(Click on the image above to check out Understanding Photoshop in iTunes)

I am not a Photoshop pro at all. Typically I turn to my wife when I need to do anything semi complex with photos. Usually this leads to her chuckling at me with the “it’s ok my little frail dove” tone. Regardless of this I really would love to learn how to use Photoshop for small projects as well as some larger projects down the road.

I think I found one tool that can help me…

While digging through the App Store recently I came across some tutorial applications. One was “Understanding Photoshop- Quick Fixes” by RHED Pixel (iTunes Link- ). I noticed that the app was 80% off for a limited time (hopefully it will still be 80% when this post goes up!).

So I decided to give it a spin…

Above is the splash screen at startup. It seems as if someone knows how to use Photoshop (teehee) because the artistic quality and design of the application is fantastic.

Chapters

The educational aspect of this application shines within the design of the chapter materials. As seen in this image above there are introduction, color adjustments, explosure adjustments, and “other” adjustments sections. These buttons lead into chapters that are wonderfully laid out and super simple to navigate.

Videos

Once inside a “chapter” the user can select and watch tutorial videos. These tutorial videos are high quality and they run locally so you will not need an internet or cellular connection to play them (great for the iPod Touch). Underneath the video section are links for taking a quiz, receiving tips, as well as a spot for submitting your email address for downloading the same files used in the video.

(*Note- Without an Internet/Cellular connection some of the features, that require internet access, will not work such as the emailing of files and comment boards)

Tips

The tips section is probably my favorite feature of the application due to the simple screen captures and useful panel tips. In a short period of time I was finding answers to questions that would have taken me much longer to find and solve on my own.

Files

The ability to send the photoshop files used in the video to practice with is pure genius. I know this is not necessarily something knew when it comes to tutorial services. I just have not seen it (yet) in an iPhone educational application. After I put in my address I received an email in less than 30 seconds. The link was for a “one time only” download and there is a clear warning in the email message…

“NOTE: This link will expire after one use. Files are not downloadable to your iPhone or iPod Touch.”

From my computer I clicked on the link and the same files used in the video downloaded in a nicely organized zip file.

Quizzes

The quizzes at the end are super for testing one’s knowledge and memory after watching the videos.

Overall

I have to say that an application such as this is exciting to me. It takes mobile learning to a new level and as I was navigating the application for the first time I began to imagine the possibilities that were there for publishers looking to create educational content that is rich with multimedia content.

The integration of video, tips, emailed files, and the smoothness of moving around was definitely a surprise and provided an experience I hope other developers can begin to match or learn from in their educational applications.

I highly recommend this application for individuals interested in learning some Photoshop techniques. I also recommend that other developers and publishers check out the design, interface, and execution of this application.

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