1-877-513-3999
type here...
Home Uncategorized
Uncategorized

C.A.R.P. – My graphic design basics

By Olivia Parker
22
0

Four simple techniques I employ for fantastic graphic design.
Graphic design isn’t easy. A year ago I wrote an article on the strategies I employ to simplify the design process. However, what I did not discuss were the design principles I personally follow. The guidelines for all the designs I compose are contrast, alignment, repetition, and proximity, C.A.R.P. It’s an acronym I was introduced to by my high school communications technology teacher, which actually functioned quite well because our school motto was carpe diem (although try telling a class of immature, sniggering fourteen-year-olds to not use the other spelling.) In my experience, anyone can be a graphic designer if they follow these four rules.

Contrast

Contrast is about creating visual interest by pairing together elements with dissimilar properties. This includes colour, typefaces, shapes, size, texture, space, etc. Obvious examples include black and white, serif and sans serif fonts, and big and small type point sizes. Implementing contrast in design helps draw attention to important elements or create a hierarchy in the content, such as when one makes a heading’s typeface point size larger than a subheading’s. When one designs with contrast in mind, the piece becomes visually dynamic and a viewer’s eyes are immediately drawn to the important elements or messages because of the emphasis the contrasting differences create.

Alignment

Whether it is the typesetting, shapes, or image placement, alignment plays a key role in how items appear relative to the page, column, table, cell, or tab. Right, left, or centred, how elements are aligned together helps organize and order the content, controlling how the eye flows from one component to the next. One of the most jarring issues to see is a graphic element that appears to be placed randomly on the page. For example, PowerPoint presentations can be downright distracting when bullet points from the same list are out of alignment.

Repetition

Once the style is decided, setting the thematic tone and appearance of the design, repetition becomes paramount. Repetition is using the same or similar elements throughout the design, such as typefaces, colour palettes, motifs, etc. This is especially critical in document design where all the elements must work as part of a larger whole. It is through repetition that the order, structure, and logic of the document is created. Repetition establishes the similarity between parts, which helps simplify the design. Because the more alike items are, the more likely they are to form groups and create unity.
Repetition also encompasses consistency. In an age of omnichannel marketing, consistency is increasingly important, as campaigns across multiple media channels need to convey a cohesive design and consistent brand imaging. Repeating the same aesthetic can immediately generate brand recognition and identify a marketing campaign.

Proximity

Proximity is the distribution of space between elements. Kerning, leading, margins, gutters, etc. all affect how items are placed in relation to each other in a design. Proximity serves two functions. First, proximity creates balance and white space in a design. Consistent spacing and margins reinforce alignment and retain the organization of the design. When the distribution of space between graphics is inconsistent, like alignment, it becomes obvious and distracting. Second, the nearness of elements to one another can correlate to their relationship with each other. Viewers naturally assume that items are grouped together based on their proximity to one another.

Conclusion

Regardless of skill level or program choice applying these four principles is guaranteed to improve any design project because it will be neater, organized, dynamic, and cohesive. The inverse is just as true. Following the rules and then deviating from them can create visual interest and dynamism in the piece making it more appealing to look at. My high school teacher probably did not realize the knowledge he was imparting to me at the time, but C.A.R.P. has been invaluable to me. From Grade 9 to the present, I still apply these rules to any composition I do – yes, even my PowerPoint presentations.

Previous articleLike it or not…you’re in sales!
Next articleClick here to unsubscribe: Part 3
Olivia Parker

Related Articles

22 COMMENTS

  1. I got this web site from my buddy who told me regarding this web
    site and at the moment this time I am visiting this
    website and reading very informative articles or reviews at this place.

    <a href="[Link deleted]bend coffee urn parts
    <a href="[Link deleted]many coffee scoops per cup
    <a href="[Link deleted]welding certifications
    <a href="[Link deleted]maple bonsai care
    <a href="[Link deleted]junipers
    <a href="[Link deleted]ficus tree
    <a href="[Link deleted]welding helmet auto darkening
    <a href="[Link deleted]ar scope
    <a href="[Link deleted]2.0 k350 reviews
    <a href="[Link deleted]of dart board

    my website <a href="[Link deleted]viper x 1

  2. A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment.
    I do think that you should write more on this topic, it may not be a
    taboo matter but generally people don’t discuss such issues.
    To the next! Cheers!! <a href="[Link deleted]

  3. Wonderful blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.
    Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
    I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!

