Removing Letter Parts - Logo Lesson

Sometimes its not what you add, it's what you take away. By removing areas of a letter you simplify the design and add a bit of mystery and sophistication to the logo. The eye fills in the missing portion of the letter, and draws attention to the logo.

1. Open a new Photoshop file width 200 height 150.

2. Enter Text (I used Bodini Poster Condensed, 120 pt). A serif font will work well in this situation. I entered the letter "S" on one layer and the letter "K" on another.

3. I made a copy of the "K" layer and then rendered the type so a portion of it could be erased. Layer > Rasterize > Type

I used the marquee tool and the block eraser to remove the left side of the letter.

4. I scooted over the "K" so it could use the upper portion of the "S" as a substitute for the area I had just erased. My file now looks like this.

I recommend you keep a copy of the original text file so if you erase too much, or need to resize the letter, you have a copy of the editable text layer.

5. Next I added another text layer which displayed the term "accessories". I used a serif font, lowercase letters and a simple shape to contrast with the "S and K" type.

One layer of the text was not enough, 2 layers was too dark, so I compromised and used one layer set at 100% opacity and the second layer set at 50% opacity.

one layer of text


two layers of text


one and one-half layers of text


I lined up the word accessories so that it began inside the "S" and ended at the edge of the "K's" legs.

To view this file as a Photoshop document access the CD > CIS 58.53B Advanced Class > PSD > logo > remove-letter.psd