Articles - Page 116

Font Collections / 28 Apr 2020

Variable Fonts: A 101 Introduction (+ Free Variable Fonts to Try)

Variable fonts is a new buzzword we keep hearing these days. Is it really just a buzzword or something revolutionary? In today’s article, we aim to give you a solid answer while covering the basics of variable fonts (with a few examples of great free variable fonts to try).

Variable fonts are considered to be the biggest innovation since the introduction of web fonts in web design. In due time, variable fonts will make a huge impact on the web and the way you use typography in web design. Needless to say, as a designer, it’s important to have an understanding of this new approach to fonts.

If you’re still wondering what these variable fonts really are, we’ll help you get a basic understanding of it. And also show you a few examples of variables fonts you can use for free in your own designs. Keep reading.

Font Collections / 27 Apr 2020

How to Pick a Font (For Any Design): 10 Tips & Principles

Choosing the right font for a new project can be exhilarating. But it can also be a major challenge. Fortunately, there are some timeless rules you can follow when deciding how to pick a font.

Whether you’re going for a super-subtle and simple design, or a bright and bold layout with impact, you’ll always need to consider some similar trade-offs with typography.

How to pick a font is less about specific steps and more about creating the right feel for a design project. Here’s how you do it (with some examples of lovely typography choices).

Font Collections / 22 Apr 2020

How to Change the Default Font in Word, Google Docs & PowerPoint

Sometimes design is as much about helping others use the tools as it is creating things. There are plenty of days when adding “tech support” to your resume seems feasible! But being armed with little tips and tricks can make work life easier for you and those around you.

Being able to change the default font in common software is one of these tricky smart tips.

Here’s how you change the default font in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Microsoft PowerPoint. And it’s all packaged here for you in one place.

Figma Templates / 20 Apr 2020

20+ Best Figma Tutorials for Beginners

Figma is one of the hot interface design application tools out there. It’s made for collaboration and working with others on digital-based projects. You can design and illustrate (it has vector tools!), prototype, and generate code.

Plus, you can work seamlessly with others and participate in fully integrated design collaboration.

If you haven’t started to use Figma yet, it can be a little intimidating. You can of course learn more about the tool direct from Figma, but there’s lots more to explore as well.

To make it easier we’ve gathered twenty Figma tutorials for beginners to make learning this tool a breeze!

PowerPoint Templates / 15 Apr 2020

How to Narrate a PowerPoint Presentation (And Record Your Voice)

For a presentation that you aren’t actually giving in person, you can narrate it within PowerPoint, recording your voice so that others can play it back when they watch the presentation.

It’s a nifty trick that popular with slide shows and presentations on networks such as SlideShare, YouTube, and even individual websites. And it can even help you when rehearsing your presentation as well.

Here’s how to narrate a PowerPoint presentation by recording your voice, in a few quick steps!

Software / 15 Apr 2020

How to Install Photoshop Plugins (In 2 Minutes!)

An Adobe Photoshop plugin is a tool that can shave time off projects in the popular photo editing tool. Here’s a quick guide on how to install Photoshop plugins in just a couple of minutes.

There are plugins that do almost anything, and can quickly become a seamless part of your workflow. Adobe’s Camera Raw plugin is used by photographers everywhere, for example.

Installing a plugin seems to keep getting easier all the time. You can follow manual steps or click to add plugins right from Photoshop.

Either method takes less than 2 minutes and almost anyone can do it.

Inspiration / 13 Apr 2020

10 “Random Act of Kindness” Ideas for Designers

Sometimes it’s the little things that can bring a smile and make your day. More than ever these random acts of kindness are needed to help get your community (and the world) through tough times.

As a designer, you can use your creative ability to spread kindness. Your skills give you a unique way to brighten someone’s day, help a local business or charity, and make a difference.

Not sure where to start? We have a few ideas that you can borrow, add your creative flair to, and use to spread kindness and happiness.

Keep smiling!

Trends / 25 Mar 2020

Design Trend: 3D Geometry

Three-dimensional shapes and geometry add depth and visual interest to the digital space. Maybe that’s why this is a trending website design technique.

While 3D elements in web design aren’t new, using geometry and geometric shapes to create this effect is beginning to explode. It can be a fun and interesting way to make elements seem to jump off the screen for website visitors.

Here’s a look at the trend with some examples to get you thinking about how this design trend (and these techniques) might work in your projects.

Business / 23 Mar 2020

7 Tips for Developing a Website Redesign Strategy

With the average lifespan of a website being somewhere between 3 and 5 years, chances are that you’ll have a website redesign project soon (if you aren’t already working on one.)

The foundation of a solid redesign is strategy. What do you (or your client) hope to get out of the redesign? Why is the change being made? What does success look like?

Answer these questions and it will help bring the design together. Plus, we have a few more tips for developing a website redesign strategy. (Take note of the images in this post, they are pretty nifty website designs from the Design Shack gallery.)

Instagram Templates / 18 Mar 2020

Instagram Story Design: 7 Pro Tips & Ideas

If you aren’t designing Instagram Stories, it might be time to start. More than 500 million people use the vertical format on the social media channel every day.

Stories are fun, they allow for creativity, and this is a place where you can really showcase your design skills to a social media audience.

It’s a little different from some of the other ways you’ve probably used social in the past. Here’s a guide to help you post Instagram Stories like a pro, with examples and ideas to help you see our advice in practice.

Brochure Templates / 17 Mar 2020

20+ Professional Brochure Templates & Designs

Designing a professional brochure used to be a job for a professional designer. But not anymore. Now you can make your own brochures using professional pre-made brochure templates.

There are many different types of brochure designs ranging from bi-fold layouts to tri-fold and multi-page brochures. Each type consists of unique design styles and formatting.

You can create all those types of brochures using templates. They are already designed with proper content formatting, image placeholders, and beautiful backgrounds and shapes. All you have to do is copy and paste your content to make it your own.

Whether you’re making a brochure for your business or looking for inspiration for a new brochure design, you can explore our collection to find new layouts, designs, and ideas for creating various brochures. Go have a look.

Graphics / 16 Mar 2020

What Is Storytelling in Design? 10 Tips & Examples

Storytelling. It’s one of those buzzwords that is connected to website design and marketing. It seems to be the linchpin that holds these efforts together.

But what does good storytelling in design look like? Why is storytelling such an important element of design projects?

Let’s take a look at some examples of amazing storytelling and how you can apply those concepts to your projects.