In this article, we will be going over a brief overview of the free photoshop alternative named GIMP. GIMP stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program which allows the user to create social media posts, logos, edit pictures, and more all for free! This free photoshop alternative is great for beginners just entering the design world or professionals in their field searching for a more cost-effective way to edit their projects for the job. This GIMP guide for beginners will help you to better understand how to use GIMP as an alternative to Photoshop.
Let’s Start With The Basics
For beginners, especially when it comes to dealing with new interfaces, your adventure into using GIMP can seem daunting. Luckily GIMP has a very user-friendly interface. All you need to get started is to go to GIMP’s official website and download the free plug-in. Now let’s dive into what makes GIMP a perfect free alternative to Photoshop. The program comes with all of the tools you would need to crop, scale, copy, rotate, etc. The best part is if you are already familiar with Photoshop then it’s perfect for you! The interfaces are almost identical with features such as the layer function which is just one of the reasons that make Photoshop so great. Now that we know about some of the similarities, what can you make with it?
Types Of Projects
Many projects are beginner-friendly such as posters, business cards, and other graphic designs. You can also incorporate some of the features that Photoshop offers as well such as text effects and 3D effects. If you’ve had any experience with Photoshop before, you’ll know why it’s the industry standard in design. If you’re a beginner at design and curious about Photoshop, check out this article about why we think it’s so great. As a matter of fact, let’s take a look at how I made a business card with this very tool!
How To Make A Business Card With GIMP
Let’s take a look at how I designed our business cards with this simple beginner-friendly tutorial! I also made this infographic so that you can follow along. First, I look for inspiration on sites like Pinterest and go with what complements the brand identity. Next, think of a call to action that will entice your audience to work with you. After that, add all of your contact information. Lastly, think of what can help your design stand out. If you’re stuck on what to add, then check out this article about the cool effects in Photoshop. This free Photoshop alternative for beginners can replicate any of the effects listed here. In this beginner-friendly example, I’ve added a QR Code to scan on the back of the card.
Learn More About GIMP
If this article has you wondering what else this free alternative can do, there are plenty of tutorials for beginners out there. To help you get started, here is a list of 20 GIMP Tutorials For Beginners. The creator of these tutorials specializes in this Adobe Photoshop free alternative. He is a great teacher for beginners learning how to use design. If you would like an in-depth tutorial on how to use GIMP then leave a comment down below!
