20 eye-catching visual ideas

Key points

Visual identity can be created by creating and manipulating visual ideas for: backgrounds, borders, lines/dividers, corners, shadows, text, images, color, and balance
Shapes and angles create a mood. Rounded corners feel playful and approachable. Angled background transitions feel dynamic and optimistic.
Learn about mood lines to understand this fundamentally

20 ways of adding visual interest to a layout (including examples). This is part 1 of 3 of a series where I explore creative visual design ideas you can implement in your design project. You can implement these in web design, app design, poster design, marketing design, and more. Brought to you by Creatorfuel.

This post was inspired by Anthony Hobday.

We’ll look at the following visual ideas:

Backgrounds (Part 1)
Borders (Part 1)
Lines & dividers (Part 1)
Corners
Shadows
Text
Image treatment
Color
Balance

Background techniques:

Backgrounds are essential to visual design because they provide the foundation for all other elements to rest on. Whether it's a crisp, white canvas with minimal design, or a colourful, textured background, they establish the tone and atmosphere of a design. By carefully considering backgrounds, foreground items stand out and grab attention while improving visual hierarchy and information clarity.

Angled or curved background transitions to create a dynamic feel

Background shapes or blobs to emphasize foreground elements

Text as a background to subtly reinforce brand identity, verbally

Border techniques

A border serves as a visual boundary, guiding the eye and separating elements within a design. They can range from subtle, barely noticeable lines to bold and striking frames that draw attention to specific content. Whether it's a classic elegance or a modern edge, border style, thickness, and color impact the overall look and feel of a design.

Gradient borders for an approachable, playful vibe

Fading borders for a futuristic, techy and innovative feel

Divider techniques

Layouts use lines and dividers as both aesthetic embellishments and functional separators. They can be used to create structure, demarcate sections, and direct a viewer's attention. Straight, curved, or dashed lines, as well as decorative dividers, can contribute to visual rhythm and add an extra layer of detail to the composition.

Diagonal line dividers add elegance and sophistication

Symbols as dividers can help reinforce a motif

Final thoughts

Backgrounds, borders, lines, corners, shadows, text, images, colors, and balance work together like pieces of a puzzle, shaping the look and feel of everything we see. By understanding how each piece contributes to the whole, designers can create engaging and balanced designs that tell stories, evoke emotions, and communicate messages effectively. So, as you embark on your design journey, remember that even the smallest details can make the biggest difference in leaving a memorable impact.

Design tool used: Figma