Computer technology has become one of the most strong tool within the world of art and media. More and more firms are opening jobs for graphics designers who can carry out many computer-related tasks. Web designers are very in demand globally, their work is

PhotoShop Tutorial: Create cutting edge graphics with the latest trend in the "Gel Look". Embossed, translucent letters with a surface sheen and highlighting. Give your web design and print media the high-tech, 21st century look with this surprisingly easy technique pioneered by the author. This tutorial is for intermediate to advanced users who have an understanding of basic PhotoShop tools and techniques. For PhotoShop 6.0 and above.

First, choose a block-letter san-serif font. In this example, I used a common font, Arial Black, sized at 48 points. Other suggestions: VAG Rounded, bold (looks great with Gel) or Verdana, bold. (See picture #1) For practice use the same font size I did, since the Bevel and Emboss settings will need adjustment if you resize the font.

Select a medium shade of a color that fits your design scheme. In this example, I used the currently fashionable cerulean blue. (R=79, G=143, B=195)

Now to work the Magic! Rather than use multiple layers and complex overlays, we will achieve the Gel Look on a single layer by using only four Styles in the Layer Style palettes. Many of these settings are the default, so don't be put off by the seeming length of the list. Entering the numbers actually takes very little time.

1. From the menu bar at top, select Layers, Layer Styles then Inner Shadow. (See picture #2)
In the Structures Section, set the following parameters:
Blend Mode: Multiply
Click the color box and select a darker shade of your color. In this case I chose: R=53, G=124, b=192
Opacity: 80
Angle: 120
Distance: 0
Choke: 30
Size: 16

In the Quality Section:
Contour: (select the icon that is a square divided diagonally)
Alias: (leave unchecked)
Noise: 0

2. From the menu bar at top, select Layers, layer Styles, then Inner Glow. (See picture #3)
In the Structures Section, set the following parameters:
Blend Mode: Screen
Noise: 0
Then click the radio button next to the little square colored box. Then click on the color box and, in the color picker select a lighter shade of your color. In this
example, I used R=75 G=189 B=222

In the Quality Section:
Contour: (select the icon that is a square divided diagonally
Alias: (leave unchecked)
Noise: 0

3. From the menu bar at top, select Layers, then Layer Style: Bevel and Emboss. (See picture #4)
In the Structure section, set the following parameters:
Style: Inner Bevel
Technique: Chisel Hard
Depth: 350
Direction: Up
Size: 131 px
Soften: 5 px

In the Shading section, set these parameters:
Angle: 120
Altitude: 30
Gloss Contour: (choose the icon that looks like stair-steps)
Anti-aliased: (unchecked)
Highlight mode: Screen
Opacity: 61
Shadow mode: Multiply (the color box defaults to black, if not set to R=0, G=0, B=0)
Opacity: 0

4. From the menu bar at top, select Layers, then Layer Style: Satin. (See picture #5)
Blend Mode: Multiply
Click the color box and select a bright shade of your color. In this case I chose: R=37, G=182, B=230
Opacity: 100
Angle:100
Distance: 68 px
Size: 191 px
Contour: (Select the icon that looks like a square divided diagonally by a wavy line)
Anti-aliased: (unchecked)
Invert: Select by clicking in check box

That's It! Your Gel Letters are ready to go. It can be fun also playing with the settings and parameters to see how the effects change.
I encourage you to experiment, after all, that's how I came up with this technique. Good Luck with your project!

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