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First create a document with the size of 650 x 850

We’re going to paint some random brushes onto the background and in different colors, so to make this process easier, make sure you have your Swatches panel open (Window > Swatches). This way you can easily pick different colors without having to double click the color options icon.

Now all you need to do is pick a brush from the set, choose a color, click once to apply and repeat. I stuck with a Blue/Pink/Purple theme, but you can do whatever you like.





Now open “LauraPrepon.png” from the Cutouts folder of the Freebies pack. I already cut her out so you won’t have to do through all that.

We need to turn her into a silhouette, so go to Image > Adjustments > Hue & Saturation. Now take the “Lightness” slider and drag it all the way down to the left. Once that’s done click OK





Create a new layer on top of her, select the gradient tool and choose the settings in the example. Next with the color of your choice, click and drag as shown in the example(a). Once again, choose another color and have it overlap the first one as shown in this example (b).





Now right click the gradient layer and select “Make Clipping Mask”. Create another new layer and this time make the color black. Use another random brush splatter as shown in the example.





Now create a clipping mask with that layer like you did with the gradient layer. Turn the blend mode of layer with the black paint to “Soft Light”





Ok, now we need to do one more paint layer. Create a new layer, choose a purple color (If you’re following my color choices) and paint in the area as shown in the example. Once again make it a clipping mask and turn the blend mode to Soft Light.





So now we have the background and the model who stands out but also shares a similar style with everything else. Now for the tricky stuff. For the next step I recommend doing it in a new file so it’s easier to focus on. File > New and make the size about 500 x 500.

Hit CTRL + I to invert the background so it turns to black. Select the “Rounded Rectangle Tool” and at the in the top options make sure the Radius is set to 40px. Set the color to white and draw out a rectangle in the shape on an iPod’s shell.





Now select the “Rectangle tool” and this time make the color grey. Draw a rectangle for the screen in the top portion of the rounded rectangle.





We can get really detailed if we wanted to, but because of the cartoon style of the ad, this is good enough detail. Hit CTRL + A to make a selection of everything. (make sure your background layer is turned off by clicking the eye on the side of it). Hold CTRL + Shift and hit C. This copies everything and merges it on your clipboard. You can also copy by going to Edit > Copy Merged.





Go back to the main file now and paste the iPod in (Make sure it’s at the top of all the other layers). Now we need to make it look a little 3D. Hold CTRL and hit T on your keyboard to activate Transform mode. Now right click the iPod and from the menu that pops up, choose “Distort”.





Here we can change the position of each corner to create that tilted look. Drag the corners as shown in the example





Go to Layer > Layer Styles > Drop Shadow and enter these settings





Click ok to accept the changes. Choose the Pen Tool and make sure you’ve got the settings in the example below. In a new layer above the iPod, draw a shape that fills in the missing pieces of the iPod’s bottom left corner. Do the same for the top right corner.





Now merge all the parts by holding shift, clicking the iPod and the two separate shapes you made for it. To merge the iPod layers, hit CTRL + E on your keyboard or right click them while selected and choose Merge Layers from the menu.





Now resize and position the iPod in her hand (You might need to rotate it counter-clockwise a little in transform mode). It looks good so far but she doesn’t appear to actually hold the iPod. Instead it’s sort of just floating next to her hand. So let’s fix that now.




If you read the Layer Masks tutorial, you’ll know that using them are much better than erasing things permanently. So with the iPod layer selected, choose “Add Layer Mask”. Also change the opacity to 50% so we can see behind the iPod while we’re masking.




Now with the Paintbrush selected paint where the finger should be (Make sure you change color to black and that you’re in Layer Mask Mode. For more info, read the Blends tutorial). If you mess up and erase more than you should have, paint with white to fix it. Also keep in mind that it doesn’t need to be perfect. When you’re done, turn the layer’s opacity back to 100%.





It’s time to create the earphones. Create a new layer and select the Pen tool. Make sure that it has these settings





Draw a line from the iPod to somewhere around her neck as shown in the example. To draw the line correctly, click to create hard points or click and drag to create smooth curves. The example below indicates whether it’s a hard point or smooth curve





Once you’ve done that, go to the brush tool and enter these settings:





Create a new layer and call it “Wire”. Now go back to the pen tool, right click the path line you made and from the menu that pops up, choose “Stroke Path”. Make sure “Simulate Path” is turned OFF. When you’re done with that, hit Delete on your keyboard to remove the path line.





Your result should look similar to the one below:





Now let’s get the split line done. Using the same instructions to create the first line, follow this guide:





Now before you stroke the path, go back to the brush tool and change the size to 2px. Now when you make the stroke on the path, it should be smaller than the main line.





