Typography Project
For this project you will practice using the text tool in Photoshop to create an image using only fonts. There are 2 choices towards the bottom of this page, Beginning and Advanced. Choose the project that matches your skill level. There are also tips for the text tools below to help you customize your text even more.
Text Tools
Here's a diagram of all the text options.
If you don't see the Character or Paragraph menus you can open them under the Window menu at the top.
The Text Warping tool can be used to change the shape of your text.
You can also drastically change the shape of your text by rasterizing it and transforming it. WARNING: Once you rasterize your text you can't edit it!
To rasterize your text right-click the text layer and choose Rasterize Type.
Once you've rasterized the text press Ctrl+T to enter Free Transform mode. Then right-click inside the box to open additional options.
You'll see a number of options on this menu. Try experimenting with the Warp option to see what it does.
downloading and installing new fonts
Step 1 - Visit one of these 2 sites for fonts:
https://www.1001freefonts.com/
or
https://www.dafont.com/
Step 2 - After clicking download save your font in the Downloads folder.
Step 3 - Go to the Downloads folder and find your zipped font folder. Right-click it and select Extract All to uncompress the folder.
Step 4 - Open the extracted folder, right-click your fonts and select Install. You should now be able to use your fonts.
Beginner
Create an image using only text that describes who you are. Your feelings, personality, likes, dislikes, etc. Some things to consider:
Font size - the bigger the font/word the more important something is. For example, words describing things that are important to you would be bigger, things not as important might be smaller.
Font color - colors can communicate mood and feeling. For example, red can symbolize anger, love, or passion. Here's a chart with colors and what they can symbolize.
To start create a New document in Photoshop with these settings:
Width = 8.5 inches
Height = 11 inches
Resolution = 300
Color = RGB
When choosing your fonts you should either use the same font for the whole thing or choose fonts that match the word you're writing.
When finished save your image as a JPEG, and upload it to your folder on Google Drive.
Advanced
For the advanced project, you will create a portrait of yourself or a famous person. The words you choose must relate to the person you're doing the portrait of.
Before you start you will need a picture of the person you're doing a portrait of. Once you find the picture create a New document in Photoshop with the following settings:
Width = 8.5 inches
Height = 11 inches
Resolution = 300
Color = RGB
Then follow the steps below to get started:
First, get a picture of whoever you're doing your portrait of. If you use a photo of yourself you can import it to the computer. If you're using someone else you can copy and paste their photo into your Photoshop document.
When you import your photo into Photoshop it should be on its own layer. In the Layers menu lower the opacity of your image so you will be able to see the text you place on top of it. 40-50% will probably be a good starting point.
Start placing your text over the image. You'll want to cover the shadows/dark areas with text. Try to do this with only one color of text.
When finished save your image as a JPEG, and upload it to your folder on Google Drive.
How to save as a JPEG (or other file type)
To save your file as a JPEG first go to File > Save As.
A window will pop up. In the right corner select Save a Copy.
Then where it says Save as Type select JPEG from the list.
Save your JPEG in your folder then proceed to the Google Drive link to turn it in.