Why You Want Your Design Layout to Look Like CRAP!
Why You Want Your Design Layout to Look Like CRAP!
Isn’t crappy design bad? Not this kind of C.R.A.P. You want your design layout to be easy to read and attractive so your prospects will read your message and not skip over it.
There are four basic elements to good graphic design. Here is the kind of C.R.A.P. you need in your direct marketing design:
Contrast
Elements that aren’t the same need stand out as different. Avoid making them “slightly different” since this confuses the prospect into seeing a relationship that doesn’t exist. Aim for strong contrast between page elements so the reader’s eye moves from one element to another down the page so the page is visually stimulating and encourages the prospect to get involved in your sales copy.
Repetition
Repetition for emphasis also applies to design. Repeat styles down the page for a consistent feel. Using the same color scheme or type faces throughout the layout would be an example of repetition in your design.
Alignment
On the page there’s a place for everything and everything in its place. Everything on the page needs to be visually connected to something else, nothing should be out of place or distinct from all other design elements. You don’t want free standing elements that puzzle the prospect. You want her to take action about your message not critique your design layout.
Proximity
Proximity creates related meaning. Remember the song “We are Family”? Elements that are related should be grouped together like a family. For example you can use special alignment of elements or overlapping to move the eye from one area to the next. Separate design elements should have clear visual divisions to show they are different. You don‘t want a jumbled mess that will cause the reader to skip over your message without reading it. Some empty space is ok if it keeps everything clear and easy to read.
Incorporating CRAP into your design will make your marketing copy visually appealing so prospects will take the time to read it.
Why You Want Your Design Layout to Look Like CRAP - To learn more about this author, visit Elizabeth Ruiz's Website.
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Ok you have marketing copy that sells. Before you send out your direct marketing mailer you need to consider the design layout. Is it CRAP?
Isn’t crappy design bad? Not this kind of C.R.A.P. You want your design layout to be easy to read and attractive so your prospects will read your message and not skip over it.
There are four basic elements to good graphic design. Here is the kind of C.R.A.P. you need in your direct marketing design:
Contrast
Elements that aren’t the same need stand out as different. Avoid making them “slightly different” since this confuses the prospect into seeing a relationship that doesn’t exist. Aim for strong contrast between page elements so the reader’s eye moves from one element to another down the page so the page is visually stimulating and encourages the prospect to get involved in your sales copy.
Repetition
Repetition for emphasis also applies to design. Repeat styles down the page for a consistent feel. Using the same color scheme or type faces throughout the layout would be an example of repetition in your design.
Alignment
On the page there’s a place for everything and everything in its place. Everything on the page needs to be visually connected to something else, nothing should be out of place or distinct from all other design elements. You don’t want free standing elements that puzzle the prospect. You want her to take action about your message not critique your design layout.
Proximity
Proximity creates related meaning. Remember the song “We are Family”? Elements that are related should be grouped together like a family. For example you can use special alignment of elements or overlapping to move the eye from one area to the next. Separate design elements should have clear visual divisions to show they are different. You don‘t want a jumbled mess that will cause the reader to skip over your message without reading it. Some empty space is ok if it keeps everything clear and easy to read.
Incorporating CRAP into your design will make your marketing copy visually appealing so prospects will take the time to read it.
Why You Want Your Design Layout to Look Like CRAP - To learn more about this author, visit Elizabeth Ruiz's Website.
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Jeff FosterWebBizIdeas.com is a Minneapolis website design company founded to help people start an internet business by providing them with website, business, and internet resources that help foster the growth of successful online businesses and develop innovative Internet business ideas. We specialize in internet consulting & internet marketing. - Visit Jeff Foster's Website |
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Kim CastleWith nearly two decades in the advertising and design business, with clients like Domino's Pizza, General Motors, Direct TV, Pedigree, Wolfgang Puck, Higher Octave Music, Hollywood Celebrity Products, Disney, and Paramount, as well as thousands of entrepreneurs around the world define, structure, communicate, and position their business for greater profits, BrandU(R) co-creators Kim Castle and W. Vito Montone discovered that entrepreneurs could experience the same power that big brands command for a fraction of the cost with the world's only process-based results-drive Integral approach to business creation. BrandU(R) is helping entrepreneurs grow with the power of extreme clarity from idea...to brand...to market(TM) and helping one million entrepreneurs become successful and whole so that they can make a difference in the world. Are you one of them? If you want to experience clarity all the way to the bank(TM), get started now at http://www.brandu.com. - Visit Kim Castle's Website |
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Staging DivaDebra Gould, aka The Staging Diva®, is President of Six Elements Inc., an internationally recognized home staging company. Inspired by many requests from aspiring home stagers wanting to start similar businesses, Gould created the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program. Gould has trained over 1000 Staging Diva Graduates worldwide to start staging businesses. Buying decorating and selling six of her own homes in four years lead to an interest in real estate staging which she turned into a career with the launch of sixelements.com in 2002. Since then she has staged hundreds of homes in addition to teaching home staging training. Gould is the author of several home staging resources including a series of popular ebooks made up of a Design Guide, Color Guide and Portfolio Guide. For more information about Debra Gould visit stagingdiva.com. - Visit Staging Diva's Website |
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Stephanie RobeyStephanie Robey is President and CoFounder of Pivot Positive, LLC - an Internet marketing business focused on helping people start work at home ventures. Previously, she was employed at The Search Agency with over 20 years experience in graphic design and 10 years experience in online marketing. She was responsible for launching the Conversion Path Optimization (CPO) unit where she and her team have conducted hundreds of optimization tests for online companies across multiple verticals. She is a successful entrepreneur having started and sold 2 companies and remains on the board of directors of the third, PhotoSpin.com Stephanie began her career in the direct marketing realm creating and producing direct mail for many of the major cable television companies and directly attributes her understanding of Internet marketing to those early offline experiences. Stephanie is a graduate of San Diego State University with a BFA in Graphic Arts and also holds an Executive MBA from the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University. Read Steph's Blog Meet Steph and Dave Sign up for our Free 7-Day BootCamp: Self Employed & Rich - Visit Stephanie Robey's Website |
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