Yesterday, in my Media Presentations class, we were assigned to pick a topic to write about that focuses on the media field. The first thought that came to my head was “designing with a purpose”. I see so many current examples of graphic design that do not follow some of the most basic, yet helpful tips and tricks. This got me to thinking: “What does designing with purpose mean?”. As majors in the media field, I feel that we need to remember why we are building a composition just as much as how we should build it. When we design with intent, it pushes our brains to start thinking about important variables.
So what key points can we consider when finding a compositions intent? When working with a client, or even producing a design for yourself, it’s best to identify or categorize what type of designing is being used. Here are some of the most common categories:
- Directional
- Informational
- Promotional
- Persuasive
- Enhancive
Examine which purpose is being used first, then focus all of your elements around that. When using an informational design, for example, use simpler colors and typefaces. Promotional on the other hand, could benefit from big and bold fonts. Taking a small moment to think about how your elements complement the intent can truly bring forth the most effective decisions. I believe that focusing on the compositions purpose is the first key step in creating a successful design.
