Photoshop tools exploration · Ardavan Hemmatpour

Bring the tools closer to the task.

An independent exploration of discoverability in a complex creative application.

Role

Independent interface concept

Context

Exploration · Not an Adobe commission

Scope

Contextual tool selection · Visual interface direction

Evidence

Earlier concept / strategy account

Independent Photoshop concept informed by informal community input. No Adobe commission, implementation or formal validation is established.

01 / context

Powerful tools can be difficult to discover.

This independent concept asks how Photoshop’s tool panel might become easier to approach for hobbyist photographers. The earlier account describes informal community input, but does not provide a participant count, research record or formal study protocol.

02 / design

Borrow the logic of a contextual menu.

Inspired by contextual interactions in Autodesk Maya, the idea places tool selection closer to the pointer and combines icons, labels and configurable choices.

Concept sheet for a contextual Photoshop tool menu, with circular tool choices and alternate settings. — Original concept sheet from the supplied portfolio archive.

03 / reflection

Discoverability and expertise need to coexist.

A proposal for discussion, rather than a validated replacement for Photoshop’s existing tool system.

Next project

Bring the tools closer to the task.

Powerful tools can be difficult to discover.

Borrow the logic of a contextual menu.

Discoverability and expertise need to coexist.

Travel discovery exploration