Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Radio systems used for communications, more than 100 years of development, each process is implemented by a wide range of methods, specialized for different communications purposes.

So today, in this tutorial we are going to share with you that how to design a radio using simple shapes, gradients, patterns and textures. We are confidently say that you can improve your Photoshop skills to follow this helpful instructions. We hope you like our this incredible creation. Never forget to share your comments with us.

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Tutorial details:

  • Program: Adobe Photoshop CS5
  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Estimated Completion Time: 50 Mins

Create a Retro Radio Icon in Photoshop – Final Preview

Final Preview

Tools and Resources

Tools and Resources

External Resources

Photoshop Tools

  • Text Tool
  • Ellipse Tool
  • Gradient Overlay
  • Polygonal Lasso Tool
  • Rectangle Tool
  • Rounded Rectangle Tool

Lets start to create our radio in Photoshop.

Step 1

Create a new document (Ctrl+N) with 600×500 of size.

Create New Document

Step 2

First of all select Rounded Rectangle Tool from tool panel set Radius (10px) and draw a rectangle with black color #000000 name it 1st Rectangle.

Create a Rectangle

After create rectangle now we are going to applying Carbon Pattern on 1st rectangle layer.

Go to Layer > Layer Style > Pattern.

Pattern

After applying pattern we get a nice effect on 1st rectangle layer.

Get Nice Result

Step 3

Select Rounded Rectangle Tool again set radius (5px) and draw a rectangle with white color #ffffff name it 2nd Rectangle.

Create 2nd Rectangle

Now go to the Blending Options and applying Gradient Overlay on 2nd rectangle layer.

Go to Layer > Layer Style > Gradient Overlay.

Gradient Overlay

When we applying gradient overlay we get a new effect on 2nd rectangle layer.

Get New Result

Step 4

In this step we are going to add Paper Texture in photoshop.

Add Paper Texture

Now hold Ctrl key and press right click thumbnail of 2nd rectangle layer to create a selection.

Make a Selection

When selection created press (Shift+Ctrl+I) to inverse the selection.

Inverse Selection

Select texture layer rasterize it then hit delete button to delete selected area and press (Ctrl+D) to deselect selection.

Delete Unneeded Area

Set Blend Mode to (Soft Light) of this texture layers.

Set Blend Mode to Soft Light

Step 5

Select Rounded rectangle Tool ones again and draw a rectangle with black color #000000 name it layer 3rd Rectangle.

Create 3rd Rectangle

Now go to Blending Options and applying Gradient Overlay on this 3rd rectangle layer.

Go to Layer > Layer Style > Gradient Overlay.

Gradient Overlay

After applying gradient get this new result.

Get New Result

Select texture layer press (Ctrl+J) to duplicate it and set it top of all the layer.

Duplicate Texture Layer

Hold Ctrl key then right click on thumbnail of 3rd rectangle layer to make a selection.

Make 3rd Rectangle Selection

When selection created press (Shift+Ctrl+I) to inverse the selection.

Inverse the Selection

Select texture layer hit delete button to delete selected area then press (Ctrl+D) to deselected the selection.

Delete Outer Area

Set Blend Mode to (Soft Light) of this duplicate texture layer.

Set Blend Mode to Soft Light

Step 6

Select Rounded Rectangle Tool and create a rectangle with white color #ffffff name it layer Small Rectangle.

Create a Rectangle

Now go to the Blending Options and applying some Layer Styles on this rectangle layer.

Go to Layer > Layer Styles and applying these Blending Options.

Drop Shadow

Drop Shadow

Color Overlay

Color Overlay

After applying these layer styles we get a nice result.

Get Nice Result

Hold Ctrl key and click on thumbnail of 3rd rectangle layer to create a selection.

Create a Selection

When selection created press (Shift+Ctrl+I) to inverse the selection.

Inverse The Selection

Now select small rectangle rasterize it and hit delete button to delete the outer area and press (Ctrl+D) to deselect the selection.

Rasterize Small Rectangle Layer

Step 7

Duplicate small rectangle and applying some Blending Options on it.

Go to Layer > Layer Styles and applying these Blending Options.

Drop Shadow

Drop Shadow

Gradient Overlay

Gradient Overlay

After applying these layer styles we get this result.

Get This Result

Go to Edit > Free Transform or press (Ctrl+T) to transform it, minimize the size and set little bit left side of duplicate rectangle layer.

Transform Layer

After transform rectangle layer we get this result.

Get This Result

Hold Ctrl key click thumbnail of original small rectangle layer to make a selection.

Make a Selection

Press (Shift+Ctrl+I) to inverse the selection hit delete button to delete unneeded area.

Inverse The Selection

After delete unneeded area press (Ctrl+D) to deselect selection.

Deselect Selection

Step 8

Select Ellipse Tool from tool panel and create a small circle with black color #000000 as like in preview.

Create a Small Circle

Duplicate this circle layer many times and set them as like in preview.

Duplicate Circle and Set Them