Both seasoned graphic designers and beginner visual creators want their projects to look polished. Yet, achieving a professional result is easier said than done. The good news is—anyone can elevate their designs with the right approach and expert advice.

From core design principles to visual trends on the Depositphotos blog, this article is jam-packed with valuable insights to help you take your designs to the next level. Seize the opportunity to expand your knowledge and gain the skills necessary to create designs that work!

What are the different types of design?

Before we get into the basics of graphic design, let’s take a look at the many types of design that exist.

• Marketing design is dedicated to creating promotional and marketing visual content and printed materials.

• Graphic design focuses on communicating different messages and ideas through visual means.

• Web design ensures the creation of functional and aesthetically pleasing websites.

• User interface (UI) design ensures that all points of user interaction are intuitive and user-friendly, whether on a website, app, or software program.

• User experience (UX) design prioritizes user experience and aims to create a seamless user journey on any digital platform. 

• Motion graphic design combines graphic design with animation, visual effects, and filming techniques.

• Animation design involves the creation of moving images using 2D and 3D animated forms.

• Fashion design is the art of creating stylish and functional clothes and various accessories.

• Packaging design involves creating the look and feel of product packaging with an emphasis on aesthetics, brand identity, and practicality.

• Industrial design focuses on the development of physical products for mass production.

• Interior design is the art of creating an aesthetically pleasing space that is functional and serves its purpose.

• Branding translates a brand’s concept, vision, values, and positioning into a visual identity, including key design elements like logo, typography, color palette, and imagery. 

• Game design refers to the process of game development, including the creation of gameplay, characters, story, and missions.

• Sound design involves creating audio elements, such as background music, sound effects, and ambient noise for different needs.

• Lighting design is the art of creating the perfect balance of light and shadow to enhance the atmosphere of a space and meet people’s needs.

How to make good graphics: 10 tips to get started

Now that you know what types of design exist, it’s time to learn the basics of creating visually appealing graphics. 

1. Learn the core design principles

First of all, you need to know key design principles: emphasis, balance and alignment, contrast, repetition, proportion, movement, and white space. Mastering them is essential for creating professional-looking graphics.

Emphasis ensures that the most important design elements stand out, while balance and alignment help create a harmonious composition. Contrast adds visual interest and helps differentiate elements, while repetition creates a sense of unity. Proportion ensures that all elements are appropriately sized in relation to each other, and movement guides the viewer’s eye. White space is essential for creating hierarchy and organization in your design.

FAQ: What are the seven elements of design?

The main seven elements of design are shape, color, space, form, line, value, and texture. They work together to create visually appealing, functional, and effective designs across various mediums, from print to digital. If one element is weak or unbalanced, it can ruin the whole design.

2. Choose easy-to-understand design software

If you’re just starting out, overloading yourself with information about complex design programs isn’t the best idea. Better start small and progress from there. Look for design software that is user-friendly and has basic features that will allow you to practice and improve your skills. 

For example, you can start your design journey with VistaCreate. It’s an online graphic design platform for non-designers with thousands of free pre-made templates and a large selection of editing features.

3. Sketch out your ideas before you start

A classic hand-drawn sketch can help you visualize your design and make the necessary improvements later on a digital design platform. With a sketch, it’ll be easier to choose from many types of graphic design styles and bring your idea to life.

4. Keep it simple

Unless you’re going for a bold, cluttercore-inspired visual, less is often more when it comes to design. By sticking to a clean, minimalist design, you’ll avoid the hassle of combining too many elements that can overwhelm viewers.  

FAQ: What is the key to good design?

The key to good design lies in the balance between functionality and aesthetics. A well-designed product, service, or space should not only look visually appealing, but also serve its purpose effectively. In addition, good design should be long-lasting and sustainable.

5. Maintain visual hierarchy

To make sure that the most important elements stand out, follow a visual hierarchy in your design. First, define the purpose of your design. Then, prioritize the information or elements that will help you achieve that goal. Just like on these posters, where the names of the events are the biggest to catch the viewer’s attention first. 

6. Use colors wisely

Regardless of the type of design you’re working on, understanding color theory is essential to creating an effective visual composition. Ideally, you should choose a color scheme with 1–3 primary colors and an equal number of secondary colors that complement each other and help convey the mood or message of your design.

7. Pay attention to typography and kerning

Both are crucial aspects of design that can help you achieve a visually pleasing result. So, choose an easy-to-read typeface or font and use kerning to ensure letter spacing is uniform and visually appealing. 

8. Keep design elements in order 

Misaligned elements can destroy the visual balance in your designs. To achieve a sense of balance and symmetry, make sure all visual elements are neatly aligned with each other and the page.

9. Scale when needed

Don’t be afraid to scale certain elements to emphasize their importance or create visual interest in your design. You can apply scale to anything; typography, shapes, images, or other compositional elements—you decide!

10. Get inspired by professionals 

If you’re having trouble staying inspired or coming up with new ideas, look into creative trends and design reports from industry experts. Stay on top of the latest design trends and get your creative juices flowing by checking out Depositphotos’ Creative Trends, It’s Nice That’s Visual Trends, Pantone’s Color of the Year, and VistaPrint’s Design Trends. 

FAQ: How do you make good designs?

To create good designs, you should regularly ask for feedback from industry professionals. Outsiders can see your work from a different perspective with fresh eyes and point out areas for improvement or suggest new ideas you might not have thought of.

Wrapping up

Beginner creators shouldn’t be intimidated by a lack of knowledge or experience. By applying these tips and continuing to learn and practice, you will become more confident in your abilities and improve your graphic design skills in no time.