Do you Have to Obey the Laws of Design?
In web design, there are numerous rules. As there are rules in any type of design and in every type of profession. Usually, these rules are not made up randomly but grown out of expertise and experience.
If you want to learn more about rules in design, study advertising. The advertising business is one of the most researched parts of graphic design.
All kinds of things were investigated for effectiveness: readability, the relationship between image and text, type of fonts, size of letters. Anything that would get people to buy a product.
Image or text?
A commonly used statement is “1 image says more than 1.000 words”. Preferably, this is said in a very firm tone. But is it true?
Ask a copywriter and he or she will claim it’s not true. Ask a graphic designer and he or she will agree wholeheartedly.
Well, sometimes it is true, sometimes it is not. For example, if you look at the 2 car-ads, it is clear that one uses more text than the other. Both brands have built up a tradition in this.
- Volkswagen always hardly uses text, has one powerful image, and a lot of white (breathing space);
- Ford always has a lot of text, not much white, and almost overcrowded advertisements.
Each other’s opposite. Yet, both brands are doing well (well, as far as a car brand is doing well at the moment) and you cannot say that one ad is better than the other.
Better no picture than a nonsensical picture
Although an illustration can have a good function, it is better not to use an image than an image that has no function at all, as I have blogged about before.
Are there more rules for an illustration?
- Photos generally draw more attention than drawings;
- People in a picture often arouse more curiosity than objects;
- People that look straight at the viewer are better noticed than people that look away.
Sometimes it is true, sometimes it is not.
You might know my motto by now: know the rules to know how to bend them. Preferably in a direction that is optimal for you. :)
xxx
Hannie
Related
You can read my other blog about illustrations here:
Recent Comments
22
There is always that raging debate from the different participants in the marketing pool as they clamber to become the dominant voice in the mix.
There are tried and tested formulas then again greatness can come when the boundaries are pushed in the search for that new angle.
Some real food for thought in your post, Hannie, thank you for sharing your insights.
Alex
I agree that you have to know what the rules are in order to bend them.
Great post, Hannie.
Myra
Hey Hannie I am always looking at the rules or routines and wondering how I can improve them. It s that creativity I believe that leads to innovative approaches and new discoveries. I also accept that in some environments, like banking and certain levels of the military, changing process or deviating form orders is frowned upon. So I would say challenge the rules if there will likely be improvements but understand the repercussions of doing so.
Hugh
Exactly so, Hugh. I didn't add some kind of disclaimer this time to my statement, but I should have of course.
I don't go through red traffic lights. I keep my car on the right side of the road. So what I meant were in this case only the rules of design :-D
Thanks for your addition :-)
xxx
Hannie
Haha Hannie I couldn't ever dream of you being pulled over for speeding. Have a super Sunday.
Hugh
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Great post, this just reminds me of Chuck and others here, each with their own design template with pictures of cookies, dogs, etc. Essential design us, it can elevate a post of just words to new heights of audience interest, retention and engagement.
Ahh, but my best takeaway from this blog was this- "know the rules to know how to bend them. Preferably in a direction that is optimal for you" - awesome!!!
Thanks, Chris. Yes, the cookies don't make sense the first time you see them but get their strength through repetition. And then it works like a charm.
xxx
Hannie