47 graphic design projects in all!

Click here to download the class photos to use as you learn. Please note, this file is HUGE! Over 600MB, and may take a few minutes or much longer to download. It depends on your internet speed.

Oh, and I've also included a PDF that summarizes everything you learn and instructions for completing the projects. Click here to download.

Project: Upload your favorite design. Here's how...

How to Upload Your Project

Navigate to the Project submission form by clicking on the Projects & Resources tab
Click on the green button, to the right, that says: "Create Project"
Give your project a name
If you have any questions or comments about the project provide it below the name of your project
Upload a JPG file of your completed project
Once you've provided all the info click on the "Publish" button (top right)

PROJECT 01

Find an image to enhance or use the provided example photo used in the tutorial
Adjust the Brightness and/or Contrast with the Adjustment Layer
Create a new document to place the before/after side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects (see instructions above)

PROJECT 02

Find an image to enhance or use the provided example photo used in the tutorial
Apply the Levels Adjustment Layer to make your image pop
Create a new document to place the before/after side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 03

Find an image to enhance or use the provided example photo used in the tutorial
Apply a Curves Adjustment Layer to make your image pop
Create a new document to place the before/after side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 04

Find an image to enhance or use the provided example photo used in the tutorial
Use Vibrance, Hue, and/or Saturation (Adjustment Layer) to adjust the colors
Create a new document to place the before/after side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 05

Find an image to enhance or use the provided example photo used in the tutorial
Apply the Color Balance Adjustment Layer
Create a new document to place the before/after side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 06

Find an image to enhance or use the provided example photo used in the tutorial
Apply the B&W Adjustment Layer and alter each channel for best results
Create a new document to place the before/after side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 07

Find an image to enhance or use the provided example photo used in the tutorial
Apply the Photo Filter Adjustment Tool and tweak to your liking
Create a new document to place the before/after side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 08

Find an image with strong, directional lighting for best results or use the provided image
Apply a Color Lookup Adjustment layer to create your signature look
Create a new document to place the before/after side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 09

Find an image to enhance or use the provided example photo used in the tutorial
Apply a Layer Mask and paint on/off your edits based on your creative vision
Create a new document to place the before/after side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 10

Find an image to add your shapes to. Something that has some negative space to balance out the subject and the shapes (similar to my example). Or use the image provided
Create a shape or two for containing text
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 11

Find an image to enhance or use the provided example photo used in the tutorial
Customize your shape based on your creative vision
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 12

Find an image with some open space to add some text or use the provided example photo used in the tutorial. Or use the image provided.
Choose a font of your choice and add a simple headline
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 13

Best to find a separate photo vs. what was used in project 11. Or use the image provided.
Create a new custom shape and place your text on a path
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 14

Find an image with a round shape or use the one provided
Create a path and add some paragraphs to wrap around the path
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 15

Find an image with some negative space for your text or use the one provided
Create a path from a shape of your choice and place content inside
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 16

Create a new flier from scratch to practice what you’ve learned thus far: shapes, text, etc..
Align all the elements
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 17

Find an image with some negative space or use the one provided
Create new custom shapes and align layers inside
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 18

Find a new image with some negative space and/or texture. Plus, a “product” image. Or use the ones provided.
Arrange and align the elements over a shape
Apply a blend mode to the layers as needed to complete your creative vision
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 19

Find an image with a light colored background and a logo with a white or black background. Or use the one provided.
Center the logo in the negative space and remove the background with the blend mode
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 20

Find an image with a product to promote and a texture to overlay. Or use the files provided.
Add some text, the texture and apply a blend mode to the layer (s)
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 21

Find a fashion image, with some color, to change with the Hue blending mode or use the one provided.
Create a new document and duplicate the image 3 or 4 times. Place them side-by-side.
Change the color for each image
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 22

Create a new document with shapes and text
Apply layer styles to each layer
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 23

Find a fashion style image for your cover mag or use the one provided
Apply layer styles and align layers
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 24

Create a new document for your typographic design
Style each layer with layer styles of your choice
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 25

Find an image of a TV. or monitor or use the one provided
Replace the screen with a new image
Put the original image, the replacement image and your updated image in a new document
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 26

Find an image with a shoe and a logo to add to it. Or use the one provided.
Use the tools you learned to add the logo to the shoe (or other product)
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 27

Find an image with blank t-shirt or use the one provided
Add your typographic design, you created from project 24, to the t-shirt
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 28

Find an image to enhance or use the one provided
Apply a Filter Gallery filter of your choice and add some text
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 29

Find an image to enhance or use the one provided
Apply a Filter Gallery filter of your choice and add some text
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 30

Find an image to enhance or use the one provided
Apply the lens flare filter, some text and style the photo
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 31

Find an image to enhance or use the one provided
Apply the motion blur filter, some text and style the photo
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 32

Find an image to improve the composition or to create space for your content. Or use the one provided
Crop, add some text and enhance your photo
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 33

Find an image with a background with little detail or use the one provided
Expand the background and add some text
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 34

Find a new image of a subject to remove from the background or use the one provided
Use the Subject Select tool to select your subject.
Use the quick mask mode to fine tune the selection and place on a new layer
Add some text and style as needed
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 35

Find an image with some objects that can be removed for your content or use the one provided
Use the Patch Tool to remove the objects, expand the background and add some text
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 36

Find a landscape photo to place some text behind or use the one provided
Use the Subject Select tool and place your subject on a new layer
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 37

Find an image that will allow you to weave between some text or use the one provided
Use a layer mask to remove content as needed
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 38

Find an image of a model or use the one provided
Apply adjustment layers to create your retro Instagram effect
Create a new document to put the before/after images side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 39

Find an image of a model or use the one provided
Duplicate the background layer, adjust the color channels and shift the top layer
Create a new document to put the before/after images side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 40

Find an old style looking photo or use the one provided
Apply the effects as described in the tutorial
Create a new document to put the before/after images side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 41

Find an image of a landscape or cityscape. For best results find an image that was shot higher vs. the overall scene. Or use the one provided.
Make a selection in the Quick Mask mode and apply a lens blur
Create a new document to put the before/after images side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 42

Find an image to convert to watercolor. Try to find something with negative space for content or use the one provided
Apply the effects as described in the tutorial
Create a new document to put the before/after images side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 43

Find an image of an auto. The type of auto is dependent on your vision for this project. For a retro ad, find a car that has a lot of history. For a more modern ad, find a car that is newer. Or use the one provided.
Apply the techniques learned in this tutorial and throughout this course to complete your vision.
Create a new document to put the before/after images side-by-side
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 44

Use the dimensions provided to create the two sides and the cover (pre Smart Object) in a new document
Add your own graphic for the cover and your logo (from project 45) or something else for the left side.
Add shadows and gradients to add depth
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 45

Decide on a name for your graphic design freelance business
Decide on whether you want a simple logo with just your name or something more complex
Get inspiration from other graphic designers, if needed
Save your logo as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 46

Download your “template” from your printer of choice
Design the card
Save your project as a JPG file and upload to the class projects

PROJECT 47

Take a screenshot of your portfolio and upload to the class projects

Chelsea Smalley

2

1