How to Create Your Own Computer Graphic Design

Want your own avatar? You can create one.

With the help of a computer graphic design program, you can create little images to use for your social messaging boards, avatars or chat icons. Instead of using the preset choices, design an image that reflects your personality and interests. Graphic design, the field of combining images, text, color and layout, opens up a world of artwork possibilities for the novice user and the experienced designer. Use a program already installed on your computer for a basic graphic or upgrade to one with a variety of filters and tools for a more intricate design.

Things You'll Need

• Adobe Photoshop
• Microsoft Paint

Instructions

Using Photoshop

1. Open Photoshop and click "File," then click "New." Name the file "MyAvatar" and set both the width and height to two inches. Change the "Mode" drop-down to "RGB Color" and click the "Contents" button for "White." Leave the other options as their defaults, then click the "OK" button.

2. Click the "New Layer" icon, which looks like a peeling sticky note, on the "Layers" palette on the right of your screen. A new Layer 1 is added; right-click it and name it "MyAvatar1."

3. Click the "Paintbrush" tool in the "Tools" palette on the left of the screen. Double-click the top-left colored box in the "Color Picker," which is the two boxes layering on top of each other in the "Tools" palette. Select a color by hovering your cursor on the rainbow and clicking on an area of color, then click the "OK" button.

4. Note that your cursor changes to a circle outline on your "MyAvatar" box. Draw a simple design, such as a flower, smiley face or peace symbol.

5. Add a new layer to the "Layers" palette and name it "MyAvatar2." Double-click the "Color Picker" and choose a different color, then draw another element, such as grass or a balloon, in your design.

6. Add a third layer to the "Layers" palette and name it "MyName." Click the "Text" tool, which looks like a "T," in the "Tools" palette. Notice a new toolbar at the top of the screen. Select a font, size and color, then click your cursor in the "MyAvatar" box. It changes to a blinking line; type your name.

7. Click the "Background" layer in the "Layers" palette one time. Then click the "Fill" tool, which looks like a tipping paint can, on the "Tools" palette. In the new toolbar at the top, pull down on the "Fill" drop-down menu and select "Pattern." Then choose a "Pattern" from the drop-down menu next to it. Click your cursor once anywhere on the "MyAvatar" box, which fills with the pattern you chose.

8. Click the right-pointing triangle in a circle in the "Layers" palette, then choose "Flatten Image." Save your file by clicking "File," then choosing "Save As" and determine a destination, such as your desktop, to save the design.

Using Microsoft Paint

1. Open Microsoft Paint. The program won't let you create a custom-sized image, so you just have to eyeball the size for your avatar.

2. Click the "Spray Can" icon on the "Tools" palette on the left side of the screen. Choose a color from the "Color Picker" at the bottom of the screen, then choose one of the three spray presets, selecting from a small splatter to a large splatter. Click and hold your mouse cursor down, running it across the white box creating graffiti designs. Select another color from the "Color Picker" and add more graffiti.

3. Click the "Text" tool, which looks like a capital "A" and choose a font and size from the toolbar. Click a text color on the "Color Picker," then click your mouse cursor inside the graffiti box and type your name. Add more text to your liking, such as "Go Yankees" or "#1 Barbie Fan."

4. Save your avatar by clicking "File," then choosing "Save As." Give the avatar a name and save it to your desktop.

Tips & Warnings

• Both Photoshop and Paint have changed over their release cycles, but you may create an avatar following these instructions no matter the version you have.

References

• San Diego State University: Graphic Design Basics