Carrie Cousins

Trends / 20 Apr 2023

The Geometric Design Trend: Patterns, Fonts, and More

One of the design styles that’s been gaining popularity is the use of geometric elements including patterns, geometric fonts, and other elements to create a design scheme. Often these patterns and elements are rather simplistic, but they can have complex elements as well.

Geometric shapes and elements can be used for almost any part of a design, from a hero element to the full aesthetic.

Here, we’ll take a look at this design trend, characteristics, and tips to help you use it well.

Microsoft Word Templates / 17 Apr 2023

How to Create an Invoice in Word (In 3 Simple Steps!)

From small businesses to one-off needs for freelancers, Microsoft Word can be a reliable – and easy – option for creating quick invoices. Most people have it, and you can get a surprisingly well designed invoice made with relatively little effort!

You can use a template that comes with the software by default, create your own, or download a predesigned option from a marketplace such as Envato Elements. (The latter option is the easiest by far.)

Here, we’ll walk you through how to create an invoice in Word using an example template. You can download it here and follow along.

Font Collections / 3 Apr 2023

Choosing a Poster Font: 10 Tips & Ideas

Poster design can be some of the most fun you have as a designer. There’s nothing quite like seeing information for an event or concert hanging in a public location as you move by.

The key to these design projects is font selection. You need typefaces, colors, sizes, and scales that make content easy to read from a distance and up close also.

Here, we’re going to look at some tips and ideas for choosing a poster font so that your projects turn out amazing! (Plus, this post includes some design template examples with great typography that you can download from Envato Elements.)

Reviews / 30 Mar 2023

WebWave: Drag-and-Drop Website Creation

Sometimes creating a website is not part of your design repertoire. Whether you are intimidated by coding or aren’t familiar with the tools, many graphic designers tend to shy away from website builds.

WebWave makes it easier to create and publish a website using tools that function and work more like the graphic design software you already know and love.

Here, we’ll look at this new tool and how it can work for you.

Keynote Templates / 29 Mar 2023

What Is Apple Keynote? (And 5 Tips for Getting Started)

Mac and iPad/iPhone users have probably seen the little blue presentation icon on the devices. But have you ever really used it? This icon is for Apple Keynote, a presentation tool that comes standard on all iOS devices.

Keynote is native to Mac, so you won’t find it on PC devices. It’s a tool that people tend to love once they make the switch from another type of presentation software. It’s focused on design, a polished presentation, and creating a really solid experience as you design your slides.

Today, we’re going to look at Apple Keynote—what it is and, and how to get started with this robust presentation tool.

Trends / 23 Mar 2023

Design Trend: Blockchain’s Impact on Design and Branding

Sometimes a design trend can start from an unlikely source. Blockchain, a technology designed for secure information transfer, has impacted the online community.

From Bitcoin to NFTs to everyday design projects, you can see some of the impact in projects that have nothing to do with blockchain itself. Here’s a look at how blockchain is impacting design and what it means for you.

While not a design or branding technique, this digital business tool is already changing the landscape of design. Let’s dive in and find out how.

CV & Resume Templates / 21 Mar 2023

How Do You List Freelance Work on Your Resume? (We Have the Answer)

Congratulations, your freelance business is proving successful. But how do you handle talking about it or explaining freelance work to potential employers, or on your resume? It can be a hard subject to explain as a single entry on paper, and you don’t want freelance work to look like an employment gap.

There are some things you can do to on paper (and on LinkedIn) to help present freelance work in a way that is more understandable to others. The key for many freelancers – especially those working part-time – is remembering to include freelance work as part of your resume and design portfolio. Sometimes those jobs can be just the thing you need to help land the next big gig!

Font Collections / 20 Mar 2023

What Is a Font License? (And Do I Need One?)

Almost every design project you encounter will include type of some kind. And it’s very likely that that type will start as a font on a computer, unless you create it yourself. With using specific computer fonts, come some very specific rules regarding their use, which can vary by project.

So what is a font license? Do you need one? And where can you find the tools and resources you need to make sure you are using fonts properly?

Lucky for you, we have a primer. (And the images in this post include fonts that you can license to use in your projects.)

Accessibility / 20 Mar 2023

10 Rules for Designing for Inclusivity & Equality

Designing for inclusivity and equality is a core principle of many designers. You want to create something that puts people first and is intended to be for everyone.

With that guidance in mind, Inclusive Design Principles is a codified set of seven rules for inclusive design. Here, we’re going to look at those principles, plus three more, to help you design for inclusivity and equality.

Designing for inclusivity and equality takes forethought and conscious practice. Seeing things that aren’t part of your everyday circles can be hard. So learning more about how to approach this whole space is a great place to start.

CSS / 17 Mar 2023

An Introduction to Animation in Web Design

Animation is not just for cartoons anymore. From full-screen moving images to small hover effects, touches of animation are popping up everywhere. Animation is trendy, fun, and user-friendly.

And the obstacles to using animation have started to fall. With most users on high-speed connections and the ease of creating anything from simple movements or a silly gif to several minutes of action, animations have become practical and useful web design tools.

Let’s dive in!

Business / 16 Mar 2023

How to Design More Sustainable Packaging

Have you noticed that more of your packages may be arriving in eco-friendly envelopes rather than boxes? Or that some packages explain that they are compostable or contain less waste than in the past?

There’s a large movement to create, design, and use more sustainable packaging for everything from shipping to consumer goods. If you haven’t been asked to design one of the products yet, it is likely that you might get one soon.

But how do you do it? What are the best practices for designing more sustainable packaging? Let’s explore this design technique.

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.