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Creating a Clean and Elegant Blog Design with Photoshop, Part 3

Rundes — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:45:43 +0000

This post pick up on the previous two parts of a very detailed tutorial for “Creating a Clean and Elegant Blog Design with Photoshop, Part 1 + 2“. This is part3 and it will be covering last steps required to finish the design by adding the Side Bar and Footer Sections. We pick up just where part 2 ended and the result of part 3 and final Blog Design will be looking like this:

Download full size here.

This tutorial now consists of:

Part 1 – covering the Theme Header Section
Part 2 – covering the Blog Front Page Post Section
Part 3 – covering the Side Bar and the Footer Sections

Download the source file

Make sure you get a copy of the PDS source file before you start working on the tutorial. License: Creative Commons License.

Lets get started…

Step 16: First thing you need to do is to load up the PSD you created in part 2 or get the one available for download above. We need more space in the bottom for the Footer Section and will start with adding this. Use Canvas Size tool in the Image menu to add 160px like this. Make sure the Anchor is selected as shown to add space at the bottom.

Then locate content layer in Group “PART 1 – content background” and select the filled area. Use Transform Tool [Ctrl]+T to do this or simply select everything with [Ctrl]+A and fill the entire area with the color #797979. Then add a guide at 1250px from the top and use Transform Tool to make white fill in layers “Sidebar back” and “Content list back” in group “BACKGROUND CONTENT AREAS” end at this new guide like this.

Step 17: Add a guide at 1270px from the top where the Footer Section will start. Add a Group called PART 3 above PART 2. In PART 3 add first a Group called FOOTER CONTENT and one called SIDEBAR CONTENT. In FOOTER CONTENT add a layer and call it “footer-background”. Select the area from the bottom up to the guide just added and fill it with white. Then add drop shadow using the Layer style window with setting used earlier.One thing that can make using Photoshop faster and more flexible is Styles and if you create new styles when you know the current settings will be reused it will be even better. The drop shadow have been used several times and could be a candidate for this – so lets try it.

You can always go back and save a set of styles you created earlier if you want to reuse them. We are going to do just that. Find the layer called header created in Part 1. We want to create a new style for the gradient used earlier and apply it to the Footer.Call the style header-footer-gradient. After saving the new style you can apply it to footer-background layer by opening the Layer style window, clicking on Styles and clicking on the style you just created.

Step 18: In this step you will add a bit of decoration to the Footer. Make a copy of the LOGO Group from Part 1 and move it to Group FOOTER CONTENT. Then drag it to the right location in the footer and scale it down in size using the Transform Tool. Then add copyright text and if you like a backlink to Wordpress and your favorite hosting provider.

You should now have this partial result.

Step 19: Different bloggers tend to like different widgets in the sidebar. You may put whatever you like in it of cause and because it is such a flexible area of a blog I will just add a few examples of what could fit well. Just using screenshots of the well know google custom search and the Advertise Here signs I have material for the top part of the sidebar.

Since we have no categories in the top menu it would make sense to have a widget listing Blog Content Categories. What you do to create the layout shown below is simply creating layers for the white and grey boxes. Fill them with the color you want and apply a layer style 1px stroke. Colors used here are: Stroke: #bebebe, background #eeeeee. The boxes should be 50px and 25px in height. The space on both sides of the boxes is 20px. Add one px space between the boxes.

Use the same steps to create a popular posts widget like this. The small images are 40×40px.

Step 20: To make the design consistent I decided to use the same box type to separate the articles created in Part 2. It looks like this. I had to move the articles a bit to make it fit but it was easy because moving elements in a group can be done by selecting the group.

This is the last step in this Photoshop Blog Design Tutorial. I plan to continue this tutorial and implement the design as a Wordpress Theme later on so stay tuned.

The Final Result

Download full size here.

