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Are you fond of applying and scrambling old and new design clichés in
one helpless web page? Are you one of the thousands not yet enlightened that
‘too much of a good thing is bad’? Are you too engrossed in improvising
other designs and not coming up with your own?
Being a design dinosaur is a common sickness among designers who tend to be
exposed and awed in latest design clichés coming out and copying or improvising
them to concentrate on making his / her original design. But this practice isn’t
entirely wrong, though. There’s always some "monkey see, monkey do"
in the design world. Someone comes up with a great logo, Website, package and
the next thing you know, they’re everywhere.
What’s bothersome in using most design clichés is that it implies
you're not using up your own talents as a designer. In graphic designing, the
ultimate creation to make you cry “Eureka!” may come upon us on our
thirtieth attempt. This moment will happen once you really challenge and stretch
yourself.
Here, we give you several examples of design clichés which uses seem
to have gotten out of hand:
- Swooshes – this logo was started by Nike and before we knew it, "swooshes"
were everywhere on the Net. It’s obviously been successful for Nike. But
if your Internet company try to use this swoosh along with thousands, we can’t
guarantee if anyone would remember you.
- Beveled Anything – this give depth to the appearance of your graphics
and prevent it to look flat and one dimensional. But avoid excessive beveling
just because Photoshop now makes it easy. Think about the company you're designing
for. What sort of image do they want to portray?
- Ambiguous Icons – doubtful graphic icons for buttons which are supposed
to lead the user to an important link won’t help you in gaining attention
for your internet company. It would only serve to confuse users and eventually
leave your site. Remember -- if you can't come up with a graphic that is easily
identifiable with where the button leads to, don't use a graphic — or don't
use a graphic with no text.
Some design dinosaurs are fond of Flash - fading text and moving text is pretty
been there, done that. This effect can be seen everywhere and it's a rare occasion
when moving text really catches the eye. There are also those who abuse drop
shadows by having it go in different directions. A drop shadow, indeed gives
depth to a page but if you won’t be so consistent the whole idea is spoiled.
If you don’t want to be a design dinosaur, don’t be too dependent
on design clichés. The only way to achieve an original and outstanding
design is by thinking about your design and deciding what’s really best
for it. You have to challenge yourself and stretch your design muscles. Who
knows? You might be the next one to make a design cliché.-30-
For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.ucreative.com
About the Author:
Lala C. Ballatan is a 26 year-old Communication Arts graduate. Book reading
has always been her greatest passion -- mysteries, horrors, psycho-thrillers,
historical documentaries and classics.
Her writing prowess began as early as she was 10 years old in girlish diaries.
With writing, she felt freedom – to express her viewpoints and assert it,
to bring out all concerns -- imagined and observed, to bear witness. |
