The document discusses how the author organized layers in Photoshop to create a magazine contents page. They created groups for different elements like contents and page numbers. The first layer added was a background image, then images of themselves. Text was added using fonts from Dafont.com and effects like outlines. A grid view was enabled to help evenly space and measure layers. Additional text layers were inserted for contents, features in red text, and issue date. Images of a photo shoot and album cover were also included. Throughout the process, the author moved layers and experimented with blending options to refine the design.

1. As the contents page contains many more layers, I had to
create “groups” in order to make my layers more
organized. When clicking the group icon, a new group
folder will be created, in which I can insert different types
of layers into avoiding confusion. For example, the
Contents is one group, and also the page numbers are in
another group, making it easy for me to switch between
the groups. I started to make the groups when first starting
the page, and when I created more layers, I inserted them
into their specific groups. This was one crucial thing I learnt
from using Photoshop as it helps me work more efficiently
and be organized.
The first actual layer I inserted to my
contents page was the background. I found
a background image of google which
follows the conventions of other hip-hop
magazine I have researched, and simply
copied and pasted the work into the
document. I have now started to develop
the main base of my document, and soon I
added few images of myself and the
structure of my contents page was rapidly
developing.
I edited my
images by
learning the
short- cut ctrl+U
in order to change
the hue and
saturation of my
picture. You can
see how the
picture is changed
when I played
around with the
filters and
colours. I had previously cropped out the background of
the image by using the crop, rubber and also the magic wand and lasso tool. I had removed the
background in order to get a crisp image which can be placed on my magazine background.

2. I have learnt to insert many text files by clicking the text
icon on the tool bar of Photoshop. I have downloaded
some samples of Dafont.com in order to find the most
suitable texts for my magazine cover. I clicked the FX
button and added many blending options to my text
layers. The screen shot to the left shows how I also
inserted a vivid outline of the magazine. From my
research I noticed that some magazines had a line
around the magazine where the content is placed, so I
decided to add one by going to the shape tool and drawing a curved square.
As magazine products are really precise and have all
the layers including text and images organized and
even, I wanted to make my product go along the same
lines. I learnt how to insert a grid by going onto
“view>show>grid”. This enables my page to be divided
into a thin grid, which is used as a ruler. When I put
the grid on, I was able to measure what texts go where
to make it even and look professional. As you can see
from the screenshot, I have enabled the grid and you
can see how the page is divided in a invisible grid
which helps me to evenly match my layers. The grid
could be divided into the segments one user wants.
I added a new group of layers which were the
contents of the magazine. These are simply the
bulk of text layers which show what is going to
be inside my magazine. I also included the issue
date. I added some red text for the features
section. This was done by simply clicking the
layer button of the text and changing the
colour. I also learnt how to quickly transform
my layers by Ctrl+t. I wanted the audience to
notice the difference with the contents and the
features; thereby I included different colour combinations. I added another group of layers which
where the numbers, and the information of what the contents shows.

3. The next steps I have taken to complete
the magazine contents page was
include some features to the magazine.
I decided to insert some images of
myself in a photo shoot, and also an
album by the famous singer Rihanna. I
also inserted more text layers in order
to show what is due to be in the
magazine. This was a simple step-by-
step guide to how I created my
magazine contents page.
One thing I had learnt from Photoshop was to move layers
between each other, which brings layers in front of others.
The way to this is by simply dragging one layer and putting it
above another layer. The layer above will always be in front.
I had used this feature many times in both my contents page
and also my magazine cover and double page spread. For
example, I want the background to be at the back, so I made
sure the background layer was placed at the back, so every
other layer builds on top of it.
I have also learned how to sample text layers and make
them look classier. For example, the sample on the left
shows how I have experimented with the blending
options in order to make the text look gold, from a dull
yellow. Photoshop is great at editing text and here is
one example of how I have changed the bevel and
emboss and the
gradient.