Are you new to the world of design and trying to learn the basics? Need help understanding some of the graphic design terminology you might hear along the way?

Freepik share their graphic design tips in the following infographics.

Here’s what they cover:

• 12 graphic design rules to follow
• The difference between RGB and CMYK
• The difference between PNG and SVG

Check out the infographics for more detail.

 

 

 

Graphic design plays a crucial role in today’s visual-centric world. It’s no longer limited to professionals in the field; anyone can benefit from having a basic understanding of design principles.

Whether you’re a business owner, a blogger, or simply someone who wants to enhance their visual communication skills, this guide is here to help. In this article, we’ll cover some essential information that non-designers need to know to create visually appealing and effective designs.

 

Take a Look at the Latest Design Trends

Design trends are constantly evolving, and staying updated can give you valuable insights and inspiration for your own projects. Explore design blogs, social media platforms, and websites to see what’s currently popular and engaging.

However, keep in mind that trends should be used as a reference and not be blindly followed. It’s essential to maintain your own unique style and align it with your project’s purpose and target audience.

 

Check Out Projects Similar to Yours

When starting a new design project, it’s helpful to look at designs that are similar to what you have in mind. This can provide you with ideas, identify successful design patterns, and help you understand what works well for your intended audience.

Browse through websites, magazines, or social media platforms to gather inspiration and gain a better understanding of effective design choices.

 

Keep Your Design Clean and Crisp

Simplicity and clarity are key when it comes to effective graphic design. Avoid cluttering your designs with unnecessary elements or excessive text. Embrace whitespace, which refers to the empty areas around your design elements.

This allows your design to breathe and helps draw attention to the important elements. Remember, less is often more.

 

Choose Colors That Work Well Together

Color is a powerful tool in design and can evoke emotions, set moods, and convey messages. When selecting colors for your design, consider the emotions and associations different colors can evoke.

Aim for a cohesive and harmonious color scheme by using a color wheel or online tools to find colors that work well together. Maintain a balance between bold and subtle colors to create visual interest and hierarchy in your design.

 

Use a Grid System for Layout

A grid system is a framework that helps you organize and align elements in your design. It creates structure and consistency, making your design visually appealing and easy to comprehend.

Grids provide a foundation for arranging text, images, and other elements in a balanced manner. You can find pre-made grid templates or create your own using design software.

 

Limit the Number of Fonts You Use

Fonts play a significant role in visual communication. They can convey different tones, personalities, and evoke specific emotions. However, using too many fonts in a single design can create visual chaos and make it difficult for the viewer to read and understand your message.

As a general guideline, stick to two or three fonts within a design. Select fonts that complement each other and consider using different font weights and styles within the same family for variation.

 

Add Emphasis to Important Words

Emphasizing key words or phrases in your design helps guide the viewer’s attention and highlights important information. You can achieve emphasis through techniques such as using bold or italicized fonts, increasing font size, applying color contrast, or adding decorative elements like underlines or drop shadows.

Be strategic in your emphasis, ensuring it enhances the overall message rather than overwhelming the design.

 

Work with Fonts from the Same Family

If you want to introduce variation in your design while maintaining a cohesive look, consider using fonts from the same font family. Font families consist of different styles and weights that share similar design characteristics.

This allows you to create visual contrast and hierarchy within your design while ensuring a consistent overall aesthetic.

 

Create Contrast in Your Design

Contrast helps create visual interest and ensures that different elements stand out from one another. You can achieve contrast through variations in color, size, shape, texture, or typography.

For example, pairing light text on a dark background or using a bold headline against a subtle background can create an impactful contrast. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your design.

 

Experiment with Symmetry

Symmetry refers to the balanced arrangement of elements in a design. It can create a sense of order, stability, and elegance. While symmetrical designs are often visually pleasing, don’t be afraid to experiment with asymmetry as well.

Asymmetrical designs can be dynamic and attention-grabbing, adding a touch of creativity and uniqueness to your visuals. Whichever approach you choose, ensure it aligns with your project’s goals and desired aesthetic.

 

Use Scale to Emphasize Hierarchy

Scale refers to the size relationship between different elements in a design. By varying the scale, you can establish a visual hierarchy and guide the viewer’s attention. Larger elements tend to grab more attention, so use them for important information or key focal points.

Gradually decrease the size of secondary elements to create a clear visual flow and prioritize the most critical information.

 

Don’t Crowd Elements in One Area

To maintain clarity and legibility, avoid crowding your design elements in a small space. Give each element enough breathing room to stand out and be easily distinguishable. This includes leaving space between lines of text, providing margins around images, and allowing ample space between different design components.

Proper spacing enhances readability and makes your design more visually appealing.

 

The Difference Between RGB and CMYK

Understanding the difference between RGB (Red, Green, Blue) and CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color modes is crucial, especially when preparing your designs for different mediums.

RGB is primarily used for digital designs and represents colors using combinations of red, green, and blue light. CMYK is the color mode used for print designs and combines cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks.

It’s important to convert your design to the appropriate color mode to ensure accurate color representation across different mediums.

 

The Difference Between PNG and SVG

When it comes to saving and exporting your design files, it’s essential to understand the difference between PNG and SVG formats.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a raster image format that is commonly used for web graphics. It supports transparency and can display a wide range of colors. SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a vector image format that is resolution-independent and can be scaled without loss of quality.

It’s ideal for logos, icons, and illustrations that need to be resized or scaled for various purposes.

 

Conclusion

As a non-designer, understanding the basic principles of graphic design can greatly enhance your ability to create visually appealing and effective designs.

By following the guidelines discussed in this article, such as staying updated with design trends, keeping your designs clean and crisp, choosing complementary colors, using grids, and understanding the differences between RGB/CMYK and PNG/SVG, you’ll be well on your way to creating designs that captivate and communicate your message effectively.

Remember, practice, experimentation, and an open mind are key to improving your design skills, so embrace the journey and enjoy the process of creating visually stunning designs.