I can't seem to be making layouts very well, does anyone have any help tips and advice, on making layouts on photoshop.

What exactly are you having a problem with? I usually set a new document to about 720 pixels wide, various heights. Try to keep each new element on it's own layer, that way if it doesnt work you can delete the entire layer. When adding new images just drag them to the document and resize using ctrl+t and hold down shift to keep proportions. Line up buttons or images by linking layers, using the move key, and then the align buttons. Also do some ps tutorials. Try to establish a color scheme ahead of time and use eyedropper tool when needed. Photoshop is awesome, have fun with it. Maureen

Just mess around in Photoshop. Go through tutorials. Most of all, experiment, see what you can do. And apply it to your layouts. But I can't stress enough, DO NOT try and do to much your first time. Don't use a bunch of effects, make it simple. Then work your way up once you understand photoshop more and know where to apply some effects. Good Luck.

get creative - what more can I say?

Copy other layouts (for personal excercises), and then learn to create your own.

http://www.good-tutorials.com has a lot of web layout/button/graphic tutorials, and they're always adding new ones. Great resource!

Tutorials are bad, in my opinion - All they do is teach newby (not a stereotype) website and graphic designers how to do things a certain way.

From what I see, developing your own style and technique is far more rewarding.....but also takes more time. Anyone serious about going into webdesign or getting good nowadays needs to have a lot of time set aside to do it. Or you can open photoshop for 10 minutes make a crappy looking layout and try to sell here for $10 like most other kiddies - your choice :)

Originally posted by visio
Tutorials are bad, in my opinion - All they do is teach newby (not a stereotype) website and graphic designers how to do things a certain way.

From what I see, developing your own style and technique is far more rewarding.....but also takes more time. Anyone serious about going into webdesign or getting good nowadays needs to have a lot of time set aside to do it. Or you can open photoshop for 10 minutes make a crappy looking layout and try to sell here for $10 like most other kiddies - your choice :) A crappy template here on WHT won't even sell for $5 ;)

Originally posted by visio
Tutorials are bad, in my opinion - All they do is teach newby (not a stereotype) website and graphic designers how to do things a certain way.

From what I see, developing your own style and technique is far more rewarding.....but also takes more time. Anyone serious about going into webdesign or getting good nowadays needs to have a lot of time set aside to do it. Or you can open photoshop for 10 minutes make a crappy looking layout and try to sell here for $10 like most other kiddies - your choice :)

True - but it does give a good place to start and get the hang of some of the functions/filters/etc...if you are serious about desigining you'll branch off into your own styles once you have a better grasp on what you're doing.

Just my $.02 :)

stay away from ALL filters, blur is possibly the only one you'll ever use, and you wont be using that often.

Originally posted by Axi
A crappy template here on WHT won't even sell for $5 ;)

most of the templates on here are crappy :/

Originally posted by visio
stay away from ALL filters
I'll have to disagree with you on that point :rolleyes:

Ok, you use filters? Can you explain to me which of the filters are actually of use besides blur ? :)

Oh, and you are a professional designer, right ?

I use a lot of those filters to create the effects that I create. You can't make nice graphics with just blur. I would like to go into detail, but it's a complicated and long process. ;)

I never said JUST blur was used, in the whole of my commercial and professional design experience, filters are a no-no :)

Originally posted by visio
I never said JUST blur was used, in the whole of my commercial and professional design experience, filters are a no-no :) Your missing out man ;)

Oh I sincerely doubt that - I don't need "automatic filters" to create good effects, I can do that anyway by the use of sheer hard work and photoshop experience....Filters are sloppy IMO.