If you’ve ever worked in Photoshop, you know it’s a complex application. Its depth of features and functionality make it extremely powerful. But they also make it tough to master.

That being said, I thought I was getting to know Photoshop pretty well. As it turns out, I knew less than I thought. Just in the past few weeks, I’ve learned a ton of new tricks that are helping me work faster and make my Photoshop work about 10 times easier.

Here are just two cool, super-simple tips.

1. Use a Smart Object to embed a PSD in a PSD. I never really got what Smart Objects were or how to use them. But now that I know, I’m loving them. Smart Objects are like little containers you can use to hold an image or a vector graphic safely within a Photoshop file. If I want to edit that image, I just double-click on the Smart Object and transform it right there in a new window. Previously, I had to go back to the source file, edit the image, and then re-embed it in the PSD. Clunky.

This method has the added bonus of minimizing the number of layers you have to have in your working file. That keeps things cleaner and less confusing.

2. Use Shape Layers and the Direct Selection Tool. If you’ve ever struggled with controlling the “shape of a shape,” this is the tip for you. Instead of using the Transform Tool to manipulate shapes, try using Direct Selection.

First, make sure that you draw the shape as a Shape Layer. Or if you’re using the Pen tool, make sure it’s set as Shape Layer instead of Paths.

Then, you can use the Direct Selection tool to select individual anchor points and handles to fine-tune the shape however you want. Using this method gives significantly better control than using the Transform tool. It’s been a huge help with things like keeping rounded corners from getting distorted and keeping shapes proportional.

The bottom line? Don’t assume you know everything about the programs you use … even those you use every day. Pay attention to how other people use them. Be an avid reader of blogs and forums that discuss your app … and contribute to them as well. And don’t be too proud to take a tutorial or attend a seminar.

If you find it takes you a long time to do any task, that’s probably a clue that there’s an easier way to do it. Challenge yourself to find out. You’ll be one step closer to being a true Photoshop master.

Hi! My name is Jessica Prater, and I’m the newest designer at Atomic. I’ve been interning here for a couple months, and I’m excited to finally be an official employee.

In fact, I’ve wanted a career in graphic design ever since I can remember. So working here and doing what I love is awesome.

I can’t wait to meet all of our Atomic clients. Here are a few facts about me.

• I started on the design path early. I’m a 2011 honors graduate of the School of Advertising Art. And I spent my junior and senior years of high school in the graphic commercial art program at the Miami Valley Career Technology Center.
• My hair? Yes, it’s naturally curly.
• Loves = anything made of lace, photography, and collecting old cameras and films.
• I also love to cook … but the results are usually not so great.
• Favorite weekend activities = rummaging around vintage shops and thrift stores, going for a hike, or doing anything else outside.
• Drink of choice = hot tea.
• Favorite TV show = Doctor Who. Call me a geek, but I never get tired of watching and re-watching old episodes!

I look forward to meeting all of you soon and helping the team at Atomic continue to bring you great design.