Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Graphic Design Create an effective spread in 5 easy steps!

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Effective Design Elements Content-driven – Makes a strong verbal/visual connection Purposeful – Relates fact, figure & feeling information Readable – Presents photographs & copy logically Consistent – Gives readers a sense of organization Entertaining – Appeals creatively to its audience

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Plan for Success Brainstorm something new! New stories that have never been covered before. New angles to repeatable stories. New visual and verbal approaches to new themes.

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Visual and Verbal Elements Visual and verbal elements must work together to create a complete and entertaining story. Include: Dominant action/reaction/snapshot photos: Largest photo on the page that tells a story Recessive action/reaction/snapshot photos: smaller photos that compliment the dominant Reference photos: Group shots, portraits Captions: Expand upon the story the photo begins Identifications: Identify by first/last names Headlines: Grab reader, highlight content Stories: Add information, details, quotes

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Dominant Photo Recessive Photos Reference Shots and Identifications Captions Headline Story

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Step 1: Choose your grids Columns: can be as wide or narrow as you wish. The more narrow columns are, the more room for design you have. Picas: small boxes that act as units of measure in design. 6 picas= 1 inch

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Columns 1 Pica apart

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps

Step 2: Place photos Place dominant photo first. Recessive photo second. Tip! As you are placing your photos, be sure to keep in mind you need places for captions, too!

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Dominant Photo Recessive Photos

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Step 3: Place captions Things to consider: Will the caption be an extended caption (ie: one that is longer and tells a story)? Will the caption be an identifying caption (ie: one that only gives name/grade level)? At least one pica should be placed between captions and photos. Whitespace is invaluable!

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Dominant Photo Recessive Photos Caption

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Step 4: Place story and headline Consider: Will your story be…. One wide column? Double columns? Tip! Don’t forget about rails! Rails lead your eye from one side of the page to another and provide continuity.

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Dominant Photo Recessive Photos Caption Story: 1 column wide or three columns. HEADLINE RAIL

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Step 5+: Make modifications! Now that there is a basic design, add some changes to your layout. You can: Add more photos (15+ is ideal!) Decide upon where COBs (cut-out background photos) may be placed Add sub-heads Place color boxes Design quote boxes

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Dominant Photo Recessive Photos Caption Story: 2 columns wide HEADLINE Above: Caption Below: Caption subheadline Above: Caption Below: Caption Identifying captions COB

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps General Font Guidelines Font Tools Stories: pt. Headlines: Primary > 36 pt. Secondary < 36 pt. (usually ½ the size or primary) Captions: 8-10 pt.

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Adding Color: the last step! Use color to enhance the content of the spread and accentuate various elements on the layout. Colors can be… Monochromatic: using the various values of one color Analogous: using colors that sit adjacent to each other on the color wheel Family: using colors with similar hues, values and tones

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps