Creativity is a necessary component of any successful branding effort, but it is too often regarded as an elusive and intangible quality that is difficult to quantify and manage. But you don’t have to buy into the myth of the solitary genius working in mysterious ways. You can map and analyze creative processes to identify […]
As a Creative Director, you need designers to fly by the seat of their pants, take life by the horns and do whatever they need to do to get stuff done. Or, in other words, you need them to indulge their creativity, take abstract ideas and craft them into something relatable, tangible and personable — […]
The internet is teeming with sites vying for attention, and a poor first impression could very well be your last. It's a fine line one walks when it comes to nailing that website design. Some get it right; many don't. From the layout and navigation to the colors and fonts, everything has something to say […]
Magazines are visually pleasing, fun to read, and provide an ideal platform to sell goods and services. You can design a great-looking print or digital magazine by following these steps. Want to follow along? This post will walk you through how to make a magazine with our customizable magazine templates. 1. Pick your topic You […]
Our perception, to a large extent, is governed by vision. We're attracted to visuals that make us feel good. It's why retail stores promote special offers with balloons and other decorations, because they know shoppers will get curious enough to come over. The same principle applies to web design and digital marketing. Related: 32 stats […]
Since the time of Pythagoras and Euclid, the idea of a Golden Ratio—dimensions that are pleasing to the eye—has influenced mathematicians, artists and philosophers. The ratio of approximately 1.6:1 can be seen in the Notre Dame cathedral and the contemporary architecture of le Corbusier. Products from widescreen televisions to light switch covers copy this ratio. […]
From its roots in the Middle Ages, layout design has evolved significantly. What was once the provenance of monasteries spread to the office, and later, personal computers. The overarching goals of publishers haven't changed, though—to find an audience and communicate an important message. However, the nuts and bolts of desktop publishing are undergoing a revolution […]
It's not just five-star resorts that need travel brochures—nearly any business can be a travel destination, from museums to mom-and-pop shops. If your business could be considered a tourist spot, we'll show you how to make a travel brochure for free. The final product can be printed and stocked just about anywhere: at a local rest stop, […]
Everyone makes mistakes. Often, these can be laughed off and everyone's the wiser. But some mistakes are more serious than others, especially the ones that lose business or damage a brand. This post goes over some bad design examples that are more funny than serious, but still highlight some pitfalls to avoid. The great thing […]
"Good artists copy, great artists steal." Steve Jobs When you're stuck on something, the best thing to do is to step away and look around. Often, the greatest inspiration comes from the world surrounding us. A great designer, like a great artist, will take in the best of what they see to make something new […]
In the age of nearly free digital marketing resources, any funds spent on print advertising should be allocated with care. In other words, there is no reason to settle for a second-rate print job when you can achieve print perfection. Related: Why print will never die: Print vs. digital collateral When you ensure each of […]
Almost everyone has made a flyer before, whether for a personal event like a block party or a professional event like a company picnic. As a follow-up to our most recent post about magazines, we decided to put together this list of 17 flyer layout design ideas. If you want your flyer to stand out, ditch the boring old Word […]
So. You're designing a flyer. Where do you begin? The endless array of images, backgrounds, catchy headlines and clip art (bad idea) at your disposal can be overwhelming. Consider starting with your backdrop: the ever-so-necessary but hard-to-design flyer background. If you're an Adobe Illustrator master, you'll probably just design one of your own. But if you're […]
Here's a bummer statistic: 88% of people will throw away your business card within a week of receiving it. In fact, it is likely easier for them to just Google your name or business to find your contact info when they need you. But that's okay, because exchanging business cards offers so much more than a […]
A picture truly tells a thousand words. From pie charts to cartograms, infographics have been around since the first humans learned to scratch symbols into the dirt. After all, an infographic is composed of only three vital elements: visual, content and knowledge—qualities shared by the earliest of cave drawings and the most technical of modern computer-aided […]
A good logo represents the brand positively to the world, which is one reason why there are so many agencies dedicated to designing outstanding logos. Although the names and objectives of many organizations remain unchanged for many years, their logos are often renewed periodically. Rebranding is sometimes necessary for shaping the future of the company, […]
If you're thinking about pursuing a design career, you probably already know that you should learn from those who came before you and left a permanent mark in the world of graphic design. Being familiar with the big names and their influential works will provide inspiration as you learn from the best. Related: 10 influential black […]
