Dispersion effect

For our next Photoshop assignment we will be designing a poster focusing around the Dispersion Effect.

The dispersion effect is a visual design technique, in which the main subject of the design appears to be

dissolving and spreading into particles throughout space. This effect is a very popular graphic design trick

that can be seen in many current movie posters, magazine ads, and game console covers.


Step 1

  1. Resize an image into a Letter Size doc.
  2. Use any selection tool to select the main subject you will add effect to.

Step 2

  1. Copy and Paste the selection.
  2. "Command C" than "Command V"
  3. This will put the selection in a new layer.

Step 3

  1. In the top right corner of the Layers Window is the Options button.
  2. Click on the button and choose Duplicate Layer.

Step 4

  1. Choose the main images' lower layer.
  2. Press "Command T" and make the lower image much bigger and slightly off center from the image above it.
  3. Turn off the original picture that contains the background by clicking the EYEBALL.

Step 5

  1. Create A Layer Mask on the Lower Layer.
  2. Press "Command I" for the image to disappear and layer mask to turn black.

This is the Layer Mask button

Step 6

  1. Create a Layer Mask on the top layer now.
  2. Leave this one white.

Step 7

  1. Your main image should now be alone without a background or lower image.

Step 8

  1. You must make a Custom Brush.
  2. Find an image to make the dispersion effect out of, or use this one.

Step 8

  1. Choose Black as your Foreground color.
  2. Choose the Paint Brush tool and your custom brush.
  3. Use the brush on the Top Layer to delete parts of your main image away.

Step 9

  1. Choose White as your foreground color.
  2. Choose your custom brush again.
  3. Select the images lower layer and use the brush tool to add the dispersion particles.

Final step

Add Text!!