For the actual earplug, create another new layer and use the circle shape and rounded rectangle shape to create this





We don’t need one for the other ear because it’s on the other side of her head. One thing we will need to do with that stray line is erase it a little so it looks like it’s going through her hair and unto the other side. In this case we’ll use the eraser tool because it’s not that important to use a layer mask.

Select the Eraser tool and choose the brush in the example. Make sure you have the Wire layer selected and make a few clicks similar to the example.





The part where the main line and split lines connect is missing the thick rubber that usually wraps around it. So to create that, make another rounded rectangle like you did for the earphone. Rotate it in transform mode (CTRL + T) and position it like the example.





Congratulations! You’re done. Expect to get a call from Apple’s marketing division pretty soon

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This should be a fairly easy tutorial to follow because I’ve made all of the parts you’ll need available on the freebies page. Okay, let’s begin.

First open the GA_PaperTexture.jpg from the Paper Textures section of the freebies pack.

Now select the type tool and choose the font “Club”. If you don’t have it, you can download it here: http://www.dafont.com/club.font. Make the size 150px and type “Girls” in a green color.




Before we continue, let’s talk a little about something called Kerning. Kerning is the amount of space between each letter/number. When you’re designing logos it’s a good practice to tweak the kerning so it’s compact and even. As you can see, the GIRLS type has a gap between the R and the L. So let’s fix that now.

With the type tool still selected, click between the R and the L. Now hold down ALT and tap the left key until the space matches the space of the rest of letters. If you need to change the kerning of multiple letters, you can select them and use Alt + Left key to change the kerning.





Okay, lets continue. Create another new layer and this time we’ll be using the font “Akashi”. It can be found here http://www.tenbytwenty.com/products/category/typefaces. The font size is 125px. Type the word “Aloud” in white.




From here on out, we’ll be creating designs on top of the Girls Aloud type as well as below it. So keep in mind that the instructions will indicate whether it goes on top or below.

The next few effects go BELOW the Girls Aloud type.

Select the background and click the New Layer icon so the new layer goes right on top of it. Choose the Custom shape tool, click on the icon on the right of it and choose “All”. When the window pops up, click “Append”.




Select the shape in the example





Once you select it, hold down shift and draw the shape out by clicking and dragging on the stage. Place the shape on the bottom of the Girls Aloud text as shown in the example. If the size doesn’t look like the one in the example, hold CTRL and press T to enter transform mode and tweak the size.





Now right click that layer in the layers panel and choose “Duplicate Layer” from the menu that pops out. Drag the duplicate to the top of the Girls Aloud logo (On the stage, NOT in the layers panel).






Hold CTRL and hit T to enter Transform mode. While in Transform mode, right click the shape and choose “Flip Vertical” from the menu. Then position the shape as shown in the example.







We need to repeat this process one more time, this time it’s for the left and right sides of the Girls Aloud type. Go back to the Custom shape tool, choose the shape as shown in the example and follow the same steps mentioned above to complete this step. (Note: Instead of “Flip Vertical”, this time choose “Flip Horizontal”)







Open the Girls Aloud Cutout from the Freebies pack and drag it onto the stage. Make sure it’s UNDER the Girls Aloud type. Resize them (CTRL + T) and position them as shown in the example:





The next steps are to be placed OVER the Girls Aloud type layer.

Create a new layer over the GA type and choose the Custom Shape tool. Select this shape:





Choose a dark grey color from the color options and draw out the shape. Now position it as shown in the example. Duplicate the layer and drag it to the other side. Once again, enter transform mode (CTRL + T) and this time when you right click, choose “Flip Horizontal”.





This is what composing graphics is all about; putting elements together to create something that appears to be complicated. Now let’s finish it off with some eye candy. Create a new layer over the background. For this step we’ll be using Splatter brushes that are included in the Freebies pack.

Using the Paintbrush tool, select a dirt brown color and click random splatter brushes as shown in the example. When finished, set the blend mode to multiply.





Create a new layer over that one and create a few more brush splatters. Change the blend mode to Multiply once again.





The reason we created two Splatter layers was so that the splatter effect looks like it’s blending and darkening into other splattered areas. In short, it’s just a little extra detail that pays off in the end.

Select the layer with the Girls Aloud cutout and choose Image > Adjustments > Photo Filter. Change the setting to “Color” instead of Filter and pick a dark orange color. Also change the Density to 40%.





Select the four shape layers under the GirlsAloud type and click on the “ATRLDF_Orange GradGlow 1” Style from the Freebies pack. Select the “Girls” layer and add a drop Shadow effect (Layer > Layer Styles > Drop Shadow). The default settings should do fine. For the “Aloud” type, we’re using the “ATRLDF_Neon Yellow 2” style from the Freebies pack. (Damn, is there anything we’re not using from the freebies pack?!)





