Planning: do's and don'ts of design

Do:

• Use clear readable font, preferably not fancy
• Use appropriate sizes for images and font
• Use clear photos that are in focus, no screen shots from video
• Use photos that are an appropriate shape for the page
• Use a layout that follows the rule of thirds
• Use an appropriate type face that follows genre conventions and house style
• Be careful where you place the font, it must follow conventions and clear from a distance
• Follow the conventions of the three colour rule and uses colour that is appropriate for images, font and background
• Think carefully about how you use and integrate font, image, text and language; specific placement embeds meanings
• Use appropriate industry logos and conventions making sure they're properly positioned

Rule of thirds

Don't:

• Stretch images, this will make them out of focus and pixelated
• Use layer styles
• Use necessary effects that suit the genre
• Place text across the artist's face
• Use a font simply because it suits your liking
• Use a separate photo on every panel, be creative

Pixelated image