Layout and Design Rules in CorelDRAW

What have we learnt in the last lecture? In the last lecture, we learnt about the workspace. Workspace means what we can fit in the provided sheet.

Another thing is typography and font selection.

Today, we have to see actual layouting and visual balancing.

We can create any design but as I mentioned earlier, designing is not about tools, rather it is about getting a good grip on rules then you have to practice a lot for that.

Rule is such a thing, that you can read it, remember it or understand it but when you have to apply the rule, you must have all the understanding related to that rule and you should be clear in regards to use of rule because designing is a very subjective thing.

Every person has a different kind of perception and you have to understand the perception, taste and thinking of your client, so that you can create designs according to them.

Whenever you create anything in Graphic Designing then you have to take care of this first rule, that is “Consistency is one of the most important points to be noted”.

Consistency should be there.

What do you mean by consistency? Whenever you create any theme or design, then you should maintain the consistency.

In your design, the second page must be consistent with your first page.

Whatever brief we receive related to the design, we have to create a design according to that only.

As I said earlier, if design is related to kids then we have to use kids related fonts and design.

Second thing, there are many companies, who will approach you for logo designing and they already have their logo and you have to create a design for that, in that scenario, you have to create the theme around that logo.

Likewise, Nike Logo! You see the design, it is consistent with the logo.

Another thing, whenever there is a matter of color in the logo, then you should always create a theme of the same color of logo.

You should not select any other color.

Whenever you create any theme, then choose such a background, which highlights the logo.

Suppose you have a dark theme and your logo is blue then it won’t be visible at all.

So, whenever you create any theme, always keep in mind whether your logo will be highlighted or not.

Logo color should not be blurred. You must make it consistent with the theme.

Whenever you create any theme, the font should be consistent till the end of the theme.

Whenever you bring any creation or innovation, then you have to bring it slowly.

It should not come suddenly.

You have to change their color, theme, and font gradually. So it will be easy for customers to grasp that innovation.

If you bring any change suddenly then customers will think that it is a fake brand and it will give a bad impression.

Customer will become hyper or panic, he will think “what happened to this brand”

Always remember that consistency is a must.

After that, “Everything should be clear, crisp and beautiful”.

Everyone likes beautiful things.

Our design should be very much clear. It should not be messy.

Whatever information or image you put in your design, it should be clear and cut.

There are various clear meanings of clear.

We will start with a photo.

If you take any photo then their resolution must be clear.

If you made a very good design but your photo resolution is blurry then that design won’t look good at all.

Always remember while selecting any photo, it should be related to our theme, client and client’s field.

Then if you cut that photo in photoshop, then it should be clear and crisp.

I will recommend you to always use photoshop and the pen tool is the most preferable option for that.

Cut with a Pen tool and whenever you cut there should not be white border line.

If you cut the photo of any person, then take care of his hair, it should be perfectly cut.

Because sometimes a white portion is left in the hairs and that does not look good at all in our design.

Another thing, whenever you put any text information in that then you have to understand the spacing perfectly, further you have to understand the parent child rule as well.

You have to understand which information is related to which title and after that start designing.

Whenever you create any design, then specifically ask your client which point should be focus, which point will go in normal, which point they want first, what is your title, what is your perception, what kind of goal you want to achieve through this design.

You should ask this question to your client or group.

Then only you will get to know what kind of design you want to create.

First thing, you will be clear enough then only you will be able to deliver the design and when the client is clear enough then he will be able to brief you thoroughly.

You have to take a brief.

There are lots of clients and customers, who don’t know what kind of design or logo they want.

Then you have to decide what kind of design you should make according to their field.

You have to do lots of R&D for many fields.

Like you get a project from any pharmaceutical company but our client does not have any idea in regards to design and logo.

Then you understand this very politely and brief the client that these kinds of designs are available in the market.

You have to give them options.

You have to guide him in a very good manner.

But, sometimes, if the client does not understand at all then we have to put efforts to convince him. Selling part will also come in this. “Designing is everything”

There are lots of fields involved in this.

Our third point is “It is important to eliminate color disharmony”.

Whenever you use colors, as I taught you earlier, you have to create every design with the help of color harmony.

Color wheels are themselves created with rules and regulations and we have to follow those rules and regulations.

Whenever you use any color palette from the internet or any website or any application, then those colors which are weird or very less that color should be used very less.

As I told you earlier, Whatever design you create, you have to use colors very perfectly.

Because, colors pass lots of messages.

If you want to pass that message through your color theme then you have to study very well that color harmony.

Fourth rule is “Graphics and text should be proportionally organized.” 

Whatever graphics we use, just like any cartoon, vector, icon or text, make sure that it is well organized.

