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January 6th, 2012 in Articles by Aaron

The Importance of NOT Using Effects

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Alright guys, I know that you would love to see another tutorial, and believe me we have plenty for you, but I wanted to take some time out to discuss something very important in the design industry that seems to be lacking lately. I know that part of this is our fault as we have not released a tutorial to date stressing the importance of not using too many effects. Our tutorials are design to teach you the ins and outs of Photoshop yes, but we are also here as a guiding hand for you to make your way into the design industry, and that doesn’t always mean to blow out special effects.

Recently on Dribbble there was an excellent No Effects Challenge posted by the amazing Jonathan Ogden (who we are going to reach out to and see about getting a tutorial from his awesomeness) that really inspired this post. Each and every shot in the challenge was, obviously, created without using any layer styles or effects in Photoshop, just standard graphic talent. They are all amazing, amazing shots, but what is the point of them? Why have the layer styles if you aren’t going to use them? The importance and reason are both one and the same in their answer, because it’s important.

I am not by any means saying that we should just give up effects all together, but I am saying that it is VITAL to practice without them. I find that whenever I am strugling for inspiration on a design or wondering what Typography will look good on this poster, that if I just step back from the effects and put everything into an almost matte like look, that it flows together nicely. Let’s take a look at a few areas that can really benefit from using little to no effects.

Typography

Typography is one of the most important aspects of any design, if not the most important. You can have an excellent looking website, but if the typography sucks that’s all people are going to notice. Believe me on this because typography has to be the weakest aspect to my design and it really sets me back sometimes. Honestly, without the great people over on Dribbble and Forrst I would be lost in the dark when it comes to typography, but the best advice I ever got was to just step back from the effects and play on font and placement only, before bringing any of the layer styles into anything.

Here are a few of my favorite Typographic images from the no effect challenge:

A Very Simple Sports Style Typographic With No Effects

Free Binder Cover by Brad Blackman

Berlin Likes Fancy by Julie Ann Horvath

Those are, without a doubt, my top three typographic elements from the No Effect Challenge. Every single submission has been awesome and they just keep building and getting better. If you want to submit a typographic to the No Element Challenge and are a member of Dribbble post it up and let us know in the comments. If you are not a member of Dribbble then post it in our Flickr group so we can see the awesomeness.

Random Elements

Throughout the main challenge there were so many inspiring posts but not really a category to fit them in but I still wanted to show off the most inspiring no effect elements from the challenge, in my opinion.

No Effects Turntable by Alpis Design

NoFX by Jow Fawkes

Rum Runner by Mike Kamanski

I chose those three as my most inspirational because it just goes to show you how versatile design really is and that you can use less effects and still come out with an amazing design, whether all together or just as an element in the design. All three of the above designs can stand on their own as excellent designs or be placed into a project at any point, but most importantly you can then take the basis of what you created, add some effects, and bring your design to the next level, if that is what is required.

Conclusion

Be sure to check out and follow the design contest as I am sure it will continue to grow and post. I hope that what we talked about today helps you guys with any inspirational/technical issues that you might be having. I am interested in hearing what you guys have to say about the subject and seeing some of your no effect work.

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