Post tags: Design, Photoshop, Photoshop Tutorials, Templates, Themes, Tutorials

Back-to-School With 40 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Melissa Scroggins — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:33:59 +0000

Learning is a process which continues throughout the life of an artist, graphic designer, and illustrator. Along the way, designers find the task of mastering Adobe Illustrator a large obstacle which requires practice and experience in using the vector-based application. Practice comes in the form of tutorials, which offer tips, tricks, and artistic styles from other designers who have mastered certain techniques based on their experience.

From these tutorials, a designer can polish their skillsets on a variety of topics which will strengthen their own artwork. Sometimes a simple tutorial has tips which may have been overlooked based on the subject of the tutorial. By looking past the subjects of the tutorials, an endless array of learning opportunities exist. Essentially, the tutorials become not only a teacher but a “class” which a designer can repeat as often as necessary to refine their skills.

This post presents 40 excellent simple to complex Illustrator tutorials and presents the overall techniques of each tutorial, summarized in a brief overview. The purpose is to pick and choose among the tutorials based on the areas that need improvment. Whether a seasoned professional or a designer just starting out, these Illustrator tutorials offer a way to brush up on one’s skills.

Illustrator Tutorials

Gradient Mesh Bell Pepper Tutorial

Use multiple smaller Meshes to create a realistic object
Learn to use the Eyedropper Tool (I) to sample colors from a reference photo

How to create a Television Icon

Using Offset Path on an object
Learn to use Gradients to create surface texture and depth
Create a reflection using an Opacity Mask

Working with 3D Objects and Transparencies to Make a Vector Cola Bottle Design

Learn to “cut” up an image in Pathfinder and use the pieces in 3D Revolve to create solid objects
Map art (symbols) onto a 3D object

Create a Stylish Colorful Text Effect in Illustrator

Learn to use Offset Stroke on text
Apply a Pattern Swatch to text

Illustrate a Malevolent Skull in 8 Steps

Working with a sketch and outlining with the Pen Tool (P)
Use Outline/Preview modes during design process
How to use the Reflect Tool (O) to save time

Create A Wood Grain Texture

Use Raster Effects, Live Trace, and Expand to create a texture
Learn to use the Warp Tool (Shift +R) to customize a texture

Illustrator ring shape via overlapping crescents effect

Create abstract geometric shapes with Linear Gradients, Align, and Pathfinder
Learn to use Smart Guides (Cmd/Ctrl + U)

How to Illustrate a Brain Icon for OSX and Vista

For faster coloring, use the Live Paint Bucket (K)
Bonus Lesson: How to turn art into an icon

Create a Realistic Candy Bar in Illustrator

Tips on stacking order for the Layers Panel when using a sketch
Create realistic creases in paper
Where to place shadows/highlights and why

How to Create a Vector Smiley Icon

Working with Radial Gradients
Copy design elements for symmetry
Learn how to use the Isolation Mode

How to Create a Radial Mesh in Illustrator and Make a Vector CD

Create a radial mesh from a Radial Gradient and the Mesh Tool (U)
Learn the finer points of selecting mesh points
Create a Clipping Mask

Illustrator full spectrum spirograph

Using the Rotate Tool (R) to create abstract shapes
Learn to use Transform Again to save time

How to Make a Cartoon Style Cereal Box Logo in Adobe Illustrator CS3

Effectively use Strokes, Align Stroke, and Selection Tool (V) to modify fonts
How to use 3D Extrude & Bevel Options to Create 3D Text

How to Create a Gearbox Settings Icon Using Simple Shapes

Use the Rotate Tool (R) to rotate shapes relative to another shape
Create a metallic texture using shapes and Radial Blur
Design a perforated metal backing using Gradients

3D Effect Extrude and Revolve

Learn to use simple shapes to create a 3D object with Extrude & Bevel

Illustrator Tutorial: Realistic Orange

Learn to use Plastic Wrap Effect and Sponge Effect to create an orange peel texture
Effectively use Opacity in an illustration

How to Create Semi-Realistic Scissors in Illustrator

Using shapes and Gaussian Blur, create an aged metallic texture
Learn to add highlights on metal contours

