Why Most Graphic Design Looks Bad
Good graphic design is like cutting the grass. It doesn't matter how high or how short you cut it. It just needs to be consistent to look good.
Who I AM
- I'm Ben Arment. My wife Ainsley and I are former church planters and have two boys, Wyatt and Dylan. I'm the founder of The Whiteboard Sessions and now STORY, which you can experience at StoryChicago.com.
Recent Comments
- Daniel Decker on Thank God for Nooma... and Virginia
- Daniel Decker on What's the Worst that Can Happen?
- Stephen Bateman on Thank God for Nooma... and Virginia
- mitch on We've Drifted as Communicators
- Ben Arment on What's the Worst that Can Happen?
- dewde on Thank God for Nooma... and Virginia
- Andrea on What's the Worst that Can Happen?
- Ben Arment on We've Drifted as Communicators
- Scott Harris on We've Drifted as Communicators
- Josh on We've Drifted as Communicators
Dream Team
- CAMRON WARE - Innovative lighting and visual artist from Texas
- DALEY HAKE - Brilliant photographing rock star in LA
- ANNE JACKSON - Mad Church blogger with a thousand profile pics
- JASON HAYES - Lifeway's Young Adult Ministry Guru
- BRAD LOMENICK - Master Networker, Strategist & Producer
- MIKE FOSTER - Junky Porn Ninja Friend from the O.C.
- STEPHEN BREWSTER - Integrity's taste-making marketing chief
- BARTON DAMER - Ruler of the motion graphics universe
- BRIAN PIRKLE - production guru & all-around great guy
Inspiration
- Wise Sage John Eldredge
- Uber Cool Seed Magazine
- The Idea-rich Idealog
- The (Very) Good Magazine
- Publisher Michael Hyatt
- My Favorite Design Studio
- Marketing Guru Seth Godin
- Leadership Filter Catalyst
- Kinetic Artist Theo Jansen
- Inspirational TED Conference
- Heart-moving Need Magazine
- Experience Artist Franco Dragone
- Artist Thomas Fluharty
Close to Home
- AINSLEY ARMENT - Gorgeous Wife & Author of Chattahoochee Mama.com
- STEVE MARKLE - Pastor-Friend of Life Church in Woodbridge, VA
- JUMAINE JONES - Pastor-Friend of The Bridge in Silver Spring, MD
- MATT MORGAN - Friend & Partner in Ministry at Reston Community Church
- DAVE DANIELS - Churchy Media Guy & Long-Time Friend from Va Beach
- TALLY WILGIS - Church Planter Friend & Bleeding Heart Baltimorian
- JAY HARDWICK - Post-Planter Friend in SC Who Knows Everyone
« What's Going On, Ben Arment? | Main | Part of a Special Generation »
Comments
Verify your Comment
Previewing your Comment
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been posted. Post another comment
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
I heard a quote in my early career that stuck with me (paraphrased):
"Good design... is invisible. It does its job, and recedes into the background, leaving only pure communication. It is not noticed."
Basically, if done right, good design doesn't attract attention to itself - only to the message.
Conversely, people in general notice "bad" design (because it's drawing attention to itself), more than "good" design.
Working at event planning and presentation design has really hammered this point home to me - I get direct audience feedback that I never got doing print or web design.
Posted by: Allan W. | January 08, 2009 at 03:38 PM
great quote.
Posted by: Ben Arment | January 08, 2009 at 05:07 PM
i like the quote ben. to be consistent requires us to give consistent attention to our direction and design selection.
Posted by: JY | January 08, 2009 at 09:58 PM