Create a Magazine WordPress Theme from Scratch in Photoshop

This tutorial will guide you through the process and ideas behind the designing a professional WordPress theme from scratch using Photoshop.You can easily use the technique to create your own unique designs. Let’s review the process!

Final Image Preview

First create a new document (File>New) 1200 pixels by 1650 pixels at RGB 72dpi. Using the Paint Bucket Tool (G), fill the new background layer with color – #3E2E1F

Select for the made layer Filter>Noise>Add Noise

… and for the same layer also Filter>Blur>Gaussian blur

Next we need to represent a pattern. In this case create a new file (File>New) of 27x27px with transparentBackground Contents. Take then the Rectangle Tool (U) to draw three small black lines. They must be inclined with the Free Transform.

Now we’ll put together the pattern’s layers. Hold CTRL button, select the layers from Layers panel and then pressCTRL+E to Merge Down. Finally define pattern by using Edit>Define Pattern.

Get back to our first document and create a new layer and select Edit>Fill. From Contents section select Use Pattern and from Custom Pattern choose our earlier created pattern.

Set Fill to 10% for the last made layer in Layers panel

We’ll add the main container background, applying the Rounded Rectangle Tool (U) (Radius – 15px). The layer’s color is black.

Set Fill to 25% for this layer.

Using the same tool, try to make the next layer of the color #ECE9E3

Add Layer Style for the last made layer by clicking on this layer on the Layers’ panel and set Inner Shadow:

Add Inner Glow

Represent the logo on the header, I used Sketch Rockwell font.

Then add the Pages link’s text using Sketch Rockwell font:

We’re going to add the Search form of black color on the right side of the Pages link’s, applying the Rounded Rectangle Tool (U) (Radius – 15px)

Set Fill to 50% for this layer, go to Layer Style and add Drop Shadow

Using the same tool, let’s represent the search button on the right side of the search form. The button’s color is #F4B103

Go to Layer Style and set Bevel and Emboss


Insert the title on the button:


Now it’s time to add some details. Add some text like “Subscribe to our RSS” above the search form:



Next apply the Rounded Rectangle Tool (U) (radius 10 px) to represent the sidebar boxes. The boxes’ color is#F7F5F2


Insert the text in title area of sidebar sections:



Add some random text, I’m using Georgia:

for news date

for news title

for short news description

For news link


Using the same method, fill the sidebar boxes on the right column, keeping the same parameters for the text.

Next we’ll insert the information in the archive’s section and the categories:





Next we’ll fill the BLOGROLL section:


It’s time to add a single post to our design. Just write some random text as a Title, another line for the date and author.

the post’s title

the post’s date

for text “Posted by”

the post’s author:

We’re going to add a preview image:

On the right side of the thumb we’ll insert some words as the text of the post.


Next we’ll insert for comments number a speech bubble icon from Function Icon Set.

Then add the comments number:


Next we’ll create a pattern. Create in this case a new file (File>New) of 3x1px and 72dpi to apply here thePencil Tool (B) (brush 1 px) of black color.

Define pattern using Edit>Define Pattern. Go back to our file with theme and draw a divider for the post using the Line Tool (U) (weight 1 px).

Set Fill to 0% and add Layer Style for the last made layer by clicking on it on the Layers’ panel. Set Pattern Overlay using earlier created pattern to represent dotted line.


Next we need to combine in a group all post related layers (Hold Ctrl button to select the necessary layers and drag the selected layers on Create a new group icon on bottom part of the Layers panel). Make four copies of the made group and apply Free Transform option to place the copies the same way demonstrated below:

We’ll place the link under the posts to older entries:


Also add some footer text, like “Powered by” or the copyright information.

Powered by

WordPress


The final result!