are not good to use with certain foods while other color choices may brand a product masculine or feminine.

Typography is an interesting ingredient in design that is often overlooked. Letterform has the power and can change the personality of the entire piece, as well as, readability will help the viewer quickly identify the specifics of a product. I always think if type can be manipulated in away to show or reinforce what it says it is always very powerful, but the rule of thumb is the text needs to be readable which means always check spelling an grammar.

Imagery many times is the identifying mark of the brand. A simple symbol or logo placed in a consistent location on the product assures the consumer that he has the correct product. Imagery could be as simple as a symbol or as elaborate as a photographed model. Consider Verizon wireless. They continually use the guy in the black glasses. Verizon has done an amazing job at making the geeky guy in the black glasses with the cell phone, “The Verizon Guy”.
See Verizon guy:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rf8xv4i7IyYC_mpw2s0n06IJlWPhLr8rjV-cqJxdBo_82SU_U_aJzoEBVNobK8KFJfNo1MI903d5zIoU6i3EsmN44JeBX3vnTOz4SK-xlBUA4uzP0QqNck36eId1uNgcmCB4YuY7QLk/s400/Verizon+guy.jpg

Many companies may try to snag a celebrity and use them as a brand as well. I specifically think of shoe companies and basketball players.

http://blog.themavenreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/michael-jordan-xx3.jpg

Imagery can also be used to distinguish the type of product. Food is often used to appeal to one appetite. An illustration my give quick visual instructions on how to open a product or even close it. They could even be warnings about harmful uses of the product.