| Non-designers often misunderstand the design | | | | If your finished piece will be printed |
| process. Good graphic design involves much | | | | professionally, it pays to use fewer colors. |
| more than playing with graphics. A good | | | | Many printers charge extra for additional |
| designer spends time thoroughly planning his | | | | colors. In this scenario, a one color |
| or her design before any designing actually | | | | document can cost hundreds of dollars less |
| occurs.Establish the missionThe first step is | | | | than one with multiple colors. A good |
| to determine what you want to achieve. Start | | | | designer knows this, and doesn't go hog wild |
| by naming your target. Are you selling a | | | | when it comes to choosing colors.Thanks to |
| service? Are you selling a product or cause? | | | | some online print businesses, it is possible |
| Your answer determines how your design | | | | to receive multi-color printing at an |
| progresses.Target the audienceIn order to | | | | affordable price. However, as with anything, |
| reach someone, you must effectively | | | | it's buyer beware. Using an offsite printer |
| communicate your message. Once you know the | | | | means you can't check your print job before |
| audience, your design efforts will be easier. | | | | it's done. There's a chance you'll receive a |
| You'll know if it should be tailored to a | | | | job that's been printed using incorrect |
| young hip audience, or perhaps to an older | | | | colors, that has pages out of order, or |
| more mature crowd.Determine the mediumHow | | | | contains printers errors such as |
| will you reach your audience? Do you want a | | | | smudges.Another minus to using online an |
| simple brochure? Are you interested in | | | | online print business is that you can't |
| designing a fancy ad to appear in a national | | | | always specify print stock. For instance, you |
| glossy magazine? What about a nice website? | | | | may find a nice stock of paper at your local |
| Each has its own design requirements, and a | | | | office supply store. You decide the paper |
| good designer knows how to implement each | | | | would be great for your project. Unless you |
| one.A brochure designed for an upscale | | | | take the paper to a local printer, or print |
| audience will be different than one designed | | | | using your own computer, you won't be able to |
| for a middle-class audience. A website geared | | | | use the paper.As you can see, there's more to |
| towards young people will appear vastly | | | | good graphic design than just designing. A |
| different than one aimed at elderly adults. | | | | good graphic designer takes many things into |
| When it comes to graphic design, one size | | | | account before starting work. It is time |
| does not fit all.Establish a budgetA general | | | | consuming, but a little time spent planning |
| budget will keep the design process on track. | | | | means less time spinning your wheels.Andy |
| As you will see below, many different factors | | | | Eaton is by far the best graphic designer I |
| determine the final price of a piece. If you | | | | have ever come across! Not only does he |
| set a budget, you can be sure not to spend | | | | create quality graphics, which actually do |
| more money than you can afford.Choose your | | | | increase your website sales he actually goes |
| colorsThis is an important step often not | | | | one step further and teaches you his exact |
| given enough thought in the design process. | | | | methods to crank out profit pulling graphics. |