Straight from the source’s mouth
~ 10 May 2004 ~
Since the relaunch of Authentic Boredom back in March, I’ve received a fair amount of requests by email to explain how I do some of the aging/weathering used on the site.
Thus, hot on the heels of generous “open source design” releases from the likes of Todd Dominey, Shaun Inman, and others, I give you 4minutemile.psd (Photoshop, 2.2 MB) — source file for the masthead currently running through May 13, 2004. Although created in Photoshop 7.0 Mac, it’ll open up fine in Windows and possibly even Photoshop 6.0 and 5.5.
I won’t bother explaining much of what’s
there for now. Suffice it say I have plans for a for-publication article or four-part blog series (haven’t decided
which yet) that will explain some of the techniques I use. Enjoy.
14 Comments
Veer: Visual Elements for Creatives.Stock photography, type, and killer tees. Genuinely recommended by Authentic Boredom.
I think your aging technique is tasteful.
Look foward to seeing how you make it happen.
Very interesting Cameron. The file opened up just fine in the Gimp. What I found most interesting was that you used a modified istockphoto image for the base discoloration.
I always have trouble coming up with good textures to use for this sort of thing. That was a real eye opener… I headed for stock.xchng, made a search for “weathered” and found a veritable barrage of excellent images for this sort of purpose. Duh. It’s sometimes the simplest things that get us…
It really is fine of you to be open with your techniques so that others may learn. Some folks are so worried about being copied that they avoid sharing what they know. Hopefully this trend of open discussion of design will inspire more designers to share and learn so that we can all see more great designs in the future.
Well, that sure beats noodling around with a textured brush and the re-noodling it for better effect. Thank you for the great tip!
After opening the file and playing with it, I am amazed at how simple it is. I figured this kind of thing too difficult and I should stick to basic solids and clean lines …
thank you for uncovering a new element of design for me!
I’ll be downloading and looking at the file when I get a chance, and will be greatly looking forward to the article/blog entries. Thanks a lot, Cameron!
Best. Post title. Ever.
I am only just starting to learn the design aspect of websites (been mainly on the coding side before) and Photoshop in particular and this kind of thing is amazingly helpful. I certainly hope this sort of openness is going to become a trend.
Like most things, I guess it is the little tips and tricks that you aren’t taught but that you learn that make the real difference in the work you do. It’s nice to see smoeone sharing these like this.
Thanks again.
Open source design. Brilliant.
It will be interesting to see the different approaches designers take.
Mr. Moll, do you give permission for folks who view this file to use the “weathered” layers in other projects?
I will use a different color overlay, but I still wouldn’t want to use it without your permission.
Thanks.
I don’t mind at all, but I’ve got a tutorial coming up that will explain how to do your own. Might give you an edge if you create one that’s uniquely yours, following the tutorial.
Thanks for the .psd source, just like Sergio I opened it in the GIMP and it works great.
Just a note: the above “Hmmmmm interesting !!!” is a spam comment (“polifoniczne dzwonki” means “polyphonic ringtones” in Polish); at least you’re using the MT comment redirector.
Deleted. Thanks for noticing.
Authentic Boredom is the platitudinous web home of Cameron Moll, freelance new media designer, author, and speaker. More…
Full-time and freelance job opportunities. Post a job...
A selection of fine reading, available for a limited time only:
- Jobs home page reorg
- Coming soon: Mobile Web Design, the book
- Dyson ad: Text as more than just words
- Setting sail for Europe
- Review: Sumo Omni bean bag chair
- Dashboard widget for Authentic Jobs
- Limited-time offer: $99 listings
- Nine skills that separate good and great designers
- Fire sale
- Introducing AuthenticJobs.com
CSS Mastery: Advanced Web Standard Solutions A solid round-up of indispensable CSS design techniques by Andy Budd, Simon Collison, and Cameron Moll.
Mobile Web Design A guide to publishing web content beyond the desktop. Tips, methodology, and resources. Now available.
Letterpress Posters The unassuming beauty of a freshly letterpressed print.
That Wicked Worn Look. Techniques for that worn, aged, distressed look.
Mister Retro Machine Wash Filters Turn the dial to “Instaworn” with these filters.
Blinksale Dive in and enjoy shamelessly easy invoicing from Firewheel Design.
Basecamp My preferred web app for internal and client project collaboration.
HOW Conference Austin, June 24–27. Pentagram, Adobe, P&G, et al.
Web Design World Seattle, July 20–22. Practical sessions on web design.
Stimulate Salt Lake City, September 2009. Entrepreneurship and design conference.
Linkage:
Follow me: 
1 cm ~ 10 May 2004 at 08:54 AM
thanks for being so open with your techniques … I have been wanting to learn this particular effect for a while now …
I appreciate allowing us to learn from you … other people might be stingy with knowledge or skills.
thanks again!