Design Secrets from A Graphic Design Expert
Following in the series of creative questions (last question was, Before you hire a designer, you should know this…..)
Creative designer extraordinaire (Art Director and Sheridan College Professor), Eva MacNeil answers the question:
Q: Are there any design “secrets” you can share with us?
(Meaning, what’s a little insider tip that we could all benefit from knowing about?)
A: Simplicity is the best recipe!
Graphic designers are visual communicators and they bring meaning to your message.
This message, however, does not need to be complicated and busy to be effective. In fact, a busy message will only confuse your audience, and therefore the message is lost, along with the viewer who has quickly turned his attention elsewhere.
A good designer can take the necessary elements to simplify the message and say it clearly and effectively using images, text and colour.
One dead give-away of an amateur designer is a cluttered design.
Simply because there is white space on a page doesn’t mean that it must be filled.
Following the basic design principles can certainly help to achieve a direct and effective message, while attracting and pleasing the eye of the audience. Use of too many typefaces, images, styles and words is the kiss of death to a strong and effective visual message.
Sooo true, Eva. As a small business owner, budgets can be tight. Investing in my image and brand is an investment well spent.
The next question for Eva in this series: What are the current trends in graphic design? Stay tuned!!
(or email me at leslie@punchmedia.ca and I’ll email you an advanced version of the post)
A full service design studio that offers graphic design services from print to web — including brochure & ad design, photography & image retouching, visual identity concepts, along with social media strategies & graphics that visually promote your business.
email: evamacneil@mac.com
