How to Make a Lego Image Effect in Photoshop

Photoshop Image Effects

Turning a photo into something fun and creative doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few simple steps in Photoshop, you can transform any image into a playful block-style artwork that looks as if it were built piece by piece. By selecting the right tools and applying a few transformations, the process is surprisingly quick. To complete the effect, we’ll also design a custom pattern that recreates the signature texture of interlocking blocks for a realistic finish.

Step 1

Open Photoshop and make a new file at 100 x 100 px using a #808080 background color.

Step 2

Unlock the Background layer by clicking on the padlock icon.

Step 3

Go to Layer > Layer Style > Bevel & Emboss. Apply the following settings and click OK.

Step 4

Select the Ellipse Tool and make a 60 x 60 px circle in the middle of the artboard as shown.

Step 5

Go to Layer > Layer Style > Bevel & Emboss. Apply the following settings and click OK.

Step 6

Set the fill of the circle layer to 0%.

Step 7

Go to Select > All and then to Edit > Define Pattern. Give the pattern a name and click OK.

Step 8

Open the image you want to apply the effect to in Photoshop.

Step 9

Go to Filter > Pixelate > Mosaic. Apply the following settings and click OK. Note: remember the value you set for Cell Size (in this case, it is 20).

Step 10

Click on the "Create new fill or adjustment layer" icon in the Layers Panel and select "Pattern".

Step 11

In the Pattern window, select the recently created pattern, set Scale to the same value as your Mosaic Cell Size (20 in this case), and click OK.

Step 12

Finally, set the Pattern Fill layer blend mode to Linear Light.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned how to create a block-style image effect in Photoshop, you can easily turn any photo into a playful and eye-catching piece of art. By experimenting with different block sizes and the custom pattern you’ve built, you can refine the look until it perfectly matches your vision. This technique works great for adding a fun, creative twist to portraits, posters, or any design project where you want a unique block-textured style.