This article references my experience in magazines But the principles apply equally to other media in web design to print. No matter what software you work on, or what the industry is, these guidelines are universal. Understand them and put them into practice will pave a solid foundation for a successful career. The rest is up to you!

There is no doubt that some people have a knack for graphic design, but even the most talented novices need some mentors to learn the fundamentals of design when starting out. Without such guidance, many talented designers will not reach its potential. I've seen to senior managers to the art magazine covers and high impact opener typography creative role filled the surprising and complex collages Photoshop. But the following pages are full of design flaws unforgivable. Here are five basic principles - not necessarily in order of importance - and help you become a better designer from day one.

1. Precedes understanding of typography We've all seen designers do amazing things with the guy. separating the words and the manipulation of individual letters to reflect the context and meaning is one of the fun things about the design. Before you go that far, however, a prerequisite simple: read the copy and get it! For people whose job is to work with the guy, many designers have an aversion to reading. Before you can go play with the text, you must understand exactly what is being asked to present visually. Know the words - if any - is necessary to underline, to understand the hierarchy and stick to it.

2. Good typography Once you are ready to bend to your will type, remember it's not always necessary to spend hours looking for the perfect source. Try instead a normal source and do something creative with it. This is a good place for a experienced designer to test their skills of typography. If you can produce a creative design with classic fonts such as Helvetica, Times, Garamond, etc, then you will be well prepared to explore and design a responsible manner with the more exotic sources available. Bonus tip: If you are combining the sources, the key is that there must be contrast between them, otherwise you may as well just use the (or variations thereof). This can be done using the size, weight and color but also consider the style of its own sources. It is rarely a good idea to link two decorative fountains. Moreover, the combination of exotic sources and can give fantastic results plains.

3. Understand the hierarchy Hierarchy laws apply equally to text, graphics and images. Without them, their art tours at the first hurdle. List in the head (or jot them down on paper) design elements in order of importance, then the design and installation so that the viewer recognizes immediately how much you should look first. Start with the more important, then second most, and so forth. Rarely needed more than three or four-level hierarchy. Again, use size, weight and color to affect the outcome, but it is important that this hierarchy is at the heart of its design, not a last minute adjustment. Once you have finished, have a good look at his work. If the hierarchy is not obvious to you, chances are it will not be obvious to anyone else.

4. The color combination You have an idea of color or not. Partially true, however, beginners can not expect to have the same sense of color balance as a veteran of the industry. So where to start? Obviously, you have to consider what type of design you are doing, and that is the subject. But if you are working with the primary vibrant earthy palette or style, there are ways to make sure it is the combination of colors that do not jar or vibrate against each other. Take a nice earthly dwelling: 50C/45M/15Y. Instead of grabbing a complementary color blind, Try sliding the CMYK channels against each other, leaving at least an equal. If only we slide down the magenta 50C/10M/15Y so we find a nice turquoise color that works perfectly with the color purple. Or maybe you want a hot combination. Return to the original purple and assigning numerical values to the same alternate color channels: 15C/50M/45Y. You now have a pink ground - the same values, the different channels. Again, that works well with the purple (actually, they all work together.) Naturally, there's nothing saying you need to stick rigidly to this rule, but it is a good starting point for a novice designer struggling with the difficult concept of color. And do not forget to make sure your monitor and printer are calibrated to accurately display.

5. Is your design the best possible solution? Graphic design is of course subjective, and there are a hundred different ways that lead to the solution. You need to find the best. Once you've finished your work, ask yourself this: is this the best possible outcome? The measure of what type of design will become will rest largely on the extent to which you push with the same problem. Do not settle for anything if you are not 100% convinced that it is the best design results. If there is even a sliver of a doubt in your mind, change it or try something new. Your client wants to see the best thing to do. That's exactly what you must deliver every time.

The above principles should be lesson for any designer 1.01 following graph. A successful book, experienced professional to them without ever stopping to think about it. Creativity is endless contemporary art, not graphic design. Never forget your customer. They are paying to be creative, but work with these guidelines in mind will help you build a structure to your art to be true to its purpose and sell exactly what is designed to sell ... whether or not so glamorous glamorous. After all, that is precisely what is employed to do.

Martin Parra is a graphic designer for 37 years of age, with headquarters in Sydney, with industry experience of more than 18 years, including roles as an Art Director and Editor. This versatility has given him a unique opportunity to see graphic design, both from the standpoint of editorial and artistic. Throughout his career, Martin has had to implement and monitor important journals redesigns, relaunches comprehensive report writing and producing logo / designs and cradle cap to cover the models to accompany them. In February 2008 Martin left his career since long ago in the ACP magazine publication to start his own one-person graphic design business.