2. From PSD to HTML, Building a Set of Website Designs Step by Step

3.  Coding: Design Lab TV Styled Layout

4. PSD to CSS/HTML in Easy Steps - Part 1

5. Slice and Dice that PSD

6.  Converting a Photoshop Mockup: Part Two, Episode One

7.  Build a Sleek Portfolio Site from Scratch

8. Portfolio Layout - Learn To Code It

9. Converting a Design From PSD to HTML

10.  How to Convert a PSD to XHTML

11. How to Convert PSd to Html

12.  Creating a CSS Layout from scratch

13. PSD > HTML/CSS

14. Encoding a Photoshop Mockup into XHTML & CSS

15.  Css Template Tutorial

16. Portfolio Layout 4: The Code

17. Tutorial Coding a Layout

18.  Converting a Photoshop Mockup

19.  Killer site - From Illustrator to Xhtm to Drubal

20.  From PSD to HTML

21.  Coding a Car Sales Layout

These collection shows that there is actually no limit in designing a business card. Let me know in the comment form if you know other good creative business card design.

Let’s begin with creating a new document 1920×1200, and fill it with black color (#000000).

Then we create a new layer above the black one and fill it with pure white color (#ffffff).

Thus we have two layers: the black one and the white above it. For the layer with white color we change the Layer Blending Mode to Dissolve, layer opacity 1% (no more than this amount) and get something resembling space.

Now we select the Brush Tool, with a soft-edged brush, opacity 100%, 125 pixels in diameter, white color (#ffffff) and simply apply several brush strokes on the new layer as shown in the screenshot:

It doesn’t look like a galaxy, so we keep on working. Apply the Filter > Distort > Twirl:

We get such a result:

And deform the result a bit with the help of Edit > Transform > Perspective:

Further on we apply Edit > Transform > Scale:

Then we apply Edit > Transform > Rotate:

This shape suits to the galaxy, but we’ll give it more interesting outline. Apply Filter > Blur > Motion Blur:

After applying the filter we get the following result:

And apply the Twirl filter once again Filter > Distort > Twirl:

Now we get the following effect:

We deform the galaxy again using Edit > Transform > Perspective:

Then scale the galaxy to the desired size using Edit > Transform > Scale:

Rotate it a bit with the help of Edit > Transform > Rotate:

Then we copy the layer with the galaxy by pressing Ctl+J.

One of the layers with the galaxy should be blurred with the help of Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur (blur about 35 pixels)

It’s important for the layer with the blurred galaxy to be under the layer with the primary one. Now let’s switch off the layer with the primary galaxy and begin working with the blurred one.

Any galaxy contains nebula, so let’s create one. Choose the Smudge Tool (Strength: 31%) and brush Spatter 59 (it’s a standard Photoshop brush), set diameter to 150 and begin stretching the nebula out a bit in the galaxy direction, at the same time we can change the brush diameter sometimes, for the galaxy not to be uniform.

We switch on visibility of the layer with the galaxy.

Keep on changing the layer with the nebula, apply Filter > Distort > Wave:

The result should be similar to this one:

Now we copy the layer with the nebula by pressing Ctrl+J.

We merge the two layers with the nebula into one using Ctrl+E. We have made the nebula more opaque to adjust its shape and transparency with the help of Eraser Tool. The edge of the nebula is more transparent, but on the borders of the galaxy quite the contrary, though it depends on somebody’s taste, it’s advisable to use the brush with 500 pixels in diameter and opacity 45. Also we should slightly adjust opacity on the layer with the galaxy, especially on the edges.

Now we can merge the layer with the galaxy and the nebula into one, as a result we have three layers: black, white, and the one with the galaxy. It’s worth noticing that space is very beautiful, all colors can be found in it, so let’s add them into our galaxy. Create a new layer, change the Layer Blending Mode to Color, select a soft-edged Brush Tool, opacity 10%, 300 pixels in diameter, color #5?78?? and paint it arbitrarily.

Further let’s add red color #ff0000.

And some yellow one #fff000.

We create the centre of the galaxy on a new layer; select a soft-edged brush, 500 pixels in diameter, color #ffffb7, opacity 100%.

Change the brush diameter to 300, white color #ffffff.

Shape the shining to the galaxy outline with the help of Edit > Transform > Scale:

Rotate using Edit > Transform > Rotate:

Any galaxy needs stars; our galaxy is not an exception. We select a soft-edged Brush Tool, opacity 100%, white color (#ffffff), press F5 and adjust settings.

