Help with Pre-planning, etc.

Okay, here's the deal:

(not even sure if im in the Right area for this Q., hopefully )

My little question is about pre-digital planning, stradegy, concept, and all that comes accordingly. I was wondering- what is the process by which a lot of you experienced-designers often pre-plan a design. Is it by paper-sketching, and then from there you intuitively Know what techniques and shapes you will have to create? Is it sometimes difficult to know what comes next in a particular implementation or do a lot of you know all of the features behind PS to have the foresight into developing each step correctly without error?...we're only human though so...
I have just barely braced the surface of most PS tricks and functions, so at this step im having slight difficulty composing graphics without fumbling on questions of how to implement exactly.....ive been reading tutorials between each design though.

....back to my original question, does that all depend on what sort of project you're doing? For example, if it's for a service or client-based...or for personal pleasure.

I have ideas on vectors, and much more....what are the most common methods or methods of pre-construction you could advice? for the best results (with time as a factor also), what could i do aside from reading vast tutorial selections?

Q2: or do I need Medical Help instead of invading the forum with such a question? ....it would destroy me, but you can be honest- cuz theyre already consulting me for uncommon-sleeping-possitions :rolleyes: :p

Thanx for your help in advance :p :p

You need medical help! :D

Seriously, it sounds like the overall program hasn't quite 'clicked' for you yet. Simply keep using PS and experimenting. I've learnt what I know simply by playing with the program (ie trial and error) and also by reading quite a few books and online tutorials. Many cool effects and actions are immediately there to use and can make anyone look like a pro in no time.

I've used PS mainly for commercial design work, rather than a lot of personal 'photo illustration' or similar, so I guess I picked up a fair bit through the gradual learning you do with every small task.

Decide what type of work you want to achieve. Vector style graphics are one area amongst all the possibilities available, but there is much more to do in PS. (By the way - most vector illustrations would be best drawn in Illustrator or similar vector based program, rather than PS)

Blending of layered images is very easy to start fiddling around with and you can get some great combinations from the layer effects available. Start with some good source images and test your combining, editing and composition skills. Layer masks are also quick and powerful (try the quick mask option) for generating a lot of neat variations. Use the pen, eraser and brush tools to draw or edit. Create shapes and use tones, gradients and lighting effects to add 3D depth. I could go on forever...

The above would give you a decent understanding of how to approach certain future tasks, if you pay attention and understand the way the program 'thinks'. You should shortly find that you will have developed enough skills to provide yourself with answers on 'how do I do this', just by playing around with it.

One advantage of PS is that there are often multiple ways of approaching a particular task, each way giving slightly different possibilities and results, but ultimately achieving the desired result.

Your question about the planning process for a piece would generate a different answer from different people, and vary from project to project. Some sketch freehand and scan that in as a base (even using it as line art for stuff like manga-themed illos), and others simply start building a piece on the computer from scratch. It comes down to exactly what type of art is needed and how to achieve it. You'll gain more skill over time so just keep at it.

Experience will help to generate processes in your mind after a period, as you will be able to skip this questioning period and quickly get to it. You should eventually find that you don't need to give a huge amount of thought to the overall generation of art, but will focus on newer techniques which are only a part of all the necessary steps.

I hope that helps!

Don't sweat it Amrose, we all need medical help from time to time. Welcomeaboard

These are questions I face every day.

But by and large the first pre-plan should be a consultation with your client.
Ask questions like.

Style Preferences - techie, vector, trendwhore etc.

What particlur sites appeal to them?
This allows you to zero in on a style.

Graphic intesive or less of?
This could eliminate some of the design work and can be completed in your desired deveopment language (html, css etc) through hex color codes.

Ask for printed material that they may have.
Brochures, business cards whatever. Anything that you can layout on your desk and summize or derive a color or texture theme. Scan them in if you have to and use the eyedropper tool and mix match some existing colors from the collected printed materials into your design. On the flip side of this is also the fact that a client may want to steer away from an existing theme and experiment with something new- so its a good idea to review anything they have that can help.

Do they have a current site?
This will also allow you to eliminate what to use and not to use.

Im sure there's more to cover and as rylee mentions each user has a different approach.

happy photoshopping

Let me just say, thanks to the both of you for that help. But, I get how Photoshop works and I've done much self-paced experimentation with each filter and combination of brushes on many of my own pictures. I guess my above question was a bit ambiguous to even myself when i read it over again. My natural instinct was to ask how i could begin planning on a pretty ideal big project for my band, when I couldn't gage where to start.
I was kind of tired, and looking to achieve a 'test-product' from the idea i had, and didn't actually have it processed enough (not to mention I imagined it'd take more skill and practice than what i'd had to work on it).
So, I have since actually toyed with it much much more and developed certain actions and ways around things than a simple filter could do to make an image look altered, yet quite easy. Paintbrushes work to my advandage a lot now when im doing any sort of non-uniform-grungy stuff and I'm finding it productively great to use the rulers often and rely more heavily on challenging myself with the Basic tools to achieve certain enhancements or patterns (even though, c'mon- the filters are a man's best friend at times).
Although, I originally thought that using Filter-effects were usually the technique that most people use for photo-manip...yes, photoshop is boundless.

Suggestions on work for clients really helped as well. It helps to consider much of what they might have in mind for a certain 'image' they're going for, and be involved with not just Photoshop, but other platforms as well.

I planned to do a vector-type photo until i'd realized i'd more or less need Adobe Illustrator for that, so if i want to continue grasping a lot of the cool things i'll pick that up as well.

I've been reading many many tutorials, and i'm hoping to elevate my potential in the client-side realm by going to school for graphic design.
Anyway, you're tutorials, Heathrowe, have lead me to different things and i'll continue practicing until i reach my utopian picture- which will be never, so I guess ill keep learning, aha!

When i get some more work done, I will show it off here and hope for some critique- everybody seems to give helpful suggestions around here. Not to mention, Loads o' questions i have...

but that can be talked about later.

Hey, thanks guys.
peace out.

Glad to hear that you've progressed with your thinking on the process of design and digital artwork. Hope the band project comes together for you.