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Writer's pictureCallie Pocock

Improving my Graphics Design Ability

Updated: Mar 1, 2018


The image shown on the left is one of the first images that I had found that definitely allowed me to improve my skill. I found the image floating around Pinterest and it helped me because I have never done Graphics Design before.

The first tip that this gives me is to choose dark colours as a background on maybe a poster or leaflet because it is creative and allows text to be written over it and be easily seen. Now this is a good tip although if done right, you could break this rule and have a light background with dark writing over the top. Although saying this, I do like how the two dark blues and light blues are put together to compliment each other. Writing can be put over the top but it allows the blue to not be too in your face but at the same time, it is still attractive.


The bold colour allows the whole product to come together in the centre of that colour, the neutral colour just sets the product so the audience do not get bored of the blue, and finally, the contrast colour again is on the opposite side of the colour wheel to blue but contrasts the blue nicely to add that creative, spice of colour look.


I also like the tips that this image gives you at the end where it states to always check and see what your peers think of the product, to make sure you are fully satisfied with the colours before moving forward and to always try them alongside the images you are going to use.






This poster shown on the left, teaches me more about the principles of designs. This really helped me out due to wanting my products to look professional instead of tacky.

The first principle teaches me about line. How leading lines can really direct the viewer through the image or product. It shows them where to look next and how to view the image instead of everything being a mess where it can be distracting to the eye.

The second principle is scale. Scale can make the product creative and professional which is what I am after. Although symmetry is pleasing to the eye, sometimes pictures being all different sizes and shapes can be even more pleasing to the eye. An example of this is shown below by the screenshots I have taken of Chloe Biddiss's work.

The third principle I have already analysed from a blog during last year. It is all about the colour wheel and what colour compliment each other. You can have four different colours and shades in one image but it is all about how they are put together.

Repetition is slightly harder to master. It can either be done very well or it can ruin the product. With advertising, it is not a good idea to repeat too much but sometimes repetition within posters makes the text stand out.

Negative space allows professionalism to take place within the product. It allows for the audience to see what is most important about the product and it draws their attention to it. As long as the space is there for a reason, negative space can be good.

Texture isn't too important but can sometimes give edge to logos and posters if the title needs it.

Balance allows for the product to look more pleasing. It can also direct the eye through what the audience need to see.

Contrast allows items to really stand out. The juxtapositions between thick, thin, light and dark can sometimes strike the main product into the exact place it needs to be in.

Framing also sometimes helps the images stand out.

Direction is a bit like leading lines where the audience needs to be directed through what they are seeing. The order of images and text should be thought about deeply in order to attract the audience.

Movement and depth can spice up the product by giving the audience something more to look at. It allows you to show your creativity.

Finally, the composition is where things are placed. The most important aspects of the product should be shown clearly for the audience to see it when in a rush or not paying attention. You want to stick the product in the viewers mind.

These images shown above and below are the images Chloe Biddiss has used on her Wix page as her research. I have decided to take screenshots and use them as part of my development because I love the way in which she organises her images and research by scaling her images together. It looks creative, it looks professional and it is exceptionally pleasing to the eye. This is what I admire most about her work because it is so satisfying to look at that it wants to make you read and look on further. This has definitely helped my research due to demonstrating to me how I would like my mood boards and images to look.


This image here, teaches me all about different fonts and what context they should be used in.

As shown, Slab serif is mainly used for business, professional type of products that does not need to be creative, just factual.

Sans serif is a lot more sensible, neutral and simple. It is something that you would use more to neutralise a poster or piece. If you are being creative and tactical, you will need something to neutralise bold text and images.

Serif, is again formal. It is a little more formal than Slab serif although that could also be used for headlines on documents. Serif is what is mainly used for the bulk of writing for documents and forms.

Modern serif as shown in context, looks to be more for fashion advertisements. Its more elegant and glamourous.

Bold or black looks less elegant and more demanding. It should be used for less serious events or products.

Condensed or Ultrathin reminds me of busy London traffic. I imagine that font with the London traffic and mad drivers as the background advertising a product that would calm you down in busy situations.

Italic is decorative and reminds me of something that would be used on a somewhat professional product.

Modern sans serif reminds me of sport or water. Something of everyday/ create advertising use.

Display reminds me of an art shop. Something that is a bit different and quirky and unique.

Bubble is more exciting and pop writing. It is not for professional use.

Mono-spaced is a bit like typewriting, maybe used for a product aimed towards an older target audience?

Decorative is very modern and creative. It would intrigue a young group of people.

Script looks a lot more arty and elegant. It is feminine and bold and would intrigue older teenagers and young adults.

Grunge looks creative and very manly. Women would not tend to go for something with this type of font.

Geometric looks more advanced and space-like. It is something that technology may use.

Vintage is very old-school and fashionable. It is different and pleasing to look at.



The main tips I picked up from this image is the ability of colour. The colour need to match on the colour wheel that is shown below, or the product could look too messy and out of place. Obviously colour determines age and gender so this would need to be in mind when choosing colour because professional products would need to look more neutral and subtle rather than bright like Lego. Contrasting colour stands out especially with writing.



Typography also needs to be thought about due to it being the way in which people view the product. If it is an advertisement in a busy area or shopping centre, it would need to be simplistic and stand out to catch peoples attention as they walk by. Not too much writing.














My product will need to flow and be simple to be professional.







I will need good balance within text, images and colour.






The negative space will allow the audience to think and be drawn towards the main attraction.





I need my product to have order and balance for it to catch the audience in the right way.


The colour wheel on the right shows the different colours in which compliment each other. The colour wheel below shows the different colours in terms of primary, secondary and tertiary. The colour wheel knowledge blog I did last year helped me out a lot in terms of colour grading and colour because it makes a massive difference on any product you use. It attracts the audience to the product depending on the colours you use and the genre of the product and it determines gender, stereotypes and even age. The colour can also guide you through the product.


Shown below is a blog I created all about colour grading:

















This image is very similar to the others except it goes into a little more detail.



Proximity is what connects things together. It gives things meaning and connects idea to idea for my FMP. Instead of connecting my ideas by text, I can connect them visually through colour and images.


Alignment like Chloe Biddiss's post, gives order and eye catching detail. It attracts the viewer deeper into the work because of the satisfying order and symmetry.


Repetition makes the product look connected. It emphasises the point you are wanting to make.


Contrast can make images and text stand out. For example the title or main product.


I want the product to look visually stunning so this rules will help me do that. Even though it is okay to break rules in the right way.








This image shown here is another tip I have found on Pinterest. It teaches me how I can create text and font made from my own image. If I was to have an image of lots of bath bomb products laid out next to each other in a line with a white background. I could crop this so you see only the bath bombs up close and I could write the name of the business in big and bold with this as the image behind the text.


This image shown here can come in really handy if I want to attempt this easy edit.











This image shown on the left is another potential edit idea I have seen. It is a lot more vintage but could work with brighter pastel colours and a potential different front. I could experiment around with this edit too to see the different outcomes.

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