Design a Personal Portfolio Template
In this tutorial you’ll learn how to make a trendy, professional-looking portfolio template.
Some of the images in this tutorial are too big to display the full-sizes, so with some of the images you can click them to see the full-sized version, to make sure you’re on the right track etc.
1. The Background
First thing to do is create a new document, for this tutorial I’m using a 740×740 document. I filled the background with #400529.
After you filled your background, apply Filter > Noise > Add Noise with these settings:
You’ll be left with a basic, noisy background.
Now in the filters menu, go to Filter > Render > Lighting Effects, use these settings …
The main option you need to use there is Light type: Omni, that will give a very cool, unique effect to the background.
2. Main Box
Next thing to do is add the main area for your website. Create a new layer then make a box with the Rectangular Marquee Tool. Use these settings for the marquee tool …
Make the selection around the middle of your document then fill it with white.
To center the box in the document, I always use this method: Select all, (CTRL+A,) copy, (CTRL+C,) paste (CTRL+V,) then delete the old layer.
3. The Nav Bar
Next on the list to do is the nav bar!
First off create a new layer, then with the Rectangular Marquee Tool, make a 618×60 selection at the top of the main box, just 1 pixel from the edges.
Fill the selection with a similar purple as the background.
Next apply this, or a similar Gradient Overlay.
Next thing to do is find a classy pixel pattern, I used the top left pattern on this page on SquidFingers.
Make a new layer and select your main navigation layer, fill the layer with the pattern and set the layer mode to Soft Light.
Since that’s too strong just like that, use either a layer mask or a large, soft eraser to erase away the top and bottom of the pattern. I used a layer mask and a few gradients.
Next on the things to do is add dividers and text links.
Make a new layer then with the Rectangular Marquee Tool make a very small (1×40) selection inside of the navigation bar.
Now fill the selection with white (#FFFFFF.)
Now duplicate the slit layer and move it over one pixel (right-key once.)
Now press CTRL+I to invert the layer, now merge the two layers together (CTRL+E.)
Apply Filter > Blur > Motion Blur with an angle of 90 and a radius of 5.0 to this layer.
Change the layer mode to Soft Light and lower the opacity to 70%.
Duplicate this layer then move it about 82 pixels to the right (right-key twice, then hold shift and press the right key eight times.)
Repeat that a few times, I did it 4 times.
Now add your text links in-between every two lines.
I used Tahoma, 11pt, Bold, No AA.
I also added a drop shadow to my text.
In the end I moved the lines and text 10 pixels to the right, so they were all 20 pixels from the left side.
4. The Header
In another group/layer, make a selection a bit bigger than the navigation bar, just one pixel underneath the navigation bar. My selection was 618×100.
Now find a stock photo for the header, I’ll just be using this stock photo.
Add it into the header and make your adjustments. I just desaturated mine and added a slight pink tint.
5. Sidebox
On the left, 1 pixel from the header and corners, I added a black box, the size of it was 160×276. I filled the selection with black (#000000) and lowered the opacity to about 20%.
Next I added text and images to my text, having in mind this would be for recent work etc.
The font I used was Tahoma, 11pt, Bold, No Anti-Aliasing, Underline, #676767.
6. Updates Area
In a similar way to the sidebox, add a dark box inside of the template and lower the opacity to about 15%.
The size of my box/selection was 457×276.
Lastly add text and more text in the updates area text box. Maybe add some basic copyright underneath the main template.
Thanks for reading everyone, I hope this tutorial was enlightening! 
If it wasn’t completely enlightening, you can download the PSD file from here. 
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12 responses
Hey nice tutorial really, who made this? i would like to thank the author personally, i really spent much time on making this one because i ain’t a pro in ps.. yet. But it really payed off
thanks again
regards. S
I love this template. Great job.
To Me: Eli is the author and he writes all the tutorials here.
Brilliant tutorial - I’m really happy with the turn out of mine.
Top tutorial, although when it came to adding and “colourizing” the photo, I stopped, and downloaded the PSD
Still brilliant though.
Jay.
Hi,
I’ve got a little problem ..
I can’t add the lightning effect, ’cause this button is disabled (you can’t click it).
Also other buttons are, so I can’t go on with this tutorial.
This problem isn’t with all tutorials, only with a few (like this one..)
I’m a beginner and I still need to discover Photoshop.
Who could help me???
Greetz,
Skizo
easy good tutorial
is there any tutorials on connecting the links to your site?
as in making them link to home,about,contact,ECT?
…I would like to have more info about the portfolio design. I am not a computer wiz at all but feel this would be helpful in designing a portfolio for my daughter. Can I possibly recieve more info explaining step by step procedures for dummies????
Thanks
Heide Bolton
Loved this tutorial!!!
Skizo - I had the same problem. After reading the Help files I realized the Lighting Effect only works when you’re in RGB mode. Go to Image > Mode > RGB.
First time I’ve tried to design in photoshop, found this tutorial so easy to follow, thanks
Great work!
Good Job Man, I Like It and I would like to have more info about the other types of web templates designs.
Help Me