Design Ideas and Design Process
First Image


This is the first image I edited using Adobe Photoshop. I obtained a royalty free image online of a sunset and intended to use both tutorials provided and my own to brighten up the photograph. I began by pasting the image on a separate layer and experimenting with existing filters and the ‘liquify’ tool which enabled me to blur lines and make areas appear cleaner. On the adjustments panel, I further edited the contrast, vibrancy, brightness, exposure, hue and saturation to create a desired balance and make it appear more eye-catching than the original.
Second Image


This is the second image I edited also using a royalty free image found online inspired by the famous red bus of London picture. I began by applying the black and white filter on the original image but found this darkened certain areas so solved this by altering the balance of brightness and vibrancy. I then pasted the original photo on a separate layer, ensuring both images were the same size so I could use the pen tool and cut around the bus. After removing the background, I layered the bus onto of the black and white picture and used the blending tool to make it appear seamless.
Third Image


This is my third and final, yet favourite edited image, this time using one of my own photographs. This image consisted of aspects I didn’t like such as a used tissue and part of a phone screen on the table. I watched tutorials on how to use the clone tool and found the task of removing them to be much simpler than anticipated. I selected the desired layer and brush size to clone an area of table to repeat over the unwanted areas. This left me with repeated patterns looking unrealistic which I corrected using the liquify tool to adjust the lines and shadows.
– Development
Below is the development and process to creating my final image.








Software Tutorials
When starting, I knew the basic functions and tools Photoshop offered, including using tools like existing filters, shapes and type to change an image, however lacked understanding of using it at a more professional level, with better editing and the ability to remove things whilst still making the image appear realistic. I chose this task in order to improve this skill and to teach myself how to edit whilst watching both tutorials provided as well as ones I found myself.
Some tutorials I found useful from the list provided for my first images of changing colour include; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg1WS_yOcHM and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9fwiNyDHLI as well as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2Lf4cZcIok. These videos taught me the basics of how to use the colour correcting tools in the adjustments panel, such as brightness and exposure and showed me how to create a balance that was meaningful. I also researched and found that https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuy12EOEztg was in depth about hue and saturation which was easy to follow along.
In my third image of removing elements; I found https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/how-to/clone-stamp-remove-object.html, https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/how-to/photo-retouching-basics.html and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7jf6MCVvmk&t=73s extremely useful as they provided an in depth understanding of the clone stamp and alternative methods such as the spot healing brush which was interesting to learn about to further develop my knowledge. I enjoyed how these videos were short and straight to the point whilst also being easy to follow along so I can apply the same principles to my own images.
Watching these tutorials really boosted my ability to edit confidently and helped me overcome difficulties I was facing when using Photoshop. I also found they aided my ability to design confidently and use tools I was first unfamiliar with. Even though with tutorials provided, I have increased my skills within the software dramatically, I think I would still benefit from learning more about the complex tools it offers (such as duplicating elements) which I hope to learn by watching more tutorials and practicing myself in my own time to design more professionally.
Design Resources and Articles
Additionally, from the resources provided, I found that for my first image, this article was extremely useful (https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/how-to/photoshop-sharpen-photos.html). This article explained how to sharpen areas to make it more defined, therefore when changing colours and altering balance, it would be more drastic. I also did some of my own research and found the ones that Adobe themselves provided were helpful. These include both https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/replace-colors.html and https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/photoshop/how-to/change-color-object.html which gave me an in depth understanding at a beginner level and then at intermediate with advanced tips to create a more professional image. I liked how they each described every element in the adjustments panel so I could understand what I’m really changing.
For my third image, which was focussed on removing elements, I found from the list provided that https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/retouching-repairing-images.html and https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/how-to/clone-stamp-remove-object.html were useful links when describing the uses and functions of the clone stamp tool and how to successfully apply it to my image. The steps in both of these articles were easy to follow along which I valued. In my own research for how to use the tools, I found https://expertphotography.com/clone-stamp-tool/ and https://www.lifewire.com/photoshop-clone-stamp-tool-tutorial-1697534 explained well what the tool actually did and how I could apply it. Furthermore, I read https://shootdotedit.com/blogs/news/how-to-use-liquify-tool-photoshop which showed me how to use the liquify tool to finalise the edit.
I also looked at pre-edited image to see how successfully others have used the tool, this allowed me to see the extent to which I should use it. These articles helped me to design effectively and also acknowledge me of the uses and functions of tools within the software that I could use when editing my images.
Learning Across the Module
Comparing both quiz results obtained at the beginning and end of the Autumn and Spring terms, I found that I have improved not only my knowledge of softwares but my confidence in being able to use them correctly. At the start of the Skills module, I only knew the basic fundamentals of each software, and had the ability to use simple tools such as type and shapes, but since undergoing the modules tasks every week, varying between Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop, I have developed lifelong skills which will help me become a better designer and work more effectively as well as professionally in the future.
The tutorials I watched, really enabled me to understand each tool in depth and were easy to follow along, which I think played a large part in how I took in information to apply to my own work. Some of the greatest benefits I think I have received from this, is how to use the clone stamp tool, which I found to be much easier than anticipated as well as colour correction. I also have improved on precision using the pen tool in both Photoshop and Illustrator and understood the importance of hierarchy when designing which I think are all good skills to have. I feel like I can use all three softwares to an extent where I’m happy with. including editing images, sorting layouts and illustrating, but hope to continue building on this in my own time to further develop my ability.