Graphic Design Tips for the Non-Designer - GUEST BLOGGER Chandra Willard

“Can you take a quick look at this? I made it myself.” If you’ve asked a graphic designer this before, these tips are for you. Maybe it’s for a last minute corporate presentation, event invitation, or concert flyer that had little or no budget to hire a professional graphic designer.

Here are some basic graphic design tips to help you create an attractive piece that communicates clearly and effectively.

Keep in mind that these are the basics. A professional designer can purposefully and effectively break these guidelines and achieve a successful piece.

Determine hierarchy
What is the one message you need people to walk away with? Pinpoint it and then emphasize it using the techniques below. Groups of information will fall beneath this according to importance.

At the same time, keep similar information in close proximity to one another. It’s your task to direct the reader through the piece effortlessly. For example, if you tell the reader to RSVP, immediately tell them when and how.

Keep it simple & consistent
Use only the necessary elements to support and enhance your message, rather than distracting from it with extraneous icons, graphics, or images. The main goal is to develop a piece that communicates your message. Too many items can distract.

Once you make a decision regarding type treatment, color choice, or image use; apply the same formula throughout the piece. This will make it feel like a solid whole versus bits pasted together.

Color
Effective use of color is an easy way to add character and draw attention to important information. For example, consider a specific color for the headline. Keep it simple by using a limited color palette that suites your event, presentation, etc.

Fonts
Choose one or two fonts and use them in same manner throughout the piece. Ten plus fonts on one page have been known to cause migraines. If you want to use a font with some additional character, use it for headlines and then a simpler, complementary font for body copy. Be deliberate and consistent with font choices. Avoid all too commonly used typefaces like Comic Sans or Times New Roman. Instead try something like Helvetica or Garamond. Here are some free fonts to consider: http://www.alvit.de/blog/article/20-best-license-free-official-fonts

Images
One strong, appropriate image can quickly communication your message and grab a reader’s attention. If in search of an image, take a few minutes to visit a stock photography site, such as www.istockphoto.com. A unique image will add some authenticity to your piece. Avoid using computer clipart that screams “Don’t look at me, you’ve seen me before.”

Align
For a quick, basic, clean layout keep everything aligned to the left. Don’t be afraid to tab in some key information, but keep the variations to a minimum for consistency sake.

Let it breathe!
You have the headline, copy, possibly an image­­–now make sure it all has room to breathe. Leaving white space around elements allows the reader to focus in on an area without getting immediately distracted by another item. A cluttered, over-filled design feels chaotic and is likely to be skipped altogether by the reader.

Print & review
Once the layout is complete, take a step away for a few minutes before reviewing. Next, pass it on to a fresh set of eyes for a second look. Focus on important information: dates, names, web address, or contact information. Have a number listed? Give it a call! Might sound crazy, but you never know what you’ll catch.

Be proud! You just finished a piece that won’t make a designer cringe. Don’t forget to have fun too and before you know it applying these tips will be second nature.

** Oh, you thought I was done? Please note that there is only one space after all periods above and you should do the same. Easy, right?

Guest Blogger Chandra Willard lives in Boston, MA and works as a graphic design artist for Boston University, her alma mater. In her spare time, she does freelance design work. Chandra is a preferred designer for Starfish Creative Events.