Create A Better Logo For A Better Blog Tutorial

For past months, I’ve been blogging about graphic designing, the importance of great visuals in a blog, and many things related to it. But, I just encourage you to create or enhance the graphics of your blog, but not teaching you how to create it. And now, I decided to post a tutorial on how to create a simple logo for your blog, step-by-step. (For Photoshop geeks, hit the back button because this post is for newbies only, he-he-he)

Now, the first thing to do is check if your PC or Mac has an Adobe Photoshop. If you don’t have, it is time to install one. Next, open it and take a deep breath.

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Ok, the real first step, is to create a new file (see image above). Then, you’ll see a pop-up window where you need to enter your desired dimensions of your logo. You can also set the background color, too. This time, I use white background.

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Next, click the “Horizontal Type Tool” at the left side of the screen where different tools were placed or simply hit the “T” key at your keyboard (see image above).

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Then, click the blank file at the center of the workspace and start typing your desired name. At the top of the screen, you can select your desired font style (see image above). Not satisfied with the pre-installed fonts on your PC? Try browsing DaFont.com and download their cool FREE fonts.

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After typing your blog’s title, hit the “V” key on your keyboard to activate the Move tool. Then, see the “Layers” palette.  If you can’t see it, just go to the menu bar and select Window, then click Layers (of just hit the F7 key at your keyboard). Next, click the “fx/Add a Layer Style” icon at the bottom of the Layers palette, and click the Color Overlay.

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The Layer Style window will pop-up. Then, the Color Overlay will change the color of the name you typed earlier. Just click the little box next to the Blend mode (see the image above, the encircled box). And you’ll see a small window full of colors! Yeah, that’s your moment to pick your favorite color.

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After picking your favorite color, click the “Drop Shadow” at the left of the Layer Style Window (see image above). Then, play with the buttons there and see what combination fits your style. For me, I picked a smoother drop shadow, (see image above, encircled).

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Look the image above, and you’ll notice, the logo looks better with Layer Styles. And that’s it! Yeah, you can stop right here. But if you want to put more fancy things, just continue reading.

The next thing that I’ll teach you is how to put “reflection” at the bottom of the logo (which is one of my favorite styles).

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First, copy the “Your Blog” Layer (The “Your Blog” was named after the name I typed, so if you typed Kelvin, the layer will be named “Kelvin”, ok?). To copy, right click the “Your Blog” layer and click the “Duplicate Layer…” or just hit the CTRL+J in your keyboard. Then, you”ll see a duplicated layer named “Your Blog copy” (see image above, encircled).

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Then, right click the duplicate layer and click the “Rasterize Type” (see image above, encircled). This will turn the Text-editable layer into an ordinary layer.

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After rasterizing the duplicate layer, move it at the bottom of the “Your Blog” layer. But make sure you are using the Move Tool (hit the “V” key) and the duplicate/copy layer is selected (see image above). After moving it, click the Edit at the menu bar then go to “Transform” then “Flip Vertical”.

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After flipping the duplicate layer, we need to create a new layer. The new layer was automatically named Layer 1 in this tutorial.

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Next, click both the duplicate/copy layer and Layer 1. Then, right click it and hit the “Merge Layers”. This will combine two layers into one (see image above). Question, why we need to do this step? the answer will be revealed, just continue reading (just to excite you, LOL).

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Then, make sure the Layer 1 is selected, so we can continue. So, you need to go again to Layer Style, and click the Gradient Overlay this time. This one is a bit complicated so take a deep breath first. At the Gradient Overlay, click the colored bar at the bottom of the buttons and sliders and another window full of colors will pop up. Then, in the selection of colors, select the white + transparent color. Why white? Because color white is the background I used in my logo. So if you use black, you need to choose black + transparent in the gradient overlay.

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Can’t do it? There’s an alternative way to make a Gradient-like thing. You just need to use the Eraser tool, and make sure it’s hardness is down to 0% (see image above). Then, start erasing the bottom part of the duplicate/color until it looks like a fading logo. And btw, here comes the answer at the question at the earlier step. We created a new layer, then merged it with the duplicate/copy layer to remove the interactivity of the Layer styles. Try not doing the merging of new layer, then erase the duplicate layer. Result? Huge mess (see it for yourself, try it).

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And we’re finally done! Yeah, it’s very easy. Now, you can create your own nice blog logo too. And remember, learn the concept of great color combination and great creativity!

I hope I helped you with this tutorial. More tutorials coming, soon!

Finished product! :D

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