In the Brush Tip Shape menu we change the parameter Spacing

Then we change the settings in the Shape Dynamics menu

Further in Scattering menu

And Other Dynamics menu

With the help of this brush, changing its diameter according to the situation and your taste, we create stars along the outline of the galaxy and slightly beyond its bounds.

It’s worth remembering, that the closer the stars the bigger they appear to be on the picture.

There is also its own nebula around the stars. We copy the layer with the stars and blur the layer that is below using Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur:

Stars have color, too. Select the Gradient Tool and set up following presets:

We select the layer with the stars and apply the gradient on a new layer.

Apply Soft Light Blending Mode for the layer with the gradient.

To be more realistic our galaxy lacks dust. To create dust we select standard Dry Brush, opacity 100%, black color (#000000), change the diameter according to the situation. We apply strokes along the galaxy shape on a new layer.

Now we adjust the dust outline using the Eraser Tool, select a soft-edged brush, opacity 50%, diameter according to the situation.

Then we remove hard edges of brush strokes and get realistic dust.

Further we treat the dust in the same way as the stars, select the layer with the dust and apply the same gradient.

Apply the Multiply Blending Mode for the layer with colored dust.

It remains only to add volume to our image, we select a soft-edged brush, 900 pixels in diameter, opacity 30%, black color (#000000) and darken the image above and slightly on the edges on a new layer.

We can say the galaxy is ready, and it’s possible to add some details. Let it be very big stars or constellations. Select the Brush Tool and brush with 70 pixels in diameter, opacity 100%, color #6191dc.

Let’s change brush color to white (#ffffff)

And deform slightly using Edit > Transform > Scale and Edit > Transform > Rotate.

It’s possible not to deform - it depends on your taste. Add a few stars on the same principle.

Thereon our tutorial is over. I hope you’ve got the same result as I do. Wish you good luck in carrying out this tutorial!

You don’t have to install all of them. You should choose wisely. Which WordPress plugins that you use? Why do you think they are important for your WordPress site?

1. All in One SEO Pack

This Wordpress plugin enable you to customize port title, post description, post tags for each individual post. It can automatically generate URLs for entire WordPress website and select index/noindex for various archieves pages.

2. Broken Link Checker

For some reasons, it is possible that external links, in your WordPress site, may goes down and become dead ends for search engine. This WordPress plugin can monitor and identify links in your WordPress site. It works as well for missing images.

3. Google XML Sitemaps Generator

Sitemap is a list of pages of a website accessible to search engine crawlers. Major search engines love generated XML sitemap. It helps them to better index your blog. XML sitemap helps search engine crawlers to see the complete structure of your site and grab it efficiently. If you make a new post, this WordPress plugin also notify search engine for the new content.

4. SEO Friendly Images

It optimize WordPress for search engine purposes by automatically update proper ALT and TITLE attributes to all images. This WordPress plugin makes the post W3C/xHTML valid as well. ALT attribute is an important part of search engine optimization. It helps to describe the images for search engine.

5. No Self Pings

By default WordPress may send pings when other WordPress site make a backlink to your site. It also send a pingback if you make a link from the other post in your site. Some WordPress admin like this as it shows related posts. This WordPress plugin is to disable internal pingback within the same WordPress site.

6. Platinum SEO Pack

This plugin covers all the features of All in One SEO Pack, but it does include more options compare to All in One SEO Pack. For example, it adds index, noindex, follow or nofollow, noodp, noydir, noarchive, and nosnippet meta tags to any post/page. But, most of my clients prefer All in One SEO Pack as they are used to it and reluctant to change.

7. SEO Smart Links

SEO Smart Links can automatically link keywords and phrases in your posts and comments with corresponding posts, pages, categories and tags on your posts. This will help navigating your visitors to other posts. The interlinking process happens automatically and what you need to do is configure it through the administration settings panel.

8. SEO Slugs

Long URL may have a better ranking in search engines because it will contain more keywords. But search engines like Google tends to ignore some common keywords such as “you”, “a”, “the”, and “what”. Removing these keywords will improve your search engine ranking. This plugin will automatically remove these unused common keywords for you.

9. Robots Meta

Robots Meta enables users to control which pages/posts can be indexed and which can’t. For example, you may want to prevent indexing of your search results or your category pages. It is because some search engines will see them as duplicate content and decrease your page rank.

