Elements
Get stuck into the
clock design
Add a background and then
embellish it further
Once you have your template, you’re ready
to go ahead and get as creative as you like
with your clock. Check the internet for
inspiration, find a design or pattern you’d
like to create, and then start using Elements
to build up the clock face.
For our clock example here, we chose to
add a beach image, and the colours from
the Prague Astronomical Clock, for a bright,
exciting finish.
Inject some colour
04
Our clock is going to be inspired by
the Astronomical Clock in Prague.
Use the Elliptical Marquee Tool to create a
circle on a new layer, and ill with colour:
follow the reference image supplied, or use
the ready-made one we created.
add the numbers
01
Grab the Type Tool, and enter your
numerals, 1 to 12, each on new
layers: we’ve gone for Roman numerals but
you can use what you like. Move each of the
numerals to their space on the clock, and
reduce the size of 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 11
for effect. We’ve supplied the font used.
Blend it in
05
Group your layers, duplicate twice,
set one group to Soft Light, one to
Multiply, 75% Opacity and one to Screen, 50%
Opacity. Cmd/Ctrl-click the preview image on
each layer and then Ctrl/right-click, choose
Stroke (Outline), and add a 10px stroke of
#e5c578 before erasing the excess (E).
Create minute dots
02
Just as we created the markers for
the 12 hours, we’re going to create
dots for each of the 60 minutes on the clock
face. Use the technique from step 3 in stage
1 and rotate each dot 6 degrees.
Perfect the clock
06
With the clock now looking more
complete, turn the text of each of the
numerals white by selecting each of them
and using the Type Tool. Then, go to
Layer>Layer Style>Style Settings and add a
Drop Shadow on each numeral with these
settings; Size: 0, Distance: 20, Opacity: 100%.
Bring in the image
03
We’ve supplied a beach image for you
to drop into the project. Arrange it so
that the middle of the photo aligns with the
centre of the clock, resize if need be with the
Transform Tool and then Alt/Opt-click to clip to
the template.
StaGE 2
VARY THE
COLOURS
Alter the colours
to customise
your clock face
and give it a
unique style.