Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Graphic Design
Create an effective spread in 5 easy steps!
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Effective Design Elements
• Content-driven
– Makes a strong verbal/visual connection
• Purposeful
– Relates fact, figure & feeling information
• Readable
– Presents photographs & copy logically
• Consistent
– Gives readers a sense of organization
• Entertaining
– Appeals creatively to its audience
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Plan for Success
Brainstorm something new!• New stories that have never been covered
before.• New angles to repeatable stories.• New visual and verbal approaches to new
themes.
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Visual and Verbal Elements
Visual and verbal elements must work together to create a complete and entertaining story.
Include:
• Dominant action/reaction/snapshot photos: Largest photo on the page that tells a
story
• Recessive action/reaction/snapshot photos: smaller photos that compliment the
dominant
• Reference photos: Group shots, portraits
• Captions: Expand upon the story the photo begins
• Identifications: Identify by first/last names
• Headlines: Grab reader, highlight content
• Stories: Add information, details, quotes
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Dominant Photo
Dominant Photo
Recessive Photos
Recessive Photos
Reference Shots and
Identifications
Reference Shots and
Identifications
CaptionsCaptions
HeadlineHeadline
StoryStory
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Step 1: Choose your grids
Columns: can be as wide or narrow as you wish. The more narrow columns are, the more room for design you have.
Picas: small boxes that act as units of measure in design. 6 picas= 1 inch
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
ColumnsColumns1 Pica apart1 Pica apart
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Step 2: Place photos
Place dominant photo first. Recessive photo second.
Tip!
As you are placing your photos, be sure to keep in mind you need places for captions, too!
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Dominant Photo
Recessive Photos
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Step 3: Place captions
Things to consider: Will the caption be an extended caption (ie:
one that is longer and tells a story)?Will the caption be an identifying caption (ie:
one that only gives name/grade level)?At least one pica should be placed between
captions and photos. Whitespace is invaluable!
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Dominant Photo
Recessive Photos
Caption Caption Caption
Cap
tion
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Step 4: Place story and headline
Consider: Will your story be….One wide column? Double columns?
Tip!
Don’t forget about rails! Rails lead your eye from one side of the page to another and provide continuity.
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Dominant Photo
Recessive Photos
Caption Caption Caption
Cap
tion
Story: 1 column wide or three columns.
HEADLINER
AIL
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Step 5+: Make modifications!
Now that there is a basic design, add some changes to your layout.
You can: Add more photos (15+ is ideal!)Decide upon where COBs (cut-out background
photos) may be placedAdd sub-headsPlace color boxesDesign quote boxes
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Dominant Photo
Recessive Photos
Caption Caption Caption
Cap
tion
Story: 2 columns wide
HEADLINE
Above: Caption
Below: Caption
subheadline
Above: CaptionBelow: Caption
Identifying captions
COB COB
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
General Font Guidelines
Font ToolsStories: 10-12 pt. Headlines: Primary > 36 pt.
Secondary < 36 pt.
(usually ½ the size or primary)
Captions: 8-10 pt.
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Adding Color: the last step!
• Use color to enhance the content of the spread and accentuate various elements on the layout.
• Colors can be… Monochromatic: using the various values of one color Analogous: using colors that sit adjacent to each other
on the color wheel Family: using colors with similar hues, values and tones
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps
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