Typography Design in Photoshop in 2024

At the end of today’s lesson, you’ll also find a quick quiz to test your understanding of the typography design in Photoshop.

Welcome to Day 25 of your Photoshop journey! Today, we’re putting everything you’ve learned about text tools and typography into practice by creating a full typography-based design. Whether it’s a motivational quote poster or a typographic layout for a project, this exercise will help you develop a keen eye for text-based design.

1. Introduction to Typography Design

Typography design involves arranging type in a visually appealing way. Whether you’re creating posters, brochures, or website headers, mastering typography helps you communicate effectively through text.

Today’s project will focus on creating a typography poster, which emphasizes a combination of text styles, sizes, and layouts to convey a message or theme.

2. Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Typography-Based Design

Step 1: Choose Your Quote or Text

Start by deciding what message or quote you want to design. It could be an inspirational quote, a favorite line from a book, or even a promotional phrase.

• For this project, try to select a short quote of around 10-20 words that you can play around with.

Step 2: Create a New Document

• Go to File > New to create a new document.
• For a poster design, choose a canvas size like A4 (210 x 297 mm) for print or 1920 x 1080 pixels for digital use.
• Set the resolution to 300 ppi if you’re designing for print, and choose 72 ppi for digital projects.

Step 3: Add and Format Your Text

• Select the Type Tool (T) and type your chosen quote or message.
• Split the text into different text layers if needed, for better control over the design. You can have a separate layer for each important word or phrase.

Step 4: Choose Fonts for Impact

To create a compelling typography design, choose fonts that complement the tone of your message.

• For example, use a bold sans-serif font for strong, direct words, and a flowing script font for softer or more emotional parts of the quote.
• Use Typekit or install custom fonts for more variety.

Step 5: Play with Text Size and Hierarchy

• Adjust the size of key words to create a sense of hierarchy. Larger font sizes naturally draw attention, while smaller text can complement the main message.
• For instance, the word “Believe” in the quote “Believe in yourself” could be much larger and bolder than the rest of the text.

Step 6: Position and Align the Text

• Use the Move Tool (V) to arrange the text on your canvas.
• Ensure that your text aligns properly by using rulers, grids, and guides to create balance and harmony.
• You can also use the Align Panel to distribute text evenly across the canvas.

Step 7: Apply Text Effects and Layer Styles

To make your typography stand out, apply some layer styles:

• Drop Shadow for depth
• Stroke to outline text
• Gradient Overlay for a unique color effect
• Try different Blending Modes to experiment with color interactions between your text and background.

Step 8: Add a Background or Texture

• Add a subtle background texture or a gradient to enhance your design without overpowering the text.
• Use adjustment layers like Brightness/Contrast or Hue/Saturation to modify the background so that your text remains the focal point.

Step 9: Final Adjustments and Refinement

• Review your design and make final adjustments to the layout, font sizes, or effects.
• Ensure that the text is clear and legible, even with any creative effects applied.

Step 10: Save and Export

• Save your project as a .PSD file to preserve the layers for future edits.
• Export a high-quality version in JPEG or PNG format, depending on whether it’s for print or digital use.

3. Assignment: Design a Quote Poster Using Typography

Now it’s your turn! Follow the steps above to design a typography-based poster.

1. Choose a quote or phrase that you want to emphasize.
2. Experiment with fonts, text sizes, and layout to create a visually striking design.
3. Use layer styles and background elements to enhance the overall composition.

Once you’ve completed your poster, feel free to share it with others for feedback.

4. Quiz: Text and Typography Basics

Let’s review what you’ve learned so far. Take this quick quiz to test your knowledge about typography design in Photoshop.

1. What is the main purpose of typography in design?
   • a) To fill up space
   • b) To convey a message visually
   • c) To add more color to an image
2. Which of the following helps create hierarchy in a typography design?
   • a) Using the same font size throughout
   • b) Varying font sizes and styles
   • c) Ignoring alignment and spacing
3. What tool is used to apply effects like drop shadow or stroke to text?
   • a) Brush Tool
   • b) Layer Styles
   • c) Crop Tool
4. What is the advantage of splitting text into multiple layers?
   • a) You can apply different effects to each part of the text
   • b) It allows you to save time
   • c) You won’t need to align text manually
5. Which format should you use to save a project for future edits?
   • a) JPEG
   • b) PSD
   • c) PNG

Answers:

1. b) To convey a message visually
2. b) Varying font sizes and styles
3. b) Layer Styles
4. a) You can apply different effects to each part of the text
5. b) PSD

In this lesson, you’ve learned how to design an impactful typography-based project, using text tools, fonts, and layer styles. Mastering typography opens doors to creative and expressive design work.

Next, we’ll continue with more advanced typography effects in Day 26, where you’ll learn how to create layered and dimensional text designs for posters, web graphics, and more.

Previous Chapter:

• Day 24: Warping and Transforming Text

Next Chapter:

• Stay tuned for Day 26: Advanced Typography Effects!