E s s e n t i a l. d sig. Using simple & Attractive Visual Language To promote your library. Elizabeth stevens

Transcription

1 E s s e n t i a l d sig Using simple & Attractive Visual Language To promote your library Elizabeth stevens

2 time Money For tools Know how Creative talent Marketing is often not a top priority in libraries, particularly smaller libraries.

3 Some libraries are fortunate enough to contract out their design projects, or less likely, have a graphic designer on staff in some capacity. In either case, the library has the ability to visually communicate through professional and cohesive designs that deliver appropriate messages. Many libraries, however, do not have the funds or human capital for this level of expertise (Ruiz, 2014, p. 36).

4 But This presentation is for you, yes you, you nondesigner, you.

5 d sig m at t e r s Graphic design, as a form of visual communication, is the process of integrating content and form to transfer a message (Costello, Youngblood, & Youngblood, 2012). This process does not occur in isolation, but rather is an integral component of a library s broader marketing plans and mission. In essence, the production of graphic design materials serves as an extension and reflection of the values of a library institution (Ruiz, 2014, p. 36).

6 Why should you care? Because it affects you all the time. (kidd, 2013, p. 5) (And more importantly, your patrons.)

7 So, what now

8 1. Identify The Audience & The Message 2. Develop a Plan and Get Inspired 3. Produce

9 Identify The Audience & The Message White (2010) indicates that librarians often cling to poor visual communication, even if it creates a frustrating experience for users, as it is often associated with our desire to avoid confrontation and our inability to understand the user (Ruiz, 2014, p. 23). Step 1

10 1. Who is the intended Audience? 2. Who is Requesting the Design? 3. What is the intended message of the design? 4. Where is the design being placed? 5. When is the design being displayed? For how long? 6. Why is the design being created? (Ruiz, 2014, p ) 6 w s of information gathering

11 GetInspired Develop a Plan Step 2

12 Many nondesigners falsely believe that professional designers inspirations arise from inherently creative abilities. Although creative, most professional designers continually seek stimulation from their environment or from precedents. (Ruiz, 2014, p. 41) Lightening bolt theory of creativity

13 The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources. Albert Einstein Not to get picky, Al, but...

14 Train yourself to

15 Simple Poster Design Cool PowerPoint Design Minimalist Graphic Design Research

16

17 FindInspiration

18 Research

19 The fundamental question in design: What are you trying to communicate? What is this trying to do? What is the content s purpose? This purpose is called a function. And once you determine it s function, its form-or what it s going to look like-will follow. (kidd, 2013, p. 100)

20 Start with an idea Metaphor Pun Tone irony Use what you know

21 You can do s i m p l e

22 V i s u a l a n g u a g e m a t t e r s Design serves as an extension and reflection of the values of a library institution. (Ruiz, 2014, p. 36)

23 Produce Step 3

24 B u t o u t o f limitations comes c r e a t i v i t y Debbie Allen Best Practices, Strategies, Tools

25 Key concepts [for best practices] include creating simple designs that deliver a clear message, utilizing large sans-serif fonts, and left justifying text. Along with this, developing consistency in typefaces, colors, and background and avoiding clip art are simple and effective ways to enhance the professional appearance of designs. (Masek, 2003; Schmidt, 2011; Serfass, 2012; Stempler & Polger, 2013) Best Practices, Strategies, Tools

26 Alignment Using a grid to align elements on a page will help your design to look cohesive.

27 Use of white s p a c e

28 Key to using white space effectively

29 Scale The concept of big and small in graphic design may seem very simple, but it doesn t have to be, and it is almost always more interesting when it s not (Kidd, 2013, p. 24).

30 Image Quality Digital images are composed of dots per inch, or DPI. If you want good quality for printing, the standard count for a nice clear image is 300 DPI or above (Kidd, 2013, p. 88).

31 Image Quality When you use a low quality image or expand an image larger than its DPI allows, the image will start to look blocky, or bit-mapped (Kidd, 2013, p. 49).

32 Where to find images

33 Asparagus illustration Asparagus png Asparagus vintage Asparagus retro Asparagus sketch Texture Useful Search term add-ons

34 Asparagus png Digital images are composed of dots per inch, or DPI. If you want good quality for printing, the standard count for a nice clear image is 300 DPI or above. (Kidd 88). Transparent Backgrounds

35 Layering Even though all elements are actually on the same twodimensional plane, layering makes elements look like one thing is on top of another (Kidd, 2013, p. 38).

36 T y p o g a p h What letters look like can be just as important as what they say. Part of creating any graphic design using typography has to do with what form that language is going to take (Kidd, 2013, p. 76).

37 (Kidd, 2013, p. 78) Which font feels like you?

38 Typography 101

39 A Song For Jennifer Dolce Vita Light Bebas Press Style Niteclub CODE God Bless America My DaFont Faves

40 Mix it up

41 An essential aspect of being creative is not being afraid to fail. Edwin Land

42 Costello, V., Youngblood, S.A., &Youngblood, N. (2012). Multimedia foundations; Core concepts for digital. Walthan, MA: Focal Press. Kidd, C. (2013). Go: A Kidd s Guide to Graphic Design. New York, NY: Workman Publishing Co. Ruiz, M. (2014). Graphic design in libraries: A conceptual process. Public Services Quarterly, 10: White, L. (2010). Better none than bad. American Libraries, 41:8, 23. References

43 Elizabeth Stevens Public Services Johnston Public Library Johnston, Iowa