The best way to learn how to make a good layout is to imagine that you are working with a puzzle where making its parts larger, smaller or arranging them diagonally would affect the overall quality of a finished design.
SO, WHAT IS THE LAYOUT?
If you take a closer look at the design of the posters around you, you will notice that they are composed of elements such as "characters", "images", and "colour schemes or palettes". A layout is a part of a design, and elements such as "characters", "images", and "colour schemes or palettes" should be easy for people to read and understand. It's about arranging them neatly for the sake of good communication.
IS THE LAYOUT A PUZZLE GAME?
Here is the example of a puzzle game that will help easily and intuitively understand what is layout as one of the elements of graphic design.
The rules are simple. Let's make a poster to announce the event using only the materials in the frame below. Target audience are women in their 30s and 40s. It is an event where they can enjoy bread and coffee in the woods.
Layout puzzle game rules:
1. Make an event poster using images and text
2. Target women in their 30s and 40s
3. Only the parts in the frame below can be used
4. It is OK to change the position and size of the text
Download layout elements.
Take your time and create a layout that will be readable and can communicate the message to its target audience.