Graphic design tips

What is graphic design?

Graphic design is the art of developing ideas. Graphic design combines the creativity of fine art with the results-focused concepts of marketing to create effective communication materials. Whether convincing the public to support a social issue, helping a business attract clients, or simply teaching employees how to operate new computer software, when done effectively, every aspect of the design is calculated to achieve that goal.

What do graphic designers do?


By drawing on their individual creativity, aspects of fine art and market research, they use a visual vocabulary; colour, shape, concept, photography, layout, illustration, and typeface, to produce a broad range of communication projects that express messages, inform, persuade, and motivate audiences to action. These projects can include logo creation, brochures, business cards, corporate stationery, advertising, annual reports, newsletters, publications, packaging, promotional items, sales materials, signs, training/educational materials, etc. In essence, graphic designers organize the information and develop the "look and feel" for the communication materials that surround us.
Effective graphic designers also possess an extensive amount of technical knowledge regarding printing techniques and limitations, paper stocks, colour theory, digital and electronic presentations, and special production processes such as gloss/matt lamination, die-cutting, foil-blocking and embossing.

What are your prices?

The costs associated with the development of different materials vary greatly depending on the complexity of the piece and the production requirements involved.

Why is a logo so important?


Your logo is the face of your company. A well-designed logo can go a long way in forming a favourable first impression. Critical to any company's identity, your logo can enhance your public image and give you an advantage against your competition. A professionally designed logo can help establish credibility, convey your company's philosophy, and help customers remember you.
For non-profit associations and community-based groups the theory is the same. Although their mission may be focused on a specific social issue, community-based organizations need the same competitive edge when designing a logo as they are competing with other organizations for a small part of the public consciousness, as well as public and private-sector funding.
Should I have my printing produced Digitally or by conventional Litho techniques
Developments in digital printing technologies now gives you a wider range of options..
The advantages of digital printing include:

Cost and speed

Because no pre-press work is required, short runs are very cost-effective. Total turnaround times can also be much faster as the job can go straight from your disk to the printing device with no preparatory stages.

Flexibility

Unlike traditional processes where a plate cannot be changed during a print run, the data used to image a page can be updated on every single impression. This allows you to target individual customers more closely.

By comparison, the main advantages of traditional litho printing are:

Cost and speed
Although there are significant set-up costs, unit costs can be much lower than for digital printing and as a result longer runs (typically 500+) are cheaper. The higher running speed of the machines also means that longer runs can be completed faster.

Flexibility
The litho printing process can handle a very wide range of paper stocks from lightweight papers through to heavy boards, with no restrictions on paper finishes.

Quality
Printing tends to be sharper and areas of solid colour more even.