assignment border design ideas

Border Design: 8 Tips & Modern Examples

Graphic designers have been using borders for as long as they have been designing things. And they’re a fun element to play with. We’re taking a look at eight border design concepts (most of them you can actually download as project starters), along with tips for usage and some examples that you can try in projects.

Sometimes a great border can help separate your design for other elements, such as around the perimeter of an ad. Other times, a border can serve as an element to help break up different parts of a design, or frame messaging or content.

While borders are most frequently thought about in terms of print design, they can be a valuable digital design tool as well. A good border defines a space so that users know where a design begins and ends. (Pretty simple, right?)

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1. Ink and Tattoo Style

A simple lined ink border can create a distinct edge on a project with a bit of a funky flair, especially with ink elements that have a tattoo-style design.

This border style often features a simple and subtle pattern that repeats around the edge of the design. Often the design is a single color – typically black or white – depending on the background.

While these styles often have a delicate nature in isolation, they don’t often have a distinct masculine or feminine feel and usually take on the properties of surrounding elements.

Tip for using this border style: Look for patterns that repeat closely. From a distance, this border style might almost look like a solid line, but with a close look, a pattern emerges, delighting users.

2. Vintage Frame

Vintage or distressed badges and frames are a totally trendy choice when it comes to border design as well. These elements create distinct containers for content and you can use this style of border design for logo elements, display text for a homepage or poster or just to add emphasis to a specific part of a design.

Characteristics of a vintage-style border or frame include a mix of thick and thin strokes, often with some type of distressing or other texture added. The idea is that this border should have an old or stamped design to it. (Think of the stamp on a giant wooden crate.)

Tip for using this border style: Use a combination of strong lines – even if they are roughed up or speckled – with sharp or minimally rounded corners to really get that vintage feel.

3. Watercolor

Any design element that’s generally trending can be repurposed as a border design as well.

Watercolor textures and effects are a great example of an overall trend that can make a great border option. Due to the flexibility and wide range of watercolor styles, this kind of border can serve as a light frame that transitions into the main design area or a harder edged border to designated the physical edges of a project.

Tip for using this border style: Opt for an oversized, bold hue and pattern for watercolor borders. This creates a modern look and feel. The example above is particularly nice because of the mix of both watercolor and geometric shaped textures.

4. Retro Styles

Because borders were a common technique a long time ago, and aren’t as thought about now, a retro border style can be an appropriate option.

Evoke an emotional connection with times past or a certain era with a retro border style, such as the art deco option above. The trick to using a retro style is not to try to mix too many techniques because a retro style can be a dominant visual effect.

Tip for using this border style: Pair the strong lines of a retro option with a fun texture in print, such as foiling or embossing to add extra emphasis to the border style.

5. Feminine Lace

Because many projects that include borders are often printed, such as invitation or cards, feminine lace styles are popular (especially with the wedding industry).

These lace style borders have a more delicate look, and you need to pay particular attention when pairing them with background elements so that the border is still readable. Look for a background and border style with plenty of contrast so that each element stands on its own.

Tip for using this border style: Experiment with thick and thin lace border styles. These patterns can get overwhelming quickly and sometimes a thinner lace border can add just the right touch to a project.

6. White-Out Borders

Look for a border style that actually “erases” some of the main content area so it fades into the background. These white-out borders are often referred to as grunge style, thinks or uneven edges and patterns.

It’s a fun option for print or digital projects through and flips the idea of a border upside down. Pair a high contrast element with a white border for maximum impact. If you are looking to create this technique, apply a texture layer over the background.

Tip for using this border style: Use a white border over a photo for the white-out effect to really shine through. In digital design, this effect takes on a whole new look on white backgrounds because the foreground almost fades into it.

7. Simple Lines

A border design doesn’t need a lot of effects to be spectacular. Simple lines can be that special thing that pushes a good design to great. Play with weights, color and how you join strokes to figure out the best border placement for your projects.

Simple line borders are nice because they work practically everywhere. Use them on a light background or a dark one. Use them on a photo or blank canvas.

Tip for using this border style: Consider white space in relation to a simple-line border. A thicker border with more whitespace can actually help draw the eye into the main content in the center of the design. If there are too many things happening with the border design, users might never look past it and find what you want them to see.

8. Inset Border

There’s no rule that a border has to be all the way on the edge of the canvas. Consider an inset border to create a more layered design effect.

An inset border visually “shrinks” the canvas to the area within the border – note the text above is contained inside the border area. It can help the eye focus quickly on an important element in the design.

Use this technique to help users focus on a certain block of text, call to action or engaging visual.

Tip for using this border style: Leave enough room around the outside of the border so that space looks intentional, and use equal spacing on the left and right and top and bottom.

Modern border design is more than a single half-point stroke around a photo or graphic element. There are so many other ways to create a border that’s as much a part of the design as an element to separate it from other things.

Create a border that helps users focus on the part of the design that’s most important to you. From elaborate edging to simple frames, a modern border design can help make your design stand out.

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80 Easy Border Designs for School Projects

When Simplicity Reigns: Top 10 Easy Border Designs for School Projects

• Dotted Border : A timeless classic! Grab a marker or a pen and dot along the edges of your project.
• Striped Border : Choose two colors and alternate them in stripes.
• Wavy Border : Put on your artist hat and draw wavy lines for a playful touch.
• Geometric Border : Circles, squares, triangles – pick your shape and start sketching.
• Corner Designs : Keep the center plain and focus on the corners. Try a floral or geometric design for a sophisticated look.
• Bubble Border : Draw overlapping circles of different sizes for a bubbly effect.
• Star-studded Border : Stars never fail to impress. Go for a single row of stars or multiple for a starry-night effect.
• Heart Border : Show your project some love with a border made of hearts.
• Chevron Border : A series of V shapes makes a modern and stylish border.
• Rainbow Border : What’s better than a border? A colorful one! Draw a rainbow-themed border for a vibrant touch.

Creative Handmade Border Design for Project: The Next 10

• Leafy Border : Draw different types of leaves or stick with one type. Add shades of green for a realistic touch.
• Flowery Border : Sketch different types of flowers. You can either color them or leave them monochrome for a classy look.
• Patterned Border : Get creative with patterns. Zig-zags, swirls, polka dots – the sky’s the limit.
• Animal Border : Pick your favorite animal and draw small versions of it around the border.
• Fruit Border : Draw tiny versions of your favorite fruits. This can be a fun and colorful addition to your project.
• Tribal Border : Go for a tribal pattern for an edgy look.
• Lace Border : A lace pattern can give your project an elegant touch.
• Comic Strip Border : Turn your border into a comic strip. This works great for projects related to literature or the arts.
• Paper Cut-Out Border : Get crafty with scissors and colored paper. Cut out shapes and paste them on the border.
• 3D Border : Give your project a pop with a 3D border. Draw shapes that create an illusion of depth.

Colorful Creations: Border Design for A4 Size Paper Colorful

• Sunset Border : Recreate the colors of a sunset for a soothing effect.
• Underwater Border : Use shades of blue and draw underwater creatures for a marine theme.
• Rainforest Border : Draw exotic plants and animals in vibrant colors for a wild touch.
• Cityscape Border : Draw a colorful city skyline around your project.
• Carnival Border : Replicate the colors and energy of a carnival on your border.
• Color Block Border : Choose bold, contrasting colors and fill your border with large blocks of color.
• Space Border : A galaxy-themed border with stars and planets can be truly out of this world!
• Tie-Dye Border : Create a funky tie-dye effect on your border.
• Glitter Border : Who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle? Apply glue to your border and sprinkle glitter over it.
• Glow-in-the-Dark Border : Use glow-in-the-dark paint for a border that shines even in the dark.

For the Digital Wizards: Top 10 Digital Border Designs

• Brush Stroke Border : Use a brush stroke effect for a painted look.
• Fire Border : With the right tools, you can create a border that looks like it’s on fire!
• Water Border : Use a water effect for a refreshing look.
• Neon Border : Create a neon sign effect for a futuristic touch.
• Chalkboard Border : A chalkboard effect can give your project a vintage look.
• Ice Border : Use an ice effect for a border that looks cool (pun intended).
• Glowing Border : Create a glowing border that makes your project stand out.
• Animated Border : Add a touch of motion with an animated border.
• Pixel Art Border : If you’re a fan of retro gaming, a pixel art border can be a fun addition.
• Patterned Border : Use a pattern fill for a quick and easy border.

The Final 10: Border Designs that Defy Categories

• Origami Border : Use origami paper to create a unique border.
• Stitch Border : Draw a line around your project that looks like a stitch line.
• Newspaper Border : Cut out newspaper strips and paste them on your border.
• Film Strip Border : Draw a film strip for a border perfect for movies or photography projects.
• Road Border : Draw a road with tiny cars for a cute, playful touch.
• Light Bulb Border : Draw light bulbs for a project related to ideas or innovation.
• Music Border : Draw musical notes for a project related to music.
• Flag Border : Draw flags of different countries for a project related to geography or international affairs.
• Candy Border : Draw your favorite candies for a sweet touch.
• Map Border : Draw a world map for a project related to travel or geography.

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I am a web designer with over 17 years of experience. I am passionate about all things design and creativity. I love using Photoshop to create surreal digital art, as well as taking photographs. My goal as a web designer is to provide my readers with valuable and useful content, and I am always looking for new and innovative ways to achieve this. Whether I am working on a website design or creating a digital art piece, I am always striving to create something that is both beautiful and functional. I am excited to share my skills and experiences with you!

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