    Thanks I saw similar here: <a href="[Link deleted]and also
    here: <a href="[Link deleted]sklep

  4. It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of information. I am
    satisfied that you just shared this helpful information with us.
    Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
    I saw similar here: sklep internetowy (<a href="[Link deleted]and also here:
    <a href="[Link deleted]Sklep

  5. I’m not sure why but this weblog is loading incredibly slow for me.
    Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue
    on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.<a href="[Link deleted]

  6. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been doing a little research on this.
    And he in fact bought me lunch because I stumbled upon it for him…
    lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
    But yeah, thanks for spending time to discuss this matter here on your site.

  9. Very rapidly this site will be famous among all blogging viewers,
    due to it’s good content

    <a href="[Link deleted]cancelling headphones for nascar

    <a href="[Link deleted]much does leveling a yard cost

    <a href="[Link deleted]grading cost per acre

    <a href="[Link deleted]night hunter xp

    <a href="[Link deleted]to disassemble binoculars

    <a href="[Link deleted]mower deck belt replacement

    <a href="[Link deleted]juniper bonsai styles

    <a href="[Link deleted]much caffeine in cappuccino sachets

    <a href="[Link deleted]deere mower blade bolt size

    <a href="[Link deleted]dartboard games

  10. Thanks for finally talking about > C.A.R.P. – My graphic design basics – Graphic Arts Media hoshizaki ice machine beeping
    <a href="[Link deleted]a dart board
    <a href="[Link deleted]coffee decanter
    <a href="[Link deleted]much caffeine in instant coffee
    <a href="[Link deleted]coffee maker single serve
    <a href="[Link deleted]keurig 2.0
    <a href="[Link deleted]olive tree care
    <a href="[Link deleted]ice maker troubleshooting
    <a href="[Link deleted]cricket pro 650 electronic dartboard
    <a href="[Link deleted]night vision rifle scope for the money

    My web site – <a href="[Link deleted]d17 1 certification

  11. Right now it seems like WordPress is the top blogging
    platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what
    you are using on your blog?

    <a href="[Link deleted]
    <a href="[Link deleted]
    <a href="[Link deleted]
    <a href="[Link deleted]
    <a href="[Link deleted]
    <a href="[Link deleted]
    <a href="[Link deleted]
    <a href="[Link deleted]
    <a href="[Link deleted]
    <a href="[Link deleted]

    my page: <a href="[Link deleted]dartboard

  13. Hello there! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you
    know how to make your site mobile friendly?
    My site looks weird when browsing from my iphone.

    I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to fix this problem.
    If you have any recommendations, please share.
    Thanks!

    <a href="[Link deleted]in a cappuccino

    <a href="[Link deleted]night vision scope review

    <a href="[Link deleted]indycar speed

  14. Hello great blog! Does running a blog such as this require a large amount of work?
    I’ve absolutely no understanding of programming but I had
    been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyhow, should you have any recommendations or tips for new blog owners please share.

    I know this is off subject however I just had to ask.
    Kudos!

  19. эссе великий шелковый путь на казахском, шелковый путь маршрут жасушалық циклдің кезеңдері, жасушалық цикл неше кезеңнен
    тұрады мұсылман философиясы эссе, философия кітап курс доллара в экибастузе каспий банк,
    курс валют сбербанк экибастуз

  20. форте банк отделения алматы, форте
    банк график работы алматы топ шашлык алматы, шашлык алматы отзывы қалай асылып өлуге болады,
    асылып өлу ауруы бас каса
    базар бг, база данных мвд рк поиск людей

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisement -

For continuously learning professionals of advertising, graphic arts and print technologies.

Made with love, perseverance, and many cups of coffee in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Thanks for stopping bye!

Please contact us by sending a message to: info@graphicartsmag.com or calling us at 1 (877) 513 3999

Graphic Arts Media is a division of BKLK Inc © 1997-2021