1. GRAPHIC DESIGN TIPS & TRICKS

2. DESIGN MATTERS Good Graphic Design Makes Your Course Better
Graphic design is the art or skill of combining text and pictures in presentations, magazines, books, posters, and billboards. It is the visual communication through text, images and symbols for a particular function.
That’s why it is different than ART. Graphic design marries art and function.

4. C.A.R.P!
CONTRAST
ALIGNMENT
REPETITION
PROXIMITY

5. CONTRAST 1 USE CONTRAST TO MAKE ITEMS STAND OUT
Size Size shows importance! The bigger one always seems more important. Like headings!
If 2 items aren’t the exact same size, make one MUCH bigger to create visual interest.
Color When things are brighter, they stand out more! But don’t make everything bright!
Weight or Style
If something is BOLD or italic, you notice! BUT DON’T BOLD EVERYTHING!
Use sans serif and serif fonts together (sparingly!), but not two sort of similar fonts!

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7. ALIGNMENT 2 PLACE WITH PURPOSE!
Center Alignment Center alignment is for the WEAK! Create more visual appeal and better readability with left, right, or forced justification. Just make sure it makes sense!
Align Your Elements There is nothing more distracting than something that is slightly misaligned.
You want the eye to move… not spasm!

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ALIGNMENT

9. REPETITION 3 UNIFY ELEMENTS WITH REPETITION
Using Fonts Make styles for your headers, subheaders, quotes, etc. Make them consistent.
Using Graphics Use the same bullet point graphic! Use graphics that are similar to each other.
Using Color
Use the same color for your headers and text. Use the same colors for your elements and graphics. Use different tints of one color!

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11. PROXIMITY 4 GESTALT THEORY
When Things Are Close Together, They Feel Connected! Our brains see objects that are near each other as groups. Like with bullet points or objects set next to each other, we feel they “go together”.
Chunking and Alignment
Putting small paragraphs of text or objects together, also makes them feel related to each other. Aligning them with each other also conveys unity. Like these tips!

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13. CARP
CONCEPT
Bring the attention of your audience over a key concept using icons or illustrations

14. COLOR COLOR MATTERS Color Sets a Mood
Blue feels corporate; Red = threatening; Yellow = happy
Colorblindness is More Prevalent Than You Think!
1 in 12 men is red-green color blind.
Color Can Add Movement to Your Design
Depending on your preference
Contrast Makes Things Readable
Can you read this?

15. COLOR HARMONIES COLOR HARMONIES HELP WITH COLOR SCHEMES Complementary
2 colors opposite are harmonious
Triadic
3 colors equally spaced like a triangle
Tetradic
4 colors forming a rectangle, opposite each other
Color.adobe.com

16. Color.adobe.com

17. t FONTS MATTER EVEN YOUR TYPE FACE CREATES A MOOD
Times New Roman – I’m easy to read on paper because of my serifs, but I’m harder to read on screen. I seem old and traditional.
Helvetica or Arial – I’m a slick and sleek sans serif who’s easy to read on a computer screen. Everyone thinks I’m pretty cool.
Comic Sans – Everyone thinks I’m a kid’s font, but I’m easier to read for people with dyslexia.
Papyrus – Everyone knows that I’m trying too hard to be cool. Let me die.

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1001fonts.com / dafont.com

19. t NEVER USE MORE THAN 3 FONTS ON A PAGE!
Too many fonts makes your project look disjointed and sloppy!

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WATCH YOUR SPACING
Bad fonts and bad spacing can lead to some pretty bad messages!

21. Any questions? You can find me adamsk@uncw.edu
THANKS!
Any questions?
You can find me