Important: I suggest reading the step, full step, then look at my image. Rather than to read a little and do it, then keep reading and doing more. Cuz u might mess up, like make a seletion to big or something.
I'm gonna teach you how to make a pro layout with mainly layer styles, selections, and gradients. So open up a new Image, I suggest 720 x 400 pixels. Fill In the background with a crimson red color. Then make a new layer. Make a selection, almost covering the whole image from top to bottom and fill it in with white.
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Then, make a new layer and a new selection from top to bottom at the edge of your wite part. Then fill that in with a gradient. Deselect it. Then right-click that layer and select Blending options. Check the stroke option and use this setting.
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See, your making a border with that gradient. Now adding the same border to the other side, drag that layer into the "new layer" button, so that the layer will be duplicated. Move your new layer to the other side of white space. Then, press ctrl + t (free transform), and righ click and choose flip horizontical.
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Then, create a new layer. Make a selection from one border to the other and fill it in with a bright grey. Then, just like before, add a stroke option exactly the same, a 1px black stroke. But were going to add to it, also add a drop shadow with these settings
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That's the banner space. You can add stuff to make your banner. Well, moving on, Make a new layer but this time move the layer right under you banner layer. Then, on that layer, add a new selection kinda thin, but big enough for text to fit because this is going to be your menu space. After making the selection, fill it in with a dull red. and add a black, 1px stroke like before. Make shure the selection is from one the black line on one side to the other black line.
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So, just add your menu while your at it.
*** But Remember *** The type of fonts you use also shows how professional you can be. And what colors you use. So i Suggest a think white text with a black 1px outline.
OK, moving on again. Create a new layer and make a selection covering enough space for a sub-menu, or a news update section, or something like that, and fill it in with a brigh grey. Then, add a 1px black stroke and also a drop shadow, and an inner shadow like below.
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When you got that layer style finished, click the "new style" and name your style and press ok.
Now, create a new layer and a new selection covering almost the rest of the white area, this will be the content section. Fill it in with the same color you used for the menu section. and use your newly made style on it.
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And that's basicly the whole layout. But with a better banner. the whole layout looks better. Then slicing it up and converting to html is up to you to learn
