Artboards and layers are both fundamental concepts in Adobe Photoshop, but they serve distinct purposes and have different functionalities. Understanding the difference between artboards and layers is crucial for effective design in Photoshop.

Artboards

Artboards represent independent design canvases within a Photoshop document. They provide a structured environment for organizing and arranging multiple design elements, enabling designers to work on different sections of a design simultaneously. Artboards are particularly useful for creating complex layouts, adapting designs for different screen sizes, or producing multiple variations of the same design.

Layers

Layers, on the other hand, represent individual levels of content within an artboard. They act as stacked plates, allowing designers to place, arrange, and manipulate individual components of a design without affecting other elements. Layers provide flexibility and control over the organization and editing of design elements.

Relationship between Artboards and Layers

Artboards and layers are not mutually exclusive but rather work together to facilitate complex design projects in Photoshop. Artboards provide the overall structure for organizing design elements, while layers enable the precise placement, editing, and manipulation of those elements within each artboard.

In simpler terms, think of artboards as the main rooms of a house and layers as the individual furniture within those rooms. The artboards define the overall layout of the house, while the layers represent the details that fill the rooms.

By understanding the distinction between artboards and layers, you can effectively utilize both features to create organized, flexible, and visually appealing designs in Photoshop.