Imagine you are ordering a tuxedo. You call up the tailor and tell him to "design a tux for a medium-build, six-foot-tall person." Now that doesn't sound very informative, does it? Imagine how the tux will turn out. Then you will probably blame the tailor for poor quality work. In his defense, he did not […]
What makes the design world exciting is that there's never a dull moment. Design is continually evolving with new trends, and these trends often dominate the scene for a time. We're in the middle of 2017, and already, there have been several logo design trends enjoying their share of popularity. As we know, a logo is critical […]
When it comes to design, effective typography has become a necessity—not only because the text reflects your content, but also because it adds to the look and feel of what your users consume, while also dictating how they consume it. In the context of user experience (UX), good typography has everything to do with how […]
To the average person, designing logos seems like a simple task—you just make a small circle or rectangle and put the brand name on it. But of course, it's not nearly that easy. Related: 9 excellent logo redesigns for famous brands To help a brand capture its personality and really stand out takes a lot […]
As designers, we know how important it is to deliver creative and compelling designs. Designs that catch the eye and gets the viewer thinking "That must be one hell of a product!" And over time, ads have gotten so creative and innovative that our expectations only get higher every time we see a head-turning advertisement. […]
When it comes to design in communications, there are generally two types of artwork: design driven by narrative or design driven by information and data. The former relies more on conveying meaning and subtle messages through nuanced design, whereas the other relies on turning potentially incredibly complex or technical data into something that is much […]
Stationery—including letterheads, envelopes, labels and business cards—can be a useful addition to your company's branding strategy. Even with the widespread use of email and other electronic means of communication, old-fashioned stationery still has its place in your business. However, the design of your stationery is just as important as the information you're delivering. Related: 30 […]
Back in older days, your name, address and contact details at the top-right of your client correspondence constituted a letterhead. Today, letterheads have become a visual art, delivering a first impression of who you are, what you do, and why you do it. Take a flight of fancy and imagine your letterhead as sort of […]
Poster design has come a long way since the 1880s, changing in style for different eras and often strongly influenced by political or social events of the day. Posters have become a powerful and popular medium for advertising (sometimes referred to as street or guerilla marketing). Let's take a look at some of the creative poster […]
Choosing the right newsletter design isn't easy. There's a seemingly infinite number of designs out there, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. (And in many cases, more weaknesses than strengths.) Finding the right colors, shapes, text formats and image placements can take up a huge amount of time. But with these professionally designed newsletter […]
What is a research poster? A scientific research poster (or conference poster) is a tool that researchers use to present information in a structured way. It may be used instead of a talk and can often prove more effective, particularly in a situation where a researcher doesn't feel confident presenting in front of large audiences. […]
Creating an ebook—especially for the purpose of generating leads—can be a critical marketing technique for your business. If you're not a designer, this can be a truly daunting task. After all, not only do you have to create the content, you have to design the layout, choose fonts & color schemes, and tweak orientation. Fortunately, […]
Today's marketers are living in a fascinating world. The landscape that encompasses our what, where, when, how and why sees drastic shifts from day to day. Since over 60% of marketers claim that generating quality traffic and leads is their top challenge, success means getting the right content in front of the right sets of eyes. Related: 9 ways […]
Regardless of your industry, it's becoming increasingly difficult to gain and keep an audience's attention online. You have mere seconds to capture their interest, so it's critical that you create engaging content. While we all understand the value of content marketing, how you develop your content is just as important as what you actually put out there. […]
A well-designed website is a valuable investment that will generate revenue for your business—but 38% of people say they won't explore a site if they find it unattractive. If your website hasn't been updated in a while, your web design could unintentionally be hurting your business by turning people away at the door. If it's time to […]
As you're building your brand with new ideas and projects, you might not always have access to an in-house designer to assist with all your creative needs. Leaving you, someone with less creative experience, to face the perils of graphic design alone. Okay, okay, it's not (usually) that dramatic. Related: 3 design tips to make […]
Attracting a steady stream of new customers is one thing, but building customer loyalty is integral to a brand's long-term success. And it begins with making a good first impression. Think about it: when looking up a brand online, what do you remember about the ones that stand out? More than likely, it's their logo […]
