10 Tips for beginner Graphic Designers to master the art of design
1. Finding Color Scheme
Choosing the correct colors is a crucial aspect of successful graphic design. You can select color themes at color.adobe.com. Once you find a color scheme that you like, you can save this to your creative cloud library. This library shows up in Adobe products and allows you to apply a color scheme to your specific project. This resource saves you from having to wonder if the colors match.
2. Work with Shapes
Working with shapes gives you the ability to quickly apply and duplicate shapes across the entire document. By adding shapes this way, you can quickly apply the color scheme in a way that adds to the design. Using the alt/option helps to copy the shape quickly.
3. Font Pairing and Sizes
There is an art in choosing fonts that work well together. Utilizing Fontsquirrel.com provides a ton of free fonts. This site also helps you to find fonts that will work well together.
4. Text Sizes
To make sure that the text size is consistent and appealing, start with the primary header. All other text sizes should be based on the primary header. It takes a bit of trial and error to know what font sizes look good together. However, the next tip shows you how to save time if changes need to be made.
5. Character Styles
Setting character styles in Photoshop makes it easy to change those characters across the whole document. Selecting a new character style allows it to be named. It saves the font, size, and color. You can do things like deselect all caps, quickly change the features of the font and move the text to where you want it to be. This saves time down the road if you or the client want to make modifications to the original design.
6. Grouping and Aligning Elements
Grouping and aligning elements in Photoshop allows you to take advantage of grids created and quickly place shapes where you want them. Proper spacing is accomplished through the use of pixels. Grouping elements also makes applying the color scheme quick and painless. The thin marquee tool allows you to align elements with desired other elements.
7. Adding Photos to your Document
Instead of adding a photo directly, you can create a placeholder for the photo using a shape. This makes it easy to move the photo later if a different part should be used rather than cropping the original photo. If you have a grid, the shape will snap right into place.
8. Adding Lines
The type tool can be used to add lines. These lines create helpful demarcations and guides in the document. Lines can be added by using the equal sign across the document span. To duplicate the line, you turn on the alt/opt key and add another line. To add vertical lines, you duplicate the line and retransform it by rotating it vertically. The lines can then be clipped to fit within the grid.
9. Multiple Character Styles
The character styles in Photoshop make it very easy to edit. This groups all text of the same group and changes quickly and seamlessly. With multiple character styles, you can select only one portion of the character styles to update specific text.
For example, one character style could have bold and italics, and you can select only the italic text to change. Multiple character styles can be used in one field of text.
10. Utilize Backgrounds Wisely
Background images can add a lot of depth and dynamic to your design. However, they could be too distracting from the message you are trying to get across. By mixing up the transparency and opaqueness of the background image, you can create high contrast and visually appealing messages.
BONUS: One of the most important logo design tips!
Simplicity is the most important tip when it comes to logo design. A simple logo is visually appealing, easily recognizable, and memorable. It allows for better brand recognition and communicates the message more effectively to the audience.
A simple logo design minimizes clutter, avoids unnecessary complexity, and focuses on the core elements that represent the brand or business. It typically consists of clean lines, minimal colors, and uncomplicated shapes. By keeping the design simple, the logo becomes versatile and can be used across various platforms and sizes without losing its impact.
A simple logo stands out and leaves a lasting impression on people’s minds. It is easier to remember and recognize, even at a quick glance. This is crucial for brand recall and establishing a strong brand identity.
Furthermore, simplicity in logo design ensures better scalability and adaptability. It translates well in different mediums, whether it is printed on small business cards or displayed on large billboards. A simple logo is easily reproducible and maintains its integrity across different applications.
Conclusion
In conclusion, simplicity is key in logo design. It creates a timeless and versatile logo that is memorable, recognizable, and effectively communicates the brand’s message. By prioritizing simplicity, businesses can create a logo that has a lasting impact on their target audience.
