Art is one of the best methods of self expression. It is a means by which individuals and groups can communicate their feelings to others. Subcultures like Goths and Emos perhaps need to express themselves more than the average person due to misconceptions and criticisms leveled at them. Photoshop is a useful tool for showcasing the Emo or Goth image and for creating artwork that speaks to the creativity of these groups.

Many resources online look at Emo and Goth art and offer useful tips on capturing Goth and Emo effects. Interesting artistic designs reflecting these subcultures can also be achieved through the use of Photoshop. Some common features that can be easily done in Photoshop include the following.

Emo and Goth Eye Effects

The most recognized feature of these groups is the use of makeup, especially around the eyes. Want to see how you would look as an Emo or Goth? Open one of your pictures in Photoshop, and get to work. The first step is to duplicate the background layer. Right-click the background in the Layers panel and select “duplicate layer.” Then, in the Tools palette, choose the Burn tool. It is beside the Blur tool. (If you are not familiar with Photoshop, moving your cursor over the various tools will show you the names.)

In the Tool options, choose a small brush. Around 30 to 40 will do. Set the range to midtones and the exposure to anywhere between 30 to 50. Apply the Burn tool around the edge of the iris. Then increase the brush size and use the Burn tool on the pupil. Try to get it as dark as possible.

Next use the Burn tool on the edges of the eyelids, and you can keep going until you are happy with the end result. The Dodge tool should be used to lighten the area just outside the pupil if you want to create an eerie look.

The unsharp mask filter in Photoshop can also be used to create interesting effects. Just select Filter from the menu bar, go down to Sharpen, and from there select Unsharp Mask.

It is clear why a program like Photoshop would be popular with Emos and Goths. This software program has a lot of features that can bring to life themes of importance to Emo and Goth teens.

Jewelry

Photoshop can also be used to create drawings reflecting Goth and Emo concepts in jewelry designs. Goth jewelry relies heavily on imagery such as pentagrams, crucifixes, daggers and other symbols. You can either start with your own drawing scanned into Photoshop or download an image from the Internet. Many websites offer a wide array of Goth-inspired jewelry.

Whether you consider yourself a Goth or Emo, or just find the image appealing, you are sure to find something you like. If you have only basic Photoshop skills, download a non-copyrighted image, and use the program to modify the image to make it more into your own style. With Photoshop this is easy to achieve, and the result could be converted into a unique pendant or even earrings.

T-shirts

Great line drawings can be used in producing eye-catching screen printed t-shirts. If screen printing is your thing, take advantage of Photoshop’s drawing features to produce unique designs symbolic of Emo and Goth cultures.

You can take also create Goth or Emo-style artwork for heat transfer to t-shirts if you don’t want to be limited to just basic lines. Heat transfer is perfect for elaborate designs, especially if you are not into screen printing. You can find great samples and tutorials online with a quick search.

It’s hard to compete with a multinational website design company with a team of experienced designers all with degrees in Graphic Design. Well it is if you are trying to create a new site design for another boring multinational website monolith.

But who needs a complex high budget presentation. Who wants to spend days and weeks getting that boring Contact Us page just the right shade of blue?

If you want to recreate a sense of head-banging, crowd-surfing, pogoing, moshing energy filled rock. Then just limit yourself to 10 minutes and just get the energy flowing for an instant from the heart website design.

Also anyone can type “grunge template” into Google and download a supposedly rocking website design. But think about it. Its not going to be original is it. You’ve got to go for it and do it yourself.

Get inspiration yes but don’t just copy. Be original.

You’re going to need Photoshop or some design package like the Gimp to do this and a bit of guidance from a tutorial.

But the basic idea is to create a “Custom Brush” that you can use to paint just the right background. Custom Brushes let you paint whatever pattern you want, wherever you want. Just use your imagination to create something a bit rough looking. Then use it on a large section across the top of your website, for example where the header would go.

Then over this header background use the Text tool to write the name of your site or some slogan. Use a good font. I can’t recommend one really as its your design. Just go with whatever looks good. Then apply some effects to the text. Perhaps an “Outer Glow” effect set to Blue would look good.

That’s the header done. Now mark out some other sections of the template design like a menu and main content area.

You can use Motion Blur on sections of the design again with the colours of your choosing and the odd splash of colour with bold pinks and blues.

The whole point of a Grunge Template is that it will look a little rough around the edges. Remember that memorable is good but unreadable is bad. You mustn’t go too far with your artistic feelings as you aren’t creating a work of art. You are creating a website design that has to be accessible and have good usability. Make the menu stand out clearly and the content be readable. Black text on a black background isn’t going to get you far!

Remember, Don’t be a lamestain.

Rock On.

Businesses often want to create their website themselves and just want some guidance on what to do and of course how to do it as cheaply as possible.

You can do it for free but you will have fewer headaches if you spend a little on getting a decent hosting package (see later).

So this is my recipe for 1 simple basic business website.

All you need is

1 tech person
1 internet connection

I would recommend you should choose a website designer to be that tech person (preferably me!) but whatever you decide here’s what needs to be done.

1. Decide what the website is for.

You need a clear idea of what the website is for. “I just want a website” isn’t good enough. “I just want a website that lets people find out how to contact us and see what products we sell and find out a bit about the history of the company” is a good start.

2. Decide who your audience are and why they will come to your website.

Don’t make the mistake of creating a website for yourself. It’s not for you its for your customers. You need to think like them. What do they want and how will they want it presented.

3. Learn some basic Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Accessibility facts.

The biggest problem businesses have is that after they put a lot of effort into creating their website, they type “home made cakes” into Google and where do they appear in the list of results? Nowhere! This is a huge subject and I can’t tell you what to do in a paragraph.

Accessibility. It is now the law in many countries that you must make your website accessible to all. Like SEO this is also a big subject that can’t be explained in a paragraph.

4. Choose a website design template.

Search for an Open Source Web Design site and you will find thousands of free website designs.

Choose an XHTML 1.0 Strict design that uses CSS and download it.

Check the license file or read the text on the webpage. The designer will probably say that you must keep his or her copyright statement intact.

5. Change it to match what is right for your company.

To edit a website you can use the simplest of editors e.g notepad on windows but it is best to use a dedicated website editor.

6. Fill in the content i.e. your words and images.

Type in all your textual content and insert any images

7. Choose a web address.

You are going to need a website address. Think up a good one and check if it is available. Wait until you get your website hosting sorted out as companies often give a free domain name with the hosting.

8. Choose some web hosting.

Choose some web hosting. i.e. somewhere to put your website. You can find free hosting but I wouldn’t recommend it. Paid for hosting costs little and is easily worth it.

* Sign up and wait for them to email you the technical details of how you get your site onto their computers. As part of the sign up you can also usually register a domain name. i.e. the web address for your site. Make sure you put the correct name and address details here as it can be tricky to change later. The person you specify will be the legal owner of the domain.

9. Upload your website.

To upload your website you need an FTP program or if you are using a dedicated website editing application the function is likely to be built in and named “Publish” or something similar.

Good Luck.