In this post, I'll be sharing my top picks for sites where you can find free placeholder logos for your design projects. Placeholder logos are perfect for when you're working on a client project but don't have their logo yet. Or, when you're creating a template or...
FontBase – A fast, easy-to-use font manager
In this post, we're going to take a look at a tool called FontBase—a font management app to help you more efficiently manage, find and preview fonts. I'll explain what a font manager is and why you need one, as well as how to use FontBase and why I recommend it as...
How to create template files in InDesign
In this post, I'm going to show you how to save time by using template files in InDesign to kick-start your design projects and cut out repetitive file set up tasks. What are template files? Template files let you create useful starting points for series of documents...
How to use Creative Cloud Libraries to speed up your workflow
In this post, I'm going to show you how you can significantly speed up your workflow by using Creative Cloud Libraries to organise and store frequently used design elements. No more recreating or loading elements app by app. With Creative Cloud Libraries, design...
How to organise your design project files
In this post, I'm going to show you how I organise my design project files and the system I use to avoid the frustrations of messy folders, files with missing links and not knowing which file is really "final". Your file management needs will probably be slightly...
How to apply non-destructive Pathfinder effects in Illustrator
In this tutorial, I'm going to show you a trick that will enable you to apply Illustrator's Pathfinder effects non-destructively. By non-destructively, I mean in a way that won't destroy the shapes you're working with. Even after applying a Pathfinder effect, your...
How to copy layers from one Photoshop document to another
In this tutorial, I'm going to show you two ways to copy layers from one Photoshop document to another, both of which have several advantages over copy and paste. The main advantages being: You can copy multiple layers or entire groups at once.Any Smart Objects, Smart...
How to paste into a Layer Mask in Photoshop
In this tutorial, I'm going to show you a quick trick that will enable you to paste an image into a Layer Mask in Photoshop. I'll also show you a couple of ways that you can edit your mask and fine-tune the results. To follow along, all you need is two images. The...
How to auto crop images in Photoshop
When editing images in Photoshop, such as product shots or screenshots, there are often times when you need a tight crop with no excess pixels around the subject of your image. Using the crop tool for this usually means having to try and perfectly align the edges of...
How to turn any Photoshop Brush into an Eraser
When working with custom brushes in Photoshop, especially those containing lots of texture, it's likely that you'll want to use that same brush as an Eraser to keep the texture consistent when erasing areas you've previously painted. The problem is the Eraser tool...