Handy Tips by George Hernandez

Here are a general mix of design tips.

Design Basics

Elements

Line/Curve
Shape/Volume
Size/Scale/Proportion
Space
Color
Texture
Value

Principles

Balance
Variety/Contrast
Emphasis/Focal Point
Size/Scale/Proportion
Pattern/Repetition
Gradation

Other

Unity
Rhythm
Motion/Time
Economy
Composition

Roger Black's 10 Rules of Web Design

Put content on every page.
The first color is white.
The second color is black.
The third color is red.
Never letter space lowercase.
Never set a lot of text type in all caps.
A cover should be a poster.
Use only one or two typefaces.
Make everything as big as possible.
Get "lumpy!"

Creating Seamless Backgrounds

In RGB mode, edit image to desired size and change to 72 dpi.
Offset and make horizontal and vertical dimensions half the width and height of image. Select "wrap around".
Use rubber stamp tool to remove seam in the middle of the image.
Clone out all seams and repeating elements that may appear to be distracting when repeating a background.
Convert to GIF.

Adding Dramatic Lighting to Raster Images

Select the foreground subject.
Soften the edge of the selection.
Add a new layer and fill with the shadow color.
Use the mask on the shadow layer to remove the background.
Have the original image show underneath the shadow and use the eraser set at misc. opacities to reveal more of the desired subject.

C.R.A.P.

Contrast
Elements that aren't the same should be very different so they stand out, making them "slightly different" confuses the user into seeing a relation that doesn't exist. Strong contrast between page elements allows the user's eye to flow from one to another down the page instead of creating a sea of similarity that's boring and not communicative.

Repetition
Repeat styles down the page for a cohesive feel — if you style related elements the same way in one area, continue that trend for other areas for consistency.

Alignment
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.

Proximity
Proximity creates related meaning: elements that are related should be grouped together, whereas separate design elements should have enough space in between to communicate they are different.

Via http://www.thinkvitamin.com/features/design/how-crap-is-your-site-design.

Miscellaneous

Mix photographs, illustrations, and type for interest.
Use a consistent theme throughout your project. Use icons, photos, words, and fonts consistently.

Units of measurement
     1 in =     6 pc =   72 pt = 1440 twip
   1/6 in =     1 pc =   12 pt =   72 twip
  1/72 in =  1/12 pc =    1 pt =    6 twip
1/1440 in = 1/240 pc = 1/20 pt =    1 twip

Common Ratios
1/1.25    = 0.8
1/1.6	  = 0.625
1/2	  = 0.5

Page Modified: (Hand noted: 2006-04-20 16:15:35Z) (Auto noted: 2013-02-06 02:15:23Z)