[PS] Typography Tutorial - Version 2.0

Text will make or break a graphic. It can be difficult and frustrating to get the text 'just right', so a lot of people tend to throw it on almost as an afterthought. Hopefully these tutorials will inspire some creativity and new ideas for adding text to your graphics. I will cover several different text effects, and also discuss some basic 'rules' of typography.

As with everything in Photoshop, there is no 'one way' to do something. Follow the steps loosely, deviate and try other techniques, or combine multiple effects - but have fun! Feel free to ask any questions you may have, and share your own work after trying this tutorial. ^_^

Difficulty: Intermediate
I am using CS2 for this tutorial, but the steps should be the same for CS3 and most older versions.


Index

I. Typography Basics (to read, scroll down)

II. Text Effects



a. 3D - Click for tutorial





b. Reflective - Click for Tutorial





c. Grunge - Click for Tutorial





d. Gummy - Click for Tutorial





e. Image Overlay - Click for Tutorial





f. Tribal - Click for Tutorial




g. Pen Tool - Click for Tutorial




h. Shattered Glass -Click for Tutorial
Download splat and drip shapes here.





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I. Typography Basics

Typography refers to the layout and design of text. It is the basic foundation of a visually appealing graphic. My college typography professor taught me this acronym - learn it!
Contrast
Repitition
Alignment
Proximity

Contrast should be used to help create focal points. Focal points are areas of the graphic that immediately draw in a viewer's attention. Contrast makes text stand out from its surroundings, and text with higher contrast will be more noticeable. Contrast is the difference between color of elements, size of elements, and fonts, to mention a few.

Repitition is the use of the same font to bring together a graphic. Repitition and consistency gives the graphic a more comfortable feel, and sets a strong mood or identity for the graphic.

Everything in a design should be lined up with something else to achieve unity. Drag down guides from the ruler in Photoshop to ensure everything is aligned properly. You should use only one alignment on the entire graphic - but do not overuse center alignment (it is usually a sign that the typer is a beginner).

Proximity refers to the way items close together look like they belong together. Alignment and proximity work together to increase visual appeal. Make sure that items that belong together look like they belong together. Text referring to an image should be kept close to that image - but utilize white space to separate items that don't belong together.

Other important ideas:

Readability and Legibility - refers to how easy it is to read large and short amounts of text, respectively. Serif fonts are considered more readable, and sans serif fonts are considered more legible. Make sure the background and text have good contrast to ensure readability and legibility.

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- Version 2.0 changes: Redid the grunge part. I was tired by the time I got that far and rushed through it, hopefully it is a little more appealing now. Moved Typography Basics to the top. More text effects will be added soon.-

- Version 3.0 changes: Everything is now available in the first post as large image tutorials. My apologies to slow internet users, but I prefer this method for a couple of reasons. 1. It is easier to make since I don't have to deal with bulletin code or anything, 2. if people want to save the tutorial on their computers, now they can, 3. I can edit this first post and add a new tutorial without having to worry about maximum image limits, and 4. people won't have to sift through posts to find the tutorial. Added previews. Moved 'changes' to the very bottom. -

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WOW You have some amazing text talents! I'm definetely trying these! Thank you for taking the time to share these with us!!!!! XD

Cool tut NB. Text is sometimes a struggle for me, so I'll definately keep these in mind.

Thanks guys, good to know someone may actually use it!

Wow, nice job. Interesting to see what you can do with text. ;]

Very good tutorial.


Someone tell Stony about this.

Thanks everyone. ^_^

I will be making backup versions of each part of this tutorial - in the ONE HUGE IMAGE method - since ImageShack tends to be unreliable at times. More to come soon. I'm also working on a couple of other tutorials, so stay tuned.

Added two new effects.

I like how you put a link to your tut with each style. Very awesome. I'm working on one right now!

Nice tuts, just made my sexy new yummy avy, I am ownage and so is nayru blue for that tutorial.

Awesome, glad you guys found it helpful.

I love seeing results, especially pen tool results, so everyone feel free to share.

I'm gonna work on the Image Overlay one soon. I want to use it with Young Link in the background for Smashboards.

Great, sugarpoultry.



Well, I was bored, so I finished up my name. I couldn't remember which brush I used...apparently the one I said I used in the tutorial isn't actually the one I used. XD So the 'Nayru' and 'Blue' are a different brush style. Oh well!

^VERY COOL!

I added the shattered glass tutorial for Mr. TB.

It is very, very long - but I would love to see the results of anyone that makes it through the entire tutorial. If you don't work with clipping masks a lot, it may be confusing in some parts - just ask if you need me to elaborate on anything.

Sweet, I was just gonna ask you for a tut on that. Thanks ^_^

Nice. I combined some of those techniques.

Nice job!

i tried them all, and it's awesome

Thanks, glad you found it helpful.