Graphic Design 101 tips you should know

Sometimes clients visualize certain elements in their projects that may not always be the best choices. We always LOVE to please the clients, however, we do not hesitate to steer in a slightly different direction.

Believe it or not, besides just having a 'good eye' or 'creative talents, there are some design rules we like to follow:

K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid)

Let’s put it straight – simplicity is more complex than you probably think it is. Many designers do not manage to find the right mix between details and their presentation, which usually results in information overkill and/or decreased usability. However, some designers do manage to find the right balance and create usable, elegant, and clean projects with simple layouts. When a design doesn't feel quite right, many designers are inclined to add elements instead of removing unnecessary ones, resulting in overloaded designs. Sometimes, it's better to start over instead of trying to fix or change the design. The best designs are simple because they contain no unnecessary elements... and contain the necessary elements in a way that seems logical. The Dalai Lama once said that simplicity is the key to happiness in the modern world. This philosophy can be adapted into the realm of web design and digital interface design.

Sweat the Small Stuff - yes, sweat it!

Pay attention to detail. Every little project is finessed into perfection. Never fall into the trap of saying “no one will notice” or “good enough.” It is often the margin of time spent on the tiniest details that separate the good designers from the great ones.

Choosing Text / Backgrounds

You should choose your text and background colors very carefully. You don't want to use backgrounds that obscure your text or use colors that are hard to read. Dark-colored text on a light-colored background is easier to read than light-colored text on a dark-colored background.

You also don't want to set your text size too small (hard to read) or too large (it will appear to shout at your visitors). All capitalized letters give the appearance of shouting at your visitors.

Keep the alignment of your main text to the left, not centered. Center-aligned text is best used in headlines. You want your visitors to be comfortable with what they are reading, and most text (in the West) is left aligned.