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Comment by oneplusone | Hacker News Reader

I have thought about making video tutorials on how to use Photoshop to create practical design elements. Ie, how to make a button or how to design a header. Something every programmer making their own webapp could use that doesn't really require much Photoshop knowledge.

Would there be any interest?

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Yes please.

I recently discovered that I could create reasonably decent looking UI elements using only layer styles. I assume there are better ways to do it.

Nope. Layer styles were pretty much designed for doing exactly that.

Layer styles are an incredibly underrated feature, IMO.

I actually built a small business around them: http://photoshoplayerstyles.com/

Those are pretty good, nice work! /me bookmarks

Don't underestimate the value of layer styles. In fact I would say that for most UI design 80% of the "visual style" can be achieved via layer styles.

Just make sure to Name and Group your layers, otherwise you can end up with 100s of layers named Layer N with undecipherable thumbnails. Also it's nice to save your most commonly used layer styles to swatches.

Absolutely. I'd also recommend the tutorials at Lynda.com for really in-depth overviews - they have a whole set of tutorials focused on web design with CS5: http://www.lynda.com/home/ViewCourses.aspx?lpk0=116

That said, Lynda.com is subscription-based and tends to be lengthy. A short set of tutorials on key techniques would be a great resource.

Yes, Photoshop knowledge is one of the major gaps in my toolset. I'm a little ashamed that I have to go to a designer for basic interface elements.

Please do. This is one of the things I would really like to learn this year. Looking forward ;)

I would be interested in a set of tutorials on buttons, drop shadows, torn paper effects, header design, logo design text effects - all of the stuff that I use or need to use Photoshop for.

Yes, I tend to get discouraged at the photoshop hurdle.

Yeah, do it!

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