Prepress design plays a huge role in the entire printing and packaging process. Here are some tips for adding light and shadow to your design.
Use a light source
It should be said that understanding the source of light when using light is the most important basic problem. The position of the light source determines the position of highlights and shadows (although you can break these rules in web design). In Photoshop, you can use the "global lighting" in the layer style to ensure that all the light effects you create are in one position. Controlling the position of the light source creates a unique atmosphere for your page design (even if it's just a simple linear or radial gradient). Light and shadow effects can also guide the transfer of the visual center.
2. Gradient
In the real world, nothing is always flat. Light and shadow are attached to everything. Using gradients is a great way to create depth and authenticity. The key to using gradients is not to overdo it. When drawing gradients in Photoshop, do a gradient overlay in the layer style to ensure the editability of your gradient, and as the layer is scaled, the gradient can be scaled without loss.
3. Highlights
The high light balances the shadow and should be located near the edge of the object. Highlights are ignored most of the time, because if you use them well, you can hardly feel it. However, not all scenarios are suitable for the presence of highlights, and a subtle highlight can cause a huge difference in the surface finish of an object. The sharper the highlight of the Shanghai printing plant, the stronger the gloss of the surface of the object. To appreciate the highlights, we need to zoom in on these details. When doing high-gloss design, it is a good idea to double your design draft, because when you display it in the original scale, you may not be able to figure out what you are playing.
4. Basic shadow
Like gradients, projections are widely used by web designers. When used correctly, the projection does add visual depth and texture to the design. The key is not to overdo or abuse. The depth of the shadow depends on the direction and intensity of the light, as well as the distance between the object and the projected surface. The stronger the light, the sharper and darker the shadow; the weaker the light, the weaker the projection.
5. Advanced Shadow
To give the object a three-dimensional look, in addition to a simple projection, you have many options. Long shadows can dramatically change the spatial relationship of objects in a page.