5 Design Tips That Will Elevate Your Graphics
Written by Courtney Raguso, Social Media Content Creator
If you had to choose between a picture and a thousand words to grab someone’s attention, which decision would you make? The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” holds true because you can convey a message in visual form. It’s also important to note that people prefer convenience, and a video or graphic offers a faster way to consume that content. Studies show consumers’ attention spans are diminishing, and if you only have 8 seconds to grab someone’s attention, how would you do it? Visual content has the ability to send a powerful message without having to use so many words if you can execute well. Whether you are creating social media graphics or designing a brochure, it’s important you follow the rules of design. Visual content is an effective form of communication and can really make an impact on your brand. It’s more memorable and engaging than text-based content because it is easier to consume and can tell a story in a more captivating way. So, why is it so important to follow the rules of design? It’s to make your content look more visually appealing and grab people’s attention. Design isn’t easy, and not everyone knows good design. People have a different concept of what looks good to them, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for the brand. That’s why it’s best to hire professional designers to do the job for you. Let’s get into it!
Regardless of the type of visual content you are using, the application of graphic design is versatile and there are many elements of design that play a part in the visual quality. In this blog, we’ll cover 5 tips that can help elevate your design and really help make that connection with the customer. First, it’s important to note that you must always start with a goal in mind and always stay on brand. Regardless if you’re beginning from scratch or revamping your brand look, a well-defined goal will make it easier to calculate the success and improve the efficiency of your campaign. Who is the specific audience for the design? What message are you trying to send? What do you want them to do after seeing your design? You should be asking yourself these questions before jumping into designing. Once you get your ducks in a row, you can start the drawing board. When it comes to designing, it’s key that you follow all the principles of design, including contrast, balance, and proportion. There are many principles to follow, but below we’ll list five.
- Contrast: Creating a visual distinction between two elements
- Hierarchy: Visually ranking different elements in a design and portraying information in a way that shows an order of importance
- Proportion: Appropriately sizing elements in relation to one another
- Balance: Placing elements in a way that distributes the visual weight equally in the design
- Unity: How well the elements of design work together and are being communicated cohesively
Consistency and cohesiveness across your visuals is another major factor you’ll have to stay on top of. This is the easiest way to ensure aesthetic unity from your website to your social media. By breaking down different visual branding and design elements and using them consistently, you are able to facilitate that brand recognition. These elements include a limited set of fonts, a color palette, using a similar style across your imagery, and having consistent layouts. You don’t want your content to be so predictable, but you want it to at least be similarly structured to help instill and solidify that brand recall. The idea should be to come up with a design that can speak to your audience while still reflecting your brand image. Our fourth tip is to stay calm and keep it simple. When your design looks too busy, you start to lose the audience. Minimal design has been gaining popularity and it can be very effective. Have one point of emphasis on your design or a clear call to action. There is no need to incorporate so much text or use extraneous elements. When you create simple design, the message will be a lot more clear. Above all, be original. You want your brand to stand out from its competitors and hold character. When your designs are unique, you create that brand image no other company will have but you. Originality isn’t easy when it comes to design, and sometimes you’ll need a little bit of inspiration. However, once you create your own style, it will be easier for your audience to recognize your brand and affiliate it with different ideas and emotions.
At MSM DesignZ, we put in the time and energy needed for success, so you can ensure you are using every dollar for maximum return. With over 20 years in the business, we have watched marketing evolve from traditional to digital. Whether you need a website refresh, more attractive email, or a quality online presence, we can do it all. When we take on a client, we put in 110% and treat every brand as if it’s our own. We will always continue to place our clients’ needs at the heart of our operations. From web development to social media management, we’ll work directly with you to build a personalized strategy to not only retain but also gain business. We are assisting in all areas for our clients. Visit our contact page at https://www.msmdesignz.com/contact/, and we’ll work with you to devise a custom plan that will keep your brand alive and well. We look forward to working with you!
Sources:
https://www.canva.com/learn/graphic-design-tips-non-designers/
https://uxdesign.cc/principles-of-design-importance-9de65d53682c
https://www.5tips.co/5-design-tips-to-improve-your-diy-graphics/