This tutorial will teach you have to design a glossy button with Web 2.0 standards in mine. This tutorial goes under the assumption you have basic Photoshop skills in mind and have a good understanding of keyboard shortcuts. As always the source files will be available for download at the end of this document.

 

 Step 1) Starting the Document

 

Let’s start our new document by setting the background color to #303030. Then create a circular shape using the Ellipse tool, keep holding Shift while dragging outwards to create a perfect circle. Start dragging from the center of the canvas while holding down Alt. This way the shape is centered around the initial position of your mouse. Fill this shape with #bcbcbc, and name the layer “ring 1”.

 

Step 2) Adding some depth

 

Duplicate the layer. Then use the Free Transform Tool to re-size the circle slightly, so that it matches the one created previously. I’ve named this layer "ring 2."

CTRL + Click on the "ring 2" layer to create a selection around the smaller circle. Then navigate to select > modify > expand. Then use an expansion radius of 3 pixels. Go back to the "ring 1" layer and hit the Add Layer Mask button in the layer palette. This cuts out the part that is covered by the "ring 2" shape.

 

Step 3) Adding some layer styles

 

Next apply layers styles to both "ring 1" and "ring 2" layers. Follow the instructions in the image below. A gradient overlay is generally used on the ‘outer shell’ of a web graphic to give it depth. This is an old technique, which is not necessary for our image. Furthermore, inner glow, when used with dark colors will create a sort of ‘inflated’ look. It gives the illusion of a shadow being present all around the shape, thus causing the shape to rise up from the canvas.

 

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Step 4) Adding some light options

 

Select "ring 2" again, and on a new layer drag down a gradient. Set this layer to hard light in the layer style options.

 

Step 5) Adding a layered effect

 

On a new layer, create another ring and apply the same layer style as was used on "ring 2". I called this layer "ring 3.

 

Step 6) Adding a Fill

 

Duplicate the "ring 3" layer and call it "fill." Our icon is going to be blue, so fill it with #446fce.

 

 

Step 7) Adding the highlight

 

Duplicate the "fill" layer. Then set the fill to 0% (Not the opacity). Then call it "highlight ring," and apply the layer styles shown below.

 

Step 8) Adding a soft light

 

Create a new layer, call it "highlight brush." Then set it to soft light. Next, using a soft white brush gently tap the top of the blue part until it starts to light up.

 

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Step 9) Adding arrows

 

Go to the custom shape tool. Then at the top, select the arrow that I marked in the image below. Drag this arrow out while holding shift for a nice even shape. Rotate it, so that it faces downwards, use free transform to do this. Then duplicate the layer, move it up a bit, and again use free transform to make it slightly smaller. Hold shift when making the element smaller so that it retains the correct proportions.

 

Step 10) Adding styling to the arrows

 

I merged these two shapes and called the layer "arrows." Next, add the following layer styles to this layer.

 

Step 11) Gloss

 

Time to add the gloss, I called this layer "gloss". First, I drew out a shape. Then I set the opacity of that layer to 30%. Next, I ctrl/cmd + click on the blue layer. Then I select the circle outline. Hit the mask button, and everything outside of the selection is masked away. Use a soft black brush on the mask, and go right along the edges to soften them up.

 

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