The art of simplicity in graphic design

Less is more

When it comes to creating professional design content, sometimes what you choose not to include is every bit as important as what you do. It can be very tempting to see the white space as a blank canvas waiting to be filled, but space actually plays a very crucial role in allowing your elements to breathe.

When working on a design, you should consider not only which elements you’re choosing to include but also the hierachy. For example, if all of your text is in heading size and at the top of the document, nothing will stand out. If everything is large or the same size, it’s hard to know where to look and what to focus on first.

Only keep the elements you need

Designers often get tasked with the challenge of including too much information on a design, which ultimately ends up in a crowded design with no clear overarching message. Working out what information is necessary to get your message across is crucial. You should ask yourself questions like: Can some of the information be simplified? Can I use icons or simplified diagrams to get my message across clearer and make the design less text heavy?

Who’s doing it right?

There are several brands and organisations who execute this design principle perfectly. But one of our favourite examples is Apple.

One of Apple’s defining characteristics is simplicity. Instead of trying to be flashy or eye-catching, Apple’s brand is designed to look clean and simple. This results in an instantly recognisable design. You can see a poster and know it’s for Apple before you’ve even read anything. And even if you saw a picture of a real apple with a bite taken out of it, you would still think of the brand.

If you’re looking for support with making your designs look polished and professional, then we’d love to help you. Get in touch with a member of our team today and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can work together.