Create your first design

This series of videos introduces basic Photoshop design techniques. You'll learn how to work with layers, combine images, use layer masks, and add creative graphics, text, and effects. You'll use these skills to combine design assets into a simple, unique composite for print or online use. Have fun following along with your own images or the sample files provided on this page.

Typekit is nowAdobe Fonts .

What you’ll need

Practice in the app

Open Photoshop

Layers are the building blocks of any Photoshop design. Start building this layered design by creating a new layer for original artwork and by adding one image to another. Along the way, you'll become familiar with the Layers panel, and you'll learn the essentials of working with layers.

Layer masks are the most flexible way to combine images. A layer mask hides part of a layer to display what's on the layers below. Use layer masks in this design to replace a dull sky in one image with dramatic clouds from another and to gradually blend artwork into the rest of the design.

Add text to your design. Then embellish the text with creative layer effects for a unique look. Learn how to work with Type layers, and use Typekit to access a treasure trove of exciting fonts.

Photoshop isn't just for photographs. Take your design further by making custom shapes in Photoshop and placing a logo made in Adobe Illustrator. Vector graphics like these can be scaled and edited as much as you like.

Save your design in PSD format to retain its layers and effects for future editing. Then save or export copies for different uses. Save a copy as a PDF for sharing, and use Photoshop's Export features to export all or part of the design in web-friendly formats.