Elevate Your Designs: The Most Underrated Design Tip for Professional-Looking Graphics
Discover the power of hierarchy and the contrast of size to enhance your design skills and create professional-looking graphics effortlessly. This underrated design tip will help you communicate your message clearly and effectively while giving your visuals a polished, professional edge.
Welcome to this tutorial from Jacqui Naunton, your go-to source for creative excellence on YouTube! Designing graphics that look professional and communicate your message effectively is crucial for any business. One of the most underrated design principles is hierarchy combined with contrast, which can dramatically enhance how your graphics are perceived. In this guide, we'll delve into these concepts to transform your design process, ensuring your visuals captivate and communicate.
Step 1: Understanding Hierarchy
Hierarchy in design is all about guiding your viewer's eye through the visual elements you create. This approach ensures that the most important aspects of your design stand out first. To apply hierarchy effectively:
- Determine the primary message of your graphic.
- Decide what information needs to stand out the most (think titles, calls to action, essential details).
Step 2: Implementing Hierarchy with Sizing
Use size to establish hierarchy. Larger elements are naturally more prominent, drawing immediate attention. When adjusting sizes:
- Enlarge text or images that carry the main message.
- Use smaller fonts for less critical details.
Step 3: Emphasise with Contrast
Contrast in size is a powerful tool. To apply contrast:
- Ensure that there is a noticeable size difference between the main headline and subtext.
- Contrast isn’t just about size; consider colour contrast as well. Bright or darker colours compared to the background make a significant impact.
Step 4: Analyse and Learn from Examples
Look at existing Canva templates or other graphics for inspiration. Take note of how they utilise hierarchy and contrast:
- Focus on how your eyes travel across various elements.
- Identify what stands out first and why.
Step 5: Enhance with Colour
Colour can profoundly affect the perception of hierarchy. You can:
- Use bold colours for headings.
- Ensure secondary colours are harmonious yet distinct from the primary colour, adding depth.
Step 6: Adjust Text Sizes for Impact
Fine-tune your text sizes to retain attention on the most vital information:
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- Keep pivotal information noticeably larger.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with making secondary text smaller to emphasise scale.
Step 7: Use Strategic Positioning
The positioning of text and images matters:
- In Western cultures, readers usually go from top to bottom and left to right.
- Use this flow to place the most crucial elements where they will be noticed first.
Step 8: Craft a Clear Message
Your graphics should not only look aesthetic but also convey your message instantly:
- Keep the text concise and ensure each element serves a purpose.
- Avoid overcrowding your designs; too much information can overwhelm the viewer.
Conclusion
By implementing these principles, your designs will not only look more professional but also communicate more effectively. This strategic use of hierarchy and contrast can be a game-changer, allowing your graphics to stand out and grab attention in the right ways. Dive into your next design project with these tips, and watch your graphics shine!
Jacqui Naunton // White Deer