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Emma Cole
8,296 PointsIs Photoshop necessary?
I'm currently on the Front-end Developer track but also studying modules from the web design track with the aim of becoming a designer/developer.
I'm making good progress with all of the topics but when it comes to Photoshop I just don't seem to get it. I've spent hours watching tutorials and trying to create things in the programme but it's as if I have a mental block. It just feels so awkward to me.
So, is it worth me persevering in trying to master Ps (which could take me a very long time), or are there simpler programmes that I could use for the design phase? Also how would this affect my chances of being employed by a company?
Many thanks for your help!
3 Answers
Simon Duchaine
14,441 PointsHi Emma,
From my experience, what I could tell you is that, no, you don't need to be a master of photoshop to be a good web designer (or even a graphic designer). Sure, Photoshop is a pretty common program for photo editing and graphic design, but it is just a tool. Actually, to be a great designer is more than just knowing a tool. I won't give you a course about design, but, more or less, it's all about solving problem and mastering the concept of design.
Once you have this, you can really choose any tool to "create". There's many out there. Gimp, Sketch, Affinity Designer ... Illustrator is an other Abobe program that you could take a look.
To resume, don't lose time trying to master a tool... you could go all pen and paper if you want. But still, I would encourage you to find a program you like and find easy to work with. And if you want to stay with Photoshop, be patient, with time you'll be able to be better at it.
I hope my comment will help you with your reflexion!
Emma Cole
8,296 PointsThanks for you answer.
I've actually got GIMP and Illustrator but i've never used them because i've been too busy trying to learn Photoshop. I'll have a play with them and see how I get on.
jason chan
31,009 PointsPhotoshop isn't that hard. Illustrator is tough for me.
But then again I always found photoshop as and interesting hobby way before web dev.
Julio Andrade
Courses Plus Student 10,896 PointsJulio Andrade
Courses Plus Student 10,896 PointsPhotoshop is not necessary in my opinion regardless I would recommend having some kind of skill in planning your projects before start coding. Planning your project will save you a whole lot of time and you'll avoid a lot of unnecessary problems. When I first started I had the same problem. It seems that someone who understands the concept of programming has trouble artistically and vise versa. The great thing of working with Photoshop or Illustrator is that you get to design an exact replica of how your project is going to look. Once you start doing the CSS you already know that for example your header is 75px in height or that your image is going to be 200px in width. It's less time consuming to drag and drop in Photoshop or illustrator than constantly changing your css and refreshing the page.
I know that it may seem a bit overwhelming at the moment but in the long run it would save you a lot of time. In my experience I would recommend using illustrator instead for planning.