Create this 2010 Typographic Wallpaper in Photoshop

In this Photoshop tutorial, you will learn how to work with shapes, texture, and patterns to create this wallpaper. Part of this tutorial uses Adobe Illustrator but a download is included in case you don’t have Illustrator.

Preview of Final Result

2010 Typographic Wallpaper Photoshop Tutorial

Step 1 - Create a new Document

Open Photoshop and create a new image (Ctrl+N or File > New) with the settings shown below.

Width: 1440
Height: 900
Resolution: 72
Background Contents: White

Step 2 - Creating Background

To create a striped background, press “D” to reset the color palette to black and white. Then create a new layer and fill the area in with white. Next, filter the image (Menu > Filter > Sketch >Choose Halftone Pattern) with the settings shown below:

Size: 1
Contrast: 26
Pattern Type: Line

Step 3 - Removing lines

Choose the Magic Wand Tool (W) and click on any area that is white.

Then right click and choose Similar Option. This will now select all white areas. Next, press “delete” to remove all the white lines.

Step 4 - Expanding the Lines

Expand the lines using the Transform tool (Ctrl + T) to fit your screen.

Step 5 - Rotating Lines

Rotate the lines to -45°. Duplicate the lines and place them next to each other, filling your canvas with lines.

Step 6 - Changing Color

Select the lines and lock transparent pixels from the layers palette. Then change the foreground color to the settings below:

R: 22
G: 22
B: 22

Step 7 - Adjusting Lines

Use the Free Transform tool (Ctrl+T or Edit > Free Transform) to rotate the lines -10°.

Step 8 - Adding Filter Effects

Add grains to the lines by locking the transparent pixels. Then use the Reticulation filter (Filter > Sketch > Reticulation) with the settings shown below:

Density: 14
Foreground Level: 40
Background Level: 18

Your image should now look like this:

Step 9 - Adding Blur

Smooth out your image with Gaussian Blur (Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur) with a radius of 1 pixel:

Step 10 - Adding Levels

Brighten up the image by adjusting the levels (Menu > Image > Adjustments > Levels) to the settings shown below:

Input Levels: 16, 1.05, 130
Output Levels: 0, 255

Your image should now look like this:

Step 11 - Adding Spotlight

Adding spotlighting to the image helps create dimension. Select the Brush tool (B). Right click on your image and select the soft rounded 300px brush.

Then set your foreground color to white and click on the center of your image. Your image should now look like this:

Step 12 - Creating Pocket

The pocket is the next level of the image. Merge (Ctrl+E) all layers except for the layer with the spotlight. Choose the Pen tool (P) and create a shape like the pocket you see below. Right click on the path then choose Stroke Path. Select the Brush option in the popup.

Step 13 - Transforming

Copy (Ctrl+C) and paste (Ctrl+V) the image of the pocket you just drew. Then transform (Ctrl+T) the pocket. Invert the pocket colors by right clicking on the selection and selecting Flip Horizontal.

Step 14 - Adding Levels to Pocket

Brighten up the pocket image (Image > Adjustments > Levels or Ctrl+L) using the settings below:

Input Levels: 0, 0.67, 95
Output Levels: 0, 255

Step 15 - Adding Borders

Add borders to the pocket by using the Stroke (Menu > Edit > Stroke) option and the settings below: