Layers.

If you work in the design world (in any capacity - graphic designer, illustrator, interior designer, visual merchandiser, photographer, etc.) you are likely familiar with layers. But if you’re not, let’s get you up to speed!

Layers are one of my favorite things to work with. Layers add depth and texture. Layers make any composition more interesting. If what you’ve created is more interesting, more people will want to look at it for longer. This creates a larger audience and a repeat audience. When you start to work strongly with layers, someone familiar with your work will continue to be interested to see what new little nuggets you add. What small details are your signature?

Sounds like a win, right? All right, so now you’re interested. How do we do this? What are some ways we can work with layers?

Let’s look at an illustration. Below you’ll see two versions. The simple, high-contrast option and the one that incorporates more layers. Which did your eye go to first, and why?

Of course, different situations warrant different solutions, but to me, the one with more layers or created depth draws me in for a closer look. I think of my kiddo reading a book (or being read to) for the 100th time. What is something that will hold their attention repeatedly? How can I make them spend more time on that spread? What is a detail they might miss the first 99 times and then discover?

Let’s look at another example. How do layers apply to a three-dimensional design? There are even more layers (or levels) to play with, working top to bottom, left to right, and front to back. What an amazing opportunity to utilize and layer in all those details while creating an inviting composition!

Think about what your customers will come into contact with first - do you want them to read the headline, see the product in focus, or get an overall feeling first? Depending on the design, prioritize and proceed. Work low to high. The tallest pieces of the composition create stopping points for your customer to pause. Layers are great for telling the customer or client what information you want them to know when you want to tell it to them! You are in complete control of the pace of your message.

In this case, I wanted the customer to get an overall feeling of Back-to-College when they came down the aisle into this media. I utilized layers to draw them in and guide their eyes to the main products in focus (the different duvet covers/bed textile choices we offered). Starting low and pulling their eyes up and into the most packed part of the bed, and continuing up and onto the furthest back wall. Low to high, front to back, left to right. Tell the customer where you want them to look and in what order.

The trick to keeping so many things still looking cohesive is to fold in your repetition of the same elements. Don’t be afraid to edit down! Repetition of fewer elements leads to a stronger presentation and lets those beautiful details breathe.

Layers play such an important role in your designs. I hope this post shone a little light and inspired you to see where you can inject a few more details.