Hey there! Let’s chat about the power of visual content and how you can up your online game even with DIY graphic design. I get it – DIY graphic design might seem a bit daunting, but don’t worry, I’ve got some simple tricks to share. With just a few of these, you’ll be able to create cool images, awesome posts, and visually appealing content that your audience will love. Stick around for my top tips to level up your DIY visual content!
1. Typography Tips for Readable, Appealing Text
The fonts you choose can make a huge difference in how readable and visually appealing your content is. Start by selecting easy-to-read fonts that align with your brand’s personality and vibe.
For instance, if you’re aiming for a lively and relaxed brand vibe, go ahead and embrace a playful script or a handwritten font. If your business is all about embracing the contemporary, then the sleek lines of modern sans serifs might be your perfect match. And hey, if you’re chasing that serious and sophisticated look, a classic serif font could be your go-to choice.
Use different font sizes, weights and colors strategically to make certain text stand out. For instance, larger bold headings in contrasting colors to grab attention, with smaller body text for supporting info.
Consider alignment and white space when laying out text as well. Centering text works best for slide titles or logos. Left-aligned text is most readable for body content. Line spacing between paragraphs also aids readability. Strategic whitespace directs the reader’s focus to important points.
With mindful typography choices, you can craft text that is enjoyable to read, communicates clearly, and makes your content more visually captivating overall!
2. Creating Your Ideal Color Palette
Let’s talk about colors and how they shape your DIY graphic design projects. Picking colors sets the mood for your brand’s visual story. Colors have a way of sparking emotions, so it’s important to select shades that match your brand’s vibe.
If you already have specific brand colors, that’s awesome! Stick with them to keep things consistent. If you’re not sure about colors yet, no worries! Just consider what emotions you want to bring out. Like, using bold reds and oranges for a lively vibe, or calming blues and greens for something more chill.
Here’s a simple tip: stick to around 3 to 5 main colors. Too many colors can get a bit messy. And don’t forget those hex codes – they”re like secret markers to make sure’ll help you stay consistent and make your colors look the same no matter where you use them.
The thing is, your color choices aren’t just for looks. They help tell your brand’s story. A focused color palette makes everything feel like it belongs together, like pieces of a puzzle coming together.
So, take your time choosing colors that feel right. Trust your instincts, have some fun, and see your brand come to life with each shade you pick!
3. Harness the Power of White Space
When I was in college the name of the textbook in my first graphic design class was White Space is Not Your Enemy (Great book by the way, highly recommend if you’re interested in learning more about design). I think about that every time I see a really crowded design. When I think about all the marketing materials I have redesigned for clients over the years, I would say not having enough white space is one of the most common mistakes non-designers make when trying to DIY graphic design.
Many design beginners cram in too many elements, but embracing white space is so important. White space provides visual breathing room in a layout, offering clarity and organization for the reader so text and images don’t blur together.
Surround your text, graphics, logos and other elements with plenty of whitespace to help them stand out on the page or screen. Use whitespace strategically to steer the viewer’s eyes towards your most important information. Sections with more white space naturally draw the gaze first.
White space also makes your design easier to read and makes it easier for your audience to process. Have you ever seen a busy page and felt a bit overwhelmed? White space fixes that by making things feel organized, calm, and easier to digest.
4. Incorporate High-Quality Photography
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and quality photography makes a huge visual impact, instantly taking your DIY design up a notch.
First and foremost, if budget allows, invest in custom brand photography. Photographs shot specifically for your business, products, or services by a professional photographer are priceless. Custom photos perfectly aligned with your precise messaging and brand style look the most polished and cohesive. Plan it strategically and get images tailored to current campaigns or brand initiatives.
If hiring a professional photographer is not feasible, you can always take photos yourself. It’s easier than you think! With some basic tips, you can capture quality brand images yourself using just your smartphone. There are plenty of tips online that can help you DIY your photography and make it look like you hired a pro.
If custom shoots aren’t in the cards, get choosy with stock photos. Curate a library of authentic-looking photographs relevant to your niche that appear natural, not staged or overly posed. Avoid generic imagery with such broad applications that it could apply to any brand. The background, lighting, models, products, and setting should all strongly support your unique brand identity. Think beyond people smiling at desks or close-ups of hands shaking. Show real moments and emotions.
Website like pexels.com and unsplash.com are my favorite for free stock photos. For paid stock photos, I recommend istock.com
5. Try Non-Designer-Friendly Design Tools
Beginner or pro, every designer needs the right tools! For DIY enthusiasts, user-friendly tools like Canva or Adobe Express enable you to make pro-quality visual content.
These tools offer pre-made templates, fonts, color palettes, icons, stock photos and illustrations to use as starting points or assets for your own designs. Look for options with versatile features tailored to your specific graphic needs.
Canva is my absolute fave and you can get started for free. I highly recommend trying their pro version for free for 30 days to get all the extra tools that are not included in the free version. I compared the free and the pro version and while the free version will get the job done, the pro version is the bomb and I absolutely recommend it if you stick with the DIY design route, it will save you a ton of time.
With a quality photo, limited color palette, strategic fonts, ample white space and consistent branding, you can craft stunning DIY graphics that stop scrollers in their tracks. Implementing these simple yet impactful graphic design principles will take your visual content from drab to fab, even with no formal design experience. Ready to create some irresistible content and watch your engagement grow?