Drawing design inspiration is now easier than ever before, thanks to the internet and a variety of graphic design tools available to everyone. And no matter what kind of design you’re aiming for, there’s a layout or brand template that can help you get started on the right foot.
Consider the example of magazines. Magazines, both digital and printed, are effective tools for communication, marketing, and a variety of other purposes. In addition, adding your own personal touch to a magazine — with the assistance of a magazine design layout, of course — is very doable.
There are four fundamental graphic design ideas that will ultimately benefit the layout design of your guide magazine. Keep in mind that these concepts are not included in any particular sequence and that they are all equally important:
Hierarchy
The order in which people read or consume information, i.e., what is the most significant information? What are the most important takeaways from this discussion? And how do you put that on display? You want this information to be available immediately away when you first open the application.
What is the point of reading this? Why should someone care about what they’re reading? The purpose of your publication must be understood by the general public. Is it something that needs to be told through a visual storey or something that needs to be communicated through words?
Overall, you want your content and publication to be simple enough that anyone can grasp it. Or, at the very least, the aim must be clear and understandable to the reader. Are you mixing poetry with photos, or are you defining EOY programme goals for a non-profit organisation? What are your plans for the year ahead? In either case, you must be clear about your communication strategy and the end aim.
Balance
Chaos can be an artistic expression, but it is not always beautiful or useful in the context of graphic design. You want to achieve a balance between having a visual or graphic design that is cluttered or weighted to one side, and having a design that feels sparse or vacant.
Inspiration for magazine layouts
Consequently, if you’re looking for design ideas and resources to help you develop a snappy, eye-catching magazine that effectively combines critical information about your company or brand with classic graphic design components such as photos, columns, and sidebars, go no further. To get you started, have a look at the 14 suggestions listed below.