Too many layers spoils the cake.

ONE layer simplicity - of course! but maybe ….

As a professional but also as an instructor of design, I continue to come across what I believe is the incorrect way today’s design students are being taught the basics of design, type, and layout.

Specifically, it starts with the problem of ‘over complicating’.

Of course as the student progresses, there is definitely logic in the use of layers tool (probably not as many as I have seen, but that’s just my opinion). But at the beginning, when they are learning the basics, they should only have a few elements ‘on a page’ to juggle. Now is the right opportunity to instill good, clear, strategic decision-makings skills - and they are not many nor complicated.

The definition of layers is organizing information into related groupings in order to manage complexity - this is the logic for implementing layers.

It appears that ‘managing complexity’ is the stumbling point. Therefore, simply, do not get to this point.

How does one not create complexity? Do not confuse that dictum with not experimenting. As creatives that is a major part of our process.

I suggest trying to think of your digital paper as a real one on a real desk. As you start to proceed with your task, let’s say designing a logo, allow yourself to do what you would normally do - play with different typestyles, edit a letterform, add a visual, scan in a sketch, whatever you’d like. The key is to have them all visually available on the same layer, on the same ‘piece of paper’.

The basics of good design and within this particular example logo design, moves towards a focused, simple solution. It is not which treatments one can find within illustrator and photoshop’s effects menu. These specific capabilities comprise the secondary tools, not the primary ones.

Try it. Challenge yourself to not turn on any layers, at least in the beginning of playing and experimenting. See what comes of this attempt. Definitely it will be less complicated and maybe it will even be easier to identify the best solution.

It’s better to make a single layer of cake, look at it and taste it first before considering a making a multi-tiered concoction that leaves something to be desired.

Leave layering for a delicious piece of chocolate cake where you're sure that the more layers the tastier.