design fundamentals for developers
DESCRIPTION
There are many resources on development for designers but what about design for developers? It shows how to create an effective layout, which fonts to choose, and how to make proper color choices. Skills that can be used in any graphic presentation.(Presentation was given at the Heartland Developer Conference.)TRANSCRIPT
Paul Trani [email protected] www.paultrani.com @paultrani
DESIGN FUNDAMENTALSfor Developers
The fundamentals of graphic design for screens
•Adobe Flash Platform Evangelist•Lynda.com and Layers Magazine author•Adobe Certified Instructor•Art school graduate
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PAUL TRANI
“There are only 10 kinds of people in the world. Those that know binary and those that don't.”
“5 out of 4 designers have a problem with fractions.”
AGENDA
• Understand the fundamentals of graphic design for screens
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
• Understanding design will help you be a better developer
• Developers with design skills are in demand
DO’S AND DON’TS
Design Don’ts• http://bouncebargainrentals.com• http://www.html5zombo.com
Inspiration• http://www.designmeltdown.com• http://www.mobileawesomeness.com• http://www.thefwa.com • http://patterntap.com • http://quince.infragistics.com• http://www.designupdate.com
PLANNING
First, define what you’re trying to do.
PLANNING
First, define what you’re trying to do.
bEtsy, we want to sell you stuff you don’t need.
PLANNING
Next, determine your audience.
PLANNING
Next, determine your audience.
Men and women between 18-35.
Unique individuals that crave attention and have money to burn.
PLANNING
The audience determines what needs to be created.
PLANNING
The audience determines what needs to be created.Audience has a laptop and a mobile phone.
TWO RULES BEFORE DESIGNING
RULE 1
Don’t use design programs.
RULE 2
It’s all about leading the eye.
RULE 3
There are no hard and fast rules.
DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS
LayoutGrid, Golden Ratio, Space, Balance, Variety, Hierarchy, Direction
TypographySerif vs. Sans
ColorColor Wheel, Color Choices, Meaning
DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS
LayoutGrid, Golden Ratio, Space, Balance, Variety, Hierarchy, Direction
TypographySerif vs. Sans
ColorColor Wheel, Color Choices, Meaning
GRIDStart with a
RULE OF THIRDS
• Dividing a page into 3 rows and 3 columns• The eye naturally follows this “F” shape
MOBILE = ONE COLUMN
BETSY
GOLDEN RATIO
The
THE GOLDEN RATIO
• Proportion defined as 1.618• Found in nature, art and architecture
1.618 1
Fibonacci Numbers
THE GOLDEN RATIO IN LAYOUT
• Overall Width / 1.618 = Content Block• Overall Width – Content Block = Sidebar Block
Overall Width
Content Block1.618
Sidebar Block1
BETSY
ELEMENTS OF A GOOD LAYOUT
SPACE
Implies importance, elegance, and professionalism.
SPACE
• Don’t try to be great, try to be invisible
“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away”
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
SPACE
WalMart Target
BETSY
BALANCEgives a clear, unified message.
SYMMETRICAL BALANCE
Salvador Dali – The Last Supper
BETSY
Variety Variety Variety VARIETY
VARIETY
VarietyVARIETYVariety variety variety variety variety variety Variety
VARIETY
• Gives visual and conceptual interest• Too much and the design will appear
amateurish• Too little and the design will appear boring
“Variety is the spice of life.”
Joan Miro – Blue II (surrealism)
BETSY
HIERARCHYA well designed project has
HEIRARCHY
• A clear starting point that guides the viewer through the design
• Separate the most important element• Group the less important elements
“Heirarchy does not refer to upper management.”
BETSY
DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS
LayoutGrid, Golden Ratio, Space, Balance, Variety, Hierarchy, Direction
Serif vs. Sans
ColorColor Wheel, Color Choices, Meaning
Typography
• Choose a font that fits the subject• Don’t use more than three• @font-face
TYPOGRAPHY
“Typography has one plain duty before it and that’s to convey information in writing.”
Emil Ruder, Founder of Basel School of Design
• Two main types: – Serif fonts have short finishing lines on strokes– Sans-serif lack Serifs and and are considered
modern as a result.
CHOOSING A FONT
Contrast
Size
Hierarchy
MAKE IT LEGIBLE
FONT STRUCTURE
• There are different type classifications,• Understand type anatomy • Understand type measurements. • Use the Font Picker.
BETSY
DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS
LayoutGrid, Golden Ratio, Space, Balance, Variety, Hierarchy, Direction
TypographySerif vs. Sans
ColorColor Wheel, Color Choices, Meaning
COLOR
• Use color to create hierarchy, dominance, and balance.
• Consistent use of a few colors makes a more cohesive design.
“Use color to emphasize importance, not decorate a page.” Alexander White
COLOR
• The Color Wheel• Warm colors bring elements forward.• Cool colors move elements back. • Kuler
Dong Kingman
IN ACTION
Paul Trani [email protected] www.paultrani.com @paultrani
THANK YOU
http://www.designmeltdown.comhttp://www.mobileawesomeness.comhttp://patterntap.com http://quince.infragistics.comhttp://www.designupdate.com