12 Essential Graphic Design Tips for Beginners – Your Ultimate Guide (2023)

Written by Ikenna Uche

March 15, 2023

Tech Media Graphics

Listen up, aspiring designers! As the great Frank Chimero once said, “Good design is all about making other designers feel like idiots because that idea wasn’t theirs.” So get ready to make your fellow designers feel dumbstruck with your stunning creations!

Now, I know not everyone reading this is a trained graphic designer, but don’t fret. You don’t need a degree to create eye-catching images for your social media or online ads. But if you want to kickstart a successful career in design, you’ll need to wrap your head around some skillful techniques from a reputable organisation like Tech Media Maven (TM Maven).

In this post, I’ve gathered some must-know graphic design tips that will help you produce awesome graphics for all your needs. So let’s dive in and start impressing the masses with our design prowess!

Graphic design is a creative dance between art and science, where imagination meets practicality to turn concepts into visually appealing solutions that capture attention, evoke emotions, and inspire action.

Tech Media Maven - Graphic Design Image

A  Color Palette – Picking a jaw-dropping color scheme is like finding the perfect outfit for a first date – crucial for making a good impression. Websites like Colour Lovers can be your wingman, providing access to a plethora of gorgeous palettes to choose from. Play the field and experiment with different colors until you find “the one” – a hex code that’ll light up your design.

Fonts – Just like choosing the perfect outfit, picking the right font is essential for creating a design that stands out. Stick to one or two fonts, with one being the star of the show and the other in a supporting role. And if you want to add some flair, keep it in the same font family, like the Aerial family which has got a whole squad of font variants to choose from.

Inspiration Folder – It’s where you hoard all the design goodness you come across. It’s perfectly fine to shamelessly borrow a pinch of brilliance, after all, practice makes perfect. So, keep your inspiration folder handy and keep honing your skills!

Negative Space – It’s not necessary to fill every inch of your design with colors and designs. Leave some space unoccupied to create a balanced look. Remember, the blank/negative space is as important as the designs themselves. Don’t be afraid of leaving it blank, it will work wonders for your design.

Object Alignment – Keep your designs in line with proper object alignment. Aligning your objects is like giving your design a stylish haircut, it’s a key to a professional look. With Tech Media Maven, you’ll be the pro stylist of the design world.

Messaging Icons – Sprinkle some messaging icons on your design to give it that extra spice and ensure that it “tastes” great.

Contrasts – Designs need an attitude, and contrasts are like the cherry on top. Just like how a red rose stands out among white ones, you can make your design elements pop by using contrasts. There are plenty of ways to do it, just think of it like real life.

Text Over Images – If you want to take your designs to the next level, try overlaying text on images. But beware! To get it right, you need to balance the brightness of the image with the legibility of the text. Too bright, and the text disappears. Too dark, and the design loses impact. Strike the right balance, and you’ll create a visual masterpiece!

Structure Body – When it comes to structuring the body of your text, keep each line within 30-40 characters, including spaces. This prevents your readers from getting lost in the jumble of words, which we all know can be a real drag.

Audience – When designing, it’s crucial to keep in mind your target audience. Knowing your audience will help you create a design that resonates with them and elicits a positive response. Never forget the “who” when designing!

Function Over Form – Let’s get this straight, the function of your design should always be your first priority. When you focus on the function, the form will naturally follow. This way you’ll know exactly what to include and what to leave out, resulting in a design that not only looks great but works great too.

Keep It Simple Simplicity is key when it comes to graphic design. Going overboard with special effects can lead to a visually underwhelming design. Always remembers that true greatness lies in SIMPLICITY.

There are 3 responses to any design. YES, NO, and WOW!

Wow is what we aim for.

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