via Shutterstock What makes a design good or bad? True, it’s subjective to some degree — but ultimately, good graphic design will inspire responses and clearly communicate visual information. Bad design, on the other hand, will impede and muddle that communication. Here are 8 common pitfalls of design and how to easily avoid them: 1. Perfect symmetry Balance is one of the fundamental principles of design. It refers to the way elements are distributed throughout a layout, and it provides a sense of order and stability. However, balance doesn’t have to mean using perfect symmetry all the time. While symmetry isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s a boring and easy way to convey information. By using asymmetry, you’ll create visual interest...
For a long time, people believed the world was flat. Now everyone knows that it’s a glob.
Did you know that, although color information is often presented with a flat image, color has three dimensions as well?
The Pantone Color Institute has released its first new color after three years, in a partnership with Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment. The color, Minion Yellow, is inspired by the popular creatures from Despicable Me, who will be starring in their own spin-off movie, Minions, to be released this summer. The character-inspired color—which is a first for Pantone—began with a suggestion from Pharrell Williams, who originally worked on the Despicable Me soundtrack. The suggestion coincided with the company’s research, which revealed people were hankering for an energizing color to add to their lives. Part of the Institute’s research into color looks at how different shades affect moods and emotions. Minion Yellow is said to heighten awareness and clarity, according to...
The PANTONE Matching System (PMS) is the dominant spot color printing system in the United States. Pantone, Inc. sells guides (known as swatch books) and chips for both spot colors and for process (CMYK) color printing. For the first time purchaser, the number and variety of books can be overwhelming. Here's what you need to know about these swatch books to help you make an informed buying choice. Fan-Guides Somewhat similar to the paint strips you can pick up at a home improvement store, the fan-guides show blocks of several related colors with the color name or formula printed beside each color. The strips are fastened together at one end so that you can spread or fan out the strips....
The first-ever character-branded PANTONE Color inspired by Illumination Entertainment’s Minions Pantone Color Institute is excited to announce the creation of an official new PANTONE Color, Minion Yellow. Based on the Minions from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Despicable Me global film franchise, including the upcoming prequel Minions, PANTONE Minion Yellow is an illuminating, energetic, friendly and fun-loving yellow shade that immediately calls out to you. "Just as the sun’s rays enliven us, PANTONE Minion Yellow is a color that heightens awareness and creates clarity, lighting the way to the intelligence, originality and the resourcefulness of an open mind – this is the color of hope, joy and optimism" The partnership was born when Pharrell Williams, who helped create the...
