If you want to participate in this project, but are unsure about the technical side of creating an effective and artistic ad, we can point the direction and provide help desk support for a basic ad created using the image editing program GIMP. GIMP, the GNU image manipulation program is free to download and is open source software, meaning that over the years the users have written the code of the program, continually update it and provide it for free for everyone to use. GIMP is an image manipulation program akin to photoshop or indesign.
Now you are ready to begin. You will need some photos and/or imagery from your business
Things to consider when creating your ad:
* The booklet is printed in color on newsprint so in order to translate well,
good photos to use are bright and crisp images. If your image is
dark to begin with, it will tend to be darker in print.
* A product shot or lifestyle shot of one item can
be very effective for a small ad Too much photographic content can quickly
clutter an ad, especially when text is added.
* Think of this booklet as a keepsake that a customer will show off
as a token of their wonderful visit to the Portland Saturday Market. It is a great place
to advertise your website if you have one, and to provide contact information that will
make it easy to make contact at and away from the market.
Conceptualize Your Ad
It is very helpful if you have already visualized and roughly sketched out what you want your ad to look like, where you want the text to go and what relevant information about your business you want to communicate.
Let's get started...
Let's get started...
Step 1: Create a File With the Right Specs.
Open GIMP and select
-File-
- new- set the height & width dimensions in inches to the appropriate size of your ad
Click +advanced options and set the resolution at 300 pixels/in
Click -OK- to create the new file
* Helpful Tip- push Ctrl+L to show a 'layers dialog' - this will make it easier to navigate your ad as you create it*
-File-
- new- set the height & width dimensions in inches to the appropriate size of your ad
Click +advanced options and set the resolution at 300 pixels/in
Click -OK- to create the new file
* Helpful Tip- push Ctrl+L to show a 'layers dialog' - this will make it easier to navigate your ad as you create it*
Step 2: Choose Photos & Placement.
Click -File-
- Open as Layers - and choose a photo or image to begin with
Next Click -Layer-
-Scale Layer- This will allow you to change the size of the image you chose
To Move Image
Click -Tools-
-Transform Tools-
-Move-
*This process can be repeated for as many images and photos as seems appropriate for your ad*
** Note** If you want to start with a solid background of a different color go to -Tools-
-Paint Tools-
-Bucket Fill-and choose color
- Open as Layers - and choose a photo or image to begin with
Next Click -Layer-
-Scale Layer- This will allow you to change the size of the image you chose
To Move Image
Click -Tools-
-Transform Tools-
-Move-
*This process can be repeated for as many images and photos as seems appropriate for your ad*
** Note** If you want to start with a solid background of a different color go to -Tools-
-Paint Tools-
-Bucket Fill-and choose color
Step 3: Add Text.
*Save your file*
To Add Text
Click -Tools-
-Text- Click and drag a text box. Use the 'text editor' box to input and format text
*It is easiest to create a new text box for each line of text in your ad, and this process too can be repeated as many times as seems appropriate for your ad*
Once you have finished your ad is nearly created, all that is left is to finalize your file
To Add Text
Click -Tools-
-Text- Click and drag a text box. Use the 'text editor' box to input and format text
*It is easiest to create a new text box for each line of text in your ad, and this process too can be repeated as many times as seems appropriate for your ad*
Once you have finished your ad is nearly created, all that is left is to finalize your file
Finalize Your Ad: Merge Layers & Export to .jpg
*Save your file*
Click -Image-
-Merge Visible Layers-
Click -Merge-
Final Step -File-
-Export To- make the file extension at the end of your file .jpg (your ad.jpg)
Click -Image-
-Merge Visible Layers-
Click -Merge-
Final Step -File-
-Export To- make the file extension at the end of your file .jpg (your ad.jpg)
