Graphic Design: Good vs. Bad

This is an example of a business card that shows good graphic design because the content on the card shows great contrast within the background and the amount of space on the card. The contact information on the left side shows similarity in how the contact information boxes are consistent and proximal.

Also, the name of the person and the job description are proportionate and fit into a box made of uneven font sizes. It looks aesthetically pleasing and clever!  The business card uses social media symbols such as the Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn icons with their contact information next to those symbols. There is a sense of unity and consistency throughout the business card: a consistent font type, color scheme (gray, green, and white) and overall modern and boxy feel that the card gives off.

This brochure is an example of great graphic design (although the text is small in the photo). It shows a common theme on each page and how they all connect to the services they offer. Each is consistent with its tan and earthly background. The left side and middle have images flow from the left to the middle. There are similarities and consistencies with the text size, spacing, color, and font. The images on the pages all have the same naturalistic theme. There is balance and a sense of evenness to the three sides; the photos are placed on opposite sides with text information next to them. There is an overall meditative and natural theme that exists in all aspects of the brochure.

This flyer exemplifies great graphic design because it is appeasing to the eye and it gets the message across accurately. Although there are several different shapes in the image, those images are symmetrical and strategically placed to add balance to the image. The fonts they used were very hip and fit the "spiritual" theme of the message. "CRESTWOOD UNIFIED CHURCH presents" has closer kearning than some of the other content in the flyer because the kearning of space in between the text adds to the overall vibe the flyer is trying to create. There is a consistent color scheme of neutral and sunset color tones. The image shows contrast in all images placed on the flyer (the triangles, circle, and text at the top and the bottom of the flyer).

This business card is NOT an example of good graphic, it is an example of BAD graphic design because it has a lot going on for such a small amount of space. The background image clashes too much with the font colors of different shades of blue and it makes it harder for viewers to grasp the words of the text. I think that a horizontal layout would have worked much better for this business card because there is not good contrast; there are large amounts of blank space filled by the top half of the front of the card, the bottom half of the card is saturated with an abundance of text. The balance is off with their use of space; things need to look aesthetically pleasing and have good contrast which this business card lacks.

This brochure is NOT a good example of a good brochure because just looking at it makes me want to rip out my eyes. Where is the viewer suppose to look first? There is no balance; everything is somewhat thrown on there. The background texture is too much with all of the intricate "tropical icons" and collages of the photos that are going on in each section of the brochure. The fonts chosen for the captions make it so the reader is ineligible of understanding what the text is suppose to say. There is a lack of contrast in the third section; images and texts make the section aim the viewers eye only to the right side. There is just way to much going on and why the need for the collages (you can barely decipher what they are).

This is a flyer with bad graphic design; need I explain more? There is just way too much going on and I don't know where I am suppose to be drawn to, the woman with trees and fairies or the information regarding the event at the bottom. The kearning in the text box at the right bottom corner of the flyer spaces the letters very close to one another and it makes it difficult to read. The contrast between the pink and yellow make it hard on the eye to fully grasp the information it is trying to convey. This flyer is also a bit too sexual to be placed on bulletin boards around the community or on campus. Is this promoting sex? What does Funky Chaser mean and what is that image or symbol next to the name of the event? One thing I do have to add though is that it is well balanced.