Improve your creative: five simple tips for non-designers
Design can be intimidating, but you don't have to be a professional to create great looking & effective design. In this blog, we'll share five simple tips that anyone can use to improve the look and feel of your work.
Whether you're a small business owner, a student, a new designer, or a seasoned creative looking to up their design game, these tips will help you create polished and professional looking designs. So, let's get started!
Use visual hierarchy
Visual hierarchy is how design elements are arranged to guide the viewer's eye. It helps ensure that the most essential information is noticed first and that the design is balanced and easy to read.
Here's how you can use visual hierarchy:
Use different font sizes and weights to distinguish between headings, subheadings, and body text.
Arrange design elements (such as images and text) logically and use alignment to create a sense of balance.
Use colour strategically to draw attention to crucial information and create contrast where needed.
Keep it simple
When it comes to design, less is often more.
Here are some tips for keeping your designs simple and effective:
Stick to a limited colour palette. Two or three colours can be enough to create a cohesive and visually appealing design to begin with.
Use white space (the empty areas around design elements) to create breathing room and help to make your designs feel less cluttered.
Avoid using too many fonts or design elements. Stick to one or two fonts, and choose images or graphics that reinforce your message rather than distract from it.
Choose high-quality images
Images can be vital to a lot of design, but not all images are created equal.
Here's how to choose high-quality images that enhance your designs:
Choose high-resolution images that look sharp and clear, even when enlarged.
Look for images that have a clear focus and convey the mood or message you're looking for.
Avoid using generic stock images that look cliché or don't relate to your message.
Remember the Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a fundamental principle of design that can help you create more balanced and visually attractive layouts.
Here's how to use it:
Divide your design into a grid of nine equal parts, like a Noughts & Crosses board.
Position key elements (such as text or images) at the intersections of the lines or along the lines themselves.
This will create a more dynamic and visually appealing design that draws the viewer's eye and helps gives the design a sense of balance.
Get feedback
One of the most important things you can do to improve your designs and learn is to get feedback from others.
Here's how to do it:
Share your designs with friends, colleagues, or online communities and ask for honest feedback.
Listen carefully and be willing to make changes, try new things based on what you’ve learnt.
Don't be afraid to experiment and iterate until you find a design or style that works for you.
Bonus tip: hire a designer
Of course, if you're feeling overwhelmed or don't have the time to devote to design, remember that hiring a designer can be a worthwhile investment. It's like hiring a personal trainer for your brand - someone who can bring expertise and fresh ideas to the table and help to take your projects to the next level.
A great designer can help you communicate your brand's story and message in a way that can deeply connect with your audience and enables you to stand out from the competition. So, don't be afraid to reach out and invest in levelling up your brand or projects.
Conclusion
There you have it - six simple tips for non-designers that will help you create more effective and visually appealing digital and print materials. Remember to keep it simple, focus on the fundamentals, and don't hesitate to ask for feedback. With some practice and persistence, anyone can up their design game and create materials that look polished and professional.
