27 Graphic Design Tips for Beginners and Non-Designers

Having a solid set of graphic design tips can be incredibly valuable, especially if you’re just starting out as a beginner graphic designer or if you’re a non-designer looking to develop some practical graphic design skills on your own. 

In this article, we’ll delve into 27 of the most practical and actionable graphic design tips specifically tailored for beginners and non-designers. These insights are designed to help you grasp essential concepts, avoid common pitfalls, and elevate your design work from basic to impressive.

So, if you’re ready to dive into the world of graphic design and sharpen your skills, let’s get started with these invaluable tips!

1. Start with a clear purpose

When starting a graphic design project, it’s essential to clearly define the purpose of the design. Having a well-defined purpose ensures that the design aligns with the project’s goals—whether that’s enhancing brand visibility, promoting a product, or delivering specific information. It also aids in maintaining focus by keeping the design simple and aligned with its core message, thus preventing clutter and deviations from the main point.

2. Know who is your target audience

Understanding your target audience is crucial. Identify who will view the design and what message you want to convey. By customizing your design to fit your audience, you can ensure that the visual elements resonate with them and communicate your message effectively.

3. Research before you start designing

Start with research before diving into design. Although it’s often overlooked, it’s essential for crafting designs that are both effective and relevant. Understanding your audience and objectives is key.

Get to know the brand’s identity thoroughly, including its values, voice, and visual style. This means grasping the brand’s mission, vision, and adhering to any existing guidelines or assets like logos, color schemes, and typography. Maintaining a consistent brand identity ensures a cohesive and recognizable design.

4. Choose readable fonts 

When selecting a typeface or font for headings, subtitles, and body text, prioritize readability to keep your graphic design both clear and effective. Since the eye has difficulty processing multiple typefaces, it’s best to use a limited set of cohesive fonts. Fonts can make or break your reading experience, so choose your fonts wisely. The last thing you want is for your audience to struggle with reading your text.

5. Consider the visual hierarchy

Visual hierarchy is related to all the elements you see in a design and how they are perceived in order of importance. It involves emphasizing certain elements more than others to guide the viewer’s attention.

Take a look at this poster design below which has a strong visual hierarchy. Even though the design is mostly made up of type, there is still a level of hierarchy. you notice the large headline “One night only” first because it’s larger in size in comparison to the rest of the texts.

(Poster design, Image by Flux Academy)

6. Utilize contrast

Utilizing contrast is a key graphic design technique that boosts readability, adds visual interest, and highlights key elements. Contrast refers to the differences between design elements, such as colors, sizes, shapes, and textures. It helps distinguish elements, enhancing clarity and impact. By applying contrast effectively, you can create engaging, readable designs that clearly communicate your message and draw attention to important features.

7. Use typeface variations wisely 

Use typeface variations wisely to enhance your graphic design. Choose different typefaces or weights to create visual interest and hierarchy, but avoid overusing them, as too many variations can lead to a cluttered or confusing design. Balance is key—select variations that complement each other and reinforce the overall message and tone of your design.

8. Always use white space 

White space refers to any blank or empty space surrounding all the other elements in a design composition. It is the space between text, images, buttons and other objects that a user can see on a page or a screen.

Using white space is important because it makes text and other elements easier to read by preventing them from feeling cramped. Not only that, it also helps direct attention to key elements, like important information or calls to action.

9. Consider the psychology of colour

Color psychology explores how colors impact our perceptions and emotions, as they can evoke a wide range of associations and feelings influenced by cultural and personal experiences. When selecting colors for your designs, it’s crucial to consider your target audience, brand personality, and the message you wish to convey.

(Colour Psychology, Image by graphicplus)

For example, the color red can have multiple meanings. It might evoke fear or discomfort due to its association with blood, but it can also symbolize passion and love. Reflect on whether these associations align with the mood and message you want to communicate through your design.

10. Stay organised 

Stay organized in your graphic design projects by naming your layers clearly and consistently. Proper layer naming helps you navigate complex designs more efficiently, makes collaboration easier, and simplifies future edits or revisions. An organized layer structure ensures that you can quickly find and adjust specific elements, leading to a smoother and more productive design process.

11. Play with font sizes and weights

Experimenting with various font sizes and weights can establish a visual hierarchy and accentuate important elements in your design. Larger, bolder fonts can draw attention to key information, while smaller, lighter fonts can provide support for secondary details, directing the viewer’s focus and enhancing readability.

12. Use a color palette 

Selecting a color palette ensures consistency and cohesion in your design. A well-defined palette helps maintain a unified look, guides the viewer’s eye, and reinforces your message. Opt for colors that complement each other and align with your brand or project goals to create a harmonious and visually appealing design.

To assist in creating a cohesive palette, there are several online tools available that can help you select colors that work well together. One of my personal favorites is Coolors, which has been instrumental in choosing complementary color schemes.

