Start with a PS document size 1400 x 700px.

Add Text

Select the Text tool. Choose a thick font type.

Some good thick font types include:

Click on the canvas, type (in all caps) a word.

Click off in a empty area of the Layers panel to set the font. The layer name should now show the text. Then select the layer…

Click again to add another word (same font type & color). You should have this so far…

Resize & Position Text to Start

Select each text layer and CTRL+T. Make sure that Transform tool is not locked.

This is where you make a rough plan of how you divide your word(s) into 6 chunks. Resize each word to make it as big as possible to fill the canvas. You can place one word rotated on the side like this and make the other word the main one to split, so long as you have 6 letters/chunks.

Convert Text to Shape

If you’ve rotated one word as shown below (= one “letter”), then you don’t need to convert that as it’s already a “chunk”), you just ned the horizontal word that you will split up.

If you are splitting both words into separate letters/chunks, you will need to convert both layers…

Select the text layer that will be split up, and go to Type > Convert to Shape

This will change the text layer from a “T” thumbnail to the square.

If you have the side word like this, then you’re good. If you are splitting both words, repeat for the other text layer.

Split Text into Separate Layers

Select the Path Selection tool.

Make sure the shape text layer is active.

Then click on a letter (or SHIFT-click on 2 letters).

Then CTRL+J to copy it into a new layer.

Rename the layer to that letter. Go to the options bar and change the color.

If you are splitting up 2 words into chunks, you would have something like this…

Rename the layer to the letters. Change the color of the letter(s).

Repeat for each letter/chunk. You can now delete the original text layers…

Overlapping Design

Select each letter/chunk and CTRL+T to resize/rotate/position them so they’re filling the canvas and overlapping. You may want to widen/thicken the letters so you can see more of the photos later. You should also adjust layer order (above/below) so you can see enough of each letter as they are overlapping.

Stop and get your work checked so far before continuing…

Photos

  • Find a photo for each letter/chunk.
  • Rename the photo with an appropriate description
  • Position each photo above a text layer and add a clipping mask.
  • CTRL+T the photo and resize/rotate/position it

Text Styles

Group Folder

Start by selecting all the text & photo layers (everything except the Background layer) using SHIFT-click.

CTRL+G to group, put them into a folder.

With the group/folder selected, add layer styles:

Bevel & Emboss

  1. Reset to default
  2. Size: increase to about 20

Inner Shadow

  1. Select “Inner Shadow” on the left
  2. Reset to default
  3. Size: Increase the size to about 20.

Drop Shadow

  1. Select “Drop Shadow” on the left
  2. Reset to default
  3. Opacity: increase to 100%
  4. Size: Increase to about 20.

You should now have something like this…

You group folder/layers should look like this…

Background

Grunge Texture

Copy the full-size image below…

  1. Select the Background layer, then paste it (CTRL+V).
  2. CTRL+T to resize it to fill the canvas area.
  3. Rename the layer to “grunge”.

Pattern adjustment layer

Add a Pattern adjustment layer …

Choose one of the Canvas options. Then change the blend mode to Multiply

Gradient adjustment layer

Add another adjustment layer: Gradient

In the window that pops up, change the following:

  1. Radial
  2. Reverse
  3. Colors

Change the blend mode to “Overlay” or another one that you like (some good ones are “Soft Light” and in that section)…

And you’re done…

Blend mode: Overlay
Blend mode: Soft Light
Blend Mode: Normal; Opacity reduced to about 50%

Your layers should look something like this…

Text/Photos folder expanded…