Design Tips

This week I finally was able to get the burden of the presentation off my shoulders.

My main focus was a redesign project that I explained in one of my blogs (Before and After). Additionally, I provided some design tips on my own process. These are things that I keep in mind.

The visual for the presentation was a combination of our brand and a little of my own flare. I believe subliminally I realized that I was inspired by my juggling act at work.

I decided to cover six tips which really is a little broad because I did cover more than one point for each but I wanted to try to simplify the title.

1 – Brand

- Logo size and space surrounding it needs to be adequate, never embellish on the logo

2- White Space

- Summarize content

- Text too close to the edges becomes a problem (2 reasons trimming and reader obstructs text)

- Provide adequate space around an image

- Border overload - images and the page don’t need to have a border

- Keep text/images at least 3/8 of an inch away from the edge of the layout

3- Design Focus

- Decisions should be based on the target audience

- Time to listen to the client and ask questions

4- Color

- It’s non-verbal communication and creates an emotion

- Best used as a background element

- Colored body copy is difficult to read and printing it is more prone to registration issues unless it’s a spot color.

- Make the most of your color limitations by using screens of a spot color for varying tones and colored paper.

- Always keep your Audience in mind: Another factor to consider are those that are color blind.

5 - Fonts

- A design/message could be achieved by clever use of type without an image.

- Our responsibility is that it’s legible for the reader and that we respect the typeface we chose to employ.

- Use one typeface family for a layout more than 3 typefaces can make a page feel cluttered

- Keep body copy between 11 pt and 9.5 pt in size

- Distinguish content by importance. (What message should be large and read first and so on.)

6 - Photography

Taking photos:

- Photos of staff – check for any wardrobe issues: buttons, zippers, transparent material

- Not to close to a wall

- Get a permission form signed.

Using images:

- Some photographers only allow a limited number of years for the image than charge an extra fee to extend it. There are also fees for the application that it will be used on – such as National Magazine ads or billboard.)

- Directional use – where are the shoulders facing or the eyes this would be the appropriate place for the heading or key message

- Photography is key to the success of the layout

Many of these I'm sure that are on the top of the list for many designers but I hope a few were reminders or something new.