The Art of Layering Color and Images

The art of layering color, texture, and images is making a presence in graphic design and marketing this year. Both business to business (B2B) and business to customer (B2C) e-commerce sites are creating visually layered displays for their products.

It’s reminiscent of the famous window displays of 5th Avenue, in which displays are created with layers of clothes, baubles, and mannequins.

Credit: Abraham Lule

We’re also noticing branding reminiscent of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, when lithograph work was at its peak. We see detail by artists creating depth with vignettes and layers of bands and decor. The old styles of cigarette and elixir labels are back. The history of the lithography was a breakthrough in printing technology invented in 1798 by Alois Senefelder. Its popularity soared in the United States in the early twentieth century. One hundred years later, we can’t get enough of it.

Limestone lithograph stones for Social Smoke date back to the early 1800’s. Compare them to these current lithograph style labels.

Source: http://sites.tech.uh.edu/digitalmedia/materials/3350/History_of_Litho.pdf

Credit: Yuni Nur Ikhwanto

Credit: Barrett Biggers

Let’s look again at some contemporary photography and how establishing perspective, layers and depth can reach a viewer’s attention better than 2D images. Add some fun and whimsy when layering color and shapes. Imagination and breaking the rules will produce intrigue and digital wizardry.

Credit: Hazel Ow

Credit: Catherine Findley

Credit: Manu Berlanga