The graphic design industry is tough. No matter where you turn, you\u2019ll see amazing talent that\u2019s just as good as your own or perhaps even better. That is why it\u2019s so important for graphic designers to have a firm grasp on graphic design principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what if you\u2019re not a graphic designer? What if you\u2019re a business owner or a marketer who wants to create their own graphics? Can you learn these principles, too?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Absolutely! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hierarchy is the order in which your eyes perceive what they see. This is crucial to design because it helps you communicate your message by making certain elements stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, you can use size to indicate which parts of your design are the most important, and you can use color to help draw the eye to a particular element.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A good way to think about hierarchy is to imagine your design as a map for your viewer. What do you want them to see first? What do you want them to see last?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the example below, the most important thing to see is the headline at the top. Then, the eye is drawn to the image of the woman, and finally, we see the text at the bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contrast is the juxtaposition of opposing elements, such as color, size, and shape. It helps to create a focus or draw attention to certain parts of your design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a few ways to add contrast to your designs. The most common method is to use contrasting colors. This is a great way to make your text pop and improve legibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also use contrast to create visual interest in your designs. For example, you could use contrasting shapes and sizes to create a dynamic composition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the example below, the designer uses contrasting colors and shapes to create a bold and dynamic design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Repetition is a simple way to bring unity to your designs. It\u2019s all about consistency, and it helps to create patterns and to strengthen the overall look of your design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the easiest ways to use repetition is to repeat a font, color, or shape. In the example below, the same color is used in the text and in the background shapes. This creates a unified look and helps to direct the viewer\u2019s eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you use repetition, you want to be consistent, but you don\u2019t want to be boring. You can use repetition to create patterns, but you also want to use it to create visual interest. You can do this by changing the size, rotation, and placement of the repeated elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alignment is one of the most important graphic design principles to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you don’t align your design elements, your graphic will look messy and disorganized. But if you do, it will look polished and professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a few ways you can align your elements, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Center alignment: This is when you place an element in the center of your design. It’s a great way to create balance and symmetry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Edge alignment: This is when you align the edges of two or more elements. It’s a good way to create unity and harmony in your design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Baseline alignment: This is when you align the bottom of your text with the bottom of your design. It’s a great way to create a sense of structure and stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the example below, you can see how the designer used edge alignment to create a clean, organized look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Color is one of the most important elements of design. It communicates meaning, evokes emotion, and sets the tone of your design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re choosing colors for your design, think about how they work together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A color wheel is a useful tool for finding color combinations that look good together. There are lots of different color combinations you can try, but some of the most common color schemes include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Complementary: Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Analogous: Colors that are next to each other on the color wheel<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Triadic: Colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Split-complementary: A base color and two colors adjacent to its complementary color<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s also important to consider the meaning of colors when you\u2019re choosing them for your design. Different colors can have different meanings in different cultures, so it\u2019s important to think about your audience and what the colors you choose might mean to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
White space, or negative space, is the area between design elements. It\u2019s also the space between sections of a design, or the space around text and images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
White space is an important design principle because it helps to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Improve readability<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Create balance and symmetry<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Highlight important elements<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Make your designs look more professional<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When in doubt, add more white space! It\u2019s one of the easiest ways to improve your designs, and it\u2019s often the most overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Images and text are the two most important elements in design. You can create a graphic with just one or the other, but it\u2019s always good to have both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you use images and text, make sure they\u2019re working together to tell the same story. If they\u2019re not, your graphic could look messy or confusing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, if you\u2019re using a photo of a restaurant in your graphic, you could use text to highlight the restaurant\u2019s name and location. If you\u2019re using a photo of a person, you could use text to highlight a quote from that person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re using images and text together, make sure they have enough contrast so that they\u2019re easy to read and understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you think of the word \u201ctypography,\u201d you might think of fancy fonts. But in reality, typography is so much more than that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Typography is the art of arranging text in a way that makes it visually appealing and easy to read. This includes choosing the right font, adjusting the font size, and adjusting the line spacing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to graphic design, typography is used to create a visual hierarchy between different elements in your design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, let\u2019s say you\u2019re creating a social media post to promote a sale. You\u2019ll want to make sure that the headline (the sale information), the subheadline (the details of the sale), and the call to action button (the \u201cshop now\u201d button) are all clearly differentiated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can achieve this by adjusting the font size and weight of the text. You can also add emphasis by using color and white space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pro tip: Stick to two or three fonts in your design to avoid overwhelming your audience. And make sure to choose fonts that complement each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rule of thirds is a principle that helps you compose a visually balanced and interesting image. Imagine laying a grid of nine equally spaced lines over your graphic. This creates nine equally sized boxes on the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rule of thirds suggests that the most important elements in your graphic should be placed along these lines or at the points where they intersect. This creates a more dynamic and balanced composition than if you were to center your subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Visual communication is the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words. It\u2019s about using visual elements to convey a message without using words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you use visual communication, you\u2019re getting to the point and making it easy for your audience to understand your message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re not sure how to use visual communication in your designs, start by thinking about the main message you want to convey. Then, use images, colors, and other visual elements to support that message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, if you\u2019re creating a design to promote a sale or corporate event<\/a>, you might use images of products that are on sale or related to the theme of the event, as well as bold, bright colors to grab people\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are so many tools available that can help you create professional-looking designs for your business. Some are free, and some have a small monthly fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best one for you depends on your business needs, your budget, and your level of experience with graphic design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a complete beginner, you might want to start with a free, user-friendly tool like Canva or Adobe Spark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a bit more experienced, you might want to try a more advanced tool like Adobe Illustrator or Affinity Designer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re really short on time, you might want to consider hiring a professional UX designer<\/a> to create your designs. There are many freelance marketplaces where you can find talented designers who can create custom designs for your business at an affordable price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n11. Use the right tools<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n