ConsistencyWith colors, type and layout, consistency is key to creating a design that holds together. Headings, subheadings, captions, etc. should be handled the same way throughout your document. Your basic text should be the same everywhere. Only use a different treatment if you are offering a different type of information. If you want to emphasize certain text, use the same technique each time (bold, italics, color, whatever, just do it consistently).
ColorsFirst, start with a limited color pallet. Select just two or three complementary colors that work together. From these you might generate some lighter and darker shades of the same colors. Maybe an additional accent color. If you work within this pallet the overall page will be more coherent. You might reserve one color just to call attention. If you use it sparingly, when you do use it, it will be stronger. Keep in mind that basic software programs often offer very bright, saturated colors by default. Selecting slightly darker, faded or less saturated colors can make your designs appear more sophisticated and reduce the ‘electric’ appearance of the brightest colors.
Type/FontsJust like colors, it is important to just pick one or two type faces that are complementary. They should be different enough from each other that they can be easily distinguished. If you pick a typeface that is very unusual and has a lot of character, use it sparingly – just for headings or call outs. And you probably shouldn’t use another typeface with a lot of character in the same design (unless you can really make it work). Don’t use every font you have, it just makes things look messy and hard to read. Feel free to experiment with letter spacing, all caps or other type tricks, but, again, don’t over-do it. Pick one or two techniques and then use them consistently throughout your document. The basic type style for your text content should be simple and easy to read.
LayoutLine things up. It is amazing how much of a difference this can make to make a page work creatively and coherently. Whether vertically or horizontally on the page, if your elements start and/or end at the same place, the page will look more polished. Of course you can have some elements indented or staggered. But you can anchor them and make the placement look more intentional if other items are on the same plane with them. Imagine (or create) guide lines on the page.
Don’t be afraid to leave some margins. And remember that thin columns of text are easier to read.
Group items that go together and give them plenty of space from other items. Measure and make sure things are exactly the right size, placement or spacing.
PriorityYour design should invite a visitor in and lead them through the page. A catchy headline, or image might be largest thing on the page. The next tier of information should be a little less noticable, but also strong. For instance sub-headers on a page can offer a guide for what the reader may want to zero in on next. It is ok to make some text quite small. It can actually make it easier to read, and help the other key items stand out. A call-to-action might appear as a strong element at the end of the page, a logical final thing to do after reading the rest of the page.
SpaceDon’t be afraid to leave space on the page. It can make your message stronger and easier to read. Group similar items together and leave space between things that don’t go together.
BordersPlacing a box around something can help to set it off, but try to avoid using this crutch too much. It is easy to fall into a trap of putting everything in boxes and then everything is cluttered and nothing stands out. Try other ways to group and separate information like lining it up together or unifying it with another illustration or design element.
Make Multiple LayoutsI know people usually don’t have time to create one really nice looking design, let alone more. But that’s how the pros do it. If you try to layout your page in a couple of different styles it can be very liberating. You get less serious about each one. Each one can develop its own flavor. Perhaps some of the ideas you are using work better in one layout than in the other. That way you don’t feel the need to keep something if it is not working with other ideas you are using on that design. Best of all, in the end, you have something to compare side-by-side and you can actually pick and use the better one.
Use Stock Illustrations or PhotosYou don’t need to use lame clip art! Resources like Istockphoto can supply you with tons of photos and funky illustrations (this is a great fairly new resource and each photo or illustration only cost anywhere from $1 to a few bucks).
Proof Read(Anyone who has spent time on this website knows that it does not follow this suggestion. But on more important stuff, it is best to get it right. It can be expensive to have piecs reprinted!)
After you’ve laid out your design, take the following steps to for quality control.
Print it out. It will be easier to notice problems or get a new perspective once it is printed.
Have someone else review it.
Take some time away from it and come back to see it with fresh eyes.
And a Few Special Issues for PrintHere are a few basics that are helpful to know when designing for print.
