Carrie Cousins

Web Standards / 3 May 2021

10 Things Every Email Newsletter Design Needs: Best Practices

There’s an art to crafting the perfect email newsletter design.

It’s a combination of visual presentation and just the right words. It’s delivering quality content in a way that resonates with subscribers and generates opens so that your messages avoid the spam box.

A few email design best practices can help you find inbox success and generate greater conversions for this type of targeted messaging.

And if you need some help, each of the email design examples here is available as a downloadable template.

Business Card Templates / 29 Apr 2021

How to Design a Modern Business Card

Everyone wants a business card that stands out. As more people begin to return to work and physical meetings and spaces, now is the time to revamp your card to make a solid first impression.

There are a few different things that help create distinction among business cards and a modern design is at the top of the list. Let’s dive into some modern and trending design concepts.

Plus, every example is something you can actually download, customize and use.

Graphics / 26 Apr 2021

Data Visualization Design: Tools, Examples & Tips

Data visualization is one of those design trends or techniques that just seems to keep growing in use and value. From simple infographics to full data stories, this informational format is almost everywhere.

And for good reason: A good data visualization makes complex content that much easier to understand.

Here, we are breaking down data visualization tools, examples, tips so you can design with data successfully.

UX Design / 22 Apr 2021

7 Ways to Use Emotion in Web & Graphic Design Projects

The first impression a user has of your design can make or break their experience and determine if they continue interactions. According to WebFX data, 94% of first impressions relate to the design, making the visual and emotional connection you create of utmost importance.

Further, 75 percent of your business, brand, and website credibility comes from the design. And it all connects to the emotional response from a user. The visuals tell them what to think and feel to establish a relationship with you, making it vital to use emotion well in your website and graphic design projects.

Here’s a primer on how to do it successfully.

Business / 19 Apr 2021

How Do You “Design” a Virtual Event? Tips & Ideas

Virtual event design can make or break your online event. There are two major parts of an event design. First, the concepts, programming, and run of show elements that encompass the event itself.

Second, the visual elements that make a virtual event have a presence with the same “feel” as a live conference or session.

Here, we’re going to focus on the design of the latter, so that you can create a branded, consistent theme and package to make virtual events stand out.

Trends / 8 Apr 2021

Design Trend: We’re Still in Love With Gradients (And They Keep Evolving)

If you are looking for a design trend that can hold up over time, consider using a gradient. Every time I seem to think this trend might be over, designers come up with new and even better ways to use color variations for immense impact.

I’m not sure this trend will ever get old because there are so many ways to use it.

Here, we’re going to look at 10 different ways to make the most of gradients with projects that do it exceptionally well. All completely varied, and all completely unique!

Reviews / 8 Apr 2021

Seobase: A New SEO Tool to Help You in Search

Almost every website owner knows that search engine optimization is important, but they don’t all have the tools to get there.

Seobase solves that problem with the most complete free SEO platform available to track your rank, research, and analyze keywords and create reports. Everything is quick and easy to set up and you can start making reports in just a few minutes.

Here’s everything you need to know about Seobase to help figure out if it is the right tool for you.

Accessibility / 6 Apr 2021

Love, Hate & Pop-Ups: How to Use Them Well

The first response you’ll hear from others about using pop-ups on your website is a long sigh.

Many people discount the idea before it really gets off the ground, but when done well, pop-ups are a valuable conversion tool for websites. (Note the phrase “when done well.”)

They get a bad reputation because so many people use them poorly or implement pop-ups with dark patterns that trick and annoy users.

A good pop-up is actually helpful and helps users on their website journey. Let’s dive in and learn how you can still use these well.

Freelancing / 1 Apr 2021

10 Things Freelance Designers Should Not Be Doing

Working as a freelance designer is amazingly rewarding, but also hard. After more than 10 years of working in a solo space, I’ve learned a lot of things. (Some of them the hard way.)

This post is designed to help you avoid some of the mistakes that many of us have made on your path to a strong freelance career.

We always talk about the things you should be doing. Today, we are diving into 10 things freelance designers should not be doing.

You can thank us later!

Graphics / 29 Mar 2021

7 Tips for Establishing a Visual Brand Identity

Whether you are working on a design for a client at a major corporation or posting to your own social media account, a visual brand identity makes it easy for people to see – and know – a company or person at a glance.

Establishing a visual identity is more than popping a logo on something. It’s a collection of elements – from color to typography to imagery – that establishes who you are visually.

Plenty of companies take the time to set brand identity guidelines, but have you thought about how it all comes together visually? This set of tips can help.

Reviews / 25 Mar 2021

SlideUpLift Can Help You Create Amazing Presentations With Ease

Designing a presentation can be a challenge, and no one wants to head into a meeting using the default presentation deck for slides.

You need to create presentations with impact, while keeping a professional feel. Thankfully, this is an easier balance to strike than ever before (all without any technical design knowledge).

SlideUpLift is a collection of complete editable presentation decks and individual templates that use vision science to help you tell your story in just the right way. Here’s a look at the tool.

Software / 24 Mar 2021

Jumpstart Design Prototypes With Wondershare Mockitt

If you’ve ever wanted to build a prototype quickly, Wondershare Mockitt is the tool for you.

The new online prototyping tool is made to help you create interactive prototypes in a hurry – as little as 10 minutes – using drag and drop tools.

Here, we’ll take a look at Wondershare Mockitt and how you can make it work for you. You’ll learn how almost anyone with visual design skills can create a prototype easily, with just a few clicks!