Visual content is a huge component of current marketing practices, and it’s spawned a wealth of templates and DIY options. This shift to “anyone can design” has its drawbacks, to be certain; nothing can really replace the solid skills and instincts of a good graphic designer.
Yet for everyday content needs, most companies just don’t have the time or resources for full-blown design. Enter the world of templates and DIY design.
The good news about this is that working with templates can also help would-be designers understand good design principles, by seeing them in action and manipulating them.
As Amy Cooperman for Adobe Spark notes, “we think the best way to get better at graphic design is to edit and play around with what works.”
Her article breaks down the essential elements of effective graphic design for posters and flyers, including:
- Creating a focal point
- The rule of thirds
- Aligning and Balancing text
- Working with borders
- Creating contrast
- Pairing fonts
- Considering context
- The importance of space and simplicity
Next time you’re using a template, see if you can spot these rules. While DIY designers may be taking “short cuts” to good design, they are probably still picking up a lot of the principles along the way. And better design makes a better world.