Ensure that nothing is overlapping or there are no cuts and it should not look messy at all.

Like all the information should be together as per their category.

And, whenever you write any text then make sure that it is aligned from the right side and left side as well.

Don’t leave anything without alignment. You have to set everything with perfect alignment. Then only that design will look appealing.

After that, it comes “Raster-based images are no longer a trend.”

Raster based designs are not very much in trend currently.

So you always make sure that you have to follow the current trend.

Trend is a must!

Always study the trend because in our field you should be always updated.

Your learning process should always be active, and your mind should be active to absorb anything.

You need to be active always. You need to understand the trend.

(Unnecessary repetition of sentences! Stretching the matter unnecessary)

Another thing, whenever you download any vector or raster images or use them in your designing, then you always remember that it should not be copyright.

You study it very well and take care of where you are downloading and what are their rules and regulations.

That you need to understand. Check first, whether it is free or not.

If it is not free, you need to purchase it.

So that you and your client do not face any problem in future.

OK!

Raster based designs are not very much in trend. Sometimes, you can use vectors as well.

Next one is “alignment should be taken care of well” Whenever you do alignment then you must understand that our graphics, text, image are aligned with them.

Everything is somewhere aligned with something.

Nothing should be left anywhere without any alignment.

You should align it or organize it or set it somewhere.

Then only that design will look appealing.

Next one is “Grammar, typos and punctuation are important.” Grammar and typo. Typo should be attractive.

You should check the spelling of your content and make sure that it should be right enough.

If there is any spelling mistake in your content then communicate that to you customer, content writer and if you are writing that content then correct it and after that start preparing designs.

And another thing, whenever you write any paragraph then ensure the grammar and take care where it needs to be cut or end of paragraph or full stop and from where we should start the paragraph.

This is very basic that you have to understand a lot.

In typo, you must understand which kind of font you are using.

You always need to select a font according to your field.

Like if it is for kids then the font should be related to kids.

If it is a corporate font then the font should be related to a corporate firm.

And Punctuation, your everything should be aligned and set in a very good manner.

Whenever you keep spacing, top side, right side, bottom and right then that all spacing should be perfect.

We have seen seven golden rules for our designing and layouting.

Now, the next one is “what is a brand theme?”

We create brand themes first, Whenever we create any brand. Let's understand the branding theme.

“A theme works to generate a positive perception that is aligned with the first (and lasting) impression you want to create.”

Whenever you create any theme, it generates a positive perception for our client and customers.

It creates an image for our brand in mind of our buyers and viewers.

Just like, see coca cola and their punchline “Yeh Dil Mange More”. Another example is Pepsi.

Just Like Dish Tv! All these brands have their unique punch line and according to that it creates an image in our mind, whether that brand is great or not.

Whenever you create any brand or theme then you must understand that “this brand was created for what?” Second thing, what is the base of our client? Third thing, what is the base of our audience?

Like you are creating anything, which are used by kids only then you have to create the theme according to them only.

So, they can relate that with their fancy imagination. You should create according to that only.

After that, “A theme communicates brand personality and attributes more effectively that the standard ‘photo, panel of color and logo’ approach.

Whenever you create any theme, communicate with our buyers and viewers and that message should be very clear and simple.

Don’t make it complicated. There are lots of designs, which are surprising, then in that design we force ourselves to think that, what is next?

Your design should be simple and your message should pass clearly.

Yes! Whatever you want to communicate, keep it clear. So that anyone can catch it.

Layman person should be able to catch it.

Sometimes, designers make designs so complicated that designs have no value.

Because that design seems fake.

We should always remember that all design should be perfect. Messages should be portrayed in a perfect manner.

Whichever color panel or logo you select should be connected with our brand.

We should not select colors totally different from our logo and brand.

You have to connect both of them. You have to connect colors, fonts and brands.

After that, taking all the understanding you should create a theme. Because the theme is such a personality that connects us.

Whenever, you spot a red color in your mind. We usually say coke red. Because coca cola red is very much famous.

Adani's color is purple, and their gradient is also very famous.

There are lots of brands which are recognized by their color only.

So like that, you have to understand how any brand is created.

Any brand takes some time to become famous. But that brand becomes great when it consistently does innovative things.

Theme should be very creative, simple and attractive as well.

So always keep in mind that, whenever you create any brand, you have to provide positive perception to your customer and you will do the marketing of that brand.

In the next lecture, we will learn what is layouting or visual balancing. We will see the examples first.

If you have any queries or comments, click the Discussion button below the video and post there. This way, you will be able to connect to fellow learners and discuss the course. Also, Our Team will try to solve your queries.

OK! Thank you!