Corporate Communication Email Newsletter.
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Modern Business Email Newsletter.
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Versatile Email Newsletter.
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Fresh Email Newsletter.
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CleanMail Email Newsletter.
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eNewsletter Email Newsletter.
Download / View Full Screenshot

Uno Email Newsletter.
Download / View Full Screenshot

Locus Email Newsletter.
Download / View Full Screenshot

eShop Email Newsletter.
Download / View Full Screenshot

Postman Email Newsletter.
Download / View Full Screenshot

What do you think about the above email newsletter design? If you know any good newsletter design, let us know at the comment form below.

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1. A solid, clear and vivid goal

To succeed you must have a clear desired goal in mind. You must have a confidence in yourself and in your ideas. How can you sell your ideas if you yourself do not believe in them? You must focus your energy and work hard towards every single step to achieve your goal. I typed my goals and every steps needed in a statement style, printed it on an A4 paper, and then I put on the wall near my desk. I am collecting some office or people images of successful designers. It helps to remind me to keep working hard and smart as those guys.

2. Develop a marketing plan

To prepare a breakfast, you do not need a written plan. To be a freelancer, you do not need a 40 pages written marketing plan. Freelancers should have a concise written plan, with a clear goal, and how to reach your target audience and the people who may need your services. You must choose marketing tools that your budget permits. You must fully understand what people in the target market wants, listening to their needs and interact well with other people. The most basic of marketing principle is providing services that people needs and wants.

3. Marketing and sales skills

Freelancing business is nothing without customer and sales. Marketing and sales skills are the two most important skills freelancers must have. You can have some degrees in designs and fanciest computer, but if no one is knocking your door to hire you, then you better rethink why you are in the business in the first place. You must have excellent written and oral communication skills, to help you sell your services. You need to make buzz about your freelancing business, write ads, press releases and story ideas.

4. Prepare a solid design portfolio

It is impossible for clothing retailers to sell without displaying their products, or at least in a catalog or image format. Designers are required to have a solid portfolio to convince potential clients.

5. Good finance skills

You work as a Freelancer to make money. It is important for freelancers to have the ability to handle the money well. It means you know how to fund and manage capital that you have, spending only when needed and make a wise decision with equipment and resources that you currently have. Having a large amount of cash does not guarantee a success. Look at the failed dot-coms with funding as much as $100 million.

6. At the right price

Do a research on friend’s rates and professional association websites. Don’t set the price too low and makes your client does not take it seriously. On the other side, don’t set the price too high and send your clients away. Have a right price structure for your service offering.

7. Be optimistic

As a freelancer, you are an entrepreneur. No boss will tell you what needs to be done. Only you think how to get the money for daily operations, keep looking for new fresh design inspiration, promote to potential clients and so on. Only you make the plan, execute or change when situation shifts. Freelancers need to be smart enough to know the time to go ahead and when to shop.

8. Time management

As a freelance designer mostly I work from my home office, coffee shop, book store or library. If I feel stuck, I consider to move to other place. It is not uncommon that I work in three different places on a single day. It is important for freelancers to be able to plan and manage your day. When you wake up in the morning you must have a clear idea of things you must do for the day.

9. Multi task

You must have a multi task skill. Freelancers must have skills to be a secretary (typing emails), marketing guy (sales visit) and bookkeeper (record income and expenses). Freelancers need to sell the design services, produce the design, deliver and get the payment. It is a lots of jobs for a simple freelance business. You simply need to know how to prioritize your task and manage time wisely.

10. Email subscription

Provide an email subscription mechanism. Ideally people should be able to subscribe via your website. Add a text “Subscribe: http://www.dzineblog.com” in your email signature. It should be in HTML. Unsubscribe link is a must. Keep the frequency low but regular so it does not seem like spam. You should mail out your new projects, monthly promotion, deals or bundles (corporate id bundle), tips, etc.

11. Write on other magazine websites and popular blogs

Prepare tutorials or ideas and submit to magazine websites and blogs. DzineBlog.com is happy to help promoting freelancers articles. Magazine websites and blogs are looking after fresh new ideas. They might get the order to design their cover.

12. Be social

There is a list of must-have social networking sites such as FaceBoook, YouTube, Flickr, etc. Freelancers can build profile and portfolio on social networking sites.

13. Quickly respond to clients

Freelancers must quickly respond to client’s email and phone. I always respond quickly to my clients. They appreciate this attitude. They feel they have my highest priority. They called me “a phone call away” and “a click away”.

14. Update your knowledge

Freelancers must apply the Japanese’s Kaizen method of continuous incremental improvements. It is simply a gradual and continuous improvement. At the end, any small or big improvements make a big difference. Industry standard softwares (Adobe, WordPress etc) are loaded with new features. Freelancers should include in their weekly schedule to try tutorials for existing and new softwares.

