Starburst patterns are a classic style that can be used for retro or modern designs. Instead of fumbling around the internet for a background that works for you, you can use this simple technique to create your own. This tutorial walks you through a few easy steps so you can create your own starburst backgrounds in whatever colors you want.

 1. Start with a new document in Photoshop that is 400px X 400px with a white background.

2. Choose to colors your project will use, preferably a light and a dark color. Then create a linear gradient using the gradient tool.

3. Go to the Filter -> Distort -> Wave tool and use the following settings. If you want more or less light rays coming out of the design, adjust the Wavelength settings to taste.

4. Now, go to the Filter -> Distort -> Polar Coordinates tool.

5. Finally, go to Filter -> Distort -> Twirl and set it to 35%

Final Image:

If the colors no longer match your project settings, go to the Image -> Adjustments -> Hue/Saturation settings to make any tweaks. Not too tough!