Carrie Cousins

Graphics / 14 Mar 2023

How + Why to Use a Website Wireframe Template

Wireframing is one of those design processes that happens organically and intentionally. How many times have you sketched an idea during a meeting? How many times have you created a presentable wireframe for a client meeting?

Both types of wireframes are equally important parts of the design and iteration process.

The latter takes a little more effort to create, and that’s where a wireframe template comes in. Here’s everything you need to know about using them effectively, and how they can help to save you time, improve the quality of your wireframes, and help you get your ideas down in a physical format.

Graphics / 13 Mar 2023

Pixel Art & Pixel Fonts: How to Work With This Timeless Design Trend

You may have noticed a lot of pixelation on the web lately. And it is by design.

Pixel art and pixel fonts – a design element that’s not necessarily new – are making a trending comeback. Pixel art and fonts often refer to some of the same elements – designs sometimes contain pixel type or design elements with non-pixel elements. The overall look has a “beginning of the web” feel.

Here’s a look at this website, font, and graphic design trend and how to use it in your projects.

Poster Design / 10 Mar 2023

How to Make a Poster in PowerPoint: 10 Simple Steps

In addition to creating presentations, did you know you can use PowerPoint to design other elements such as posters? Today, we’re walking you through exactly how to make a poster in PowerPoint.

While not everyone thinks about making a poster design in PowerPoint, it’s pretty easy—and is a viable option if you need something quickly, or don’t have other design software available. (Posters made in PowerPoint are frequently used in academic settings for assignments and event promotion on college campuses.) Today, we’re going to take you through the steps of how to make a poster in PowerPoint.

PowerPoint Templates / 2 Mar 2023

30+ Stylish PowerPoint Color Schemes 2023

Color is an element that can make or break a design, and that rule holds true for presentation design as well. Choosing the right PowerPoint color scheme is super important.

But there’s one extra thing to consider – where your presentation will be given. A PowerPoint presentation can look quite different on a computer or tablet versus on a projected screen.

When it comes to selecting a PowerPoint color scheme, this is an important consideration. We’ve rounded nearly stylish PowerPoint color schemes as inspiration. While darker color schemes might look great close-up on screens, opt for lighter backgrounds (for enhanced readability) for projected presentations.

Note: The last color in each scheme is for the slide background.

Microsoft Word Templates / 1 Mar 2023

10+ Tips for Modern, Pro Page Layout Designs in Microsoft Word

If you are ready to amp up your designs in Microsoft Word, this is the right place. Here – with templates as examples – we are going to look at a variety of ways you can create more modern, professional-looking page layout designs using this common tool.

Microsoft Word is capable of so much more than you might expect with page layout. You can build modern, on-trend documents, and push the software further than ever before.

Forget the old days of Word Art and choosing between six fonts. Let’s take Microsoft Word into a new world of improved design and typography!

Trends / 27 Feb 2023

Are Grids Dead? Why Do So Many Websites Seem to Not Have Them?

Design elements just seem to be all over the place these days. They respond in a number of different ways, moving up and down, left to right, and even diagonally. Is anyone using a grid anymore?

All of these design schemes really got us thinking about grids and their use in modern website design. Is the grid dead? Why do so many projects look like they are designed off of a grid? And have there been any fundamental changes in the last few years?

It’s a pretty complicated topic (and one that doesn’t have a super clear-cut answer).

Trends / 23 Feb 2023

Design Trend: Text-Only Homepages

Where did all the images go? There’s a major trend right now, where designers are creating homepage hero areas that only include text, but with no images or video.

It’s an interesting aesthetic that puts a lot of focus on words and lettering. It can be elegant and beautiful or turn disastrous quickly. And it requires quite a bit of nuance and craft to get right.

As you notice more of these trending sites, you can decide how you feel about them. Personally? We think, when done well, they can be a beautiful example of design on the web.

Procreate Brushes / 20 Feb 2023

20+ Procreate Drawing Ideas (+ Procreate Ideas for Beginners)

Procreate is a popular drawing app for iPad and iPad Pro. With the Apple Pencil and the right set of brushes, this app can help you craft amazing digital drawings and paintings.

We have a feature on how to use it here, and the following Procreate drawing ideas will help you get started with using the tool. It can have a bit of a learning curve, but starting simple and following along with these tutorials will give you a leg up.

Plus, many of these Procreate ideas are perfect for beginners and each one includes a video so you can follow along.

Trends / 16 Feb 2023

Candy Pastels: A Soft and Soothing Graphic Trend

Softer colors, soothing palettes, and a lighter vibe are what the candy pastels design trend is all about. More projects are using this color scheme to create a subtle and softer feel for projects, a distinct shift from many of the bold, bright colors that have been popular for the last few years.

Usually featuring pastel shades of pink, blue, yellow, green, and purple, it’s a calm and comforting collection of colours. Inspired by sweets and confectionary of old, it’s dubbed “candy pastels”.

Here’s a look at the design trend and how you can make the most of it.

Trends / 13 Feb 2023

Design Trend: Experimental Typefaces & Fonts

One of the biggest trends in website design is experimental typefaces. These funky, unique, and always special fonts can serve as the backbone of a project or provide a special spark.

Experimental typefaces come in a variety of formats from handwriting styles to interesting serifs to color or animated fonts. There’s something for everyone with fonts that are a little bit different (or even customized).

Here’s a look at this design trend and how to make it work for you.

Font Collections / 9 Feb 2023

Font Psychology: How to Use It to Create Persuasive Designs

You’ve likely heard the phrase “a photo is worth a thousand words.” If that’s true, then so is a typeface.

Font selection can greatly impact what you say through design and how easy it is to read, as well as the emotion and human psychology attached to it.

Even though words are meant to be read, they are also looked at and establish a visual connection.

Today we’re diving into the idea of the psychology of fonts, and how to use them to impact what message your design conveys.

Trends / 6 Feb 2023

Tropicalism: A Design Trend Coming Back in 2023

Tropicalism is a design trend that we are already seeing quite a bit of in 2023. You’ll know it thanks to bright colors, fun illustrations, and a breezy feel that makes you think of summer (and maybe a cold drink).

It’s a trend that draws inspiration from tropical landscapes, flora, and fauna. It is characterized by bright, bold colors, patterns featuring tropical leaves and flowers, and imagery of exotic birds and animals. The trend often incorporates organic shapes, textures, and materials to create a lush and tropical atmosphere.

The design trend extends to all elements of design, including website, illustration, and printed materials. Here’s a look at the trend and how to make the most of it in your projects.