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You Don't Need To Be A Pro To Make Professional Designs
Creativity is an indispensable part of being a successful real estate agent. You use creativity every day to help people see all the potential a home has to offer. A fresh perspective is the key when you're writing a listing or taking photos. Even the way you relate to others comes from your unique viewpoint.
Yet, there are some areas where even experienced real estate agents might not feel confident in their creativity. A common issue is this: Agents know that they need great physical collateral, like listing fliers, to give interested buyers. But they might not feel they have the tools or training to do it alone.
When it comes to the visual arts, most people believe you either have talent or you don't. But the truth is that anyone can learn any skill at any time of life. And having the right tools at hand greatly accelerates the process.
Why Design Is Easier Than You Think — Even If You've Never Done It Before
What exactly is design? Design simply means communicating a message in a visual way. When applied to publishing tasks such as your marketing fliers, you might hear it referred to as graphic design, but don't be misled. Basic design skills can transfer to every kind of design, and you can master them with practice.
Design isn't just about art: It also has a scientific element. Communicating certain messages in certain ways makes them more effective. In this case, a more effective message is one that people remember and act on. This is empowering because it means you can refine your approach until your designs get the desired results.
Plus, that means design isn't just a matter of taste. While certain design choices appeal most to certain audiences, you can develop an understanding of design by looking at its basic building blocks — fundamental decisions you make about the elements of your design that alter how others will receive it.
Let's look at some of the foundational ideas you can apply to any design task:
- Hierarchy
Hierarchy is one of the most important elements and also among the easiest to use. A message is easier to understand when the most important information, which you want the eye to travel to first, is near the top. By organizing the rest of the information in a descending hierarchy, you lead the viewer through the message. - Contrast
Contrast helps certain elements stand out and attracts the viewer's attention. One of the most basic uses of contrast is to ensure text stands out from the background so it can be read clearly. Different colors, sizes, and shapes can be used to create contrast and further influence how the viewer's eye will move down a page. - Proximity
Proximity groups related elements together to create a clear visual relationship between them. For example, your listing flier might have a box that lists all the amenities of the house together, or it might use several similar boxes to list out the special features of each room, each using the same heading style and shape. - Repetition
Repetition can create consistency and strengthen the design when it is used in accordance with the other principles. For instance, your flier might have six different photos lined up in a grid of three and three, all photos being the same size. That would be an example of repetition and proximity working together. - Space
Space means reducing clutter by giving elements enough space and leaving enough blank space between them. In design, blank space is called whitespace. Space works well with the principle of balance, where the visual weight of the elements is distributed evenly. The easiest way to begin using balance is with a symmetrical design style.
If you want to learn design, you don't have to wait until it's time to whip up a flier or open house invitation to practice it. Simply look at examples of similar collateral around the neighborhood. Identify which principles are used and determine what changes could be made to improve the appeal. Soon, design will be second nature.
Delta Create Helps You Get a Running Start With All Your Design Challenges
Design comes more easily once you recognize its elements, but you can take a shortcut. Delta Create makes it easy to craft beautiful designs for your listing fliers, event invitations, agent bios, and more. Instant access to thousands of professional creative assets empowers your imagination to soar.
Plus, the convenient template library means you can start every project strong, using a proven design that has gotten results for other agents like you. Simply customize it as much as you wish with your own text. Change, remove, or add anything you want, then print and get on with your day!
Contact us to find out more or get started.