Screen Resolution/DPI: Graphics on computer screen are low resolution (usually 72 dots per inch – dpi). For print you generally need at least 150 dpi and preferably 300 dpi. (you can go higher, but it is not necessary for most everyday purposes). If you start with a low resolution image and make it larger, it will look blurry or pixilated. You should start with a high resolution image. (I’ll leave the rest of the technicalities to another article).
Colors: Computer monitor colors are much brighter than colors on a printed page. It is very challenging to get screen colors to match print, so don’t be surprised. Be aware that if you are using a regular 4 color process, certain colors like oranges, will be darker and dingier. If you need a certain color you need to use spot color which uses the exact color of ink you desire, rather than a blend. Color guides are available to show you exactly what your printed results will be.Full Bleed: When designers create pieces with color that goes right to the edge of the page, the document is actually designed for a larger page and then the final piece is trimmed by the printer. Whatever the piece is get the specs from the printer or publisher because standard sizes can be much more affordable than custom work.
Color Printing: Sometimes it can be cheaper to print in just one, two or maybe three ink colors. If cost is important you should ask the printer if it will be cheaper. (Remember, in a two or three color print job, black is counted as one of the colors.) Full 4 color printing is much more common now and sometimes is cheaper than 2-color jobs. You should talk to your printer before doing your design to understand your specifications.
ColorsFirst, start with a limited color pallet. Select just two or three complementary colors that work together. From these you might generate some lighter and darker shades of the same colors. Maybe an additional accent color. If you work within this pallet the overall page will be more coherent. You might reserve one color just to call attention. If you use it sparingly, when you do use it, it will be stronger. Keep in mind that basic software programs often offer very bright, saturated colors by default. Selecting slightly darker, faded or less saturated colors can make your designs appear more sophisticated and reduce the ‘electric’ appearance of the brightest colors.
Type/FontsJust like colors, it is important to just pick one or two type faces that are complementary. They should be different enough from each other that they can be easily distinguished. If you pick a typeface that is very unusual and has a lot of character, use it sparingly – just for headings or call outs. And you probably shouldn’t use another typeface with a lot of character in the same design (unless you can really make it work). Don’t use every font you have, it just makes things look messy and hard to read. Feel free to experiment with letter spacing, all caps or other type tricks, but, again, don’t over-do it. Pick one or two techniques and then use them consistently throughout your document. The basic type style for your text content should be simple and easy to read.
LayoutLine things up. It is amazing how much of a difference this can make to make a page work creatively and coherently. Whether vertically or horizontally on the page, if your elements start and/or end at the same place, the page will look more polished. Of course you can have some elements indented or staggered. But you can anchor them and make the placement look more intentional if other items are on the same plane with them. Imagine (or create) guide lines on the page.
Don’t be afraid to leave some margins. And remember that thin columns of text are easier to read.
Group items that go together and give them plenty of space from other items. Measure and make sure things are exactly the right size, placement or spacing.
PriorityYour design should invite a visitor in and lead them through the page. A catchy headline, or image might be largest thing on the page. The next tier of information should be a little less noticable, but also strong. For instance sub-headers on a page can offer a guide for what the reader may want to zero in on next. It is ok to make some text quite small. It can actually make it easier to read, and help the other key items stand out. A call-to-action might appear as a strong element at the end of the page, a logical final thing to do after reading the rest of the page.
SpaceDon’t be afraid to leave space on the page. It can make your message stronger and easier to read. Group similar items together and leave space between things that don’t go together.
BordersPlacing a box around something can help to set it off, but try to avoid using this crutch too much. It is easy to fall into a trap of putting everything in boxes and then everything is cluttered and nothing stands out. Try other ways to group and separate information like lining it up together or unifying it with another illustration or design element.
Make Multiple LayoutsI know people usually don’t have time to create one really nice looking design, let alone more. But that’s how the pros do it. If you try to layout your page in a couple of different styles it can be very liberating. You get less serious about each one. Each one can develop its own flavor. Perhaps some of the ideas you are using work better in one layout than in the other. That way you don’t feel the need to keep something if it is not working with other ideas you are using on that design. Best of all, in the end, you have something to compare side-by-side and you can actually pick and use the better one.
