Carrie Cousins

PowerPoint Templates / 26 Jul 2022

How to Make a Timeline in PowerPoint

If you are showing information in chronological information, you might need to know how to make a timeline in PowerPoint to communicate most effectively.

A timeline is primarily used to show information that follows a chronology for a list of events. These milestones can be visualized better in a timeline format, and chronologies can be forward or reversed.

There are a couple of ways to accomplish this. We’ll walk through the uses for PowerPoint timelines, the types of timelines you might use, and how to make them. Let’s get started!

Note: All of the timeline examples here are from Envato Elements and are available to download and use.

Business / 21 Jul 2022

9 Best Ways to Grow a Small Business

Take your small business to the next level and start growing now.

There are plenty of things you can do to develop your small business, and here we’ll look at some of the digital growth tools you have to help propel your business forward.

From mobile apps to branding and blogs, some of these tips can give you inspiration to explore areas for growth that you might not previously have considered.

UX Design / 11 Jul 2022

5 Tips to Avoid Deceptive Patterns in Website Design

There’s nothing worse than something that auto-renews unexpectedly. Or finding yourself stuck in a website pattern that just doesn’t do what you want to expect.

These are deceptive patterns – user experience tricks and methods that force users into something unintended. It can include visual elements, interactivity, audio, motion, hidden sales, and more. And although commonly used, they are a bad idea.

Here’s how to avoid using deceptive patterns in website design, and some tips on better approaches to take!

Trends / 7 Jul 2022

Design Trend: Design With Whimsy

Light, happy, and whimsical design elements are just the trend we need in the world right now.

These projects bring a more joyous touch to all types of projects in various industries with common themes that are just a little more quirky than you might expect.

They don’t have to feel childish or tacky – they can bring a personality to your projects that’s often all too lacking in modern design.

Here’s a look at this website design trend with a little inspiration for incorporating it into your projects.

Accessibility / 4 Jul 2022

10 Reasons Why Alt Text Matters

If you aren’t using meaningful alt text in website projects, you are committing a crime on the internet. This tiny element has a big function, and comes with a huge impact on usability, readability, and accessibility.

If you thought that alt text was only for the purposes of accessibility, think again. It can help Google better understand your content, provide important context for what your page is about, and help readers navigate.

Here’s a guide to creating alt text that will help create more impact and a better user experience on your website.

Trends / 27 Jun 2022

Design Trend: Almost Too Many Layers

Have you noticed this trend in website design: layers on layers? I feel like I’ve been seeing more of it everywhere recently, and it’s a polarising one!

This is a design technique that can range from amazing in terms of visuals and usability to disastrous quickly. It’s clear that there’s a middle ground where it works, but it’s very easy to go too far!

Here, we’ll look at some ways to use it most effectively and a little more about what this design trend is about.

Font Collections / 24 Jun 2022

How to Choose the Right Font for Readability

It’s an age-old question: What is the best font for a website design?

Depending on who you ask, you might get an answer that includes a specific typeface. (Designers will joke about using Helvetica for everything, but it’s doubtful as a best practice.)

The more likely question is this: What is the most readable font for a website design? And the answer is rooted in core design principles that can help you choose a beautiful, and highly readable, typeface.

Here’s how you choose the right font for readability (with examples of great font choices for inspiration).

Reviews / 21 Jun 2022

Ipbase: A Geolocation API Packed With Features and Data

Looking for a geolocation API that includes all the data you need in terms of global coverage? Look no further than ipbase.

ipbase is a feature-rich API that’s easy to use and has a free plan to help you discover how this tool can work for you. Plus, the accompanying documentation is extensive, and clear to understand. You’ll have no problem getting started.

Here, we’re going to take a look at ipbase, key features, and practical application of the tool.

Instagram Templates / 20 Jun 2022

Instagram Grid Templates: 20 Examples + Tips

A secret used by some of the boldest visual brands on Instagram is to use a grid or puzzle template. What this style of template does is create 12 cohesive panels that come together as a single image when someone visits your Instagram profile page.

The trick here is that the panels have to work equally well as single image posts and together as a whole. It can be difficult to pull off if you are not careful.

A template can make it a lot easier to figure out and manage. You can create one yourself, or download a ready-made option (best if you are looking for quick and easy). Here, we are looking at 10 great Instagram grid templates with tips for how you can take the inspiration from each and use it with your images on your social media account.

Graphics / 20 Jun 2022

The Website Redesign Checklist: 10 Key Considerations

It’s something most brands or companies have to do every three to five years: tackle a website redesign.

The speed of technology is constantly changing, design trends evolve, and overall functionality requirements make a semi-regular redesign a must to ensure your presence online is modern and usable. It’s a big project, but with the right planning, it can go smoothly.

Here, we’ll outline 10 key considerations to think about when you undertake the next website redesign project.

You can use this list as a checklist to help manage your project.

Reviews / 14 Jun 2022

6 Reasons to Try Shutterstock in 2023

Almost every designer needs stock photos and videos to complete projects. The tough part can be finding the right service with great visuals that don’t look like typical stock photography.

Shutterstock is the answer for many design professionals. The service has a ton of video and image assets that are top quality and will help your project shine.

If you haven’t looked at Shutterstock before or maybe want to try again, here are six reasons to give it a try (with examples of things you’ll find on the site).

PowerPoint Templates / 10 Jun 2022

What Is a Pitch Deck? (And How to Make One)

It’s a tool that every startup business or entrepreneur needs – a great pitch deck. A pitch deck is a presentation that you’ll use to help explain or showcase your product or service and potentially drives sales or investment. It needs to be polished and professional to do the job well.

Today, we’ll take a look at what a pitch deck is, how to make one, and how to establish a design that will wow people who come in contact with your new business.

We’ll also feature a few stunning pitch deck templates along the way, to help you get started fast.