Tag Archives: Business

Stock Photo Faux Pas

 

Stock Photo Faux Pas

Don’t use clipart or stock photos in logo designs. There are a few problems with doing this.  One, it is not original.  If you are creating a logo for a client, it should be original.  Stock art is readily available to all, which is why it is tempting to amateur designers.  Don’t do it.  It is surely being used by somebody else in the world; your client will see it at some point.  This cheapens the work and makes the logo and company it represents appear generic.

Another reason to avoid using clipart or stock images is the possibility of infringing on copyright laws.  By using stock art, even though you have purchased rights to the art, you may not be authorized to use it in a corporate design.  This is a very basic logo designing rule and most professional designers wouldn’t think of it.  Stock images are widely used by Do-It- Yourselfers and small business owners.  Using stock images is major design faux pas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seen these photos before?  I mean, today.  Have you seen them today.



Any seasoned designer will be able to spot clipart or stock photos right away.  Even a lot of people that are not in design will be able to recognize stock photos.  Resist the temptation, whether you are designing for yourself or for a client.

Graphic Design Colleges and Universities – What To Look For

 

After selecting graphic designing as your career you must look for the right colleges which teach this course. Students often wonder about what graphic colleges teach. Recognized graphic design colleges teach you almost everything you need to know for making a career in this field. It is needless to say that your graphic designing course is packed with lessons ranging from color schemes to font history.

Graphic design colleges, everywhere, teach about the history of font use and typography. The use of single words and text in ads, logos, and other visual media is a key component of graphic design.  You will learn about the usage and meaning of certain writing styles, and how to adjust and calibrate texts within the given design. For example, you will learn about “kerning”, which means the space between alphabets in a word, and the application of that space to create impacts. Graphic design colleges teach designing logos for clients. Knowing how to graphically symbolize the English alphabets is taught to succeed in name designing.

Some graphic designers design the packaging, i.e. the overall appearance and feel of a product, as in a film or book. Graphic design colleges also impart information about color families. This will help you to create pleasant or jarring visuals. Graphic design colleges will also teach you the application of text and color to catch the consumer’s eye. Along with several facets of graphic design, you’ll be taught to use visual tools for communicating ideas and tones.

Another important feature of graphic design colleges is use of design software. It’s impossible to shine in the sector without being proficient in design software. An accredited program will teach you how to learn and operate these software to create an array of designs. There are varieties of courses that specialize in pagination, photo manipulation, etc. There are other fields of study like photography, the history of corporate design, etc. The major objective of all these topics and of graphic design colleges, basically, is to project to you all that’s possible in this field and then let choose for yourself. Graphic designers are useful almost everywhere from newspaper layouts to poster designing.

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Sign Design

 

A good sign design will have a purpose.   It is important in the sign design to determine what your purpose is and design accordingly.  A good sign design is well-balanced in size and shape.  This is an important step in sign design.  Proportions and spacing is what makes a sign look professional and appealing.  There are many different kinds of signs that your business may need, and for each, they should be carefully planned and designed according to your mission and purpose with the sign.  If you are running a banner ad campaign in an attempt to brand your company, your signs will be different than someone advertising for a concert or seminar.  Once your purpose and needs have been determined, the kind of sign you need should be clear.  Outdoor signs and indoor signs differ greatly in materials used; font size and color, but some design steps will remain the same.  There are 4 primary components of a great sign design.

Size and Shape

A great sign is well-balanced in size and shape.  The right proportions and spacing is what makes a sign look professional and appealing.  Be sure that you determine what you are trying to accomplish by creating your sign.  If your sign is a statement, make it a statement by sizing the font as such.  Small, delicate font would not be chosen to make a statement.  If your sign is selling something, or trying to brand a service or product, a memorable shape or layout should be the top priority in your sign design.

Simple Sign Design

Simplicity is the key.  When people see a cluttered, busy sign, it takes away from the message that you are trying to convey.  A sign that has a lot of graphics, or many words is too distracting and busy, and is not nearly as memorable as a sign that just clearly states what you are trying to say.  The fonts you choose should be easy to read and clear.  Any graphics used should be minimal and very simple.  If your sign design has complicated graphics, the graphics may be memorable, but your message will not be.  Simple signs are professional.

Color

You should use font colors that are true to the type of business that you have.  Using the colors in your logo or product will also help brand your company.  Using bright and vibrant colors is effective in drawing attention.  An outdoor sign, with yellow writing would not be effective in capturing an audience and sticking in the minds of all who see it.  Although bright colors are easy to see, you want to be sure that your sign still looks professional and is true to the industry you are in.  Bright colors can often look cheap and unprofessional, so choose colors that are vibrant, but that suit your business and objectives.  You should also choose a background that is simple, but clear for your sign design.  Your sign must reflect exactly what you are trying to accomplish.  The font color should not blend in with the background, or even the surrounding area in which it is placed.

Materials Used

Be sure that the materials used are durable for outdoor signs.  Vinyl banner signs are often used for events such as weddings, festivals, social gatherings, tradeshows, seminars, sporting events, etc.   Vinyl signs are appealing because they are mobile and can be changed and moved around easily.  Vinyl banner signs are a great option for many businessesVinyl banners are not as durable and would not be able to withstand bad weather, without looking weathered and torn.  Remember, your sign is reflective of who you are, so choose a sign design that will best represent you and your company.  It is important to keep a professional, clean and simple look to your business.  A battered sign representing your business would not be appealing to customers.  Vinyl banners are best used in a temporary setting or changed out often, if they are getting weathered.  If you are looking for a more permanent sign for your business, alumalite , plastic, aluminum or ARMOUR-wood would be a better and more durable choice.