"We need a logo" is a loaded request that designers and creative agencies hear from their clients. High expectations are always involved—that's a fact. Every client wants a remarkable logo for their brand, and they're counting on you to create it. Related: 9 excellent logo redesigns for famous brands How do you deliver an innovative, […]
Infographics are a creative, interesting visual presentation of your ideas, statistics or research. These can be used throughout your brand's marketing plans—whether on Pinterest or in proposals. Related: 32 stats & facts that prove infographics aren't dead You don't need to be an expert graphic designer to create your own infographic, as there are several pre-made […]
Are you sitting at your desk waiting for that sweet, sweet logo inspiration to strike? No matter whether you're a consultant looking to brand your business or a designer looking for new ideas, this article will get you unstuck. Related: 9 excellent logo redesigns for famous brands Below, you'll discover different types of consulting logo […]
Not sure how your next fitness logo should look and want a few examples to get your imagination's wheels in motion? Maybe you want to see some design ideas from well-known brands in the fitness industry. Or, perhaps you're looking for creative logo ideas that stand out from the crowd. Related: Best logo design ideas […]
You likely already know that a logo is an important part of any business's branding. Not only does it make your modern real estate company stand out from the competition, but a solid logo can attract and win over new customers. That's what we're always aiming for, right? Related: Real estate branding—a comprehensive guide But, […]
Creating a graphic design poster can be effective in relaying a specific message to a desired audience. It's a tried-and-true format that's been used consistently for over a century. Related: 18 cool and creative poster ideas To get your message across, you must pay attention to all the elements at your disposal. With the help […]
More and more, companies prefer the ease and lower costs of digital marketing as a substitute for regular print marketing. But while social media and digital advertising have taken over the marketing world, print advertising is still an effective way to reach your target market. Related: 5 ways to monetize your online magazine Studies show […]
We've all heard "Don't judge a book by its cover," but I suspect we've all been guilty of it at some point. A quality book cover design is your chance to make a positive first impression. Although first impressions aren't everything, a bad one is hard to overcome. You could string together some of the […]
There are so many things that job hunters think about when it comes to their resume. These are usually the obvious things, such as making sure they've listed all their previous jobs and any suitable skills or experience that they might have. Anything that's going to set them apart from other applicants will no doubt […]
In today’s digital economy, it’s easy for businesses to look dated quickly and out of sync with what’s “in.” If you’re worried that customers or clients are finding your work or services blasé, you can easily send the message that you are on top of your game with a webinar presentation. A well-curated webinar presentation can […]
Editor's note: Originally, the Lucidpress blog featured two different blog posts that highlighted two eras — past and present — of Black graphic designers. In an effort to ensure the post accurately reflects the folks featured in it and to honor the need for diverse representation in graphic design, we have combined the two blog […]
Editor's note: This post was updated July 24, 2020. If you've landed on this blog post, I don't need to tell you that striking visuals are critical for marketing your SMB. But just in case you need some convincing, consider that blogging and social media are now the most commonly used formats for content marketing. It's […]
Most companies provide ready-to-use software on their computers and one of the standard choices is the Microsoft Office suite. Because of this, PowerPoint has become a default option for business presentations. PowerPoint’s layout is similar to other Microsoft Office software like Word and Excel, making it an easy and familiar option for creating creative presentations. […]
We all know the importance of branding. Your brand experience, and thus your branding, is the sum of all impressions and interactions customers have with your brand. Everything, from the moment a potential customer sees an unboxing video of your product on YouTube to how you communicate your return and refund policy, impacts the brand experience. […]
So you're wondering how to how to design a brochure that will impress. Dealing in the medium of brochures is a tricky thing, because they're all just one step away from the garbage. But don't worry, this post will show you how to make a great-looking brochure that's not destined for the recycling bin. You'll learn how […]
Infographic design doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Like other types of content, infographics follow typical structures and layouts as a starting point for arranging your copy and visuals. Instead of jumping right into your infographic design, start by determining which layout works best with the type of information you want to convey. We’ll walk you […]
