Manuals / Graphic Design / Ch 10

E · Campaign & PortfolioAdvanced55 min read

10. Art direction & campaign design

Graphic Design · 52 pages source format

One idea, many executions. Mood → constraints → 3+ pieces that clearly belong together. Art direction is consistency of feeling, not copying layouts.

What you'll learn

  • Mood boards
  • Campaign constraints
  • Visual system vs template
  • Motion as hierarchy lite

Mood → adjectives → rules

Collect 8–12 references. Extract 3 adjectives (e.g. “warm, noisy, handmade”). Write 3 rules (e.g. “always one rotated element”).

Do this now

FigJam mood board + 3 written rules for your campaign.

Clear?

Three-piece campaign

Poster + social + landing hero (or billboard + story + flyer). Same system, different formats.

Do this now

Ship 3 pieces for one campaign moment (launch, sale, event).

Clear?

Optional motion pass

Simple Figma prototype or 3-frame GIF: motion reinforces hierarchy (headline enters last, CTA pulses once).

Do this now

Add motion to one piece OR annotate motion intent on a static frame.

Pro tip. If motion does not clarify hierarchy, remove it.

Clear?

Checklist