Basic Graphic Design Tips
While the trends in graphic design change over time, there are a few basic guidelines that can be followed when designing materials for a nonprofit.
The first step in design work typically involves setting a timeline for a project to be completed. It can be helpful to set several deadlines for various stages of a project. When creating a newsletter, for example, it is useful to designate due dates for submissions, edits to the newsletter submissions and edits to the design, as well as an end deadline to the printer and the date when the publication should reach its intended audience.
It is important to know the audience when creating any type of communication. While a brochure design that is modern in its use of color, font, images and layout may be appropriate for a certain audience, such as those who visit a teen center, it may not be suitable for another audience. It is important to know the audience so that the message can be displayed in an appealing manner to those the nonprofit hopes to reach. Knowing the audience also can inform the graphic designer’s decision to create a project for the web or print, as well as the exact type of communication.
Once the graphic designer has identified the audience and decided on the type of project, the designer should concentrate on how text and graphics work together in their design. While pictures can provide interest and illustrate text, text is still important in the design and most often is the most appropriate way to share an organization’s message. The resolution for all images should be sized according to the type of project, online or print.