Wether you design your business brochures, flyers, web page, or ads there are some things that you need to know. There are some basic graphic design principles that those of us trained in the commercial art/graphic design field don't always share. Here's a short list of elements of graphic design that you can use today.
Color
This is the first and most important. Color is everything. It's why we buy HDTV sets to get better color. You want to consider your product first. Is there a color that fits the item? Are you selling beach items, chose a sand color. Are you selling electronics, chose a metallic color. Next make sure the color is eye-catching but possible to look at. If you can't stare at the color for at least the minimum amount of time that you'd want your customer's attention, then don't use it.
Line
And I don't mean "a line" I mean the line of the elements in your project. Stand back and squint at your creation. Notice the line of the text and the images. Where are the lines moving? They should all direct your customer's attention from the top of your page to the bottom in a seamless movement. If you notice an out of place line the directs your eyes back to the top of the page or stops it all together then you need to rearrange a few items.
Form
Related to line. Squint again and notice the text as a block, or rectangular form, instead of individual lines. Notice the images or art as shapes. And notice the entire piece as a form. All of the forms should flow from one to another. Each form should direct your eye to the next form on the page from top to bottom, again in a seamless flowing line.
Movement
I've already touched on this but this is very important. You want your customer to start at the top left corner and end in the bottom right corner. The traditional form of movement is a "Z" meaning the eye should start in the top left, go to the top right, make a diagonal to the bottom left, and end up in the bottom right. This form is ideal for advertizing and web pages with a lot of graphics or images. The exception would be a page with all text, where you would want the reader's eye to move left to right on each line.
Space (Negative space)
We all pay attention to the amount of space that we use on our projects. What about the space that you don't use? Do you notice that? Well it's just as important. Stand back and squint again. Notice the percentage of items filling up your project, what is the percentage of negative, unused space? While you want to make the most of your space available, you don't want all of it used up either. Using too much makes an ad look busy too little it looks empty. An appropriate percentage can be anywhere from 60% to 80% used space and 40% to 20% negative or unused space. Keep your percentages in that range and you'll have a nicely balanced ad, web page, or project.
Texture
This is becoming important again with web design. All of the really cool and interesting textures that you can use for anything from backgrounds to text is amazing. Remember one thing that a texture carries almost as much weight to the eye as a photo. Just as you would not place a lot of photos on your page don't use too many textures. Also watch your placement of these they can pull the eye away from where you want it to move.
Remember one thing, when it doubt simplify.
About The Author
Copyright 2004 Kelly Paal
Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting nationally and internationally. Recently she started her own business Kelly Paal Photography (www.kellypaalphotography.com). She has an educational background in photography, business, and commercial art. She enjoys applying graphic design and photography principles to her web design.
Culver prom limo ..I hate to imagine that in your web development project... Read More
An ongoing challenge for webmasters today is to provide fresh... Read More
As the Internet blooms at an alarming rate, so as... Read More
Getting a customer is not easy.Getting a visitor to decide... Read More
Have you ever walked pass a shop that, for some... Read More
They say the eyes are the window to the soul.... Read More
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) allows you to create fast loading... Read More
To build a website, there are four methods to choose... Read More
This is a very perfunctory look at the website code... Read More
The effective design is this one, which is maximum simplified,... Read More
We all want high impact graphics for our Web sites... Read More
If you are designing a web site for which the... Read More
Web usability is perhaps the most important factor in any... Read More
Your web site is like your car. Both are significant... Read More
This article gives free tips on how to find a... Read More
Regardless whether you manage a small business, charitable organization, or... Read More
Many websites make the mistake of being all flash and... Read More
Easy navigation and usability are one of the most important... Read More
If you own a web site or if you are... Read More
Are you in a dilemma whether to create a mini... Read More
Here is a quick list of components that make a... Read More
QUESTION: We promote our web site in all our... Read More
1. Who needs an artists website?Not everyone! If you are... Read More
Wether you design your business brochures, flyers, web page, or... Read More
Whether you're hiring a designer who has created 10 sites... Read More
Wood Dale limo ..If you're not getting a lot of traffic to your... Read More
Before doing anything on the technical side, you need some... Read More
This article may come as a surprise to you.Especially since... Read More
The trend today to overuse animation in a website's opening... Read More
It seems more and more webmasters are using CSS for... Read More
Do use a consistent look and feel Your site should... Read More
Many people hire professional web site designers for as much... Read More
Here is a quick list of components that make a... Read More
Many times I've seen a web site undergo a revision... Read More
You know that I'm always extolling the virtues of an... Read More
We've all seen and read product testimonials. They're a very... Read More
If you're running a website or online business, your number... Read More
Are you serious about get this website done fast and... Read More
If you own a web site or if you are... Read More
Due to the large number of people offering website design... Read More
Let's face it. Buying products and services from the Internet... Read More
Let me repeat that.."The technology may change, but human nature... Read More
Have you ever walked pass a shop that, for some... Read More
Are you building a direct sales or mlm business online?... Read More
Novice and professional graphic designers, we are aware that you... Read More
Home-based businesses need a strong web presence to combat the... Read More
The following list of websites is the best compilation of... Read More
Square buttons, round buttons, flashy buttons ? will they match... Read More
Whether a business has just got off the ground or... Read More
Does website design make a difference in how long people... Read More
Web Design |