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25 epic graphic design tips for non-designers
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2. Copied
Get your graphic design game-face on with these inspiring tips.
Whether you’re a creating social media graphics or designing invitations for an upcoming event, the application of graphic design is vast and versatile. From font pairing
and scale, to alignment and white space, the facets of the design world are complex. Let these 26 epic design tips help you through the pits and the peaks of the creative
process.
Click on the ‘remix this design’ link throughout the post to create your own designs.
01. For font’s sake, limit your typefaces

3. Remix this design
When selecting a typeface or font for headings, subtitles and body text, use easy to read fonts for simple and effective graphic design. The eye finds it hard to scan
multiple typefaces, so stick to a simple collection of fonts. This design uses variants from the Aileron font family, a geometric sans serif typeface that has a simple and
modern aesthetic.
02. Don’t be scared of scale
Remix this design

4. Apply scale to type, shapes or compositional features that need proportionate emphasis. Use appropriate colors to enhance this technique while making sure suitable
typefaces that look good when increased in size. Here, Raleway for the word ‘Scale’ is strong and bold with clear forms.
03. Respect the space of other elements
Remix this design
Use letter spacing to fill dead space, aligning text, or condense words that take up too much space. However, be careful not to reduce letter spacing so much it can’t be
read, or increase it so much the letters become detached from one another. Here, the decreased letter spacing on the word ‘Respect’ gives a condensed effect, as a visual
representation of space, or lack thereof.
04. Be clever with your colors

5. Remix this design
Choose a color scheme that has 1-3 primary colors and an additional 1-3 secondary colors that contrast and complement each other. Use different tones of the same color
for consistency by adjusting brightness for contrast. Finer typefaces will need stronger distinction against a colored background. Here, bright aqua is offset against forest
green background for clarity and readability.
05. Clean, crisp, clear
image10
Remix this design
Pump up contrast by adjusting the brightness of the background image so that it offsets the text color, making the design clear and easy to read. This is a great way to
apply white or black text over an image to create a strong ‘cut-out’ effect.
06. Fonts have feelings too
image13

6. Remix this design
Chose a typeface that sings the song of your content. Typefaces with rounded edges are usually a friendlier note, Quicksand is used here); hard-edged geometric fonts
(sans serifs) are solid and strong; while serifs convey an elegant and sophisticated look.
07. Create order with alignment
image12
Remix this design
Apply a line or an embellishment to for design balance and composition. Here, a line to the left of the text mimics and margin line and anchors the block of text.
08. Keep it simple
image15

7. Remix this design
Keep it simple, but don’t forget your basics. Make sure every element has a reason to be in the design and keep the number of fonts, colors, shapes and frames to a
minimum. Use contrasting tonal color combinations to text is sharp and easy to read. Applying a solid frame to contain your copy will enhance the compositional structure
of a design.
09. Multi-page magic
image14
Remix this design
The easiest way to ensure aesthetic unity across a document or presentation is by duplicating pages then editing text and replacing images.
10. Creativity and originality
image18

8. Remix this design
Push your creative abilities and graphic design skills to achieve original graphics. Be inventive and experimental and choose and combine different typefaces and filters.
Avoid trends and create designs that correspond with your own unique style, leaving a personal stamp on your work.
11. Use hierarchy to order your content
image16
Remix this design
The most visually dominant feature in a design should be the most important part of the message. Apply color or scale to a graphic to see how it changes the hierarchy of
elements and what grabs attention first.
12. Play with symmetry
image17

9. Remix this design
Use horizontal and vertical lines to correspond with other design elements. For balance and proportion, ensure the thickness of the elements match the weight of the fonts.
13. Relax your eyes every now and then
image19
Remix this design
Recharge your creative batteries by taking a break. Relaxation boosts energy and productivity so take a walk, grab a bit to eat, sit in the park to refresh the brain and
revitalize the vision.
14. Keep it in the family
image20

10. Remix this design
Create visual uniformity by applying one typeface or font family to text. Use a typeface or font family that has a selection of variants, such as italic, bold, condensed, to
keep options open. This image combines Libre Baskerville Bold, Light and Italic.
15. Wonderful white space
image21
Remix this design
Create a fluid design by surrounding words with white space to let elements breathe. The application of space around text boxes, images and other graphic elements makes
a design easier to read. It’s also more likely to attract attention than a cluttered composition.
16. Research before you dive in
image22

11. Remix this design
Have all the details needed before you begin to write or create. Study, read, research, and resource. Whether it’s materials and objects or information and facts, the
research process will guarantee a more thought-out result.
17. Create a mood board
image23
Remix this design
Use a grid for a simple and easy mood board to contain a collection of images, color swatches, and other visual pieces. This practice will help you to find a common color
palette or theme that can then be applied to a project
18. Imitate and create
image24

12. Remix this design
Use your Canva social stream or inspiration websites to find designs you love. Replicate the type treatment, the photo filters or the general layout in your own content.
19. Be current event conscious
image25
Remix this design
Keep your mind fresh with current events to inspire and influence both your work and the way you work. Follow relevant news pages on social networks get vital and
relevant information and keep general knowledge up to date.
20. Think outside the box
image26

13. Remix this design
The most creative people think outside the box. Don’t use the typical icons and symbols you see everywhere to represent your topic. Research, sketch, and print to find
new and original icons to visually communicate with your audience.
21. Contrast is key
image01
Remix this design
Contrast is one of the most imperative parts of the design for mood, legibility and to make it stand out. Use a contrasting color palette background, fonts, and graphics. Use
photo filters to enhance the positive/negative space in an image and apply black or white to copy to create optimum contrast against a background image. A good rule of
thumb is if you have a light colored background then you should use a dark font (and vice versa).
22. Brighten up your graphics
image02
Remix this design

14. Create drama and impact with attention-grabbing graphics. Ensure your colors don’t bleed together by choosing hues that contrast against one another.
23. Keep a notebook
image03
Remix this design
Whether on the train, at work or about to fall asleep, inspiration can come at any time so it’s important to be prepared. Keep a notebook to draw or scribble down notes and
ideas and refer back to them when it comes time to create.
24. Trial & error
image04
Remix this design
Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes they are the most important part of the learning experience. Design is all about trial and error so push your designs to the limit
because the creative process is often never complete. Don’t like what you see? The ‘undo’ button is always a great friend.

15. 25. No naked images
image05
We’re not talking image content here, we’re talking layout. Aligning images with grids or frames makes a design look more professional.
26. Finesse. But not too much.
image06

16. Remix this design
Make sure elements are correctly aligned, text is legible, contrast is enough, and space gives design features room to breathe.
YOUR TURN
Remember: be creative, break the rules and push your design skills by coming up with new and innovative ideas. At the end of the day, graphic design is about exploration
and experimentation.
Your secret weapon for stunning design
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Written by
Poppie Pack
Design
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