Simple Design on Substack

Simple Design On Substack

by Joyce Wyco

Design ideas

borrowed from the first designer … Mother Nature

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(C) Joyce Wycoff, 2024

Recently, I fell in love with a book … this one.

It is inspiring, wise and beautifully provocative.

It took me awhile to realize that it is also a primer on design principles.

The author, Day Schildkret, gave me permission to share some of his amazing, gathered mandala altars with you as we look at design.

Morning Altars by Day Schildkret MorningAltars.com

Design

Design:

What draws your attention?

Photographs, paintings, and other visual creations seldom use one single design element. And, people differ in the way they see things. Some people might notice the lines of twigs on the altar on the next page; others might notice the colors or the repeating pattern details in the mushrooms.

The important thing is to notice what draws YOUR attention in this mandala.

From Morning Altars by Day Schildkret. MorningAltars.com

What predominant elements stand out on this altar?

Color is an obvious element, but what are some of the other elements that make this altar stunning?

From Morning Altars by Day Schildkret. MorningAltars.com

What’s missing?

There’s a lot going on in this beautiful altar, however, what design elements are not represented?

So, let’s talk about DESIGN on Substack … but … SIMPLY, please!

First … what is design?

Design?

Deign?

Design?

Design?

Design

We are always designing.

You’re surrounded by design. You make choices about how things look and function every day. Even newsletters need a design that helps readers connect with your words and images.

What design elements do you notice on Kristi Keller’s home page?

Wildwood Wanted by Kristi Keller

Design

10 Simple Design Guides*

That’s only 9?

Add Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeograpy

*Of course, this is just scratching the surface of design.

Design catches your eyes.

Our eyes are always drawn to eyes … and faces.

What draws the eye?

Where does your eye go in the top photo?

What ONE design element changed in the bottom photo?

Does it make a difference?

What catches your eye in this image?

Most people say “the gutter” or “the edge,” but do you know why?

Contrast gives shape and depth.

Line draws your eye around the boundary.

Back to Kristi Keller’s Substack, notice how readable the high contrast header is on her About Page … it’s also a fun type that fits the intent of her newsletter.

Black and white gives Lupita’s page high contrast and the typography makes it feel light and interesting.

Lupita Reads by Lupita Aquino

Now, what catches your eye?

Color creates a focal point. Shape clarifies.

What’s happening now?

Can you feel your eyes going back and forth, not knowing where to land? Intense color is fighting with scale.

Substack header from Emily Charlotte Powell … notice how that one red pencil enhances the dynamic of this image.

She also customizes standard features such as the simple subscribe button and designs her own line breaks.

While I was Drawing**It is worth going to this Substack if only to see the stars sparkle!

Depending on context, either of these could work.

Both have high contrast.

Design’s job is to clarify the story.

Cropping extraneous elements, adding borders and drop shadows bring the subject into focus.

Claire Venus at Sparkle on Substack, creates stunning graphics and shares helpful advice. This image suggests both of what she offers and incorporates texture and pattern to make it eye catching.

Design helps create a sense of stability or movement.

symmetry asymmetry

Which page is more appealing or interesting?

Depends on context and who your readers/viewers are. Some people are bothered by asymmetry … others may be bored by the order of symmetry.

Symmetry or asymmetry?

Claire Venus at Sparkle on Substack particularly likes using the gallery photo option on Substack. Look at all the design elements incorporated into this set. Which ones do you notice?

Wyco

Design

10 Simple Design Guides*

That’s only 9?

Add Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeograpy

*Of course, this is just scratching the surface of design.

Which page would YOU choose?

Artist choice.

Left: asymmetrical; Right: symmetrical

What are your eyes doing?

Blue

images versus words

Kathryn Vercillo from Create Me Free effectively uses this header for her monthly recommendation list. The self photo below suggests her role as a researcher.

Faces always add interest.

Note

Lines and shapes can pull readers’ eyes toward a subject.

The holy rule of thirds …

Think of the Xs as power points.

sometimes it needs to be broken. X

Priya Iyer incorporates title words into her photos in an interesting way that does not distract from either.

Ten Thousand Journeys

What do your eyes do on these pages?

Using borders and reflections to keep your eyes moving.

Edges can create interest … or confusion.

Why have red firetrucks turned lime green?

Note color

Design again. While firetrucks these days come in lots of colors, lime green is popular because it’s a bright, easily seen color.

Design

10 Simple Design Guides*

That’s only 9? Add Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeography

Typeograpy

So … is that it … just these 10? … No they’re just the beginning.

There’s: Grokking

(C) Joyce Wycoff, 2024

Robert Reich built a public persona on his power to capture complex ideas in images that telegraph … are instantly understood or grokked.

There’s: Surprise

Surprise comes in many forms … this post from Candace Rose Rardon, who writes Dandelion Seeds comes beautifully in an unexpected shape … far outside the look of a normal newsletter, this homage to the sun is breathtakingly simple and compels reading and feeling the words as you scroll down the long page.

The thin column gives you an idea of the length of the piece which you can read here.

There’s: Consistency of Voice

The About Page for this stack, BRAINED, opens with: “Hallo, I’m Orli Auslander. I draw, I write, and I make stuff.” Readers have an immediate reaction … they know they want more … or it’s not for them. That’s the power of design … it speaks in your voice and telegraphs who you are.

There’s: Light-hearted Humor

Beth Spencer’s Introvert Drawing Club is a community of artists who draw, learn, and grow together. If you like this home page image and want to draw, it probably makes you feel like you‘ve come home.

There’s: Generosity

Russell Nohelty at The Author Stack shares more than most of us will ever know about Substack or marketing our writing.

There’s: Unique Perspective

Noha Beshir shares the joys and challenges of being a visibly Muslim woman from a multi-generational immigrant background. My writing lies at the intersection of identity, mental health, faith, and motherhood at Letters from a Muslim Woman.

On Substack, there is this thing called Notes

Notes is the social media part of Substack and the above image is a capture of a scrolling billboard of new posts … giving you a sense of how important graphics and words are in capturing attention of possible new readers.

Notes lets you see recent posts, diversify your reading, and make new friends. Comments are golden and sometimes lead to new collaborations and information about what’s going on in the Substack world as well as around the globe.

Click here for this Field Guide

This flip book within a flip book is full of getting started tips and examples.

Another flip book and more getting started tips and examples.

Click here for this Field Guide

Thank you to all the generous writers here at Substack!