Icon & Banner Making Guide
Jan 6, 2007 21:14:15 GMT -5
Post by tvilike admin on Jan 6, 2007 21:14:15 GMT -5
Okay kids this is Icon & Banner Making 101....
I created this thread so the talented graphic members can share their icon and banner making knowledge with the members who are eager to make their own banners and icons.
A couple of members shivi and bloodyfrenchy have requested this section to be added.
Im going to be honest with you guys Im not that good at explaining how I make my banners and icons..Im more a hands on..I need to be with the person and actually show them how to do it..sorry
The best I can do is guide you guys on how to get started in the right direction...
These are the things you need to make an icon and banner
1st you need a graphic program or image manipulation software
I use Adobe Photoshop CS2 and it is the best but also the most expensive at a whopping $700-$800 dollars... I was lucky to get to have it cause Im a Graphic Designer.
www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/
There are tons of graphic programs that are some what like photoshop and help you make a icon and banner. Guess what kids alot of this stuff is free
Check out these links
www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/PhotoPlus/
graphicssoft.about.com/cs/imageediting/tp/freephotoedw.htm
Okay now that we got that out of the way lets see some other things you will need.
2nd you will need to download some artistic fonts to use for those witty phrases you want to add to your banners and icons..Oh and your name also.
I have found a site that has free fonts for you guys to download
www.dafont.com/
Now lets get to some learning...basiclly all these programs have a tutorial that you can find in the actual programs in the help section or you can google them online
Here is something I found as an example of what the basic tutorial looks like:
graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoshopcs2lessons/Photoshop_CS2_Basics_Online_Course_Index_of_Lessons.htm
I usually keep these template icon and banner guides so that i get the exact size for the typical banner.
So make sure to save these to your computer...
Remember you need to let your creativity loose and try to think of each banner and icon as a piece of art...have fun with it!!!
Hope this helps in some way...
___KAL-EL