May Lunch & Learn Re-Cap: Helpful Tools for Basic Graphic Design
In our May Lunch & Learn we gathered to review the basics of graphic design for small business. The group reviewed best practices, as well as some not-so-good practices. We completed some exercises looking at good designs and clunky designs, noting areas for improvement.
Here are a few of the helpful tools we reviewed in the session. These tools are readily available for free via a quick Google search:
Image Color Picker
This tool will quickly let you upload an image or logo and find a specific hex code for a color in that image.
Accessibility Contrast Checker
This tool lets you plug in your different color hex codes (background color, foreground or font color, etc.) and shows your accessibility score based on WCAG accessibility requirements:
Accessibility Contrast Checker
Remove Background Tool
This tool lets you plug in your different color hex codes (background color, foreground or font color, etc.) and shows your accessibility score based on WCAG accessibility requirements:
Color Combination Ideas:
Color Hunt offers a variety of color combinations for design. This is helpful if you are unsure where to begin with picking a color palette, or unsure what colors complement each other.
Free Stock Images:
There are multiple sites that offer databases of free images you can use legally, provided by professional photographers from around the world. You may even edit them however you wish. Remember - some of these sites require you to filter to show the free photos - also, beware of ads to paid sites. Here are a few of our favorites:
FontJoy Font Combination Ideas
FontJoy is an interesting tool that allows you to choose a main font, and will randomize appropriate pairing options for you to view. Select your heading or body font on the left, then click the lock icon to lock it in place. Next, click the "Generate" button at the top to generate recommended pairings randomly. Continue clicking this button to view more options.
Colors & the Emotions They Evoke (Article):
This article provides some interesting insight on selecting colors and the emotions each color evokes. Whether you are creating a logo, website, or flyer, consider the emotional ties your design might subconsciously drum up in your audience. Colors can suggest concepts such as trust, energy, enthusiasm, steadiness, wealth... the list goes on.