Create a new layer over the “Girls” layer. Using the Paintbrush tool, right click the stage and use some more splatter brushes in green. Darken the green color after a few clicks and make some more spots until you get a decent effect. Here’s what I got





Now right click the layer and choose “Create Clipping Mask”. Also, set the blend mode to Multiply





If you did the Apple Ad tutorial, you should be familiar with this next step. We’re going to make some neon lights for the two shapes above the Girls Aloud type using the pen tool.

So select your Pen Tool and make sure you have these settings:





Create the first line by clicking and dragging to make curves.





Once you’ve made the first line, hold ALT and click the stage to complete it. Now drag out another line for the bottom





Go to your Paintbrush tool, right click the stage and make sure you have these settings selected:





Now back on your Pen tool, right click and choose Stroke Path. Make sure “Simulate Pressure” is not selected.





Now use the style ________ from the Freebies pack.





Duplicate this layer and mirror it to the other side by hitting CTRL + T then right clicking and choosing “Flip Horizontal”.





We’re almost at the finish line! Just one more step before we’re done.

Create a new layer over all other layers, select the brush tool and choose these settings:





Click between the hollow areas of the “G” and the “S” of “Girls” with the brush you just selected.





Now create a new layer above that and use the “Sparkle” brush from the freebies pack, with a size of about 160px





And there you have it. Using simple shapes from Photoshop’s presets along with some materials of our own, we were able to create a nice GA poster that looks rather official if I do say so myself





I hope this gets you interested in composing more designs for your layouts, avatars, and wallpapers. Have fun

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Before we start the layout, we’re going to create some brushes. Open a new project with a size of 400 x 400 and create a new layer. Using the Elliptical Marquee tool, hold down Shift and drag out a perfect circle on the stage. If your circle ends up going out the scene while you’re creating it, just simply drag it back into the center.





Choose black from the color options, hold the ALT key and hit Backspace to fill the marquee with black. You could also use the Paint bucket tool to fill it, but this shortcut is much faster.





Now create another layer and use the Rectangular Marquee tool to draw out a bar as shown in the example.





When you have any marquee tools selected, you can move around active marquees on the stage. So move the rectangle bar you just created in the following spots and click delete on your keyboard to erase those areas.





Now hit CTRL + D to clear the marquee selection. Click CTRL + T to go into transform mode and rotate the circle until it looks like the one in the example.





Go to Edit and choose “Define Brush Preset”. A window should pop up and ask you to name your new brush. Name it “LayoutCircle1”





And that my friends, is how you create a custom brush. Exciting isn’t it? Well, maybe not, but let’s make another one. Delete all the layers except the background by selecting all of them (Shift click) and clicking on the trash can icon in the layers panel.

Once again, create a new circle and with the Elliptical Marquee tool and fill it with black.





Select the Type tool and use a font of your choice (I’m using Futura Bold, but Impact could probably work). Make sure the type color is white and hit CTRL + T to resize the type so that it’s slightly larger than the circle. While you’re in transform mode, rotate the type as shown in the example.





Now follow the same steps mentioned earlier on saving the brush. (Edit > Define Brush). Name it “Top10”

Now that we’re done creating our brushes, let’s start making the countdown template. Create a new project with the size of 600 x 200. Hit ALT + I to change the background color to black.

Set your color options to #e60e59 and select the gradient tool. Create a gradient with the instructions from the example below.





Now select the color black in the color options and draw out a second gradient. This time, start outside of the scene.





The next step is to set up our newly created brushes. So first of all, create a new layer and select the Brush tool. This time instead of right clicking, select the brush palette icon at the top right of the screen.





Apply these settings:













Before we continue, I recommend you save this enhanced brush style. Because if you change brushes without saving, you’ll lose all those settings you just patiently put together. To save it, right click the screen and choose the highlighted icon in the example. Name it “LayerCircle2”.





Now choose a dark orange color from your color options and start painting across the stage. Because of the settings we chose in the Brush Palette, the circles that are created will have random opacity, slightly random colors and random sizes.





Create a new layer, select the polygon lasso tool and create a diagonal rectangle as shown in the example:





Now set the color as #fcbedf in your color options and hit ALT + Backspace to apply the color into the shape you just created. With the diagonal marquee still selected, drag it to some random locations and repeat the steps.





Now go to Filter > Blur > Motion Blur and apply the settings in the example and set the blend mode to “Vivid Light”





Select your brush tool again and click the Brush Palette Icon. Under “Brush Tip Type” look for the “Top 10” circle we created. When you do this, all of the settings from the last brush will remain intact. If you want, save this brush as “Top10Enhanced” the same way you did the “LayerCircle2” brush.





Change the dark orange in your color options to something a little lighter, then right click the stage and turn the brush size down to about 130px. Now paint over the stage to achieve this look. (Note: Instead of just dragging wildly over the scene, drag and release quickly so it doesn’t get clustered up.





