Web Development: How to create a gradient blended text effect (Spotify Wrapped inspired)

How to create a gradient blended text effect (Spotify Wrapped inspired)

Final product image — What You'll Be Creating

In the following tutorial, you will learn how to create a gradient blended text effect inspired by the Spotify Wrapped 2024 design.

If you don't have the time to create this Spotify branding design from scratch, then Envato is the solution. This subscription-based marketplace has over 2,000 Illustrator add-ons you can download without restrictions! Check it out and you'll find plenty of gradient shapes, text effects, fonts and more.

What You Will Need:

You will need the following resource in order to complete this Spotify Wrapped inspired text effect:

Fachiwel font

1. How to create a new document and add text

Step 1

Hit Control-N to create a new document. Select Pixels from the Units drop-down menu, set the Width to 850 px and the Height to 1200 px, and then click that Advanced Options button. Select RGB for the Color Mode and set the Raster Effects to Screen (72 ppi), and then click the Create button.

Step 2

Pick the Type Tool (T) and open the Character panel (Window > Type > Character) or focus on the Control panel (Window > Control) to set the settings for the text that you're about to add.

We'll use the Fachiwel font. First, set the Size to 450 pt. Click on your artboard to type in a "2". Duplicate this piece of text, select the copy and lowers its Size to 250 pt. Place these pieces of text roughly as shown in the following image.

Step 3

Make sure that both pieces of text are selected and turn them into vector shapes by going to Type > Create Outlines. Select the large one and set its color to R=91 G=30 B=249 and then select the other one replace the existing fill color with R=5 G=253 B=255. Now that you're set, let's continue with the blend, and then you'll learn how to make a gradient in Illustrator.

2. How to create a blended text effect

Step 1

Select the larger shape bring it to front (Control-]). Select both of your shapes and go to Object > Blend > Make, and the go to Object > Blend > Blend Options. Select Specified Steps from the Spacing menu and then set the value to 20.

Step 2

Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select just one of your shapes and then switch to the Selection Tool (V). Use the bounding box to rotate your selection as shown below. Repeat the procedure for the other shape.

Step 3

Pick the Pen Tool (P) and use it to draw a simple path, roughly as shown below.

Step 4

Select the path along with your blend and go to Object > Blend > Replace Spine.

3. How to add gradient to text in Illustrator

Step 1

Again, use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select the front number shape and replace the existing fill color with the linear gradient shown below (Window > Gradient). Simply click the gradient bar to add a new gradient slider and keep in mind that that the blue numbers stand for Location percentage. Once applied, use the Gradient Tool (G) to adjust the gradient length and angle as shown in the following image.

Step 2

Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select the front number shape and replace the existing fill color with the linear gradient shown below. Simply click the gradient bar to add a new gradient slider and keep in mind that that the blue numbers stand for Location percentage. Once applied, use the Gradient Tool (G) to adjust the gradient length and angle as shown in the following image.

4. How to add a second blend text effect

Step 1

Using the same font, let's add add two 5's as shown below.

Step 2

Expand your 5's (Type > Create Outlines) and use the fill colors shown below.

Step 3

Select your two 5's and create a blend (Object > Blend > Make or Alt-Control-B).

Step 4

Use the Pen Tool (P) to draw a curved path on top of your new blend, roughly as shown below.

Step 5

Select the path along with your blend and go to Object > Blend > Replace Spine.

Step 6

Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) and the Selection Tool (V) to select and rotate your 5's as shown in the following image.

5. How to add a gradient to text in Illustrator

Step 1

Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select your large 5 and fill it with the linear gradient shown below.

Step 2

Select the other 5 and fill it with the linear gradient shown below.

6. How to add a background to your gradient text

Finally, place your blends rounghly as shown below. Use the Rectangle Tool (M) to create a shape that covers your entire artboard, make it black and send it to back (Shift-Control-[). With this final touch your "Spotify wrapped 2024" inspired design is complete.

Congratulations! You're Done!

Here is how your Spotify wrapped branding design should look. I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and can apply these techniques in your future projects.

Feel free to adjust this Spotify branding design and make it your own. You can find some great sources of inspiration at Envato, with interesting color alternatives for your Illustrator gradients.

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Wave Gradient Backgrounds (JPG)

Now that you learned how to add gradient to text in Illustrator you can save some time and use one of these wave gradient backgrounds to complete your designs.