Urbanears
The design (BTS)
Background: For one of our recent assignments, we were tasked with creating a design that featured a cutout image. I knew that I wanted to create some kind of product line ad, and I thought headphones would be a great choice because headphones, or more accurately music, can convey so many different messages and feelings. I chose my favorite brand and was able to find this great photo with shadows already incorporated, which I thought gave the image great depth. So away I went.
Contrast: The contrast comes from the lighter areas of the gradient toward the bottom, as well as the silver text that pops off the black or dark gray background.
Alignment: I aligned the pop out images as close to the top and bottom thirds and right and left thirds as possible without hiding too much of the headphone. I also left aligned the text on the left and right aligned the text on the right.
Proximity: The headphones are the center of the image, drawing your attention to them solely, with the pop out elements drawing some secondary focus.
Repetition: The blacks, silvers and whites are all repeated from the headphones to the text to the gradient. There are no other colors present.
Color Scheme: Black, silver, grey, white.
Font Choice: The font had to be luxurious, classy, distinguished to give the appearance of a high-end listening experience. It took a while, but I settled on this option because of its minimalist elegance.
Photoshop: The main tools I used are listed below.
Rectangular marquee tool
Type tool
Subject select and layer masking
Gradient tool
Stroke and effects
Once I finally settled on the design, the process was pretty straightforward. Cut out the image with the select subject and layer masking. Then apply that PNG to a base layer, which I added the gradient over top. Next came the pop out elements which I cut from the headphones using the marquee tool. Finally came some text and the design was pretty much finished.
Photo Credits: Urbanears
Font credits: Euphemia UCAS, Bold.