graphic design, typography, fonts, images, 3D, Icons, logo design Simon Hammond graphic design, typography, fonts, images, 3D, Icons, logo design Simon Hammond

Design Trends for 2024

Graphic design is an ever-evolving field that continually adapts to new technologies, aesthetics, and cultural shifts. As we move into 2024, we anticipate some exciting trends that will shape the visual landscape. From innovative techniques to thematic choices, the world of graphic design is set to be vibrant and dynamic. In this blog, we'll explore the graphic design trends we're likely to see in 2024.

Read More
graphic design, typography, fonts, images, 3D, Icons, logo design Simon Hammond graphic design, typography, fonts, images, 3D, Icons, logo design Simon Hammond

Is Print Dead? The Value of Print Media

In today's digital age, where screens dominate our lives, it's natural to wonder whether traditional print media is still a viable option for promoting your business. The rise of digital marketing, social media, and online advertising has led many to question the relevance and effectiveness of print materials. In this blog post, we'll dive into the debate over whether print is dead or if it remains a valuable tool for promoting your business.

Read More
graphic design, typography, fonts, images, logo design, branding Simon Hammond graphic design, typography, fonts, images, logo design, branding Simon Hammond

What is the difference between readability and legibility?

Readability and legibility are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different aspects of written communication.

Readability refers to how easy or difficult a piece of text is to understand or comprehend. It takes into account factors such as sentence structure, vocabulary, and organisation of ideas. A text with high readability is one that is clear, concise, and easy to follow. Readability is often measured using formulas like the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Score, which considers factors like the number of syllables per word and the length of sentences to assign a reading level to a piece of text.

Legibility, on the other hand, refers to how easy or difficult it is to physically read the text. It takes into account factors such as font choice, font size, spacing, and contrast between the text and the background. A text with high legibility is one that is easy on the eyes, and can be read comfortably for extended periods of time without causing eye strain or fatigue.

Read More
graphic design, typography, fonts, images, 3D, Icons, logo design Simon Hammond graphic design, typography, fonts, images, 3D, Icons, logo design Simon Hammond

What is UX Design?

An intuitive and enjoyable user experience, and the development of the navigation structure need to underpin the development of any new website. An effective website design should begin with a wireframe that only takes into consideration navigation and the usability of any process at the heart of a user goal. Once the structure is set then the user experience is developed with visuals. This second step is often referred to as UI or user interface. The combination of both are what gives users a satisfied feeling when using your website. This then needs to be adjusted and developed in line with user feedback to ensure your website is performing at it’s most effective and maximising it’s benefits to your business.

Read More
graphic design, typography, fonts, images, 3D, Icons, logo design Simon Hammond graphic design, typography, fonts, images, 3D, Icons, logo design Simon Hammond

The value of design

How do you know that investing in design is good for business?

This is a pretty broad question, design covers a huge and varied number of ways in which you can invest in your business. In this article we will be looking at general trends comparing businesses that invest in design against those who do not. The fastest growing, most successful companies in the world invest heavily in design, and these are the companies most able to measure that return on investment, so why do they consider it to be worth it? We look at the stats behind design investment and explain why and how investing in good design can pay for itself.

Read More
graphic design, typography, fonts, images, logo design, branding Simon Hammond graphic design, typography, fonts, images, logo design, branding Simon Hammond

The benefits of a strong brand

Your brand is more than just the logo, it’s the accumulation of all the elements of your business from customer service, or the interior design of your premises right through to the website and even your tone of voice when communicating with your audience. All these elements combine to differentiate you from others in the market. Getting the brand right can lead to real tangible benefits to your business. It’s not something that should be forced. If your brand aligns with who you are as a business and the values you hold, then it should all flow naturally. A good brand should remain consistent and relate to your audience on a meaningful level.

Read More
graphic design, typography, fonts, images, 3D, Icons, logo design Simon Hammond graphic design, typography, fonts, images, 3D, Icons, logo design Simon Hammond

The science of design

Graphic design has a function and ultimately solves problems. Design usually works within a commercial framework where its role is to encourage people to buy products, heed warnings or change opinions. Design can be beautiful and visually pleasing, but there is often science behind achieving the outcome. All designers strive to make visually appealing work, but this must be based on objective decisions and sound reasoning. Form follows function.

Read More
graphic design, typography, fonts, images, 3D, Icons, logo design Simon Hammond graphic design, typography, fonts, images, 3D, Icons, logo design Simon Hammond

How to make your website accessible

What can you do to make your website accessible and why is it important for business? When we design websites we make decisions to ensure the website is not only visually appealing, but also accessible to as wide a range of users as possible. These are some of the considerations that guide our website design process, but might well include valuable insight that helps you update your current website with some simple, straightforward changes.

Read More

Stylescapes

Stylescapes can be extremely useful during the design process. They ensure that client and designer are on the same page with regards to what the end result should be by filtering ideas. They are great for clarification too. One persons idea of sophisticated or modern could be very different to somebody else’s. This stage of the process allows both parties to narrow the focus with a visual aid rather than just those generic terms. By spending the time adding this extra step at the beginning of a branding project, it saves time, revisions and disparity of expectations further along the line.

Read More

Defining your target audience.

How do you define and target the right customers? Getting your target audience right and appealing to them through your brand is key. Logo design is only one part of your brand, and the whole package needs to align with the wants and needs of your target audience in order to grow a customer base in an effective way. Try to appeal to everybody, and you’ll end up attracting nobody.

Read More