What level of Photoshop expertise do I need for basic marketing materials versus complex e-commerce work?
Basic marketing materials like social media posts need intermediate skills - layer management, text effects, and template creation. E-commerce work requires advanced skills including product photo retouching, background removal, color correction, and batch processing. If you're doing 50+ products, you definitely need someone with advanced automation knowledge.
How can I tell if a designer actually knows Photoshop well versus just putting it on their resume?
Ask them to screen share and show you their layer organization in a recent project, or have them explain their workflow for a specific task like removing a background. Real experts use keyboard shortcuts naturally, organize layers logically, and can explain why they chose specific techniques. Their files should look clean and professional, not chaotic.
Can Photoshop handle logo design and vector graphics, or do I need someone who also knows Illustrator?
While Photoshop can create simple logos and has some vector capabilities, it's primarily a raster-based tool. For professional logos that need to scale perfectly and work across all applications, you'll want someone who also knows Illustrator. Most professional designers use both tools depending on the project requirements.
How well does Photoshop work with other tools my marketing team already uses like Canva or Figma?
Photoshop integrates well with most design workflows. You can export assets for Canva templates, create graphics that import into Figma, and work with files from most other Adobe tools. However, real-time collaboration isn't Photoshop's strength - it's more of a specialized tool for complex image work that feeds into your broader design ecosystem.
How long should it take to set up brand templates and design systems in Photoshop?
A basic template system with 10-15 social media templates takes 1-2 weeks. A comprehensive brand system including templates, style guides, and automated workflows typically takes 3-4 weeks. Complex e-commerce photo editing workflows and batch processing setups can take 2-3 weeks to perfect, depending on your specific requirements.
What kind of ongoing support will I need after my Photoshop projects are completed?
Most template and workflow projects need minimal ongoing maintenance, but you'll want someone available for updates when you rebrand, add new social platforms, or need template modifications. Budget for 2-4 hours monthly for small updates and tweaks. If you're doing regular product photography, you'll need ongoing retouching support rather than one-time project work.