Use Stock Illustrations or PhotosYou don’t need to use lame clip art! Resources like Istockphoto can supply you with tons of photos and funky illustrations (this is a great fairly new resource and each photo or illustration only cost anywhere from $1 to a few bucks).
Proof Read(Anyone who has spent time on this website knows that it does not follow this suggestion. But on more important stuff, it is best to get it right. It can be expensive to have piecs reprinted!)
After you’ve laid out your design, take the following steps to for quality control.
Print it out. It will be easier to notice problems or get a new perspective once it is printed.
Have someone else review it.
Take some time away from it and come back to see it with fresh eyes.
And a Few Special Issues for PrintHere are a few basics that are helpful to know when designing for print.
Screen Resolution/DPI: Graphics on computer screen are low resolution (usually 72 dots per inch – dpi). For print you generally need at least 150 dpi and preferably 300 dpi. (you can go higher, but it is not necessary for most everyday purposes). If you start with a low resolution image and make it larger, it will look blurry or pixilated. You should start with a high resolution image. (I’ll leave the rest of the technicalities to another article).
Colors: Computer monitor colors are much brighter than colors on a printed page. It is very challenging to get screen colors to match print, so don’t be surprised. Be aware that if you are using a regular 4 color process, certain colors like oranges, will be darker and dingier. If you need a certain color you need to use spot color which uses the exact color of ink you desire, rather than a blend. Color guides are available to show you exactly what your printed results will be.Full Bleed: When designers create pieces with color that goes right to the edge of the page, the document is actually designed for a larger page and then the final piece is trimmed by the printer. Whatever the piece is get the specs from the printer or publisher because standard sizes can be much more affordable than custom work.
Color Printing: Sometimes it can be cheaper to print in just one, two or maybe three ink colors. If cost is important you should ask the printer if it will be cheaper. (Remember, in a two or three color print job, black is counted as one of the colors.) Full 4 color printing is much more common now and sometimes is cheaper than 2-color jobs. You should talk to your printer before doing your design to understand your specifications.
Quick and Easy Text Effects in Photoshop 5
This tutorial will teach you how to create quick and easy text effects using Photoshop's Layer Effects. Step by step instructions are given for Photoshop 5 only.
1. In Photoshop, select File/New. Create your text using the Type tool. This example uses a bold font.
2. The next step will use Layer Effects. You can find these by selecting Layer/Effects, or by right mouse clicking in Windows on the T icon in the Layers palette.
The first example uses the Inner Shadow Layer Effect, using the default settings.
This tutorial will teach you how to create quick and easy text effects using Photoshop's Layer Effects. Step by step instructions are given for Photoshop 5 only.
1. In Photoshop, select File/New. Create your text using the Type tool. This example uses a bold font.
2. The next step will use Layer Effects. You can find these by selecting Layer/Effects, or by right mouse clicking in Windows on the T icon in the Layers palette.
The first example uses the Inner Shadow Layer Effect, using the default settings.
The second example uses the Inner Shadow Layer Effect, using the default settings. Then the Bevel and Emboss Layer Effect was applied, changing the following default settings. The Style was set to Inner Bevel, Depth was set to 3 pixels, and Blur was set to 2 pixels. Finally, the Drop Shadow Layer Effect was applied, with the default settings changed to Opacity 35%, Distance to 3 pixels and Blur to 2 pixels.
The third example below uses the Bevel and Emboss Layer Effect was applied, changing the following default settings. Highlight Mode was changed to Normal, the Opacity was changed to 100%, the Style was set to Pillow Emboss with a Depth of 3 pixels and a Blur of 2 pixels. Finally, the Drop Shadow Layer Effect was applied, with the default settings changed to Distance to 3 pixels and Blur to 2 pixels.
3. Select Image/Mode/Indexed and save this as a gif file.
Remember, even though this technique is demonstrated with type, you could also use this effect on clipart, line art, or a logo. Layer Effects can be applied to any layer in Photoshop 5. They can also be copied between layers as well.
Create Rainbow Edges for Text and Graphics
This tutorial will teach you how to create an effect that can be either bold or subtle depending on your color choices. This is an easy tutorial to follow, so have fun!
