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In this tutorial we are going to use colors, blending modes and displacement maps to make  a flyer for a rave party. Take a look at the final image:
flyer

Step 01

Before creating the new document for the flyer, we’ll open a bigger one to create the main shape for the background, which will look similar to a flower. This new document has 17x17cm, 300ppi and black background. Start making guides to mark the center of the square. Make a white circle using the Ellipse tool (U).

Step 02

Create a smaller circle in another layer. Use a different color to help you set the size.
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Step 03

Ctrl+Click the new circle’s layer to create a selection around it. Select the layer with the biggest circle and hit Del to erase the content and leave only a stroke as you can see below.
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Step 04

Erase parts of the filled circle with the Eraser tool (E) and then do the same with the other circle.
 

Step 05

Merge the two layers (Ctrl+E) and duplicate it (Ctrl+J).  Press Ctrl+T and move the rotation center to the middle of the canvas. Now rotate it 30° while holding Shift and hit Enter. Repeat this process 4 more times.
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Step 06

Select all layers (except the background) and duplicate. Press Ctrl+T  and right click on the image. Select Flip horizontal and hit Enter to finish. Save this document.

Step 07

Now create a new document for the flyer with 16x11cm and 300ppi. The flyer will be 15x10cm, but we need to make it 5mm bigger (each side) for the bleed area. To define it on your document, create guides 5mm distant from the bounds.

Step 08

Fill the background with a dark color such as #1a1a1a. In a new layer create color spots with the Brush tool, using a soft brush with low opacity. (I’ve used the white background for visualization, it doesn’t make difference between white, black or transparent background) Then change the blending mode to Color.
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Step 09

Now we can open the file with the “flower” and bring it to the flyer. Group these layers and change the blending mode of the group to Color Dodge.
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Step 10

To add more volume and brightness you can duplicate the whole group, rotate it and make it a little smaller. Duplicate the new group to make the center shinnier.
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Step 11
Let’s add an extra touch to the background with a glitter texture. There is this stock image from Tracie76Stock that you can see here. Put the texture in the document and change its blending mode to Overlay. The background is ready.
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Step 12
It’s time to create the movement and bring it to life adding people in the flyer. I found at Katanaz Stock these great stock images that fits perfectly with the idea. The female model you can find here and the male model here. First crop the model from the background as you prefer. I’ve used the Color Range and adjusted with the Quick Mask.
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Step 13

Using the filter Displace we’ll distort the image to create a nice effect. This filter needs a texture in psd format to apply on the image. These are some suggestions of textures you can use:

Just open them at Photoshop and save as a psd file in some recognizable place (the path for the file should not be long or it may not work).
Duplicate the layer and apply the filter – Filter > Distort > Displace. Configure as you see in the image, press Ok and choose the psd file with the texture.

Step 13

Erase some parts of the distorted image using a layer mask. You can make other layers with different textures till you get the desired effect.
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Step 14

Repeat the same process for the male model image.
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Step 15

Place both in the flyer file and resize.
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Step 16
Now place the logos and texts. For the text I’ve used a 2.0 style font, the purple as the main color and its complementary color green. Add more movement to the texts rotating 15°.
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Step 17
The texts are disappearing within all the colors shapes, so we are going to add a white background for text. Create a new layer and put it under the texts. Make a white rectangle with the Rectangle tool (U). Rotate it 15°, place and duplicate as below:
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Step 18

We still need to blend the man and the women to the ambient. Select the man’s layer and hold Alt key while you click on the adjustment layer button in the bottom of the layers panel, then choose Gradient. Mark the option “Use previous layer to create clipping mask” in the dialogue box and click on Ok.
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Step 19

Use a colorful gradient and position the colors to make them stay aligned with the man’s layer as you see below. Then click on Ok and change the adjustment layer mode to Overlay. Do the same for the woman.
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Final Image

flyer

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