Fluff (N.): something inconsequential
Source: Merriam-Webster Online English Dictionary
In design, this is often viewed as unnecessary ornamentation. In web design, where load times are important, there is a move almost entirely away from this. However, when working on print design or even video, what techniques can help determine if there’s too much fluff, too little fluff, or just the right amount?
Let’s see some examples with varying level of fluffiness:
Or in Video you can see:
Daily Show Interview, when look closely there’s a lot going on. The stripe at the bottom showing Daily Show with the white swirls, red blur and some sort of text on the bottom. The top doesn’t just say Paramount or even Paramount on red it also has some white shape which is very subtly moving.
Today Show with Matt Lauer, has some random geometric shape with animation and lighting effects.
How to Install a Vinyl Sticker from VinylDecalStore, is simpler yet with basically text on a background to make it more visible.
With too little fluff it can at times, like in that VinylDecalStore video, appear like an amateur designed the ad. When is there enough and when is there too much?
Answer
In design, this is often viewed as unnecessary ornamentation.
- Is it necessary?
- No?
- Then it’s unnecessary.
Additional elements should only be added with a purpose. To draw the viewers attention, to make them feel a certain way, to create a composition that makes the information more easily readable, etc. are all valid purposes. But it should never be an end in itself.
Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : Ryan , Answer Author : KMSTR