On that same layer, add a layer style of “Drop Shadow” and apply these settings:





Create a new layer and choose the Pen tool. Choose black for your color options, and then draw out a shape following the example. Make sure and finish the shape where you started t.





In the layers panel, right click the new shape you just created and click “Duplicate Layer”. Right click it again and create another duplicate. So now you have three shapes stacked on top of each other. What you need to do is select the bottom two and change their Opacity to 60%. Next, select the second shape layer, choose move tool, hold down the Shift key and hit the left key on your keyboard a couple times. If done right you should see the second shape layer move from underneath the first. You should only tap left as long as it takes to look like the example.





Choose the third shape layer and repeat the steps you took last time. Only this time you’ll need to tap the left key twice as much.





Create a new layer, and with a large brush and an orange color, paint a spot in like this






Now right click this layer and choose “Create Clipping Mask” and lower the opacity to about 60%.





Create a new layer and hit CTRL + A to select the entire scene. Go to Edit > Stroke and enter these settings:





Now we need to do one final thing for this part, and that is entering some text. I won’t go into detail on the text design in this tutorial because there is a whole tutorial on text effects. So in your own practice, be sure to incorporate that tutorial with this one.





Let’s take the style we’ve created for the header and use it for the other parts of the countdown. First save this project as “Countdown_Header” (File > Save).

Once you save it, go back into File and choose Save As. This time make a save called “Countdown_Subheader”. The reason why we’re saving under a different name is because we’re about to make some changes and delete a few things from this project so it works as a subheader. We don’t want to make the mistake of saving our changes under the main header’s file, so we save the new file earlier on.

To make the subheader, choose the Crop tool from the toolbar and and cut it in half. Next, hide the layers you won’t need (basically you just want to keep the background graphics. Next, some new text and design that suits the subheader.





Save another copy of this file as “Countdown_Numbers”. This will be your numbers layout. Once again, use the crop tool to make it the size you need, delete unwanted layers and create your numbers design. In this case I just made a circle and put a white drop shadow behind it.




I hope you were able to learn a few things from this tutorial. Have Fun

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Okay lets get started. First open up the Kirsten Dunst image from the freebies pack and go to Filter > Liquify.

Use the forward warp tool at a large size and nudge/drag the corners of her face and body outwards. You need to make very light nudges or else they will start looking very fake, very fast. In the end we do want to exaggerate it a little, but while still keeping some realism. The animated example below should explain how it works:





For her body, continue thickening the corners of her front and back. Also thicken her arms. Remember to decrease of increase the size of your brush depending on the body part. For example, you will need to lower your brush size a lot when you start thickening her fingers. When you’re happy with the result, click OK to continue.





In the layers panel, right click the Kirsten layer and choose “Create Duplicate Layer”. Change the blend mode of the duplicate to “Multiply”.





For the next step, create a new layer and select the paint brush tool and paint a dark blue blob around her left eye.





Use the eraser tool to erase the part that’s covering her eyeball.





Change the blend mode to Linear Burn and the opacity to 65%





Now click the layer with Kirsten and select the burn tool from the toolbar. Use these settings:





Now click and paint with the burn tool to create a bruise effect on her left cheek. Do the same for her upper right cheek as shown in the example.





With that same layer selected, go to Image > Adjustments > Brightness and Contrast. Apply these settings:





Now, let’s give her a bit of a unibrow. With the Kirsten layer still selected, select the Healing Brush from the toolbar. Hold ALT on your keyboard and click on part of the eyebrow. Now click between both eyebrows and paint the unibrow in. What this is doing is taking samples from the left eyebrow and placing it where you’re painting.





BONUS: Last minute I decided to throw in some fake teeth. I saved the teeth in Stock Photos of the freebies pack, so you can open it, drag the teeth into the Kirsten project and try it out.





And there you have it. A plumped up version of Kirsten with bruises and all.

Now keep in mind that although we used the Liquify tool to fatten someone up, you can also use it in the opposite way and trim someone down. (Which is what most professional magazine designers do these days). So experiment with it and have fun

omg those looks amazin am gonna try each and every one tomorrow

Oh My God!!! Those tutorials are amazing
I'll try some of the them this weekend
Especially the text effects & C/D layout!! Thank you
LOL, that Kirsten Dunt picture scares me

Jesus!!!!!
thanks Athens
these are amazing!
def a very great job!
love it and love you!

This is amazing!!
But I think I'll start with some simple stuff first!

This tutorial is so amazing...

I've tried to make one, but when I'm uploading it, the video disappears. Could it be that I am saving it in the wrong type?

Can you post the avie so I can see the problem?

If not then explain what you mean by disappears. The entire avatar doesn't show up? or the music video inside it?