Graphic Design & Illustration Tutorials

Keep up to date or learn a new skill with our graphic design and illustration content. Ranging from Adobe Photoshop to drawing theory, from vector illustration to print design, we've got all experience levels covered.

Using the Vanishing Point Filter to Mock up a Business Card
There are many instances when you will want to simulate or mock up how a design would look printed out and photographed. It might be for a portfolio piece,...
Fabio Sasso
15 Nov 2007
Effects
Best of the Web - October
Wow I can't believe it's the 10th of November already. Pretty soon it's going to be Christmas! Anyhow, it's a week late, but here is the best of the Web from...
Collis Ta'eed
10 Nov 2007
Roundups
Using Light and Shade to Bring Text to Life
The best book I've ever read on drawing is one called Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. After reading it, I'm still pretty bad at drawing, but I did...
Collis Ta'eed
6 Nov 2007
Text Effects
Creating a Stunning Digital Smoke Effect
Some time ago I came up with a technique to create digital smoke using the Liquify filter in Photoshop. Although it was a simple and efficient way to achieve...
Fabio Sasso
2 Nov 2007
Effects
Creating an Old-Collage Effect Poster
One of my favorite 'looks' is the sort of old-collage feel of old photos and old paper. It's a favorite because it lets you work images and text together...
Collis Ta'eed
29 Oct 2007
Designing
Making a Print-Ready Business Card Using Only Photoshop
In this tutorial, we are going to design up a simple business card in Photoshop and get it ready for print with crop marks and bleed. Normally you'd do some...
Collis Ta'eed
24 Oct 2007
Designing
Applying a Realistic Tattoo
There are lots of tutorials on the Web that claim to achieve a realistic tattoo effect. Usually these tutorials instruct the user to import an image they...
Arik
22 Oct 2007
Photo Effects
A Spot of Community News
As most of you know, this site is still finding its feet in terms of content, format, writers, and delivery. But things are starting to come together and I...
Collis Ta'eed
15 Oct 2007
News
Creative Photo Composition: Get More Out of What You've Got
It would be lovely if every client gave you perfect photos to work with, but all too often this isn't true. When you get photos that are too small, not...
Collis Ta'eed
14 Oct 2007
Photo Effects
Elements of Great Web Design: The Polish
When I put together designs, I usually do so in two phases - Layout and Polish. During the layout phase, I place the main objects on the page usually...
Collis Ta'eed
9 Oct 2007
Designing
Making a Shield Icon in Photoshop
In this tutorial, we're going to use the Path Tools in Photoshop to draw a shield-like shape. Then using some gradients, we're going to give it a metallic...
Collis Ta'eed
6 Oct 2007
Icon Design
Using Gradients to Make Light and Shadow - and a Coffee Cup!
In this tutorial, we're going to use some simple circles and gradients to make a cup of coffee viewed from above. The end result isn't that useful, but the...
Collis Ta'eed
5 Oct 2007
Effects