How do I make my own graphics?

[mrsburgess]

After three months of digital scrapbooking experience (PSE7) under my belt, I find myself wondering how designers make kits. After viewing the February Premier tutorials and seeing Linda make the seal, I realized they just know the program and they know what to do. I now have one really good trick I didn't know before that might help me make an element in a kit. But at this rate, it might take me twenty years to learn enough to make a full kit - one that I might sell. Not that I think I am creative enough to design my own kits for sale, but I am really interested in learning a lot more about it. I have not found much on the web or in bookstores on this very specific topic. I have found products that are made for commercial use, but no "how-to" guides. I guess I need to attend Digital Scrapbooking University (which doesn't actually exist - I made it up). I guess I am really speaking of two different realms here - design and e-commerce. If anyone has any helpful tips for the design part, I would really appreciate it. E-commerce will change a lot in twenty years. I'll learn that later. :D Thank you!

[SharLamb]

There is one book I know of that can help you: Renee Pearson's 2nd book, Digital Designs for Scrapbooking 2 ("making your own"). It is the orange one.

I hope there will be other responses. As much as I NEVER want to make my own elements, I, too, have been fascinated as to how people learn to do it. Like you said, really knowing the program is probably a huge part of it.

Shar

[croppycatter]

I've always wondered that too. Renee Pearson's book is the only one I know of too.

[landorasue]

After three months of digital scrapbooking experience (PSE7) under my belt, I find myself wondering how designers make kits. After viewing the February Premier tutorials and seeing Linda make the seal, I realized they just know the program and they know what to do. I now have one really good trick I didn't know before that might help me make an element in a kit. But at this rate, it might take me twenty years to learn enough to make a full kit - one that I might sell. Not that I think I am creative enough to design my own kits for sale, but I am really interested in learning a lot more about it. I have not found much on the web or in bookstores on this very specific topic. I have found products that are made for commercial use, but no "how-to" guides. I guess I need to attend Digital Scrapbooking University (which doesn't actually exist - I made it up). I guess I am really speaking of two different realms here - design and e-commerce. If anyone has any helpful tips for the design part, I would really appreciate it. E-commerce will change a lot in twenty years. I'll learn that later. :D Thank you!

If you are a Premier member, you will learn to make many kinds of embellishments. It's really a matter of learning all the Photoshop tools.

[Jan]

Making your own embellishments and elements is the most fun. And of course, that's what Scrapper's Guide is all about. You can buy books if you want to, but you won't find any better training than right here with Linda!

[Wendy]

I totally agree with Jan ... I have quite a lot of books but once I found Scrappers Guide well I have learned so much more from Linda that I did from the books :)

The subscription really is fantastic value ..

Wendy

[mrsburgess]

Thanks for all the responses so far! I have already ordered the book. I absolutely agree that Premier is the best way to learn. I am visual, so the movies along with the printed card are fabulous. I have viewed some of the archived galleries and wished I could somehow purchase access to all those tutorials too! I know I missed one on extracting objects and have already seen others do it so well. Let me know if I'm missing anything as far as being able to get those, please! It's just that I want to know it all and I want to know it now! There's a fat chance of that happening even if I bought a fabulous book anyway; I am a busy mama and teacher. Can't wait for summer. With a few more months of tuts, maybe I'll be able to put those to really good use.

[Alberta]

You you buy past issues of Premier here. (http://www.scrappersguide.com/premier_bi_chron.html)