what do you mean backgrounds for banners?

Advertising banners?

i dont think anyone can tell you how to design a background... it depends on the concept, the messaging, the graphics involved...color scheme..etc..etc..

a background can be as simple as a pure white background to make your images and text pop, to a complex gradient, or some textured background...

all of those tools are available in PS you just have to learn to use them...

ive done hundres of banners, vertical, horizontal...etc.. and each background was different from the last...

if you are looking for the technical usage of PS, then creating a background can be as easy as creating a new layer, making sure it is beneath all other layers, set a gradient or textured background.

maybe put a stroke inside, 1px to set a nice border...

if i didnt answer your Q, please explain in further detail.

hi tony,

thanks for sharing

A background can be as simple as a color fill, or as complicated as full-blown art. I do these quite often and every one is unique (that's what you want for logos, et al!).

PS provides many tools for this purpose.... but knowing your client or the project FIRST is what is most important. New Age, New Edge, or Old Hat, Charming Sophistication... ask those questions then let the creative muse take you there.

Or hire a graphic artist... particularly an electronic graphic artist as their prices are generally more reasonable than standard materials artists.

tangor hiring a graphic artist is not possible here

what are the steps to follow to become a graphic artist

Two things: Creativity and Formal Training.
It helps if you are creative to begin with but I guess anyone can learn by mastering the tools needed to accomplish your task. In this case, it would be Photoshop, Fireworks or even Illustrator. If you do not plan on going to school for this, I recommend picking up some books on the subject and then practice as much as you can. The more comfortable you are with Photoshop, the easier it will be to turn your ideas into a realization.

can u suggest some books on photoshop for this particular thing

I think the "classroom in a book" series is probably your best bet. Its written by the Adobe Creative Team so you can be sure it will be the most thorough, accurate book. If you go with this series, you will need to get the book that corresponds to the version of photoshop you have. If you have the latest version, CS3, you can buy this book: [amazon.com...]

If you have an earlier version, like PS 6 or 7, you will need to search for a different edition. The dummies series is also very good for beginners and usually breaks things down in a pretty easy-to-learn fashion but I have not personally read one for Photoshop so I cannot attest to its content. If you're interested in those, you can check out these listings:
[amazon.com...]

There are probably hundreds of other good ones to choose from... just make sure to read the reviews before buying.
Good Luck!

"The Non-Designer's Design Book" by Robin Williams (No, not *that* Robin Williams - this one is a woman.)

thx for ur help. I do layouts and other stuff in photoshop but I feel behind when it comes to design backgrounds for banners,layouts. etc

Sorry for late reply. When it comes to backgrounds and banners keep in mind two key elements: legibility and simplicity. Practice making a banner with the words "This is cool!" with a second line (smaller) "Really cool!" in the desired size formats and variety of fonts (at least 10...it's a learning thing). For backgrounds start with solid colors, then investigate "noise" and "gaussian blurs", motion, type effects, photo inserts etc. Investigate color saturation (or desaturation) for backgrounds. Look at opacity and luminosity. Or any of the other (hundreds) of features possible. Let the mind soar!

If I gave the impression you need an artist, well, that's what I meant, but by all means go for it.

And also consider artists in the traditional sense. There's kids in high school who can scribble better than I can and are not locked into a mindset, and work for $5.00 an image. Don't say no to that source, but do get a reasonable contract with them for their contract for hire work.

In the final analysis if the work needs to get done and you're the only one who can do it, then do what PLEASES YOU, first, then let the client make the call... they can then make suggestions and that might provide other inspiration. As those tenny shoo guys say: "Just do it."

jus got graphic design cook book. i feel it might help me a bit