The C.R.A.P. Formula: Design Tricks That Actually Work

Hi 👋 

Do you ever look at your designs and think, "Something's just not right"? I've been there too! The good news? You don't need fancy software or years of school to make your work look better. You just need to remember C.R.A.P.

Yes, it's a funny name, but C.R.A.P. stands for four design ideas that really work: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity.

Let me tell you what these mean in everyday language:

Contrast is all about differences that help important things stand out. Think about wearing a red shirt with blue jeans – they're different colors, so they stand out from each other. In your designs, make important text bigger or darker so people notice it right away.

Repetition creates a feeling of connection. It's like when you see a friend wearing the same style every time you meet – you start to recognize their style! Use the same colors, fonts, or shapes throughout your design to make everything feel connected.

Alignment brings order to your design. Have you ever seen a bookshelf where all the books are lined up perfectly? It's satisfying, right? When you line up text and images in your design, it immediately looks more professional.

Proximity is about keeping related things close together. Think about a restaurant menu – all the breakfast items are grouped together, not scattered across different pages. When information belongs together, keep it together!

Try This Quick Check

When you finish making something, ask yourself:

• Can you easily spot what's most important?

• Did you use the same styles throughout?

• Is everything neatly lined up?

• Are related things grouped together?

A Personal Note

I remember when I first learned these ideas. I was making flyers for a community event, and they looked... well, not great. A friend told me about the C.R.A.P. formula, and it changed everything.

Start looking for these principles in designs you like – on websites, in magazines, even on product packaging. You'll start seeing them everywhere!

The best part? You can use these ideas for anything you create. Your PowerPoint slides, Instagram posts, or even how you arrange pictures on your wall. Good design isn't some magical skill – it's about making simple, smart choices.

That's what I love about design – small changes can make a big difference. Try using these four principles in your next project and see how much better it looks!

I'd love to hear how it goes for you. Feel free to send me your before-and-after designs!

Talk to you next Wednesday,

Redona

P.S. Don't worry about getting everything perfect right away. Just focus on one principle at a time, and you'll see your designs improve with each project you create!