Suggestions for Good Visual Design Courses, Books, etc.?

Heather, I can totally relate!  I can look at something and know if it's good or not, and I can often imitate something good, but my strength is not designing something from scratch that falls into the "looks awesome" category.  That's why I often partner with a graphic designer!

One book I've found really helpful is The Non-Designer's Design Book by Robin Williams.  It's short, pretty simple, a good intro for someone who doesn't have a design background (at least in my opinion!), with lots of good examples.

One of my favorites is http://www.bamagazine.com/  They have some great how to resources and they are very well done.

Also, this is something that has resonated with me. http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/309485-nobody-tells-this-to-people-who-are-beginners-i-wish  It is from an interview with Ira Glass where he talks about how every designer has to fight through this feeling. I think you can find the actual interview on NPR too.

Heather, I can totally relate! And I was going to suggest exactly the same thing as Sheila - the Non-Designer's Design book is an excellent resource. I got a copy out the library and went through it cover to cover and got a lot out of it. I decided to buy my own copy as it is really good to have on hand as a reference. And just practice, practice, practice. The forum is also a great resource, why not post some designs here and ask for feedback, you will probably get a lot of really good advice! Good luck!

Hi Heather- You've picked a subject very close to my heart! Good design is all about balancing the 'Elements of Design' with the 'Principles of Design.' The Elements are:

Line

Shape

Size

Value

Color

Texture

The Principles are:

Contrast

Unity

Harmony

Balance

Center of Interest

Rhythm/Repetition

The best design focuses on a limited combination of the elements and principles. It's what differentiates the good abstract art from the bad. Why is Jackson Pollock so popular, some people wonder? It's because he understood the effect he could achieve using just line and rhythm. And Rothko - color, harmony, and size. You could learn alot about design by studying abstract art and sculpture. Such a great subject. Good luck in your exploration!

You're not alone Heather!  I'm stuck in the powerpoint rut trying to get more creative.  It's taking me longer than I ever expected but I'll continue to plug away.

Thanks to everyone for their contributions!

Me, too: Heather, me, too.

A few things that have helped me.

1. Sketch your visual ideas away from the computer (grab a legal pad and a pencil or whatever and just start sketching basic ideas for your slides.)

2. Try to come up with a key metaphor for the content (see Beyond Bullet Points book). A cool concept or metaphor is more important than first-rate graphic design chops. The concept will carry you through.

3. Don't be afraid to just dig in and start designing. Look back after 10 slides or so. Build the rest of the course on the two or three slides that actually look good.

4. Start paying close attention to the graphic design of stuff you already read: magazines, newspapers, food boxes. Save the examples you think are good in a "Cool Graphic Stuff" folder. Go to that folder when you are stumped.

Books:

• Robin Williams Design Workshop
• Beyond Bullet Points
• Presentation Zen
• Slideology
• White Space Isn't Your Enemy

Hope that helps a little bit. --Daniel

Forgot to mention this. If you need help on a specific project, I'd be glad to do a mockup of a few slides for you, you know, rough ideas for you to build on. Others in the community would do the same, I'm sure.

PM me or daniel @ brighamcommunications.com --Daniel