Have you ever slaved over a design or logo for hours, maybe even days, but still feel that it’s missing that special something? I know our staff is frequently in that boat, especially with an uncomfortably close deadline looming over the horizon. Sometimes it just takes an eye with years of experience to find that little touch that would bring everything together.
It helps that my wife (Lauren) is a (talented) graphic designer and just a phone call away. After a few years of working on projects together, I’ve been able to distill some valuable knowledge from her creative mind. Here are a few of her tips that have helped me the most…
Avoid the Obvious
The best logos and layouts typically grow from concepts that aren’t immediately associated with your subject matter. It may sound counter-intuitive, but there are so many overdone basic concepts these days that a little abstract thinking can go a long way towards freshening things up. Brainstorm for a while and have some fun with it. I guarantee you’ll end up with something more creative.
Never Underestimate the Power of a Strong Typeface
You would be surprised by how much a strong typeface can do to bring a piece together. Don’t be afraid to spend an hour or two scouring the web for the perfect font; and don’t feel like you have to spend a fortune either. Sites like dafont.com have saved our tails on more than a few projects over the years.
Sometimes a Dull Color Palette Just Needs an Accent
Even the strongest color palette can need a little spice sometimes, especially for web design. One of our favorite tips is to find a bright accent color and use it sparsely throughout the design. It will liven things up and give a little more dimension to your designs. Accent colors tend to be a great fit for linked text on web projects.
For Extra Flare, Embellish the Text
Still feel like your mockup is missing something? Before you start tweaking the primary visuals, slowly and thoughtfully add some embellishment to your text treatment. A small squiggle or flourish here and there can add a surprising amount of visual interest to your project.
When “Selling” a Logo, Make it Sing
Nothing makes a designer quite as nervous as receiving initial feedback from a client. Here’s a great tip from someone who has spend a lot of time in the trenches… Take your favorite logo comp and make it “sing.” Present it on an attractive background, and maybe add some texture or a gradient to top things off. It will help your decision makers see the concept in an environment where it would thrive.
Those are a few of our favorite tricks. Have any of your own in your tool box? Let us know in the comments below.
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