Greetings cards
Using Photoshop, I learnt how to turn images into illustrations and messed around with font effects to produce fun and quirky assets. Using conventions for typical greetings cards I added my own flare to create unique message cards.
Starting with creating my image with settings that matched the paper size and used the ruler to create my trim and bleed guide. I created smart objects to allow better resizing of images without losing quality and embeded to image to the card. When exporting I made sure settings are to CMKY, layers are flattened, resolution at 300dpi, and export with a high res pdf file copy. Depending how the asset is printed and the type of graphic, the printer settings should be checked and ​ adjust my projects accordingly.
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Creating print ready work
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"Have an eggcellent day" card
I kept 'convert to sRGB' on for this so I could present my designs on my website. However this would be unticked if it were for print.
Before sending the file, you need to use Edit>Convert to their profile, then use Save As, not Export.
I drew the egg using my drawpad within Photoshop for A5 template (210 x 148mm, which is 1748 x 2480 pixels) This means I created my template for 1748 x 1240 pxl to fit half the page for when folded.
I used rulers to create a guideline of a 35pxl bleed which is about 9.2mm
(industry standard bleed is 3mm).
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I find drawing in Photoshop easier due to the layers and variety of drawing tools. However, illustrtor would be better for clean graphic illustrations as these can be reused and printed in any format.
Inedesign would be another option as it is a publishing program used for page layout and design in print and digital. It has the basics of manipulating photos and would be an option if Photoshop was unavailable.
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"Getting older? Lets put you to the test" card
I made a humous getting older birthday card. With the front page as a eye test chart that reads 'Getting older? lets put you to the test'. Where the inside is a word search with unique words related to getting older, find such as "back pain" and "wheres my keys?" adding fun interactive element to my card.
This is designed on a 10 x 7 inch canvas (which makes 5x7inch (A7) when folded). With a 30mm bleed.
mockup birthday card
inside birthday card
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Using smart objects allow me to reuse the template and easily change text and images without losing quality or sizing. Allowing more efficiency when creating cards.
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Due to cost I only own Photoshop, although illustrator would be better for print ready files due to its built in trim and bleed lines and use of vector based programming allowing high-quality, scaleable work.
Photoshop uses raster graphics, meaning they are pixel based. Giving images more detailed colours and shading than vectors, while handling detailed textures and precise edits better.
Converting text to shape layers in Photoshop will essentially be a vector as long as you do not flatten the image, and once saved as a PDF, PSD or TIFF, it will maintain the vector text.
outside birthday card
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Repeated patterns
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For this design I created a repeated pattern of some flowers that I took pictures of in Kew Gardens, London. I used their outline for the pattern and used a clipping mask and overlay effect over the hearts to give them texture.
I created all assets for this. The present was made using the 3D view tool, I drew and coloured the balloons and banners using the pen tool. Having layers with different overlays and using the brush tool and painting on the mask to reveal darker and lighter shades to give an image depth and an illustrated feel.
Sticking to a colour theme of pastel colours on a bright background to create an eye catching card.
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Making more repeated patterns within Photoshop. For this card I used basic shapes and it created a confetti style pattern which is fitting for a birthday card.
I usually start with a 400 x 400 pxl canvas and placed my shapes in various sizes and angles. Using the offset feature, this shifts the canvas at a certain amount of horizontal and vertical pixels for me to add more of my shapes to create this fun and simple repeated pattern.
Creating illustration from image
For this spooky greetings card, I turned an image of a pumpkin I crocheted into an illustration.
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To do this you use by stylizing - diffuse (anisotropic) my subject to soften all pixels. I then unsharpened layer, reduce noise, surface blur, to then unsharpen mask again. This all brings out the details for the next step to create the illustration.
Using the filter gallery - artistic - cutout. This turns the image into a vector styled illustration, turning it into cut pout pieces of coloured paper.
With a duplicate of the original subject I adjusted the levels and then used the filter gallery - sketch - stamp to make the image appear it was created by wood or rubber, adding a fine line stroke to capture the images detail.
Next you go Stylize - Oil paint, unsharp mask and then adjusted the layer mode to multiply to darken colours while preserving the shadows in the layers below, making the colours richer.
Having another duplicate of the original with the layer mode to colour, allowing the hues and saturation values blend with the layers below.
Finally creating a new layer to adjust Curves, Gradient map, and Vibrance.
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Making the pumpkin cutting knife, I used the pen tool and had duplicate layers with different layer modes and masks to draw shading and detail on it