13.  Create a moodboard

A moodboard is an invaluable tool in graphic design that helps to visualize and organize your ideas. Gather images, color swatches, textures, and typography that evoke the desired style and tone for your project. This visual collection serves as a reference point, ensuring consistency and alignment throughout your design process.

14. Use high-quality images

Incorporate high-quality images to enhance the professionalism and impact of your design. Crisp, clear visuals make your work look polished and engaging, while low-resolution or pixelated images can detract from the overall quality. Always use high-resolution images to ensure that your design remains sharp and effective, whether for print or digital formats.

15. Keep it simple

Avoid clutter; a clean design often communicates more effectively. By focusing on clean, straightforward elements, you make your design more impactful and easier for your audience to understand.

16. Proximity

(Law of Proximity, Image by hubspot)

Utilize the principle of proximity to enhance visual organization and clarity. By placing related elements close together, you create a natural connection that helps users quickly understand the relationships between different pieces of information. This strategic placement not only improves readability but also creates a more cohesive and visually appealing design.

17. Understand file formats

Understanding file formats is crucial in graphic design as it ensures that designs are optimized for their intended use, maintaining quality and compatibility across various platforms and media. Different formats offer varying levels of compression and quality, impacting how well images are preserved for print or digital use. Each format has unique features, such as transparency or scalability, that are essential for specific design needs. Choosing the right format helps balance file size with quality, crucial for web performance and storage efficiency. Additionally, understanding file formats ensures compatibility with software and final output requirements, streamlining the workflow and minimizing potential issues.

18. Balance 

Without balance, a design can feel unsettling and disorganized. A well-balanced composition is visually pleasing and fosters a sense of order. When combined with a clear visual hierarchy, balance ensures that a design is easily understood at a glance.Use balance to guide the viewer’s attention to key elements and establish focal points, making sure that important information stands out and the overall layout feels cohesive and engaging.

19. Know the dimensions you need beforehand

Know the dimensions you need before starting any design. Designing to the correct dimensions from the start minimizes the need for adjustments, which can save time and prevent frustration. Not only that, working with the right dimensions ensures that your designs look sharp and professional in its final format, whether it’s for print or digital use

20. Use cohesive design elements

Ensure that all design elements—such as colors, fonts, and shapes—work together harmoniously. Consistent use of these elements helps create a unified and polished look, reinforcing your brand or message. By maintaining cohesion, you make your design more visually appealing and easier for your audience to understand.

21. Test your design

Always test your design in different scenarios before you finalize it. Whether it’s checking how it looks on various devices, print proofs, or different lighting conditions, testing helps you catch issues and ensure your design performs well in its intended environment. This step is crucial for spotting potential problems and making necessary adjustments, ensuring a polished and professional final product.

22. Scale

Use scaling wisely to maintain visual hierarchy and balance. Ensure that elements are sized appropriately relative to each other and the overall design. Proper scaling helps guide the viewer’s eye and emphasizes important information without overwhelming the design.

23. Less is more 

Remember that sometimes, ‘less is more’ in graphic design. Simplifying your design doesn’t mean it will appear empty or incomplete. Instead, focus on essential elements and eliminate unnecessary details in your designs. This approach often leads to cleaner, more effective visuals that communicate your message clearly and make a stronger impact.”

24. Use grids and guides

Using grids and guides in graphic design is a powerful technique for creating organized, visually appealing layouts. Grids and guides help ensure that your design elements are aligned and spaced consistently, contributing to a harmonious and professional look. Not only that, they make it easier to align text, images, and other elements, which enhances readability and visual appeal.

25. Use visual weight

Visual Weight refers to the perceived importance of elements within a design, affecting how viewers notice and interact with them. It’s not about physical weight but rather about how much attention an element commands.  When used effectively, visual weights can establish focal points in a composition, guiding the viewer’s attention to the most crucial information.

Look at the design below that uses visual weights effectively. The infographic emphasizes the bars and steps in the bottom half of the page, drawing attention to the key information—the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, which is the primary focus of the design.

By grasping and applying the concepts of visual weight, you can create designs that are not only visually appealing but also effective in conveying your message, guiding viewers’ focus in a meaningful way.

26. Leading lines

Leading lines are visual elements within a design that direct the viewer’s eye towards a focal point or through the composition. They can be actual lines or implied lines created by the arrangement of objects or shapes. By incorporating leading lines thoughtfully, you can enhance your design’s visual flow, create depth, and ensure that your message is communicated clearly and engagingly.

27. Practice regularly

To significantly improve your graphic design skills, it’s crucial to practice regularly. Dedicate specific times each day or week to immerse yourself in design work, focusing on both creating new pieces and refining existing ones. By maintaining consistency in your practice, you’ll build and strengthen your skill set over time. Embracing this routine will lead to continuous growth and deeper engagement with the art of graphic design.

Conclusion

Starting out in graphic design can be both exciting and challenging. By following these 27 essential tips, you’ll build a strong foundation and develop your skills effectively. From understanding basic principles and experimenting with font sizes to using high-quality images and maintaining cohesive design elements, each tip will help you create visually appealing and impactful designs.