Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps Graphic Design Create an effective spread in 5 easy steps!

Graphic Design in 5 Easy Steps

Graphic Design

Create an effective spread 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.


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


Dominant Photo

Dominant Photo

Recessive Photos

Recessive Photos

Reference Shots and

Identifications

Reference Shots and

Identifications

CaptionsCaptions

HeadlineHeadline

StoryStory


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


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 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!


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!


Dominant Photo

Recessive Photos

Caption Caption Caption

Cap

tion


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.


Dominant Photo

Recessive Photos


Cap

tion

Story: 1 column wide or three columns.

HEADLINER

AIL


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


Dominant Photo

Recessive Photos


Cap

tion

Story: 2 columns wide

HEADLINE

Above: Caption

Below: Caption

subheadline

Above: CaptionBelow: Caption

Identifying captions

COB COB


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.


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 Create an effective spread in 5 easy steps!

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