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<\/p>\nIf you are new to design, it\u2019s a good idea to start with the basics.<\/p>\n
A layout is the way in which text and images are arranged. When these elements are combined effectively, the memorability of your content, its visual impact, and the viewer\u2019s experience will be heightened exponentially. Media such as books, websites, advertisements, and museum walls all use layout in different forms.<\/p>\n
In order to understand the different effects of various layouts, it\u2019s vital to be familiar with the universal principles of design, as well as your own personal philosophy surrounding it. Our hope is that these layout design tips will give you the necessary foundation to develop your own process and make your layouts more successful.<\/p>\n
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Before you begin a creative project, it\u2019s important to understand your place in the larger history of art and design. Never stop researching and learning about different styles, movements, and aesthetics\u2014historical and contemporary. The popular minimalist style of web design, for example, is an evolution of the aesthetic popularized by the early 20th-century German art and design movement known as Bauhaus.<\/p>\n
Drawing upon your own education and paying attention to what speaks to you personally will help you develop a unique, but relevant, voice that will allow you to reference (without ripping off) the work you admire most.<\/p>\n
When starting a new project, refer back to mood boards you\u2019ve created and images you\u2019ve saved over time. If you don\u2019t have a mood board that feels relevant to your current project, make a new one and take the time to understand the historical relevance of the direction.<\/p>\n
![\"Who,](\"https:\/\/www.blurb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/02-concept.jpg\")
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The most important step in layout design is deciding on your design concept.<\/p>\n
After reviewing your content, ask yourself the following questions:<\/p>\n
After answering these questions, consider any additional parameters and whether or not you think your content is best communicated through traditional or non-traditional methods. For example, are you designing a layout for a medical brochure for a hospital or the album insert for a punk band?<\/p>\n
Different projects require wildly different approaches. It is up to you to determine the best way to communicate your message to your audience.<\/p>\n
![\"Hierarchy](\"https:\/\/www.blurb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/03-hierarchy.gif\")
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It\u2019s often said within the advertising industry that consumers decide if they\u2019re interested in a product within three seconds of viewing of an ad. For this reason, your layout design must always communicate the most important message first. Structuring the text and imagery of your layout with this hierarchy in mind will provide you with the necessary parameters when considering format, grid, and alignment.<\/p>\n
Design should never dictate the text elements, and vice-versa. As a designer, it is your job to make sure these two components work together in harmony and that your message is understood.<\/p>\n
![\"Layout](\"https:\/\/www.blurb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/04-gridalignment-1024x576.png\")
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At this point, the format that will work best with your visual direction, concept, and established hierarchy should be starting to solidify. From here, you should be able to establish the correct dimensions of your layout and the basis of your grid.<\/p>\n
A grid will help you position your elements based on a sequenced number of columns and rows. Grids provide us with the ability to align our work with precision and are integral to completing your layout design.<\/p>\n
When considering the alignment of your layout, keep these principles in mind:<\/p>\n
![\"Quote](\"https:\/\/www.blurb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/05-font-typography.jpg\")
Choosing the best typefaces for your layout can be a daunting task. First, because there are so many options; second, because the aesthetics of typography are subjective. This is where your knowledge of typeface and the history of various fonts will come in handy. For example, if you unknowingly choose a font<\/a> that has previously been used in a popular ad campaign, it may have an unintended connotation for your audience.<\/p>\n Do your research and refer back to your project\u2019s mood board before you make a decision.<\/p>\n There are four main categories of typography: Sans Serif, Serif, Decorative, and Script. Here are a few basics to keep in mind as you play with different font pairings:<\/p>\n\n
![\"Create](\"https:\/\/www.blurb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/05-font-02.jpg\")
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![\"Example](\"https:\/\/www.blurb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/05-font-03.jpg\")
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![\"Example](\"https:\/\/www.blurb.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/05-font-04.jpg\")
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