What separates a regular, plain Jane graphic image, from a sale grabbing image? Has any one managed to answer this question, even asking the question in the first place? Or is designing a graphic image just a process of artistic or mechanical processes based on the graphic artist learned techniques of style?
Being that I was in a few marketing programs over the years, I came to realize that many of the internet marketing advertisements used online and else where adopt a system of playing with words to trigger a individuals hot buttons that has an impact on the reader. An example would be such as, "Are You Tired Of Working For Peanuts?" Since many people probably feel that they do not get paid what they are worth, that sentence may grab that type of individuals attention in a headline.
Another example might be, "Work At Home, Fire the Boss!" Who would not like to work at home? Setting your own hours. Unless of course, you want, or would like to get away from your house. But I feel many of us would like that feeling of independence and the challenge. So again, these persuasive, or rather light manipulative techniques exist in almost every part of marketing today. The call to action is the game plan. getting the reader to act, to buy now!
Your probably have ask yourself, "What the heck does this all have to do with designing a graphic?" I promise, if you read on you will surely see.
Aside from the play on words, graphics are part of the equation if you plan to do any advertising, whether it be with a print ad, business cards, letterhead, envelopes, banner ads, and/or via a web site. If you are a graphic designer you will want to learn more about marketing and the psychology of making things look attractive through several means.
If you learn what many call, "Hot Buttons" which simply means using a trigger word or visual image to capture the attention of the reader, one that really hits home to that individual to where they will want with baited breath, to go look for more information or type in their name and email address to a auto responder, you will have what it takes to make more sales.
I have taking all of this a bit further in designing my graphics for myself and my clients. Besides the psychological aspects of trigger words and visual images, such as an image of a stack of one hundred dollar bills for ads placed to attract those wanting to make money, or a cute puppy or kitten for a mail order pet supply company, color can play an important part in the design as well.
Some might say that this is really taking the simple process of designing a advertising graphic too far. But I say, "Why not look at all angles?" Even if you are simply into graphic designing as an artistic individual, wouldn't it help to look at all the different angles that might sell your work, or have it sell itself?
Color can play a role in your graphic designs. I have studied color from two different angles, one from acrylic and oil painting for several years, and then from a spiritual position. Some might say how does New Age play a part in advertising? It is not so much the spiritual, but the psychology of color and how it affects us.
There have been many studies on the effects of color. One such experiment included a school where the wall of the classroom were painted orange or red. In that color scheme the children became restless and irritable. Another experiment was conducted in a prison where the walls were painted pink. The results were that the inmates became more relaxed and it cut down on violent outbreaks.
After my study of aromatherapy I realized it would be a neat idea if we could some how produce scents to go along with our products to coax individuals to a purchase. Just think of the rate of sales if we could combine all the triggers, such as the trigger words and/or images, the scent and color. What about subliminal messages flashed in the background? I think that may be still illegal, so we will let that one go.
So to sum up this entire article on graphic design, I am simply, but not simply saying that in designing your graphics, whether they are to be used as web graphics, print ad graphics, business card graphics, etc., pay attention to more than making it look cool.
I strive in every graphic design I create, to take different aspects and approaches to build unique graphic designs for fun and for profit. I would like to ask those interested in my style or in my methods to please visit my web site and sign our guest book. You can see my work at www.homangraphics.com.


Many years ago Michael Homan started an adventure in artistic pursuits. As a child he was presented with the raw materials to make whatever he choose from simple card board inserts found in most new shirt packages along with scotch tape. Mike started his career in art at the early age of eight. And he knew from that time on that he had a love for art, but little did he realize where it would take him.

Now after years of using different mediums in art, taking various courses and working in acrylic and oil painting, did he realize that he would become invilved in computer generated graphic design, and be seeking many avenues for a career. Today Michael has a successful web site at www.homangraphics.com and he still has not lost his love of creating works of art even though the meduim has changed.