How to Create a Disruption Aesthetic Text Effect in Photoshop

Photoshop Effects

The Disruption Aesthetic is a bold, glitch-inspired design that merges distortion, fragmentation, and high-contrast elements—often seen in cyberpunk visuals, branding, and experimental typography. This effect gives text a dynamic, fractured feel, as if it’s breaking apart or glitching in real-time. Today, I’ll show you how to achieve this effect using only a combination of Blur Filters and the Filter Gallery in Photoshop. With just a few simple steps, you’ll be able to distort text for a bold, glitchy look—perfect for posters, album covers, or eye-catching typography.

Step 1

Open Photoshop and make a new file at any size you want. In this case, I will make mine at 1800 x 1200 px.

Step 2

Select the Horizontal Type Tool (T) and type your text using any font you want. In this case, I will use CocoSharp-Heavy at 350 pt.

Step 3

Select both layers in the Layers Panel and go to Layer > Smart Objects > Convert to Smart Object.

Step 4

Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Set the Radius to about 3 px and click OK.

Step 5

Next, go to Filter > Blur Gallery > Field Blur.

Step 6

Add as many anchor points you wish to blur your text and then change the blur values of each one to your liking. Once you finish, click OK in the Top Toolbar.

Step 7

Now go to Filter > Filter Gallery. Under "Texture", select "Grain" and apply the following settings.

Step 8

Click on the "New Effect Layer" icon to add another "Grain" effect. Apply the following settings and click OK.

Step 9

Lastly, to fine tune the final effect go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Brightness/Contrast and adjust the Brightness and Contrast values to your liking.