15. Schedule your backup

Nowadays external hard drive is quite cheap and affordable. Don’t risk yourself for hard disk sudden death. There are plenty of online options and automated backup softwares.

16. Stay on top of Invoicing

Freelancers should send invoices right after the job finished. The sooner it is sent, the sooner you can chase of it’s unpaid.

17. Don’t ignore your local area

Internet allows freelancers to in touch with clients from various parts of the world. It makes it easy to ignore potential opportunities to grow your business locally. Many designers are not targeting to local clients, it is an opportunity for you. Involve in the community to get exposure.

What is your experience?

If you have any advice for freelancers, feel free to share in the comment form below.

Before starting our tutorial find some picture to demonstrate effect on it. Go to Google Images and find some appropriate picture or you can use my picture. Open up the picture, then make selection of all the canvas with Ctrl+A and press Ctrl+C to copy selected area. Then create a new document sized 1920×1200 pixels (white background) and paste copied fragment into it with Ctrl+V.

After that use Image > Adjustments > Desaturate to desaturate newly copied photo of actor. Then apply Image > Adjustments > Levels with similar settings to the picture below to set up brightness and contrast for current layer.

Now we got something like this:

Duplicate layer with Ctrl+J and set up levels setting like on my screenshot:

See the difference now?

Get out the Magic Wand Tool and click on white background on the photo to separate background from the picture of actor in easer way.

Now set up opacity to 50% for current layer to see hand border to retouch it on the photo. Use the Polygonal Lasso Tool to separate background area from the picture.

Hold the Alt button and when u will see minus sign near cursor you can apply Subtract from selection function to remove part of selection like on my picture which you can see below.

Press Delete to clear selected area.

After that press Add layer mask button on the bottom of layers palette to add layer mask to the upper layer.

Now we got layer mask for current layer.

Use Select > Load Selection to create current layer selection, then go to the layer under and add layer mask to this layer on the same way as before. We do this action to hide the background on the bottom layer with picture of actor. Then go back to the upper layer and continue with editing this layer. Get out the Brush Tool and soft round brush with black color and fill the main part of the selected area, leaving visible only the edges of the selection.

Deselect chosen area with Ctrl+D. After that go to background layer, create a new layer above and fill it with black color.

In this way we prepared our wallpapers to the new step. Now go to the upper layer in our layers palette and create a new one layer again, then fill it with black color also. On this layer I’m going to demonstrate rain effect.

Apply to this layer Filter > Noise > Add Noise with next presets:

After applying filter we got effect like this:

Then apply Filter > Blur > Motion Blur with similar settings to these:

After applying filter change blending mode to Screen for current layer.

Increase contrast for current layer with Image > Adjustments > Levels (or just press Ctrl+L).

Then apply Edit > Free Transform to increase layer size. This action removes defects after applying filter.

Duplicate this layer with Ctrl+J and add layer mask to this layer also. Select the Brush Tool (Opacity: 49%) and soft round brush to create brush strokes somewhere on this layer with black color. This action will bring the rain heterogeneity effect and add more realistic view.

Do the same things with the lower layer with rain effect.

Time to add the text. Get out the Horizontal Type Tool (just the regular one) and write out Johnny Depp name with color of #d20101.

The font I’ve used above is called 28 Days Later, you can download it from here (link to http://www.dafont.com/theme.php?cat=109). This font is very well combined with our wallpaper. Now I would like to add mat to bring our text more contrast view. Apply Select > Load Selection to make text selection, then use Select > Modify > Expand to expand selection about 5 pixels. After that create new layer under the text layer and fill selected area with black color on it.

Remove selection with Ctrl+D. That is it. We are done with our tutorial. We got ‘Sin City’ effect as we wanted, it looks very interesting, isn’t it?

You also can download our free wallpapers from here (1680 x 1050).

Benny Roth, Graphic and Web Designer, Munich, Germany.
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Finch, Designer & Writer, USA.
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David Arias, Strategic Branding & Visual Communications, Vancouver, Canada.
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Roeckl, Glove Manufacturer, Germany.
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Adam Hoganson
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Carsonified, Web Designer, UK.
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Web Is Love, Web Designer, Tuscany Coast, Italy.
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Rodney Keeling, Engineer, Web Designer & Programmer, Oregon, USA.
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I am preparing a post (probably a series of posts) about this topic. I have been doing a research but I would like to know what do you think a freelance designer should to to get more referrals? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. Don’t forget to write your name, location and website (why don’t you put a link to your design portfolio). I may include your details in my post soon.

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