Step 1

Make a new document 800x800px and fill the background with #f3f1e9. For this tutorial we are going to be using groups to make it easier for ourselves to look through the many layers that we are going to make, so create a new group named 'banner'. Create a new layer in this group named 'above banner' and make a selection of 800x5px at the top of the document, fill with #212a24. Create a new layer named 'banner' and make a selection of 800x160px under the layer 'above banner' and fill with #313e34.



Step 2

Create a new layer named 'links bg' and make a selection of 700x40px at the bottom right corner of the 'banner' layer. Fill with #2b362e and apply a Stroke.



Step 3

Create a new layer named 'link hover', this is going to be an example of what the links will look like when you hover your mouse over them. And make a selection of 99x39px at the left of your 'links bg' layer, fill with #212a24. Create a new text layer and add some text links, the font which I have used is Georgie, Bold and Regular, 10pt, None, #f3f1e9.



Step 4

Create a new layer named 'link dividers' make a selection of 1x40px and inbetween the links, fill the selection with #212a24 and #354338 side by side. Add a layer mask and make a gradient from black to white from the top to the middle of your dividers.



Step 5

Make a new layer named 'logo' and make a logo for your site. The way I have done it for this tutorial is using the Elliptical Marquee Tool to make a selection, and then deselect portions of it by holding down the Alt key, and filling it with #212a24. Create a new text layer and add the name of your website, the font that I have used here is Tahoma, Regular, 24pt, Smooth, #f3f1e9. You have now completed the banner, so you can close the banner group on your windows layer to see the new layers to come easier by clicking the arrow next to the folder icon.



Step 6

Create a new group named 'content'. Make a subgroup named 'news'. Create a new layer named 'bg' and make a selection of 500x200px at the top left of your blank space, fill with #e6e3d7. Duplicate your 'logo' layer in your group 'banner' and change the colour of it to #c5c2b7 (and move the layer to your group 'news' above the layer 'bg') and move it to the lower right of your new box.



Step 7

Make a new text layer, this is going to be your news title so add in some header text. The font that I have used is Georgia, Regular, 18pt, None, #313e34. Create some fill-in text for your news box, the font that I have used is Verdana, Regular (and a bit of Bold for contrast), 12pt, None, #2b362e.



Step 8

Create a new subgroup under 'content' named 'sponsor' and create a new layer named 'bg', make a selection of 240x200px and fill wtih #eeebdf (I have chosen a lighter colour than our content colour because it is of less importance to the reader - bare this in mind when designing). Create a new text layer for your title text, the font that I have used is Georgia, Bold, 10pt, None, #2b362e. Add an image of your design network.



Step 9

Create a new subgroup under 'content' named 'tutorial categories' and make a new layer named 'bg, make a selection of 240x215px under the group 'sponsor', fill with #eeebdf. Create a new text layer and add in your title text, the font that I have used is Georgia, Bold, 10pt, None, #2b362e. Create a new text layer and put in your tutorial categories (or local page links), the font that I have used here is Verdana, Regular, 12pt, None, #627166.



Step 10

Create a new subgroup under 'content' named 'latest tutorials' and make a new layer named 'bg', make a selection of 500x220px under the group 'news' and fill with #e9e6da (again, the colour shade of the background depends on how important it is to the reader). Create a new text layer for your title text, the font that I have used is Georgia, Regular, 18pt, None, #313e34. Create a new layer named 'latest turials' and put in some images. Create a reflection of the images layer (duplicate, Edit > Transform > Flip Verticle, move under the images layer).





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