Hello — and Welcome to Tech Magic Academy!

I’m Angela Smith, founder of Tech Magic Academy. While I love the world of design and architecture, I’ve always been a techie at heart. I know that’s not the case for many, so I’m on a mission to make “tech stuff” easier for interior designers and architects. Learn more about my background.

Over the coming months, I will be distilling my knowledge, experience, and research into training courses for various apps, including Photoshop, Midjourney, and Enscape. My first course, Photoshop Magic, is now open for enrollment. Learn more about the Photoshop Magic course.

I founded Tech Magic Academy specifically for:

  • CAD technicians

  • E-designers

  • Students

  • Aspiring designers

  • Interior designers

  • Architects

  • Interior architects

  • Decorators & stylists

Are you ready to learn Photoshop…

without pulling out your hair in frustration?

The gold standard

When it comes to image editors, I'm sure I don't have to tell you that Photoshop is the gold standard in pretty much every industry, all around the world. Many jobs in the interior design and architectural field now require Photoshop experience. It’s an important tool for mockups, mood boards, presentations, graphics, photo editing, rendered elevations, floor plan renderings, and post-production of 3D renderings.

Don't fake it until you make it

There are those who subscribe to the "fake it until you make it" mentality, but I definitely wouldn't recommending trying to fake it with Photoshop — it has a way of telling on you! If a potential employer requires Photoshop experience, you'd better make sure you know how to use it properly.

All students, no teachers

Unfortunately, when it comes to learning Photoshop for interior design or architecture, it's like the blind leading the blind. Many designers learn Photoshop on the job, but they often learn from coworkers who didn't learn it properly either. So bad habits and inefficient workflows get passed down the line, like a game of telephone.

But it's not our fault!

As interior designers and architects, we've needed a professional Photoshop training program for a long time. But creating a program like this is a huge undertaking, and most designers don't feel confident enough in their Photoshop skills to teach it. That's about to change!

Enter: The Photoshop Magic Training Program

My flagship training course, Photoshop Magic, is now open for enrollment, with instant access to the pre-recorded video training.

The Photoshop Magic course focuses on tools and techniques that you'll need as an interior designer or architect — and none of the things you don't. Because you truly DON'T need to know everything there is to know about Photoshop. There aren't many people on the planet who can honestly say they have fully mastered the entire program. It's just too big.

And that's not the goal anyway — you don't need to become a Photoshop master. You just need to master your own little niche. Interior designers and architects have special requirements when it comes to graphics and images, and we need a training course that will specifically address these for us.

Here's a list of some of the course topics that may be added to the Photoshop Magic Training Program in the future. I hope you're as excited as I am!

Do you suffer from Photoshop Phobia?

Interior designers and architects are artistically inclined, and for many, sketching by hand comes much more naturally than drawing with a mouse. If the idea of learning Photoshop triggers feelings of fear and self-doubt, you're not alone. Many people purposefully avoid using Photoshop even when working on a project that calls for it.

But don't let "Photoshop Phobia" hold you back! Learning key software programs will pay dividends and open doors for you.

Once you UNDERSTAND Photoshop, it actually doesn't take long at all to become proficient since you'll be using many of the same tools and techniques over and over again. The tools and interface can be overwhelming at first, but you won’t end up needing to use even half of the tools available. You’ll also be learning the tools one at a time, which makes it easier.

Photoshop is a complicated program, but I can simplify for you! You don't have to learn all the bells and whistles - you can just learn the tools you need for interior design/architecture. You can finally learn Photoshop in the way it was meant to be used!

I totally get it — I've been where you are!

  • Carefully following every little step in a tutorial, but you just can't get the same results

  • Selecting an area and making a change, but nothing seems to happen

  • Trying to apply color or texture, but Photoshop applies it to the wrong spot

I know how it feels to constantly fight with Photoshop to get it to do what I want. The struggle is real!

Photoshop is notorious for being hard to learn. I even saw someone compare using Photoshop to walking on a bed of hot coals! OUCH.

The thing that makes Photoshop so intimidating is also what makes it awesome — its sheer POWER! But when you break it down into one tool and one technique at a time, it becomes much less intimidating. I will walk you through the steps one by one, reinforcing important points and highlighting common trouble areas.

Is Photoshop really necessary
for designers and architects?

These days, it's difficult to be successful in interior design and architecture without technical skills. We are living in a high-tech world, and clients have very high expectations. As designers, it's important that we’re able to create top-notch visual presentations. You could have the most amazing design, but if your presentation is lackluster, you're likely to lose to someone with a better presentation.

The truth is, knowing AutoCAD or SketchUp alone isn't really enough these days. If you've skimmed through the online “help wanted” ads lately, you've probably noticed that a lot of the interior design and architecture job listings require Photoshop skills. Perhaps you've dabbled in Photoshop before, but you don't feel confident including it on your resume just yet. If you want to remain competitive in the industry, it's time to nip Photoshop in the bud.

If you're still in school, you’ve probably realized that Photoshop training is a footnote compared with other programs. Very little consideration is given to how important Photoshop is or how difficult it can be to learn correctly. This course will help you speed up the learning curve so you can create stunning images and presentations to impress your professors and fellow students.

