Halloween Card Tutorial

Halloween Card Project 1. Technical Elements (10 points) * 10 inches wide by 7 inches high (1/4 inch bleed allotment) * resolution = 300 ppi * Image mode = CMYK * project is labeled correctly (ie. Lastnamethenhalloweencard.psd) [robey_halloweencard.psd] * saved to X drive in PROJECTS folder as .psd document and left in layers 2. Required Elements (10 points) Halloween card must include: Interesting text creatively placed into the card image. Must incorporate a minimum of 3 separate images working together into the one final design.(text is not an image…) On the backside of your card must be an original company logo(be creative), a barcode and a price. Must include layer labeled “guidelines” showing the fold lines and ¼ inch bleed with crop marks All layers must be labeled 3. Creativity and Interesting Elements (40 points) * interesting and eye-catching image to look at (10 points) * colorful design that stands out and is pleasing to the eye (10 points) * interesting composition of the compilation of images used (10 points) * clever and interesting use of text, ability to read text easily, text works with rest of image, etc. * creative and interesting signature or logo used on back side of card design _____________________________________________________________ Project Total = 70 points

Bleed= When any image or element on a page touches the edge of the page, extending beyond the trim edge, leaving no margin it is said to bleed. It may bleed or extend off one or more sides. In final print, there is a bleed allotment specified to allow for precise trimming, with out trimming away needed elements of an image or design.

Begin this project as always with first creating your new document to work on. Using the technical Elements, you can set your document up as 10.5 inches wide (adding in the .25 bleed on both sides) by 7.5 inches high (again adding in the .25 bleed allotment on both sides), and setting the resolution at 300 ppi. Remember to leave your document in RGB now, so you can work on it and have all filters, tools, etc. available to you, and then convert it at the end to CMYK.

Next, open up the template file you received from Mr Next, open up the template file you received from Mr. Robey and drop it into your document. You will now have a layer with the fold lines, crop marks and bleed allotment all on one layer that should remain untouched. Name this layer “guidelines” and keep it at the top of your stacking order so you can use it to place everything else in your file properly.

You might start with a background color or image, but place your guidelines layer at the top of the stacking order so you can always see them.

Next step, drop in one of your 3 required images.

Drop in image number 2.

And drop in image number 3.

Once you have your images dropped into your document, you can then size them and make your image adjustments to better the image and make it fit visually with your other images and background. You can use the eight step sequence of adjustments from lesson 3 in your book, located on page 86 to help you.

Type in your text layer. Be sure to play with color, fonts, sizes and some different Filters and Layer Styles to add interest. ** don’t forget to be labeling your layers as you work so as to keep things organized**

Do not forget to add in your original logo design for your card company. The logo should go on the back of the card. You will also include a bar code and a price.

Here, I dropped in a background image slightly smaller than my background color and then used the Solarize filter on it. I then measured it out and placed it in the center of my color background border.

I played around with some of the Layer Styles to add to lettering, moved images around till I like their location and also played with some Layer Styles on the logo to tie it in to the final design. My guidelines and crop marks are visible at the top layer of the stacking order.

The final step is for me to go to Image > Mode > CMYK and adjust the image from RGB color to CMYK for color separation and final printing. Congratulations!! Time to get paid! 

A good example of a 3-D sculpted image that has been worked on in Photoshop for the final image.

Don’t be afraid to have your design move along onto the back side of your card, over the fold line.

A fun example of a hand drawn image with bright colors and a play on words in the text.

A purrfect example of an image being altered with Photoshop for the final product.

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