Graphic Design Portfolio

Top 7 Most Cliché Stock Images Used in Web Design

Published on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 – 9:00 am | 130 brilliant comments »

Sometimes clients ask us to implement ‘not-so-unique’ elements into our designs and sometimes it seems almost impossible to convince them otherwise, however, hopefully this post can suggest some reasons why not to use the old web design stock imagery clichés.

I will do this simply by showcasing the most generic and cliché stock images (still) used in web design today. Please also take note that there is nothing wrong with using any of these images if used appropriately.

The Four Part Series

Below is the fourth article.

The Business Handshake

The Call Center Woman / Man

Group Of Business People

The Rising Finance Graph

Skyscrapers

Tech Paraphernalia

The World / Globe

How To Avoid Using Cliché Stock Imagery

Avoiding clichés in web design may be difficult especially when the client wants a particular image however the best way to get around it is to ask “why”. Why do you want that that particular image used? Is there another way to portray that without the use of cliché stock images? Always ask yourself what you are trying to communicate and then work from that.

If you enjoyed this post, you should subscribe so you don’t miss out on the next article in this series. You may also like the much more humorous take on cliché stock photography.

Is there any other cliché imagery you think should be added to this list?

130 comments thus far »
JCD Line Break

Top 7 Most Overused Icons, Shapes & Symbols Used in Graphic Design

Published on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 – 9:00 am | 52 brilliant comments »

Is all design looking the same to you? Are you following graphic design trends subconsciously?

These are two questions to ponder over the next four weeks in this four part series showcasing the most used techniques, effects, icons, shapes, concepts, fonts, stock images and clichés used in design today.

The Four Part Series

Below is the second article of four.

Top 7 Most Overused Icons / Shapes / Symbols Used in Graphic Design

In the last article, we looked at some of the most used design elements, in this one we go a bit further and look at particular shapes / icons / symbols that always seem to appear in graphic design related work, usually because of their perceived semiotics.

These icons / shapes / symbols are neither ‘good or bad’, however they are the most common found in today’s designs. Vector stock images have been used to portray each element for simplicities sake.

Hearts

The good ol’ heart is by far the most used icon in design. Made famous by Milton Glaser’s I Heart NY design, the heart can now be found everywhere. The heart has long been used as a symbol to refer to the spiritual, emotional, moral, and in the past, intellectual core of a human being and is the most well known symbol to represent love.

Skulls

On the other end of the scale we have the infamous skull. The skull is a symbol of death and rebellion and seems to find its way onto many clothing and music related designs. Wouldn’t you agree?

Wings

The use of wings in a design is usually used to portray freedom as people associate wings with angels and birds. Wings also have the perceived values of hope, speed, elevation, enlightenment, guidance, protection and inspiration. Wings are found very often in tattoo designs and are all too often, used in combination with skulls and crests as seen in the pictures above and below.

Heraldry / Crests

Wikipedia defines Heraldry as the “practice of designing, displaying, describing, and recording coats of arms and badges. The origins of heraldry lie in the need to distinguish participants in combat when their faces are hidden by iron and steel helmets.” Perhaps this is why crests come up so often in designs (especially tattoos), they distinguish one from another… or does it?

Lightglobes

The lightglobe is all too often used to portray an idea, creativity, innovation or something new. Don’t get stuck into using these cliches, get creative.

Stylised Arrows

Stylised arrows seem to make their way into many designs without real need. They do however, get the point across (no pun intended) - they make you look where the arrow is pointing and they give a sense of motion to a design.

Silhouetted City Skylines

City skylines are usually very complex so this is a clever and simple technique used in designs to give the location of the scene without making the design too complex which is why it used so often.

The main point that I want to portray by outlining these overused elements, is to try to encourage people to use these effects in a manner that suits the design, not just because they are available. Be imaginative and creative and always make an educated choice in your designs.

Do you agree? Do these symbols come up too often in designs? Why do you think so? What other ones would you add to this list? Voice your opinions below.

52 comments thus far »
JCD Line Break

Top 7 Most Overused Techniques & Elements Used In 2008 Graphic Design

Published on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 – 9:00 am | 154 brilliant comments »

Overused Graphic Design

Is all design looking the same to you? Are you following graphic design trends subconsciously?

These are two questions to ponder over the next four weeks in this four part series showcasing the most used techniques, effects, icons, shapes, concepts, fonts, stock images and clichés used in design today.

The Four Part Series

Below is the first article of four.

Top 7 Most Overused Techniques & Elements Used in Graphic Design

Whenever you look for inspiration, you are bound to come across at least one of these techniques / effects / elements. These effects are neither “good or bad” however they are the most common elements found in today’s designs.

Stock images have been used to portray each element. On that note of stock, there was a great discussion about the use of stock art over at GoMediaZine.

1. Sunrays / Rays of Light / Rising Sun

Sunrays

By far the most overused technique used in design today is the infamous rays of light usually found tucked away in the background of a design or at the very forefront of the design such as in the picture above.

2. Black (or Coloured) Silhouettes

Silhouttes

Vectorised silhouettes of people and other objects is definitely second on the list. Made famous by the iPod campaign this technique can now be seen everywhere. Notice the combination of the sun rays and black silhouettes?

3. Ink Splatter

Ink Splatter

Closely contending with number 4, ink splatters are everywhere. Ink Splatters do add a cool / trendy look to a design and they do blend well with grunge style designs however ink splatters should be used in moderation.

4. Swirls / Flourishes / Ornaments

Swirls

Swirls seem to be all the rage at the moment as they are quite appealing and generally just nice to look at. Flourishes & ornaments go well together to create organic, fresh designs which is quite ‘in’ at the moment.

5. Flowing Lines

Flowing Lines

Flowing lines generally add motion and fluidity to a design which gives it a certain emotion when combined with other elements (ie. funky circles as seen above) which is generally why they come up so often.

6. Funky Circles

Funky Circles

The funky circle colour combo is evident in numerous designs across the web and like the name suggests it does give a design a quite funky look however they are being used everywhere!

7.  Smoke Textures

Smoke

These smoky effects are not as blatantly obvious as the other ones as they are always in the background of a design however if you look a bit closer, these smoky effects are everywhere.

Is design looking more and more the same? Why? Is it because of stock art? Do you think the elements above are being overused? Voice your opinions below.

154 comments thus far »
JCD Line Break