Scattered Pixel Effect in Photoshop?

Question

I'm trying to learn how to create a scattered pixel effect in Photoshop. I know how to create pixelated graphics. But i'd like to know how to create an effect where the pixels are scattered. Similar to this photo.

Answer 1

I would build a segment by hand and then apply it as a pattern.

You could also build the segment in Illustrator and create a pattern brush with it.

Answer 2

I was able to achieve something similar, try the following:

^{Click the screenshots for full resolution}

Create a new document with relatively small dimensions.

Select the Pen tool, change the size to 1px

Edit the Brush settings (Window → Brush) for Spacing

I set Spacing at 750%

Edit the Brush settings for Scattering

I set Scatter at 1000% and Count Jitter at 100%.

Edit the Color Dynamics for the Brush settings

This is a "play around with the settings and see what works" step. I changed the saturation and brightness to 92% and 61% respectively.

With the color you want the pixels to be selected, scribble around the document.

The result will be randomly scattered pixels.

Enlarge the image using Nearest Neighbor enlargement to preserve the hard edges.