: How can I create a random pixelated pattern? I was wondering how I'd go about just taking a couple of specific colors, then having something make a random pixelated picture with those colors.

@Michele215

Using a script to apply random swatches.


Download and place script available from here
Create and select your artwork
Add the desired swatches to your default palette, and select all of the swatches while holding down Ctrl





Execute the script from File..Scripts





Re-run until the randomness suits your taste.

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@RJPawlick971

I don't know if this tip still applies anymore with new versions of Adobe Photoshop, but if you have it laying around, try this:


Go to File -> open
In the file dialog, make sure you have 'all files' selected so you can see non-psd files
select the 'open as raw' option
open a non-image file such as a small EXE or even a word doc


This was a trick back in the day to get an abstract pixelated image into PhotoShop. What PhotoShop was doing was taking raw binary data and trying to open it as an image. As it wasn't an image, you'd end up with rather interesting patterns.

Beyond that, though, you want to use some sort of scripting/programming. Here's a tutorial in javascript:
stackoverflow.com/questions/14949011/random-color-from-array

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@Debbie163

As people have commented, coding would yield the best solution. You can get a good approximation using Image > Adjustments > Gradient Map...

Fill a canvas with 400% noise:



Filter using Pixelate > Mosaic...



Increase the saturation:



And re-tone the image with Gradient Map:



Result:

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