How To Use Advanced Graphic Design Principles (With Live Examples)
Short Summary:
This video tutorial explores advanced graphic design principles using real-world examples. It focuses on consistency (illustrated with a cosmetics bottle and Duolingo app branding), contrast (demonstrated through color, size, and texture adjustments), proximity (using a concert poster example and highlighting the use of grids and icons), and unity (shown through a restaurant menu and packaging design). The video emphasizes that these principles go beyond basic application and involve creating cohesive brand identities across multiple platforms, including sound design in the case of Duolingo. The speaker provides bonus tips and techniques for enhancing each principle, pushing beyond typical applications to achieve more sophisticated and engaging designs.
Detailed Summary:
The video is structured around four core graphic design principles:
1. Consistency: The video begins by discussing consistency, initially defining it as maintaining consistent color themes, styles, and typography within a single design (using a cosmetics bottle example). However, it expands this definition to include consistent grid layouts across multiple related graphics, ensuring visual harmony even when colors and imagery change. A key example is the Duolingo app, where the consistent sound design from the app is carried over into its marketing video, demonstrating a deeper level of consistency beyond visual elements. The speaker emphasizes that consistency is not just about visual elements but also extends to the user experience and brand identity across various touchpoints. The speaker states, "when it comes to adding consistency into graphic designs it's not just about using colors and fonts of a similar nature it does go far deeper than that."
2. Contrast: This section explains how contrast enhances visual dynamics and engagement. The video uses a simple example of a product design, showing how switching from a muted purple background to a high-energy yellow makes the text and product stand out. It also demonstrates the impact of adjusting size and texture to create focal points and depth. The speaker highlights that without proper contrast, design elements blend together, lacking clarity. The speaker emphasizes the importance of contrast in creating a clear and efficient communication in design.
3. Proximity: The video illustrates proximity by showing how grouping related elements logically creates structure and clarity. It uses a concert poster example, demonstrating how grouping information (event title, venue, DJ, date) improves readability. The speaker then enhances the design by adding subtle frames and a grid, further reinforcing the proximity principle and creating visual boundaries. A bonus tip suggests using relevant icons to enhance proximity and visual interest.
4. Unity: The final principle discussed is unity, which focuses on creating harmony and a cohesive message. The video uses a restaurant menu design as an example, showing how mismatched typography and illustrations create a jarring effect. In contrast, a revised design demonstrates unity by aligning the typography style with the rustic hand-drawn illustrations. The speaker extends this concept to packaging design, showing how consistent application of the visual language across all touchpoints strengthens brand identity. The speaker highlights that achieving unity involves extending the brand's visual language across all touchpoints, making the packaging an extension of the restaurant's identity. The speaker concludes by encouraging viewers to continue their learning journey in graphic design.