21. Use shapes to create symbolism that reinforces a message in your graphic.
Elements that visually represent an idea create clever compositions. This graphic has an image background with two overlapped shapes that form a V to represent the V in VIBES. This also creates a window, allowing more of the image to be shown.
22. Tip: Apply a grid to create a clean composition, using one of the photo holders as a text box.
A well composed graphic will create optimum impact. Therefore using a clean grid with images with a consistent similar color palette will form an eye catching design. For added uniformity, use a well cropped section to fill with a flat color to overlay text.
23. Use light and bold font variants for emphasis and impact.
Open Sans is an excellent typeface to use if you want to keep a consistent style throughout your design by applying font variants. For this one I have accented specific words in context to their meanings. This is a clever way to form typographic hierarchy.
24. Enhance silhouettes in your images by decreasing the brightness and increasing the contrast.
Silhouettes are a great way to create impact within your designs. By increasing the contrast in your advanced sliders panel, you will enhance the separation of tone (dark and light) and decrease the detailing in your image. The image has been cropped so that the text can be placed in the clear section for optimum legibility.
25. Create beautiful typographic forms by increasing or decreasing letter spacing.
It might seem simple, but the slight adjustment of letter spacing can have a major impact on your graphic. The reduced spacing of the text in this graphic visually represents the design tip itself, while creating a nice window effect through the letter openings.
26. Use the combination of a tint and x-process to create two-tone filter effects.
By reducing the x-process, your image becomes cooler, therefore the blue water is emphasized, teamed with a purple tint, lighter parts of the image are highlighted and the clouds become pink.
27. Create clever compositions by letting the features within images guide where to place your type.
Recipes don’t have to be boring! Use an image of your food to frame your text. The image you use is obviously going to be the decider on where you place text so try and find one with less noise and more space to breathe.
28. Monochromatic style graphics never get old. Use black and white filters combined with white text for an epic contrast effect.
Black and white photos offer a cool and stylistic effect. Because of the tonal balance, they are also a great way to take advantage of forms and shapes. The shoreline in the image has been used as a compositional bench for the word “chill”, as well as a visual representation of the cold air.
29. Create soft effects by placing a pale shape over your image and adjusting the transparency.
Color overlays are a great way to enhance tones in your image and create a soft tonal effect. Using a transparent shape over your entire image will also dull the noise (detail) within your image a bit.
30. Take in the natural composition of your background image for clever text placement.
The gradient horizon in this image makes for an excellent copy space. The text has been broken into three lines, perfectly corresponding with the three layers of haze.
