Whether you are planning to create graphics for social media or looking forward to design an invitation for an upcoming event, graphic design has a major role to perform. Being a vast and versatile field in itself, design world has complex facets.
To help you understand more, here are 23 design tips that will help you through the pits and the peaks of the creative process.
For simple & effective results, use easy to read fonts when selecting a typeface or font for headings and subtitles or body text. Sticking to simple collection of fonts needs to be the approach as scanning multiple typefaces is a torture for eyes.
Stop treating scale as some weapon that will destroy you. Instead, apply it to shapes, type or compositional features that require proportionate emphasis. Enhancing the technique is handy by using appropriate colors. Doing so ensures suitable typefaces that look undeniably wonderful when increased in size.
Nothing could be better than using letter spacing when filling dead space, aligning text or condensing words that occupy excess space. Make sure not to decrease the letter spacing to such an extent where reading becomes difficult. Also, refrain from increasing it so much that the letter detach from one another.
And to do this, always choose a color scheme that comes with 1-3 primary colors and an additional 1-3 secondary colors that contrast as well as complement each other. You can use different tones of same color to maintain consistency. Finer typefaces need stronger differentiation against a colored background.
Adjust the brightness of the background image to pump up contrast. This will offset the text color which in turn will make the design clear and readable. Must say, this is a perfect way to apply black or white text over an image in order to create a strong ‘cut-out’ effect.
Do you know that choosing the right typeface can give life & energy to your content? Rounded edges typefaces are friendlier, hard-edged geometric fonts create solid & strong impression and serifs give an elegant & sophisticated look.
For design balance and composition, apply a line or an embellishment.
Every element in designing has its role; hence, keep the number of colors, fonts, frames and shapes to minimum. For easy to read and sharp text, use contrasting tonal color combinations. Talking about enhancing the compositional structure of a design, apply solid frame to contain copy.
Duplicate the pages followed by editing text and replacing images. This will help in maintaining aesthetic unity across a presentation or documentation.
Be as much experimental and innovative as possible and blend together different typefaces and filters. Create designs that correspond with your own style.
Dominant features in a design must be treated as the crucial part of the message. You can apply scale or color to a graphic and see how the hierarchy of elements changes and what grabs attention when given the first look.
Correspond with other design elements by using horizontal and vertical lines. For correct balance and proportion, thickness of the elements should match the weight of the fonts.
Apply one typeface or font family to text for visual uniformity. A good way is using typeface or font family that offers selection of variants like bold, italic and condensed.
Creating a fluid design by surrounding words with white space is an ideal way to allow the elements to breathe. When white space is used around the images, text boxes and other graphic elements, it gets easy to read a design. Also, it helps to attract attention.
Before writing or creating, keep all the details with you. Your approach should be: studying, reading, researching and resourcing. This is very important to guarantee a more thought-out result.
To contain a collection of images, visual pieces and color swatches, use a grid for a simple and easy mood boards. Doing so will let you find a common color palette or theme that can be applied to any project.
Rely on inspiration websites to find designs you personally love. You can then replicate the type treatment, the general layout or photo filters in your own content.
Don’t go for the usual icons and symbols that are seen everywhere to represent the topic. You can find new & original icons and visually connect with your audience by researching, sketching and printing.
Use a contrasting color palette background, graphics and fonts. Enhance the positive/negative space in an image by using photo filters. Also, apply black or white to copy as it will create optimum contrast against the background image.
Use attention seeking graphics by creating drama and impact. Make sure to choose hues that contrast against one another.
Designing is all about trial and errors; hence, push your designs to the limit. If not satisfied with the result, make the best of ‘undo’ button.
Align images with grids or frames to make a design look more professional.
Ensure aligning the elements correctly. Besides, be particular that the text is legible, contrast is enough and space is appropriate to let design features breathe.
Overall, graphic designing is all about exploring and experimenting. Be creative, break the rules and enhance your design skills by coming up with new & innovative ideas.
