Making notes in HTML and CSS
Building web pages can be confusing. Working with other people’s code can be doubly so.
A good habit to get into is to add notes to your work. This could be to break your CSS into logical groups (Header, Image, Copy , Footer) or perhaps to explain exactly what that complicated-looking piece of Javascript actually does.
Design Elements: Space
Easily one of the most misunderstood aspects of layout design is white space (also known as negative space). The term refers to the parts of a composition left unmarked by text and graphics – including margins, gutters and space between lines of type.
Lemons. Expensive.
When used effectively, space can aid the hierarchy of information, push out elements, and simply give the eyes a break. White space needn’t actually be white – it can be any colour – as long as we subconsciously see it as the background.
Animals in logo design
A number of the worlds most famous brands feature animals in their identity – an age-old technique of implying characteristics to a brand – such as the confident and brave lion, or a loyal dog.
Image appears courtesy of Flickr member: Pyntofmyld
Here are some of my favourites – both high profile, and others that I have stumbled across over the last couple of years…
The rules of typography
Over the centuries, as type has developed, guidelines and best practices have emerged that – when followed – can ensure that textual content is clear and easy to understand. A clear message is surely the goal of graphic design.
Image appears courtesy of Flickr member: Pheezy
Describing letterforms
The field of Typography employs a number of technical terms to describe letterforms.
The Baseline refers to the imaginary line that all characters 'sit' on. The Median is the imaginary line defining the X-height of the letterforms.
If you take the time to learn these, you will find it much easier to identify specific faces, and will amaze all your friends with your knowledge of type (well, maybe).