How to Create a Hippy Van Vector in Illustrator

Trace a photo with the Pen Tool (P)
Expand strokes to add Gradients

Illustrator Quick Tips #1 – Complex Symbols with Pathfinder

Use the Gradient Tool (G) to create a 3D effect
With the Pathfinder Divide, create abstract shapes
Learn to use the Blending Mode Multiply

How to Make a Vector Diamond Ring in Illustrator

Use Pathfinder to create a compound shape
Create a metallic finish with Gradients
Create a diamond with Linear Gradients

Create Fun, Eye-catching Text with Adobe Illustrator

Use the Free Transform Tool (E) on text to create depth and perspective
Highlight and shadow placement on text

‘Women and Cats’ How-To Advanced Tutorial

Learn about shading/highlights in vector portraits
Use of Transparency and Opacity Masks

Turn Any Font Into a Sketch Font

Learn to use the Scribble Effect and Roughen to create a font
Create a custom Graphic Style

How To Create A Realistic Pendrive in Adobe Illustrator

Learn how to align objects to the Artboard
Create a realistic metallic surface using Linear Gradients

How to Create a Rainy Window Vector Background

Create an abstract background with the Mesh Tool (U) and circles
Use Gradients, Inner Glow, and Warp to design raindrops
Learn to make a Symbol from artwork

Draw a Cute Purse Using Simple Shapes

Modify shapes using the Warp Tool
Use Pathfinder Exclude to create new shapes
Learn to design a simple pattern
Quick Tip: Horizontal Align to align anchor points

Make a Christmas Light Bulb in Illustrator

Create a quick glossy orb using Gradients and the Blend Mode
Add an image to a round surface using Pathfinder

How to Create Shiny, Vector Dice in Illustrator

Learn to use the 3D Extrude & Bevel
Create highlights on a 3D object with the Gradient Mesh Tool (U)

Create a Cute Vector Monster from a Pencil Sketch

Learn to rough in a character using the Pen Tool (P)
Use tapered brushes to create a sketch style

Drawing a chinese fan

Create symmetric shapes using the Rotate Tool (R) and Ctrl+D
Overlay images using Symbols and Color Burn

How to Draw A Realistic Vector Light Bulb From Scratch

Create a metal thread contact with Effects and Gradients
Use the Zig Zag Effect to create wires

Create a Character Mascot with Adobe Illustrator CS4

How to set up an Adobe Illustrator file to trace with a sketch
Create a Custom Art Brush

Hit the Mark with a Realistic Vector Dartboard

Using Transform Effect to create segments
Save time with Live Paint
Learn to create bent wire numbers

The Shane Harper way to go Lineless!

Add details to a drawing with the Pencil Tool (N)
Alter shapes quickly using the Knife Tool

Illustrator Tutorial: How to Make an Icy Cocktail

Simulate “glass” using Color Burn and Gradients
Create Water Drops quickly

Create a Simple Vector Creature in Illustrator

Learn to use Guidelines effectively
Use the Reflect Tool (O) for symmetry
Change end caps on Strokes to alter paths

Create an easy landscape scene in Illustrator

How to use the Crystallize Tool to create shapes
Learn to use the Free Transform Tool (E) to create perspective

How to Create a Killer Chainsaw Bunny Character

Learn to trace with vectors
Block a character in using the Pen Tool (P)

Blueprint-Style Text in Adobe Illustrator

Use Scribble Effect to create a hand drawn font
Learn to use an Opacity Mask with a Gradient

Create a Cute Lipstick Tube

Working with shapes and Pathfinder
Learn shading tips for 3D Objects
Design a Reflection on a shiny surface

Conclusion

These Adobe Illustrator tutorials are just a sample of some of the free learning opportunities available online. Learn to look past the tutorial subject and find what skills the tutorial covers. After all, it’s never too late to go back to school!

Further Resources

About the author

Melissa Scroggins is a freelance graphic designer who loves designing icons, creating vector illustrations, and playing survival horror video games. Follow her on Twitter where she posts on a regular basis.

Post tags: illustrator, Tutorials