Whether you're an architecture & design student, or if you've already entered the workforce, imagine feeling so confident about your Photoshop skills that people come to *YOU* when they need help. Presto — you're indispensable!

By learning Photoshop, you can…

What makes the Photoshop Magic course different?

First of all, my course is different because I am just like you. I know how interior designers and architects use Photoshop, and I know what techniques and processes will work best for their purposes.

You may have tried taking a Photoshop course before, but most courses aren't tailored specifically to interior design or architecture — so you end up learning about things you don't need to know. The Photoshop Magic course is tailored specifically to the needs of interior designers and architects.

Other courses may only skim the surface, and may not explain WHY things should be done a certain way. I've figured out how to explain key Photoshop concepts so you can get to the “a-ha moment” faster. It may seem impossible, but Photoshop will finally "click" for you too!

Here are some of the ways that Photoshop Magic courses stand out from the competition:

  • Learn from a fellow member of the architecture and design community

    I understand how Photoshop is used in the industry, so you don't have to waste time learning obscure photo editing techniques that you won't use.

  • Taught by your friendly Photoshop guide, not an unapproachable guru

    I've been where you are, and I feel your pain!

  • Discover top techniques in the industry

    I've soaked up all the information that's out there, and I've brought it all together for you. You're getting information on the best techniques out there without having to pay for multiple training programs.

  • Learn the “photorealistic dollhouse" technique

    Create a floor plan with a modern, trendy aesthetic that resembles a 3D floor plan — without having to spend time building a 3D model.

  • Enjoy process-based learning

    I teach processes rather than individual tools. Learn a few simple steps for each process, and the rest is repetition.

  • Created for beginners and current Photoshop users

    The course will meet you where you are. You’ll start working on a project right away, and I’ll lead you step by step so you don’t have to waste time going through basic material first. It’s not just for beginners though - even seasoned Photoshop users are likely to learn something new.

  • Receive unlimited support if you hit a snag

    The course includes detailed troubleshooting tips, and you can always submit a support request if you need extra help. Send your course Photoshop file for review by myself or a team member, and we'll report back with a solution and a personalized explainer video if needed.

  • Based on current Photoshop methods

    Get the latest and greatest information that will help you move forward quickly without spinning your wheels. Plus, we’ll begin the course by setting up a special Photoshop workspace so your screen will match mine.

  • Nibble on bite-sized nuggets of information

    Lessons are broken down into short topics that include lots of detail, but not so much detail that you get overwhelmed.

  • Follow along with step-by-step video courses & notes

    Taught in a workshop-style format so you can mimic my steps as I go. You'll have a completed floor plan by the end, whether it's the plan used in the course, or a plan of your own. In addition to the video tutorials, the course includes a full transcript of every lesson, so there's no notetaking or memorization required.

Wait — can't Canva do the same things as Photoshop?

Canva is an amazing program! It's so user-friendly and the learning curve is practically non-existent. Canva is great for creating graphics for social media, but Canva's tools are far less advanced than those of Photoshop.

Photoshop can do everything that Canva can do, and much, MUCH more. Here's where Photoshop excels:

Creating detailed rendered floor plans and elevations

Making adjustments to precise areas in images and graphics

Adding lighting, shadows, and reflections to a rendering

Adjusting the perspectives of furniture and accessories

Changing colors and textures of objects

Transforming an entire image with powerful filters

Is Photoshop really necessary for SketchUp users?

With so many 3D modeling and rendering options like SketchUp, Revit, Enscape, and V-Ray, why do you need to learn Photoshop? Actually, Photoshop is the primary tool used for putting the finishing touches on photorealistic 3D renderings created 3D programs. A future course in the Photoshop Magic Training Program will focus solely on "post-production," as it's called.

If you're a SketchUp user, there are plenty of other scenarios where you might want to use Photoshop instead. All of the topics below will be covered in future courses. For now, suffice it to say that the more design software (magic tricks!) you know, the more indispensable you will be at your job! Here are a few ways Photoshop can help…

  • Create Detailed Floor Plan Renderings

    Let’s say your client's project is still in the conceptual phase. You’ve drawn the 2D space plan but haven't started working on a 3D model yet. You can use Photoshop to add realistic furniture to the floor plan so it's easier for your client to understand.

  • Generate Quick Perspective Mockups

    Some projects simply don't have the time or budget for 3D modeling and photorealistic rendering. In these cases, Photoshop can be used to create relatively quick perspective renderings. Many e-designers use Photoshop in this way because of the efficiency.

  • Represent Fabrics & Finishes Accurately

    If your project calls for custom fabrics or finishes, it can be hard to show this accurately in SketchUp. Instead, you can first use SketchUp to generate the perspective, and then edit it with Photoshop to provide a more accurate representation of finishes and fabrics.

  • Add Manufacturer Furniture Images

    When creating 3D renderings, there are times when you need to include specific pieces of furniture. Instead of modeling each piece of furniture yourself, you can save time and money by using Photoshop to insert manufacturer photos and manipulate them to fit the perspective.

Are you ready to
make some magic
with Photoshop?