1. In Photoshop, select File/New, and create a file 100 pixels wide by 60 pixels high. Using the Rectangular Marquee tool, create a rectangular selection. From the menu bar, Select/Feather with a radius of 1 pixel. Fill this with a pale violet. Then change the foreground color to a red violet, and select Edit/Stroke, with a Width of 6 pixels, and a Location of Outside. The result will look like the image below:
Hey, I know it doesn't look like much yet, but hang in here. A few more strokes and we're done!
2. Set the foreground color to a pale yellow orange, and select Edit/Stroke, with a Width of 3 pixels, and a Location of Outside. Change the foreground color to violet, and select Edit/Stroke, with a Width of 1 pixels, and a Location of Center. Add text if you like, and your result should look like the example below:
You can create a multitude of effects depending on the choices of colors and the widths of the strokes that you apply.
Create Rainbow Edges for Text 1. In Photoshop, select File/New, and create a file 100 pixels wide by 60 pixels high. Set the foreground color to yellow and create your text. In Photoshop 5, select Layer/Type/Render Layer.
In Photoshop 4, deselect the Preserve Transparency checkbox on the Layers palette, or use the keyboard shortcut /.
2. With the type layer selected, from the Layers Palette, select Duplicate Layer. Select the type on the copy layer by Control+clicking on the Layer (Command+clicking on the Mac). You should see the "marching ants" indicating a selection.
3. From the menu bar, Select/Feather with a radius of 1 pixel. Change the foreground color to a red violet, and select Edit/Stroke, with a Width of 6 pixels, and a Location of Outside. Change the foreground color to orange, select Edit/Stroke, with a Width of 2 pixels, and a Location of Outside. Change the foreground color to white, and select Edit/Stroke, with a Width of 1 pixels, and a Location of Center.
4. Select Image/Mode/Indexed and save this as a gif file.
Remember, even though this technique is demonstrated with type, you could also use this effect on clip art, line art, or a logo.
This tutorial will teach you how to create an effect that can be either bold or subtle depending on your color choices. This is an easy tutorial to follow, so have fun!
1. In Photoshop, select File/New, and create a file 100 pixels wide by 60 pixels high. Using the Rectangular Marquee tool, create a rectangular selection. From the menu bar, Select/Feather with a radius of 1 pixel. Fill this with a pale violet. Then change the foreground color to a red violet, and select Edit/Stroke, with a Width of 6 pixels, and a Location of Outside. The result will look like the image below:
Hey, I know it doesn't look like much yet, but hang in here. A few more strokes and we're done!
2. Set the foreground color to a pale yellow orange, and select Edit/Stroke, with a Width of 3 pixels, and a Location of Outside. Change the foreground color to violet, and select Edit/Stroke, with a Width of 1 pixels, and a Location of Center. Add text if you like, and your result should look like the example below:
You can create a multitude of effects depending on the choices of colors and the widths of the strokes that you apply.
Create Rainbow Edges for Text 1. In Photoshop, select File/New, and create a file 100 pixels wide by 60 pixels high. Set the foreground color to yellow and create your text. In Photoshop 5, select Layer/Type/Render Layer.
In Photoshop 4, deselect the Preserve Transparency checkbox on the Layers palette, or use the keyboard shortcut /.
2. With the type layer selected, from the Layers Palette, select Duplicate Layer. Select the type on the copy layer by Control+clicking on the Layer (Command+clicking on the Mac). You should see the "marching ants" indicating a selection.
3. From the menu bar, Select/Feather with a radius of 1 pixel. Change the foreground color to a red violet, and select Edit/Stroke, with a Width of 6 pixels, and a Location of Outside. Change the foreground color to orange, select Edit/Stroke, with a Width of 2 pixels, and a Location of Outside. Change the foreground color to white, and select Edit/Stroke, with a Width of 1 pixels, and a Location of Center.
4. Select Image/Mode/Indexed and save this as a gif file.
Remember, even though this technique is demonstrated with type, you could also use this effect on clip art, line art, or a logo.
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