Creating content without a cohesive content strategy makes it harder to focus your efforts and find success, but there are a host of content creation tools at your disposal to help you plan, research and even create your content. Check them out below. Content creation tools for visual content 1. Lucidpress A stellar solution for any organization, Lucidpress offers a […]
Instagram, aka the home of the selfie, has turned into a powerful platform for brands to be anything but shy. But even if your business has been on Insta for years, you may not be using those special Instagram effects to their fullest potential. Once you’ve got a handle on how to create a dynamic […]
Digital advertising is a multi-billion dollar industry — and, as more and more people get on the web, it’s only getting bigger. Needless to say, that’s a lot of money. Stats like that can make digital advertising feel inaccessible for small businesses, but anyone can use digital advertising to grow their business. You just need the […]
In the world of social media marketing, visuals are everything. Like it or not, when potential customers visit your Facebook page, they don’t dive right into your post history or read your bio. They’ll get there eventually (hopefully!), but first they take in the visuals: your profile picture and cover photo. Your cover photo is […]
For most designers, their work is based on their ability to move quickly and get things done in a hurry, which leaves little room for creativity and ultimately leads to subpar projects, products and designs. But this doesn’t have to be the case anymore. With design operations, also known asDesignOps, your organization can start to […]
Creating banners for social media and display campaigns can be a daunting undertaking, especially if you don’t have a creative team to help out. As a small business owner, this task may fall to you. Here are 15 banner design ideas to check out and help you get started. Banner ad ideas Business medium rectangle […]
Infographics are used by companies small and large to educate their audience, build their brands or simply entertain. They’re basically “eye candy” that compiles different data visualization into a whole. As more and more companies are using infographics to reel in consumers, it’s important to learn how to create one. We’ve pulled together the best do’s […]
If you’re diving into the world of display advertising with website banners, you’ll need to know what standard banner ads sizes are going to get the most attention. Banner ads appear at the top or along the side of a page, or partway through text, and they help drive brand awareness and sales as people […]
White papers are popping up in marketing campaigns even outside the tech industry — and for good reason. In this guide, we’ll go over what a white paper is, why creating one might be good for your business, how to write a white paper, and a few examples to check out. What is a white […]
The world is filled with buzzwords. Exciting ones, boring ones — confusing ones too. Corporate identity is one of those slightly-confusing-is-it-real buzzwords. But it’s legit. It’s not something totally made up by The Internet in an attempt to get your information, or whatever The Internet does these days. TLDR — A corporate identity keeps your brand […]
Thanks to the internet and a general abundance of graphic design tools, tapping into design inspiration is easier than ever. And regardless of what type of design you’re looking to achieve, there’s a layout or brand template that can help you get started. Take magazines for instance. Magazines, both digital and printed, are excellent means […]
Struggling to find fresh ideas for your next catalog? Does your existing approach to catalog layouts need a modern update? Despite the abundance of email and online marketing campaigns, catalogs still hold a vital place in communicating the style and purpose of your brand. From print brochures and booklets to online product catalogs, a dynamic, […]
Once upon a time, it seemed product catalogs, especially print versions, were headed towards the dustbin of history. While booming e-commerce sites made paging through a glossy product spread seem passé, digital and print product catalogs are now making a big comeback for a variety of reasons. Digital product catalogs put a wealth of information and interaction […]
Photo editing tools like PicMonkey help create unique digital assets for marketing materials and social media channels. But as you may have discovered after a short trip around the internet and some unfortunate editing accidents, not all photo editors are created the same. Whether you use photo editors and effects for professional or personal reasons, […]
Finding a solution to replace Adobe Spark’s free suite of tools can be challenging. Adobe Creative Cloud Express (formerly Adobe Spark) offers a wide variety of features, so it can be tricky to find a one-size-fits-all solution without sacrificing functionality. The best way to identify an alternative to Adobe Spark is to clarify your needs […]
Even if you're not in the fashion industry, your small business might be the perfect candidate for a lookbook. Lookbooks are just what they sound like: collections of photographs that draw the eye and showcase products in sumptuous detail. But with the advent of fashion digital lookbooks, your audience can do more than look. This […]
The internal battle between creative departments and everyone else is far too familiar. It isn’t personal. Right?! The disconnection is frustrating for everyone. But, if we pull ourselves out of the nitty gritty situational circumstances of it all, we can narrow it down to one thing: process, or, lack thereof. The steps for a creative process can get […]
