Channel Banner by Adobe Photoshop

My Youtube Banner Channel: Using Adobe Photoshop.

Introduction:

    Creating a YouTube banner can be a transformative experience, blending creativity with technical skills to produce a visually stunning piece that represents your channel. My journey with Adobe Photoshop began with the need to design a YouTube banner that looked professional and appealing across all devices. Here, I’ll share the process and techniques I used to achieve a cohesive and eye-catching banner, breaking down each step for you to follow and replicate.

    Actually, making this YouTube banner is not an easy thing for me. Since this is an individual assignment, coupled with the guidance of my kind lecturer, I forced myself to learn how to make a banner using Adobe Photoshop without the help of Canva at all. I browsed the internet to find out how to make a banner, and I saw many tutorials on YouTube that sometimes lead astray and sometimes lead to heaven. So this is my experience in making banner by using Adobe Photoshop.

Sketching Idea🤔 why sketching? Reader: We can just proceed to make it!!!

    For me, sketch is an important thing in starting a project. Before starting, firstly I sketched the strategy of the banner that will be made. I emphasize the position of the writing and the designated spaces for my business information and it is for building my creativity.

Find out my Inspiration😻

    Their channel banner also caused me to choose a combination of pictures which is the most attractive banner used for a channel like mine that involves business. Their creative and professional designs have managed to attract my attention. In addition, the use of harmonious colors and clear writing facilitate the delivery of the message to the audience. From their banner channel, I also see how interesting to use good pictures to attract the audience's attention.

Look at some Tutorial

    As a beginner in using Adobe Photoshop, I also watch some of video tutorial, especially on YouTube platforms.  It is one of the most important references, more about how to create new designs, and guidance that helps me with certain problems, build my ideas to achieve more creativity, and others. It also makes it very easy for me to complete this channel banner project.

Start With Import Template to Photoshop

-Find a Template:     Search for a banner size template on Google that includes different resolutions for various devices (TV, desktop max, desktop minimum mobile, and tablet).

-Import Template:        Open Adobe Photoshop and import the template. This will help ensure your banner design fits all necessary resolutions.

-Understand Resolutions: Note the different dimensions specified in the template for each device type to guide your design process. Especially to put all the important information.

The Template:

Use Rulers to Align Elements

-Open Ruler Tool:    Press `Ctrl+R` to display the ruler tool in Photoshop.

-Drag Guide Lines:    Click on the ruler and drag guidelines to match the sections indicated in your template. These guides will help align your design elements precisely within the correct areas for each device and also make sure we know where the safe area is to put important information.

 

Fill Areas Using Shapes and Add Images

- Cover Unused Sections: Use the Rectangle Tool to cover areas outside the primary design sections for desktop and tablet displays with black shapes.

- Select Images:  Download high-resolution, relevant images from Google.

- Add Images: Use "File" > "Place Embedded" to add images. Move all images to the desktop for easy access.

- Arrange Images: Use five images. Arrange them from right to left on the canvas, ensuring each image is on a separate layer.

- Blend Images: Start with the leftmost image, create a layer mask, and use the Gradient Tool (linear, black to white, 50% opacity) to blend transitions between images. Adjust as needed for a smooth transition. 

Arrange and Blend Images

-Place Images:    Position all images on the canvas. Use the `Create Clipping Mask` feature to ensure they fit within the designated areas.

-Blend Images:    Starting from the second image on the left, apply a layer mask and use the brush tool to blend the images seamlessly. This step will make the transition between images smoother and more appealing.

 Adjust Colors and Contrast

-Hue/Saturation Adjustment:    Add a `Hue/Saturation` and take that layer on top of all image layers to harmonize the colors. 

-Contrast and Text Readability:    Adjust the contrast to ensure the images complement the text you plan to add and of course, it depends on what color you choose for your text. The text should be readable and visually appealing against the image background.

            #you want to make a coffee banner, so what comes to your mind must be a color with an aura of coffee, right? that's why I chose this color for a better appearance 😌

From this.                                                       To This.

Add and Style Text

-Choose a Font:    Download a suitable font from [DaFont.com](https://www.dafont.com). Install the font on your computer. I use different fonts for my banner name and other text.

-Add Text:    Use the Text Tool to add your banner’s text. Set the font size to 130pt or another appropriate size.

-Text Effects:    Apply text effects such as Stroke, Color Overlay, Gradient Overlay, and Drop Shadow. 

#All of these effects sometimes frustrate me when I compare many previous results, but that effect setting is the best to look at because I have said that. Adjust the settings for these effects to achieve the desired look. Refer to the image settings provided as a guide.

 

Add Social Media Icons

-Download Icons:    Find and download social media icons from the internet. These icons will provide additional information and engagement opportunities.

-Place Icons:    Add the icons to your banner, positioning them in a way that complements the overall design and does not overcrowd the banner. Just do it until you think that your banner is good-looking.

-Edit Icon:    Same as what I applied in step 6 for text effect but I only use Stroke and Drop Shadow. 

Adjust it until the color of my icon contrasts with the background. It's sometimes troublesome because Photoshop can't remove all the unused backgrounds. For that, I am very struggling to manually delete by using masking.

 

Example Image Settings for Text Effects (from Step 9)

- Stroke:                    Set size, position, blend mode, opacity, and color as per your design needs.

- Color Overlay:        Choose a color that stands out against the banner background.

- Gradient Overlay:   Select a gradient that enhances the text without overpowering the design.

- Drop Shadow:        Adjust the shadow’s distance, spread, and size to create depth and make the text pop.

In conclusion, by following these detailed steps, you will create a well-designed banner that looks great on all devices. Hopefully, you all enjoy my sharing about my experience in making banners by using Adobe Photoshop. In addition, please pray for me to get the highest marks for this first assignment. I also created a logo for my business. 

My Final Project:👻😎

OVERALL VIEW FROM YOUTUBE☺